A connection device employs a plurality of housing portions that are formed separately from one another and further includes a plurality of conductors. The plurality of conductors are situated on a first housing portion, and a second housing portion and a third housing portion are then affixed at opposite ends of the first housing portion to retain the conductors in place on the first housing portion. The first, second, and third housing portions, being connected together, are then received in a receptacle of a fourth housing portion to form the connection device. The conductors each have an elongated shank that is received in an elongated channel formed in the first housing portion before the second and third housing portions are attached thereto.

Field
The disclosed and claimed concept relates generally to electrical equipment and, more particularly, to an electrical connector.
Related Art
Numerous types of electrical connection devices are known in the relevant art. One example of a known connection device is of a type that is situated at the end of a power cord and that is connectable with a wall outlet or other connector that is connected with a source of electrical power. By plugging the connection device into the connector, the electrical load that is connected with the power cord is provided with a supply of electricity in order to operate in its intended fashion. While such connection devices have been generally effective for their intended purposes, they have not been without limitation.
Depending upon the particular electrical application and the relevant environment, and also depending upon legacy factors, some connection devices have been difficult to manufacture because of the positions of the electrical conductors with respect to one another on the connection device that may be required. In some situations, the conductors have been such that the connection device was capable of manufacture only in specific fashions. One such fashion was to hold the conductors in a particular orientation on some type of a support and to mold in situ about the conductors the polymeric material that forms the insulative portions of the connection device. Such manufacturing processes have been subject to variability due to the molded nature of the polymeric material and the fact that the polymeric material is molded in situ around the contacts. Such previously known connection devices have often required extra work for cleanup and have also had an undesirably high scrap rate. Improvements thus would be desirable.

Connection device for electrical connection of an electrical load with a source of electrical power


Provided herein is a feedback amplifier including an amplifier circuit configured to amplify an input signal input from an input terminal and output the amplified input signal to an output terminal; a feedback circuit configured to apply a feedback resistance value to a signal output to the output terminal, and to control a gain of the amplifier circuit by adjusting the input signal by a bias voltage applied with a feedback resistance value determined; a packet signal sensor configured to generate a fixed resistance control signal for controlling a fixed resistance value included in the feedback resistance value through a comparison between the output from the output terminal with a minimum signal level; and a fixed resistance controller configured to control the fixed resistance value included in the feedback resistance value in response to the fixed resistance control signal.

Field of Invention
Various embodiments of the present invention relate to an optical communication system, and more particularly, to a feedback amplifier that is capable of sensing an input signal, and controlling a gain of an amplifier.
Description of Related Art
Optical access networks are evolving into optical multiple access networks that use the PON (Passive Optical Network) technology. In such a passive optical network, bust mode optical signals are used. When a bust mode optical signal converts from a packet of a channel to a packet of another channel, the voltage of the optical signal suddenly changes significantly.
An optical receiver of an optical communication system needs both a wide dynamic range and high receiving sensitivity. In such an optical receiver, a preamplifier is positioned at a first terminal where a signal is input, and the performance of the preamplifier depends on the performance of a feedback amplifier that is used as the preamplifier.
Such a feedback amplifier has an amplifier circuit for sensing a bust packet input signal and for amplifying the same. The feedback amplifier provides a feedback circuit for sensing a peak value of the bust packet input signal and for controlling the level of the output voltage of the sensed signal. Herein, the feedback circuit includes a feedback resistance connected between an input terminal and output terminal, and a feedback transistor in parallel to the feedback resistance. Herein, the feedback transistor may control the current flowing through the feedback circuit and the output voltage as a control signal is applied to its base.
Such a feedback amplifier senses a bust packet input signal by the voltage level, but it cannot sense a bust packet input signal when the voltage level of the bust packet input signal is extremely low, which is a problem.
Furthermore, for applying a control signal to the base of the feedback transistor, there is a method of configuring a separate gain control signal generating circuit outside the feedback amplifier to generate a control signal, and a method of positioning a bias circuit inside the feedback amplifier to generate a control signal in itself. However, since the control signal changes in response to the input signal, if there is a big difference in the input signal, it is not possible to freely control the gain of the preamplifier, which is a problem.

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute


A semiconductor device having a multilayer structure, each layer including: a dummy pattern for ensuring a flatness thereof; a pad area in which a bonding pad is formed; an input-output circuit area in which an input-output circuit is formed, the input-output circuit area being adjacent to the pad area in plan view; and a dummy pattern confined area for forbidding an arrangement of the dummy pattern in every layer included in the semiconductor device, the dummy pattern confined area being provided between the pad area and the input-output circuit area in plan view.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device fabricated using a chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) method, the semiconductor device being provided with shallow trench isolation (STI) and wire structures. The present invention also relates to a layout design method of such semiconductor device and a layout design device that uses the method.
2. Related Art
Commonly introduced elements and wiring structures of semiconductor devices have thin-film multilayer structures, in order to make semiconductor devices more highly integrated and greatly reduced in scale. The manufacturing of these elements involves a CMP method for planarizing deposited surfaces, and the flatness of the substrate polished by this method depends on the layout of the wirings. In order to ensure the flatness, a suggested method includes the forming of dummy wirings (refer to JP-A-2003-45876 for an example). In order to ensure the flatness in a semiconductor substrate that has element isolation regions formed with STI, a suggested method includes forming dummy activation areas in an STI structure (refer to JP-A-2004-356316 for an example).
As described, the flatness in the CMP polishing is ensured by patterning dummy wirings and dummy activation areas.
These cases, however, may involve occurrences of phenomenon where static electricity is transmitted to internal circuits.
The cause of the above is determined to be an involuntarily formed conductive channel created by patterning the dummy activation areas, causing the static electricity flown in through the input-output pad to be transmitted to the internal circuits through the dummy activation areas.

Semiconductor device, layout design method thereof, and layout design device using the same


A magnetic disk drive has a magnetic head for recording or reproducing information on or from a magnetic recording medium. The magnetic recording medium includes a magnetic recording layer for information recording which has magnetic anisotropy in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the recording medium, a soft magnetic under layer under the magnetic recording layer and having soft magnetic properties, and a non-magnetic substrate. The magnetic disk drive records a signal with a skew angle on at least some tracks. A main pole has a size satisfying pL<(tP-tW cos .theta.)/sin .theta., where pL is a width of an end face of the main pole in a traveling direction, tW is a track width of the end face of the main pole, tP is a track pitch, and .theta. is a skew angle of a trailing edge of the main pole.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a magnetic head used in a magnetic disk drive and, more particularly, to a magnetic head and a magnetic disk drive for perpendicular magnetic recording, which have structures and characteristics optimum for a higher track density and a smaller track pitch.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, in the field of computers, magnetic disk drives are widely used as large-capacity external storages which allow random access. As these magnetic disk drives are very popular, demands increasingly arise for magnetic disk drives having a larger memory capacity and a higher recording density.
In a magnetic disk drive, usually, a plurality of magnetic disks each obtained by forming a magnetic layer on a non-magnetic substrate are stacked and mounted on one rotating shaft. Magnetic heads for performing recording and reproduction on and from these magnetic disks are mounted to arms. These arms are driven by actuators, thereby positioning the magnetic heads.
In the magnetic disk drive having this structure, each magnetic head is arranged so as to access a desired portion on the disk surface which is rotated at a high speed during recording and reproduction of information, such that it will not be brought into direct contact with the disk surface but slightly flies above the disk surface. A signal is recorded on or reproduced from concentric tracks of the disk surface by the magnetic head.
In the magnetic disk drive, in order to satisfy the demand for the larger memory capacity, attempts have been made to increase the linear recording density of the disk, i.e., the recording density in the circumferential direction or to increase the track density, i.e., the recording density in the radial direction. Furthermore, in order to increase the recording density, studies of extremely low flying height recording or contact recording have extensively been made in recent years, with which recording/reproduction is performed by causing the magnetic head to fly extremely slightly above the magnetic disk or by bringing the magnetic head into almost contact with the magnetic disk.
As a method of increasing the linear recording density, perpendicular magnetic recording was proposed in 1975. According to the perpendicular magnetic recording, since demagnetization in a magnetization transition portion can be made very small as compared to conventional longitudinal magnetic recording having anisotropy in a longitudinal direction, the magnetization transition width can be decreased. Thus, high-density recording is enabled. It is known that in this perpendicular magnetic recording, when a magnetic head for perpendicular magnetic recording which uses strip-type soft magnetic thin films is used, a recording field in a more perpendicular direction can be obtained, which is effective for obtaining a higher density. A magnetic disk having a perpendicular double layered medium obtained by providing a soft magnetic underlayer under a magnetic recording layer having a perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, is also proposed to increase the recording and reproducing efficiency in the perpendicular magnetic recording scheme, thereby forming a sharper magnetization transition. When this magnetic disk is employed, demagnetization at the distal end of the magnetic head can be decreased due to the magnetic interaction of the magnetic head and the under layer, so that a larger magnetic field can be obtained in recording. In reproduction, similarly, demagnetization at the distal end of the magnetic head can be decreased, so that the effective magnetic permeability can be increased. As a result, the magnetic flux emanating from the medium can be efficiently converged on the magnetic head, thereby obtaining a more intense signal.
In order to obtain a magnetic flux from a magnetization transition portion of a medium on which perpendicular recording has been performed efficiently, it is important that the magnetic head is moved close to the surface of the medium. For this reason, a conventional magnetic head for perpendicular recording is used to be brought into contact with the surface of a medium. However, the conventional magnetic head has problems in durability and wear resistance.
With the perpendicular magnetic recording scheme, magnetization is set upward or downward in the perpendicular direction with respect to the surface of the medium. Even if a 1-bit length is small, magnetization which is stable in terms of energy can be left in the recording layer of the medium. Therefore, the perpendicular magnetic recording scheme has been regarded as a method which is effective for realizing a higher density in principle. With the state-of-the-art perpendicular magnetic recording medium, however, as the recording magnetic field and inclination of the magnetic field are insufficient, satisfactory recording cannot be made on the medium. For this reason, a magnetic head having a higher recording ability than the conventional magnetic head has been demanded.

Magnetic disk drive recording a signal with a skew angle


Implementations relate to generating an operator, device, and platform-independent aggregation, cross-platform translation, enablement, and distribution of user activity catalogs. Users of a cellular telephone, a personal computer, or other devices or services can register to a database that collects transaction and other activity for the user. The user can designate one or more groups of users with whom to share collective activity data. The activity feeds can include recommendations, transactions, and other information generated when group members conduct retail or other activity. In one example, the activity feeds transmitted can be automatically translated and configured based on service operator and/or recipient device type. In another example, a user visiting a Website can be presented with a context-sensitive drop-down list of transactions conducted at that site by members of user's designated group(s) in the past. The platform permits users to mutually and transparently suggest products, services, or content to each other.

The present teachings relate generally to method and apparatus for the operator, device, and platform-independent collection, and cross-platform translation, and distribution of user activity catalogs.
The advent of the Internet, network-enabled cellular telephones, and other networked devices has spawned a new era of advertising and content delivery. One factor spurring the increase in online advertising and other content delivery is the potential for targeted marketing to cell phone, Internet, and other users. Search-based advertising, for instance, has proliferated, in which content related to a user's search topic is automatically inserted in selectable banner ads or other advertising media.
Despite the widespread adoption of cellular and Internet advertising and other media, certain barriers to the effectiveness of networked content delivery remain. One factor is that consumers do not tend to give as much consideration to network-generated advertising content as they do to the recommendations or experiences of their immediate friends and other acquaintances. Traditional advertising platforms and channels generally fail, however, to exploit the marketing power of peer-reported recommendations and experiences.
Cellular and Internet providers and operators around the world, for example, offer services and devices that support the browsing, purchase, and download of games, ringtones, wallpapers, screensavers, music, and other types of DRM-protected services or content. DRM-protected content is generally purchased through a shopping catalog that is managed by the operator and made available to the user via either the mobile or the operator's website. The catalog tries to differentiate and promote some pieces of content over others, generally without regard to the user's preference, but rather based on the operator's partnerships with content developers. Commercial catalogs themselves do not, however, provide the credibility and personal connection that the user is most easily able to relate to, and in general those catalogs are not tailored by user preferences and/or preferences and experiences of the user's social group. Those accumulated experiences can therefore remain hidden from mutual members of the group. Although inference based-catalogs and user recommendations have begun to be supported, the catalogs are still operator-controlled, the one-off recommendations tend to not be sufficient to cause a significant revenue impact, and the catalogs themselves do not provide the credibility or personality to which the user is able to relate easily.
It may be desirable to provide platforms and techniques that harness the leveraging effect of allowing users to accumulate and freely share their experiences and recommendations to other network users and that allow operators, merchants, and others to monetize those compounded content feeds. It may be further desirable to provide an ability to generate and distribute those feeds to various group members on a context-sensitive and/or device-independent basis, since in certain regards, the membership group can have a set of diverse handsets and other devices.

Operator, device and platform independent aggregation, cross-platform translation, enablement and distribution of user activity catalogs


The differential difference amplifier circuit includes a differential input stage circuit, a loading stage circuit coupled to the differential input stage circuit, and an output stage circuit coupled to the loading stage circuit. The output stage circuit is configured to generate an output signal. The differential input stage circuit includes a first differential pair having a first transconductance and a second differential pair having a second transconductance. The first differential pair is biased by a first current source and receives a first input signal and the output signal. The second differential pair is biased by a second current source and receives a second input signal and the output signal. At least one of the first transconductance and the second transconductance is adjusted according to the image data.

An operational amplifier circuit has a variety of applications in modern electronic devices. For example, the operational amplifier circuit may be used in a data driver for providing image data to a display panel, such as an organic light emitting diode (OLED) and a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel. It is common for an operational amplifier to adopt a differential pair as an input stage for receiving input signals. How to design a differential pair in the data driver to achieve better display quality is an important subject in the industry.

Differential difference amplifier circuit having variable transconductance


A laser induced thermal imaging apparatus and a manufacturing method of organic light emitting diodes using the same, which reduce or prevent the occurrence of impurities or void between an acceptor substrate and a donor film while performing a laser induced thermal imaging in a vacuum state. A laser induced thermal imaging apparatus includes: a substrate stage including an acceptor substrate for receiving an imaging layer, the imaging layer being formed on the acceptor substrate, and an electromagnet, a donor film having a permanent magnet being placed and laminated on the substrate stage, and the electromagnet forming a magnetic force with a permanent magnet of the donor film; a laser oscillator for irradiating a laser to the donor film; and a chamber having at least the substrate stage located therein.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a laser induced thermal imaging apparatus and a manufacturing method of an organic light emitting diode using the same, and more particularly, to a laser induced thermal imaging apparatus and a manufacturing method of an organic light emitting diode using the same, which laminate an acceptor substrate and a donor film using a magnetic force.
2. Discussion of Related Art
An organic light emitting device includes a light emitting layer formed between first and second electrodes and emits light when a voltage is applied between the electrodes. A laser induced thermal imaging (LITI) process may be used to fabricate the organic light emitting device.
In a laser induced thermal imaging method, a laser is radiated to a donor substrate including a base substrate, a light-to-heat conversion layer (LTHC) and a transfer layer (or imaging layer) to convert the laser that passes through the base substrate into heat at the light-to-heat conversion layer, such that the light-to-heat conversion layer is deformed and expanded. This way, the transfer layer adjacent to the light-to-heat conversion layer is also deformed and expanded, and transferred (or imaged on) the acceptor substrate.
When performing the laser induced thermal imaging method, a chamber in which the transfer is performed should generally become a vacuum state. However, in the prior art, there has been a problem in that the transfer layer is not transferred well because space (or gap) or impurities are created between the donor substrate and the accepter substrate when a laser-to-heat conversion is performed in the vacuum state. Therefore, in the laser induced thermal imaging method, a method of laminating the donor and accepter substrates is important, and to resolve the problems with the space or the impurities, various methods have been investigated.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view that shows a prior art laser induced thermal imaging apparatus 10 for resolving the above-mentioned problem. According to FIG. 1, the laser induced thermal imaging apparatus 10 includes a substrate stage 12 placed in a chamber 11 and a laser radiating apparatus 13 placed at an upper portion of the chamber 11. The substrate stage 12 is a stage for placing an accepter substrate 14 and a donor film 15 introduced in the chamber 11 in turn.
The accepter substrate 14 and the donor film 15 are laminated to each other prior to transferring the transfer layer of the donor film 15 to the acceptor substrate 14. During lamination, the chamber 11 is typically not maintained in the vacuum state, but a vacuum pump P is used to absorb impurities. Since the chamber is not in a vacuum state during lamination, the reliability or the lifetime of the resulting organic light emitting device can be reduced because of oxygen, moisture, or the like in the chamber 11.
On the other hand, when the chamber 11 is maintained in the vacuum state during lamination, it is difficult to absolutely prevent creation of impurities 1 and space between the accepter substrate 14 and the donor film 15.

Laser induced thermal imaging apparatus and manufacturing method of organic light emitting diode using the same


A weatherstrip molding exhibiting an excellent fitting capability with a corner section of a windshield frame of a vehicle. Even when the weatherstrip molding has been folded for a certain period of storage or packing, no cease mark or wrinkle is left on a slide contact section thereof. The weatherstrip molding includes a main body section fit with a windshield frame of a vehicle and a slide contact section slidably contacted with a windshield moving up and down, both of which are integrally molded. The main body section is formed of an olefin thermoplastic elastomer containing olefin resin and rubber. The slide contact section is formed of a mixture containing a polyolefin resin and a thermoplastic elastomer such as a styrene thermoplastic elastomer.

1 Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a weatherstrip molding for a vehicle such as a glass run channel, belt molding or the like.
2 Description of the Related Arts
Conventionally a windshield 80 of an automobile 8 shown in FIG. 5 has a glass run channel 9 fit with an inner periphery of a windshield frame 82 so that a gap between the windshield frame 82 and a windshield glass 81 is sealed as shown in FIG. 6. A belt molding 850 is fit with an inner periphery of a lower windshield frame 85, which contacts with the windshield glass 81.
The glass run channel 9 and the belt molding 850 are generally termed as a weatherstrip molding.
Referring to FIG. 6, the glass run channel 9 is formed of a main body 91 having a U-shaped cross section fit with the windshield frame 82 of the automobile 8 and a glass lip 92 having a slide contact section slide contacted with the windshield glass 81 moving up and down for closing and opening, both of which are integral molded.
A publication of JPA-No. 320838/1992 discloses the application of a thermoplastic elastomer laminated structure for forming the above-described glass run channel 9. The thermoplastic elastomer laminated structure consists of a thermoplastic elastomer layer comprising a crystalline polyolefin and a rubber and an ultra-high-molecular polyolefin layer.
The glass run channel 9 of the above-described prior art is formed by using the thermoplastic elastomer consisting of a crystalline polyolefin and a rubber as the main body 91 and using the ultra-high-molecular polyolefin as the surface of the glass lip 92.
The above-formed glass run channel 9 using the elastomer laminated structure, however, has several disadvantageous points as described below.
As the glass run channel 9 is formed into a long elastomeric member as shown in FIG. 7(A), it is often the case that such member is folded so as to be easily handled for a certain period of storage or packing as shown in FIG. 7(B) prior to being fit with the windshield frame 82.
When using the glass run channel 9 for fitting, it is spread out again. At this time, however, a crease mark 98 is likely to be left on the glass lip 92 formed on a surface of the slide contact section as FIG. 7(C) shows. Similarly a wrinkle 99 may be left on the glass lip 92 as shown in FIG. 7(C) because of insufficient restoring force of the glass run channel 9 stretching the folded section.
As shown in FIG. 5, the windshield frame 82 has loosely curved corners 89. Fitting the glass run channel 9 with such corner 89 is likely to cause a gap therebetween owing to poor fitting. Additionally the glass run channel 9 gets unnecessarily tensed up, causing a tight stretch therein.


A radiation-emitting component includes a semiconductor layer sequence including first and second semiconductor layers, and an active region and is arranged between the first and second semiconductor layers, first and second electrodes electrically connect to the first and second semiconductor layers, a semiconductor layer sequence generates electromagnetic radiation depending on a current flow between the first and second electrodes, a driver field-effect transistor includes at least one driver gate and at least one driver channel, the second electrode and the driver channel electrode separately electrically connect to the driver channel and the driver gate electrode electrically connects to the driver gate, and the driver field-effect transistor is configured to control a current flow between the driver channel electrode and the second electrode through the driver channel and thereby the current flow between the first and second electrodes, depending on a voltage applied to the driver gate electrode.

The term video screen, video wall, LED screen or LED wall is a collective term for large display panels. These display panels often have a large number of radiation-emitting components such as differently colored light-emitting diodes (LEDs) with which discrete pixels are represented. Up to now, the LEDs have usually been controlled sequentially by a driver (so-called "passive matrix operation"). However, passive matrix operation has proved problematic for higher pixel numbers or pixel densities.
It could therefore be helpful to provide a radiation-emitting component and a display device that can be manufactured efficiently and enables a high number and density of pixels in a simplified manner, respectively.


A joint orthosis with a first joint part (4), a first splint (5) connected to the first joint part (4), a second joint part (1), a second splint (2) connected to the second joint part (1), and a pivot hinge part (3) for articulated connection of the second splint (2) and of the first splint (5), said splints (2, 5) extending into the pivot hinge part (3) from opposite directions and laterally offset relative to one another, being arranged with their ends next to one another in the pivot hinge part (3), and being able to pivot to a small extent relative to one another, can be configured with a lower overall height by virtue of the fact that the pivot hinge part (3) has two chambers (8, 10) which are arranged substantially parallel and are laterally offset relative to one another and which are open in opposite directions, and into which the ends of the splints (2, 5) extend, and by virtue of the fact that the second splint (2) is mounted in the end area of its chamber (10) so as to be able to pivot about a pivot axis (D) in such a way that the pivoting movement of the second splint (2) relative to the pivot hinge part (3) is limited by the chamber (10).

In the known orthoses of this type, the two splints are oriented flush with one another and are designed to be able to pivot relative to one another about a common pivot axis, the pivot hinge part having to be provided with a means of limiting the relative pivoting movement. In an ankle joint orthosis, a foot-elevating function can be effected by means of the foot part being pressed by a spring into a starting position which, through the pressure applied when putting down the heel of the foot part (first joint part) counter to the spring force, is abandoned in order to thus permit a certain heel-to-toe rolling movement during walking.
The foot part and the below-knee part (second joint part) are generally designed as shells made of plastic in order to engage in a supportive manner in a U-shape around the foot and the lower leg. For stable connection of the foot splint and of the foot part, a certain length is required which, in the known construction, has to be provided below the pivot hinge part. In addition, a certain length is needed for the anchoring of the foot splint in the pivot hinge part. For this reason, a certain minimum structural height is needed for the foot part up to the pivot hinge axis. For kinematic and esthetic reasons, however, it would be advantageous to permit a design of the foot part with a lower height.
DE 563 009 discloses a joint orthosis of the type mentioned at the outset, in which a sole part engaging under the foot of the prosthesis wearer is connected to an upwardly extending lateral splint consisting of two parts which are connected to one another by a hinge. The hinge part comprises, on both sides, the upper end of the lower splint part and the lower end of the upper splint part, the lower end of the upper splint part being mounted pivotably on the hinge part. The upper end of the lower splint part extends upward beyond the hinge part so as to limit the pivoting movement of the upper joint part toward the front, in other words to define the extended position of the lateral splint. The hinge part is arranged in this case at a substantial distance from the sole part, so as to lie safely above the upper edge of the shoe during use. The limit stop formed by the upper end of the lower splint is adjustable by means of leather or metal tongues of greater or lesser thickness or, if appropriate, a displaceable wedge being inserted between the splints.
GB 2 235 245 A discloses a polycentric knee joint consisting of two pivot hinges which, in the extended state, are flush with one another and are formed in a hinge housing. The hinge housing delimits the maximum extension of the joint splints with the aid of a T-shaped insert between the side walls of the hinge housing. By means of different inserts, it is possible to form different extension angles which can deviate to a greater or lesser extent from 180°.


A sheet of embossed paper including a sheet-like body portion, at least one embossed or depressed line located on the body portion, and at least one printed line located on and extending at least partially along the embossed or depressed line. The invention may also include a notebook including a plurality of sheets of paper, each sheet including a sheet-like body portion, at least one embossed or depressed line located on the body portion, and at least one printed line located on and extending at least partially along the embossed or depressed line. The notebook may include binding means binding the plurality of sheets together.

Writing paper is often used by school children and others to develop and refine their writing skills. The writing paper may include a plurality of lines located thereon to provide guides to the user. Furthermore, some writing paper may include embossed lines for guides to the user. However, such embossed writing paper may not include any written lines or other indicia located thereon to provide a visual guide or feedback to the user. Accordingly, there is a need for improved, embossed writing paper.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


In order to provide a brake disc unit the production and assembly of which is economically viable even with extreme mechanical and thermal load capacity, preferably without the application of intermediate elements, the disclosure proposes a brake disc unit with a friction ring and a friction ring carrier which are connected by a shaft-to-hub connection with an alignment gearing having a multitude of dogs, wherein the cross-section of the dogs provides a contour which, at least partly, runs along an extended trochoid.

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
Generic brake disc units, so-called composite brake discs, are known per se and in use. Such systems are produced in an complex and expensive manner. Usually, a complexly produced tooth system between friction ring and friction ring carrier is formed, and a secure torque transmission is ensured by intermediate sheets, pins, and the like. In addition to the complex production procedure, assembly and maintenance are also complex. The production procedures usually comprise milling, planing, reaming, etc., whereas fittings need to be produced in a particularly complex manner.
Alignment gearings are also known in the relevant field. An alignment gearing is a multi-dog connection. The torques are usually transmitted by the tooth flanks. The shaft is toothed externally, the hub is toothed internally.
Such alignment gearings have been known as involute or parallel toothing, or fine serration, depending on the formation and contour of the teeth.
In conventional shaft-to-hub connections, feather key plug-in toothings, round fitting connections or other connections with intermediate elements are very common. The intermediate elements are intended to ensure the contact contour required for torque transmission. Other fitting connections known from the prior art also know dogs with polygonal external contours, among them for instance the so-called H- or P3G-profiles. In particular with greater loads and large components, this leads to considerable disadvantages. The connections have a full-surface form fit. Power transmission takes place at every point of the contour normal, i. e. at right angles to the surface normal. Ideally, in particular with great loads, the force application angle should be positioned tangential to the component centre. This, however, is not the case with the known polygonal shapes. Moreover, polygonal shapes for dogs are difficult and complex in production.


A coupler is provided for connecting a vehicle exhaust pipe to an exhaust extractor hose. The coupler (30,114) has a housing (32,116) with an inlet end (3,124) and an outlet end(36,118). A curtain wall assembly (68,122) is provided at the inlet end to sealingly receive the exhaust pipe. The curtain wall assembly comprises at least a pair of facially abutting curtain wall members (70, 126) defining adjacent mutually offset flexible flap members (78,140) that deflect and seal around the exhaust pipe. A peripheral clamping ring (80, 128) clamps the curtain wall members together. The housing is provided with air passageway holes (52,145) and a slider member (56,144) having air passage holes (58,146) which is slidable on the housing to bring the holes (58,146) into or out of registry with the holes (52,145) to increase or decrease airflow through the holes (52,145).

When a vehicle is serviced it is usually located within a private garage, a service station or a multi-bay facility at an automotive dealership. Although many service functions are performed while the vehicle is not running it is not possible to effectively tune the vehicle's engine without running the engine at various speeds. Such operation results, of course, in the creation of exhaust and it is necessary to therefore ensure that the exhaust is removed from the confines of the service facility to avoid the harmful effects of carbon monoxide contained in the exhaust gases.
In the past many service facilities have connected a long flexible hose to the end of the vehicle's exhaust pipe with the hose then being led outside the service facility, perhaps under or though a roll-up garage door. This arrangement is quick and easy to use but it is not an optimal solution to the problem because there can be considerable leakage past the hose end where it is connected to the vehicle's exhaust pipe, especially if there is not a close match of hose and pipe diameters. Different manufacturers often utilize different diameter exhaust pipes and each service facility will be reluctant to stock exhaust extraction hoses of different sizes just to accommodate these various exhaust pipe diameters. A hose which fits tightly on the largest exhaust pipe will fit loosely on the smallest pipe, whereas a hose that fits tightly on the smallest pipe will probably not stretch sufficiently to fit the largest pipe. The first condition results in leakage whereas the second condition means that several sizes of exhaust hose will be needed to fit all sizes of exhaust pipe.
An obvious solution to this problem is a coupler that can fit over the end of an exhaust pipe, no matter what its diameter might be, and will then connect to an exhaust hose of an appropriate diameter. Such a coupler should obviate the problems discussed above.
One attempt at providing such a coupler is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,779,904 of Oct. 25, 1988. That patent teaches a coupler having means for connection to exhaust hoses of different sizes and an assembly of radially inwardly directed nylon bristles which are intended to provide a seal around an exhaust pipe. The bristles are deflected rearwardly when the unit is placed over the exhaust pipe and the unit should accommodate any size of exhaust pipe. During use, however, the bristles tend to become brittle and worn and they lose very quickly their ability to seal the coupler to the exhaust pipe.
Another problem which must now be addressed, and which is not solved by the '904 coupler, is the recent mandated requirement that service facilities provide an automatic powered system which draws exhaust fumes by vacuum, through filtration equipment to the outside environment. With such a system the exhaust hoses are connected to the vacuum equipment which in turn filters and then exhausts the filtered gases to the atmosphere. With the '904 coupler in place, and assuming proper operation, the utilization of automatic vacuum systems could have a deleterious effect on the engine adjustments since the engine would not be performing at standard operating conditions, the exhaust being extracted under vacuum rather than exiting normally to the atmosphere.

Exhaust coupling with an adjustable airway

c/o Mechanics Safety Company Inc., 560 Conestogo Road


A backlight module includes a back plate including a back plate body and a first bending structure perpendicular to the back plate body. The backlight module includes a light source. On a side at which the light source is disposed, the back plate further includes a second bending structure connected to the first bending structure and extending in the same direction as the back plate body. The second bending structure includes a plurality of spaced protrusion portions, and a depressed portion between the adjacent protrusion portions configured to accommodate a light emitting portion of the light source.

With the rapid development of electronic technologies, people's requirements for electronic products are getting higher and higher. Taking a smart phone as an example, a narrow frame design of a screen of the phone can make the product more fashionable, and to a certain extent, can also increase a screen ratio of the screen, to make the picture wider, thus meeting consumers' increasing demand for display products.
In recent years, a frame size of a screen of a mobile phone can be reduced to 0.5 mm, which puts higher requirements on a narrow frame design of the backlight module. In order to implements the narrow frame design of the backlight module, the backlight module mainly adopts an iron-plastic integrated design, but this solution has the problem that a flatness of the back plate is not high.
It should be noted that the foregoing information disclosed in Background are only for the purpose of enhancement of the understanding of the background of the present disclosure and therefore the information can include information that does not constitute the related art already known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Beijing BOE Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.


A medical system including a compressible device, and a covering over the compressible device, wherein the covering includes a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein, in the delivery configuration, the covering at least partially covers the compressible device to maintain the compressible device in a compressed state, and wherein, in the deployed configuration, the covering is releasable from the device to transition the compressible device from the compressed state to an expanded state.

Endoscopic and open surgical procedures of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract include, for example, colonic resection, bariatric surgery, esophagectomy, gastric bypass, and sleeve gastrectomy, among others. These procedures may result in perforation, post-surgical leaks, or other wounds of the tract. Limited treatment options exist for managing such wounds, which have significant morbidity and mortality rates. Options include surgical re-operation and endoscopic placement of a stent or clips. Surgery is relatively invasive and also has high morbidity and mortality rates. Endoscopic stent placement is a less invasive option. The placed stent, however, can migrate from the intended location and/or wall off infection at the treatment site, inhibiting drainage.

Medical treatment systems and related methods thereof


A film adhered on a display panel includes a black layer for preventing an external light from entering into the display panel, and a reflective layer for preventing light emitted from the display panel from being absorbed in the black layer. The film minimizes the influence of an external light and improves transmittance, thereby providing a user with a good-quality picture.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display panel. More particularly, the present invention relates to a filter which is attached to a plasma display panel, and a plasma display panel having the filter.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a plasma display panel (PDP) is a device that displays an image using electric discharge. Such a plasma display panel has become very popular because the plasma display panel has a superior display performance in luminance and viewing angle than other display devices.
The plasma display panel is classified into a facing discharge type and a surface discharge type depending on the arrangement of electrodes. In the facing discharge plasma display panel, a pair of sustaining electrodes is provided on upper and lower substrates, and discharge is generated in a vertical direction of the panel. On the other hand, in the surface discharge plasma display panel, a pair of sustaining electrodes is provided on one substrate, and an electric discharge occurs on the surface of the substrate.
Although it has a high luminous efficiency, the facing discharge plasma display panel has the disadvantage that phosphors easily deteriorate due to the electrical discharge. Recently, the surface discharge plasma display panel has been mainly used.
FIG. 1 is a view illustrating the construction of a general plasma display panel. The plasma display panel shown in FIG. 1 is a surface discharge plasma display panel. In order to easily illustrate the internal construction of the plasma display panel, a part of the plasma display panel is cut, and only an upper substrate 20 is rotated at right angle with respect to a lower substrate 10.
A plurality of address electrodes 11 are arranged in stripes on the upper surface of the lower substrate 10. The address electrodes 11 are embedded in a first dielectric layer 12 made of white dielectric material. A plurality of partitions 13 are provided at a predetermined interval on the upper surface of the first dielectric layer 12 in order to prevent electrical or optical crosstalk among discharge cells 15. A fluorescent layer 14 is coated on the inner surface of the respective discharge cells 15 defined by the partitions 13, and the discharge cells 15 are filled with a discharged gas which is generally a mixture of Ne and Xe, to generate the plasma discharge.
The upper substrate 20 is a transparent substrate, mainly made of glass, allowing visible light to pass. The upper substrate 20 is sealingly assembled to the lower substrate 10 with the partitions 13 formed thereon. On the lower surface of the upper substrate 20, pairs of sustaining electrodes 21a and 21b are provided in stripes in a direction perpendicular to the address electrodes 11. The sustaining electrodes 21a and 21b are made of transparent conductive material such as indium tin oxide (ITO). Bus electrodes 22a and 22b made of metal are provided on the lower surfaces of the sustaining electrodes 21a and 21b, so as to reduce line resistance thereof, and have a width narrower than that of the sustaining electrodes 21a and 21b. The sustaining electrodes 21a and 21b and the bus electrodes 22a and 22b are embedded in a second transparent dielectric layer 23. A protective layer 24 is formed on the lower surface of the second dielectric layer 23, and serves to prevent the second dielectric layer 23 from damage due to sputtering of plasma particles and also to reduce discharge voltage and sustaining voltage by emitting secondary electrons. The protective layer 24 is generally made of magnesium oxide (MgO).
A plurality of black stripes 30 are formed on the upper surface of the upper substrate 20 to prevent light from entering the interior of the plasma display panel from the outside of the panel. The black stripes 30 are formed parallel with the sustaining electrodes 21a and 21b at regular intervals.
With the above arrangement of the plasma display panel, the address discharge is generated between any one of the sustaining electrodes 21a and 21b and the address electrode 11. During this address discharge, wall charges are generated. Then, the sustaining discharge is generated due to the potential difference between the pair of sustaining electrodes 21a and 21b, and thus UV light is generated from the discharged gas. The fluorescent layer 14 is excited by the UV light to emit visible light. The visible light passing through the upper substrate 20 forms an image which can be seen by human eyes.
FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating an optical characteristic of a conventional plasma display panel.
FIG. 2 is a profile depicting a luminance distribution depending on a viewing angle β of the visible light emitted from the discharge cells 15. The visible light generated from the discharge cells 15 of the plasma display panel are diffused light emitted in all directions, and thus the luminance distribution of the diffused light is varied as a function of the viewing angle β.
In the conventional plasma display panel as described above, the external light enters the interior of the discharge cell 15 or is reflected from the upper substrate 20 under bright room conditions, and this causes a bright room to deteriorate the contrast. Further, since the visible light generated from the discharge cell 15 are diffused light having no uniform direction, as shown in FIG. 2, its transmittance deteriorates, and thus the screen display ability of the plasma display panel is depreciated.

Display panel film having a black layer and a reflective layer


In an electrostatic device that uses a resistance film for electrifying a latent image holder in printing devices, such as a photo-copier or a facsimile, at least one electrode borders the resistance film. The electrostatic device confronts a latent image holder, having a cylindrical shape, across a narrow gap and along the length of the latent image holder. With this structure, applying D.C. voltage to the electrode electrifies the latent image holder via the resistance film. Since the resistance film and the electrode overlap each other, the potential on the latent image holder is dependent on the surface resistance rather than the volume resistance of the resistance film giving the electrostatic device an immunity from nonuniformity or flaws in the surface of the resistance film. In addition, an electrostatic device of this invention has a structural advantage over conventional scorotron devices. Since there is no conductive member for retrieving current, and current supplied to the electrode is discharged at the narrow gap with a very small leakage, the electrostatic device has high efficiency in current use, resulting in a substantially smaller amount of ozone generated in operation.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an electrostatic device, and more particularly to an electrostatic device for use in an electro-photographic appliance such as a photocopier.
2. Description of Related Arts
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, an electrostatic device using a scorotron has been employed in conventional electro-photographic devices such as a laser printer or a photocopier.
The scorotron electrostatic device 150 has a shield casing 152 having a U-shaped cross section with an open face. A discharge wire 156 is provided in the center of the shield casing 152 between insulation blocks 154a and 154b on either end of the shield casing 152. Grid electrodes 158 are provided on the open face of the shield casing 152. The grid electrodes 158 are grounded via a varistor 160 with a voltage rating of about -680 volts.
When the scorotron electrostatic device 150 as described is used, the open face (the face with the grid electrodes) of the shield casing has to be kept parallel with the photo-sensitized drum 162 and a direct current voltage of -6 kv must be applied to the discharge wire 156 under fixed current control. In this condition, corona discharge occurs around the discharge wire 156, and negative ions created in the corona discharge pass through the grid electrode 158 and reach a photo-sensitized drum 162 giving an electrostatic charge to the surface of the photo-sensitized drum 162. As described above, since the grid electrodes 158 are grounded via a varistor 160, the ions flow to ground rather than to the photo-sensitized drum 162 when the potential on the surface of the photo-sensitized drum 162 nears the voltage rating of about -680 V.
However, the described scorotron electrostatic device has various shortcomings. First, from an environmental point of view, the scorotron electrostatic device has a fault in that the device ionizes oxygen in the atmosphere and creates ozone. The electrostatic device used in a laser printer has to be electrified with a negative charge due to the characteristic of toner particles, and the amount of ozone created in the corona discharge is significantly greater (by one decimal place) when the device is electrified with a negative charge rather than with a positive charge. Moreover, the amount of ozone created in the device is dependent on the current flow through the wire. The scorotron electrostatic device needs a current flow of -400 to -500 .mu.A on the wire to collect a current flow of several-tens .mu.A for properly electrifying the photo-sensitized drum. As a result, it creates a good deal of ozone. The density of the ozone reaches as high as 10 ppm when measured near the electrostatic device. Consequently, conventional laser printers had an ozone filter set in the exhaust duct for removing the ozone.
The low efficiency in current use mentioned above has resulted in a power unit having a large capacity, an ozone filter and an exhaust fan, thereby substantially increasing the cost of the products.
A second shortcoming is that silicon oil, used for removing toner in the fixing unit, evaporates into the air and is oxidized to be silicon oxide (SiO.sub.2) that remains on the wire. The silicon oxide adhering to the wire causes an increase in the impedance on the surface of the photo-sensitized drum, interfering discharge, and resultant sag in the initial voltage at the surface of the drum that has a negative influence on the quality of the printed characters.
To solve the above-identified problems, a surface discharge device as shown in FIG. 13 is proposed. The surface discharge device 164 has an electrode 168 on a substrate 166 made of, for example, glass, and a resistance film 170 thereon. With this construction, applying voltage to the electrode 168 triggers the corona discharge over the surface of the resistance film 170, and the ions generated in the corona discharge electrify the photo-sensitized drum 162.
The surface discharge device 164 is manufactured, for example, by sputtering tantalum (Ta) to form a thin film on the surface of the glass and exposing to nitrogen (N) to form a tantalum nitride (TaN) resistance film on the surface of the electrode. Material other than TaN, such as titan oxide (TaO.sub.2), can be used as a substitute Besides the sputtering method, amorphous silicon with impurities doped in the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method can be used.
The electrostatic device using the surface discharge device 164, as described, can make an efficient use of the current, produce a lesser amount of ozone and requires a smaller power supply unit.
The conventional surface discharge electrostatic device had another inherent problem, that is, it had difficulty in controlling the resistance of the resistance film 170. Because the resistance film 170 has the electrode 168 on the side opposite to the discharge surface, it is extremely difficult to keep the resistance value in an optimal range by controlling the volume resistance measured across the thickness of the resistance film 170.
If the resistance is too low, a streamer discharge instead of a corona discharge occurs, thereby failing to properly electrify the photo-sensitized drum 162. The resistance film 170 must be made thicker to obtain a proper resistance value. However, the optimal resistance has a narrow range and forming thicker film using the sputtering process is costly.
What is worse, a tiny flaw on the resistance film 170 results in the current flowing from the electrode to the tiny spot which produces a concentration of the electric field. Under this condition, the streamer discharge occurs and the electrostatic device fails to electrify the photo-sensitized drum 162 properly.

Electrostatic device for charging a photosensitive surface


A method and apparatus for removing solid matter from fluid systems which does not require system shutdown and minimizes the loss of system fluids. The invention first isolates the solid matter collection reservoir from the fluid system and then purges the reservoir for external disposal or recovery of the solid matter. The purging sequence is enhanced through the use of a venting system which prevents pressure differential buildup and also prevents the introduction of air into the separation device during the purging sequence. The entire process can be controlled manually or automatically through a control system.

Systems for the protection of mechanical components of fluid systems such as spray nozzles, pumps, piping and valves are well known in the art. Such systems typically consist of screen and filter elements or centrifugal separation systems, both of which require the removal of the solid matter once it has been filtered or separated from the liquid carrier. Screens and filter elements are very troublesome in that they require frequent cleaning or replacement, often produce high and/or fluctuating pressure losses, and are excessively large. These systems are normally backwashed for cleaning and therefore require system shutdown and the loss of large quantities of system fluid. Separators alleviate many of these problems, but still result in some system fluid loss during purging.

Apparatus for removing solid matter from fluid systems


This invention is a precision weapon that utilizes solely as a projectile, a precision-ball made out of a suitable material namely solid C260 brass. It employs a smoothbore precision-barrel with a metal toothed rack/rail affixed along the northern hemisphere of the muzzle of the barrel that effectively converts some of the forward motion of the ball into rotational motion so that the ball is mechanically forced to rotate upwards/backwards at very high speed that can run into millions of rotations per minute, vastly improving its ballistic coefficient and downrange accuracy. The weapon can be produced in a variety of existing types of firearms such as bolt-action, falling-block or semi-automatic, and can be chambered for a variety of calibers. A 5.5625 mm caliber bolt-action rim fire weapon for instance will provide a user with a weapon ideal for hunting small-game or for target shooting purposes. See FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

The quest for a projectile-discharging weapon with an even flatter trajectory is ongoing and relentless. Most projectiles employed in the industry are usually pointed for a better ballistic coefficient and yet are expected to dissipate as much kinetic energy as possible once they meet a target. This entails distinct and complex forms that are usually expensive to produce. In addition, the only way to achieve very flat trajectories utilizing such projectiles seems to be via elevated muzzle velocities.


A rotary sputtering target assembly and method of making the same including a target and a backing tube having a plated bonding surface. The backing tube and the target are bonded together along the plated bonding surface.

The present exemplary embodiment relates to rotary sputtering targets and related assemblies. It finds particular application in conjunction with a rotary target assembly including a target material supported by a backing tube, and will be described with particular reference thereto. However, it is to be appreciated that the present exemplary embodiment is also amenable to other like applications.
Sputter depositions are reproducible and are also simple for process automation. High value materials such as gold, platinum and other alloys of precious metals, routinely find employment in thin film coatings using planar sputtering or evaporation deposition techniques. These techniques have limitations with respect to yield, speed of deposition and in cooperative in-line deposition of multi-layer stacks.
Rotary sputtering targets have been shown to improve the sputtering process. By rotating the sputtering material, the target material is sputtered in a more continuous uniform fashion than when compared to planar targets. Rotary sputtering targets are typically formed in a cylindrical shape. Using high value materials in cylindrical rotary systems as monolithic or heavy wall sleeves is typically prohibitively expensive. Accordingly, it is common to support a thinner sleeve of target material with a backing tube of a less expensive and/or stronger material. A backing tube provides added support while allowing more of the target material to be utilized before replacement.
A typical backing tube is constructed of a material that can withstand the sputtering process while retaining its shape. The backing tube supports the rotary sputtering target thereby reducing excess flexing of the target material. Another advantage of using a backing tube is that cooling fluid can be passed through the backing tube to cool the target material during the sputtering process. For cooling to be effective it is important that there is sufficient thermal contact between the cooling fluid and the rotary sputtering target material. Current technology for the assembly of rotary sputtering targets attach the backing tube in such a manner as to prevent any gap between the inner surface of the rotary sputtering target and the outer surface of the backing tube to ensure sufficient thermal contact between the backing tube and the target material.
There exist various techniques for attaching the rotary sputtering target to the backing tube. One such technique is to cast the rotary sputtering target onto the backing tube. This in essence creates a complete structure that is very rigid. However, casting is only feasible when using a castable rotary sputtering target material. Casting directly on the backing tube has its drawbacks. For example, casting often results in variable grain size and has an inherent porosity that is created from the volume changes of the liquid to solid transition. These variables and defects are detrimental to a target system.
Another technique for attaching the rotary sputtering target to the backing tube is by use of a bonding material. An adhesive or metal alloy is placed between the inner surface of the rotary sputtering target and the outer surface of the backing tube. This creates a strong bond between the two surfaces and assists in cooling transfer. However, care must be taken when flowing the adhesive between the rotary sputtering target and the backing tube to ensure adequate bonding strength. Reuse of the backing tube is a laborious process, as it is difficult to remove the remaining target material from a sufficiently secure bond. An improved bonding method and assembly is described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0006680, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
While the method and assembly set forth in US 2012/0006680 offers an improvement over existing methods, there is still room for further improvement in both the method and the assembly.

Plating stack to condition a bonding surface


A deployable structural assembly is provided along with associated deployment mechanisms and associated methods of forming and deploying the structural assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, the structural assembly includes a plurality of structural side elements formed from furlable truss structures. The truss structures may include spaced apart longitudinal members, members extending substantially transversely between the longitudinal members, and diagonal members extending between the longitudinal members at an acute angle relative thereto. A plurality of interlocking elements are located along the edges of the longitudinal members and are configured to engage interlocking elements of an adjacent structural side element. In one embodiment the truss structures may be formed to include at least one material layer having the longitudinal members, the cross-members and the diagonals formed as an integral structure. In another exemplary embodiment one or more of the structural side elements may include electronic components integrated therewith.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally related to deployable structural assemblies and, more particularly, to generally elongated, deployable structural assemblies having a high strength and stiffness to weight ratio that are highly compact for storage purposes, are efficiently deployed and retracted and are suitable for numerous uses.
2. State of the Art
It is often desirable to utilize a deployable structural assembly in various circumstances and environments. For example, deployable structural assemblies, sometimes referred to as deployable booms, may be utilized in conjunction with satellites or other aerospace vehicles. In many instances, the rigors of launching a satellite or aerospace vehicle make it impractical to have a structural assembly in an already deployed condition or as a permanent installation such that it is extending or protruding from the vehicle during launch. Thus, it is often desirable to delay the deployment of a structural assembly until it is needed for a specific purpose.
Even after an aerospace vehicle has been placed in a stable flight pattern or in orbit, it may not be desirable to continually maintain a structural assembly in a deployed state. Thus, it becomes desirable to utilize a structural assembly that is capable of being deployed and retracted, relative to the satellite or aerospace vehicle, when desired or on demand Such a structural assembly may be utilized to deploy, for example, solar sails or solar shields in association with a satellite after the satellite is placed in orbit. Deployable structural assemblies may also be used, for example, as an aid to an astronaut during maintenance activities when the astronaut is required to leave his or her aerospace vehicle to perform a specified activity, such as during the repair of a satellite or another aerospace vehicle.
Of course deployable structural assemblies have utilization in other circumstances as well including, generally, situations where it would be inefficient to build a permanent structural assembly but where a structural member or assembly is required to provide additional height or to span a distance in order to support or place a given component or structure at a specified location. In one example, a deployable structural assembly may be used to position a bank of lights above a specified area such as in an emergency situation or in association with an outdoor concert or other activity. Similarly, a deployable structural assembly might be used to position an antenna or other communications device. In another example, one or more deployable structural assemblies may be used to support a raised platform, which may serve as a working surface for one or more people.
Numerous configurations of deployable structural assemblies have been developed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,130,993 issued to Dubilier; U.S. Pat. No. 2,799,368 issued to Alter; U.S. Pat. No. 3,213,573 issued to Bohr et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 3,503,164 issued to Berry et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,027,440 to Hamblin; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,386,485 and 4,651,480 issued to Kramer, each disclose deployable structural assemblies.
The Dubilier patent discloses a three-sided collapsible rod wherein the side components are made of sheets of flexible steel. The collapsible rod is stated to be used for deploying an antenna or as a rail component of a ladder.
The Alter patent discloses a four-sided collapsible structure that is formed of steel side sheets and which may also be used in conjunction with the temporary deployment of antennas.
The Bohr patent discloses a three-sided collapsible structure that may be used for supporting aerial masts or derrick booms. The structure is formed by engaging alternating teeth located at the edges of adjacent side elements in a zipper-like manner.
The Berry patent discloses a tubular structure having two interlocked sheets of material that are rolled flat during storage, but that expand due to stored energy when they are unrolled.
The Hamblin patent discloses an extensible structure used for tower cranes and scaffolding towers. The structure includes a plurality of modular truss-like structures that are hingedly coupled such that each module may be folded and stacked relative to one another.
The Kramer patents disclose extendible structures formed of flexible side sheets having locking members that each include a hemispherical projection at one longitudinal end thereof and a hemispherical recess at the opposing longitudinal end thereof. The locking members of adjacent side sheets are fastened together in an alternating zipper-like fashion such that the hemispherical projection of one locking member engages with the hemispherical recess of an adjacent alternating locking member. In one of the Kramer patents, the locking members are formed in the side sheet, while in the other patent, the locking members are formed as a part of a stiffening member.
While the above-listed U.S. patents show various configurations of deployable structural assemblies, it is desirable to improve upon the deployable structural assemblies disclosed in the prior art with regard to various features. For example, it is desirable to provide a deployable structural assembly having an improved interlocking arrangement that will enhance the integrity of the structure when deployed, while also providing efficient, simplified and reliable deployment and retraction. Additionally, it is desirable to provide a deployable structural assembly with an improved strength and stiffness to weight ratio while also being scalable in design such that various lengths, cross-sectional sizes and load capacities may be provided. It is also desirable to provide a deployable structural assembly that provides a significant reduction in stowed size and an improved packing factor as defined hereinbelow.

Deployable structural assemblies, systems for deploying such structural assemblies


A test apparatus for a fuel vapor purge system that performs frequent tests. The testing apparatus detects leakage of fuel vapor from a system passage by sealing the system passage and monitoring changes in the pressure. After the test, the apparatus applies atmospheric pressure to the system passage. Therefore, the pressure in the system passage is quickly restored to atmospheric pressure.

The present invention relates to a fault detection apparatus for a purge system supplying (purging) fuel vapor from a fuel tank to an intake system of an engine.
Vehicles typically carry a purge system for purging fuel vapor from a fuel tank to an engine intake passage. The purge system includes a canister for collecting fuel vapor from the fuel tank, a vapor passage connecting the fuel tank with the canister, and a purge passage connecting the canister with an intake passage. Fuel vapor in the canister is supplied-to the intake passage through the purge passage.
If there is a hole or a crack in the purge passage, fuel vapor leaks from the purge system. A test apparatus exists for detecting fuel vapor leakage from the purge system. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-240161 describes an apparatus that lowers the pressure in the purge system and then monitors pressure changes in the purge system to detect fuel vapor leakage.
Such an apparatus performs testing only when certain preconditions are fulfilled to improve the accuracy of fault detection. The preconditions include that the velocity of a vehicle is stable, the cumulative value of the pressure change in the fuel tank is within a certain values and the amount of fuel vapor generated in the fuel tank within a certain time is small (that is, the pressure change in the fuel tank within a certain time is small). However, when a vehicle is actually running, the velocity of the vehicle frequently changes. Also, fuel in the tank is shaken when the vehicle runs on a rough road, which increases the amount of fuel vapor generated in the tank. Accordingly, the preconditions are seldom fulfilled when the vehicle operates. As a result, the frequency of performing the testing is relatively low.
In recent years, there has been a need to improve the testing performance. For example, it is necessary to quickly and accurately detect holes and cracks having a maximum dimension of at least about 0.5 mm (hereinafter called 0.5 mm holes). The necessary preconditions for detecting 0.5 mm holes are more strict than those for detecting holes having a maximum dimension of at least about 1.0 mm (hereinafter called 1.0 mm holes). Therefore, the preconditions for detecting 0.5 mm holes are less frequently fulfilled, which reduces the frequency of performing the detection.
The prior art apparatus lowers the pressure in the purge system before detecting 1.0 mm holes. Then, when no 1.0 mm hole is found, detection of 0.5 mm holes is performed. Accordingly, when there is a 0.5 mm hole in the purge system, the pressure in the purge system gradually changes because of fuel vapor leakage through the hole. Therefore, it takes a relatively long time before the pressure in the purge system is stable and the preconditions for detecting 0.5 mm holes are fulfilled. If the pressure in the purge system changes during the 0.5 mm holes detection, the detection is cancelled. As a result, the detection of 0.5 mm holes is less frequently performed.
An objective of the present invention is to provide a testing apparatus for accurately and quickly detecting a small leakage in a purge system.
To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a method for testing a purge system that purges fuel vapor in a fuel tank to an intake passage of an engine through a system passage connected with the fuel tank. The method includes changing the pressure in the system passage to a first predetermined pressure; sealing the system passage; monitoring the change of the pressure in the sealed system passage and detecting leakage of fuel vapor from the system passage; and restoring the pressure of the system passage when a testing is demanded again after the sealing step.
The present invention further provides a testing apparatus for a purge system that purges fuel vapor in a fuel tank to an intake passage of an engine through a system passage connected with the fuel tank. The apparatus is structured as follows. A pressure sensor detects the pressure in the system passage. A first valve sets the pressure in the system passage to a predetermined value. A second valve for seals the system passage. A controller monitors a signal from the pressure sensor and controls the first and second valves. The controller sets the pressure in the system passage by controlling the first and second valves when the pressure in the system passage is stable for a predetermined period. Then the controller seals the system passage and detects leakage of fuel vapor from the system passage by monitoring the change of the pressure in the sealed system passage. The controller restores the pressure in the system passage when a testing is demanded again after the sealing step.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.

Fault detection apparatus and method for fuel vapor purge system


Among other things, techniques and systems are provided for activating a memory cell of a memory arrangement in preparation for at least one of a read operation or write operation. The memory arrangement comprises a word-line driver comprising at least a first input terminal and a second input terminal. The first input terminal is operably coupled to a first decoder and the second input terminal is operably coupled to a second decoder. When the word-line driver senses a first voltage at the first input terminal and a second voltage at the second input terminal, the word-line driver outputs a gate voltage signal which activates the memory cell.

A memory arrangement is configured to store content in the form of bits. Typically, the memory arrangement comprises a plurality of memory cells respectively configured to store a bit of data. At times when it is desirable to read a stored bit of data, a read operation is performed on the memory cell. At times when it is desirable to write a bit of data to the memory cell, a write operation is performed. Read and write operations are typically controlled through the application of specific voltages to the memory cell.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited


Substituted N-arylmethyl and heterocyclylmethyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinolin-4-amines, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and methods for a) effecting c-GMP-phosphodiesterase inhibition, b) treating heart failure and/or hypertension, c) reversing or reducing nitrate-induced tolerance and d) treating angina pectoris, congestive heart disease and myocardial infarction utilizing them.

(a) Field of the Invention
The invention relates to substituted N-arylmethyl and heterocyclylmethyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinolin-4-amines, to pharmaceutical compositions containing them and to methods for a) effecting c-GMP-phosphodiesterase inhibition, b) treating heart failure and/or hypertension, c) reversing or reducing nitrate-induced tolerance and d) treating angina pectoris, congestive heart disease and myocardial infarction utilizing them.
(b) Information Disclosure Statement
Crenshaw et al., J. Med. Chem. 1976, 19(2), 262-275, disclose a series of N-substituted-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinolin-4-amines which are said to be useful as interferon inducing agents. Specifically disclosed are N-cyclopropyl, N-tricyclo[220.127.116.11.sup.3,7 ]dec-1-yl, N-(3-pyridinylmethyl), and N-[[2-(dimethylamino)phenyl]methyl]-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b] quinolin-4-amines, as well as N-(1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinolin-4-yl)-N'-tricyclo[188.8.131.52.sup.3 ,7 ]dec-1-yl-1,3-propane diamine which were found to be inactive in the interferon assay. Similar derivatives are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,013,665, issued Mar. 22, 1977.
Stein et al., J. Med. Chem. 1970, 13(1), 153-155, disclose a series 4-lower-alkylamino and 4-phenylamino-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinolines which were tested and found to exhibit no appreciable antimalarial activity.
Zikan et al., Chemical Abstracts 108: 204613K, disclose 4-carboxyalkylamino-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinolines which are said to be useful as antiviral agents.
Zikan et al. Chemical Abstracts 106: 138447q disclose a series of substituted 4-anilino-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]-quinolines which are said to be useful as antiviral agents.
Radl et al., Chemical Abstracts 106: 18429P, disclose a series of 1-substituted-4-(N-substituted amino)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinolines which are said to be useful as potential antiviral agents. Specifically disclosed are N-[(4-methoxy-phenyl)methyl], N-(phenylmethyl), N-(2-phenylethyl) and N-cyclohexyl-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinolin-4-amines.
Radl et al., Chemical Abstracts 105: 226434T, disclose a series of 4-hydroxyanilino and 4-alkoxyanilino-1,3-dimethyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinolines which are said to be useful as potential antiviral agents.

Substituted N-arylmethyl and heterocylylmethyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinolin-4-amines and compositions and methods of use thereof


Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving, over a multicast-broadcast single-frequency network channel of a cellular network, a second advertisement provided by an advertisement server; providing the second advertisement to a media processor to cause the media processor to replace a first advertisement with the second advertisement during presentation of media content received by the media processor over a first network, where the second advertisement is selected from a group of advertisements according to user data of a user of the media processor. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Broadcast media provides content to a large group of users, but does not lend well to targeted advertisement to those users or groups of those users. The advertisements provided with the broadcast can be selected based on the type of content being broadcast or the particular geographic area in which the broadcast occurs. But, selecting the advertisements to vary between households receiving the broadcast is difficult.

Method and apparatus for targeted advertising with delivery of content


Provided is a computer system including a storage subsystem, a host computer, and a management computer for managing the storage subsystem and the host computer. The storage subsystem manages a storage extent by a group unit and creates storage extent configuration information. The management computer stores group management information, obtains the storage extent configuration information, calculates an assigned capacity for each group based on the obtained storage extent configuration information, forecasts a capacity to be assigned in the future for each group based on the calculated assigned capacity, calculates a protection term expired capacity for each group based on the group management information and the storage extent configuration information, and outputs the assigned capacity, the capacity to be assigned in the future, and the protection term expired capacity. Thus, the storage extent of the storage subsystem can easily be managed.

This invention relates to a computer system which includes a computer and a storage subsystem, and more particularly to a technology of managing a storage extent of the storage subsystem.
There has been known a storage area network (SAN) for connecting one or more external storage subsystems to one or more computers. The storage area network is particularly effective when a plurality of computers share one large storage subsystem. A storage system that includes the storage area network has high expandability as a storage subsystem or a computer can be easily added or deleted.
There has been known a storage system for managing a storage resource amount by a storage subsystem unit.
There has additionally been known a storage system which causes a management computer to display details of storage resource amounts used by computers or details of storage resource amounts of storage subsystems as described in JP 2004-139494 A.
A law has been implemented to oblige a company or a public institution to retain data for a certain period. For example, the law that obliges data retention is SEC17-a, HIPAA, or the like in the United States. There has been known a hierarchical storage system conform to this law.
The hierarchical storage system includes a plurality of storage subsystems different in characteristics. The hierarchical storage system divides a storage extent of each storage subsystem into a plurality of layers. Then, data are arranged in the layers according to data values.
There has been known a storage system for combing a plurality of logical volumes to be managed as one virtual volume.
Furthermore, there has been known a technology which causes a monitor system to monitor an information system through a network as described in JP 2001-325222 A.

Storage resource management method for storage system


An information provision apparatus has a detachable information storage medium that stores information, an information storing portion that storing information read from the information storage medium, a processing portion that performs a reproduction processing of information stored in the information storing portion, an output portion that outputs information reproduced by the processing portion, and a clocking portion that counts an elapsed time since the information storage medium is detached from the information provision apparatus, wherein the processing portion stops the reproduction processing when the elapsed time exceeds a specified value.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention belongs to a field of an information provision apparatus for providing various information, and particularly relates to a method for inhibiting unauthorized use of information in the information provision apparatus for providing information using information stored in a detachable information storage medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, an information provision apparatus with a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) which is a detachable mass information storage medium and a hard disk drive (HDD) which is likewise mass information storing portion has actively been developed. For example, in a vehicle-mounted navigation apparatus, a home-use video recorder, a personal computer, etc., various apparatus with such a configuration have been developed.
In such an information provision apparatus, information previously stored in a commercially available DVD is protected by copyright in most cases, and a user who has bought the DVD duly (that is, has paid the information fees and copyright fees) is permitted to use the information stored in the DVD within the use restrictions.
However, there was a problem that the DVD is delivered from a duly authorized user to another user and thereby another user who has not bought the DVD duly (that is, has not paid the information fees and copyright fees) copies information stored in the DVD into an HDD illegally and a situation of unauthorized use is caused.
In such a background, various techniques are disclosed with respect to a method for inhibiting unauthorized use of information in the information provision apparatus for providing information using information stored in a detachable information storage medium.
For example, a navigation apparatus constructed so that illegally copied data cannot be used is disclosed (see JP-A-2003-216504). That is, the navigation apparatus has a first data recording part for setting a first recording medium, a second data recording part for setting a second recording medium, data decision processing portion for deciding whether or not data is present in the first recording medium, and data selection processing portion for selecting one of data of the first and second recording media when the data is present in the first recording medium and stopping selection of the data when the data is absent in the first recording medium, so that the illegally copied data cannot be used since selection of the data is stopped when the data is absent in the first recording medium.
Also, an illegal copy inhibition method constructed so that when a disk-shaped recording medium is loaded into an information processing apparatus, the type is identified and thereby when the disk-shaped recording medium loaded is a rewritable type, it is regarded as an error and processing is stopped to prevent an illegal copy is disclosed (see JP-A-6-302092). That is, the number of dent holes for identification is two in the case of a cartridge for rewritable type disk, so that a switch outputs two pulses. A counter counts the pulses outputted from the switch and outputs a count value 2. A disk type identification part decides that the loaded disk is a rewritable type disk from the output value of the counter. When a playback-only type disk cartridge is loaded, the switch only outputs one pulse and an output value of the counter becomes one, and the disk type identification part decides that the loaded disk is a playback-only type disk from the output value of the counter.
JP-A-2003-216504 and JP-A-6-302092 are referred to as related art.
However, in the conventional method as described in JP-A-2003-216504, there was a problem that a storage medium such as a DVD bought duly must always be attached to an apparatus and for a navigation apparatus etc., a DVD for map information cannot be replaced with a DVD for another information such as a movie.
Also, in the conventional method as described in JP-A-6-302092, there was a problem that it is difficult to identify a type of a storage medium such as a DVD which is not loaded in a cartridge.


A method for hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation includes preparing and sending a first command signal from a master controller to a plurality of pumps of a pump system. The first command signal specifies a flow rate output for each in pump to achieve a first target flow rate for a fracturing fluid being injected into the subterranean formation. A pressure of the fracturing fluid injected into the subterranean formation at the first target flow rate is monitored and, based on the pressure, the master controller determines when to increase a flow rate of the fracturing fluid to a second target flow rate. The master controller prepares and sends a second command signal to the plurality of pumps to specify the flow rate output for each pump to achieve the second target flow rate.

Subterranean hydraulic fracturing (alternately referred to as "fracking") is sometimes conducted to increase or stimulate production from hydrocarbon-producing wells. In hydraulic fracturing, a fracturing fluid is pumped at an elevated pressure from a wellbore into adjacent hydrocarbon-bearing subterranean formations. The pumped fracturing fluid splits or "fractures" the rock formation along veins or planes extending laterally from the wellbore. In some applications, the fracturing fluid contains propping agents (alternately referred to as "proppant") that are also injected into the opened fractures. Once a desired fracture network is formed, the fluid flow is reversed and the liquid portion of the fracturing fluid is removed. The proppant is intentionally left behind to prevent the fractures from closing onto themselves due to the weight and stresses within the formation. Accordingly, the proppant quite literally "props" or supports the fractures to remain open, yet remain permeable to hydrocarbon fluid flow since they form a packed bed of particles with interstitial void space connectivity.
Hydraulic fractures near the wellbore wall are ideally simple, straight, and wide to provide a direct fluid pathway between the wellbore and the deeper parts of the formation. Once farther into the formation, then it is preferable to generate a complex fracture network that maximizes reservoir contact.
While intended to enhance hydrocarbon production, hydraulic fracturing can occasionally damage rather than help the formation. One type of damage caused by hydraulic fracturing is referred to as "screenout," also known as "sandout." Screenout is a condition that occurs when the fracture network at or near the wellbore wall becomes too complex or restricted and the proppant substantially plugs the fractures and thereby prevents the fracturing fluid from flowing deeper into the formation at that location. Ramping up the flow rate too quickly during the initial stages of hydraulic fracturing is often the root-cause in screenout. Ramping up the flow rate too quickly, for example, causes rapid fluid pressurization in the wellbore (i.e., breakdown overpressure), which can lead to poor near wellbore fracture geometry, multiple competing fractures, and too many dominant fractures taking fluid, each of which can lead to premature screenout during later fracturing stages when proppant is introduced into the formation. When uncontrolled increases in flow rate are applied during initial fracturing, pressures quickly become too high, then, too many fractures near the wellbore wall may be taking fluid or they may follow torturous paths and, as a result, the widths of each fracture will become insufficient, causing fewer initial fractures to accept proppant during later pump stages. The remaining fractures would then remain untreated, resulting in significant bypassed oil and gas reserves in the reservoir.

Automated rate control system for hydraulic fracturing


The present invention relates to an orthopedic crutch that includes a pair of vertical supports which may be formed from tubular members, connected together at one end by a cross-member, which may be cushioned, forming an armpit support. The other ends of the vertical supports are bent inwardly and connected to an adjustable support leg assembly. A handgrip assembly is disposed intermediate the opposing ends of the vertical supports. The handgrip assembly includes a horizontal cross-member, rigidly secured between the vertical supports, a pair of telescoping members and a yoke assembly. One telescoping member, formed as an extending tubular member, is rigidly secured intermediate the opposing ends of the horizontal cross-member. The other telescoping member, which includes a tubular portion, formed with a slightly larger diameter to enable telescoping action between the two telescoping members, is rigidly secured to the yoke assembly which includes two depending legs. A coil spring is disposed within the telescoping members which act as a spring retainer to bias the yoke upwardly. A handgrip, which may be cushioned, is rigidly secured between the two depending legs of the yoke. By providing a movably mounted and spring biased handgrip relative to the vertical supports, the orthopedic crutch in accordance with the present invention, provides increased comfort level to the user. The depending legs of the yoke may be formed with longitudinal arcuate notches which act to guide the vertical movement of the yoke relative to the vertical supports. Additionally, the support leg assembly, armpit support, as well as the handgrip assembly, are relatively easily and quickly adjustable.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an orthopedic crutch and, more particularly, to an adjustable orthopedic crutch with a handgrip, movably mounted in a vertical direction which includes spring biasing to provide dynamic support to the user and improve the comfort level to the user.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various orthopedic crutches are known in the art. Examples of such orthopedic crutches are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 974,494; 1,283,387; 1,334,208; 1,635,914; 2,442,896; 2,547,265; 2,696,826; 4,476,885; and 4,979,533. In particular, U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,635,914; 2,442,896 and 2,547,265 disclose an orthopedic crutch which includes a rigidly mounted handgrip support and a spring mounted armpit support. With such a configuration as weight is shifted to the crutch, the armpit support moves downwardly. As weight is shifted from the crutch, the armpit support moves upwardly under the influence of a biasing spring. U.S. Pat. No. 1,334,208 discloses a similar arrangement except that the handgrip support is connected to an upper vertical support which results in the armpit support, as well as the handgrip support, being movably mounted relative to the lower vertical support. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,476,885 and 4,979,533 relate to orthopedic crutches with adjustment mechanisms.
None of the patents mentioned above disclose an orthopedic crutch in which the handgrip support is movably mounted relative to the armpit supports to provide dynamic support to the user. As such, the comfort level of such orthopedic crutches is relatively limited.

Adjustable crutch with spring biased handgrip


A blood collection container is coated on its inside wall with a unitarily immobilized clotting activator. The activator may be applied to the surface by an adhesive or by rendering the inside wall surface sticky with a solvent and partially absorbing the activator into the sticky surface.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to blood collection and, more particularly, relates to a blood sample collection tube and a method for its preparation.
2. Background
Blood samples are routinely taken in evacuated tubes, such as glass VACUTAINER.TM. tubes (Becton, Dickinson and Company). One end of a double-ended needle is inserted into a patient's vein. The other end of the needle then punctures a septum covering the open end of the VACUTAINER.TM. tube so that the vacuum in the tube draws the blood sample through the needle into the tube. Using this technique, a plurality of samples can be taken using a single needle puncture of the skin. Plastic tubes have also been proposed for blood collection. Plastic offers a number of advantages such as to lower breakage than glass tubes, less weight in shipment, and easier disposal by incineration. Blood collected in evacuated tubes often must be clotted prior to clinical examination. It is desirable to form a dense clot as rapidly and completely as possible to facilitate clean separation of the clot from the serum layer by centrifugation. To achieve this end, both plastic and glass blood collection tubes frequently employ a clot activator. Typical activators are diatomaceous earth and particles of inorganic silicates, or biochemicals such as ellagic acid and thromboplastin. In one line of commercial blood collection tubes, for example, a coating of silicate particles in polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP, a water soluble polymer) is affixed to the inside of the tube. When blood enters the tube, the PVP dissolves and silicate particles are released to initiate clotting. The PVP enters both the serum and clot.
A problem with particulate activators is that finely divided particles may not pellet completely with the clot and may thus contaminate the serum layer and interfere with certain blood analyses. In addition, particles suspended in the serum may foul automatic blood analysis instruments. For highly specialized applications, such as blood banking, it is unacceptable to have particulates in the cell mass of a blood clot because these cells are used in blood typing analyses. On the other hand, soluble biochemical activators can be disadvantageous because these cannot be easily separated from either serum or blood clot and can interfere with both chemical and hematological assays.
There is need in the art of blood collection for a blood clot activator that enhances the rate of blood coagulation but which does not remain in the serum layer or become part of the clot on centrifugation, thus avoiding potential interference with clinical tests.

Tube having unitary blood coagulation activator and method for its preparation