A thermal transfer receiving paper has an image-recieving layer receiving a thermal melting ink on a base paper containing pulp fibers as the main component. The image-receiving layer is formed by coating or impregnating a coating composition containing a synthetic polymer resin on one surface of the base paper. The synthetic polymer resin has a glass transition point of -60.degree. to -5.degree. C. and a surface tension of 38 to 55 dyne/cm. The pulp fibers constituting the base paper preferably containes at least one unbeaten pulp fiber in an amount of 50 to 100 weight % based on the total pulp fibers, which has a degree of water retention of not higher than 125% in accordance with J. TAPPI No.26, and satisfies the following equesions 1 and 2: EQU 0.3.ltoreq.L.ltoreq.1.0 1 EQU 0.3.ltoreq.d/D.ltoreq.0.8 2. where. L: Length weighted mean fiber length (mm) measured in accordance with J.TAPPI No. 52 PA1 D: Mean fiber diameter (.mu.m) measured by microphotography PA1 d: Mean lumen diameter (.mu.m) measured by microphotography.. Further it is preferred that the coating composition further contains a porous pigment having an apparent specific gravity of 0.1 to 0.5 g/cm.sup.3 according to JIS K-6220.

The present invention relates to a thermal transfer receiving paper used in copier, printers and facsimiles by utilizing the thermal transfer method of thermal melting ink type. More particularly, it relates to a thermal transfer receiving paper useful for the cards or labels requiring high speed printing and high speed reading, such as passenger tickets, passes, airway tickets, POS labels, prepaid cards and the like.
Recently, accompanied with rapid developments in office automation and factory automation, copier, printers and facsimiles utilizing various recording methods such as electrography method and thermal transfer method have been used depending on each applications and, for example, widely used in CAD/CAM. Color materials are used for printing image in such a thermal transfer method and usually a color material is molten, vaporized or sublimed and transferred on a recording medium such as image-receiving paper, e.g., paper or film and thus an image is recorded on it by adhesion, adsorption or dyeing.
Among these recording methods, a thermal melting transfer method in which an ink film having a thermal melting ink layer constituted by color materials and waxes or resins is molten by the heat of a thermal head and the color material is transfered on a thermal transfer receiving paper to prepare a recorded image is noticed to be utilized in card papers such as passenger tickets, passes and airway tickets, labels such as POS labels and cards such as prepaid cards requiring reliability and security as it has advantages such that it requires only simple and compact equipments and is maintenance free. The thermal melting transfer method also has a feature that it can use plain papers as the recording medium.
However, even such thermal transfer method cannot give a satisfactory result when a plain paper is used as demands for full-color printing, high speed printing, clear image printing and higher resolution have been increased together with the improvement in the performance of the printing equipment in the same manner as in the other printing methods. For example, when the bar code on a label printed at high speed is read by a reader, if the image quality is poor and many missing of dots and discontinuity of line are observed, the bar code cannot be read in high precision and such a thermal transfer receiving paper fails. In tickets and cards combined with magnetic recording method, as the card is passed through an equipment including a magnetic head at a high speed and is used repeatedly for a long period, transferability and fastness become issue when the image transferred on the thermal transfer receiving paper is stained by rubbing and the ink is imperfectly transferred and the card becomes failed in its role.
For the purpose, a number of proposals has been made on the thermal transfer receiving paper. For example, they include a method in which the Beck smoothness of the surface of the image-receiving layer is specified (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication Nos. 133092 of 1982 and 187892 of 1984), a method in which a image-receiving layer containing specified emulsions and latices is provided (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication Nos. 158297 of 1986 and 158498 of 1986) and a method in which a image-receiving layer containing a specified pigment and binders such as polyvinyl alcohol and latex is provided (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication Nos.110489 of 1985, 192690 of 1985, 217289 of 1986, 266296 of 1986, 284486 of 1986, 32085 of 1987, 257888 of 1987 and 202293 of 1989). However, these conventional methods could not attain completely the improvement in ink transfer. Thus, they include difficulties including poor in representativity of edges of images and lack in the sharpness of images, peeling of the surface of the imaging layer together with the transfer ink by the pick during separating the ink film with the thermal transfer receiving paper in the thermal transfer process causing imperfect transfer of ink and discontinuity of line. Thus, at present no satisfactory printed image is yet obtained.
Also, recently gravure and offset printings are frequently made on the thermal transfer receiving paper and consequently the demands on the qualities such as smoothness and surface strength of the thermal transfer receiving paper and opacity have become more strict. Furthermore, there are troubles such as deterioration of the image quality due to the paper dust formed from the thermal transfer receiving paper and paper feeding or delivery trouble in the printer. The measures for eliminating these troubles are the pressing need of the hour.
An object of the present invention is to provide a thermal transfer receiving paper of high quality and high image quality which gives no transfer unevenness, nor discontinuity of line nor imperfect transfering of ink and is excellent in transferability and fastness of transferred image and has an excellent high speed printability to say nothing of full-color printing and also has an excellent printability.


A dual-band oscillator includes a first oscillation circuit and a second oscillation circuit. A first emitter bias resistor for setting the emitter current of a first oscillation transistor in the first oscillation circuit is provided between the emitter of the first oscillation transistor and a second inductance element in the second oscillation circuit. A second emitter bias resistor for setting the emitter current of a second oscillation circuit in the second oscillation circuit is provided between the emitter of the second oscillation transistor and a first inductance element in the first oscillation circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to dual-band oscillators which contain two oscillation circuits and which oscillate in different frequency bands.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of a known dual-band oscillator which oscillates in two frequency bands. A first oscillation circuit 41 contains a first common-collector oscillation transistor 42. The emitter is grounded through a bias resistor 43. A bias voltage is applied to the base by a first switching transistor 44. A parallel resonance circuit formed by a first inductor 45 and a first varactor diode 46 for resonance is connected between the base and the ground. A feedback capacitor 47 is connected between the base and the emitter, and a feedback capacitor 48 is connected between the emitter and the ground. The emitter outputs an oscillation signal.
A second oscillation circuit 51 contains a second common-collector oscillation transistor 52. The emitter is grounded through a bias resistor 53. A bias voltage is applied to the base by a second switching transistor 54. A parallel resonance circuit formed by a second inductor 55 and a second varactor diode 56 for resonance is connected between the base and the ground. A feedback capacitor 57 is connected between the base and the emitter, and a feedback capacitor 58 is connected between the emitter and the ground. The emitter outputs an oscillation signal.
A switching voltage for turning ON one of the first switching transistor 44 and the second switching transistor 55 and turning OFF the other is applied to the base of each of the first switching transistor 44 and the second switching transistor 54. Thus, one of the first oscillation circuit 41 and the second oscillation circuit 51 oscillates. The oscillation frequency can be changed by changing a control voltage applied to the cathode of each of the first and second varactor diodes 46 and 56.
In the known oscillator, the bias resistors 43 and 53 w connected to the emitters are connected in parallel to the feedback capacitors 48 and 58, respectively. An oscillation signal current is directed to flow through the bias resistors 43 and 53. As a result, the oscillation power is reduced, and the phase noise increases.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to easily prevent a reduction in oscillation power, which is caused by an emitter bias resistor in an oscillation transistor, without adding a special circuit or component.
In order to achieve the foregoing objects, a dual-band oscillator according to the present invention is provided including a first oscillation circuit; a second oscillation circuit; and a switching device for alternatively operating the first oscillation circuit and the second oscillation circuit. The first oscillation circuit includes a first oscillation transistor; a first inductance element having one end grounded and the other end coupled to the base of the first oscillation transistor; and a first emitter bias resistor for setting the emitter current of the first oscillation transistor. The second oscillation circuit includes a second oscillation transistor; a second inductance element having one end grounded and the other end coupled to the base of the second oscillation transistor; and a second emitter bias resistor for setting the emitter current of the second oscillation transistor. The first emitter bias resistor is provided between the emitter of the first oscillation transistor and the second inductance element. The second emitter bias resistor is provided between the emitter of the second oscillation transistor and the first inductance element. Accordingly, a loss of oscillation signal of the operative oscillation circuit can be reduced by utilizing the inductance element in the inoperative oscillation circuit.
The switching device may include a first switching transistor and a second switching transistor. The first switching transistor and the second switching transistor may be turned ON/OFF in such a manner that one is ON while the other is OFF. A bias voltage may be applied to the base of the first oscillation transistor by the first switching transistor. A bias voltage may applied to the base of the second oscillation transistor by the second switching transistor. Accordingly, the two oscillation circuits can be switched between operative and inoperative states.
The switching device may include a first switching transistor and a second switching transistor. The first switching transistor and the second switching transistor may be turned ON/OFF in such a manner that that one is ON while the other is OFF. The first switching transistor may be provided in series to the first emitter bias resistor. The second switching transistor may be provided in series to the second emitter bias resistor. Accordingly, the emitter current of each oscillation transistor flowing into each inductance element can be interrupted by each switching transistor.
The first switching transistor may be turned ON/OFF by the second switching transistor. Accordingly, it is only necessary to apply the switching voltage for switching between ON and OFF states to the second switching transistor.
The first inductance element may be provided with a first center tap for dividing the first inductance element into two. The second inductance element may be provided with a second center tap for dividing the second inductance element into two. The first center tap may be grounded through a first capacitor. The second center tap may be grounded through a second capacitor. Accordingly, the high frequency current flowing from the emitter of each oscillation transistor to the ground can be reduced.
A parallel resonance circuit formed by one portion of the divided first inductance element and the first capacitor may be caused to resonate with the oscillation frequency of the second oscillation circuit. A parallel resonance circuit formed by one portion of the divided second inductance element and the second capacitor may be caused to resonate with the oscillation frequency of the first oscillation circuit. Accordingly, the high frequency current flowing from the emitter of each oscillation circuit to the ground can be reduced furthermore.

Dual-band oscillator for preventing reduction in oscillation power caused by bias resistor


Embodiments of a method, a system, and non-transitory computer readable storage media evaluating electrochemical qualities for interphase products. The disclosed embodiments perform a selection of a plurality of chemical phases for a solid electrolyte and at least one of the anode and cathode to be received. Thermodynamic data is received for the plurality of chemical phases. The retrieved thermodynamic data is received to evaluate a respective electrochemical quality for at least one of an interface between the solid electrolyte and the anode, and an interface between the solid electrolyte and the cathode.

Solid-state electrolytes have the potential to dramatically improve safety and performance of state-of-the-art battery technology. The high energy density and long cycle life of lithium-ion batteries, for example, has led to their adoption in all manner of technologies, but serious safety concerns still exist due to their use of flammable organic solvent electrolytes. This is especially problematic for grid-scale storage, and transport applications including aircraft and automobiles.
Solid-state ionic electrolyte materials may be a viable non-flammable alternative to organic electrolytes. In addition, solid-state ionic electrolyte materials may enable novel device geometries to improve packing efficiency of the electrochemical cells. Furthermore, solid-state ionic electrolyte materials may potentially improve cycle life and allow the use of higher voltage cathodes. By suppressing dendrite formation, solid-state ionic state materials may allow the use of metal anodes, which could increase energy density considerably.
For this reason, a predictive modeling approach that formally includes the chemical and electrochemical driving force can be highly valuable. There is a need for methods and systems that would allow for high throughput computerized screening of candidate solid-state compounds associated with a thermodynamic chemical conditions present in electrochemical cells of interest.

Computing system for identification of solid-solid interphase products


A locking/unlocking system includes: a power reception device having a vehicle coil provided in a vehicle and receiving power at a first frequency in a non-contact manner from a ground coil provided on the ground; an operation switch outputting an operation signal in response to a user operation; a locking/unlocking controller that, in response to an input of an operation signal, conducts wireless communication with a key device located within a predetermined distance at a second frequency close to the first frequency and that, in response to successful wireless communication with the key device, locks/unlocks a lock provided in the vehicle; a signal determining part that outputs an input operation signal to the locking/unlocking controller; and a wiring switch that connects wiring so that the operation signal output from the operation switch is input into the signal determining part during a power reception operation of the power reception device.

In a vehicle charged in a non-contact manner by using a coil on a ground side and a coil on a vehicle side, there has been proposed a system that locks/unlocks the vehicle by wireless communication with a key which is an electronic device without using a mechanical key (see Patent Literature 1). The technology described in Patent Literature 1 stops a charging operation when a switch in a door of the vehicle is pressed, conducts communication with the key in response to stop of the charging operation, and thereby prevents interference caused by non-contact charging.


The polyvinyl alcohol according to the present invention to be used as a dispersant for suspension polymerization for polyvinyl chloride has a degree of saponification of 60 to 80 mol %, a block character of 0.4 to 0.6, an integration value defined by the following (a) of 0.04 to 0.1 and an integration value defined by the following (b) of 0.01 to 0.2 in a 1H-NMR spectrum, and a 0.1% by mass aqueous solution of the polyvinyl alcohol has a UV absorbance at a wavelength of 320 nm of 0.18 or more and less than 0.3.    (a) An integration value from 5.42 to 5.62 ppm of a peak or peaks observed at 5.50 to 5.54 ppm when an integration value from 3.65 to 4.05 ppm of a peak or peaks observed at 3.83 to 3.87 ppm is assumed to be 100.    (b) An integration value from 5.76 to 5.98 ppm of a peak or peaks observed at 5.86 to 5.90 ppm when an integration value from 3.65 to 4.05 ppm of a peak or peaks observed at 3.83 to 3.87 ppm is assumed to be 100.

Polyvinyl chloride is generally produced by subjecting a vinyl chloride monomer to suspension polymerization. The suspension polymerization is performed dispersing the vinyl chloride monomer in water in the presence of a dispersant such as polyvinyl alcohol.
Various types of dispersants are studied from the viewpoint of suppressing foaming during polymerization, the viewpoint of producing polyvinyl chloride having a desired particle diameter and particle diameter distribution, and other viewpoints.
JP 2004-250695 A (hereinafter, referred to as "PTL1") describes a polyvinyl alcohol-based dispersant having a carbonyl group in a molecule thereof, having a block character in a particular range, and exhibiting a particular ultraviolet absorption spectrum. International Publication No. WO 2016/141256 (hereinafter, referred to as "PTL2") describes a dispersant containing polyvinyl alcohol having a degree of saponification, an absorbance at 320 nm, a block character, a clouding point, and the like each adjusted in a particular range.
In the case where the dispersant described in PTL1 is used, there is a tendency that the particle diameter of polyvinyl chloride which is produced is relatively large, and it is considered that the dispersing ability needs to be further improved. In addition, in the case where the dispersant described in PTL2 is used, the dispersant has a high dispersing ability, and therefore the particle size of polyvinyl chloride which is produced becomes too fine, so that handling becomes difficult. Moreover, the porosity of polyvinyl chloride which is obtained becomes low, so that the processability is lost. When the amount of the dispersant which is added is made small to adjust the particle diameter appropriately, the porosity becomes lower and foaming during polymerization of vinyl chloride is observed frequently, and therefore there is room for improvements in terms of productivity.

Polyvinyl alcohol used as dispersing agents for polyvinyl chloride suspension polymerization, dispersing agents comprising the polyvinyl alcohol, and method for producing polyvinyl chloride using the polyvinyl alcohol

SEKISUI SPECIALITY CHEMICALS AMERICA, LLC


A host connected to a switch using a PCI Express (PCIe) link. At the switch, the packets are received and routed as appropriate and provided to a conventional switch network port for egress. The conventional networking hardware on the host is substantially moved to the port at the switch, with various software portions retained as a driver on the host. This saves cost and space and reduces latency significantly. As networking protocols have multiple threads or flows, these flows can correlate to PCIe queues, easing QoS handling. The data provided over the PCIe link is essentially just the payload of the packet, so sending the packet from the switch as a different protocol just requires doing the protocol specific wrapping. In some embodiments, this use of different protocols can be done dynamically, allowing the bandwidth of the PCIe link to be shared between various protocols.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to networking.
2. Description of the Related Art
As networks grow every larger and more complicated, delays are induced in more locations and more physical hardware is required, which has costs in terms of both money and space. It would be desirable to reduce cost, space and delays in a network.
Server development has been enhanced by the inclusion of Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) links inside the server. As shown in FIG. 1, a modern processor 100 may include several PCIe root complexes. Memory 102 is directly connected to the processor 100. A series of PCIe devices 104 can be directly connected to the processor 100 or to a PCIe fabric switch 106, which is connected to the processor 100. The PCIe devices 104 can be of various functions, such as storage controllers for direct attached storage, network interface controllers (NICs) for Ethernet connections to a local area network (LAN), host bus adapters (HBAs) for Fibre Channel (FC) connections to a storage area network (SAN) and host channel adapters (HCAs) for InfiniBand connections for clustering.
There have been efforts to use PCIe as a cluster interconnect, as shown in FIG. 2. Each server or host 200 is connected to an edge PCIe fabric switch 204. A layer of core PCIe fabric switches 206 then links together the edge PCIe fabric switches 204. Shared I/O 202, such as storage, NICs or HBAs, is also connected to an edge PCIe fabric switch 204, which are connected to the core PCIe fabric switches 206. This configuration allows very high speed, very low overhead communication between the hosts 200 in the cluster and high speed access to the shared I/O 202.
FIG. 3 illustrates proposed rack scale use of PCIe interconnects. This is a variant on the cluster interconnect of FIG. 2, just configured for use in normal data center racks. A series of host chassis 302, such as 1 U high chassis for higher density, are used to provide the basic processing capability. A host chassis 302 includes a host 304, primarily the processor 100 and memory 102, and a PCIe retimer 306. As the PCIe links will be longer than if located entirely on a normal motherboard, retiming is necessary. A storage chassis 308 includes a storage controller 310, typically a RAID controller; a storage array 312, an array of hard drives to provide bulk storage; and a PCIe retimer 306. The storage chassis 308 provides a direct attached bulk storage function. A flash chassis 314 includes a series of solid-state disk (SSD) controllers 316, which are connected to an array of flash memory devices 318. The SSD controllers 316 are connected to a PCIe bridge 320 as illustrated as the exemplary SSD controllers 316 are not PCIe compatible. If the SSD controllers were PCIe compatible, then PCIe retimers could have been used. The flash chassis 314 provides high speed, non-volatile storage for use by the processors 100, often in online transaction processing (OLTP) applications. A graphics processing unit (GPU) chassis 322 includes an array of GPUs 324, which can be used for high speed array and vector processing, for example. The GPUs 324 are connected to a PCIe bridge 326. At the top of the rack (TOR) is an interconnect chassis 328. The illustrated interconnect chassis 328 includes one HBA 330 and two NICs 332. The HBA 330 is connected to a SAN fabric 334, to which conventional external storage 336 is connected. The NICs 332 are connected to a LAN 338 to provide general Ethernet connectivity, for example to the Internet. A PCIe fabric switch 340 connects to the HBA 330 and NICS 332 in the interconnect chassis 328 and to the PCIe retimers 306 and PCIe bridges 320 and 326 to provide overall interconnection of the various chassis to provide a complete computer system.
While the rack configuration of FIG. 3 is an advance over using a series of individual hosts, each having processor, memory, storage, HBA and NIC, with TOR switches for the SAN and LAN, it is really nothing more than an exploded and reconfigured host, with all of the attendant delays and slowdowns associated with a typical server. Thus, while it is an improvement, there are still many delays present in interconnecting with other devices.

AVAGO TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL SALES PTE. LIMITED


A guided-mode resonance filer is provided which can be used as an optical filter with very narrow line width and as an efficient optical switch. Diffraction efficiencies and passband frequencies are calculated based on guided-mode resonance properties of periodic dielectric structures in a waveguide geometry. The guided-mode resonance filter preferably includes means for changing various parameters within the grating so as to change passband frequencies in response thereto. Also, the present invention envisions a narrowband tuneable laser having a diffraction grating of the present invention placed within a laser cavity to provide narrowband optical wave output from the narrowband tuneable laser In another preferred embodiment, the present diffraction grating can be supported by a semiconductor substrate, preferably adjacent to a semiconductor laser for fine-tuning the output of the semiconductor laser. In still another preferred embodiment, the present diffraction grating can be placed between thin-film layers to enhance thin-film performance characteristics.

I. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to guided-mode resonance filters for producing narrowband optical radiation.
II. Description of Relevant Art
Methods of dispersing wave energy are known in the art. In particular, periodic elements, such as gratings, have been used to diffract wave energy, e g., such as light incident on the element. Diffraction gratings can be used to influence the amplitude, phase, direction, polarization, spectral composition, and energy distribution of a beam of light. Examples of classical applications of gratings include deflection, coupling, filtering, multiplexing, guidance, and modulation of optical beams in areas such as holography, integrated optics, optical communications, acousto-optics, nonlinear optics, and spectroscopy.
When light is incident on the ruled surface of a diffraction grating, it may be reflected (or backward diffracted) and transmitted (or forward diffracted) at angles that depend upon the spacing between the grooves of the grating, the angle of incidence, and the wavelength of the light. By the process of diffraction, light can be separated into its component wavelengths thereby forming a spectrum that can be observed, photographed, or scanned photoelectrically or thermoelectrically. Gratings are therefore used in common instruments such as spectroscopes, spectrometers, and spectrographs.
For gratings to be of practical use as filtering elements and for other applications, it is necessary to accurately predict the passband frequencies for the diffracted spectrum of output waves. Thus, accurate modeling analysis must be performed upon each specific grating in order to determine its diffraction efficiency at various incident wavelengths as well as with respect to other physical parameters. Diffraction efficiency, defined as the diffracted power of a given order divided by the input power, is optimally one (1) or 100% for a lossless diffraction filter grating. However, diffraction efficiency for the reflected wave can be maximized at a different wavelength than that of the transmitted wave. Accordingly, it is necessary to determine the maximum efficiencies and passband for both the reflected wave and the transmitted wave emanating from and through the grating.
In order to predict passband efficiencies, numerous modeling techniques have been attempted. In general, the efficiency of a grating varies smoothly from one wavelength to another. However, there can be localized troughs or ridges in the efficiency curve and these are observed as rapid variations of efficiency with a small change in either wavelength or angle of incidence. These troughs or ridges are sometimes called "anomalies". From the point of view of a spectroscopist, anomalies are a nuisance because they introduce spurious peaks and troughs into the observed spectrum. It is, therefore, very important that the positions and shapes of the anomalies be accurately predicted as well as the conditions under which they appear. Accordingly, previous modeling techniques have attempted to predict the position, magnitude, etc. of various anomalies which exist in diffraction gratings. A good overview of anomalies and their characteristics for optical reflection gratings is provided by A. Hessel and A. Oliner, "A New Theory of Wood's Anomalies on Optical Gratings," Applied Optics, Vol. 4, No. 10, pp. 1275-1297 (October, 1965).
Recently, there have been increased efforts to accurately predict this natural phenomenon called anomalies. As Hessel and Oliner point out, there are basically two types of anomalous effects. First, there is a Rayleigh type effect due to one of the spectral orders appearing at the grazing angle. Thus, anomalies occur when an order "passes off" over the grating horizon when, e.g., the angle of refraction is 90.degree.. Thus, at the wavelength at which an order is grazing the surface, or the so-called Rayleigh wavelength, there is a discontinuity in the number of orders that are allowed to propagate. The energy that is in the order which "passes off" has to be redistributed among the other orders and this accounts for the sudden fluctuations in the efficiency of these orders. Thus, an explanation exists for describing the position of the anomalies existing due to the Rayleigh effect. The second type of anomalous effect deals with a resonance-type effect caused by possible guided waves supported by the grating. This second form of anomaly depends upon the parameters of the grating, i.e. its thickness, permittivity, grating period, and also upon the wavelength and angle of incidence, etc. of the light wave as in the Rayleigh effect.
This secondary effect, dubbed "resonance effect" was studied by Hessel and Oliner. They presented calculated results for reflection gratings which accurately predicted the diffraction efficiency. However, the gratings previously studied were generally planar reflection gratings with the periodic structure modeled as a grating surface reactance function. They did not contain dielectric surface structures and/or transmissive structures added for support of a relatively thin grating element. A large commercial market currently exists for thin dielectric diffraction gratings, or diffraction gratings which can be placed on a semiconductor surface adjacent a semiconductor laser.
In order to make diffraction gratings acceptable for commercial markets, it is essential that an exact electromagnetic model be utilized in order to fully characterize the anomaly phenomenon. Simplified theories, used for many years, cannot describe resonance filtering characteristics of devices such as guided-mode resonance filters. In M. Moharam and T. Gaylord, "Rigorous Coupled-Wave Analysis of Planar-Grating Diffraction," Journal of the Optical Society of America, Vol. 71, No. 7, pp. 811-818, (July, 1981), a rigorous coupled-wave approach was used to model slanted gratings. As recently discovered , rigorous coupled-wave analysis also allows for accurate prediction of the anomalies solvable by equations formulated into a simple matrix form. A computer can thereby be used to provide an exact and rigorous prediction of anomalies based upon both the first and second types of anomalous effects. See, e.g., S.S. Wang, et al., "Guided-Mode Resonances in Planar Dielectric-Layer Diffraction Gratings," Journal of the Optical Society of America, A, Vol. 7, No. 8, pp. 1470-1474, (August, 1990).
Rigorous coupled-wave analysis provides an exact prediction of the location and magnitude of each anomaly and can, therefore, be used to model the guided-mode resonance filters for practical applications. S.S. Wang et al. article describes the rigorous coupled-wave analysis, but along with the Moharam and Gaylord reference cited above, S. S. Wang et al. does not disclose a guided-mode resonance filter.

Board of Regents, The University of Texas System


A thermoplastic elastomer is made by the reaction of an epoxy resin with a liquid mercapto-terminated polysulfide wherein the ratio of epoxy equivalents in the epoxy resin to mercapto equivalents is from about 0.6 to about 0.98, with the proviso that when the ratio is greater than about 0.95:1, the polysulfide is further reacted with an amount of a mono-epoxy compound sufficient to raise the ratio of total epoxy equivalents to mercapto equivalents to a maximum of 1:1. An elastomer having residual --SH groups is air-curable. The elastomer is useful as a hot melt sealant for insulated window units.

This invention relates to thermoplastic elastomers made by the reaction of a thiol terminated polysulfide resin with an epoxy resin wherein the ratio of thiol equivalents to epoxy equivalents in the epoxy resin is critical to the formation of the thermoplastic elastomer rather than a liquid, a solid that is too soft and weak to be useful, or a solid that cannot be softened and processed at a temperature below its decomposition point. The invention here also relates to hot melt adhesives and sealants, particularly hot melt sealants for insulated glass windows.
The use of thiol terminated liquid polysulfides in caulks, sealants and the like for numerous applications is well known. Such materials normally are applied as liquids and chemically cured to solids in situ. Although the uncured polysulfides are classified along with most other natural and synthetic rubbers as thermoplastic materials, they have also been considered as sharing the property of most rubbers that once vulcanized, they cannot be induced to flow under heat and pressure without extensive degradation of the basic polymer chain and the consequent permanent loss of most or all of the desired properties. As is well known, also, it is difficult to hit a target average molecular weight and, thus, a target viscosity, when making liquid polysulfides. The molecular weight is usually adjusted by oxidation/reduction processes that are not completely efficient.
Liquid polyepoxide resins are typically cured by reaction with a second liquid resin such as an amino resin to give a hard, durable product. These two part liquid systems are widely used in adhesives, coatings and the like but for certain purposes a flexibilizer resin must be added to reduce rigidity.
The invention described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,789,958 formed the basis for the use of polysulfides as flexibilizers for epoxy resins. The reaction between the thiol groups of the polysulfides and the epoxy groups of epoxy resins in the presence of an amine catalyst gave hard, tough, sometimes rubbery products. When the catalyst was omitted, a tough rubbery polymer was obtained. In either case, the product was a thermoset elastomer.
Others in the field have followed up on the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 2,789,958 but in every instance noted, the epoxy resin/polysulfide resin adduct has either been a liquid or a hard thermoset resin. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,363,026; 3,536,656; 3,732,309; 4,214,067; and 4,689,389, along with British Patent 787,022, are representative of these efforts.
Hot melt sealants, in general, have not exhibited good structural properties on cooling and thus have not been adequate in applications where structural support by the sealant is required as in insulated glass window sandwiches. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,165,425 and 4,314,920 teach the preparation of hot melt sealants from thiol terminated liquid polysulfides by extrusion. The present invention provides the convenience of the hot melt application and the good structural properties of a thermoplastic elastomer.
Thermoplastic elastomers (or TPE's) are materials that can be extruded, blow molded, injection molded, or otherwise processed like thermoplastics yet have properties similar to conventional rubbers. These materials offer several advantages over the conventional, thermoset, rubbers such as: simpler processing, shorter fabrication times, recyclable scrap, lower energy consumption, and better quality control. They are classified into six general categories: styrenic block copolymers; rubber-olefin blends; elastomeric alloys; thermoplastic polyurethanes; thermoplastic copolyesters; and thermoplastic polyamides. The present invention provides a new category.


A lighting device suitably adaptable to those that can adjust an irradiation angle stably. A lighting device includes a lighting device housing, a support housing supported by the lighting device housing so as to be freely rotatable about a first rotation axis, and a lighting unit supported by the support housing so as to be freely rotatable about a second rotation axis. The support housing is suspended from the lighting device housing, and is provided with a ring member protruding radially outward at its outer periphery. The lighting device housing is provided with a circular receiving part for supporting the ring member on the support housing side when the suspension is released.

There have been proposed spotlights, as an example of lighting devices, including a ballast box and a lighting fixture attached to the ballast box (see Patent Document 1, for example). The lighting fixture of the spotlights includes a lighting main body with a lamp mounted on a socket of the lighting main body.
The lighting main body is attached to the ballast box in a manner described next. That is, a hollow turning arm is attached to an end of the ballast box so as to be freely rotatable about a vertical mounting screw (functioning as a vertical axis), and a hollow bush (functioning as a horizontal axis) is freely rotatably attached to a side surface of the lighting main body. The hollow bush is fit and fixed to the turning arm. Thus, the lighting main body can be turned about the vertical axis and rotated about the horizontal axis to adjust its irradiation angle.

Lighting device and lighting system including the same


A method for an engine control unit to conduct real time updating of data tables based on feedback from the air flow sensor without external computing. The air fuel ratio is based on information received from an air flow meter, where a look-up table is actively tuned for the air flow calibration instead of the volumetric efficiency tables. Here, the look-up table involves a single dimension value so the calculations are simpler than more complex evaluations previously set forth.

A vehicle's engine control unit (ECU) is a type of electronic device that controls a series of actuators on an internal combustion engine to ensure the engine runs at its optimal setting. ECUs accomplish this by reading values from a multitude of sensors within the engine bay, interpreting the data using multidimensional performance maps (called look-up tables), and adjusting the engine actuators accordingly.
For an engine with fuel injection, the ECU determines the quantity of fuel to inject into the fuel chamber based on a number of parameters. For example, if the throttle position sensor is showing the throttle pedal is pressed further down, a mass flow sensor measures the amount of additional air being drawn into the engine and the ECU will inject a fixed quantity of fuel into the engine. If the engine's coolant temperature sensor is showing the engine has not warmed up yet, more fuel will be injected (causing the engine to run slightly 'rich' until the engine warms up). Mixture control on computer controlled carburetors works similarly, but with a mixture control solenoid or stepper motor incorporated in the float bowl of the carburetor.
A special category of ECUs are those which are programmable. These units do not have a fixed behavior and can be reprogrammed, typically by the user. Programmable ECUs are required where significant aftermarket modifications have been made to a vehicle's engine. Examples include adding or changing of a turbocharger, adding or changing of an intercooler, changing of the exhaust system or a conversion to run on alternative fuel. As a consequence of these changes, the old ECU may not provide appropriate control for the new configuration. In these situations, a programmable ECU can be incorporated into the engine's electrical system. These programmable ECUs are programmed/mapped with a laptop or external computer connected using a serial or USB cable, while the engine is running.
The programmable ECU may control the amount of fuel to be injected into each cylinder. This varies depending on the engine's RPM and the position of the accelerator pedal (or the manifold air pressure). The engine tuner can adjust this by bringing up a table on the external computer where each cell represents an intersection between a specific RPM value and an accelerator pedal position. Each cell has a value corresponding to the amount of fuel to be injected. This table is often referred to as a fuel table or fuel map.
By modifying these table values while monitoring the exhausts using a wide band lambda probe to see if the engine runs rich or lean, the tuner can find the optimal amount of fuel to inject to the engine at every different combination of RPM and throttle position. Other parameters that are often mappable are:
Ignition Timing: Defines at what point in the engine cycle the spark plug should fire for each cylinder.
Rev. limit: Defines the maximum RPM that the engine is allowed to reach.
Water temperature correction: Allows for additional fuel to be added when the engine is cold, such as in a winter cold-start scenario or when the engine is dangerously hot, to allow for additional cylinder cooling.
Transient fueling: Instructs the ECU to add a specific amount of fuel when throttle is applied ("acceleration enrichment").
Low fuel pressure modifier: Instructs the ECU to increase the injector fire time to compensate for an increase or loss of fuel pressure.
Closed loop lambda: Allows the ECU to monitor a permanently installed lambda probe and modify the fueling to achieve the targeted air/fuel ratio desired. This is often the stoichiometric (ideal) air fuel ratio, which on traditional petrol (gasoline) powered vehicles this air:fuel ratio is 14.7:1. This can also be a much richer ratio for when the engine is under high load, or possibly a leaner ratio for when the engine is operating under low load cruise conditions for maximum fuel efficiency.
Some of the more advanced standalone/race ECUs include functionality such as launch control, operating as a rev limiter while the car is at the starting line to keep the engine revs in a 'sweet spot', waiting for the clutch to be released to launch the car as quickly and efficiently as possible. Other examples of advanced functions are:
Wastegate control: Controls the behavior of a turbocharger's wastegate, controlling boost. This can be mapped to command a specific duty cycle on the valve, or can use a PID based closed-loop control algorithm.
Staged injection: Allows for an additional injector per cylinder, used to get a finer fuel injection control and atomization over a wide RPM range. An example being the use of small injectors for smooth idle and low load conditions, and a second, larger set of injectors that are 'staged in' at higher loads, such as when the turbo boost climbs above a set point.
Variable cam timing: Allows for control variable intake and exhaust cams (VVT), mapping the exact advance/retard curve positioning the camshafts for maximum benefit at all load/rpm positions in the map. This functionality is often used to optimize power output at high load/rpms, and to maximize fuel efficiency and emissions as lower loads/rpms.
Gear control: Tells the ECU to cut ignition during (sequential gearbox) upshifts or blip the throttle during downshifts.
A racing vehicle's ECU is often equipped with a data logger that records all sensors for later analysis using special software in a PC. This can be useful to track down engine stalls, misfires or other undesired behaviors during a race by downloading the log data and looking for anomalies after the event. In order to communicate with the driver, a race ECU can often be connected to a "data stack", which is a simple dash board presenting the driver with the current RPM, speed and other basic engine data. These race stacks, which are almost always digital, talk to the ECU using one of several proprietary protocols running over RS232 or CANbus, connecting to the DLC connector (Data Link Connector) usually located on the underside of the dash, inline with the steering wheel.
Presently, active tuning requires external computing power such as a laptop to reset the engine's values. Obviously, this process is inefficient and cannot meet the demands of high performance vehicles such as racing vehicles and performance sports cars. There are various companies in the market that cater to active tuning, including PCLink (www.linkecu.com) & EFILive (www.efilive.com), both of which require PCs or laptops that are separate from the vehicle to perform auto tuning for fuel tables. Other companies, such as Motec, use internal active tuning, but the market lacks a system and methodology for using internal (i.e., ECU) based active tuning on an OEM engine control unit.

Active tuning system for engine control unit using airflow meter table


The present invention is a penile prosthesis device and a non-surgical method of implantation of the device into a penis. The prosthesis device is designed to be an elastic mantle to be implanted directly into the corpus cavenosum cavity. The prosthesis device contains an elongated tube plugged at both ends and fillable with a biocompatible liquid. The liquid may be pre-filled or injected into a implanted prosthesis device to achieve the resilience and feel of the penis.

The present invention relates generally to medical prostheses, particularly to urological prostheses and methods of implantation for improved erectile function, and particularly to penile implants comprising an elastic mantle, internal elements and filling material for implanting into the corpora cavernosa, without requiring a surgical operation, and an implantation method therefore.
Male impotence is wide spread worldwide. Some data indicate that more than thirty million people between the ages of twenty-five years and sixty years suffer from impotence in the United States alone. A number of various methods have been used to treat impotence, including pharmaceutical medicines such as Viagra or Apomorphine, natural remedies, use of external apparatus and devices to create vacuum in the penile area, implantation of prosthesis in the penile cavity called the corpora cavemosa to create an artificial erection, surgical implantation of penile prosthesis filled with solution, or implantation of a drug storage unit remote from penile tissue, but connected by a thin tubing for delivery of vasodilating drugs such as prostaglandin E1, papaverine, or the like.
Several prior art patents have described penile prostheses comprising of plastic pliable elements with constant rigidity, for example, the Semirigid and Malleable Rod Penile Prostheses, located coaxially inside a silicon stem devices such as the Jonas Prosthesis, Flexirod, or the AMS-600. U.S. Pat. No. 3,987,789; U.S. Pat. No. 4,392,562; U.S. Pat. No. 4,066,073; U.S. Pat. No. 4,594,998. Disadvantageously, these types of devices are continuously rigid and cause discomfort for the patient.
Other types of penile prostheses include surgically positioned pumps for creating high pressure of liquid in the elastic silicon mantle, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,329; U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,897; U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,446; U.S. Pat. No. 4,782,826; U.S. Pat. No. 4,224,934; U.S. Pat. No. 4,235,227; U.S. Pat. No. 4,201,202; U.S. Pat. No. 4,342,308; U.S. Pat. No. 4,009,711; U.S. Pat. No. 3,853,122; U.S. Pat. No. 3,954,102; U.S. Pat. No. 5,062,417; U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,694; U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,611 or U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,829. Generally, the inflatable chambers of these prostheses are situated in the corpora cavernosa, the liquid reservoir is implanted in the inguinal area, and the pump is situated in the scrotal sac. Unfortunately, implanting these devices almost always requires implanting several components into the patient""s body, for example, the reservoir with liquid, pump, several valves, connecting pipes, and the like, in addition to those components implanted directly into the penis. Therefore, the implantation of these elements requires complicated, surgical, lengthy and costly procedures to be performed. Moreover, these devices themselves are complex and expensive.
The prior art also teaches devices which use an external source of electricity and a source of alternating magnetic field changing with the frequency of 50 to 1000 Hz which influence the internal element located in the penis. This element senses the magnetic field and causes liquid in the inner reservoir to move from the reservoir into the elastic mantles located in the corpora cavernosa, and causes the penis to erect. U.S. Pat. No. 4,584,994; U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,605; U.S. Pat. No. 4,491,461 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,897 describes a permanent magnet which makes seesaw movements under the influence of this field. This in turn causes liquid from the reservoir to pump into the elastic mantles, thus serving as an internal element sensing alternating magnetic field of the external source.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,694 describes penile prostheses not containing pumps and reservoirs with a liquid, but is provided with an internal element with alternating rigidity placed in an elastic mantle which is closed by plugs at its side. The element is made in the form of a spring having coils which can be moved manually from one end of the prosthesis which is fixed to the patient""s body, to its other end, thereby causing the penis to erect. The position of the spring""s coils is fixed by the group of permanent magnets. These magnets are in the form of stems which are parallel to one another and are homopolarly turned to each other. The magnets"" ends touching the moving spring coils are equipped with conic bulges which couple with the spring coils. Therefore, the magnets hold the spring coils by their bulges by repelling each other. However, such a construction is not sufficiently reliable. This is because it is necessary to squeeze the magnets in order to empty the erecting chambers. And since the magnets are located in the spring, it is necessary to squeeze the spring in the direction perpendicular to its longitudinal axis. The spring is highly rigid and one has to squeeze the penis strongly from the outside using one""s fingers, which is a painful procedure. Moreover, the implantation of the prosthesis requires similar surgical procedures as described above for currently available penile prostheses.
Even worse, the complicated surgery may result in damage of erectile tissues and post-operative complications. Moreover, many of conventional mechanical prostheses have somewhat frequent mechanical malfunction and may require additional surgery to replace the prosthesis. Nevertheless, about twenty thousand such surgical operations are performed each year in the United States alone.
The drawbacks of the current methods of implantation and above devices are that, independently of the type of prosthesis and components used, these units are implanted into the penis by means of conventional surgical operation, by making a surgical cut in the area of the penile skin, corpora cavernosa or the scrotum for implanting the prosthesis. Such surgical operations are complex, expensive and inconvenient.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a non-surgical, non-intrusive penile erection device, and which reduces the pain associated with mechanical malfunction of devices.
It is also an object of the invention to provide an implantation procedure for penile prosthesis, which procedures requires no surgery, and can be carried out in an outpatient clinic.
The present invention overcomes the problems associated with previous devices and implantation methods by preferably implanting a penile prosthesis without requiring a complicated surgical procedure thereby making the procedure cost-effective and possible in an outpatient setting.
The penile prosthesis device of the present invention includes an elastic mantle in the shape of a balloon or tube, the mantle is plugged at each end and is filled with a biocompatible liquid. The prosthesis device is inserted into the cavernous cavity by means of a trocar, and requires no surgical procedure.
An additional embodiment of the invention includes a prosthesis unit having alternating rigidity and a catch for locking its position using a plurality of permanent magnets. The prosthetic device unit having the alternating rigidity comprises a thin wire, preferably made of steel, and a plurality of short discrete cylindrical elements. Each of the cylindrical elements further includes an axis hole through which passes the above-mentioned wire. The elements are coupled to each other end to end.
In another embodiment of the invention, every discrete element of the unit with alternating rigidity is made in the form of a cylinder with the alternating cut done in such a way that the outer diameter of the front of the minimal cut corresponds to the inner diameter of the front of the maximal cut.
In yet another embodiment, the discrete elements of the unit with alternating rigidity are made of ferromagnetic and non-ferromagnetic material and are located along the wire in the form of interchanging rows. One of the ends of the wire is attached to the plug at the first end of the elastic mantle. A part of the rigid pipe attached on the inner surface of the elastic mantle near its second end, is injected into the prosthesis.
In a different embodiment, the first magnet of the catch of the unit""s position with alternating rigidity is attached by one of its ends or poles to the inside part of the rigid pipe. A second magnet of the catch of the unit""s position with alternating rigidity and is attached by one of its ends or poles to the inside part of the rigid pipe, coaxially with the first fixed magnet, and is turned to it by its opposite end, the second end or pole of which is connected with the free end of the wire. The prosthesis is equipped with an external driver interacting with the internal catch of the unit. The external driver is made in the form of a third permanent magnet which interacts with the internal movable magnet by means of the magnetic field. The third magnet is in the form of a heavy walled pipe and an inner diameter corresponding to the size of the penis. The external driver is equipped with an element for uncoupling the third permanent magnet and the internal movable magnet.
The uncoupling element is made in the form of a ferromagnetic pipe which is inserted into the inner hole of the third magnet, and is able to move on the axis while the conjugated surfaces of the ferromagnetic pipe and the magnet are covered with a material such as Teflon, that provides a suitable drag coefficient. The uncoupling element further has the catch of position as described in detail in FIG. 6 for an uncoupling element used for two opening halves with a faster. Additionally, the elastic mantle may be equipped with an external arm made of thin non-elastic net attached at its ends to the plugs. The elastic mantle may also have a syringe activated checkvalve attached in one of the pipes. These particular characteristics in the construction of the penile prosthesis in the present invention, enable it to work reliably since the position of the unit influences the catch by means of the magnetic field of the external magnet, without deforming the penis and the internal elements of the prosthesis.
Additionally, the penile prosthesis unit with the alternating rigidity and its catch enable the prosthesis to reduce to its original state or in the non-erectile state. In this state, the prosthesis can be inserted with ease into the corpora cavernosa by a trocar like larger caliber needle, thus avoiding the need for surgical procedures involving incisions, as is the case now, when implanting a penile prosthesis.
An additional aspect of the present invention is the method of implantation of the semirigid, malleable, rod penile prosthesis and the like. For example, by implanting into the penis separately, the elastic mantle with inside elements and the filling material, using a needle-shaped catheter directly in to the penile corpora cavernosa, without making a surgical incision. Optionally, the elastic mantle may be partially pre-filled, or the filling material may be inserted into the elastic mantle already placed in the corpora cavemosa, through a needle catheter and valve. The filling material may include standard physiological solution, biocompatible elastomer, silicone, oil, or other material in liquid form. This material may cure or harden after filling. Before insertion of the elastic mantle into the corpora cavernosa the implantation method may include a step of expanding the cavity by using a high-pressure balloon, similar to angioplasty balloons.
A further benefit of the implantation method of the present invention is the minimum erectile tissue disruption created by insertion of the unfilled or partially filled elastic mantle directly into the corpora cavemosa of the penis. The elastic mantle may be filled with small diameter elements, such as malleable rods or other elements of similar diameter, through a needle-catheter approximately 2.5 to 6 mm in diameter, preferably 4 to 4.5 mm in diameter, without making a surgical incision in the penis.
After its insertion, the mantle is filled with a sufficient amount of a liquid which may or may not be self-curing. Filling the mantle is done through a valve, either by a needle catheter or by a smaller caliber needle. If a self-curing biocompatible elastomer, for example, silicone or the like, is inserted, its curing time after its injection into the elastic mantle is predetermined. The creation of the intracorporeal cavity for the elastic mantle by using a longitudinal high-pressure balloon allows the elastic mantle to reach a smooth cylindrical form upon filling with the biocompatible material.

Penile prosthesis and method of implantation

Abstract: The invention includes a balloon which is inserted into the corpus cavenosum cavity and a pump is used to pressurize the cavity and achieve a cylindrical expansion of the form of the penis. The invention also includes an elastic mantle having a unit including a plurality of magnets to achieve rigidity, thereby causing the penis to become erect.


An imaging device comprises a sensor substrate including a pixel array that includes at least a first pixel. The first pixel includes an avalanche photodiode including a light receiving region, a cathode, and an anode. The first pixel includes a wiring layer electrically connected to the cathode and arranged in the sensor substrate such that the wiring layer is in a path of incident light that exits the light receiving region.

Recent years have witnessed growing interest in distance image sensors that measure distance by the time-of-flight (ToF) method. A distance image sensor may be configured, for example, with a pixel array having multiple SPAD pixels arranged two-dimensionally using complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) integrated circuit technology. In a SPAD pixel impressed with a voltage far larger than a breakdown voltage, a single photon incident on a high-electrical-field PN junction region triggers avalanche amplification. At that point, the time in which a current flows instantaneously is detected to perform highly accurate distance measurements.
For example, PTL 1 discloses a technology by which a photodiode array made of avalanche photodiodes is structured to provide isolation between pixels so as to reduce crosstalk with adjacent pixels caused by light emissions in high electrical field regions.
Also, PTL 2 discloses a technology by which SPADs embedded with a layer that forms high electrical field regions are depleted with bias to improve the sensitivity of SPAD pixels.


A process and apparatus are provided for recovering volatile liquid vapors from an air-volatile liquid vapor mixture. The process includes: (1) cooling the mixture to condense volatile liquid vapors and moisture; (2) collecting the condensed volatile liquid vapors and moisture; (3) circulating the cooled and dehumidified mixture through a bed of adsorbent; and (4) desorbing and recovering the volatile liquids from the bed. The apparatus includes a refrigeration unit, a cooler for cooling the mixture, a reaction vessel including a bed of adsorbent, a pump, an absorber tower and a conduit system for circulating the mixture from the cooler to the vessel to the pump to the absorber tower. Heat may be recovered from the refrigerant and used to heat the bed during desorption.

When handling volatile liquids such as hydrocarbons including gasoline and kerosene, air-volatile liquid vapor mixtures are readily produced. The venting of such air-vapor mixtures directly into the atmosphere would result in significant pollution of the environment and a fire or explosion hazard. Accordingly, existing environmental regulations require the control of such emissions.
As a consequence, a number of processes and apparatus have been developed and utilized to recover volatile liquids from air-volatile liquid vapor mixtures. Generally, the removed volatile liquids are liquified and recombined with the volatile liquid from which they were vaporized thereby making the recovery process more economical.
The initial vapor recovery systems utilized in the United States in the late 1920's and early 1930's incorporated a process combining compression and condensation. Such systems were originally only utilized on gasoline storage tanks. It wasn't until the 1950's that local air pollution regulations began to be adopted forcing the installation of vapor recovery systems at truck loading terminals. Shortly thereafter, the "clean air" legislation activity of the 1960's, which culminated in the Clean Air Act of 1968, further focused nationwide attention on the gasoline vapor recovery problem. As a result a lean oil/absorption system was developed. This system dominated the marketplace for a short time.
Subsequently, in the late 1960's and early 1970's cryogenic refrigeration systems began gaining market acceptance (note, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,266,262 to Moragne). While reliable, cryogenic systems suffer from a number of shortcomings including high horsepower requirements. Further, such systems require relatively rigorous and expensive maintenance to function properly. Mechanical refrigeration systems also have practical limits with respect to the amount of cold that may be delivered, accordingly, the efficiency and capacity of such systems is limited. In contrast, liquid nitrogen cooling systems provide more cooling than is required and are prohibitively expensive to operate for this type of application.
As a result of these shortcomings of cryogenic refrigeration systems, alternative technology was sought and adsorption/absorption vapor recovery systems were more recently developed. One such system is disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,066,423 to McGill et al. Such systems utilize a bed of solid adsorbent selected, for example, from silica gel, certain forms of porous mineral such as alumina and magnesia, and most preferably activated charcoal. These adsorbents have an affinity for volatile hydrocarbon liquids. Thus, as the air-hydrocarbon vapor mixture is passed through the bed, a major portion of the hydrocarbons contained in the mixture are adsorbed on the bed. The resulting residue gas stream comprising substantially hydrocarbon-free air is well within regulated allowable emission levels and is exhausted into the environment.
It should be appreciated, however, that the adsorbent is only capable of adsorbing a certain amount of hydrocarbons before reaching capacity and becoming ineffective. Accordingly, the bed must be periodically regenerated to restore the carbon to a level where it will effectively adsorb hydrocarbons again. This regeneration of the adsorbent is a two step process.
The first step requires a reduction in the total pressure by pulling a vacuum on the bed that removes the largest amount of hydrocarbons. The second step is the addition of a purge air stream that passes through the bed. The purge air polishes the bed so as to remove substantially all of the previously adsorbed hydrocarbons. These hydrocarbons are then pumped to an absorber tower wherein lean oil or other nonvolatile liquid solvent is provided in a countercurrent flow relative to the hydrocarbon rich air-hydrocarbon mixture being pumped from the bed. The liquid solvent condenses and removes the vast majority of the hydrocarbons from that mixture and the residue gas stream from the absorber tower is recycled to a second bed of adsorbent while the first bed completes regeneration.
Up to the present date, cryogenic vapor recovery systems and adsorption/absorption vapor recovery systems have largely been independent technologies offered by different companies competing for a share of the vapor recovery system market. Little has been done to combine these technologies. Further, those efforts to combine the technologies have not achieved the most beneficial result.
For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,343,629 to Dinsmore et al, a cooling medium is circulated through heat transfer coils in the adsorbent beds. This is done to prevent the beds from overheating due to side exothermic reactions of hydrocarbons and/or impurities contained in the air-hydrocarbon vapor mixture with air and/or the solid adsorbent. While such an approach improves the efficiency of adsorption of hydrocarbons by the bed through the provision of lower operating temperatures, this approach fails to address other important issues. For example, high levels of moisture and oxygenates such as alcohol in the air-hydrocarbon vapor mixture and heavy hydrocarbons from distillates reach and contact the adsorbent bed adversely affecting adsorption efficiencies and shortening the service life of the bed.
In U.S. Pat. 4,480,393 to Flink et al, refrigeration condensation is utilized to recover the liquid hydrocarbons during regeneration of the bed. Once again, however, it should be appreciated that this approach allows the full level of moisture and oxygenates in the original air-hydrocarbon vapor mixture as well as heavy hydrocarbons to reach and contact the bed. Thus, as discussed above, the adsorption efficiency and the functional life of the bed are both significantly reduced to the detriment of the operator. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that a need is identified for an improved vapor recovery system that takes full advantage of a combination of cryogenic and adsorbent/absorbent vapor recovery system technologies.

Process and apparatus for recovering vapor


The carrying bag assembly of the present invention is designed to be detachably securable with respect to the structural bar of a disability aiding device such as a walker which includes a carrying bag with an enclosure for holding items therein and a bag handle. The bag handle preferably includes first and second handle straps. A handle retaining means is securable to the handle and can secure the two straps of the handle together by an inner attachment device which extends around the bag handle for securement thereto. Preferably the inner attachment device includes hook and loop fasteners. An outer attachment mechanism is also included positioned extending around the inner attachment means and secured thereto and being capable of defining a bar retaining channel therein for detachable securement with respect to the structural bar member preferably by Velcro means. An optional lower attachment mechanism can be included for securement of the bag to the walker at a lower position thereadjacent.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention deals with the field of auxiliary holding means attachable with respect to medical walking aids such as walkers or wheelchairs. The carrying bag of the present invention is designed to be detachably secured with respect to a structural bar member thereof with a unique securement mechanism which allows use of the carrying bag or purse in position attached to the walker or other similar piece of equipment as well as being fully usable separately therefrom as a standard purse or carrying bag or tote bag.
The handle retaining device of the present invention can secure the two straps of the handle together by an inner attachment device which extends around the bag handle for securement thereto in the size and texture to provide for both a secure attachment to the walker bar and, alternatively, a detailed as well as comfortable and easy means of holding accessories. It is a distinct improvement over the prior art since it is economical and can be used to carry items while attached to the walker, or detached should the walker be folded, not in use or no longer needed. In this manner the apparatus of the present invention provides a unique dual function over the prior art. It also assists individuals who have limited dexterity in their fingers and hands by the ease with which it can be attached and/or detached as necessary. Furthermore it improves the mobility and safety of the walker and in this manner enhances significantly the quality of life for the user.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous devices have been patented for facilitating the carrying of articles in association with medical walking aid equipment such as walkers and wheelchairs and other similar such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,957,071 patented May 18, 1976 to M. B. Kenner on a "Carrier Attachment For Invalid Walkers"; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,339,061 patented Jul. 13, 1982 to P. Dunn and assigned to Philbag Co., Inc. on an "Accessory Case For A Wheel Chair"; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,491,257 patented Jan. 1, 1985 to W. L. Ingles on an "Attachable Basket For Invalid Support Equipment"; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,800,911 patented Jan. 31, 1989 to K. O. Endres et al on a "Walker Carrier"; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,830,238 patented May 16, 1989 to P. R. Widinski et al and assigned to Health & Home Products, Inc.; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,760 patented Dec. 4, 1990 to P. H. Miller on an "Article Carrier For A Walker"; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,963 patented May 7, 1991 to P. Rosenbaum on a "Walker Support Tote Bag"; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,340,005 patented Aug. 23, 1994 to R. D. Woods et al on a "Fabric Accessories For Crutches And Walkers, Providing Carrying Expandable Volumes For Personal Use Items And Shopping Items, And Presenting Reflective Fabric Portions Thereof For Observation By Others"; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,432 patented Dec. 19, 1995 to R. Dickens on a "Medical Stroller"; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,891 patented May 11, 1999 to K. J. Douglass on an "Attachable Container Particularly Suited For Ambulatory Aids"; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,386 patented Oct. 12, 1999 to L. M. Cote on a "Detachable Accessory Holder"; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,302,126 patented Oct. 16, 2001 to V. Nava on an "Attachment For A Walker"; and U.S. Design Pat. No. Des. 324,504 patented Mar. 10, 1992 to F. L. Olsen on a "Carrier For Use With A Walker"; and U.S. Design Pat. No. Des. 352,260 patented Nov. 8, 1994 to H. J. Adamo on a "Walker Apron With Pockets"; and U.S. Design Pat. No. Des. 409,953 patented May 18, 1999 to J. H. Heineken et al on a "Walker Article Carrier".


A mixing apparatus for preparing from a plurality of materials, preferably powders, in particular components of a pharmaceutical composition, a mixture having a required homogeneity, comprising a non-rotating mixing vessel (7); at least one feeding mechanism for feeding said materials into said vessel (7); a stirring means (31) inside said vessel (7) for preparing said mixture; and at least one measuring device (23) for monitoring in-line at one or more locations in said vessel (7) the homogeneity of the mixture being prepared therein, wherein said at least one measuring device (23) comprises a unit for directing input radiation into said vessel (7), and at least one detector unit (45) for detecting output radiation formed by interaction of said input radiation with said materials in said vessel (7).

The present invention relates to an apparatus for and a method of mixing a plurality of materials, specifically powders, in particular components of a pharmaceutical composition, into a mixture having a required homogeneity.
The mixing of pharmaceutical compositions is a crucial step in processing an active drug into a form for administration to a recipient. Pharmaceutical compositions consist of a number of separate components, including the active drug, which must be mixed into a homogeneous mixture to ensure that the appropriate dosage of the active drug is delivered to the recipient.
The concentration of the non-active components in a pharmaceutical mixture is also important since it determines the physical properties of the mixture, such as the rate of dissolution of a tablet in a recipient""s stomach.
One prior art apparatus for mixing the components of a pharmaceutical composition into a homogeneous mixture is known from EP-B-0 631 810. This known apparatus comprises a container, in which the mixture is being prepared by continuously rotating the container. A spectroscopic measuring device is arranged for in-line measurement of the homogeneity of the mixture being prepared in the rotating container. The measuring device has a probe that enters the container through an aperture coinciding with the axis of rotation of the container.
One major disadvantage of this prior-art apparatus is the limited access to the interior of the container. Thus, there is little freedom for finding optimised positions for in-line monitoring. For example, in all types of powder blenders there is a risk for having local zones that are either stagnant or where mixing is less efficient than in other positions in the blender. Thus, the monitored homogeneity on the axis of rotation might not be representative of the actual homogeneity of the mixture in the container. Further, the prior art apparatus is undesirably complicated in construction.
SU-A-1 402 856 discloses an apparatus for mixing thermo-chromic compositions, such as mixtures of cholesteric liquid crystals. The ingredients are fed 10 a stationary container provided with a central stirrer. A thin layer of the mixture is allowed to pass between an interior plate and a window of the container. By inducing temperature gradients in this layer, by means of heaters, the degree of homogeneity is determined by analysis of the colour-temperature characteristics observed at the window. This type of apparatus is unsuitable for monitoring the homogeneity of most substances, and in particular pharmaceutical compositions and the like.
The object of the invention is to find a solution to the above described problems.
This object is achieved by an apparatus and a method according to the accompanying independent claims. Preferred embodiments are set forth in the dependent claims.
With the inventive technique, the measuring device can be arranged to monitor the homogeneity of the mixture at any location in the vessel. The non-rotating vessel provides for ease of attachment of the measuring devices to the vessel. Also, the measurements can be made non-invasively, i.e. without affecting the materials being mixed. Further, the homogeneity of the mixture can be monitored at any desired number of locations simultaneously. This will provide for a more optimised measurement, which will gives a better picture of the actual status of mixing process in the vessel, both with respect to local inhomogeneities as well as to a weighted average measure of the homogeneity in the entire batch.


A polyamide-based multilayered tubular packaging casing for pasty matter, in particular a synthetic sausage casing, is disclosed having an outer layer comprised of aliphatic polyamide, aliphatic copolyamide or a polymer blend comprising at least one of these compounds, an intermediate layer that is impermeable to water vapor and comprised of a polyolefin and an adhesion-promoting agent, and an inner layer that is preferably impermeable to oxygen and comprised of aliphatic and/or partially aromatic polyamides and/or aliphatic and/or partially aromatic copolyamides.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multilayered tubular packaging casing for pasty materials, in particular a synthetic sausage casing, based on polyamide.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Polyamide based casings have gained increased importance as foodstuff packaging materials and, in particular, as synthetic sausage casings. Quite a number of different types of sausage meats require casing materials that exhibit low permeability to water vapor in order to ensure that the weight loss of the sausage as a result of water loss during storage is kept to a minimum. This will also ensure that the sausage casing surrounds the sausage meat in a tight, crease-free manner, even after relatively long periods of storage without formation of hollow spaces between the inner wall of the casing and the sausage meat where jelly pockets can form. For this purpose, it is known to combine a polyamide layer with a polymer layer whose permeability to water vapor is lower than that of the polyamide layer. There are, however, certain types of food with which even the reduced permeability of these composite films is too high to be suitable for use. For example, sausage meat of the liverwurst type discolors when it is exposed to atmospheric oxygen, and therefore casings of the type described above are not suited for these types of sausage meat. To reduce the permeability of oxygen through such casings, the polyamide film additionally requires an oxygen barrier layer.
In EP-A-0,305,959, a multilayered polyamide film is disclosed, which may, for example, be used in the form of a heat-sealable bag for packaging meat and poultry. The film has a barrier layer against oxygen and comprises an amorphous, partially aromatic copolyamide (PA 6I/6T) having units of hexamethylene diamine, terephthalic acid and isophthalic acid. This copolyamide layer constitutes the core layer of the film and is sandwiched between two polyolefin layers that form a barrier against water vapor, whereby an inner polyamide layer has the purpose of preventing moisture of the packaged food from penetrating into the copolyamide core layer. It is, however, not advantageous to use polyolefin layers as inner layers of sausage casings because they do not exhibit adequate adhesion with sausage meats and thus favor the formation of jelly pockets.
EP-A-0,127,296 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,606,922) attempts to overcome this problem by providing an ionomer for the inner surface of a multilayered polyamide film and by treating the inner surface with ionizing radiation.
In accordance with DE-A-38 16 942 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,223) the formation of creases on a multilayered polyamide casing can be avoided by subjecting the inner layer comprising a polyolefin resin to a corona discharge treatment and, optionally, by dusting the inner layer using a starch powder. The proposed solutions have the disadvantage that the inner surface must be subjected to an additional pretreatment in order to prevent the formation of creases and jelly pockets between the inner surface of the casing and the sausage meat composition.


A system for operating a work vehicle may include an engine and a transmission coupled to the engine. The transmission may include a planetary gear unit configured to be selectively coupled to the engine by engaging one of two directional clutches of the transmission. The transmission may also include a hydrostatic drive unit having an input configured to be rotationally coupled to the engine and an output configured to be rotationally coupled to the planetary gear unit. Moreover, the transmission may include a bypass shaft assembly having a bypass shaft configured to be selectively coupled between the output of the hydrostatic drive unit and a given range clutch of the transmission via a bypass clutch. In addition, the system may include a controller configured to operate the transmission in a hydrostatic bypass mode by disengaging the directional clutches and by engaging the bypass clutch and the given range clutch.

Continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) utilizing both a planetary gear unit and a hydrostatic drive unit are well known. A variety of work machines use this type of transmission for industries such as agriculture, earth moving, construction, forestry, and mining. The hydrostatic drive unit allows the transmission to be operated in a hydro-mechanical mode in which a hydrostatic power flow is transmitted to the planetary gear unit from the hydrostatic drive unit and a mechanical power flow is transmitted to the planetary gear unit via a mechanical connection provided between the planetary gear unit and the engine. During operation, fluid displacement of the hydrostatic drive unit is varied to continuously change the output-to-input ratio of the transmission (i.e., the transmission ratio). This is accomplished by adjusting the angle of a swash plate of a variable displacement fluid pump or motor of the hydrostatic drive unit.
For current hydro-mechanical CVTs, shuttle shifting of the transmission requires the swash plate to be moved across its full range of travel at zero ground speed to shift from forward to reverse or vice versa. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates a graphical representation of the typical relationship between the transmission reciprocal ratio (i.e., the transmission output speed divided by the engine speed (or the transmission input speed)), denoted TRR, and the hydrostatic drive unit ratio (motor speed/pump speed), denoted HRR, of a conventional hydro-mechanical CVT having four selectable forward speed ranges and four selectable reverse speed ranges of operation: namely, forward speed range 1 or low (FR1); forward speed range 2 (FR2); forward speed range 3 (FR3); forward speed range 4 (FR4); reverse speed range 1 (RR1); reverse speed range 2 (RR2); reverse speed range 3 (RR3); and reverse speed range 4 (RR4). As is generally understood, the HRR is directly related to the swash plate angle of the pump of the hydrostatic drive unit. Accordingly, as the swash plate is moved, the transmission ratio, and, thus, the speed of the work vehicle is varied across a given speed range.
As shown in FIG. 1, for each of the speed ranges, the zero tilt position of the swash plate (e.g., indicated by the vertical TRR axis) lies between the maximum degrees of tilt in the opposite directions of movement of the swash plate. Thus, at the lowest HRR for the forward speed range FR1, the swash plate is typically at or near maximum tilt in the left hand or negative direction (which is also the zero speed ratio for the transmission for the forward direction). In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, to go from zero speed in the forward speed range FR1 to zero speed in the lowest speed range in the reverse direction (i.e., reverse speed range RR1), the swash plate must travel substantially its entire range of movement, as depicted by distance ROM. Thus, to perform a forward-to-reverse shuttle shift, not only must the forward and reverse directional clutches be swapped within the transmission, but the swash plate must also be moved the distance ROM. Such required movement of the swash plate significantly reduces the efficiency and smoothness while increasing the total time of shuttle shifting within the transmission.
Various systems have been proposed for addressing the issues associated with shuttle shifting within a conventional hydro-mechanical CVT. However, current systems still suffer from various drawbacks and fail to provide a complete solution for shuttle shifting.
Moreover, in addition to the difficulties associated with shuttle shifting, conventional hydro-mechanical CVTs also exhibit further issues when operating at low ground speeds. For instance, typical input-coupled systems start with large power generation and sacrifice system efficiency. Such hydraulic power regeneration not only reduces the system efficiency, but also increases the power through the mechanical branch of the transmission, which, in turn, imposes a significant limitation on the design of the mechanical gear train.
Accordingly, a system and method for operating a continuously variable transmission of a work vehicle in a manner that addresses one or more of the issues identified above is desired. In particular, a system and method for operating a continuously variable transmission of a work vehicle in a hydrostatic bypass mode that improves shuttle shifting performance and/or increases system efficiency at low ground speeds would be welcomed in the technology.

System and method for operating a continuously variable transmission of a work vehicle in a hydrostatic bypass mode


In a cooled axial/radial flow converter, in which process gas passes from an outer annulus via a catalyst bed to an inner center tube, the catalyst bed is divided into identical modules stacked on top of each other. The process gas reaches the catalyst through openings facing the outer annulus, passes axially down the catalyst bed of each module, leaves the module through collectors in the bottom thereof, and flows to the center tube. The catalyst bed is cooled by cooling panels, in which the process gas is pre-heated to the reaction temperature, while at the same time the heat of reaction is partly removed from the catalyst bed. The converter is especially suitable as ammonia converter.

The present invention relates to a novel axial/radial flow converter, preferably—but not exclusively—for use as an ammonia converter.
Ammonia converters are complicated due to the fact that the synthesis of ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen gas (in an approximate ratio of 1:3) is exothermic, and the reactions take place at high temperatures and pressures. Thus, interstage cooling is generally used between a series of catalyst zones to maintain kinetic and equilibrium conditions appropriate for optimum conversion efficiency. There must also be provisions made for servicing the catalyst zones, e.g. periodically removing and replacing catalyst when it loses its effectiveness.
Because ammonia converters are complicated, but also very important pieces of equipment, many efforts are made to improve their efficiency. Thus, US 2004/0096370 discloses a split-flow vertical ammonia converter, in which a fixed-bed catalyst zone is configured into two mechanically separated catalyst volumes and two gas streams operating in parallel. This design maintains the ratio of gas flow to catalyst volume so that there is no catalyst effectiveness loss. The catalyst beds and gas flow paths are configured so that the gas flow is downwards through each catalyst volume.
According to US 2008/0014137, ammonia is produced in a converter in which pseudo-isothermal conditions can be approached by convection cooling of a reaction zone by positioning at least a portion of said zone in indirect contact with a flow of hot gas, such as exhaust gas or pre-heated air.
The use of axial-radial flow reactors in synthesis processes is not novel in itself. It is e.g. disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,427,760, which describes axial-radial reactors in the Braun synloop with external heat sink. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,372,920, an axial-radial reactor for use in heterogeneous synthesis is described, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,352,428 deals with high-conversion ammonia synthesis. FIG. 4 of the latter US patent is an illustration of an axial-radial flow reactor suitable for use in the apparatus and process described.
US 2002/0102192 A1 describes a catalytic reactor wherein axial-radial flow may be achieved with the consequent advantages of a reduced pressure differential, but without any "complex reactor internals". The reactor has inlet and outlet ports and a bed of particulate catalyst disposed round a central region communicating with one of the ports and presenting less resistance to flow than the catalyst particles. The central region within the catalyst bed has a height equal to at least a major part of the height of the catalyst bed, and the exterior surface of the catalyst bed less than that of the reactor, thus leaving a space between the exterior surface of the catalyst bed and the interior walls of the reactor, said space being filled with a particulate material with less resistance to flow than the catalyst particles.
In EP 2 167 226 B1, a wall system for catalytic beds of reactors for heterogeneous synthesis of chemical compounds is disclosed. The reactors are equipped with fixed catalyst beds crossed by a gaseous flow of synthesis gas, particularly with axial-radial flow. The design may resemble that of the present invention, but the canister concept is not envisaged.
A multi-bed catalytic converter with inter-bed heat exchangers, comprising a plurality of superimposed catalytic beds and a common heat exchanger, is disclosed in EP 2 759 338 A1. The design of this converter does not have much in common with the design of the axial/radial flow converter of the present invention.
Finally, US 2004/0204507 describes a cooled axial/radial flow converter comprising an annular catalyst bed and a plurality of cooling panels arranged in a radial pattern inside the catalyst bed and surrounding a central pipe. The catalyst bed and the shell of the converter forms an outer annulus through which a process gas is passed to the catalyst bed. The process gas flows in axial-radial direction through the catalyst bed and is subsequently collected in the central pipe. The axial/radial flow converter of the present invention differs from that of the US application in that the catalyst bed is divided into a number of identical modules stacked on top of each other and also in that the process gas is passed through the cooling panels to pre-heat the gas.
When low pressure drop is required in a fixed bed catalytic converter, a radial flow type converter is often selected. However, in special cases, such as cooled catalyst bed, catalyst shrinkage or catalyst particles having low strength combined with a high catalyst bed, this solution is not practical, and instead inter-bed cooling or parallel reactors must be selected.


A motor includes: a rotor having a permanent magnet and a stator having salient poles with coils. First to sixth salient pole groups each having n salient poles are arranged along a circumferential direction. The salient pole groups to which electric currents of the same phase are supplied are displaced from each other by 180 degrees in mechanical angle. Each salient pole has a straight shape. A coil group on the salient poles of each salient pole group is formed by connecting the n coils in series, winding directions of the coils of adjacent salient poles are opposite to each other, the coils are connected to each other at a distal or a proximal end side of the salient pole by a connecting wire between the adjacent salient poles, and the connecting wires have a reverse relationship with respect to the distal or the proximal end side between adjacent slots.

A power mechanism which incorporates a motor therein has been positively used in various vehicles, equipment and the like. Particularly, with respect to a power mechanism used in an applied product such as an electric vehicle such as a wheelchair, an electric stand-on two-wheeled vehicle (for example, Segway (registered trademark)) or the like, a nursing care robot or an electric reel for fishing, there has been a demand for a power mechanism which is small-sized and light-weighted but can output a high torque.
As a method for enabling a power mechanism to output a high torque, a method which uses a reduction gear is named as one example. In this method, a reduction gear which has a plurality of gears is connected to an output shaft (shaft) of a motor so that rotational speed produced by the motor is reduced whereby power whose torque is increased is transmitted from an output shaft of the reduction gear. However, this method additionally requires the reduction gear besides the motor and hence, the number of parts is increased whereby it is difficult to make the whole power mechanism small-sized and light-weighted. Further, problems such as an energy loss in the reduction gear or the generation of noises also newly arise more or less.
As another method, there has been known a direct driving method where a power mechanism is driven only by a motor without using a reduction gear. In this case, it is necessary to increase a torque which can be outputted to some extent.
As a motor which can output a relatively high torque, conventionally, there has been known a motor which uses salient poles (iron cores or cores having a projecting shape) (see patent document 1).
FIG. 16 is a view for describing a conventional motor 900. With respect to coils 950, only the coils which are mounted on salient poles 940 which belong to a first salient pole group 941G and a fourth salient pole group 944G are shown, and the coils mounted on other salient poles are omitted from the drawing. Symbols are not given to a second salient pole group 942G, a third salient pole group 943G, a fifth salient pole group 945G, a sixth salient pole group 946G, a second coil group 952G, a third coil group 953G, a fifth coil group 955G and a sixth coil group 956G.
As shown in FIG. 16, the conventional motor 900 is a motor 900 which includes: a rotor 920 having a permanent magnet 924 where a magnetic pole having an N pole and a magnetic pole having an S pole are alternately arranged along a circumferential direction; and a stator 930 configured such that the stator 930 has a plurality of salient poles 940 on which coils 950 are mounted respectively, the plurality of salient poles 940 are arranged along a circumferential direction, and distal end surfaces of the salient poles 940 opposedly face a surface of the permanent magnet 924 on which the magnetic poles are arranged.
In FIG. 16, the number of salient poles 940 which the stator 930 has is 12.
In the stator 930, the first salient pole group 941G consisting of two salient poles 940, the second salient pole group 942G consisting of two salient poles 940, the third salient pole group 943G consisting of two salient poles 940, the fourth salient pole group 944G consisting of two salient poles 940, the fifth salient pole group 945G consisting of two salient poles 940, and the sixth salient pole group 946G consisting of two salient poles 940 are arranged along a circumferential direction of the stator 930 in this order. Further, the first salient pole group 941G and the fourth salient pole group 944G are arranged so as to be positioned at positions displaced from each other by 180° in terms of a mechanical angle. The second salient pole group 942G and the fifth salient pole group 945G are arranged so as to be positioned at positions displaced from each other by 180° in terms of a mechanical angle. The third salient pole group 943G and the sixth salient pole group 946G are arranged so as to be positioned at positions displaced from each other by 180° in terms of a mechanical angle.
A first coil group 951G consisting of two coils 950 connected in series is mounted on two salient poles 940 of the first salient pole group 941G. A second coil group 952G consisting of two coils 950 connected in series is mounted on two salient poles 940 of the second salient pole group 942G. A third coil group 953G consisting of two coils 950 connected in series is mounted on two salient poles 940 of the third salient pole group 943G. A fourth coil group 954G consisting of two coils 950 connected in series is mounted on two salient poles 940 of the fourth salient pole group 944G. A fifth coil group 955G consisting of two coils 950 connected in series is mounted on two salient poles 940 of the fifth salient pole group 945G. A sixth coil group 956G consisting of two coils 950 connected in series is mounted on two salient poles 940 of the sixth salient pole group 946G.
A U-phase current is supplied to the first coil group 951G and the fourth coil group 954G, a V-phase current is supplied to the second coil group 952G and the fifth coil group 955G, and a W-phase current is supplied to the third coil group 953G and the sixth coil group 956G.
With such a conventional motor 900, the stator (armature) 930 includes the salient poles (core) 940 and hence, it is expected that the motor 900 can acquire a larger output compared to a coreless motor (see a left upper column and the like on page 2 of patent literature 1).

Motor with a stator having salient poles and method of manufacturing the motor