A heat-sensitive composition of the positive type comprising a polymeric binder and a solubility inhibitor, wherein the said solubility inhibitor is a hydroxylated acrylic polymer, a hydroxylated acrylic copolymer or of a derivative thereof wherein some hydroxyl groups have been esterified by a carboxylic acid or a reactive derivative thereof.

This application is based on European Patent Application No. 99830489.3 filed on Jul. 30, 1999, the content of which is incorporated hereinto by reference.
The present invention relates to a composition sensitive to IR radiation and to heat, and a lithographic plate coated with this composition.
In particular, it relates to a composition sensitive to IR radiation and to heat which is useful for the production of a lithographic plate of the positive type.
It also relates to a composition sensitive to laser radiation which is useful for the production of a lithographic plate of the positive type.
As is well-known, the technique of printing by means of lithographic plates is based on differential partition between fatty substances and water. The fatty substance or ink is retained preferentially by the image area and the water is preferentially retained by the non-image area. When the surface of a lithographic plate, suitably prepared, is moistened with water and then sprinkled with ink, the non-image area retains the water and repels the ink, while the image area accepts the ink and repels the water. Then, the ink on the image area is transferred onto the surface of a material on which it is desired to reproduce the image, such as, for example, paper, textile and the like.
In general, the lithographic plates used in printing processes are formed from an aluminium support covered with a composition sensitive to light (photosensitive). When such a composition becomes soluble in an alkaline developing bath through the action of heat or of radiation of appropriate wavelength, the printing process is termed xe2x80x9cpositivexe2x80x9d. Conversely, when the portion exposed to heat or to radiation of appropriate wavelength becomes insoluble in an alkaline developing bath, the printing process is termed xe2x80x9cnegativexe2x80x9d. In both cases, the remaining, image area is lipophilic and hence accepts the ink, while the non-image area is hydrophilic and accepts the water.
The recent developments in the field of lithographic plates have been directed towards the search for compositions sensitive to laser light, preferably in the near IR. In particular, to laser light controlled by software, in such a way as directly to transfer the image created by computer onto the surface of the plate. This technique has the advantage of eliminating the photographic films, with consequent reduction in the pollution due to the chemical substances used for the preparation and production of these and elimination of all the problems that arise in the transfer of the image onto the plate via photographic films.
In the first place, a composition sensitive to radiation emitted by a laser could impart greater reliability to the system.
Secondly, it would be possible to work under ambient illumination, thus eliminating the automatic loading systems or the darkrooms.
With the aim of attaining this objective, in recent years many compositions comprising a polymeric binder and a solubility inhibitor have been investigated. Such a solubility inhibitor has the ability to render the polymeric binder insoluble in a suitable alkaline developing bath as long as it has not been exposed to a sufficient quantity of heat and of then rendering it soluble in the said developing bath after such exposure to heat. Besides the aforesaid components, many of the compositions described until now also comprise a so-called IR absorber, usually consisting of a compound capable of absorbing IR radiation and of transforming part of the radiation absorbed into heat, giving it up to the immediately surrounding environment.
The present invention aims to provide a composition sensitive to heat and a lithographic plate of the positive type coated with the said composition wherein the solubility inhibitor is a hydroxylated acrylic polymer, a hydroxylated acrylic copolymer or a derivative thereof.
The present invention also aims to provide a composition sensitive to IR radiation and a lithographic plate of the positive type coated with the said composition wherein the solubility inhibitor is a hydroxylated acrylic polymer, a hydroxylated acrylic copolymer or a derivative thereof.
The present invention also aims to provide a composition sensitive to laser radiation and a lithographic plate of the positive type coated with the said composition wherein the solubility inhibitor is a hydroxylated acrylic polymer, a hydroxylated acrylic copolymer or a derivative thereof.
The term xe2x80x9clithographic platexe2x80x9d means a support covered with a coating which, after being suitably exposed and developed, is used, as a planographic matrix, in printing processes wherein there is differeritial partition between fatty substances and water.
Typical examples of support materials are constituted by plates of aluminium, zinc, copper, polyester and paper covered with a polymer. Preferably, the support is a sheet of grained aluminium, oxidized and suitably treated to receive the photosensitive composition.
The term xe2x80x9cpositive typexe2x80x9d means that the portion of the photosensitive coating exposed to the radiation or to heat becomes soluble in such a way that it can be removed during the process of development of the plate. Typically, the development process is performed in alkalis having a conductivity pf from 75 to 110 mS.
The term xe2x80x9cpolymeric binderxe2x80x9d means a polymer soluble in alkali, such as for example a novolac resin, a resol resin, a vinylphenolic resin, derivatives thereof or mixtures thereof.
Typically, a novolac resin is a polycondensation product obtained by reaction in an acidic environment between formaldehyde and phenol and/or m-cresol and/or symmetrical xylenol in a molecular ratio of less than 1 (for example formaldehyde:phenol=1:2). Optionally, the thus obtained compound is variously modified such as, for example, by reaction with amides.
Typical examples of commercial novolac resins are the products LB 6564 (mean ponderal molecular weight=6000-10,000) and LB 744 (mean ponderal molecular weight=8000-13,000) from the firm Bakelite (Germany), R 7100 (mean ponderal molecular weight=8000-10,000) from the firm Rohner, and PN 320 (mean ponderal molecular weight=3000-5000) and PN 430 (mean ponderal molecular weight=5000-9500) from the firm Clariant; 010/129/2 (mean ponderal molecular weight=8700-9700), 010/129/1 (mean ponderal molecular weight=2200-32 00), and 010/127/1 (mean ponderal molecular weight=800-1800), 76/159 (mean ponderal molecular weight=2900-3900), 76/160 (mean ponderal molecular weight=2200-3200), 76/190 (mean ponderal molecular weight=7500-8500) from the firm Rohner.
The term xe2x80x9cheat-sensitive compositionxe2x80x9d means a composition which includes a polymeric binder and has the property of being insoluble in an alkaline developing bath as long as it has not been exposed to a sufficient quantity of heat and of then being soluble in the said bath after such exposure to heat.
The term xe2x80x9csolubility inhibitorxe2x80x9d means a compound capable of rendering a heat-sensitive composition that contains it insoluble in a suitable alkaline developing bath as long as the said composition has not been exposed to a sufficient quantity of heat and/or laser radiation and of then rendering it soluble in the said developing bath after such exposure to heat and/or laser radiation.
The term xe2x80x9chydroxyl numberxe2x80x9d means the number of milligrams of KOH equivalent to the hydroxyl content of 1 gram of the compound under test. The determination is made by acetylating the compound under test with acetic anhydride in pyridine, hydrolysing with water the excess acetic anhydride that has not reacted and titrating the free acetic acid with KOH (phenolphthalein indicator).
The term xe2x80x9cacidity numberxe2x80x9d means the number of milligrams of KOH necessary to neutralize the free acid present in 1 gram of the compound under test.
The term xe2x80x9cIR absorberxe2x80x9d means a compound capable of absorbing IR radiation and of transforming part of the absorbed radiation into heat and giving it up to the immediately surrounding environment. Preferably, such an absorber is soluble in water, ketones, glycols, glycolethers, alcohols, esters and mixtures thereof.
Typical examples of absorbers are the commercial products KF 646, KF 645, KF810, KF 1003, KF 1002, IR HBB 812 and KF 818 from the company Riedel-de Haen/Allied/Signal (Seelze, Germany), the commercial product ADS 830A and ADS 1060A, ADS793EI, ADS798MI, ADS798MP, ADS800AT, ADS805PI, ADS805PP, ADS805PA, ADS805PF, ADS812MI, ADS815EI, ADS818HI, ADS818HT, ADS822MT, ADS838MT, ADS840MT, ADS845BI, ADS905AM,ADS956BGI, ADS1040P, ADS1054P, ADS1050P, ADS1120P from the firm American Dye Source (Varennes, Quebec, Canada), the commercial products YKR-3070, YKR-3082, D99-029 and D99-039 from the firm Yamamoto Chemical Inc., the commercial product Projet 825 LDI from the firm Avecia Limited (ex Zeneca Specialties, Manchester, England). Here, for convenience, the product Projet 825 will be referred to hereinbelow by the abbreviation xe2x80x9cZxe2x80x9d.
A particularly interesting family of absorbers is that characterized by the following structural formula:
wherein X, Y, R, Rxe2x80x2 and Rxe2x80x3 can take many meanings. Typical examples of these meanings are: simple or condensed heterocyclic ring for X, simple or fused heterocyclic ring for Z and Y together with the carbon atom to which they are bound, hydrogen, C1-3 alkyl, SO3xe2x88x92 or COOxe2x88x92 for R and Rxe2x80x2 independently of one another and H or Cl for Rxe2x80x3.
Particular examples of the said heterocyclic rings are:
Specific examples of absorbers are:
The term xe2x80x9cIR radiationxe2x80x9d means radiation of a wavelength of from of from 780 to 1400 nm.
A typical example of a device used to generate IR radiation is a laser diode which emits at ca. 830 nm.
The term xe2x80x9claser radiationxe2x80x9d means radiation of a wavelength of from 600 to 1400 nm.
Absorber capable of absorbing radiation having a wavelenght of from 600 to 780 nm are well known in the art. Typical examples of such absorbers are the commercial products ADS640PP, AD640HI, ADS640HI, ADS675MT, ADS680BP, ADS740PP, ADS745HT, ADS760MP, ADS775MI, ADS775MP, ADS775HI, ADS775PI, ADS775PP, ADS780MT and ADS780BP from the firm American Dye Source (Varennes, Quebec, Canada).
The term xe2x80x9cnominal wavelengthxe2x80x9d means a wavelength of from 805 to 830 nm.
The term xe2x80x9cdyexe2x80x9d means a coloured compound or preparation capable of dyeing the photosensitive composition in order to reveal the image after the exposure to light and/or after development.
Typical examples of dyes are Basonyl(trademark) blue 636 (Colour Index 42595) from the firm Basf (Germany), Sudan Yellow 150 (Colour Index 11021) from the firm Basf (Germany), Solvent Green 3 (Colour Index 61565), Solvent Blue 59 (Colour Index 61552), Solvent Blue 35 (Colour Index 61554) or mixtures thereof.
The term xe2x80x9ctriazinexe2x80x9d intends to mean the entire family of the substituted trichloromethyl-s-triazines of known type.
The term xe2x80x9cadditivexe2x80x9d means a compound used to improve or confer a desired property on the photosensitive composition such as for example an enhancer developing agent, a pigment, a plasticizer capable of rendering the emulsion less resistant to heat and hence more sensitive, without however having an insolubilizing function, or an agent capable of modifying the surface and/or interfacial tension and thus improving the spreadability characteristics on the support and the covering power of the heat-sensitive composition.
Typical examples of pigments are: Heliogen(trademark) Blue L 6700 F (PB 15:6 colour index 74160), Heliogen(trademark) Blue L 6875 F (PB 15:2 colour index 74160) from the firm Basf (Germany), and from the Waxoline(trademark) series: BLUE AP FW (colour index SB 36 PART 2 61551), VIOLET A FW (colour index SV 13 PART 2 60725), GREEN G FW (colour index SB 3 PART 2 61565) from the firm Avecia Limited (ex Zeneca Ltd.) or mixtures thereof.
Typical examples of agents capable of modifying the surface and/or interfacial tension are the copolymers dimethylpolysiloxane-modified polyethers, mixtures of high-boiling aromatic solvents, ketones and esters and fluorinated surfactants. Typical examples of such agents are the commercial products BYK 300, 302 and 341, BYKETOL(trademark) OK from the firm BYK Mallinckrodt and FC 430 and FC 431 from the firm 3M.
In a first aspect thereof, the present invention relates to a heat-sensitive composition of the positive type comprising a polymeric binder and a solubility inhibitor, characterized in that the said solubility inhibitor is a hydroxylated acrylic polymer, a hydroxylated acrylic copolymer or a derivative thereof wherein some hydroxyl groups have been esterified with a carboxylic acid or a reactive derivative thereof.
In a second aspect thereof, the present invention also relates to a lithographic plate of the positive type coated with a heat-sensitive composition comprising a polymeric binder and a solubility inhibitor, characterized in that the said solubility inhibitor is a hydroxylated acrylic polymer, a hydroxylated acrylic copolymer or a derivative thereof wherein some hydroxyl groups have been esterified with a carboxylic acid or a reactive derivative thereof.
In a third aspect thereof, the present invention relates to a laser sensitive composition of the positive type comprising a polymeric binder and a solubility inhibitor, characterized in that the said solubility inhibitor is a hydroxylated acrylic polymer, a hydroxylated acrylic copolymer or a derivative thereof wherein some hydroxyl groups have been esterified with a carboxylic acid or a reactive derivative thereof.
In a further aspect thereof, the present invention also relates to a lithographic plate of the positive type coated with a laser composition comprising a polymeric binder and a solubility inhibitor, characterized in that the said solubility inhibitor is a hydroxylated acrylic polymer, a hydroxylated acrylic copolymer or a derivative thereof wherein some hydroxyl groups have been esterified with a carboxylic acid or a reactive derivative thereof.
Typically, the said hydroxylated acrylic copolymer has a hydroxyl number of from 40 to 200, preferably from 100 to 170.
Advantageously, the said hydroxylated acrylic copolymer has a mean ponderal molecular weight (MW) of from 3000 to 30,000 atomic mass units (a.m.u.) and, preferably, from 6000 to 20,000 a.m.u. and has a polydispersity index (MW/Mn) of from 1.5 to 6.
Typical examples of suitable hydroxylated acrylic copolymers are the Macrynal(trademark) resins from Hoechst, such as, for example, Macrynal(trademark) SM 510 N (hydroxyl number: 135-155), SM 513, (hydroxyl number: 110-130), SM 515 (hydroxyl number: 145-160) and SM 516 (hydroxyl number: 130-150).
Typical examples of suitable carboxylic acids are the aliphatic and aromatic mono- and polycarboxylic acids. Advantageously, the acid is a dicarboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of maleic, fumaric, malonic and phthalic acid.
Typical examples of reactive derivatives of aliphatic carboxylic acids are those selected from the group consisting of acid chloride and anhydride.
Advantageously, the hydroxylated polymer according to the present invention is modified by partial esterification with maleic anhydride.
Preferably, the said partial esterification is performed using from 10 to 90% of the stoichiometric quantity of the reactive aliphatic carboxylic acid derivative required to esterify all the hydroxyl groups of the hydroxylated polymer. More preferably from 20 to 60%, still more preferably from 20 to 30%.
The said esterification reaction of some hydroxyl groups of a hydroxylated polymer with an aliphatic carboxylic acid or a reactive derivative thereof is readily performed by standard techniques well known to the specialist in the field.
Preferably, the said polymeric binder comprises a novolac resin having a mean ponderal molecular weight of from 2000 to 14,000.
Advantageously, the said polymeric binder consists of a mixture of two or more novolacs. Preferably, a first novolac has a mean ponderal molecular weight of from 3000 to 5000 and a second novolac has a mean ponderal molecular weight of from 6000 to 10,000.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the composition also comprises an IR absorber capable of absorbing IR radiation of from 780 to 1400 nm, preferably from 780 to 1100 nm, and of converting it into heat.
The composition of the present invention can also comprise a dye.
Typically the said dye is Basonyl blue 636 (Colour Index 42595) and is present in quantities sufficient only to dye the composition.
The composition of the present invention can also comprise a plasticizer, a triazine and other additives of a standard nature. In particular, the plasticizer has the purpose of modifying the toughness and the hardness of the said composition by varying its sensitivity to heat without appreciably affecting its sensitivity to the developers.
Advantageously, the composition of the present invention can also contain solubility inhibitors belonging to other classes such as, for example, organometallic compounds and organic salts of metals which are the subject of another patent application, which is included here by reference, filed on the same date by the Applicant. Typically, the said compositions are organic derivatives of titanium. A typical example of such compounds is triethanolaminated titanium isopropoxide, also known as Tyzor(trademark) TE.

Composition sensitive to IR radiation and to heat and lithographic plate coated with this composition


Some embodiments include an integrated structure having a conductive region which contains one or more elements from Group 2 of the periodic table. Some embodiments include an integrated structure which has a conductive region over and directly against a base material. The conductive region includes one or more elements from Group 2 of the periodic table, and has a pair of opposing sidewalls along a cross-section. A capping material is over and directly against the conductive region. Protective material is along and directly against the sidewalls of the protective region.

Conductive materials have numerous uses in integrated circuitry. For instance, the conductive materials may be incorporated into wiring, shielding, wordlines, digit lines, interconnects, etc. A continuing goal of integrated circuit fabrication is to increase integration density. A related goal is to decrease the dimension of conductive components, while maintaining suitable conductivity along the components. It would be desirable to develop new materials which are suitable for being utilized in conductive components, and which may have desired high conductivity (i.e., low resistivity) and acceptable melting temperature.

Integrated structures with conductive regions having at least one element from group 2 of the periodic table


The invention provides branched copolymers as precursors for preparing silicon carbide (SiC) ceramics represented by the general formulae:[Si(˜)RC(˜)H]xn[SiR1R2CH2]yn,  Formula Type-Iwherein n is the degree of polymerization, 0.1≦x<0.8, 0.2≦y<0.9 and x+y=1; and R=methyl or H, R1 and R2 are randomly composed of hydrogen (H), allyl, methyl (Me), phenyl (Ph), propargyl or vinyl. Another branched copolymer is represented by the general formula:[Si(˜)RC(˜)H]xn[SiR1R2CH2]yn[SiR3R4CH2]zn  Formula Type-IIwherein n is the degree of polymerization, 0.1≦x<0.8, 0≦y<0.8, 0.2≦z<0.8 and x+y+z=1; and R=methyl or H, R1 and R2 are randomly composed of hydrogen (H), methyl (Me) and phenyl; R3 and R4 are randomly composed of H, allyl, methyl, phenyl (Ph), propargyl, and vinyl. The invention also provides methods for the preparation of such branched copolymers.

1. Field of the Invention
Silicon carbide (SiC) is a well-recognized ceramic material with a wide variety of applications because of its low density, high strength, high thermal stability, and high resistance to oxidation and corrosion. These characteristics make SiC a suitable material for components in electronic devices and for potentially replacing metal in engine parts. Silicon carbide is also suitable for use in low friction bearings, thermal and environmental barrier coatings, and wear resistant components (e.g. brakes).
While it is desirable to replace existing materials with SiC in most industries, the hardness and non-melting characteristics of this ceramic material makes it difficult to process by conventional methods. One solution to this problem is to use polycarbosilances as precursors of SiC because of their solubility in organic solvents, moldablity, spinnablity, cross-linkablity and high yield on pyrolysis.
2. Background Art
The first commercial polycarbosilane which was used as a precursor of SiC was disclosed by Yajima et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,100,233. This precursor of SiC was prepared by coupling dimethyldichlorosilane with sodium in toluene, followed by a rearrangement reaction of poly(dimethylsilane) in an autoclave at high temperature. The resultant polymer has a major repeat unit, [SiMeHCH2] and can only exist as solid form due to some un-converted Si—Si bond. However, the use of sodium and high temperature treatment tend to incur high manufacturing cost which diminishes the viability of this preparation method.
A polycarbosilane disclosed by Yajima has been used to prepare Nicalon fiber via a melt spinning process. An oxygen curing process for retaining the shape of the Nicalon fiber occurs before pyrolysis. This oxygen curing step is necessary to supplement the lack of efficient cross-linkable functional groups in the Yajima polycarbosilane. However, excess oxygen in the SiC is created after pyrolysis. In addition to the excess oxygen, excess carbon is also generated after pyrolysis. The excess carbon is due to a carbon to silicon ratio of 2:1 in the polycarbosilane precursor. The residual oxygen and excess carbon have negative effects on the long-term stability of ceramic fibers like Nicalon fiber.
Another disclosure (U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,892) by Shimada et al. teaches a method of making a phenyl substituted polycarbosilane or polycarbosilastyrene, similar to the Yajima polymer. While the fiber made from this precursor contains less oxygen, the cost of manufacturing this polymer is comparable to Yajima's polymer.
Whitmarsh et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,153,295) disclosed a branched polycarbosilane, [SiH2CH2]n, prepared by Grignard reaction of chloromethyltrichlorosilane in ether, followed by reduction with lithium aluminum hydride (LiAlH4). While this polycarbosilane has a high SiC yield, due to a 1:1 silicon:carbon ratio, it can only exist as a liquid at room temperature due to its low glass transition temperature (TG).
U.S. Pat. No. 5,270,429 by Michalczyk disclosed an extensively branched chloropolycarbosilane having a formula: [CH(Cl)zSiMe(H)x]Hy. The extensive branching in this polycarbosilane is a steric hindrance for the preparation its copolymer with (dichloromethyl)methyldichlorosilane. This particular characteristic causes incomplete coupling of all chlorine atoms during a Grignard reaction of monomer, (dichloromethyl)methyldichlorosilane. Excess chlorine from incomplete coupling with magnesium (Mg) in the Grignard reaction is not desired in SiC. In comparison, the use of sodium (Na) in a corresponding Wurtz coupling reaction drives the coupling to completion leaving no uncoupled chlorine. However, the complete coupling of chlorine produces an insoluble solid as end polymer, [CHSiMe]n, with limited use because processing such an insoluble solid as a precursor is difficult and costly.
In view of the foregoing, a need exists to overcome one or more of the deficiencies in the related art.

Composition, preparation of polycarbosilanes and their uses


The present invention relates to the field of (bio-)medicine, and more particularly to the treatment of copper-related diseases. Novel means and methods for depleting (excess) copper from organs and/or the circulation are provided. Agents with a high copper binding affinity and stabilized forms thereof are provided, as well as a novel treatment regimen. The means and methods of the present invention are particularly useful for treatment of Wilson Disease, but also for treatment of other conditions.

Copper is an essential trace element for eukaryotes and most prokaryotes that plays an important role in critical biological functions such as enzyme activity, oxygen transport and cell signaling. However, due to its high redox activity and its ability to catalyze the production of free radicals, copper can have detrimental effects on lipids, proteins, DNA and other biomolecules. Particularly, mitochondria are thought to be the major targets for oxidative damage resulting from copper toxicity. Moreover, copper can interfere with proteins and can displace other metals such as zinc from metalloproteins, thereby inhibiting their activity. In order to prevent copper from exerting its potentially toxic effects, it usually does not exist in free form, but only as a complex. In the human body, approximately 95% of the copper in plasma is bound to proteins such as ceruloplasmin, a multicopper ferroxidase that is synthesized and secreted by hepatocytes. It is estimated that less than 1 atom of free copper is present per cell.
Due to its ambivalent role in metabolism, any imbalance in copper bioavailability inevitably leads to deficiency or toxicity, and all organisms have evolved mechanisms that regulate its absorption, excretion and bioavailability. In mammals, copper absorption occurs in the small intestine via enterocyte uptake, followed by its transfer into the blood by the copper transporter ATP7A. The liver plays a critical role in copper metabolism, serving both as the site of copper storage and regulating its distribution to serum and tissues and excretion of excess copper into the bile. Particularly, hepatocytes transport and regulate physiological copper via the specialized transporter ATP7B.
ATP7A and ATP7B are closely related in structure and function, with approximately 60% amino acid sequence identity. They undergo ATP-dependent cycles of phosphorylation and dephosphorylation to catalyze the translocation of copper across cellular membranes for the metallation of many essential cuproenzymes, as well as for the removal of excess cellular copper to prevent toxicity.
ATP7B mutations result in a major impairment in the ability of hepatocytes to maintain copper homeostasis at the cellular and systemic levels, resulting in impaired biliary copper excretion and persistent copper accumulation in the liver, a condition known as Wilson disease (WD). This can lead—most likely due to the spillover of liver copper (Bandmann et al., The Lancet. Neurology 14, 103-113 (2015))—to deleterious effects on the brain and in many cases to chronic liver disease but also to fulminant hepatic failure (Gitlin, Gastroenterology 125, 1868-1877 (2003).
Untreated Wilson Disease is universally fatal, with most patients dying from liver disease. In order to restore body copper homeostasis, the clinically used copper chelators D-penicillamine (D-PA) and trientine (TETA) or the candidate drug tetrathiomolybdate (TTM) are administered daily (Gitlin J D, Gastroenterology. 2003 December; 125(6):1868-77). This lifelong therapy is effective only if commenced before the onset of advanced hepatic or neurologic disease (Roberts et al., Am J Clin Nutr 88, 851S-854S (2008)). The same holds true for zinc salts, which are primarily used in mild cases of WD to decrease copper absorption via the gastrointestinal tract or as copper maintenance therapy in chelator treated WD patients (Gitlin J D, loc. cit.). However, in circumstances of acute liver failure—caused by either delayed diagnosis, treatment failure, or rapidly developing fulminant hepatitis—death is almost certain unless liver transplantation is performed (Gitlin J D, loc. cit.). All of the currently FDA/EMA-approved copper chelators have severe adverse effects, including bone marrow toxicity, nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, anemia and triggering of autoimmune disease (Gitlin J D, loc. cit.). Due to the toxicity of D-PA, discontinuation of treatment is required in almost one third of WD patients (Weiss & Stremmel, Current gastroenterology reports 14, 1-7 (2012)).
Currently approved pharmacological treatments usually fail to restore copper homeostasis in acute WD, thus rendering liver transplantation the only viable treatment option. Given these issues, there is a clear unmet medical need for an alternative and innovative treatment of WD and other copper-related disease. The technical problem underlying the present application is to comply with the unmet medical need for an alternative and innovative treatment of copper-related disease, such as WD, particularly acute WD.

Means and methods for treating copper-related diseases

HELMHOLTZ ZENTRUM MÜNCHEN—DEUTSCHES FORSCHUNGSZENTRUM FÜR GESUNDHEIT UND UMWELT (GMBH)

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOUNDATION

THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN


A variable lens having an optical axis is described. The lens comprises a plurality of annuli located around the optical axis. Each annulus has respective side walls defining a chamber containing a first fluid and a second fluid in contact over a meniscus. The fluids are substantially immiscible and have different refractive indices. At least one of the annuli comprises at least one electrode for altering the configuration of the meniscus.

A lens is a device that can change the vergence (converge or diverge) of light of one or more wavelengths. The term light is understood to include both visible electromagnetic radiation, and other wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation.
A variable (or adjustable) lens is a lens in which one or more properties of the lens can be controllably adjusted e.g. in which either the focal length or the position of the lens can be altered.
Variable focus lenses based on electrowetting devices are known. Electrowetting devices are devices that utilize the electrowetting phenomenon to operate. In electrowetting, the three-phase contact angle between two fluids and a solid is changed with applied voltage.
International patent application WO 99/18456 describes a variable focus lens utilizing the electrowetting effect. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of such a typical optical device. The device has two immiscible fluids 80, 87 confined in a sealed space 92 (i.e. a chamber or cavity). The term immiscible indicates that the two fluids do not mix. The first fluid 80 is an insulator (e.g. silicone oil) and the second fluid 87 electro conductive (e.g. a mixture of water and ethyl alcohol). The first fluid 80 and the second fluid 87 have different refractive indices.
A voltage from a voltage supply 50 can be applied to the two electrodes 51, 52 so as to produce an electric field between the first fluid 87 and the electrode 52 (an insulating layer 65 prevents the second electrode 52 contacting the conductive second fluid).
By varying the voltage applied to the second fluid 87, the shape of an interface 85 between the first fluid 80 and the second fluid 87 is altered, so as to change the lens function provided by the interface 85. The device has a water-repellent film 60 of diameter D1 on the insulating layer 65 surrounded by a ring of a hydrophilic agent 70 so as to locate the first fluid 80.
Fluid based lenses having a size of the order of centimetres or larger are sensitive to gravity, movement and vibrations. Whilst this problem can to some extent be overcome by using high-viscosity fluids, this results in a decrease in the lens response time (i.e. the time the lens takes to change so as to provide a different lens functions).
Furthermore, fluid lenses with a large diameter generally also have a large thickness, and thus take up a relatively large volume. This can make the lens bulky, slow in response and unsuitable for applications where space is at a premium.
It is an aim of embodiments of the present invention to provide a variable lens that addresses one or more problems of the prior art, whether referred to herein or otherwise. It is also an aim of the present invention to provide optical devices incorporating such lenses, and methods of manufacturing such lens and such devices.
It is an aim of particular embodiments of the present invention to provide a relatively large diameter variable lens that is relatively insensitive to movement and vibrations, whilst still having a relatively rapid response time. It is an aim of particular embodiments of the present invention to provide a large diameter variable lens that is relatively thin.


An attachment clip used in combination with a steel fence post for affixing a horizontal support member thereto. The clip, the steel fence post and the horizontal support member when combined provide additional stability and reduce tilting and settling thereof. This in turn facilitates to maintain the overall height and alignment of the fence line. The clip is a unitary member having a rear elongated gripping channel, an elongated vertical centralized trough, upper and lower attachment flanges and clearance slots.

It is well known within the trade of wire fence installation and\or repair that steel fence posts have a tendency to settle and tilt over time especially when installed in soft soils or wetlands. This settling and tilting causes the wire fence to lean and lower in height at various locations along the fence line, thus greatly reducing the effectiveness of the fence. Attempts to resolve this problem have been made within the art but heretofore have proven to be much too costly and generally ineffective. For example, the prior art requires the addition of numerous costly components such as steel posts, wood posts, or "figure fours" as well as additional wire and/or extra fasteners, etc. and these repairs might also fail at a later date. More importantly this results in significantly increased expense, time and manual labour, which the use of the present invention would eliminate.

Clip for attaching a support member onto a steel fencepost


Provided is an information processing apparatus including an image acquisition unit for acquiring an image that includes a target a user is paying attention to, an access information acquisition unit for acquiring access information assigned with a time-limited access right to public information that is associated with the target in the image, a public information acquisition unit for acquiring the public information using the access information, and a display control unit for controlling display of the public information.

The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, a program, a recording medium, and an information processing system.
In recent years, modes of communication on the Internet are becoming increasingly diverse. With the diversification of the modes of communication, integration of communication in the real world and communication on the Internet has been proposed. For example, JP 2008-48287A discloses a system that supports promotion of communication in the real world by issuing a notification, using friend information on a social network service (SNS), in a case a person who is linked through a friend is nearby in the real world.

Information processing apparatus, information processing method, program, recording medium, and information processing system


A replacement filter for conventional throw-away spin-on oil filter cartridge on an internal combustion engine. The replacement filter uses a porous metallic filter element, preferably a woven stainless steel, pleated filter element, within a housing physically simulating the conventional throw-away spin-on oil filter cartridge. The housing is disassembleable, typically by unscrewing the top cap of the housing, for removal, cleaning and reuse of the filter element. This avoids the problems of cost and availability of replacement filters and of disposal of used filters. Various embodiments are disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of oil filters, and more particularly to oil filters as are frequently used on internal combustion engines.
2. Prior Art
Internal combustion engines, including gasoline and diesel engines as are commonly used in cars, trucks, boats and stationary power plants, frequently use a canister type oil filter for filtering the crankcase oil as it circulates through the pressure lubrication system. A typical filter of this type may be seen in FIG. 1. Such filters are characterized by a can-like housing 20 with a top cap 22 permanently attached thereto having an internally threaded center region or hub 24, openings 26 and a flat rubber seal 28. Within the can-like housing 20 and separating the center region in communication with the opening through hub 24 and the outer region in communication with the openings 26 is a pleated paper filter material through which oil may pass. In use, the threaded center hub 24 threads onto a short threaded pipe on the oil filter mount on the engine until rubber member 28 seals against a flat surface on the oil filter mount. Porting adjacent the short threaded pipe-like protrusion on the oil filter mount provides oil communication with the openings 26. Normally oil flow is through the openings 26, through the paper filter and then out through the threaded pipe-like structure threaded into hub 24.
Filters of the type shown in FIG. 1 have the primary advantage of being easily replaced by simply unscrewing the used filter and screwing a replacement filter back on. However, they also have certain disadvantages, since not only is the filter element (the paper filter) effectively replaced on each oil change, but the pressure container in which the filter element is mounted is also replaced on each oil change. Consequently, the cost of these filters substantially increases the cost of the oil change itself. Further, because of the wide variety of filter sizes, a substantial number of filters must be inventoried to have an adequate supply of the various sizes that may be required. Also, the filtering of the paper is less than ideal, the paper catching only a percentage of particles of a given size, with the paper clogging over time so that increasing percentages of the recirculating oil bypasses the filter entirely.
While filters of the foregoing type are easily removed from an engine and replaced with a new filter, the used filter is not easily disposed of. Being toxic, the used filter cannot simply be thrown out, so to speak, as before, but rather must be disposed of using prescribed and relatively expensive procedures. Consequently, there is room for improvement in both the performance and the economics of internal combustion engine oil filters.


Power-efficient resonant clock meshes and multiple frequency resonant clock distribution networks.

The on-going demand for high performance electronic systems has driven the need for high-speed digital Very Large Scale Integration (VLSI) chips. VLSI implementations have proceeded in two inter-related directions: higher performance and higher density (more devices per unit area). While modern VLSI chips have achieved astonishingly high levels of performance and chip density, there is a very strong demand for even higher levels.
One serious impediment to achieving what is demanded from VLSI devices is power consumption. As a rule of thumb higher performance requires more power. But, more power produces more heat, which increases failure rates. Consequently, power consumption is the predominant challenge in improving modern high performance systems.
Almost all modern VLSI chips are clocked. That is, the operations of the gates within a VLSI chip are synchronized to act together by clock signals. As long as the gates can keep up, the higher the clock rate the faster the performance. Unfortunately, as clock rates and VLSI chip densities increase it becomes very difficult to ensure that all of the chips can keep up with the clocks. One reason for this is that each sequential element in a VLSI chip needs its own clock signal, but not all devices are the same distance from the clock signal source, which means that all clock lines are not the same length and that associated parameters such as distributed capacitances and resistances, differ. Different lengths coupled with unavoidable signal delays caused by distributed resistances and capacitances mean that clock signals arrive at different devices at different times (clock skew). Such can effectively limit the performance of a VLSI chip.
Compounding the clocking problems is the fact that clocking requires power. In fact, the on-chip clock distribution network (CDN) of modern VLSI chips often consumes more than 35% of the total chip power and can occasionally require as much as 70%.
Various approaches have been attempted in the prior art to address VLSI clocking problems. One approach to decreasing CDN power consumption is to use resonant clocks in the VLSI clock distribution network. For example see the following applications: U.S. App No. 61/502,619 Title: DISTRIBUTED LC RESONANT TANKS CLOCK TREE SYNTHESIS, and U.S. App No. 61/502,626 Title: DISTRIBUTED RESONANT CLOCK GRID SYNTHESIS, and U.S. App No. 61/502,635 Title: METHODS FOR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT C4 BALL PLACEMENT, inventor in all cases is Dr. Matthew Guthaus. Also see U.S. application Ser. No. 12/903,166 (US 2011/0090018 A1) that describes an inductor architecture for resonant clock distribution networks that allows for the adjustment of the natural frequency of a resonant clock distribution network, so that it achieves energy-efficient operation at multiple clock frequencies. Also see U.S. Ser. No. 12/903,168 (WO2011/046981A2) that describes an architecture allows for the energy-efficient operation of a resonant clock distribution network at multiple clock frequencies through the deployment of flip-flops that can be selectively enabled. Also see US20110090019A1, US20110090018A1, US20110084772A1, US20090027085A1, and WO2011046974A3. These applications and any publication thereof, and any and all publications referred to in this disclosure, are hereby incorporated by reference to the fullest extent allowed by law.
While resonant clock circuits have proven to be a viable way to reduce power consumption they have not been fully developed. For example, modern VLSI devices are capable of operating at multiple frequencies. One major reason for this is the desire to reduce power consumption, not only on the clock lines but on data lines. Consequently there is a need to achieve the benefits of resonance clock distribution networks and operation at multiple frequencies in the same device.

Power-efficient multi-frequency resonant clock meshes

The Regents of the University of California


A method for reclamation of a brine that includes mixing a brine containing thiocyanates with an oxidizing agent; and allowing for a time sufficient for the oxidizing agent to oxidize at least a portion of the thiocyanates is disclosed. Other methods may also include determining the quantity of unoxidized thiocyanates after the oxidizing treatment.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to wellbore fluids. In particular embodiments disclosed herein relate to reclamation of brines in wellbore fluids.
2. Background Art
In the oil recovery industry and in hydrocarbon recovery, drilling fluids and well servicing fluids are used on a regular basis. When drilling or completing wells in earth formations, various fluids typically are used in the well for a variety of reasons. Common uses for well fluids include: lubrication and cooling of drill bit cutting surfaces while drilling generally or drilling-in (i.e., drilling in a targeted petroliferous formation), transportation of "cuttings" (pieces of formation dislodged by the cutting action of the teeth on a drill bit) to the surface, controlling formation fluid pressure to prevent blowouts, maintaining well stability, suspending solids in the well, minimizing fluid loss into and stabilizing the formation through which the well is being drilled, fracturing the formation in the vicinity of the well, displacing the fluid within the well with another fluid, cleaning the well, testing the well, transmitting hydraulic horsepower to the drill bit, emplacing a packer, abandoning the well or preparing the well for abandonment, and otherwise treating the well or the formation.
The drilling fluids and other well servicing fluids that are used are either lost during the completion or drilling operation or recovery operation or, if recovered, are typically discarded. However, with increasing technology, the completion or drilling fluids either for an environmental reason and/or expense reasons are being recovered for reuse. This is especially true with high tech well servicing and drilling fluids that are quite expensive, and thus their recovery is relatively important since being able to use the well servicing fluids, and in particular the brine in the well servicing fluids, will greatly reduce the cost of future completion or drilling operations.
Brines (such as, for example, aqueous CaBr2) commonly are used as well fluids because of their wide density range and the fact that brines are typically substantially free of suspended solids. In addition, brines are often used in order to achieve a suitable density for use in well completion or drilling operations. Typically, brines comprise halide salts of mono- or divalent cations, such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and zinc. Chloride-based brines of this type have been used in the petroleum industry for over 50 years; bromide-based brines, for at least 25 years; and formate-based brines, for roughly the past ten years. One additional advantage of using brines is that brines typically do not damage certain types of downhole formations; and for formations that are found to interact adversely with one type of brine, often there is another type of brine available with which those formations will not interact adversely.
A variety of compounds are typically added to brine-based well fluids. For example, a brine-based well fluid may also include viscosifiers, corrosion inhibitors, lubricants, pH control additives, surfactants, solvents, and/or weighting agents, among other additives. Some typical corrosion inhibitors include amine-based or inorganic thiocyanate-based compounds, which are designed to help prevent general corrosion attack on casing, tubing and downhole tools in contact with the completion or drilling fluid.
While thiocyanates are useful inhibitors at some low to medium temperature ranges, at temperatures of 350° F. (177° C.) and upwards, thiocyanates and other sulfur-containing additives are believed to be prone to thermal decomposition and subsequent environmentally induced corrosion cracking of tubular goods, especially those of high strength corrosion resistant alloys. However, sulfates are not believed to be among this group of sulfur containing additives believed to be prone to thermal decomposition and subsequent environmentally induced corrosion cracking of tubular goods. Stress corrosion cracking has also been postulated to be a risk as a result of hydrogen sulfide production from the decomposition of thiocyanates.
In the life cycle of completion brine, initially formulated stock brines are custom-blended with a variety of additives depending on the particular application. If the list of additives includes corrosion inhibitors, then the brine may have come to contain thiocyanates by deliberate addition; however, cross-contamination may also be a reason for a used completion brine to contain thiocyanates. Once used, a completion fluid that is returned to the surface may optionally be subjected to reclamation processes for reuse in a subsequent application. Such fluids may be contaminated with any or all of the following: water, drilling mud, formation materials, rust, scale, pipe dope, and viscosifiers and bridging agents used for fluid-loss-control pills. Depending on their composition and level of contamination, these fluids may or may not have further practical or economic value. If it is deemed that the fluids have future use potential, they may be reclaimed. Conversely, if they are determined to have no further use, they must be disposed of in an environmentally responsible way.
Conversely, if it is deemed that the fluids have future use potential, they may be reclaimed. There are many known methods for removing contaminates from a brine solution. Among the various approaches removal of suspended solids by filtration, pH adjustments, chemical treatment, carbon treatment, etc. Current API recommended practices specify the testing for such components such as solids, pH, and iron; however, it is likely that in the future the recommended practices will also include a specification on the maximum allowable thiocyanate content. Furthermore, while a thiocyanate-based additive may be innocuous in a first, medium temperature drilling operation, a subsequent drilling operation may be at higher temperatures, presenting a risk of thiocyanate degradation and hydrogen sulfide production. Reclamation processes to date have not focused on the removal of thiocyanates from brines.
Accordingly, there exists a need for reclamation processes for brines in which thiocyanates may be effectively removed therefrom for reuse in subsequent operations.

Using oxidizing agents to remove thiocyanates from brines


A hand power tool, in particular a drill hammer, percussion drill or percussion screwdriver, includes a pistol grip (2), which is connected in vibration-damped fashion to the tool housing (1). The pistol grip (2) is supported on the tool housing (1) pivotably about a shaft (5), and the shaft (5) extends transversely to the primary direction of vibration (3) of the hand power tool. At least one spring element (10), which acts in the direction of vibration, is located between the tool housing (1) and the pistol grip (2).

The present invention relates to a hand power tool, in particular a drill hammer, percussion drill or percussion screwdriver, having a pistol grip that is connected to the tool housing in a vibration-damped manner.
Particularly in hand power tools that have a percussion mechanism, such as drill hammers, percussion drills or percussion screwdrivers, very major vibration of the tool housing occurs, which is transmitted to the grip and from there undamped to the hands or arms of the users, unless some of sort of vibration-damping means are provided. In German Patent DE 40 00 861 C3, the pistol grip of a hand power tool is joined to the tool housing in a vibration-damped manner in such a way that an envelope housing, solidly joined to the pistol grip, surrounds the tool housing, and this envelope housing is decoupled from the tool housing by means of rubber-elastic bodies.

Hand power tool with vibration-damped pistol grip


Network ports of a computer system are associated with network ports of a network device. Network ports of the computer system are configured to operate as part of a switch. A discovery agent discovers network ports of the network device to which the network ports of the computer system are coupled. Associations are created between the network ports of the computer system and the network ports of the network device.

In large data centers and other computer installations, computers are often initially deployed in a "bare metal" state in which an operating system is not installed on the computer. It is desirable to automate the configuration of a bare metal computer to minimize manual configuration steps required by a data center technician. Often a bare metal computer will be configured to obtain in interne protocol (IP) address from a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server, and initially boot by loading an operating system from a preboot execution environment (PXE) server. Thereafter, the operating system loaded from the PXE server performs additional configuration steps, such as formatting the local hard drive and installing a local copy of an operating system. However, additional manual configuration steps often remain.

Associating network ports of a computer system with network ports of a network device

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


The present invention provides the lighting, electrical components, wheels, legs, and structure to modify a barbeque grill for night use and movement. The present invention attaches lights through the lid of a grill. Wiring connects the lights to the electrical system of a vehicle or truck. Upon the body of grill, the present invention installs legs with wheels and safety devices. The legs fold during transport and otherwise unfold for pushing the grill. The body also has reflectors to identify the grill. A cook checks food under the lid illuminated by the lights, pushes the grill upon wheels, and relocates the grill when mounted upon a trailer hitch.

The present invention relates to portable barbeque grills in general and more specifically to a light installed upon a grill and pivoting legs.
As the weather warms, people desire more outdoor cooking with grills. Spring, summer, and fall provide many opportunities to grill for family and friends. For some slow cooking entrees and at the beginning and ending of grill season, cooks run their grills during darkness. Other cooks make their entrees at sporting events or picnics where a grill moves from time to time.
A unique aspect of the present invention is illumination of the cooking food at night under a lid of a grill and support of the grill while moving. Illuminating the food allows a cook to check an entree without opening the lid. Prior art designs illuminated the food but with the lid up, releasing heat from the grill. Supporting the grill permits a single cook to grasp the grill in his hands and push the grill to a desired location. Prior art designs included arms to connect a grill to a vehicle but omitted legs to assist a cook in moving a grill. In summary, prior art requires a cook to open a lid to check food and to seek assistance when moving a grill.

Lighted barbeque grill with pivoting legs


A system for automatic fault detection and recovery in a computer system includes: a system fault detector, a halt time duration counter, and program and hardware recovery signal generators. The system fault detector is connected to a plurality of bus signal lines of a computer system to produce an output signal in response to an existence of an operating signal in the system bus. The halt time counter is operated in response to the output signal of the fault detector and clock signals to produce a set of count values each representing the passage of a predetermined time duration after a vanishing of the output signal of the fault detector. The program recovery signal generator produces a system management interrupt (SMI) signal when seven minutes have elapsed from the detection of the system halt. Also, the hardware recovery signal generator produces a reset signal when eight minutes have elapsed from the detection of the system halt. Further, the recovery system includes a selector consisting of a one-bit register for storing an initial value for enabling operation of the fault detector at the start of the computer system, the selector being connected to the system bus and changing its initial value in response to a BIOS program from the system bus to disable the operation of the fault detector. The computer system is set to save the data processed in an application program in response to the SMI signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a computer monitoring system, and more particularly to an automatic fault detection and recovery system for a computer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, most of the computer systems adopt a low noise design that reduces operating noise occurring at the computer system itself as well as peripheral equipment for the purpose of improving the working environment. Thus, one can hardly hear the noise associated with the operation of the computer system during work. On the contrary, those computers adopting the low noise design result in difficulty of identification as to whether they are operating normally or have halted operation due to a failure until a task is finished.
In order to solve this problem, for example, there has been provided a monitoring apparatus with computer systems, for visibly displaying the normal operating state or halted state by using an LED device. The LED device is called a "heart-beat" unit and displays the operating status by its lighting mode. In such a monitoring system, a detector is associated with the system bus to detect the operating status of the computer system. If an operating signal, for example an address strobe signal is inputted into the detector, it outputs a signal to a first display driver that produces a periodic driving signal supplied to an LED. If no operating signal is found by the detector, the output signal is fed to a second display driver that produces a continuous LED driving signal. Thus, when LED is turned on and off for a preset time interval, i.e., blinks, users can recognize the normal operating state of the computer system. Also, the halted state of the computer system can be identified by the continuous lighting of the LED. If the system halt is recognized by the user, necessary measures can be taken to recover the computer system.
However, if they do not watch the LED carefully, the halted state of the computer system cannot be identified. In this regard, if the computer system is a remote computer connected by a local network and the system halt is occurring, there may be no remedy to recover the remote computer through a remote control. Further, if the computer system is a network server and operated in the night time without an operator, the system halt causes all works related to the server system to be stalled and may leave the system inoperative for a long time. In addition, if the user inadvertently resets or switches the power supply on or off during the halted state, a loss of processed data may occur in the computer system. Therefore, there was needed in the art a system that could protect against a halted state of the computer system and automatically recovers the system as soon as possible.
The following patents each disclose features in common with the present invention but do not teach or suggest the specifically recited automatic fault detection and recover system of a computer of the present invention: U.S. Pat. No. 5,596,711 to Burckhartt et al., entitled Computer Failure Recovery And Alert System, U.S. Pat. No. 5,600,785 Potter, entitled Computer System With Error Handling Before Reset, U.S. Pat. No. 5,596,711 Burckhartt et al., entitled Computer Failure Recovery And Alert System, U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,200 to Wagner et al., entitled Multiple Microprocessor Watchdog System, U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,285 to Drerup, entitled System Crash Detect And Automatic Reset Mechanism For Processor Cards, U.S. Pat. No. 4,594,685 to Owens, entitled Watchdog Timer, U.S. Pat. No. 4,803,682 to Hara et al., entitled Resetting System, U.S. Pat. No. 5,513,319 to Finch et al., entitled Watchdog Timer For Computer System Reset, U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,504 to Matsuda, entitled Monitoring Apparatus For Control system With Microcomputer, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,627,060 to Huang et al., entitled Watchdog Timer.

System for automatic fault detection and recovery in a computer system


A composite multi-layer substrate comprising a flat plate-like core member formed of a material having an excellent electric conductivity, an excellent heat conductivity, and a high rigidity, a front resin layer and a rear resin layer covering at least the front and rear surfaces of the core member, and a bottomless hole formed in the core member through the front and rear sides of the core member, wherein an electronic component is installed in the bottomless hole, whereby since the strength of the composite multi-layer substrate can be assured by the rigidity of the core member, conventional prior art glass cloth can be eliminated, deterioration in the electric characteristics caused by ion migration can be avoided and will result in reduced production cost.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a composite multi-layer substrate and module using a substrate designed to make high density mounting of electronic components feasible.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Conventionally, package miniaturization has been vigorously carried out as the approach for high density mounting of electronic components. For example, recently the Chip Size Package (CSP) and ultimately bare chip mounting which makes the package itself redundant have been realized. However, each of these is premised on arranging and mounting (flat surface mounting method) a plurality of electronic components in a two-dimensional (surface) array. By simple calculation, the fundamental limitation of not being able to reduce the mounting surface areas to less than the size of the added area of each electronic component is retained.
Therefore, a mounting method using embedded mounting of the electronic components in a substrate (more specifically, not only the substrate face) but also the inner section of the substrate attracts attention.
Hereafter, widely known technologies of embedded mounting and their associated drawbacks will be explained.
As an electronic component embedded structure using an organic system substrate, the electronic components are mounted in the front surface of the organic substrate serving as the core (hereinafter "core substrate"). In the case of multi-layering, a structure which encapsulates electronic components in a dielectric (nonconductive) prepreg resin is known (hereinafter "first prior art example"). Furthermore, a structure in which grooves are formed in an organic system substrate wherein electronic components are embedded is known (hereinafter "second prior art example").
Furthermore, as for mounting electronic components on the front surface of a core substrate, a structure (hereinafter "third prior art example") in which holes corresponding to the size of electronic components are drilled in the prepreg and the electronic components are inserted and embedded in the holes of the prepreg when multi-layering or a structure (hereinafter "fourth prior art example") with embedded sintered components by transfer in organic resin are known.
However, the first prior art example and the fourth prior art example have a drawback of being disadvantageous to thin-sizing the substrate. Also, in the second prior art example and the third prior art example, there is a drawback mentioned which involves the processing cost of the grooves or holes. Moreover, because electronic component heat dissipation countermeasures are not entirely taken into consideration, any of the prior art examples (first through fourth prior art examples) have a drawback causing inconvenience in mounting electronic components especially in regard to heat generation in larger semiconductor chips, etc.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application (Kokai) (A) No. S54-008871 (1979) titled "SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE" discloses that in order to provide a solid electronic clock that is thin-shaped and a small size, while forming a pattern in one side of a printed circuit board, the device is made of a printed circuit board and a semiconductor chip of almost the equivalent thickness by adhering a metal plate to the rear surface, forming a "hole" in one or both directions in the pattern or metal plate and mounting a semiconductor chip in the hole. However, by this prior art example, when performing a resin seal of the semiconductor chip and multi-layering, there is a drawback of having to grind off the excess resin requiring additional work and making manufacturing costs more expensive. Additionally, concerning mounting in a hole and electronic component having multiple electrodes, such as the five-sided electrode, etc., there is a drawback that the type of electronic component which can be mounted has limitations and this constitution was not taken into consideration at all.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application (Kokai) (A) No. S61-287194 (1986) titled "CHIP CARRIER FOR USE IN ELECTRONIC DEVICES" discloses elevation of the heat dissipation effect in electronic components. An insulating resin is laminated on a metal core front surface of a printed circuit board with a metal core base. While forming "concave portions" which reach to the metal core of that insulating resin, the device uses the metal core as a heat sink by mounting in the concave portions in order for the rear surface of an electronic component to be in contact to the metal core. This prior art example describes concave portions that are formed so the insulating resin laminated to the metal core rear surface (opposite side of the mounting surface of the electronic components) also reaches the metal core and the heat dissipation effect is elevated.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application (Kokai) (A) No. S64-011400 (1989) titled "MULTILAYERED PLATE FOR MOUNTING IC CHIP" discloses a means to dissipate the heat of semiconductor chips from adjacent positions and to provide a multi-layer substrate for mounting semiconductor chips without generating improper bonding with the metal plate for heat dissipation by way of "holes" for semiconductor chip mounting formed in metal foil or a metal sheet. A printed circuit board is used in which the wiring network containing the above-mentioned holes are formed in one side or both sides of a metal base copper clad laminate in which prepreg or copper foil is superimposed. However, in this prior art example, the relationship between the metal foil in the side walls of the holes for mounting semiconductor chips or the height of the metal sheet and the thickness of the semiconductor chips is not defined. In addition, the configuration having taken into consideration heat dissipation of the semiconductor chips is not defined. Further, from the depth relationship of the holes for mounting semiconductor chips and the thickness of the semiconductor chips not being clear, consideration of thin-sizing is regarded to be insufficient. Also, from having to remove the glass cloth (described later) when the holes for mounting semiconductor chips in a printed circuit board are formed, the increased manufacturing cost is readily anticipated.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application (Kokai) (A) No. S64-012598(1989) titled "IC CHIP MOUNTING MULTI LAYER BOARD" discloses the use of a metal sheet with a thickness of 0.1-11.0 mm, preferably 0.2-0.5 mm, and with a thermal expansion coefficient of not more than 9×10−6 cm/cm/° C. Although performing surface treatment suitably and improving the adhesive property is mentioned, these can also be considered similar problems (namely, consideration of thin-shaping is insufficient and increased manufacturing cost) relative to the seventh prior art example.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application (Kokai) (A) No. H02-122534 (1990) titled "HYBRID INTEGRATED CIRCUIT" discloses a means to provide a hybrid integrated circuit in which high current can flow and miniaturized high density mounting is made possible. The wiring pattern is formed with "openings" for mounting semiconductor chips in a thermoplastic resin plate, and further consists of semiconductor chips and a metal plate of the same thickness arranged on either side of the semiconductor chips. Also, the thermoplastic resin plate in which the wiring layer is formed in a multi-layer is united with another thermoplastic resin plate by means of thermocompression bonding. The lead terminals of the semiconductor chips are inserted in the openings provided between the thermoplastic resin plates formed in the multi-layer wiring layer and electrically connects with the wiring layer. However, in this prior art example, the measures relative to heat dissipation of the semiconductor chips are not clear. Also, the resin seal around the circumference of the semiconductor chips is problematic from thermocompression bonding with the thermoplastic resin plates in which the openings are formed and the thermoplastic resin plates with which the multi-layer wiring layer is formed. When thermocompression bonding is performed in the state of fusing the thermoplastic resin plates, fluctuation of the thickness between layers of the section which forms the multi-layer wiring layer can be anticipated, and electrical specification control can be presumed to be difficult.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application (Kokai) (A) No. 2002-111226 titled "COMPOSITE MULTILAYER BOARD AND MODULE FOR USING IT" disclosure is explained below.
FIG. 12A is a cross sectional plan view of the composite multi-layer substrate described in the official gazette. This composite multi-layer substrate 1 has a stacked multi-layer structure of a plurality of layers. The illustrated example has four layers (described later "resin layers") 2-5 which are composed of resin material. These resin layers 2-5 are common in that all use resin materials, such as epoxy, etc., for the material (so-called glass cloth 7) and only the layer of the resin layer 2 (drawing top layer) is different in the respect that a glass fiber 6 is contained within the braided (knitted) shape of a net as shown in FIG. 12B. The glass cloth 7 is reinforcement for enhancing the physical strength of the composite multi-layer substrate 1. For convenience of explanation hereinafter, while the resin layer 2 which "has" the glass cloth 7 is denoted as "glass cloth layer 2," the resin layers 3-5 which "do not have" the glass cloth 7 are denoted as "glass clothless layers 3-5."
Further, this composite multi-layer substrate 1 is bonded to copper foil on the bottommost surface (underside of the glass clothless layer 5) as the mounting side. The conductor pattern of copper foil is created by etching techniques, and the conductor pattern 8 of the required shape is formed. Also, some of the glass cloth layer 2 is eliminated wherein a concavity 9 (It is called a mold cavity whereas an opening is generally closed) is formed and the electronic components 10 (for example, semiconductor chips) are mounted in the concavity 9.
The electronic components 10 "are embedded" by using the inner section of the composite multi-layer substrate 1. Accordingly, other components can be mounted to the composite multi-layer substrate 1 front surface along with components mounted in higher density.
However, since the invention described in the above-mentioned official gazette (tenth prior art example) uses the glass cloth 7 as reinforcement for enhancing the physical strength of the composite multi-layer substrate 1:
There is a problem of ion migration occurring relative to the interface of the glass fiber 6 and the resin (the main material of the glass cloth layer 2), whereby the insulation becomes destroyed depending on the intensity of the electrolysis and resultant deterioration in the electrical properties.
In order to form the concavity 9 for the mold cavity, it is necessary to physically remove some of the resin layer 2. In that case, the glass fiber 6 within the resin layer 2 must be severed. Although such a cutting operation commonly uses precision processing machines, such as laser, etc., truncation errors are undeniable and considerable production time is also required. Moreover, when a plurality of the concavity 9 is required, there is a problem that the production time proportionately increases which incurs higher manufacturing costs.
Therefore, the present invention's purpose is to prevent deterioration of the electrical characteristic accompanying the generation of migration and aiming at reduction of the manufacturing cost by using other reinforcement as a substitute for the glass cloth.

Composite multi-layer substrate and module using the substrate


A coupling arm presses a first or second arm of a swing member, connected to a frame of a seat back, by an occupant's backrest load caused by a rear-end collision of a vehicle to pivotally move the swing member. The first arm receives a first backrest load via the coupling arm and the second arm receives a second backrest load, which is larger than the first backrest load, via the coupling arm. The first and second arms are set so that a maximum pivot amount of the swing member when the first arm is pressed to pivot is equal to a maximum pivot amount of the swing member when the second arm is pressed to pivot.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a clutch mechanism for a vehicle seat and, more particularly, to a clutch mechanism for a vehicle seat, which transmits an occupant's backrest load caused by a rear-end collision of a vehicle.
2. Description of the Related Art
In an existing art, there has been known a headrest for a vehicle seat, of which a portion (support plate) that supports the back of an occupant's head instantaneously pops up toward the back of the occupant's head in the event of a rear-end collision of a vehicle. Here, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-95237 (JP-A-2005-95237) describes a technique in which the support portion pops up as described above as a load of an occupant seated on a vehicle seat strongly presses a seat back because of momentum in the event of a rear-end collision of a vehicle. In this technique, unless a rear-end collision occurs in the vehicle, an acceleration detecting mechanism installed inside the seat back does not transmit an occupant's backrest load. Therefore, even when the occupant strongly presses the seat back during normal times when no rear-end collision has been occurring in the vehicle, it is possible to prevent the support plate from erroneously popping up.
However, in the above described existing technique, when the occupant is heavy, a mere backrest load of the occupant causes a detection arm to swing by a large amount. On the other hand, when the occupant is light, a load of the occupant pressing the seat back is small even when a rear-end collision occurs in the vehicle, causing the detection arm to swing by a small amount. The support plate pops up when the detection arm swings by a certain amount or more. Therefore, depending on the degree of swing of the detection arm, the acceleration detecting mechanism may not smoothly operate even when a rear-end collision occurs in the vehicle. This may cause a malfunction in popping up of the support plate.


A method and apparatus is disclosed for controlling the application of a clock stopping signal in a processor to limit power consumption. The system controller receives addresses, signals indicative of primary and secondary system activity, and at least one nap timeout signal. Interrupt addresses or programmed addresses are trapped and stored as shadowed addresses. Current addresses may be compared with shadowed addresses. Matching addresses trigger a nap mode. Upon nap mode triggering, the clock stopping signal may be applied during a throttling period. Applying the clock stopping signal with programmable duty cycle during the throttling period ensures that processing necessary for the detection and servicing of primary and secondary activity can occur. A prefetch detect circuit ensures that shadowed addresses loaded in the middle of a prefetch do not trigger the clock stopping signal. Clock stopping signal is removed or inhibited when primary or secondary activity is detected or when a nap timer expires.

Proliferation of battery-powered portable personal computers and increasing public awareness of practical and environmental issues related to energy conservation may create a demand to conserve power in computing devices. For portable computers, thermal management and battery longevity concerns drive power conservation efforts. In desktop computing devices, power conservation relates to conserving natural resources in keeping with government and industry standards such as EPA's EnergyStar standard.
Portable computers may only be useful if battery life supports a reasonable period of use between charges. Sufficient periods of time may be necessary to allow users to complete lengthy tasks or series of tasks. Modern portable computer batteries, even when rated for eight hours of use, may have lives of only about two or three hours between charges when continuously running CPU intensive tasks. Additional concerns regarding thermal runaway may be compounded in a high clock speed environment during extended periods of heavy processing loads.
Clock speed is known in the art to have a direct relationship to power consumption. Lee, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,254,888, issued on Oct. 19, 1993 and incorporated herein by reference discloses an Intel 486 CPU operating at 33 MHz may dissipate about 4 watts of power. Lee, et al. discloses a technique for saving power by slowing the clock during wait states. However, the technique disclosed in Lee may not accomplish selective application of a clock stopping signal within programmed intervals while the system may be in one of several power conservation modes.
Modern operating environments such as Microsoft.RTM. Windows.RTM. with graphical user interfaces (GUI), even when idle, may require more processing from the CPU than non-GUI based operating systems. Thus, a portable computer which is running a GUI based operating system may experience shorter battery life when idle than its idle non-GUI counter part. Other system components such as displays, disk drives, and keyboards consume system power when accessing processor resources. Reducing power consumed by these system components while maintaining the ability to monitor their activity and provide them with processing resources without delay may be desirable.
Prior art power conservation methods such as sleep modes which disable the processor more completely, may have the disadvantage of long wake-up latencies. Service to system peripherals may not be possible until full processor wake-up. Providing system peripherals with faster access to processor service may shorten wake-up latency. Shortening wake-up latency may translate to more tolerable wait times for the user as the system wakes up. Moreover, some processing requests may be serviced in the background without requiring full wake-up. By making it possible for some activity to be processed during sleep modes, a wider array of activity may be available to trigger wake-up.
Interrupts are known in the art and may be generated when system activity is present either from user input or from peripherals which require processor service. Peripheral devices may request service from a processor through an interrupt request. Interrupt requests may be serviced through the execution of an Interrupt Service Routine (ISR). When an interrupt occurs, the processor stops executing a present program and begins executing the ISR as discussed in Chapter 18, pp 331-366, ISA System Architecture, Shanley and Anderson, MindShare Press, 1991, 1993, incorporated herein by reference. The processor may respond to an interrupt request and determine which device or software process initiated the request by obtaining the associated interrupt number. Once the identity of the interrupt is determined by interrupt number, the address of the ISR may be found from the interrupt vector table (IVT) and the ISR executed. When the ISR is finished executing, execution may resume at the location stored when the processor was interrupted.
Interrupts may be generated from system activity related to keyboard input, disk drive access, peripheral access, and other system events. Conversely, other interrupts may be indicative of system inactivity. ISRs for software interrupts may be programmed into BIOS ROM and loaded into corresponding interrupt number entries in the IVT at startup. The IVT may reside in the real mode address space 00000H to 003FFH. In protected mode, the IVT can be relocated anywhere in memory.
Some prior art systems perform selective memory transaction monitoring as in Stager, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,344 issued on Dec. 27, 1994, and store values in a shadow RAM. Storing values in a RAM is well known in the art. Garney, U.S. Pat. No. 5,386,552 issued Jan. 31, 1995, discloses a system to preserve the processing state in a mass storage system. In Garney's system, a shadowed interrupt vector does not appear to be disclosed as a nap triggering event nor does any interrupt appear to be disclosed as a nap triggering event.
Common DOS fixed software interrupt INT16H, for example, is well known. Interrupt INT16H, known as the Keyboard Services interrupt is described in The Proarammer's PC Sourcebook, 2nd Ed., Tom Hogan, Microsoft Press, 1991, incorporated herein by reference. When there is no input from a user, DOS may loop on INT16H looking for keyboard activity. Detecting such system looping on INT16H in itself may be used to trigger sleep modes. Subsequent activity may trigger a system to wake up. However, as described earlier, an often prolonged period must be endured for the system to wake-up in order to begin or resume a task. Then, when processing is restored, all processing resources may be available.
Such an approach may be inefficient since a demand for immediate processing may be present once wake-up activity is detected by the wake-up event itself. Other system events or activity may demand immediate processing but for a short period of time, while still other system events or activity may call for processing of a background nature. Moreover, there may be small intervals between events too small to activate sleep modes but susceptible to being used to achieve a power savings. During such relatively short time intervals where full processor resources may be available, there may not be a corresponding need for processing.

Power conservation method and apparatus activated by detecting shadowed interrupt signals indicative of system inactivity and excluding prefetched signals


An engine (2) is a four-flow scavenging type engine. Four scavenging ports (34) include: first right and left scavenging ports (34(lef-1) and 34(ref-1)) that lie on a side relatively away from an exhaust port (22) and that lie facing each other with a cylinder (4) in between; and second right and left scavenging ports (34(lef-2) and 34(ref-2)) that lie closer to the exhaust port (22) than first right and left scavenging ports do and that lie facing each other with the cylinder (4) in between. The second left scavenging port and the first right scavenging port that make up a first mutually diagonal set (Diag-No. 1) have different opening timings from those of the first left scavenging port and the second right scavenging port that make up a second mutually diagonal set (Diag-No. 2).

The present invention relates to a two-stroke engine for work machines, and more particularly, to emission gas countermeasure technology.
In a scavenging process, a traditional two-stroke engine performs scavenging by supplying air-fuel mixture pre-compressed in a crank chamber to a combustion chamber through scavenging ports opening on a cylinder. The two-stroke engine includes at least one pair of scavenging ports. The paired scavenging ports are arranged facing each other and are opened/closed by a piston.
The two-stroke engine involves a problem of "blow-by". The "blow-by" is a phenomenon where part of air-fuel mixture supplied to the combustion chamber blows off together with exhaust gas through an exhaust port. This "blow-by" is a well-known and important issue of the two-stroke engine.
In order to overcome emission regulations tightened year by year, there are proposed: a four-flow scavenging type engine in which the number of the scavenging ports is increased to four (two pairs of scavenging ports); a six-flow scavenging type engine (JP60-222521A) in which the number of the scavenging ports is increased to six (three pairs of scavenging ports); and a stratified scavenging type engine (U.S. Pat. No. 6,718,917 B2) in which leading air is supplied to the combustion chamber before air-fuel mixture is supplied to the combustion chamber in the scavenging process.
JP5060459 points out the following problem regarding the two-stroke engine. In the two-stroke engine, air-fuel mixtures fed into the combustion chamber from the paired scavenging ports confronting each other strongly collide at the center of the cylinder. This collision brings about a shortcut phenomenon where part of air-fuel mixture flows in the exhaust port. JP5060459 points out that this shortcut phenomenon is the cause of the "blow-by" problem. JP5060459 proposes to, in the four-flow scavenging type engine, dispose a shield member on each of first and second scavenging passages diagonally positioned with the cylinder in between constituting one set of scavenging passage of two sets of scavenging passages. The shield member has a plurality of holes formed thereon. In the scavenging process, the flow velocities of air-fuel mixtures discharged from the scavenging passages each having the porous shield into the combustion chamber are lower than the flow velocities of air-fuel mixtures discharged from the scavenging passages without the shield member into the combustion chamber.
In a common four-flow scavenging type engine, air-fuel mixtures fed from the two pairs of confronting scavenging ports into the combustion chamber collide at the center of the cylinder. Unlike this common four-flow scavenging type engine, in the four-flow scavenging type engine of JP-5060459, the porous shield member is disposed on one diagonally paired scavenging ports of the four scavenging ports, thereby attenuating the flow velocities of the air-fuel mixtures discharged from the scavenging ports. As a result, collision between air-fuel mixtures discharged from the two mutually facing scavenging ports weakens and the location of collision is offset from the center of the cylinder. This can suppress the "blow-by" problem. Even with such a configuration, however, the cause of the unburned gas emission still remains unsolved since air-fuel mixtures discharged from the two confronting scavenging ports collide and reverse at a relatively early stage of the scavenging process.


The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for controlling a high-pressure fuel supply pump configured to supply pressurized fuel to an internal combustion engine, with a solenoid-actuated intake valve being configured to be biased into a first direction towards a first stop position of the intake valve by means of a biasing force and being configured to be displaced against the biasing force into a second direction opposite to the first direction towards a second stop position of the intake valve by means of magnetic force and to be kept at the second stop position by means of magnetic force. The method includes applying control current to the solenoid-actuated intake valve for displacing the intake valve into the second direction to the second stop position and for keeping the intake valve at the second stop position during a first time period by means of magnetic force.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and a control apparatus for controlling a high-pressure fuel supply pump which is configured to supply pressurized fuel to an internal combustion engine, in particular to a common rail having a plurality of fuel injectors for injecting pressurized fuel into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine. Specifically, the present invention relates to a method and a control apparatus for controlling a high-pressure fuel supply pump which comprises a compression chamber, a normally-open-type solenoid-actuated intake valve for delivering unpressurized fuel to the compression chamber, a movable plunger reciprocating in the compression chamber between a first plunger position, e.g. the so-called bottom dead center position, and a second plunger position, e.g. the so-called top dead center position, for pressurizing fuel in the compression chamber, and a discharge valve for discharging pressurized fuel from the compression chamber to be supplied to the internal combustion engine. The normally-open-type solenoid-actuated intake valve of the high-pressure fuel supply pump is configured to be closed or kept closed by means of magnetic force. The present invention also relates to a computer program product comprising computer program code means configured to adapt a control apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, gasoline direct injection (GDI) has become increasingly popular due to its advantages for increased power (due to a lower tendency to knock) and hence higher fuel efficiency. In gasoline direct injection, low-pressure fuel is delivered from the fuel tank by means of a low-pressure fuel pump to a high-pressure pump. In a compression chamber of the high-pressure pump, the low-pressure fuel is pressurized to high pressure and delivered to a common rail comprising a plurality of injectors for being directly injected at high pressure into a combustion chamber of the internal combustion engine.
In general, the amount of high-pressure fuel supplied by the high-pressure fuel supply pump is electronically controlled by controlling a solenoid-actuated intake valve of the high-pressure fuel supply pump. There are known normally-closed-type solenoid-actuated intake valves which can be opened and/or kept open by energizing one or more solenoids of the solenoid-actuated intake valve while being biased by one or more biasing members (such as e.g. springs) into a closing direction of the solenoid-actuated intake valve. Also, there are known normally-open-type solenoid-actuated intake valves which can be closed and/or kept closed by energizing one or more solenoids of the solenoid-actuated intake valve while being biased by one or more biasing members (such as e.g. springs) into an opening direction of the solenoid-actuated intake valve, the present invention relating to the latter normally-open-type solenoid-actuated intake valves.
Regarding high-pressure fuel supply pumps comprising normally-open-type solenoid-actuated intake valves, there are known two operation concepts for controlling the normally-open-type solenoid-actuated intake valves. According to a first-type operation concept as described in DE 10 2008 054 512 A1, the periodic operation cycle of the high-pressure fuel supply pump comprises firstly an intake period in which fuel is taken in through the intake valve into the compression chamber while a movable plunger moves in the compression chamber from a second plunder position (generally ref erred to as top dead center position) to a first plunger position (generally referred to as bottom dead center position) and the solenoid-actuated intake valve opens or is kept open by means of a biasing force, e.g. by a spring, during the intake period, secondly a spill period in which fuel is spilled out of the compression chamber through the intake valve while the movable plunger moves from the first plunger position to the second plunger position and the solenoid-actuated intake valve kept open by means of the biasing force or by means of the biasing force and hydraulic force of the fuel, and thirdly a delivery period in which fuel is pressurized in the compression chamber and discharged through a discharge valve of the high-pressure fuel supply pump to be supplied to the internal combustion engine while the movable plunger moves from the first plunger position to the second plunger position and the solenoid-actuated intake valve is kept closed by means of magnetic force.
According to the first-type operation concept, the normally-open solenoid actuated intake valve is kept closed until the movable plunger reaches the top dead center position by applying a control current to the solenoid-actuated intake valve, e.g. by applying a control voltage to the solenoid actuated intake valve. Then, after shutting off the control current when the movable starts its movement backwards towards the bottom dead center position, the normally-open intake valve opens due to the biasing force acting in the opening direction (possibly in combination with a hydraulic force generated by low-pressure fuel flowing through the intake valve into the compression chamber due to the increasing volume of the compression chamber while the movable plunger is moving towards the bottom dead center position). When the normally-open intake valve reaches a fully open position of the intake valve, an impact noise is generated which, especially for lower engine speeds such as e.g. the idle condition, will even dominate the overall noise of the engine.
For reducing the impact noise, when the normally-open intake valve reaches a fully open position, it is proposed in DE 10 2008 054 512 A1 to apply another pulse of control current to the solenoid-actuated intake valve after shutting off the control current in order to reduce the speed of the intake valve during the opening movement of the intake valve.
According to an alternative second-type operation concept as described in DE 101 48 218 A1, the periodic operation cycle of the high-pressure fuel supply pump comprises firstly an intake period in which fuel is taken in through the intake valve, if the intake valve is kept open during the intake period, or through an optionally provided auxiliary valve, if the intake valve is kept closed during the intake period by applying control current to the solenoid-actuated intake valve, into the compression chamber while the movable plunger moves from the second plunger position to the first plunger position, secondly a delivery period in which fuel is pressurized in the compression chamber and discharged through the discharge valve to be supplied to the internal combustion engine while the movable plunger moves from the first plunger position to the second plunger position and the solenoid-actuated intake valve is kept closed by means of magnetic force, and thirdly a spill period in which fuel is spilled out of the compression chamber through the intake valve while the movable plunger moves from the first plunder position to the second plunger position and the solenoid-actuated intake valve opens or is kept open by means of the biasing force.
According to the second-type operation concept, the normally-open solenoid actuated intake valve is kept closed until a time when the movable plunger moves towards but has not yet reached the top dead center position by applying a control current to the solenoid-actuated intake valve, e.g. by applying a control voltage to the solenoid actuated intake valve. Then, after shutting off the control current at a time in which the movable plunger still moves towards the top dead center position, the normally-open intake valve opens due to the biasing force acting in the opening direction (possibly in combination with a hydraulic force generated by pressurized fuel in the compression chamber due to the decreasing volume of the compression chamber while the movable plunger is moving towards the top dead center position). When the normally-open intake valve reaches a fully open position of the intake valve, an impact noise is generated which especially for lower engine speeds such as e.g. the idle condition will even dominate the overall noise of the engine.
For reducing the impact noise, when the normally-open intake valve reaches a fully open position, it is proposed in DP 101 48 218 A1 to apply another pulse of control current to the solenoid-actuated intake valve after shutting off the control current in order to reduce the speed of the intake valve during the opening movement, of the intake valve.
However, the teaching of DE 10 2008 054 512 A1 and DE 101 48 218 A1 of applying another pulse of control current of the solenoid-actuated intake valve after shutting off the control current suffers from the problem that the timing and the control current value of the pulse for reducing the speed of the opening movement has to be very accurately adjusted in order to actually help to reduce the noise of the operation of the high-pressure fuel supply pump. Specifically, if the timing of the pulse is too late or the control current value is too low, the pulse will be too late or too weak to reduce the speed of the opening movement so that the intake valve will nevertheless reach the fully open position at high speed and generate a loud impact noise.
On the other band, if the timing of the pulse is too early or the control current value is too high, the pulse may have a negative effect in that the speed of the opening movement of the intake valve may not be only reduced but stopped. It is even possible that the intake valve will, due to the pulse of control current, be closed again, possibly even up to the fully closed position (thereby possibly generating a noise when reaching the fully closed position) and after shutting off the control current of the pulse, the intake valve will start again moving in the opening direction due to the biasing force (and/or force) until it reaches the fully open position without any reduction in speed, thereby again having a high impact speed and generating a loud noise. Also, the valve will in such a situation reach the fully open position at a later time at which the movable plunger may have already an even higher movement speed depending on the cam profile. Then, the valve may even reach the fully open position at an even higher impact speed than without applying the deceleration pulse and even generate a louder impact noise.
In view of this problem, it is necessary to accurately adjust the pulse to the operating conditions such as the engine speed and the temperature of the fuel as well as to individual properties of the intake valve which can vary from one high-pressure fuel pump to another high-pressure fuel supply pump due to mass production deviations. For example, in DE 10 2008 05 512 A1, it is taught to use a cumbersome closed-loop control using a pressure sensor in order to be able to individually adjust the control of the pulse in accordance with the operating conditions such as the engine speed as well as in accordance with individual properties of the intake valve.

Method and control apparatus for controlling a high-pressure fuel supply pump configured to supply pressurized fuel to an internal combustion engine