An improved credit card billing method and system is disclosed which permits multiple items purchased as part of a single transaction or order to be separately billed on a credit card in accordance with a payment schedule designed to minimize inquiries regarding the overall order by the customer. The billing system permits the billing descriptor appearing on the credit card billing statement to have sufficient detail to minimize subsequent customer inquiries. The billing descriptor preferably includes a different customer service number for each individual item. Goods or services are purchased from a merchant in a conventional manner. The customer provides the merchant with a list of the multiple items included in the order, as well as credit card information. The merchant will preferably establish a staggered schedule for billing each individual item in the order and submit the charge requests to the credit card issuer in accordance with the established billing schedule.

Direct marketing and other forms of remote retailing have become effective tools in the sale of many products and services. It has been found that direct marketing is particularly effective for selling certain types of products and services, including magazine subscriptions and membership services, as evidenced by the success of such direct marketing companies as NewSub Services and CUC International, each of Stamford, Conn.
Even when such remote retailers are initially successful in inducing a consumer to purchase certain goods and/or services, often at considerable expense, the remote nature of the transaction itself, including the time lapse between the purchase, delivery and billing events, tends to promote "second guessing" on the part of the consumer when the credit card billing statement finally arrives. Thus, many remote retailers experience a very high cancellation rate. Remote retailing of membership services, for example, can exhibit cancellation rates as high as fifty percent (50%) of total charges.
Consumers often purchase such goods or services with a limited understanding of the cost, or to obtain a free incentive being offered by the remote retailer to induce the purchase of the goods or services. Thus, when the charge for the purchased goods or services ultimately appears on the consumer's credit card billing statement, the consumer often questions the purchase.
When a charge is made to a credit card, remote retailers typically include a toll-free customer service telephone number, as part of the information printed on the credit card billing statement, together with the merchant name, a description of the goods purchased and the total cost of the goods. In this manner, inquiries about the charge may be directed to the appropriate merchant, as opposed to the credit card issuer, and the remote retailer may thereby have an opportunity to "save the sale." Upon receipt of the credit card billing statement, and seeing the total charge for the purchased goods or services, consumers will often "second guess" their initial purchase, and call the indicated customer service number to cancel the purchased goods or services.
The tendency of the consumer to "second guess" their initial purchase is often compounded by the consumer's unfamiliarity with the name of the remote retailer. In addition, this tendency is further compounded by the industry practice of aggregating all of the individual goods and services purchased at a single time for billing purposes and providing a generic description of the purchased goods and services, such as "magazines" or "membership services", with an aggregate amount for all of the purchased goods and services. For example, a consumer who orders an annual subscription to Time magazine and People magazine for $15 and $28, respectively, from NewSub Services, might see a total charge for $43 from NewSub Services labeled "Magazines" on the consumer's credit card billing statement.
Thus, the consumer's unfamiliarity with the name of the remote retailer, such as NewSub Services, may trigger a telephone call to the indicated customer service number, to investigate the source or particulars associated with the charge. In addition, because all of the purchased goods and services are grouped together for billing purposes, the larger total amount indicated on the credit card billing statement will receive additional scrutiny from the consumer. If a consumer purchases multiple cancelable items on a credit card, the aggregation of the cost of individual items into a total amount for billing purposes stimulates higher cancellation rates for the remote retailer, especially as the total amount of the charges increases. In any event, once the consumer is on the phone with the customer service organization, the consumer has an easy opportunity to cancel the purchased goods or services. In addition, when all items are aggregated together in this manner, the consumer is more likely to cancel the entire order and request a refund of the total amount, rather than just canceling one or more individual items which make up the components of the total charge.
While many merchants offer installment and/or deferred billing plans, such conventional plans do not permit the merchant to separately bill a customer for each individual item purchased as part of a multiple-item order. In addition, such conventional installment and deferred billing plans do not stagger the billing of such individual items within an overall order, such that the smaller amount associated with each individual item indicated on the credit card billing statement will be interspersed with other purchases and thereby receive reduced scrutiny from the consumer.
As apparent from the above deficiencies with conventional credit card billing systems, a need exists for a credit card billing system which produces a credit card billing statement having improved billing information, thereby reducing the likelihood that a consumer will call the retailer for customer service purposes. A further need exists for a credit card billing system that permits a retailer to break up the total charge into individual line items for billing purposes, each having a description of the associated product and a different customer service number.

Walker Asset Management Limited Partnership


A remote facilitation network (10) includes a base computing equipment environment (12) having a computer (14) and a control and activation device (16). A remote user (18) requests communications with the base computing equipment environment (12) through a wireless paging service (20). The remote user (18) generates a paging message that is transmitted by the wireless paging service (20) and received at the control and activation device (16). The control and activation device (16) processes and interprets the paging message in order to activate the computer (14). The paging message includes a callback number that is transferred from the control and activation device (16) to the computer (14). The computer (14) dials the callback number in order to establish a communication link with the remote user (18). After identification and verification, the computer (14) relinquishes control of the communication link to the remote user (18) such that information exchange can be initiated between the computer (14) and the remote user (18).

As the development of computing capability advances and the cost cutting measures performed by corporations continues, more and more business activity is being performed out of homes and small satellite offices. This business activity heavily relies on the use of personal computers. Personal computers, with supporting hardware and software products, allow for the development, collection, manipulation, local storage, and transportation of sensitive business information. With sensitive business information being located outside of a corporate managed environment, the corporation with work at home employees is susceptible to the loss, misuse, and misappropriation of strategic business information that it may not realize has been created. To manage the security of outside information bases, the corporation would require some mechanism to remotely access information created and maintained by outside employees. Therefore, it is desirable for a corporation to have secure remote access to business information outside of its internally managed environment.

Personal computer control and activation device utilizing a paging message


A ladder and equipment storage rack and method. In one form of the invention, a ladder and equipment rack is provided with mounts that connect to struts or other hanger devices to easily adapt to hold a ladder or other equipment. The storage rack can be used in vehicles, buildings or any other locations for storage.

Ladder and equipment storage devices are known. Ladder storage devices are commonly used to securely hold and store a ladder in a convenient location for short or extended period of time. Such storage devices may be used in a variety of different places such as, for example, a vehicle or a building.
One problem with existing devices that store ladders inside of or on vehicles is that mounting and removing the ladder can be difficult and time consuming when dealing with confined spaces such as in the back of a vehicle or where reaching storage hooks or other hanging devices may be impractical. Another problem with existing devices is that if a vehicle's storage space compartment is crowded with objects and materials, usage of such existing products is cumbersome and they typically don't provide both horizontal and vertical mounting options to make full use of the available cargo space. Another problem with existing devices is that many ladder mounts are for storing ladders outside of the vehicle thereby exposing them to the weather and increasing the likelihood of theft. Also, many existing devices require additional clamping or strapping to hold a ladder firmly in place and require excessive time to store or remove a ladder.
The present invention overcomes the problems of existing devices, the sliding ladder and equipment rack substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus and method developed for the purpose of providing an adjustable sliding mount that connects to universally available hanger strut to easily slide and hold a ladder inside a vehicle without having to enter the vehicle or use additional means to hold the ladder securely in position.
In one form of the invention, a sliding ladder and equipment rack is provided with an adjustable sliding mount that connects to universally available hanger strut to easily slide and hold a ladder or other equipment inside a vehicle without having to enter the vehicle or use additional straps or clamping devices to maintain a secure mount. In one embodiment, the ladder rack can be used on the interior ceiling of a vehicle which is the area typically least occupied on most vehicles when the cargo space is packed with items, but may also be mounted in many other environments and locations. For example, the present invention may be mounted in garages, basements, homes, warehouses or any other place where ladders or equipment are stored. In one embodiment, placing the ladder inside the vehicle and near the roof of the vehicle keeps the ladder clean, and avoids damage to the ladder by not being in contact with other items stored in the same cargo space.
Other advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these advantages are within the scope of the present invention. To the accomplishment of the above and related advantages, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only of some embodiments, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated.


One or more embodiments relate generally to the field of photoelectron spin and, more specifically, to a method and system for creating a controllable spin-polarized electron source. One preferred embodiment of the invention generally comprises: method for creating a controllable spin-polarized electron source comprising the following steps: providing one or more materials, the one or more materials having at least one surface and a material layer adjacent to said surface, wherein said surface comprises highly spin-polarized surface electrons, wherein the direction and spin of the surface electrons are locked together; providing at least one incident light capable of stimulating photoemission of said surface electrons; wherein the photon polarization of said incident light is tunable; and inducing photoemission of the surface electron states.

Three-dimensional topological insulators constitute examples of symmetry protected topological states in the absence of applied magnetic fields and cryogenic temperatures. A token characteristic of these non-magnetic bulk insulators is the protected electronic states located on the materials' surfaces. The topological electronic bandstructure of a bulk topological insulator ensures the presence of gapless surface electronic states with Dirac-like dispersions similar to graphine. Jozwiak, C. et al. Photoelectron spin-flipping and texture manipulation in a topological insulator. Nature Physics 9, 293-298 (2013): which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety including the supplemental information. However, unlike graphene, electrons in the topological surface states are spin polarized with their spins regulated by their direction of travel resulting in a helical spin texture in momentum space. Hsieh, D, et al. A tunable topological insulator in the spin helical Dirac transport regime. Nature 460, 1101-1105 (2009); which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Each momentum state in a topological insulator can only host one surface electron, and since its spin is regulated by its momentum, it results in the helical spin texture. Xue, Q-K. Full spin ahead for photoelectrons, Nature Physics 9, 265-266 (2013); which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
A current method of generating an electron source is through the use of traditional photocathodes, where the photocathode is illuminated by light and electrons are ejected through the photoelectric effect. This is a popular method as short electron bunches are easy to create from photocathodes. However, for a spin-polarized electron source, the most popular technique is using the optical orientation effect in GaAs photocathodes. This includes a laser beam illuminating a GaAs wafer to eject a spin polarized electron beam. The polarization of the light controls the spin polarization of the electron beam: right circularly polarized light creates a spin-up polarized electron beam, and a left circularly polarized beam creates a spin-down beam.
This current method of GaAs photocathodes is imperfect. The laser beam must be a particular photon energy that closely matches the energy gap in GaAs, or else the spin polarization will be low. Also, the photon energy is too low to overcome the work function of GaAs and will not eject electrons from the surface of GaAs. Therefore, the surface must have a careful atomic layer of Cs and O2 applied to the surface creating a dipole layer, reducing the work function allowing for sufficient photoemission at such low photon energy levels. If this layer is produced incorrectly, very few electrons will be ejected, creating a low intensity electron source.
The production of this layer is difficult and tedious. First, the GaAs is often chemically etched and then quickly placed into an ultra-high vacuum. The GaAs surface must be cleaned in the vacuum by heating to temperatures around 550° C.; too low of a temperature and the surface will not be clean enough while too high of a temperature and the As evaporates ruining the wafer. After the GaAs surface is cleaned in the vacuum, the Cs must be deposited in-situ, followed by the correct O2 exposure. This tediously prepared surface must be kept in extreme vacuum conditions and deteriorates within several days at 1×10−11 torr.
Another issue with the layering for the GaAs photocathode method is that the spin-polarization is low. For a plain GaAs wafer with the perfect laser photon energy, the theoretical maximum: polarization is around 50%, and actual yield is closer to 25-30%. The theoretical maximum can be increased to 100% if highly specialized wafers are used in which the GaAs is artificially strained through the growth of superlattice wafers which forces the GaAs to take on a different crystalline shape. These highly specialized wafers have been shown to yield 90% polarization; however, these are much more expensive, difficult to work with, and give inconsistent results.
A third issue with the layering of the GaAs photocathode method is that the resulting spin-polarization is locked along the axis of the laser beam. This means that the spin polarization can only be made "up" or "down" perpendicular to the GaAs or longitudinally to the beam's direction of propagation. This requires electrostatic optics that can steer the electron beam's direction without affecting the spin orientation. Magnetic elements can also be introduced to further manipulate the spin orientation, but these electrostatic optics and magnetic elements all add up to further complications, added errors, and higher costs.

Versatile spin-polarized electron source


The toe protecting bed frame accessory includes an angled brace formed of two sides that meet at a spine to form a right angle therein. The two sides each have curved steps that descend from a top corner at the spine down to the floor at opposing ends. The accessory features a plurality of adjustable straps that enable the accessory to be secured about different corners of a bed frame. The sides of the accessory are filled with a soft material that prevents painful foot and toe jams when kicked against the bed frame. The sides of the accessory are upholstered in a fabric that matches a bedspread or window treatment within the same room.

A. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of bedroom accessories, more specifically, a bed frame accessory that protects against toe jams associated with kicking the bed frame when walking around the bed.
Bed frames that support box springs and mattresses are useful in elevating the bed to a desired height. However, the bed frames can be made out of hard materials, which can hurt when a person jams his or her toe against said frame while walking around a bed in either a lighted or poorly lit bedroom.
The present invention seeks to improve upon this dilemma by providing a stylized accessory that attaches onto the corners of bed frames and of which provides a padded protector that prevents toe jams when impacted by the feet of an end user. Even more particularly, the present invention can be upholstered with fabrics that are identical to or match a bed spread of the actual bed, carpet of the bedroom, or drapes or window treatments in the bedroom.
B. Discussion of the Prior Art
As a preliminary note, it should be stated that there is an ample amount of prior art that deals with bed frames. As will be discussed immediately below, no prior art discloses a bed frame accessory that is comprised of an angled brace that is filled with a soft material that prevents pain when impacted by a toe or foot of an end user; wherein the accessory is for use with each corner of a bed frame; wherein the accessory may be upholstered with fabric matching the bed spread or window treatments of the room therein; wherein the accessory includes a plurality of adjustable straps that secures the accessory around a corner of said bed frame; wherein the angled brace forms a right angle along a spine and from which two sides extend away; wherein the two sides have angled steps along such that the sides extend from a top along the spine down to the ground at ends farthest from said spine.
The Leverich Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,323,610) discloses a protective device which encircles the legs and feet of furniture to protect people from incidental foot and toe impacts. However, the device is designed to wrap around a leg or foot of furniture by forming a cylinder as opposed to an angled brace.
The Gramling Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,353,951) discloses a cushioning cover wrapped around a bed frame leg to absorb a striking blow imposed on it by a person's toe or toes. However, the cushioning cover is not an angled brace that is upholstered in fabrics designed to match the bed spread or window treatments.
The Cahill Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 4,117,782) discloses an elongate guard for preventing injury to humans on striking edges of furnishings. However, the elongated guard is not designed for use with a bed frame and involve an angular brace upholstered in fabric that matches a bed spread.
The Youngwith Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,647,589) discloses a furniture leg pad of impact absorbing material adapted to be wrapped around a furniture leg which protects the leg or human feet from damage. However, the pad is not angularly-shaped brace that is upholstered in fabrics that match the bed spread, or adaptable for differently-shaped bed frames via adjustable straps.
The Polevoy et al. Patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,418,578) discloses a protective guard adapted for use with a bed frame leg. However, the guard is limited in terms of the available area of coverage that exists beneath a bed frame, and is not an angled brace that can protect the bed frame and above.
The Hoelting Patent (U.S. Pat. No. Des. 557,598) illustrates a design for a bed frame leg protector, which does not resemble an angled brace having sides with steps and curves descending from an apex along a spine down to a bottom at opposing ends.
While the above-described devices fulfill their respective and particular objects and requirements, they do not describe a bed frame accessory that is comprised of an angled brace that is filled with a soft material that prevents pain when impacted by a toe or foot of an end user; wherein the accessory is for use with each corner of a bed frame; wherein the accessory may be upholstered with fabric matching the bed spread or window treatments of the room therein; wherein the accessory includes a plurality of adjustable straps that secures the accessory around a corner of said bed frame; wherein the angled brace forms a right angle along a spine and from which two sides extend away; wherein the two sides have angled steps along such that the sides extend from a top along the spine down to the ground at ends farthest from said spine. In this regard, the toe protecting bed frame accessory departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art.


A non-contact IC card has a high mechanical strength with respect to bending and twisting, although thin, yet allows the mounting area of a circuit board to be effectively used. A highly rigid, electrically-conducting reinforcing frame is disposed on the outer edge of a circuit board to increase the mechanical strength of the card with respect to bending and twisting. Further, the reinforcing frame is electrically connected to conductor patterns of a spiral coil on the circuit board having an inductance L in an antenna circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a non-contact portable data storage device, generally referred to as a non-contact IC card, which exchanges signals with an external apparatus by using electromagnetic waves or light and, more specifically, to a structure for increasing the mechanical strength of such a storage device.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, non-contact portable storage devices (hereinafter referred to as "non-contact IC cards") which exchange signals with external apparatus by means of electromagnetic waves have been used in various fields. A non-contact IC card includes a circuit board on which circuitry comprising a semiconductor integrated circuit and the like, and an antenna circuit for exchanging signals with an external apparatus are mounted, and which is encased in a card-shaped card body.
FIG. 7 schematically shows, in a block diagram, the functional arrangement of a non-contact IC card of the above-described kind. The card includes a CPU 1 for data processing and control within the non-contact IC card, the CPU 1 being connected via a bus 8 with a ROM 2 and a RAM 3 together being part of a data storage section, and an input/output control circuit 4. The input/output control circuit 4 controls data to be input to or output from the card, and is connected with an antenna circuit 6 through a modulating-demodulating (MODEM) circuit 5. A battery 7 is provided to supply power to the above-described components. The antenna circuit 6 exchanges signals with an external apparatus (not shown) by means of electromagnetic waves 6a.
FIG. 8 is a perspective plan view for explaining an actual internal structure of a conventional non-contact IC card. FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the card, taken along line IX--IX shown in FIG. 8. In FIG. 8, the card is shown in a state where a molding resin 13 sealing a circuit board 11 and various components thereon is removed. Referring to these figures, a non-contact IC card 10 includes a circuit board 11, and, in the center of the circuit board 11, an IC 9, other circuit elements 9a, a battery 7, mounted in such a manner as to be connected with each other by a circuit pattern 11a on the circuit board 11. The circuit elements 9a comprise a capacitor, an inductance, a resistor and the like. Elements corresponding to those denoted by reference numerals 1 through 5 and reference numeral 8 in FIG. 7 are provided within the IC 9.
The non-contact IC card 10 also includes an antenna circuit 6 comprising a spiral coil 61 provided on the outer peripheral portion of the circuit board 11, and a capacitor 63. The spiral coil 61 and the capacitor 63 are connected in parallel as an LC parallel resonance circuit across which a voltage induced in the circuit by electromagnetic waves in the vicinity of the resonance frequency appears. The spiral coil 61 comprises a pair of spiral-shaped conductor patterns 61a and 61b respectively on first and second major surfaces of the circuit board 11. The conductor pattern 61a and 61b respectively on point A (shown in FIG. 8) on the first major surface, or the front surface, of the circuit board 11, and is connected, by passing through a through-hole 12a, to the other conductor pattern 61b on the second major surface, or the back surface, of the circuit board 11. The back-surface conductor pattern 61b extends in a spiral shape from the through-hole 12a to an inward location, and has an inner end passed through another through hole 12b and connected to, for instance, the ground side, of the battery 7 on the front surface.
The spiral coil 61 has an inductance L, and is connected in parallel with the capacitor 63 having a capacitance C. The circuit board 11 having the above-described construction is encapsulated in a molding resin 13, comprising a resin such as a non-electrically-conductive resin, for forming a card body, so as to minimize external influence on the transmission of electromagnetic fields. Another example of the card body is a hollow casing comprising, for instance, a frame body and a pair of panels.
A conventional non-contact portable storage device (non-contact IC card) having the above-described construction has the following problem. When the card has a relatively large thickness, it is possible to assure the necessary mechanical strength with respect to bending or twisting only by adopting a suitable resin composition. However, when the thickness of the card is to be reduced (for instance, to a thickness of the order of 1 mm), it becomes difficult to assure the necessary mechanical strength only by adjusting the resin composition. A method which may be adopted to assure the necessary mechanical strength comprises providing an electrically-conductive metal cover. However, such a cover can, as a matter of course, have a great influence on the transmission of electromagnetic fields, and the method is not practical.


Disclosed is a printer apparatus for correcting a slant of a medium at a medium insertion port. This printer apparatus corrects slants of the mediums having a variety of thicknesses. The printer apparatus comprises a slant correcting mechanism for correcting the slant of the medium inserted, a conveying roller for conveying the medium the slant of which is corrected, and a printing mechanism for executing a print on the medium conveyed by the conveying roller. This slant correcting mechanism includes a plurality of polygonal rollers, having rotational phases different from each other, for conveying the medium, and an impingement member upon which the medium conveyed by the polygonal rollers impinges.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a printer apparatus for correcting a slant of a medium at a medium insertion port and, more particularly, to a printer apparatus for correcting slants of many kinds of mediums.
2. Description of the Related Art
A printer apparatus is used for executing a print on a medium such as a passbook, a check and a slip etc in, e.g., a financial institute etc. In this kind of printer apparatus, if the medium is inserted obliquely, the printing is effected obliquely. It is required that an operator should set the medium in a right position at the insertion port in order to prevent the slant of the medium.
When the operator implements this setting operation, however, the operator might be burdened with this operation. Such a printer apparatus is therefore provided with an automatic setting mechanism for correcting the slant of the medium. This automatic setting mechanism automatically corrects the slant of the medium after the operator has inserted the medium from the medium insertion port. This type of printer apparatus, it is desired, should stably correct the slant of the medium regardless of the thickness thereof.
FIG. 19 is an explanatory view showing the prior art.
As shown in FIG. 19, in the printer apparatus, the medium inserted from an insertion port 90 is conveyed by conveying rollers 92, 93. Then, a printing head 95 effects a print on the medium. After finishing the printing, the medium is returned to the insertion port 90.
A slant correcting roller 91 for correcting the slant of the medium is provided at the insertion port 90. This kind of slant correcting mechanism is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication Nos.4-22657 and 2-23135. The slant correcting roller 91 makes the inserted medium impinge on an impingement member 94. This slant correcting roller 91 is constructed to stop the conveyance of the medium after the impingement of the medium. Therefore, the slant correcting roller 91 is constructed of polygonal rollers. The roller 91 is constructed of, e.g., a square roller.
A single piece of polygonal roller has hitherto been provided at the insertion port 90. Then, the one polygonal roller causes the medium to impinge upon the impingement member 94, thus correcting the slant thereof.
In the case of using a variety of mediums having different sizes, however, there arises a problem in which it is difficult to make the mediums of all the sizes impinge upon the impingement member.
Further, the printer apparatus deals with the mediums having a variety of thicknesses, i.e., a thick medium such as a passbook and a thin medium such as a slip. An impingement of the thick medium requires a comparatively large conveying force. If the impingement of the thin medium is caused by this conveying force, the thin medium might be bounced back after the thin medium has impinged upon the impingement member. This therefore presents a problem in which the slant of the thin medium is hard to correct.


A high power compact tweeter which includes a high energy magnet sandwiched between the base of a yoke and top plate which form the magnetic path, the magnet and top plate being spaced from side walls of the yoke by a predetermined gap. A voice coil is positioned in the gap. A heat sink is in thermal contact with the yoke to facilitate, preferably in conjunction with heat transfer management from the speaker.

Conventional tweeters utilize standard ferrous magnets in conjunction with a voice coil to control the speaker cone, dome, or other diaphragm. However, such magnets are relatively large and heavy. Further, such magnets produce significant stray magnetic fields which require bulky shielding to contain, thereby further increasing both the size and weight of the speaker.
However, it is desirable in high fidelity speakers to place the tweeter as close to the woofer as possible so that the sound appears to come from a single source. To achieve this, a sub-compact tweeter assembly is required. It has been found that such a sub-compact design can be achieved by utilizing high energy magnets, such as magnets formed of neodymium-iron-boron (sometimes hereinafter referred to as "neodymium magnet") in place of the standard ferrous magnets. Since such magnets provide a force or energy which, weight for weight, is roughly twenty times stronger than that of conventional magnets, the speakers may operate with a magnet which is roughly the size of a quarter. Further, these smaller magnets generate less stray magnetic field and this field can be contained in a relatively small ferrous yoke assembly. The result is a sub-compact high performance tweeter which provides minimum stray field problems.
However, in order for the speaker to track transients such as those evident in drum hits or acoustic guitar music, the tweeter must be able to handle high levels of power, yet remain cool in operation so as to avoid damage to the speaker coils or the diaphragm. But, one disadvantage of using the compact magnets is that they provide significantly less thermal mass for heat dissipation than more conventional designs and this has been found to present a significant limitation on the levels of power available from such speakers, and thus on the performance thereof. It would therefore be desirable if the advantages of the sub-compact, high-energy magnet tweeters could be achieved while improving the heat management in such tweeters so as to permit high levels of power to be handled.


A magnetic actuator includes a first yoke, an armature which is provided inside the first yoke and made movable in reciprocating motion along a first direction inside the first yoke, first and second coils fitted inside the first yoke, a pair of second yokes affixed to the first yoke along a second direction, and permanent magnets affixed to the second yokes in a manner that the permanent magnets are positioned face to face with the armature. In the magnetic actuator thus constructed, fluxes generated by the first and second coils pass through first magnetic circuits whereas fluxes generated by the permanent magnets pass through second magnetic circuits differing from the first magnetic circuits.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an actuator for driving a circuit breaker used in an electric power transmission and distribution system, and in particular to a magnetic actuator provided with permanent magnets and electromagnetic coils.
2. Description of the Background Art
FIG. 19 is a diagram generally showing the construction of a conventional electric circuit breaker system 500 of which example is shown in European Patent Publication No. EP0721650 B1.
Referring to the Figure, the circuit breaker system 500 includes a magnetic actuator 100, a circuit breaker 200 which is connected to the magnetic actuator 100 for opening and closing breaker contacts 210, and springs 300 and 301 provided at the top and bottom of the magnetic actuator 100, respectively. These springs 300, 301 assist the working of the circuit breaker 200 when the magnetic actuator 100 causes the circuit breaker 200 to open and close its contacts 210.
FIG. 18 shows principal components of the magnetic actuator 100 of FIG. 19. As depicted in the Figure, the magnetic actuator 100 includes a yoke 250 built up of ferromagnetic laminations, each produced by punching a magnetic steel sheet to form a left-hand yoke section 201, a right-hand yoke section 202, an upper yoke section 203 and a lower yoke section 204. The magnetic actuator 100 further includes permanent magnets 205, an armature 206 which is made movable inside the yoke 250 over a specific stroke, and first and second coils 207, 208. The permanent magnets 205 are attached to solid inner yokes 201b and 202b provided on pole portions 201a and 202a projecting inward from the left-hand yoke section 201 and the right-hand yoke section 202, respectively. The first and second coils 207, 208 used in the magnetic actuator 100 have an equal magnetomotive force (AT). The armature 206 is connected to an actuator rod 209 which passes through the upper and lower yoke section 203, 204 and is joined to the circuit breaker 200. There are provided air gaps g between the armature 206 and the permanent magnets 205. It is to be noted that FIG. 18 shows an example in which the circuit breaker 200 is provided at the top of the magnetic actuator 100 unlike the example shown in FIG. 19.
Let us assume that the armature 206 is currently held at a first position 203a adjacent to the upper yoke section 203 by a magnetic field produced by the permanent magnets 205. When the second coil 208 is excited in such a manner that it produces a magnetic field of the same polarity as the magnetic field produced by the permanent magnets 205, a holding force exerted on the armature 206 by the permanent magnets 205 is canceled out and, as a consequence, the armature 206 moves by as much as the aforementioned specific stroke down to the lower yoke section 204. Then, if the second coil 208 is de-excited, the armature 206 is now held at a second position 204a adjacent to the lower yoke section 204 by the magnetic field produced by the permanent magnets 205. Here, the aforementioned specific stroke of the armature 206 is of an amount which is necessary to break the contacts 210 of the circuit breaker 200, for example.
In the example depicted in FIG. 18, the armature 206 is held at the second position 204a adjacent to the lower yoke section 204, forming an air gap G between the armature 206 and the upper yoke section 203. The spring 301 shown in FIG. 19 assists in opening the contacts 210 of the circuit breaker 200 via the actuator rod 209 when the armature 206 begins to move as a result of excitation of the second coil 208. On the other hand, the spring 300 assists in closing the contacts 210 of the circuit breaker 200 when closing the contacts 210 from an open position shown in FIG. 19.
When the first coil 207 is excited, the armature 206 moves toward the upper yoke section 203 causing the contacts 210 to close and becomes held at the first position 203a adjacent to the upper yoke section 203.
The principle of operation of the armature 206 is now discussed with reference to FIGS. 17A–17C. These Figures also show an example in which the circuit breaker 200 is provided at the top of the magnetic actuator 100 unlike the example shown in FIG. 19.
(1) The contacts 210 of the circuit breaker 200 are in a closed position in FIG. 17A, in which the armature 206 is held at the first position 203a adjacent to the upper yoke section 203 and neither the first coil 207 nor the second coil 208 is excited. The letters "N" in the Figure indicate north poles formed by the permanent magnets 205 on surfaces of the armature 206 and the letters "S" indicate south poles formed by the permanent magnets 205 on surfaces of the pole portions 201a, 202a shown in FIG. 18. Under these conditions, the permanent magnets 205 generate fluxes ΦPM1 and ΦPM2 passing through magnetic circuits L1 and L2, respectively. Since the magnetic circuit L1 has a lower reluctance than the magnetic circuit L2, the flux ΦPM1 is much greater than the flux ΦPM2 (ΦPM1>>ΦPM2), so that a magnetic attractive force occurs between the armature 206 and the upper yoke section 203. This magnetic attractive force is expressed by F=Φ2/S/μ0=Bg2S/μ0, where Bg is the flux density within the air gap G and S is the facing area of the upper yoke section 203 and the armature 206.
(2) When the second coil 208 is excited in this condition, fluxes Φcoil2-1 and Φcoil2-2 are generated as shown in FIG. 17B. These fluxes Φcoil2-1, Φcoil2-2 are combined with the fluxes ΦPM1, ΦPM2 generated by the permanent magnets 205. If a relationship expressed by ΦPM2+Φcoil2-1>ΦPM1−Φcoil2-2 is satisfied, there occurs a force pulling the armature 206 toward the lower yoke section 204.
(3) When the armature 206 comes apart from the upper yoke section 203, the sum of the fluxes ΦPM2+Φcoil2-1 becomes much greater than the sum of the fluxes ΦPM1-Φcoil2-2 (ΦPM2+Φcoil2-1>>ΦPM1−Φcoil2-2), whereby the armature 206 is caused to move by as much as the aforementioned specific stroke and reach the second position 204a adjacent to the lower yoke section 204 as shown in FIG. 17C.
(4) If the second coil 208 is de-excited at this point, the flux ΦPM1 becomes much less than the-flux ΦPM2 (ΦPM1<<ΦPM2), whereby the armature 206 is held at the second position 204a adjacent to the lower yoke section 204 as shown in FIG. 17C.
When the armature 206 moves by as much as the aforementioned specific stroke within the yoke 250 as discussed above, a current flowing in an electric power transmission and distribution system is interrupted by opening the contacts 210 of the circuit breaker 200 which is linked to the actuator rod 209 directly connected to the armature 206.
To bring the contacts 210 from the open position shown in FIG. 17C back to the closed position shown in FIG. 17A, the first coil 207 is excited so that the armature 206 moves up to the first position 203a adjacent to the upper yoke section 203 according to the same principle of operation as described above. The first coil 207 is de-excited at this point and the armature 206 is held at the first position 203a by the flux ΦPM1 generated by the permanent magnets 205, whereby the contacts 210 of the circuit breaker 200 are closed and a current flows normally.
In the magnetic actuator 100 used in the conventional circuit breaker system 500 described above, the permanent magnets 205 for holding the armature 206 at the first or second position 203a, 204a are attached to the pole portions 201a and 202a via the solid inner yokes 201b and 202b, respectively. In this construction, the permanent magnets 205 exist in the magnetic circuits L1 and L2 formed by the first and second coils 207, 208 for actuating the armature 206 and, therefore, eddy currents occur in the permanent magnets 205 and the inner yokes 201b, 202b when an exciting power supply (not shown) is turned on and off.
These eddy currents produce such a problem that they cause not only deterioration of response characteristics of the magnetic actuator 100 but also an increase in the size and cost of the aforementioned exciting power supply.


A cooling hole having an inlet passage forming an inward spiral flow path and an outlet passage forming an outward spiral flow path in which the two paths are counter flowing in order to improve the heat transfer coefficient. The spiral cooling hole is used in a blade outer air seal (BOAS) for a turbine in which the edges of the shroud segments include a counter flowing micro serpentine flow cooling circuit with thin diffusion discharge cooling slots for the BOAS edges. The total BOAS cooling air is impingement from the BOAS cooling air manifold and metered through the impingement cooling holes to produce impingement cooling onto the backside of the BOAS. The spent cooling air is then channels into the multiple micro serpentine cooling flow circuits located around the four edges of the shroud segments. This cooling air then flows in a serpentine path through the horizontal serpentine flow channels and then discharged through the thin diffusion cooling slots as peripheral purge air for the mate faces as well as the spacing around the BOAS or shroud segments. Trip strips are used in the serpentine flow channels for the augmentation of internal heat transfer cooling capability. The micro serpentine flow cooling air circuits spaced around the four edges of the shroud segments are formed into the shroud segments during the casting process of the shroud segments.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a gas turbine engine, and more specifically to a blade outer air seal with cooling of the edges.
2. Description of the Related Art including information disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
In a gas turbine engine, the turbine includes at least on stage of rotor blades that include blade tips that form a seal with an outer shroud of the engine. A gap or space is formed between the blade tip and the inner surface of the shroud in which hot gas leakage can flow. The outer shroud is formed of a plurality of shroud segments that together form a full 360 degree annular configuration around the rotating blades. Excess hot gas leakage flowing through this gap will decrease the turbine efficiency and lead to hot spots on the blade tip and shroud segment in which oxidation can develop and therefore shorten the life of the parts.
In the prior art of gas turbine engines, a blade outer air seal (BOAS) edge cooling is accomplished by drilling holes into the impingement cavity located at the middle of the BOAS from both of the leading edge and trailing edge of the BOAS as well as from the BOAS mate faces. FIG. 1 shows this prior art air cooled BOAS with the blade ring carrier 11, a cooling air supply hole 12, a forward isolation ring 15 and a rearward isolation ring 13, an upstream vane 16 and a downstream vane 14, a cooling air manifold or cavity 17, the shroud segment 16, an impingement plate 19 with a stiffener rib 20 and a plurality of impingement holes 21, a front impingement compartment 25 and a rear impingement compartment 26, and a TBC or thermal barrier coating 23 on the inner surface of the shroud segment 18 that forms the gap with a tip of the rotor blade 22. Cooling air supplied from the compressor flows through the cooling hole 12 and into the cavity 17, and then through the impingement holes 21 to produce impingement cooling on the backside of the shroud segment 18. The spent cooling air in the impingement compartments 25 and 26 then flows through the drilled cooling holes formed in the four edges of the shroud segment as shown in FIG. 2.


In a computing system, at least one computer-readable medium is for storing information. The information includes at least one installation file. The installation file includes at least one first instruction and at least one table. Also, the information includes at least one programmable file. The programmable file includes at least one second instruction. The programmable file is specified by the first instruction. A computing device is for executing an installation program in response to the installation file for installing at least a portion of the information onto the computing system. In response to the first instruction, the computing device executes the programmable file for revising the table in response to which the computing device executes the installation program.

The disclosures herein relate in general to information processing systems and in particular to a method and system for installing files in a computing system.
An installation file (e.g. an .MSI file for Microsoft Windows Installer software) can specify a process for installation of an associated computer software application in a computing system (e.g. on a hard disk of the computing system). According to a previous technique, in order to revise (e.g. customize) the installation process, the installation file is revised before initiating the installation process for the installation file""s associated software application. Nevertheless, a shortcoming of such a technique is that individual revision of a large number of installation files (especially before initiating the installation processes) is tedious and inefficient
Accordingly, a need has arisen for a method and system for installing files in a computing system, in which various shortcomings of previous techniques are overcome. More particularly, a need has arisen for a method and system for installing files in a computing system, in which an installation process can be revised (e.g. customized) without always individually revising an installation file before initiating the installation process for the installation file""s associated software application.
One embodiment, accordingly, provides for at least one computer-readable medium for storing information in a computing system. The information includes at least one installation file. The installation file includes at least one first instruction and at least one table. Also, the information includes at least one programmable file. The programmable file includes at least one second instruction. The programmable file is specified by the first instruction. A computing device is for executing an installation program in response to the installation file for installing at least a portion of the information onto the computing system. In response to the first instruction, the computing device executes the programmable file for revising the table in response to which the computing device executes the installation program.
A principal advantage of this embodiment is that (a) various shortcomings of previous techniques are overcome, and (b) an installation process can be revised (e.g. customized) without always individually revising an installation file before initiating the installation process for the installation file""s associated software application.

Method and system for installing files in a computing system


An example method facilitates Global Traffic Management (GTM) using a combination of passive latency measurements and active latency measurements, including Domain Name System (DNS) server reflection methods, that estimate Round Trip Times (RTTs) between individual geographically distributed data centers (servicing a particular domain) and Local Domain Name Servers (LDNSs) communicating with the data centers. Passive and/or active measurements may initialize a shared database (e.g., accessible by the data centers via a web service). After initialization of the database using static and/or active methods to provide initial estimates of RTTs, different DNS reflection methods then accurately estimate the RTTs and populate the database therewith. The different DNS reflection methods include a first DNS reflection method using co-located reflectors and collectors, and a second distributed DNS reflection method that does not require co-located DNS reflectors and collectors, but instead may employ a hierarchy of reflectors and collectors deployed at different data centers servicing the same domain.

The present application relates to computing, and more specifically to systems and methods for facilitating measuring computing network parameters, such as Round Trip Times (RTTs) or latencies between Local Domain Name Servers (LDNSs) and Domain Name System (DNS) servers of data centers of a given domain, so as to facilitate Global Load Balancing (GLB), also called Global Traffic Management (GTM).
Systems and methods for facilitating measuring or estimating computing network metrics (also called parameters herein), such as latencies, are employed in various demanding applications, including Application Delivery Controllers (ADCs) of geographically distributed data centers. The ADCs service particular domains and may employ GLB algorithms to select data centers to service particular requests based on the measured or estimated metrics.
Generally, GLB involves using estimates of message RTTs between computing nodes of the network, so as to facilitate distributing network traffic along the fastest communications links. More specifically, ADCs of data centers used by a given domain (e.g., www.example.com) may implement GLB functionality that attempts to estimate RTTs between Local Domain Name Servers (LDNSs) and various geographically distributed data centers used to host a particular domain. The LDNSs may be hosted by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that communicate with client devices and/or applications. The client devices and/or applications use the ISPs to access data and/or functionality provided by one or more of the data centers. The data centers are used to service client requests for data and/or functionality on behalf of the client devices and/or applications.
Conventionally, rough relative estimates of RTTs can be obtained based on geographic proximity information, where data centers that are physically located closer to a particular LDNS are assumed to have relatively shorter RTTs between the LDNS and the geographically nearest data center. However, in practice, variations in network traffic, changes in network topology, and variations in computing resource loads and associated availability (to process requests for data and/or functionality) can make such estimates inaccurate.
Alternatively, active methods are used to estimate the RTTs between LDNSs and distributed data centers hosting particular domains. Such active methods may involve, for instance, a data center (e.g., an ADC thereof) issuing pings (e.g., Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) echo requests and echo replies) or queries (e.g., Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) SYN and ACK handshakes), and then measuring the times required for the pings or queries to be returned by the LDNSs. This provides estimates (i.e., RTT estimates, also called latency estimates) of how a particular communications link is performing, and whether or not such link should be preferentially used relative to another possible link. However, in practice, such approaches tend to have limited reachability, as many data centers may not respond to such pings or queries, or otherwise may employ firewalls that drop packets of such pings or queries.
Accordingly, a need remains for methods that can efficiently and accurately estimate, and then use, latency information between LDNSs and data centers of a domain, so as to facilitate optimal selection of a data center to service a request from a client associated with a particular LDNS.

Method and apparatus for accurate GLB achieved by using distributed DNS reflection


A combined nut area cleaner and nut driver tool for manipulating nuts residing in recesses prone to filling with environmental debris. The tool having a body connecting with or forming a handle, a nut (or fastener) driver for connecting with the body and for driving the nut, and a cleaning flange for connecting to the body, this cleaning flange for cleaning the area adjacent the nut before the nut driver engages the nut. Preferably either the nut driver and/or the cleaning flange are able to be retracted in relation to the cleaning flange and/or nut driver.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to hand held tools, and more particularly relates to tools used to manipulate fasteners located in areas prone to exposure to the elements including, but not limited to ice, sand, mud, etc.
2. Background Information
Many times fasteners are used in external locations where environmental concerns become an issue in manipulating such fasteners. For instance, domestic irrigation and utilities frequently use plastic utility boxes that are buried in the ground, typically at or near the ground surface. Oftentimes, such boxes are fastened shut through use of a fastener (typically a bolt) and/or a nut. To open such a utility box, a user needs to use a nut driver or other tool to manipulate the bolt/nut holding it shut. The term "utility box" herein including (but not limited to): underground power boxes, telephone boxes, fiber optic boxes, underground water meters, and irrigation valve boxes.
To protect the bolt head, hereinafter "nut", when installed in the field, such boxes are typically outfitted with a recess into which the nut rests. A recess is typically utilized so that contact to the external portion of the box (by equipment or materials, etc.) will not cause damage to the nut and/or fastening closure. If such a fastener was damaged, then obviously it may become exceedingly more difficult to remove the fastener and open the box.
One of the problems with having such a recess is that the recess itself is prone to filling with environmental debris. While it may be possible to insert a plug or cap into the recess, thereby preventing such debris from entering in to the recess, typically the recess is left uncovered. Examples of debris that can accumulate within such a recess include dirt, mud, sand and water. Water within such a recess, in the wintertime, will freeze thereby creating a chunk of ice over the nut. If the recess is filled with ice, or other debris, the nut may be completely inaccessible to manipulation. In such an instance, a person wishing to gain access to the box will have to use a screwdriver or pocketknife to scrape within the recess hoping to clear the debris out of the way. In the context of ice, typically the utilization of such a knife or screwdriver in a chiseling action can cause damage to the recess and/or user of said knife/screwdriver.
What is needed is a tool for allowing a user to clean such debris from the area surrounding the nut and also for removing the nut itself. The present invention and/or embodiments of the present invention satisfy this need.
Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Combined nut recess cleaner and nut driver tool


This invention relates to the preparation of a balloon dilatation catheter which comprises blowing a length of double lumen tubing to produce a double lumen catheter piece having distal and proximal ends and having a first lumen and a second lumen; cutting an opening in the second lumen proximal to the distal end of the catheter piece; inserting a pushing wire having distal and proximal ends into the second lumen through the proximal end of the catheter piece until the distal end of the pushing wire extends distally across the opening; inserting a piece of lubricous tubing into the second lumen through the distal end of the catheter piece; sealing the distal end of the first lumen; heating the distal portion of the catheter piece to cause the distal portion of the second lumen to shrink slightly to cause the lubricous tubing to fixedly engage the distal end of the pushing wire, while the first lumen is pressurized; and heating the remainder of the catheter piece to cause the second lumen to shrink around the pushing wire and the first lumen to shrink to define a balloon.

During angioplasty procedures it is often necessary to exchange one dilatation catheter for another. To do so requires manipulation of lengthy exchange wires, which is time consuming and awkward to the extent that two operators are required. A current approach to dealing with this is the "monorail" system wherein a dilatation catheter has a structure such that only the distal portion of the catheter tracks a guidewire. Examples of such systems are described in Yock, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,040,548 and 5,061,273, Bonzel, U.S. Pat. No. 4,762,129, and Kramer, U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,535, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
In the known monorail systems the pushing force on the dilatation catheter is eccentric to the guidewire, such that there is not total responsiveness in the system as the operator attempts to manipulate the dilatation catheter along the guidewire. This can cause binding and failure to move the catheter through tortuous arterial segments and tight stenoses. Furthermore, in these systems/designs, the guidewire lumen is positioned coaxially within a balloon that is attached to the catheter shaft at the proximal and distal ends of the balloon. This arrangement allows the balloon to compress along the guidewire lumen, increasing in profile, and thereby also causing binding and failure to move the catheter. Dependent upon the clinical application, balloons of varying lengths may be required. In addition to the time and expense required to develop and qualify separate balloons for each application, as the balloon length increases, the tendency for binding increases. Thus, there is a need for a monorail type system wherein there will be co-linear design between a push wire and the guidewire and a parallel arrangement between the balloon and the guidewire lumen, resulting in more positive tracking and facilitated passage through tortuous arterial segments and tight stenoses, as well as simplified methods of manufacture.

Method of preparing a balloon dilatation catheter


A centralized and robust threat assessment tool is disclosed to perform comprehensive analysis of previously-stored and subsequent communication data, activity data, and other relevant information relating to inmates within a controlled environment facility. As part of the analysis, the system detects certain keywords and key interactions with the dataset in order to identify particular criminal proclivities of the inmate. Based on the identified proclivities, the system assigns threat scores to inmate that represents a relative likelihood that the inmate will carry out or be drawn to certain threats and/or criminal activities. This analysis provides a predictive tool for assessing an inmate's ability to rehabilitate. Based on the analysis, remedial measures can be taken in order to correct an inmate's trajectory within the controlled environment and increase the likelihood of successful rehabilitation, as well as to prevent potential criminal acts.

Prison life can have a profound impact on an individual. In some circumstances, an inmate is motivated to correct his previous mistakes and turn away from a life of crime. In other circumstances, an inmate may become hardened, finding no alternative to, or even a certain amount of comfort in, a life of crime. The outcome for each individual can differ greatly depending on their respective personalities, as well as the events that befall those inmates during their time in prison.
The present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. Additionally, the left most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears.

System and method for assessing security threats and criminal proclivities


A semiconductor integrated circuit including therein a plurality of active devices comprises a semiconductor substrate, a first buffer layer on the substrate, a second buffer layer provided on the substrate and incorporating therein defects with a concentration level substantially larger than the concentration level of the defects in the first buffer layer; a device layer provided on the second buffer layer and being provided with the active devices, and a plurality of unconductive, device isolation regions formed between the active devices such that the device isolation region extends from an upper surface of the device layer toward the substrate at least beyond a lower surface of the device layer.

The present invention generally relates to semiconductor integrated circuits and more particularly to a semiconductor integrated circuit of compound semiconductor devices formed on a semi-insulating compound semiconductor substrate.
Compound semiconductor materials such as gallium arsenide, aluminum arsenide, indium phosphide, indium arsenide and the like, are characterized by the high electron mobility and used for super-fast semiconductor devices such as MESFET (metal semiconductor field effect transistor), HEMT (high electron mobility transistor), HBT (heterojunction bipolar transistor) and the like. These semiconductor devices are generally used in the form of integrated circuits wherein a large number of semiconductor devices are assembled on a common substrate. In the integrated circuit of compound semiconductor devices, efforts are made to increase the integration density such that the operational speed of the device is increased further.
Generally, the integrated circuit of compound semiconductor devices uses a semi-insulating compound semiconductor substrate and semiconductor devices are formed thereon with a device isolation region formed therebetween for isolating the individual devices. This device isolation region may be a region of increased resistivity formed by doping impurities that form a deep impurity level in the compound semiconductor material or may be an isolation trench.
When the integration density is increased in such compound semiconductor integrated circuits, it is known that a so-called side gate effect appears wherein the device characteristic such as the threshold voltage of the device in the integrated circuit is changed or modified when a large negative voltage such as the power voltage is applied to an adjacent device in the same integrated circuit. This side gate effect becomes appreciable with increasing integration density and limits the integration density of the integrated circuit.
Various efforts are made in order to eliminate or minimize the side gate effect. FIG. 1, for example, shows the structure of a conventional integrated circuit that has succeeded in eliminating the side gate effect.
The device of FIG. 1 is constructed on a semi-insulating GaAs (gallium arsenide) substrate 1 and includes an undoped, insulating buffer layer of GaAs grown on the GaAs substrate 1 at a temperature of 200.degree. C. It should be noted that the GaAs layer thus grown at a low temperature lower than about 350.degree. C. has a deviation in composition from the ideal GaAs stoichiometry such that the content of As is slightly larger than Ga. Thereby, a large number of defects that cause the trapping of electrons are formed in the buffer layer 2 and the buffer layer 2 shows a large resistivity.
On the buffer layer 2, a second undoped GaAs buffer layer 3 is grown at a temperature of 680.degree. C., and on this second buffer layer 3, the active semiconductor devices are formed. In the illustrated example, the active devices form the HEMT and each device includes an undoped GaAs active layer 4 grown on the buffer layer 3 at 680.degree. C., an electron supplying layer 5 of n-type AlGaAs grown epitaxially on the active layer 4 with the composition of Al.sub.0.3 Ga.sub.0.7 As, and a cap layer 6 of n-type GaAs grown epitaxially further on the electron supplying layer 5. As is well known, the electron supplying layer 5 and the active layer 4 form a heterojunction at an interface therebetween and there is formed a two-dimensional electron gas in the active layer 4 along the heterojunction.
The layers 4 through 6 are provided commonly to the devices in the integrated circuit, and the individual devices are isolated from each other by a device isolation region 11 that is formed by an ion implantation of oxygen such that the region 11 reaches the buffer layer 3.
After the formation of the device isolation region 11, source electrodes 12A, 12B, . . . and drain electrodes 13A, 13B, . . . are formed on the cap layer 6. Further, a part of the cap layer 6 corresponding to where the gate electrode is to be formed is removed selectively by etching, and gate electrodes 14A, 14B, . . are provided in correspondence to the recessed parts thus formed.
FIGS. 2A-2C show the temperature of growth used to form the structure of FIG. 1, the compositional deviation from the ideal GaAs stoichiometry in various parts of the structure of FIG. 1, and the number of defects in the structure of FIG. 1, respectively. In FIG. 2B, the deviation of the composition is represented in terms of the difference between the atomic percent of As and that of Ga in the GaAs layer and is supposed to be zero when the material of the layer has the ideal stoichiometry. As will be noted in these drawings, the GaAs buffer layer 2 grown at 200.degree. C. has a deviation in the stoichiometry that reaches as much as about 1 % in terms of the difference in the composition of Ga and As. Associated with this significant deviation in the stoichiometry, there appears a large number of defects in the layer 2 as shown in FIG. 2C. As already noted, such defects in the buffer layer 2 captures the electrons entering into the layer 2 and the layer 2 shows a high resistivity. With the high resistivity layer 2 thus incorporated, the device of FIG. 1 interrupts the leak current path formed between the GaAs substrate 1 and the buffer layer 3, and it is believed that this is the reason the integrated circuit of FIG. 1 is successful in eliminating the side gate effect.
FIG. 3 shows the characteristic of the integrated circuit of FIG. 1 measured at 300.degree. K. In this measurement, the drain current I.sub.D was measured for the HEMT 20A of FIG. 1. In this structure, it should be noted that the buffer layer 2 has a thickness of about 500.ANG., the buffer layer 3 has a thickness of about 5000.ANG., and the device isolation region 11 has a width of about 2 .mu.m. The drain current I.sub.D was measured as a function of time while applying a constant drain voltage VD of 1 volt to the drain electrode 13A and simultaneously applying a side gate voltage VG of -5 volts across the source electrode 12B and the drain electrode 13B of adjacent HEMT 20B. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the drain current I.sub.D of the device 20A is stable as long as the device is operated at 300.degree. K. and the side gate effect is satisfactorily eliminated.
The success of the structure of FIG. 1 suggests that the side gate effect is caused as a result of the flow of carriers that somehow enter into the device region of the HEMT 20A in response to the side gate voltage in the HEMT 20B or vice versa through the semi-insulating substrate 1. In the structure of FIG. 1, such a path of the carriers through the substrate 1 is interrupted by the buffer layer 2.
On the other hand, when the device is operated at a low temperature such as 85.degree. K., it was found that the drain current of the HEMT of FIG. 1 decreases exponentially with time when a side gate voltage is applied to the adjacent HEMT. FIG. 4 shows the result of experiment undertaken at 85.degree. K. for the same sample used for the experiment of FIG. 3, under the same experimental condition. The result of FIG. 4 clearly shows that the HEMT of FIG. 1 cannot eliminate the side gate effect when operated at such a low temperature. It should be noted that the electron mobility of the two-dimensional electron gas formed at the heterojunction interface between the layer 4 and the layer 5 and determines the operational speed of HEMT, increases significantly at low temperatures such as 85.degree. K. Therefore, the HEMT of FIG. 1 is potentially capable of exhibiting a performance that is far superior to the performance obtained at the room temperature when operated at low temperatures. Thus, the side gate effect of the device of FIG. 1 occurring at these low temperatures significantly diminishes the performance of the HEMT.
The side gate effect of the foregoing type appearing only at low temperatures is believed to be caused by the defects that are intentionally introduced into the GaAs buffer layer 2. More specifically, when the electrons in the buffer layer 3 are accelerated and entered into the buffer layer 2 as the hot electrons as shown in FIG. 5, these electrons are trapped by the defects in the layer 2. At the room temperature, these trapped electrons are released again in due course due to the thermal energy of the electrons and the accumulation of electrons in the buffer layer 2 does not occur. At the low temperatures such as 85.degree. K., on the other hand, the trapped electrons are no longer released. Thereby, the buffer layer 2 is charged electrically with time and modifies the potential level in the device. Anyway, the conventional HEMT of FIG. 1 could operate satisfactorily only at the room temperature and one cannot exploit the potentially superb performance of the device that is obtained at the low temperature.
Meanwhile, the inventors of the present invention have discovered, in a series of experiments conducted on the device of FIG. 1 and forming one of the basis of the present invention, that the transconductance of the HEMT decreases with increasing thickness of the buffer layer 2 and increases with increasing overall thickness of the buffer layers 2 and 3. FIGS. 6 and 7 show the relationship found by the inventors. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the transconductance remains at about 200 mA/mm as long as the thickness of the GaAs buffer layer 2 is smaller than about 1000.ANG. while decreases rapidly when the thickness exceeds 1000.ANG.. Referring to FIG. 7, on the other hand, the transconductance is smaller than 200 mA/mm when the overall thickness of the layers 2 and 3 is smaller than about 4000.ANG., while a value exceeding 200 mA/mm is obtained when the overall thickness is set about 4000.ANG. or larger. Thus, the relationship in FIGS. 6 and 7 imposes a certain limitation in the design of the HEMT when one attempts to eliminate the foregoing problem of the side gate effect.

Semiconductor integrated circuit having a reduced side gate effect


Position detecting elements are disposed in an endoscope insertion portion at predetermined intervals. Even when the endoscope insertion portion is bent, position data representing the detected positions of the elements is used to infer or detect the shape of the insertion portion. A virtual element is disposed between adjoining elements so that a predetermined condition will be met. Position data of the virtual element is used together with the actually detected position data in order to interpolate data for the purpose of detecting the shape of the insertion portion. Consequently, as if a larger number of elements were disposed, the shape of the insertion portion can be detected highly precisely.

In recent years, a shape-of-endoscope detecting system has been adopted for detecting the shape of an endoscope inserted into a human body using magnetic-field generating elements and magnetic-field detecting elements, and displaying the detected shape on a display means.
For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 8-107875 has disclosed a system that detects the shape of an endoscope using magnetic fields and displaying the detected shape of the endoscope.
According to the patent publication, a plurality of magnetic-field generating elements disposed in the insertion portion of an endoscope, which is inserted into a human body, at predetermined intervals is driven in order to generate magnetic fields around the elements. Magnetic-field detecting elements disposed outside the human body are used to detect the three-dimensional positions of the respective magnetic-field generating elements. A curve continuously linking the positions of the magnetic-field generating elements is drawn, and a three-dimensional image representing a model of the insertion portion is displayed on a display means.
An operator or the like views the image to grasp the position of the distal section of the insertion portion inserted into a body or the inserted state of the insertion portion. This helps smoothly perform the work of inserting the insertion portion into a target region.
However, according to the related art, if the insertion portion is bent to form a loop having a small radius of curvature that is smaller than the interval between adjoining ones of the magnetic-field generating elements disposed in the insertion portion, the number of magnetic-field generating elements present in the looped portion of the insertion portion is so small that a streamlined shape similar to the actual shape of the looped insertion portion cannot be displayed.
An object of the present invention is to provide a shape-of-endoscope detecting system capable of highly precisely displaying the shape of an actual insertion portion despite a simple configuration.


A composite electrode includes a mixture of active matter (AM) particles and EC material particles generating an electronic conductivity, the mixture being supported by an electrical lead forming a DC current collector. The electrode can be manufactured by a method which consists of modifying the AM particles and the EC particles so as to react with each other and with the material of the collector in order to form covalent and electrostatic bonds between said particles, as well as between the particles and the current collector, and then placing the different constituents in contact.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electrodes consisting of a current collector which bears a composite material comprising particles of active material and particles of an electronic conductor material.
2. Description of Related Art
It is known to use, in electrochemical generators, especially rechargeable lithium batteries, electrodes consisting of a composite material deposited on a current collector, said composite material consisting of an active material and of a material generating an electronic conduction. The active material is used in the form of particles, and it may be, for example, a transition metal oxide of spinel structure, a transition metal oxide of lamellar structure; an oxide of polyanionic framework or a vanadium-based oxide. Conventional examples are the oxides of formula LiMPO4 in which M represents at least one element chosen from Mn, Fe, Co and Ni, in particular LiFePO4. The material generating an electronic conductivity is generally carbon, in the form of carbon black powder, graphite powder, carbon fibers or carbon nanofibers.

Centre National De La Recherche Scientifique


A method and relay for magnetizing inrush restraint in protective relays for power transformers. The method utilizes the phase angle relation between the fundamental component and the second harmonic in addition to the magnitude ratio. This is accomplished by calculating and utilizing the complex second harmonic ratio. The specially shaped operating characteristic for the complex second harmonic ratio is made dynamic providing for better security without jeopardizing dependability of the transformer protective relay.

The invention generally relates to fault protection of power transformers, and more specifically, to providing appropriate restraint for the main differential protection function during magnetizing inrush conditions.
Power transformers belong to a class of vital and very expensive components in electric power systems. If a power transformer encounters an internal short-circuit, it becomes necessary to take the transformer out of service within milliseconds so that the damage to the transformer and the surrounding system is minimized. Accordingly, high demands are imposed on power transformer protective relays. The requirements include dependability (no missing operations), security (no false trippings), and speed of operation (short fault clearing time).
A differential principle is commonly applied for protection of medium and large power transformers. A differential current is formed out of the terminal currents of a protected transformer using an external circuit (analog relays) or by the protective relay itself (microprocessor-based relays) in such a way that the differential current reflects an internal fault current. The differential current is close to zero when the protected transformer is sound and increases dramatically during internal faults.
Practically, the differential current may not be perfectly zero during normal operation of a power transformer due to certain factors such as limited accuracy of Current Transformers (CTs) used to measure the primary currents, operation of an on-load tap changer, or saturation of the CTs during external faults. To overcome this difficulty the stabilized (biased or percentage) differential principle is used which compares the differential current against a reference (restraint or stabilizing) current rather than against a fixed threshold. The restraint signal is created to reflect external fault currents.
Important issues related to differential protection of three-phase power transformers include phase angle and ratio matching, compensation for the ratio mismatch caused by operation of an on-load tap changer, CT saturation during external faults, and stationary overexcitation of the core (over-fluxing).
A separate issue of concern is a spurious differential current occurring when the core of the protected transformer is magnetized.
Magnetizing inrush current in power transformers results from any abrupt change of the transformer""s terminal voltage. Although usually considered a result of energizing a transformer, the magnetizing inrush may be caused by other factors such as occurrence of an external fault, voltage recovery after clearing an external fault, change of the character of a fault (evolving faults), and out-of-phase synchronizing of a connected generator.
Since the magnetizing branch representing the core of a transformer appears as a shunt element in the transformer equivalent circuit, the magnetizing current upsets the balance between the currents at the transformer terminals, and is therefore experienced by the differential relay as a spurious differential current threatening malfunction of the relay.
Initial magnetizing due to switching a transformer on is generally considered to cause the most severe case of an inrush. When a transformer is de-energized (switched-off), the magnetizing voltage is taken away, the magnetizing current goes to zero while the flux follows the hysteresis loop of the core. This results in certain remanent flux left in the core. When, afterwards, the transformer is re-energized by an alternating sinusoidal voltage, the flux becomes also sinusoidal but it is biased by the remanence. The residual flux may be as high as 80-90% of the rated flux, and therefore, it may shift the flux-current trajectories far above the knee-point of the characteristic resulting in saturation of the core, and consequently, large peak values and heavy distortions of the magnetizing current.
A typical waveform of the magnetizing inrush current contains a large and long lasting dc component, is rich in harmonics, has large peak values at the beginning, and decays substantially after a few tenths of a second, though a full decay occurs only after several seconds. The shape, magnitude and duration of the inrush current depend on several factors. The major ones include the rated power of the transformer, the short-circuit capability of the system from which the transformer is energized, the magnetic properties of the core, the remanence in the core, the moment and way the transformer is switched on.
Typical magnetizing inrush current is rich in harmonics with the second harmonic predominating. The minimum content of the second harmonic depends mainly on the knee-point of the magnetizing characteristic of the core. The lower the saturation flux density, the higher the amount of the second harmonic. Modern transformers built with improved magnetic materials have high knee-points, and therefore, their inrush currents contain comparatively low amounts of the second harmonic.
Modern methods of restraining differential relays rely on discriminating magnetizing inrush and internal fault conditions either indirectly (analysis of the available terminal signals of a transformer) or directly (extra sensors installed within the tank of a transformer such as the method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,832,600).
Analysis of the traditionally available terminal signals is the most common approach and includes several solutions with the harmonic restraint predominating.
The harmonic restraint permits tripping if the harmonic content is low; it inhibits the relay if the harmonic content is high. Mathematically, regardless of the applied relay technology and particular filtering solution, the harmonic-based restraint can be written as follows:
TP=ICH less than xcex94ICDxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(1)
where:
TP Trip Permission flag from the magnetizing inrush detector,
ICH Combined Harmonic component in the differential current,
ICD Combined Differential current,
xcex94 threshold.
Condition (1) originates a whole family of circuits (analog relays) or algorithms (microprocessor-based relays) due to various approaches to the combined currents ICH and ICD.
In the most common approach the amplitude of the second harmonic in the differential current in a given phase is the combined harmonic signal, while the amplitude of the fundamental frequency component in the differential current in the same phase is used as the combined differential current.
Depending on exact formulae employed for the combined harmonic and differential signals, magnetic properties of the core, and the required security/dependability balance, the threshold xcex94 in (1) would be set at slightly different values. Generally, however, the parameter xcex94 is set at about 0.15-0.20 (15-20%).
The harmonic restraint may be further refined. The method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,402,028 uses both the harmonic restraint and a voltage change function. The voltage change function determines whether or not the differential element requires harmonic restraint supervision, preempting such supervision when it is not required, to enable faster trip decisions to be made by the differential function.
The harmonic restraint in general, regardless of the method of composing the harmonic and differential signals (type of pre-filtering, type of phasor estimation, per phase versus three-phase operation, cross-phase restraining), faces certain limitations.
The most weighty limitation is that in modern transformers the amount of higher harmonics in the magnetizing current may drop well below 10% (the second harmonic as low as 7%, while the total harmonic content at a level of less than 8%). Under such circumstances, the setting xcex94 in (1) would have to be adjusted significantly below some 10%. This would lead, however, to delayed operation of the relay if not to the failure to operate during internal faults when the currents may be polluted with harmonic due to saturation of the CTs.
Another group of restraint techniques relies on direct wave-shape analysis. There are basically two restraining methods of this kind.
The first approach analyzes if the differential current contains periodically repeating intervals of low and flat values (xe2x80x9cdwell-timexe2x80x9d approach). Such intervals are signatures of the magnetizing inrush and if detected, they inhibit the main differential function.
The two most consequential weaknesses of this approach are:
CTs, when saturated during inrush conditions (very likely due to the dc component in the current), change the shape of the waveform within the xe2x80x9cdwell-timexe2x80x9d intervals and may cause malfunction of the relay.
During severe internal faults, when the CTs saturate, the secondary currents may exhibit spurious xe2x80x9cdwell-timexe2x80x9d intervals jeopardizing dependability of the relay (failure to trip).
The second algorithm of this class analyses polarity (sign) of the peak values and the decaying rate of the inrush current. The relay would be restrained if the two consecutive peaks of the differential current are of the same polarity and are displaced by approximately half of the power system cycle. Ideally, this method needs three quarters of a cycle to distinguish between internal faults and inrush conditions.
Practically, however, this restraint principle has its limitations. In a three-phase transformer not always the differential currents are of the typical inrush shape in all three phases. Therefore, the three-phase transformer protection would need a kind of cross-phase restraint.
Another group of techniques suitable for microprocessor-based relays relies on solving on-line the mathematical model of a fault-free transformer. Either certain parameters of the model are computed assuming the measured signals; or certain fraction of the terminal variables are computed based on all the remaining signals, and next compared to their measured counterparts. In the first case such as in the method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,170,308, the values of the calculated parameters differentiate internal faults from other disturbances (including inrush conditions). In the second case such as in the method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,754,163, the difference between the calculated and measured signals enables the relay to perform the classification.
Another relaying principle uses the differential active power to discriminate between internal faults and other conditions (including magnetizing inrush). The operating signal is a difference between the instantaneous powers at all the terminals of a protected transformer.
Yet another restraining algorithm suitable for microprocessor-based relays differentiates internal faults from magnetizing inrush conditions using the flux in the transformer""s core estimated (calculated) on-line from the available terminal voltages and currents.
The known methods of dealing with the magnetizing inrush problem leave significant room for improvement. It would be desirable to improve security without jeopardizing dependability of the main differential function.
The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of known inrush restraining methods without jeopardizing the dependability of the transformer protection relay.
In the disclosed embodiments, an inrush restraining method responds to a complex second harmonic ratio.
In one embodiment, a Fourier series of the fundamental frequency component and higher harmonics represents the waveform of the differential current. The fundamental frequency component is a phasor rotating at the system radian frequency. The second harmonic component is a phasor rotating at exactly twice the system frequency. The traditional second harmonic restraint measures and uses the ratio of the magnitudes of the second harmonic and the fundamental component neglecting the phase angle information.
The present invention utilizes the phase angle relation between the fundamental component and the second harmonic in addition to the magnitude ratio. This is accomplished by calculating a complex second harmonic ratio, a complex number having a magnitude based on a traditional second harmonic ratio of the magnitudes, and an argument based on a phase angle between the fundamental frequency component and the second harmonic.
When the traditional second harmonic ratio drops below the usual threshold setting during magnetizing inrush conditions jeopardizing the security, the phase angle of the complex second harmonic ratio follows certain characteristic pattern. That pattern enables the differentiation between internal faults and magnetizing inrush cases.
Considering the differences between internal faults and magnetizing inrush conditions in both the magnitude and phase angle of the complex second harmonic ratio, an optimal operating characteristic has been defined as a part of this invention. The characteristic is dynamic: it changes in time providing more security when needed and enhancing dependability when possible.

Magnetizing inrush restraint method and relay for protection of power transformers


A sound emitting device for providing at least one new sonic or subsonic frequency as a by-product of emitting a waveform of at least two ultrasonic frequencies whose difference in value corresponds to the desired new sonic or subsonic frequency. The device includes a parametric emitting perimeter or plurality of emitter segments positioned around a central open section. This open section is structured with a diagonal width greater than a cross-sectional diagonal of the parametric emitting perimeter. An ultrasonic frequency signal source and sonic/subsonic frequency generator are coupled together to a modulating circuit for mixing an ultrasonic frequency signal with an electrical signal corresponding to the at least one new sonic or subsonic frequency. The modulator output is coupled to the emitting perimeter which comprises ultrasonic frequency emitting material for propagating the mixed waveform into air for demodulating the waveform to generate the at least one new sonic or subsonic frequency.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to parametric sound projection devices which incorporate acoustic heterodyning as basis for generating audio output. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device and method for enhancing a directional parametric speaker power output.
2. State of the Art
Recent developments have been made involving sound propagation from parametric speakers, acoustic heterodyning, and other forms of modulation of multiple ultrasonic frequencies to generate a new frequency. In theory, sound is developed by the interaction in air (as a nonlinear medium) of two ultrasonic frequencies whose difference in value falls within the audio range or subsonic range. The resulting compression waves are projected within the air as a nonlinear medium. The present inventor has succeeded in advancing parametric audio devices from a state of curious research to commercially acceptable speaker systems which offer unique advantages over all other forms of audio devices. Applications are now expanding to general audio systems for home, office and automobile, military communications systems, weapons devices, point of purchase advertising sources and numerous other specialty devices.
A brief explanation of the theoretical parametric speaker array is provided in "Audio spotlight: An application of nonlinear interaction of sound waves to a new type of loudspeaker design" by Yoneyama et al as published in the Journal of Acoustic Society of America, 73(5), May 1983. Although technical components and the theory of sound generation from a difference signal between two interfering ultrasonic frequencies is described, the practical realization of a commercial sound system was apparently unsuccessful. This weakness in the prior art remained despite the assembly of a parametric speaker array consisting of as many as 547 piezoelectric transducers yielding a speaker diameter of 40–50 cm. Virtually all prior research in the field of parametric sound has been based on the use of tightly clustered conventional ultrasonic transducers, typically of bimorph character.
A common structural feature of prior art attempts to develop an effective parametric speaker is to form a substantially continuous array of transducers across the surface of a support plate. The natural assumption appears to be that filling in the interior area of the support plate with the maximum number of transducers is appropriate to maximize sound pressure level (SPL). Conventional speaker theory would suggest that increasing the number of transducers would indeed contribute to increased SPL. Accordingly, prior art parametric speakers are typically illustrated with bimorf transducers compactly positioned in honeycomb array. Until demonstration of the parametric ring concept as set forth in the parent patent applications, a general perception has existed that an increase in emitter surface was a primary factor for increasing SPL of a parametric emitter device.
Although not related to parametric audio production as presented in this application, a prior examination in the US Patent and Trademark Office of a parent application of the present invention discussed U.S. Pat. No. 4,418,248 by Mathis. The Mathis patent illustrates (patent FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) stereophones which are designed for operation in the audio spectrum. The inner radius 13 comprises a diaphragm which is designed to operate at audio frequencies greater than 1000 Hz. This frequency range corresponds to the upper audio frequency band. A second transducer comprising diaphragm 25 covers the lower frequency range of the audio spectrum. See column 3, lines 13 through 17. The outer radius 33 simply comprises ports which pass the lower frequency range audio vibrations within the stereo headphone. Accordingly, both the inner and outer radii are merely transmitting audio sounds in a conventional manner to enhance both upper and lower audio bandwidth.
In contrast, a parametric speaker projects ultrasonic emissions which are decoupled within the air for audio output. The principles of operation between conventional audio speakers as represented by Mathis and the present invention which involves a parametric speaker are very unrelated. It is important to distinguish between (i) conventional audio speakers that directly propagate audio sound by vibration of a diaphragm at a corresponding audio frequency range and (ii) parametric speakers which vibrate a diaphragm at ultrasonic frequencies of 25 Khz or greater and demodulate the ultrasonic output in air to indirectly produce audio output. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a ring of emitters producing audio output directly into the air such as Mathis will not correspond to a ring of ultrasonic emitters whose output is pumped into the air, which then operates to decouple an audio sideband frequency as audio output. In the former case, the audio speaker operates as a two-dimensional or point source of origination of the sound. In the later parametric embodiment, the audio sound source is similar to a three-dimensional column of air molecules which project out like a beam of light from the ultrasonic emitter. In essence, this column of air becomes the vibrating speaker element. Accordingly, prior art versions of audio speaker rings would not be relevant to the dynamics involved in a parametric ring emitter.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.