Provided is a receiver for human body communication, the receiver including a comparator, a clock and data recovery circuit, and resistors or passive elements having a resistance property in power supply and ground connection units of other digital operation components and a power supply and ground connection unit of a printed circuit board (PCB) to remove or suppress a digital noise reflowed into a human body in the receiver and to raise reception performance by amplifying, with a high gain, a very small transmission signal transmitted through the human body causing a very high loss.

The present disclosure relates to human body communication, and more particularly, to a receiver for human body communication and a method for removing a noise thereof for removing a radiation noise radiated from the receiver itself in order to raise reception performance of a signal received by using a human body as a medium and stably recovering a signal having been transmitted from a transmitter.
Since transmission/reception of a signal using a human body as a medium does not require a transmission line of high conductivity for signal transmission, it is difficult to eavesdrop on the signal, and high frequency generation for wireless transmission, a modulator and a demodulator are not necessary. Thus the human body communication is a method of signal transmission which has a simple structure and operates with low power consumption. Since the signal transmission/reception using a human body as a medium uses a transmission medium having low conductivity due to nature of the human body medium, an analog amplifier having a very high gain is typically necessary to receive and recover a signal. In addition, since the human body itself operates as an antenna and thus surrounding noises absorbed from surroundings are added to a signal having been transmitted from a transmitter and the resulted signal is received by a receiver, the receiver is typically provided with a band pass filter for passing only the signal having been transmitted from the transmitter and filtering out unnecessary noises, and recovers the original transmitted data.
On the other hand, a clock is necessary for operation of a digital modem for data transmission between a transmitter and a receiver, and the clock operates on the basis of an identical frequency for synchronization of transmission/reception. However, since each of the transmitter and receiver uses an independent frequency oscillator, minute frequency and phase errors occur and in order to remove such frequency and phase errors, a clock and data recovery circuit in the receiver recovers a clock precisely synchronized with a frequency of the transmitter and the receiver uses the clock.
Accordingly, the receiver operates, transmission/reception synchronization is achieved, and then data is recovered on the basis of a frequency identical to an operation frequency of the transmitter and a transmission rate of a digital data signal flowing into the human body from the transmitter. In other words, since the receiver uses the same frequency band as that of the transmitter, a digital noise generated in the receiver is radiated in the air and flowed into human epidermis adjacent to a position on which the receiver is attached, a band pass filter in the receiver does not filter out the flowed digital noise induced by the receiver, and thus only a corresponding frequency band signal is amplified at the moment when passing an analog amplifier of a high gain. Accordingly, when the analog amplifier of a high gain is used, oscillation occurs at a sync frequency of the transmitter/receiver and a signal having been transmitted from the transmitter may not be recovered.

Receiver for human body communication and method for removing noise thereof

ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE


A compact optical assembly includes a linear array of LEDs and a plurality of reflectors. The reflectors include two concentric reflecting surfaces that surround the LED light sources. The inner reflecting surface reflects the majority of the light emitted from the LED light source and the outer reflecting surface reflects light emitted through longitudinal channels in the inner reflecting surface. The concentric reflecting surfaces cooperate to create a wide-angle beam of light with a desired dispersion pattern.

This disclosure relates generally to LED light sources, and more particularly, to a reflector for use with an LED lamp.
It is traditional to arrange lights on a vehicle to perform a variety of functions, including fog lighting, warning lighting, spot lighting, takedown lighting, scene lighting, ground lighting, and alley lighting. Emergency vehicles such as police, fire, rescue and ambulance vehicles typically include lights intended to serve several of these functions. Generally speaking, larger lights are less useful than smaller lights because of limited mounting space on the vehicles, as well as aerodynamic and aesthetic considerations. The trend is toward very bright, compact lights which use LEDs for a light source.
Prior art optical configurations may not provide acceptable performance when the size of the light is reduced. These smaller configurations make it particularly difficult to provide focused beams of light of a desired intensity. Traditional optical configurations are limited by symmetrical surfaces of rotation that require a larger optical assembly than desired due to the required reflecting surfaces.

Reflector with concentric interrupted reflecting surfaces


This method of preventing polymerization of methacrylic acid inn the process of its production is characterized by comprising using, in a refining column, a combination of N-nitrosophenylhydroxylamine or salt thereof with an N-oxyl compound, an N-hydroxy-,2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine compound and a 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine compound. In this method, N-nitrosophenylhydroxylamine or a salt thereof rises inside a refining column under splitting part thereof to effectively inhibit polymerization of (meth)acrylic acid or the like. The above polymerization in both vapor and liquid phases can be inhibited more effectively by the combined use of the compounds mentioned above.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method for preventing (meth)acrylic acid and their esters from polymerizing and a method for the production thereof and more particularly to a method for preventing polymerization of (meth)acrylic acid and their esters, characterized by supplying an N-oxyl compound, an N-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine compound, a 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine compound, and an N-nitrosophenylhydroxylamine or a salt as a polymerization inhibitor to a distilling column and a method for the production of (meth)acrylic acid or their esters by including the method for the prevention of polymerization in the step of production. This invention also relates to a method for preventing polymerization of (meth)acrylic acid and their esters, characterized by using a nitroso compound as a polymerization inhibitor and performing the distillation in the column while supplying the polymerization inhibitor to the column from the bottom side of the column and a method for the production of (meth)acrylic acid and their esters, including the method for the prevention of the polymerization in the step of production.
2. Description of Related Arts
Such easily polymerizing compounds as acrylic acid and methacrylic acid are raw materials for commercial production and are chemical substances which are produced in a large amount at a plant of a large scale. In the case of (meth)acrylic acid, for example, the easily polymerizing compound is produced by the reaction of catalytic gas phase oxidation of propylene, isobutylene, t-butanol, methyl-t-butyl ether, or acrolein. The reaction gas obtained by the reaction of catalytic gas phase oxidation contains (meth)acrylic acid, the target product, as mixed with other by-products. For example, this reaction generates mainly non-condensable gases, namely unaltered propylene, isobutylene, and acrolein, low-boiling point organic compounds having lower boiling points than acrylic acid, namely steam and unaltered acrolein, formaldehyde produced by a secondary reaction, and impurities such as acetic acid, and high-boiling point compounds having higher boiling points than acrylic acid, namely maleic anhydride, furfural, benzaldehyde, benzoic acid, and acrylic acid dimer. For the purpose of purifying this reaction gas thereby producing the target product, therefore, it is generally for the reaction gas to wash with a counter flow water or a heavy solvent thereby effecting absorption of the gas and subsequently supplying the absorbed gas to a distilling column and purifying it therein.
(Meth)acrylic acid and esters thereof are compounds which possess a very easily polymerizing quality because of their structures. Moreover, since the process for the distillation of (meth)acrylic acid, for example, forms a system in which a gas phase part and a liquid phase part exist in a mixed state, it becomes necessary to prevent both the liquid phase part and the gas phase part in the distilling column effectively from polymerizing and enable the column to be continuously operated stably for a longtime. Generally, for the purpose of preventing the occurrence of such polymerization, various polymerization inhibitors are incorporated in the monomers either singly or in the form of a combination of several members to prevent the process of production from generating a polymer.
In the official gazette of U.S. Pat. No. 5,856,568, for example, discloses a method for preventing a vinyl compound from polymerizing by using an N-nitrosophenylhydroxylamine, i.e. one kinds of nitroso compound, or a salt, characterized by using the N-nitrosophenylhydroxylamine or the salt thereof in the presence of a copper salt compound. This method is claimed to prevent effectively the polymerization of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid and allow the process of production to be operated stably for a long time by introducing the both compounds mentioned above simultaneously or separately into the steps of distillation. In a working example adduced therein, the occurrence of a polymer was observed when a refluxing operation was performed after copper dibutyldithiocarbamate and N-nitrophenyl hydroxyl amine had been dissolved in acrylic acid.
The official gazette of JP-A-08-48,650 (relevant to U.S. Pat. No. 5,504,243) discloses a method for (meth)acrylic acid or a salt thereof from polymerizing by using together with an N-oxyl compound at least one polymerization inhibitor selected from among manganese salt compounds, copper salt compounds, 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine compounds, and nitroso compounds.
The method described in the official gazette of JP-A-09-95,465 (relevant to U.S. Pat. No. 5,856,568), however, uses a copper salt compound as an essential component and consequently suffers the used water containing the copper compound to be released into the environment. This method, herefore, is at a disadvantage in newly necessitating a means for the disposal of this polluted used water.
Further, for the purpose of effectively preventing (meth)acrylic acid from polymerizing, it suffices to increase the amount of the polymerization inhibitor. This measure, however, entails the disadvantage of necessitating a step for the removal of the polymerization inhibitor at the stage of an operation for polymerizing (meth)acrylic acid, for example.
The official gazette of U.S. Pat. No. 5,504,243 described working examples using a plurality of polymerization inhibitors in combination. The compound stated therein as actually used in combination with an N-nitrosophenylhydroxylamine or a salt thereof is limited to 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinooxyl.
Generally, for the purpose of separating such by-products as low-boiling point substances like acetic acid and some aldehyde and high-boiling point substances like furfural and maleic anhydride which are contained in the (meth)acrylic acid synthesized by the catalytic gas phase oxidation of propylene, for example, the (meth)acrylic acid-containing solution is subjected to distillation, dissipation, extraction, and crystallization. The process production, however, is required to be further simplified. Such in the true status of affairs, when the number of acetic acid separating columns or the number of steps of distillation is decreased by way of simplification, however, the decrease entails the necessity for rigidifying the conditions of distillation. Though the simplification of the process of production constitutes a demand from a social cause, it will be added an occurrence of generation of a polymer because it requires at each step of purification severer conditions of distillation than today. When the polymer is generated, the continuous operation of the purifying column is disabled and the work of removing the polymer from the purifying column is rendered more difficult.
In the light of this true state of affairs, the need for developing in connection with the production of such an easily polymerizing substance as (meth)acrylic acid a method for effectively preventing the occurrence of a polymer in both the gas phase and the liquid phase in a purifying column and consequently attaining continuous operation of the column required inherently and a method for producing the easily polymerizing substance has been earnestly felt.
The present inventors, as a result of pursuing an elaborate study on the function of a nitroso compound manifested in the prevention of polymerization, have found that an N-nitrosophenylhydroxylamine or a salt thereof is decomposed at least partly after it has been added to the step of distillation, the product of this decomposition contains what is possessed of the function of inhibiting polymerization and what is possessed of the function of promoting polymerization in a mixed state, the use of a known N-oxyl compound and other polymerization inhibitor in combination with the decompositions can promote the effect of preventing the polymerization of (meth)acrylic acid, etc., and the supply of the aforementioned compound via a specified point during the introduction thereof into a distilling column can promote the effect of preventing polymerization in the gas phase and repress the effect of the polymerization-promoting substance. This invention has been perfected as a result. Specifically, the object mentioned above is accomplished by the following items (1) to (3).
(1) A method for preventing the polymerization of (meth)acrylic acid and esters thereof, characterized by using an N-nitrosophenylhydroxylamine or a salt thereof in combination with an N-oxyl compound, an N-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine compound, and a 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine compound in a purifying column.
(2) The method described above, wherein the N-nitrosophenylhydroxylamine or the salt thereof, mentioned above is supplied to the purifying column from a level not higher than the position of 70% of the total number of theoretical plates, with the bottom side of the column as the base point.
(3) A method for the production of (meth)acrylic acid or an ester thereof, characterized by incorporating in the process of production the method for the prevention of the polymerization of (meth)acrylic acid and esters thereof as set forth in any of Items (1)-(2).
When the N-nitrosophenylhydroxylamine or the salt thereof is used in combination with an N-oxyl compound, an N-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine compound, and a 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine compound in accordance with this invention, the N-nitrosophenylhydroxylamine or the salt thereof is decomposed in a distilling column and the gas component consequently obtained effectively prevents the polymerization of the easily polymerizing substance existing in the gas phase of the interior of a purifying column and, at the same time, inhibits the polymerization of the easily polymerizing substance by allowing the presence of the N-oxyl compound in the liquid phase thereof. When the N-nitroso compounds mentioned above are supplied to the purifying column at a level not higher than the position of 70% of the total number of theoretical plates in this case, these compounds are decomposed in the distilling column and the gas component consequently obtained effectively prevents the polymerization of the easily polymerizing substance existing in the gas phase of the interior of a purifying column and, at the same time, inhibits the effect of the aforementioned polymerization promoting substance. Thus, the polymerization of the easily polymerizing substance in both the liquid phase and the gas phase can be synergistically inhibited.
The easily polymerizing compounds contemplated by this invention are (meth)acrylic acid and esters thereof which form both the gas and liquid phases in the interior of the purifying column.
When the (meth)acrylic acid and the esters thereof are produced by implementing the method of this invention for preventing the polymerization, the occurrence of a polymer the process of production is inhibited to permit continuous operation of the column and improve the yield of the product.

Method for preventing polymerization of (meth)acrylic acid and esters thereof and method for the production thereof


A weather radar system is operable in an automatic mode for positioning the radar system antenna beam to scan an elevation axis between upper and lower scan limits in incremental steps as selected by a user while continuously scanning an azimuth axis for enhancing the analysis of weather conditions.

This invention relates generally to a weather radar system having the capability of analyzing weather conditions. More particularly, this invention relates to a weather radar system configured for positioning the radar system antenna beam for the purposes described. Still more particularly, this invention relates to a weather radar system of the type described which features an automatic mode for enhancing weather condition analysis and reducing user workload.
Weather radar systems have different requirements depending upon the mission and/or end use of the system. For example, weather radar systems for marine or small aircraft applications are typically directed to detection and avoidance of threatening weather conditions. Systems for land based and medium to large aircraft applications are directed to both detection and analysis of weather conditions. In this regard, it is noted that the purpose of weather condition analysis is to provide weather warnings, as in land based radar applications, and to facilitate decisions to fly through or around weather disturbances, as in airborne radar applications.
To assess the threat of a weather condition, both reflectivity information, which relates to the rate of precipitation due to the weather condition, and information as to the height of the weather condition need to be taken into account. The user of conventional radar systems requires substantial training and experience to be able to accurately analyze a potential weather threat from this information. In the case of airborne radar, user workload is an important consideration as will be appreciated. This consideration is magnified when approaching and landing an aircraft under adverse weather conditions.
In regard to conventional weather radar systems, a user is provided with a single elevation (vertical) plan view on a display. That is to say, a view looking down, with the radar antenna scanning through an azimuth angle (horizontally) at a particular elevation angle. The elevation angle is manually controlled by the user and which control is usually referred to as "tilt control." The user must continually adjust the elevational or tilt of the display to obtain an impression of the height of the various weather conditions and their physical relationship to the user's position. The disadvantages of weather radar systems of the type described are as follows: (1) the single elevation plan view is the only information available at any give time; (2) user skill is required to effectively adjust the tilt of the display to perceive weather condition height information; and (3) continual tilt adjustment disadvantageously adds to the user's workload.
An improvement in the weather radar system art to avoid the aforenoted disadvantages features using the radar antenna in a vertical scanning (elevation)mode. This mode provides a vertical side view on the display at a given radial angle. Height versus range information is thus readily available to the user. The disadvantage to this approach is that the data is only applicable to a selected azimuth angle. Thus, the user is again required to exercise skill and constant attention to assess a weather condition at all azimuth angles.
A further improvement in the weather radar art is advanced in U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,987 (U.S. Class 342/26) issued to Frederick on Jul. 10, 1990. This approach features displaying two simultaneous views of a weather condition, i.e. a conventional plan view and a vertical side or frontal view. The net effect of this approach is to view a weather condition in two intersecting planes. One plane is a horizontal plan view, while the other plane is user selected as a vertical slice along the radar range axis, or a vertical slice perpendicular to said range axis. The vertical slices or views can be adjusted as to their thickness such that, for example, the frontal view represents an integration of the information from one range to another. The disadvantages of this approach are as follows: (1) the user update rate is slow because the antenna beam must be positioned to cover a full volume of space; (2) user interpretation is difficult because the data is included in two intersecting planes as aforenoted; (3) the user workload is high because of the required range or radial angle selection for the vertical slices or views; and (4) the radar system requires substantial hardware (memory) to support this approach.
Still another approach to the noted problem is advanced in U.S. Pat. No. 5,198,819 (U.S. Class 342/26) issued to Susnjara on Mar. 30, 1993. This approach stores multiple plan views in their own display memories. The views are then shown in overlapping fashion on the display, with only the highest of the stored views shown in true weather condition precipitation intensities. The concept of storage of multiple plan views suffers from a long lag time to fill all memory planes. Each horizontal scan usually takes several seconds to complete. Even if the currently scanned view is continuously updated, the displayed complete view has data that could be almost a minute old. This problem is especially evident when aircraft heading changes are made. Further, the overlapping views can lead to dangerous flight conditions for airborne weather systems, in that low altitude features can be overlooked. Also this concept is costly in that a memory plane is needed for all plan views. Finally, a display unit as required is complex and not readily available in current weather radar systems.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an automatic mode of operation for positioning a radar antenna beam in the elevation axis while scanning the horizontal axis to avoid the disadvantages of the prior art.
It is another object of this invention to permit a user to select elevation axis scan limits and elevation axis scan increments to achieve the purposes of the invention.
It is still another object of this invention to provide an automatic mode of operation for the radar system which is user selectable such that activation is on demand as required, with conventional scanning being readily available.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a weather radar system display that is easy to understand so as to minimize interpretation time.
It is a further object of this invention to minimize radar system hardware and to provide an approach which can be readily adapted to a conventional weather radar system.

Weather radar system including an automatic step scan mode


An absorbent article having at least one flap for attachment to the undergarment of a wearer is disclosed. The absorbent article includes biasing means for disposing the flap in an outward direction relative to the undergarment facing side of the absorbent article.

This invention relates to an absorbent article having attachment means extending transversely, relative to the absorbent, for securing the absorbent article during use. More particularly, this invention relates to an absorbent article having at least one attachment panel, flap or wing that is biased in an outward direction relative to the position normally assumed by the panel, flap or wing during use.
Unitary disposable absorbent articles generally all have the same basic structure. An absorbent core that is encased between a liquid-pervious cover, and a liquid-impervious baffle. Numerous variations of the elements in addition to the basic cover, baffle and absorbent core arrangement are known. Each additional element is usually directed to improving a specific characteristic of the absorbent article. Such absorbent articles are now in a wide use as sanitary napkins, panty shields, panty liners and adult incontinence pads. While this invention is directed to all such products, for purposes of simplification, these products will be referred to collectively herein simply as sanitary napkins. Generally, such prior products have performed well, remaining in place and providing the user with ease of placement and removal. However, these products have suffered from certain drawbacks. For example, the inner crotch surface of an undergarment, to which these products are typically adhered, is continually being distorted, twisted and stretched due to the dynamics of the wearer. As a result, frequently the adhesive attachment detaches with the undesirable consequence of the napkin moving out of place. Further, while a napkin frequently reattaches due to the continuing adhesive nature of the pressure sensitive adhesive, reattachment often places the napkin in an undesirable position wherein the napkin does not function properly. In an extreme case, the attachment of the adhesive also results in the adhesive folding over on itself and then becoming unavailable for reattachment.
In an effort to overcome the loss of protection due to the lack of close contact with the body of the wearer, and to ameliorate the above problem, the disposable absorbent article art has been introduced to products having side panels, flaps or wings that generally extend transversely, relative to the longitudinal sides of the central absorbent. As used herein "panels, flaps or wings" will hereinafter be collectively referred to as a flap or flaps. The flaps, which are intended to be folded around the edges of the crotch region of the wearer's panty, are either integral with the cover and/or baffle or fashioned from separate pieces of material attached to the sanitary napkin. When the flaps are separate pieces of material, they have been attached either at the longitudinal edge of the sanitary napkin, or inward thereof. Although the flaps have greatly assisted in properly orienting the sanitary napkin in the crotch of the user's undergarment and in protecting the undergarment from side failures of the sanitary napkin, the flaps have been problematic in their initial placement into the crotch area of the undergarment. Typically, when the protective adhesive peel strip is removed from the garment side of the sanitary napkin, exposing the garment adhesive, the flaps, undesirably, fold inward contacting this adhesive. Thus, the flaps can become adhered to the garment side of the baffle. The user then must extricate the flap prior to placing the sanitary napkin in the crotch portion of the undergarment. It is possible the flap also includes a garment adhesive for added securement. Accordingly, the inadvertent adhering of the flap to the baffle can result in the pad becoming unusable.
Therefore, a need exists for a sanitary napkin having panty protecting flaps which can be secured to and removed from the panty more conveniently and that are easier to use.

Absorbent article having an oppositely biased attachment flap


A method and device for generating a character line of uniform width throughout character size conversion includes predetermining an offset value corresponding to a target line width; adjusting a line width of each character part to the target value without consideration of respective line widths; obtaining coordinate data by reading coordinates of a dot sequence of each character part; reading an offset value corresponding to a character size after coordinate transformation on the basis of the read-out coordinate data. A reference point for a character part from the coordinate data is selected and coordinates of the dot sequence of the character part are transformed to a specified size. A character part font is generated using the transformed dot sequence and superimposing a character part font onto another character part for plotting a character.

The present invention relates to a method and a device for generating a character line of a uniform width through the process of character size conversion and, more particularly, to a uniform line generating method and device for generating high quality characters each having uniform in width vertical and horizontal lines through the process of reducing a size of an outline font composed of turning points.
Such a character-size reducing method has been proposed that a character is disassembled into a plurality of character parts, a sequence of turning points (with coordinates) composing one character part is multiplied by a reduction ratio and a resultant value is round off to an integer. This method, however, can not obtain high-quality characters because of lacking in consideration of line width of transformed characters. Each character of uniform line before its size conversion may have uneven line after conversion.
Japanese laid-open patent No. 1-303489 describes such a proposal that a character is converted in size under the condition that paired line-segments for determining a line width of a character is classified into a reference line-segment and a line-segment to be corrected and a space from a corresponding reference line-segment is taken as a reference width, and then coordinates of correctable line-segment after the character size conversion are determined by coordinates of the reference line-segment and a rounded value of the reference width after the character size conversion.
Since this method determines a reference line width of the converted character from a reference line width of the character before its size conversion, it may be supposed that when a line segment having a slightly different width is converted into a segment of a reduced size, the converted line may be of an uneven width due to a rounding error of the reference line width.
When a dot sequence of a line having a slight unevenness in its width is converted to be reduced in size, the unevenness of the line width may be produced mainly from a round-off error caused when coordinates of the converted dot sequence is rounded off to an integer.
When line widths of vertical and horizontal strokes contained in a character part are to be controlled, a reference line-segment for each directional stroke needs to be preset and a line width needs to be determined. Since the coordinate values of the reference line segments separately set for respective character parts are different from each other, the relative locations of the parts can not be maintained in the process of reducing the character size, resulting in sticking-out or separating of one character from another.

Method and device for generating a character line of uniform width through character size conversion


Methods and devices for shielding displays from electrostatic discharge (ESD) are provided. In one example, a display of an electronic device may include a high resistivity shielding layer configured to protect electrical components from static charges. The display may also include a conductive layer electrically coupled to the high resistivity shielding layer and configured to decrease a discharge time of static charges from the high resistivity shielding layer. The display may include a grounding layer and a conductor electrically coupled between the conductive layer and the grounding layer to direct static charges from the conductive layer to the grounding layer.

The present disclosure relates generally to electronic displays and, more particularly, to devices and methods for shielding displays from electrostatic discharge (ESD).
This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.
Displays, such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and organic light emitting diode (OLED) displays, are commonly used in a wide variety of electronic devices, including such consumer electronics as televisions, computers, and handheld devices (e.g., cellular telephones, audio and video players, gaming systems, and so forth). Such display panels typically provide a display in a relatively thin package that is suitable for use in a variety of electronic goods.
As may be appreciated, a static charge may contact the display of the electronic device during normal operation of the electronic device (e.g., via human skin rubbing against the display, an object rubbing against a protective film of the display, and so forth), or during testing of the electronic device (e.g., using a tool to apply ESD to the electronic device). The display may be formed using certain layers that are used to shield the display from ESD. For example, a high resistivity material may be used to shield the display from ESD. In such configurations, the shielding material may not adequately shield the display from ESD, thereby interfering with an image quality of the display. In contrast, if a layer of material has too low of a resistivity, touch functionality of the display may be adversely affected. For example, touches may be sensed when they do not occur.

Devices and methods for shielding displays from electrostatic discharge


A corona igniter 20 with improved temperature control at the firing end is provided. The corona igniter 20 comprises a central electrode 24 include a core material 30, such as copper, surrounded by a clad material 32, such as nickel. The core material 30 extends longitudinally between an electrode terminal end 34 and an electrode firing end 36. The core material 30 is disposed at the electrode terminal end 34 and has a core length Ic equal to at least 90% of an electrode length Ie of the central electrode 24. At least 97% of the core length Ic is surrounded by an insulator 26. The electrode diameter is increased, such that a clad thickness tcl of the central electrode 24 is equal to at least 5% of an insulator thickness ti, and a core diameter Dc is equal to at least 30% of the insulator thickness ti.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a corona igniter for emitting a radio frequency electric field to ionize a fuel-air mixture and provide a corona discharge, and more particularly to controlling the temperature of the corona igniter during operation.
2. Related Art
A corona igniter of a corona discharge ignition system receives a voltage from a power source and emits an electrical field that forms a corona to ionize a mixture of fuel and air of an internal combustion engine. The igniter includes a central electrode extending longitudinally form an electrode terminal end to an electrode firing end. An insulator is disposed along the central electrode, and a shell is disposed along the insulator.
The electrode terminal end receives the voltage from the power source and the electrode firing end emits the electrical field that forms the corona. The electrical field includes at least one streamer, and typically a plurality of streamers forming the corona. The corona igniter does not include any grounded electrode element in close proximity to the electrode firing end. Rather, the mixture of air and fuel is ignited along the entire length of the high electrical field generated from the electrode firing end. An example of a corona igniter is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2010/0083942 to the present inventor, Lykowski et al.
In internal combustion engine applications, the temperature of the corona igniter, especially at the firing end, impacts ignition performance. Corona igniters of the prior art oftentimes reach undesirable temperatures at the firing end, such as temperatures greater than 950° C. Such high temperatures are likely to degrade the quality of ignition. The corona igniter can experience reduced endurance or other combustion problems.

Corona igniter including temperature control features


A system and method for ground water protection below a pit mine that includes: a first back fill cover over an exposed ground water; layer of polystyrene foam; a rubber membrane placed over the first foam cover; closed cell extruded polystyrene foam placed over the rubber membrane; a layer of contaminated material over the closed cell extruded polystyrene foam, wherein the layer of contaminated material is covered by polystyrene foam, a rubber membrane and polystyrene foam over the rubber membrane; and top soil covering the layer of foam, rubber membrane and foam above the contaminated material.

Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a system to protect groundwater, in particular, exposed groundwater as a result of a pit mine.
Description of Related Art
An open pit mine can create groundwater issues due to exposure within these pit mines. Materials that are used to fill the pit mines is usually contaminated and as a result this contamination gets into the groundwater causing problems with the groundwater. Open pit mines create serious environmental problem for individuals that are dependent upon groundwater sources. As a result, it would be advantageous to have a system developed that shielded and protected groundwater from contaminants caused by pit mine fillings and ensures the groundwater remains in a potable condition.


An electrical heat generating system of the skin effect current type having a two part elongate hollow element of ferromagnetic material enclosing an insulated energizing conductor. One part of the hollow element comprises an open face channel having two elongated, coextensive, spaced longitudinal edges and the other part covers the open face of the channel. When the conductor is energized by an alternating current, the magnetic field generated thereby is confined within the interior of the hollow element to produce heat without any current passing through and along the outer peripheral surfaces thereof. Each of the two parts of the heat generating system may be rectilinear or one or both of the parts may be arcuate and both parts are secured together by staggered stitch welding to provided spaced openings between the stitch welds enabling substantial transverse air flow freely through the hollow element across the conductor and interval surfaces of the hollow element, so that heat is transferred to a pipe to be heated not only by conduction, as by direct contact between the contiguous surfaces of the hollow element and the pipe, but also by convection through the openings and along a portion of the outer perimeter of the pipe. The system can also be used for heating driveways. This system is independent of the element to be heated and can be used in heating adjoining surfaces that are not only metallic but also nonmetallic.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electrical heating systems of the skin effect current type and, more particularly, to an improved heat generating system utilizing not only conduction but also convection in a two part cross sectional structure that is independent of the means being heated.
2. Description of Prior Art
The use of an alternating current generated power source for heating pipe lines conveying viscous fluids are well known, as seen in U.S. Pat. No. 2,802,520, wherein the heater element consisted of a co-axial arrangement of an insulated copper conductor and a copper pipe with one end of the conductor connected to one terminal of its alternating current source, the other end of the conductor connected to a far end of the copper pipe and the near end of the copper pipe connected to the other terminal of the alternating current power source. The heat generated by the heater was of a lower wattage output because of the lower resistivity of the copper pipe, as against the higher resistivity of a steel pipe.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,293,407, the importance of using a highly resistive ferromagnetic pipe as the outer sheath of a co-axial arrangement with an electrically insulated copper conductor was taught for use in heating large diameter pipe lines through the skin effect procedure, both arcuate surfaces being joined by single line contact, that is, at their point of tangency. It was recognized from the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 3,293,407 that a number of small diameter heat tubes would be required to heat large diameter pipe lines in order to take the fullest advantage of skin effect heating. In Japanese Pat. No. 629819, registered Jan. 5, 1972 (No. S46-19345, published May 31, 1971) the same inventor, Masao Ando, of U.S. Pat. No. 3,293,407, taught the use of a larger area of contact between the heat tube and the pipe line, thereby facilitating greater transfer of heat to the pipe line.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,617,699 it is taught that by the use of a structural form other than a tube, such as a semi-round shaped element having its longitudinal edges continuously welded to the pipe line would function as a skin effect heating member with higher wattage output per foot, thereby reducing the number of heat tubes heretofore required. Another teaching employing the skin effect of alternating current is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,706,872 wherein staggered stitch welding in lieu of continuous welding is employed for reducing the installation cost of that in U.S. Pat. No. 3,617,699. In both U.S. Pat. No. 3,617,699 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,706,872 patents a portion of the wall of the pipe being heated is utilized in conjunction with the semi-round structure of U.S. Pat. No. 3,617,699 and angular structure of U.S. Pat. No. 3,706,872 for the return leg of the alternating current. This is necessary in order to create the magnetic field necessary for skin effect heating. And in U.S. Pat. No. 3,718,804 the above prior art is reviewed indicating the fear of dielectric breakdown in such installations with resultant arcing and blow-through in the portion of the pipe wall being used as part of the return leg of the alternating current.
Skin effect heating elements that are currently in use are mostly of the tubular type which provide minimal contact with the surface to be heated, as is evident in U.S. Pat. No. 3,293,407 and in brochure entitled "Electric Heating System for Pipelines", Page 4, published by Pipe Heating Systems, Inc. of Brecksville, Ohio, and as indicated on page 5 of said brochure, the major portion of the heating element is encapsulated within the thermal insulation of the pipeline. Furthermore, the annular space within the tubular element forms a dead air space that also retards the flow of heat from the tubular element to the surface being heated. Publications illustrating insulation systems for large pipes and the like are described in brochure entitled "Insulation Systems, Metal-On," distributed by Johns-Manville, Ken-Caryl Ranch, Denver, Colorado and in brochure entitled "Poly-Therm Piping System" distributed by Perma-Pipe, a Division of Midwesco, Inc. of Niles, Illinois. Both brochures disclose several means of heat tracing and in the majority of cases the tracers are shown on the top side of the pipe being heated where the heat loss is greatest.

Skin effect heat generating unit having convective and conductive transfer of heat


A door jamb assembly having a interchangeable multi-component design allowing for the framing of doorways with different configurations by first selecting a main frame and a decorative trim that conforms with the doorway and then securing the first end of the main frame, being attached to the decorative trim, onto a wall with the use of an attachment flange and securing the second end of the main frame to an interior jamb with the use of a fastener.

This invention relates generally to door jambs, and more specifically to a door jamb assembly having a multi-component design allowing for customizability by combining the various components for each specific order such as color, doorway size, or exterior trim style.
The present invention is a doorjamb assembly having an interchangeable multi-component design allowing for customizability of each individual doorway by combining various components. Each differences in configuration of each doorway(such as size, wall width, trim design, etc., can be specifically ordered and attached to the door jamb assembly as to conform not only with the doorway but also the thickness of the wall. In addition, once installed, the doorjamb assembly requires no further finishing. If the door jamb is composed of a material such as high density polyurethane the assembly will also likely be maintenance free. In addition the door jamb assembly can be mated with itself to provide for a sash support.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,303 discloses an improved door jamb and brickmold assembly having a wooded or plastic jamb and a unitary extruded thermoplastic brickmold and stop.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,866 discloses an improved door jamb construction adapted to be used with left or right-handed door installations.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,295,299 discloses a door frame constructed primarily of wood, and having a metal cladding surrounding a portion of the frame.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,330,972 discloses a door frame for mounting pre-hung doors in door openings of an existing structure.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,123 discloses a vinyl door frame assembly.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,180,944 discloses a door jamb made of a plurality of sections which are maintained together in a rigid stable frame.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,019,303 discloses a process for making an adjustable split door frame.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,126,975 discloses a casing construction for secure mounting in wall openings.
Briefly, the present invention comprises a door jamb assembly having a main frame having a face, a first end and a second end providing for the attachment of a door jamb thereto by a fastener. Protruding from the first end of the main frame is an extension for engaging a portion of a decorative trim. A seal can be connected to the face of the extension to provide a weatherproof seal with the decorative trim. Extending from the second end of the main frame and sufficient to overlap a portion of a door jamb is a lip. Located within the door jamb assembly is a member for securing an attachment flange. The attachment flange, once connected to the member then secures the door jamb assembly onto a wall.


A hoist for roll material surface treatment composes of a lift platform means, a securing means, a hoist means and a transmission means. There are two pairs of spaced bars in the hoist means engagable with two pairs of spaced V-shape blocks in the securing mean allowing the hoist means to load or discharge a roll material supported by the lift platform means. There are rotary shafts in the hoist means for suspending the roll material through the central opening thereof The roll material is compressed between layers at the upper portion and stretched to form loosely gap between layers at the lower portion. The roll material is hoisted and immersed in a processing tank. When rotary shaft and the roll material are driven to rotate by the transmission means, the upper portion of the roll material squeeze out the processing liquid while the lower portion allow processing liquid to sip into the gap and uniformly cover the surface of the roll material. Thus roll material can get a uniform surface treatment.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a hoist for roll material surface treatment and particularly to an apparatus which has power transmission means and rotary shaft to enable a roll material rotating in the processing liquid for achieving uniform surface treatment.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A roll or coil material is usually formed by winding and laminating a thin strip of material such as steel wire or sheet in annular crossection.
As steel wire or sheet is formed by drawing, extension or extrusion during the production process, it prones to oxidize. Oxidization also takes place when a roll of steel wire or sheet being stored in the stockroom. It therefore needs surface treatment to prevent exidization.
Conventional surface treatment for roll material includes an electric hoist to suspend a roll material in the processing liquid and to generate up and down vibration on the roll for allowing processing liquid to sip between laminates and cover the surface of the material. As the roll of material being laminated and stacked tightly, it usually results in too small gap between two laminates. Processing liquid can not uniformly covers the entire surface thus resulting in not effective surface treatment.

Hoist for roll material surface treatment


Particle filtration of a feed of highly corrosive ultra pure water and contaminants is disclosed through a metal oxide membrane on ceramic support in combination with on-line ozonation. In one aspect, the filtering of ultra pure water includes passing the feed cross-flow through a multichannel sintered monolithic metal oxide membrane on ceramic support to form a permeate of particle-free ultra pure water. Although high recoveries per pass rates were used, no detectable metal ions including aluminum, zirconium, or yttrium ions were found in the ultra pure water permeate. The apparatus and process of the present invention for filtering ultra pure water include cross-flow filtration using multichannel monolithic ceramic membranes at suitable pore sizes in a total chemical process system including elevated temperatures and on-line ozonation sterilization of the ceramic membrane particle filter in high purity water applications for electronics manufacturing.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to novel apparatus and process for continuous or on-line ozonation in ultra pure water membrane filtration. In one aspect, the invention relates to a separations process for continuous or on-line ozonation in providing particle-free ultra pure water by membrane filtration for use in the electronics and semiconductor industries.
2. Background
High purity water is required for semiconductor device manufacturing. In semiconductor manufacturing, high purity water is used primarily for wafer rinsing. This rinsing process removes both contaminants inadvertently introduced to the wafer during the manufacturing process as well as chemicals intentionally introduced to the wafer for the purpose either of cleaning or of etching patterns into the semiconductor surface or the conductive or dielectric thin films grown or deposited on this surface as required to produce a semiconductor device.
These cleaning or etching chemicals include, but are not limited to ammonium fluoride, piranha solutions (the generic name used for mixtures of sulfuric acid and a strong oxidizer: usually hydrogen peroxide or ozone), and the two component solutions comprising the industry standard RCA cleaning method, i.e., the so-called SC-1 and SC-2 solutions. (W. Kern and D. A. Puotinen, RCA Review, Volume 31, pp. 187, 1970.) SC-1 is a mixture of ammonium hydroxide, unstabilized hydrogen peroxide, and ultra pure water. SC-2 is a mixture of hydrochloric acid, unstabilized hydrogen peroxide, and ultra pure water.
Ultra pure water rinses are also used to remove the solvents used for the removal of photoresists.
Ultra pure water is the chemical used in the greatest quantity in semiconductor manufacturing, and extremely large quantities of ultra pure water are produced in modern semiconductor production facilities.
The greatest cause of yield loss in modern semiconductor manufacturing is particulate contamination. Particles interrupt the photolithographic patterns that define integrated circuit components and can cause open circuits in the conductive metal thin films that wire these circuits together. When attached to a semiconductor wafer, particles are extremely difficult to remove as they electrostatically bond to the wafer. Therefore, all of the fluids which contact the semiconductor wafer must be rigorously filtered to remove particles. This includes ultra pure water.
Conventional processes for producing ultra pure water typically use dead-end filtration with polymeric membranes. For example, conventional ultrafilters (similar in design to RO membrane systems) are used to produce high purity water for electronics applications. Spiral wound membranes, another commonly employed technology, require low solids in the feed stream and have high pressure drops associated with the restrictive liquid flow paths through their extremely narrow channels. The fouling of polymeric ultrafilters is a problem as is the requirement to periodically clean these filters off line. (D. Sinha, "Pretreatment Process Considerations for the Semiconductor Industry", Ultrapure Water 7(6), pp. 21-30 (1990).)
These and other known processes for producing ultra pure water for the electronics or semiconductor manufacturing applications are represented in the following.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,292,439, assigned to Mitsubishi Kasei of Japan, discloses a method for preparing ultra pure water for use in electronics industries. The patent discloses that the water quality of ultra pure water is largely affected by impurities eluted from the materials constituting the purification apparatus. (Col. 1, bottom). An improved ion exchange process is provided to overcome the problems of the impurities eluted from the materials constituting the purification apparatus.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,259,972, assigned to Nippon Rensui and Mitsubishi Denki of Japan, discloses apparatus and method for purifying water for use in the electronics industry. The patent discloses that it is known to combine an ultrafilter membrane with ion exchange, ultraviolet (UV) sterilizers, cartridge filters, reverse osmosis (RO) and other components to produce ultra pure water. (Col. 1, line 18).
U.S. Pat. No. 5,160,429, assigned to Tadahiro Ohmi of Japan, discloses supplying ultra pure water for the electronic industry. The patent shows the use of ultrafiltration units 108 and 109.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,128,043 discloses apparatus and method for purifying water for use in the electronic industry. The patent discloses using an electric field. A specific object is to remove particles. Another object is to provide a method and apparatus not affected by ozone. A membrane filter 4 removes particulates. A final filter 12 is sized at 0.2 microns.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,124,033, assigned to Shinko Pantec of Japan, discloses an ultra pure water producing system for the semiconductor manufacturing process. Metallic ions and particulates are removed. An ultrafilter 39 is disclosed. The patent discloses that when water comes in contact with the materials of the devices and pipings, materials such as silica are leached out.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,073,268, assigned to Ebara Corp. of Japan, discloses a process for purifying water or ultra pure water for use in the electronics industry. An ultrafilter unit 22 is disclosed.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,061,374, assigned to Micron Technology of Boise, Id., discloses an ultra pure water system employing a second train which reduces particulate in the manufacture of integrated chips (IC's). The patent discloses ozone and membrane filters and reduces particulate in the water to a level of less than 30 counts per milliliter sizes 0.1 micron to 1 micron. (Col. 1, lines 48-50.)
U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,766 discloses water purification which reduces particulate in semiconductor manufacturing. The patent discloses ozone and submicron filter 20. Polymeric membrane filters marketed as Fluorodyne are disclosed at the top of Col. 9.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,879,041, assigned to Hitachi of Japan, discloses a process for producing ultra pure water for semiconductor manufacturing. The patent discloses ozone and membrane filters.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,863,608, assigned to Nomura Micro Science of Japan, discloses a process for producing ultra pure water for integrated circuits manufacturing. The patent discloses ultrafiltration and microfiltration.

On-line ozonation in ultra pure water membrane filtration


A seeding machine having a main seed hopper is in communication with a planting unit by a flexible tube. The planting unit has a horizontal working position and a vertical transport position. The main hopper supplies seed by gravity to the planting unit through the flexible tube. The planting unit comprises a unit hopper and a seed meter. Seed is metered by the seed meter before being discharged to a seed tube and eventually a planting furrow. Seed from the flexible tube passes through the unit hopper to the seed meter. The unit hopper is provided with a baffle. Seed passing through the unit hopper to the seed meter passes beneath the concave surface of the baffle. As the planting unit is pivoted from its horizontal working position to its vertical transport position seed from the seed meter flows over the top of the baffle and is held in the unit hopper. As the planting unit is pivoted back into its horizontal working seed flows back into the seed meter from the unit hopper before seed starts flowing back into the seed meter through the inlet.

The present invention is directed to a baffle used in a planting unit hopper for directing seed from the seed puddle of a seed meter into a unit hopper as the planting unit is rotated from its horizontal working position into its vertical transport position. When the planting unit is rotated back to its horizontal working position seed in the unit hopper flows back into the seed meter before seed in the seed inlet flows back into the seed meter.
Row crop planters are seeding machines used to plant row crops. Typically row crop planters are provided with a number of planting units. Each planting unit comprises a seed hopper, a seed meter, a furrow opener with depth gauge wheels, closing wheels, and a seed tube. The seed hopper delivers seed to the seed meter. The seed meter in turn meters the seed and discharges the metered seed to a seed tube. The furrow opener with depth gauge wheels forms a planting furrow of the correct depth. The metered seed is discharged into the planting furrow by the seed tube. The planting furrow is closed by closing wheels that seal the seed in the planting furrow.
Seed meters may be of a mechanical type or pneumatic type. Pneumatic seed meters include vacuum seed meters wherein a vacuum is used to draw seed to a seed disc and positive pressure systems. A mechanical type seed meter is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,720,233 and a vacuum type seed meter is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,412.
Unit hoppers on planting units have also been supplied seed from a main hopper. An example of such a system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,392,722.
In addition, it is also known to seal a seed meter as it is moved from a working position to a transport position. An example of this is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,325,800.
It is also known to pivot planting units vertically on their noses from a horizontal working position to a vertical working position.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a baffle assembly in a planting unit that retains seed in the planting unit when the planting unit is pivoted vertically on its nose from its horizontal working position to its vertical transport position.
The baffle assembly holds the seed puddle low enough so that when the row unit is pivoted from its horizontal working position into its vertical transport position the seed from inside the seed meter housing flows into the unit hopper over the baffle. When the row unit is lowered into its horizontal position the seed that flowed out of the seed meter into the unit hopper flows back into the meter housing prior to additional seed entering the meter housing from the inlet.
The planting unit is coupled to a frame having a main seed hopper. The main seed hopper is coupled to the planting unit by a flexible tube. The main hopper supplies seed by gravity to the planting unit through the flexible tube. The planting unit comprises a unit hopper and a seed meter. Seed is metered by the seed meter before being discharged to a seed tube and eventually a planting furrow. Seed from the flexible tube passes through the unit hopper to the seed meter. The unit hopper is provided with a baffle. Seed passing through the unit hopper to the seed meter passes beneath the concave surface of the baffle. The seed forms a seed puddle in the seed meter. As the planting unit is pivoted on its nose to its vertical transport position, seed from the seed puddle is directed into the unit hopper by the convex surface of the baffle, as seed from the seed meter flows back into the unit hopper over the top of the baffle. When the row unit is rotated back to its horizontal working position, the seed originally from the seed meter and held in the unit hopper on top of the baffle flows back into the seed meter before seed starts to flow into the seed meter from the inlet under the baffle.
The unit hopper is made from plastic and is riveted onto the seed meter. The unit hopper is provided with an open top having a detachable cover for removing seed from the unit hopper.


A medical device packaging assembly includes a cover (10), a medical packaging paper (20), a medical device (50), and an adhesive dressing (30). The cover has a pocket (14) and a perimeter (12) extending from the perimeter of the pocket. The medical packaging paper forms a hermetically tight seal between the medical packaging paper and the perimeter of the cover around the pocket. The medical device is contained in the hermetically sealed pocket along with the adhesive dressing. The adhesive dressing is removably adhered to the medical packaging paper.

After intravenous (IV) catheterization, it is necessary to secure the IV catheter to the patient's skin to prevent, among other things, movement of the catheter in relation to the blood vessels and premature dislodgement of the catheter. The catheter hub is typically secured by taping the hub to the patient skin through the use of IV dressing and/or medical tape. Of late, there is a shift in preference to using commercially available catheter stabilization device to stabilize the catheter in the patient. These catheter stabilization devices are typically separate products that come in their own packaging. In the midst of a growing awareness towards the environmental effect of medical waste disposal, there is opportunity to improve the stabilization of the catheter while addressing the negative environmental impact of medical waste.

Utilization of packaging paper as stabilization device


A cartridge dispenser for razor blade cartridges including latches that retain cartridges in predetermined positions permitting connection to a handle connecting structure on a handle as the handle is moved toward the cartridge, each latch having a latch camming structure that is shaped and positioned to interact with corresponding handle camming structure so as to cause the latch to be deflected and to unlatch a cartridge as the handle is moved toward and connected to cartridge connecting structure of a cartridge. The dispenser also has blade unit dividers that extend from the base, are substantially perpendicular to the base, and define blade unit regions in which the blade units are received, and angled dividers that extend from the ends of respective blade unit dividers at acute angles with the base and define angled regions through which the blade units pass in delivery to and removal from the blade unit regions and in which the cartridge connecting structure is received.

The invention relates to dispensing razor blade cartridges from a dispenser onto a handle.
Razor blade cartridges are typically removed from a dispenser by connecting the handle to the cartridge while the cartridge is still retained in the dispenser. The user then pivotally moves the handle with respect to the dispenser, using the leverage of the handle against a friction or interference fit of a projection that holds the cartridge body, and frees the cartridge from the dispenser. When the cartridge is of a type that has a pivotal connection to the handle, the user must pivot the handle beyond the range of motion allowed by the pivotal connection before leverage is applied to the friction or interference fit.

Dispensing razor blade cartridges used with a handle


An extended ventilated seat covering assembly includes a backing sheet, and protrusions, studs or spacing members extending outward from the backing sheet to support the user, with the sides of the assembly extending laterally beyond the normal seating area of the user, and being entirely open at the outer edges to permit the free circulation of cooling air. When employed with bucket seats, the assembly may include a basic central area, additional side areas angled forward or upward where the bucket seat sides are angled inward, and finally additional outwardly directed "wings" to assure free inward flow of cooling and ventilating air.

Various covering assemblies for seats have been proposed heretofore for cooling and/or massaging the user of the seat, such as the driver of an automobile. In this regard, one known arrangement uses an array of beads which are intended to extend over the normal seating area. F. Karver U.S. Pat. No. 3,132,523 and my prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,981,324 both show seat covering arrangements which blow air under pressure onto the driver. Further, H. H. Trotman et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,313,640 and 4,435,015 both show arrays of studs which protrude from rear sheet members, but where the assembly is sealed around its outer edges.
However, all of these arrangements suffer from serious drawbacks. For example, in the bead arrangements, little ventilation occurs. The forced air systems, while they appear to have potential for achieving the desired ventilation and cooling, are expensive and elaborate to implement. Finally, the Trotman systems with the raised studs appear promising, but the sealed peripheries of the units prevents the flow of ventilation air from the ambient to the user's seating areas, including to the back and underneath the user.

Extended ventilating seat covering assembly


A method for continuous pressure swing adsorption separation of a pressurized feed gas stream, including separating hydrocarbons heavier than methane from the pressurized feed gas stream by applying an adsorbent porous material to produce at least two product streams, a first product stream being substantially pure methane suitable for transport by natural gas pipeline, and a second product stream being substantially comprised of components with a greater molecular weight than methane.

Field
Embodiments of the disclosure relate to separations for components of a natural gas stream. In particular, embodiments of the disclosure relate to producing substantially pure methane from natural gas using porous materials to capture heavier carbon components such as natural gas liquids (NGLs). The disclosure also relates to recovery of heavier hydrocarbons, such as ethane, propane and butane from a natural gas stream, and separations of hydrocarbon gas streams comprised mostly of hydrocarbons heavier than methane.
Description of the Related Art
Raw natural gas contains concentrations of natural gas liquids (NGLs) and other non-methane contaminants that need to be removed by gas processing in order to meet specifications required by a pipeline or end use. As well, NGL components such as ethane, propane, and butane can have higher sales values than pipeline gas, which is largely comprised of methane. Ethane is a valuable chemical feedstock, and propane and butane can be blended to form liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) which is a valuable residential fuel. Therefore, NGLs are oftentimes extracted and fractionated in gas processing plants in accordance with the specific requirements of the regional markets and customers. Generally, commercial NGL specifications require less than about 0.5% by liquid volume of methane and less than 500 ppm of CO2 by volume in liquid.
As a commercial fuel source, natural gas distributors and consumers need to know the expected range of quality of the fuel being delivered, and ideally need to have some control over the variability of that fuel to assure compliance with regulations, to protect equipment, and most importantly, to ensure safety for all involved in natural gas processing, transport, and use. Therefore, specifications help limit the range of variability inherent in natural gas transported around the world. Generally, pipeline specifications indicate that there should be less than about 4.0 mol. % of other non-hydrocarbon gases (for example N2+CO2) in the natural gas, less than about 10 mol. % ethane in the natural gas, and the specific energy content of the natural gas should not exceed about 1,100 British thermal unit per standard cubic foot of natural gas (btu/scf).
Variables that affect choice of the most cost-effective process for maximizing NGL separation and recovery include: inlet conditions such as for example gas pressure, richness and contaminants; downstream conditions such as for example residue gas pressure, liquid products desired, and liquid fractionation infrastructure; and overall conditions such as for example utility costs and fuel value, location, existing location infrastructure and market stability. Because of this variability, there are a number of ways to recover NGLs from natural gas streams, and market demand and perceived return on investment drive the technology choice.
Mechanical refrigeration is a conventional option for NGL recovery, where natural gas is chilled until heavy components such as hexanes and heavier hydrocarbons (C≥6 hydrocarbons) condense out of the feed gas. Some of the intermediate components, such as butane and pentane can also be recovered, but there is limited recovery of ethane and propane. In order to achieve better recovery of ethane and propane from feed gases, cryogenic or turboexpander processes are typically used. These 'cryo' processes use the expansion of the natural gas stream to reduce the temperature to about −120° F. to about −140° F., so that most of the natural gas becomes liquefied and can be separated using distillation columns. This technology offers improved NGL recovery potential, but at much higher capital and operating expenditures. Cryo processes also require longer lead times to build and fabricate the specialty equipment necessary for their operation, such as the turboexpanders and aluminum heat exchangers.
Expander-based cryogenic processes require high inlet pressures to produce desired distillation column top temperatures for achieving optimal ethane and propane recovery. In most instances, an inlet pressure of greater than about 800 psia is desired for expander processes, meaning that low pressure gases must require significant inlet compression for separation to be efficient. Economies of scale then dictate that large cryogenic trains are necessary to share the "per unit cost" of compression, both at the inlet and to bring sales gas back to suitable pipeline pressures. These large trains are less tolerant of turndown because with reduced flow, either the turboexpander will not be able to achieve the low temperatures needed to operate the distillation/demethanizer column or the flowrates in the demethanizer will be insufficient to maintain the proper flow patterns.
Carbon dioxide in a feed gas will normally be split between the heavier hydrocarbons and methane, potentially affecting the product specifications, both for heavy and light products. Carbon dioxide can also freeze in a cryogenic or refrigeration process. Any 'cold' process for recovery of heavier hydrocarbons when carbon dioxide is present in the inlet gas must either operate in a region that will avoid freezing or provide carbon dioxide removal from one or more streams. Separation with greater than about 2 mol. % carbon dioxide in the inlet gas is not possible with cryogenic processes because freezing will result at either the top of the demethanizer column or at the side of the reboiler. This means that a cryogenic ethane recovery facility will require treating of carbon dioxide at more than one location of the process.
As richness of an inlet gas increases, heat exchanger pinch points will begin to appear in a cryogenic process. An external refrigeration system will be required to complement the cryogenic process to avoid these pinch points and to provide the energy to compensate for the relatively large amounts of energy leaving the system as liquid NGL product. Specifically, this occurs when the process is targeted to enhance recovery of ethane from a raw natural gas stream. As ethane recovery percentage increases, energy intensity also increases significantly. A typical ethane recovery range can be between about 60-85% for a cryogenic process, and any greater percentage of ethane recovery becomes more difficult and energy intensive because of the significant recompression horsepower required to enhance ethane recovery processes. Ethane recovery using mechanical refrigeration is not practical for industrial application.
The presence of large amounts of light inert gases also impacts ethane recovery in a cryogenic plant because the light components interfere with the efficiency and the ability to condense the reflux stream within the cryogenic process.
Undesirably, in existing processes, unrecovered propane and butane in a sales gas stream, which are more valuable as liquid products, will be sold at a discount in the sales gas (methane). In addition, unrecovered propane and butane will result in an increase in heating value and dewpoint of the sales gas, potentially exceeding pipeline specifications and resulting in financial penalties.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Porous materials for natural gas liquids separations


A wood fiber board (6) which is provided with a decorative layer (3) of paper or similar material, and where the length or width value of the decorative layer (3) deviates from its original value after it is applied to the wood fiber board (6), is cut into uniform panels using a board-dividing apparatus that compensates for these deviations. The board-dividing apparatus has a saw (1) that preferably has a plurality of saw blades (S1, S2, . . . Sn) which are adjustably spaced in parallel fashion. The board-dividing apparatus is equipped with a number of cameras and with controller which utilizes deviation measurement information to adjust the spacing of the saw blades. The wood fiber board (6) is first aligned with at least one initial camera (4a) at a point P1. Then, predetermined points (P1 and P2) in the decorative layer (3) are recorded by the first camera (4a) and a second camera (4b). A distance (L) between the points (P1 and P2) is determined, and thee discrepancy in the width or length value is determined by comparison of the actual position and the desired position of the points (P1 and P2). Then, the value of the determined discrepancy (A) is placed in relation to the number (n) of the saw blades (Sn), and the parallel spacing (a) of the saw blades (Sn) is modified by the value of the ratio of the discrepancy to the number of saw blades (A/n). The orientation of the wood fiber board (6) to the saw (1) is displaced to one side in the amount of one half the determined discrepancy (A), and then the wood fiber board (6) is transported toward the saw (1) for cutting out the panels.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is directed to a process for cutting panels, or the like, from a wood fiber board which is provided, in particular, with a decorative layer basically consisting of paper, where the length and/or width value of the decorative layer deviates from its original value after it is applied to the wood fiber board, which process employs a board-dividing apparatus exhibiting at least one saw, where the saw is formed by a plurality of saw blades which are adjustably spaced in parallel fashion.
2. Background Description
Panels are employed in, e.g., flooring, particularly laminate flooring. The desired decoration (parquet, wood graining, floor tiles, etc.) is printed on a paper web, which is then coated with artificial resin and rolled onto a roller. The decorative web thus prepared is then applied to the wood fiber boards at the floor manufacturer. With the printing of the decoration onto the paper web, the later sealing of the paper web with artificial resin, and the subsequent attachment of the decorative layer by means of pressure and temperature to the wood fiber board, the dimensions of the paper are modified. The paper grows both in length (lengthwise growth) and width (widthwise growth). If this decorative board is only to be cut into individual panels, the growth in length and width must be taken into account, since otherwise there will be a non-uniform distribution of the decoration on the individual panels. The result of this would be that the floor composed of an unevenly distributed decorative layer would exhibit gaps in the decoration on the connecting rims of the panels. Even if these gaps amount to only a few millimeters, they are noticeable upon closer observation, and this has a negative aesthetic effect and thus diminishes the quality of the laid-out floor.
In order to manufacture according to quality standards, the paper growth must be ascertained and the saw adjusted accordingly. Since this occurs manually, the process is very time-consuming and therefore cost-intensive. If the dimensions are not correctly determined, the danger of immediately producing rejects is high. Particularly when joined tiles are printed as decoration, slight discrepancies in individual panels are noticeable at the joint abutments. A discrepancy of only 2 mm is unacceptable since this could entail the complete displacement of the joint. Thus the saw must be permanently reset, which highly increases the cost of the panels.
According to the invention an automated cutting process with the paper growth taken into account is performed using the following steps:
the wood fiber board is aligned with at least one initial camera;
a defined, predetermined point in the decorative layer is recorded by each of the first camera and a second camera;
the distance between the points is determined;
the discrepancy in the width or length value is determined by comparison of the actual position and the desired position of the points;
the value of the determined discrepancy A is placed in relation to the number n of the saw blades;
the parallel spacing of the saw blades is modified by the value of the ratio of the discrepancy to the number of saw blades A/n;
the orientation of the wood fiber board to the saw is displaced to one side in the amount of one half the determined discrepancy; and then
the wood fiber board is transported toward the saw for cutting out the panels.
Instead of setting the value of the determined discrepancy into relation with the number of saw blades and then adjusting the parallel distance accordingly, as an alternative it is possible to set the determined distance between the points (actual value) into relation with the number of saw blades and then to adjust the parallel spacing between the saw blades to the value of the ratio of the distance to the number of saw blades (L/n).
With this process, it is possible to automatically record or determine the paper growth and, with the resulting data, to adjust the saw and to position the wood board in front of the saw, without the need for conceptual activity, which is fundamentally subject to risk of error. Since a reproducible adjustment is made again and again, the quality of the sawed panels is very high. Even difficult decorations, e.g., file decorations, can be processed with a high level of quality and in a cost-effective way.
If another defined point is recorded with a third camera and the actual position of the points is again compared with the desired position of the points, the growth in the other direction can simultaneously be determined. In keeping with the determined data, both the longitudinal saw and the transverse saw are adjusted, and the wood board is moved in one direction by half the amount of the offset from the saw; here the offset, i.e., the growth in length and width, do not have to be identical, and the overall result is that even a complicated behavior can be controlled. Instead of identifying defined points in the decorative layer with the camera, it is also possible to apply markings to the edge of the paper web, markings which can be detected by the cameras. With this measure it is possible to apply the process according to the invention even when a low-contrast decoration is involved.
Ideally the determined discrepancy will be stored with an added amount for tolerance. Other boards that follow the first board, which was measured in the manner described above, are brought into line with the first camera, and the discrepancy in the width and/or length value is then determined. The discrepancy thus determined is compared with the total of the discrepancy of the first board less the tolerance addition, and only if the discrepancy of the later board is greater than that of the first board less the tolerance range will there be a new adjustment of the saw blades and a new repositioning of the wood fiber board by half the amount of the discrepancy or, as the case may be, only then will the saw be moved up by the corresponding amount.
With this measure it is possible to individually adjust the tolerance to the given decoration, which permits production to be immediately adjusted to the demanded or accepted standard of quality. Thus, in a tile decoration it will be necessary to select a fundamentally smaller tolerance range than is the case with a grooved floor decoration or a veneer decoration. The saw blades can be positioned on a common shaft. It is also possible to form the saw from individually driven saw blades, whose distance from each other is adjustable.

Process for cutting out panels or the like


In a still picture reproduction system used for presentation of pictures in museums, a particular still picture can be retrieved rapidly by applying a retroactive reproduction function. When the mode is switched from a normal reproduction mode to a retroactive reproduction mode by a mouse, only the first still picture of a series of still pictures reproduced in the normal reproduction mode is reproduced and displayed on an HDTV. These first still pictures in each of a number of series are selectively and manually switched in sequence.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a still picture reproduction system that allows skip retrieval, and more particularly, to a still picture reproduction system for displaying each still picture in a plurality of series of such pictures recorded on a recording medium.
2. Description of the Background Art
In art galleries and museums, presentation of artistic works and the like is carried out using a high definition television (HDTV). In this presentation, a still picture reproduction system is used for sequentially displaying a still picture of artistic works according to a predetermined program.
A typical still picture reproduction system includes a microcomputer for controlling the order and time period for displaying a still picture, a magneto-optical disk reproduction apparatus, and an HDTV.
According to a conventional still picture reproduction system, a still picture to be displayed is designated by a predetermined order by a microcomputer, whereby the designated still picture is reproduced from a magneto-optical disk by a magneto-optical disk reproduction apparatus. The reproduced still picture is displayed by the HDTV for a predetermined time period.
Such a presentation is carried out by switching the still pictures automatically or manually. For example, still pictures having mutual relation are switched automatically, such as in the case where still pictures of a plurality of works painted by a certain painter are presented. In contrast, a still picture on the screen of the monitor is switched manually according to the explanation of the presenter, such as in the case where the presentation changes from the last still picture of a series of still pictures of the works of a certain artist to the first still picture of a series of still pictures of the works of another artist.
It is often necessary to display a particular still picture again after the presentation when all the still pictures forming a plurality of series have been sequentially displayed, or when the presenter wants to display a certain still picture during the presentation to respond to a question from the audience.
In such a case, the already-displayed still pictures had to be displayed one by one again in the opposite order until the desired still picture appears on the screen in a conventional still picture reproduction system, similar to the case of presentation using a slide projector. Therefore, retrieval of a particular still picture was time consuming.
The assignee of the present application has disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2-309882 a system for displaying a still picture at a timing determined according to position information from an audio reproduction apparatus, and in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 3-46073 a system that reduces in size a lengthwise still picture for displaying the entire picture thereof. However, there is no disclosure of a technique for selectively displaying again a particular still picture from a plurality of still pictures already displayed.

Still picture reproduction system that allows skip retrieval


This invention relates to an automated device for loading a centrifuge where tubes are presented to the centrifuge via an automated routing system.

This invention relates to an automated device for processing sample containers through a device which requires a particular arrangement of these containers. More specifically this invention relates to a robotic device, also called a station, which is capable of transferring test tubes from a device which brings sample to the centrifuged to the vicinity of the centrifuge, arranges them in a balanced fashion in centrifuge sample carriers on an intermediate staging area, loads and unloads the centrifuge, and transfers the processed samples to their originating point, or to a third point or device.
Centrifuging is a necessary step in the processing of blood samples in a clinical laboratory setting. Most current clinical tests require that serum or plasma be separated from red blood cells, and other blood debris, before an assay can be run on the sample. Most often this is accomplished by centrifugation, although dialysis- or filtration-type technologies are used in some operations, particularly here only a small quantity of sample is available. But for the most part, centrifugation is an essential preparatory step in the processing and testing of blood samples in a clinical laboratory setting.
Lab automation is becoming a standard in clinical laboratories which do large test volumes. Automation in the large lab context is moving to an assembly-line type operation. Samples are introduced onto an automated sample routing system. Conveyor belt systems are the preferred choice in most automated systems. The system moves test tubes to some predetermined location based on information on the order form associated with that sample which has been fed into the system""s control mechanism. At the predetermined stop, the sample tube is put into a holding pattern, an aliquot is removed, and the aliquot is tested for the analyte as per its order form. See for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,623,415 which is incorporated by reference herein in full.
While several automated routing systems are now marketed or are functioning in captive labs, their through-put is often no faster than the preparation and/or loading step. Centrifugation takes 7 to 10 minutes for cycling through a load of tubes, i.e., loading up the centrifuge baskets, spinning down the blood samples, and unloading the processed tubes. Most if not all sample prep steps involving centrifugation is now done prior to loading tubes onto the automated routing system. In that context, where centrifugation is required, the centrifuge is loaded and unloaded manually off-line, then centrifuged sample tubes are loaded onto the routing system. A manual operation requires staffing, requires additional human handling of tubes, and requires decision making as to which tubes to place in which carrier to achieve a balanced load in the centrifuge. A manual operation can be rate limiting and is more expensive than would be an efficient automated robotics system.
Some attempts have been made to automate the centrifugation step. One system is currently being marketed by Coulter(copyright) Corporation, Miami, Fla., USA. It uses a 4-stage system to prepare samples. Tubes are loaded into racks in an inlet module; the racks are moved via conveyor to a bar-code reader; then the racks move to a centrifuge module which uses a robotic arm to pick tubes needing centrifugation from the racks, loads them directly into the centrifuge baskets in the centrifuge, and returns them directly to the racks on the conveyor; after which the racks are routed to other processing devices prior to being routed to assay stations. One slows step in this operation is the centrifugation loading and unloading operation. The robotic load/unload operation must remain inactive during the centrifuge""s spin cycle; it can not be loading and unloading tubes during the spin cycle since it moves tubes between transport rack and centrifuge tube adaptor in the centrifuge hat is needed is a more efficient system which minimizes the time lost to the overall operation caused by the necessary wait for the centrifuge""s spin cycle to be completed. If some operation could be slotted into this down-time, some operation which has to be done in an event, the overall efficiency of the operation could be greatly enhanced. This invention provides such at solution.
In a first aspect this invention relates to a process for automating the processing of samples through at least One fault-tolerant centrifuge using a device which has a processing station interposed between a tube collection or transport device and a fault-tolerant centrifuge, the station comprising:
a) a staging area for tube adaptors compatible with the centrifuge;
b) a dual function tool having:
i) a tube gripper which can recognize and adapt to tubes of different heights and diameters on the tube collection or transport device and which routes tubes between the tube collection or transport device and the centrifuge adaptors on the staging area; and
ii) an adaptor gripper capable of transporting adaptors to and from said centrifuge, the process comprising:
a) under automated control:
(1) identifying the height and diameter of a tube on the tube collection or transport device;
(2) selecting a tube which have a pre-set height and diameter;
(3) gripping and removing the selected tube from the collection or transport device;
(4) placing the tube in an adaptor on the staging area in a sequence which provides paired adaptors of essentially balanced weight such that when the centrifuge cycles, the weight distribution between the paired adaptors is within the fault tolerance limit of the centrifuge;
(5) placing the filled or partially filled, balanced, paired adaptors into the centrifuge opposite each other;
(6) removing adaptors from the centrifuge to the staging area after the spin cycle; and
(7) picking cycled tubes from the adaptors and placing them on the tube collection or transport device.
It is preferred to carry out the adaptor fill and unload operation during the centrifuge spin cycle.
In a second aspect this intention relates to a robotic device for automating the processing of samples through a fault-tolerant centrifuge, the device comprising:
a) a tube collection or transport device interlaced with,
b) a processing station interposed between the tube collection or transport device and at least one fault-tolerant centrifuge and interfaced with
c) a fault-tolerant centrifuge, the station having
i) a staging area for tube adaptors compatible with the centrifuge; and
ii) a dual function tool having
a) a tube gripper which
(1) recognizes and adapts to tubes of different height and diameter on the tube collection or transport device;
(2) selects tube of only a pre-set height and diameter;
(3) places tubes in paired adaptors in a balanced fashion;
(4) routes tubes between the tube collection or transport device and the centrifuge adaptors on the staging area, and vica versa; and
b) an adaptor gripper capable of transporting adaptors to and from the centrifuge;
c) an electronic control means for controlling the action of the tool in sequence with the operation of the tube collection or transport device, the placement of tubes in adaptors in a balanced fashion, the transport of adaptors to and from the centrifuge in sequence with the cycling of the centrifuge, and the unloading of processed tubes from adaptors.


A system, method, and computer program product are provided for controlling a driver. In use, at least one script is received. Further, control code is generated based on the script. The control code is then executed during runtime for controlling a driver.

To date, many hardware suppliers must manually customize their drivers for each customer [e.g. original equipment manufacturer (OEM), end user, etc.] who desires driver customization. To accomplish this, each customer typically selects from a plurality of predetermined fixed functions, and the hardware supplier must manually encode the desired functionality in the supporting driver (e.g. by providing registry keys for enabling the aforementioned fixed functions, etc.). Unfortunately, this process is tedious and must be repeated for each customer who desires customization.
For example, such customization often results in a configuration file or the like being generated for use by each customer in conjunction with the hardware driver. Further, intimate knowledge of the hardware and driver is typically required for mapping the desired functionality requested by each customer to the underlying capabilities of the hardware. These issues are further exacerbated in situations where a customer base and number of fixed functions grow in size.
There is thus a need for addressing these and/or other issues associated with the prior art.

System, method, and computer program product for controlling a driver utilizing scripts