A rack oven which comprises a baking chamber, a door providing access to the baking chamber, a combustion chamber containing a plurality of in-shot burners, a heat exchanger in combination with the combustion chamber containing a plurality of heat exchange tubes, a steam generator, one or more blower fans for circulating air in a closed path throughout the oven, and a ventor exhaust blower for expelling combustion gases.

This invention relates to rack ovens useful for baking or heating food products and, more particularly, to commercial rack ovens such as those used in the bakery industry.
Rack ovens are generally equipped with a fuel-fed heating element and a fan for moving heated air throughout a baking chamber to provide a rapid distribution of hot air over the food product. Commercial ovens of this type include a baking chamber, which is sized to receive a rack having multiple shelves containing products to be baked; a power driven, rotating mechanism to rotate the product as it is being cooked or baked; a combustion system including a single unit burner with a heat exchanger; an exhaust system to eliminate the combustion gases; and a circulating system for directing hot air across the products in the baking chamber. Conventional rack ovens of the type for baking bread generally include a steam generator for the introduction of steam into the oven for brief periods of time, usually at the beginning of the baking process, to impart a desired color and crispness to the crust of the bread.
A particular disadvantage of such ovens is the combustion/exhaust system. There are several main types of combustion/exhaust systems presently used in the manufacture of rack ovens. In one system, air for the combustion mixture is drawn into the system by the action of the flowing gas under pressure. Without any additional means for moving the combustion gases, it is critical that the system employ proper fluing to eliminate the combustion gases. Another system employs an external electrically powered fan which drives air into the combustion system. In this system, ignition of the gas/air mixture is quite often difficult to achieve. Furthermore, as the system accumulates dirt over a period of time, less air is forced into the system while the same amount of gas is being supplied. This causes the gas/air ratio to become progressively richer until delayed combustion occurs resulting in an explosion (commonly known as "puffs"). These explosions are not only hazardous to workers, but can be very destructive to the equipment.
In addition to the above combustion/exhaust system problems, other disadvantages of commercially available ovens are their bulkiness, high manufacturing costs and inefficient heating characteristics.


A keyway illumination and key-loss prevention system and method provides a smart key having a master module, and a keyway having an integral slave module. The modules are in operational communication with a mobile communication device. The mobile communication device is operable with a positional detection software application that identifies relative positions of the master and slave module. The slave module generates a geofence near keyway. The master module transmits a signal defining positional information. The positional information includes the position of master module, relative to the slave module. The positional detection software processes the positional information from the emitted signal. The positional detection software triggers the communication device to actuate an alert when the positional information indicates the master module has exited the geofence of the keyway. An illumination device is operable to illuminate when the positional information indicates the master module has entered the geofence of the keyway.

The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.
It is known that a key is a device that is used to operate a lock. The key serves to lock or unlock the lock, keyway, gate, etc. A typical key is a small piece of metal consisting of two parts: the blade, which slides into the keyway of the lock and distinguishes between different keys, and the bow, which is left protruding so that torque can be applied by the user. The key serves as a security token for access to the locked area; only persons having the correct key can open the lock and gain access to a gate, door, vehicle ignition, and the like.
Generally, door lock keys are devices that allow security access to its user. However, the inexpensive device can become difficult to use in locations with poor lighting, owing to weather conditions, time of day or physical orientation of the lock. To address this problem, illumination is the required solution. There are night light devices that illuminate around the keyway in conditions that ordinarily make the key's usage difficult.
A geofence is a virtual perimeter for a geographic location. Geofencing is a location-based service in which an app or other software uses GPS, RFID, Wi-Fi or cellular data to trigger a pre-programmed action when a mobile device or RFID tag enters or exits a virtual boundary set up around the geographical location. A geo-fence could be dynamically generated—as in a radius around a point location, or a geo-fence can be a predefined set of boundaries.
Other proposals have involved illuminating keyways, and identifying the location of lost keys. The problem with these illumination devices is that they do not provide an independent source for locating and alerting to the lost key. Also, the illumination is not triggered effectively when the key approaches the keyway. Also, they do not indicate if the matching key is being used in the keyway. Even though the above cited illuminating keys and lost-key alerts meet some of the needs of the market, a keyway illumination and key-loss prevention system that provides a smart key having a master module, and a keyway having an integral slave module; whereby the modules are in operational communication with a mobile communication device that is operable with a positional detection software application; whereby the positional detection software identifies relative positions of the master and slave module for actuating an illumination device when the smart key enters the geofence of the keyway, and triggering an alert when the smart key exits the geofence of the keyway, is still desired.

Keyway illumination and key-loss prevention system and method


Dampening solution is supplied to a printing form of an offset printing press. The quantity of dampening solution is alternatingly varied about a preselectable mean value between a minimum value and a maximum value. The variation is independent of possible fluctuations due to deviations in the controlled supply of dampening solution. The mean, minimum and maximum values are defined from an ink distribution on a printed subject.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method of supplying or feeding dampening solution to a printing form of an offset printing press.
In offset printing with offset printing presses, it is necessary to feed ink and dampening solution to the printing form. This is accomplished with so-called inking and dampening units, respectively. The dampening solution is preferably treated water, mixed with dampening-solution additives as well as a share of alcohol. An arrangement of rollers in the dampening unit ensures that the dampening solution is applied to the printing form in as uniform a distribution as possible in order to form a thin dampening-solution film. Particularly considering the present-day striving for increased productivity in printing and the use of less-experienced pressmen, it is becoming ever more important that the production process should be stable, simple and problem-free. One of the dreaded troubles is so-called emulsification in the inking unit, which may occur particularly in the case of unevenly structured printing subjects and/or lengthy production processes. It has become known heretofore that, even if the sheet is completely printed with ink, the conventional offset printing process requires a component or share of dampening solution. This is, for example, because of the non-printed margins and, also, in order to stabilize the transfer process. The quantity of dampening solution required therefor is relatively large. In contrast therewith, non-printed image areas require a smaller component or share of dampening solution. If printing is performed with the same subject over a lengthy period of time, it is then possible for problems to occur, as shown in practice; in particular, the aforementioned emulsification may occur, the only recourse to which then being the time-consuming cleaning of the inking unit. The production process becomes particularly sensitive when only small areas or even just lines are being printed.
Published Non-prosecuted German Application 40 28 083 discloses a method of controlling dampening in offset printing presses wherein, during the production run, the smear limit is reached at intervals, with the actual value measured at the smear limit being used as the setpoint value for the following controlling of the quantity of dampening solution.
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a method of feeding dampening solution of the foregoing general type, which avoids emulsification in the inking unit, particularly in the case of unevenly structured subjects and/or lengthy production processes.

Method of supplying or feeding dampening solution


The performance of a generator is improved in a higher range of the output by correcting a decrease in the average direct current voltage supplied to an inverter.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a generator set having an inverter and, more particularly, to a generator set having an inverter which can be operated at higher efficiency throughout a wider range of revolutions even if the output of an inverter is changed.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is well-known that an engine operated generator for use as an alternating current power source is equipped with an inverter for stabilizing the frequency of its output. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a generator set having an inverter. A three-phase alternating current output generated by a generator 100 is converted into direct current form by a rectifier 110 including thyristors and then transferred via a capacitor smoothing unit 120 to an inverter 130. The inverter 130 converts the direct current input into an alternating current output of a commercial frequency. Some generator sets having an inverter with engines are disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publications (Heisei)11-308896 and 6-121597. As its output frequency hardly depends on the revolution of an engine, the generator set having an inverter can be operated by controlling the revolution of the engine to produce a desired output, that is, an output corresponding to a load.
The generator set having an inverter capable of determining the output of its inverter corresponding to the load, however, exhibits a disadvantage when its rectifying unit is controlled by switching so that the direct current input of the inverter stays not higher than a target voltage level. In case that the generator is a relatively small sized magnetic generator, it may fail to supply the inverter with a power enough to produce a peak of the output. For example, when the inverter is energized by the generator of 3 KW output for producing an output of 2 KVA, its peak output will be 4 KVA. A shortage in the power output of the generator is hence made up for by discharging a capacitance of the capacitor smoothing unit. However, if the capacitance is small, it can hardly make up for the shortage. The direct current voltage to the inverter is controlled so as to not exceed a target level. Because the direct current voltage to the inverter stays not higher than the target level and the capacitance in the capacitor smoothing unit remains small, a compensated level of the direct current voltage will hardly reach the target level, on average.
As a result, the output of the generator at a lower range of voltage may be used even if its level is not enough. In particular, as the generator at a higher revolution fails to produce a desired high level of power output, its operational efficiency will be declined.
This will be explained in more detail.
FIG. 7 illustrates different profiles of the power output of the generator of a magnetic type where the speed is a parameter. As shown, the curves A, B, and C represent the relationship between the current and the voltage output of the generator at H, M, and L (H greater than M greater than L) of the speed, respectively. Denoted by Ap, Bp, and Cp are three outputs of the generator at the curves A, B, and C, respectively. For having the output of the inverter adjusted to match a load, the direct current voltage at the input of the inverter is controlled to maintain at a target voltage level V. It is clearly apparent from the diagram that when the direct current voltage at the input of the inverter is maintained at the target voltage level V, the generator at L, M, and H of the speed can produce different outputs denoted by p, q, and r assigned on the curves Ap, Bp, and Cp, respectively.
However, if the average voltage at the input of the inverter remains low, as denoted by Vxe2x80x2, but does not reach the target voltage level V, the output of the generator may stay at pxe2x80x2, qxe2x80x2, and rxe2x80x2 on the curves Ap, Bp, and Cp.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a generator set having an inverter which eliminates the foregoing drawback and when the power supply is short, can use a higher range of voltage output of its generator and thus be improved in the operational efficiency.
As a first feature of the present invention, a generator set having a converter composed of semiconductor rectifying devices for rectifying the power output of a magnetic generator, a capacitor smoothing means for smoothing a direct current output of the converter, and an inverter for converting an output of the capacitor smoothing means into an alternating current form at a particular frequency is provided comprising: a semiconductor rectifying device driving means for controlling the conduction of the semiconductor rectifying devices to maintain the smoothed voltage output of the capacitor smoothing means at a target voltage level; an average calculating means for calculating an average of the smoothed voltage output; and a target voltage level adjusting means for increasing the target voltage level when the average is smaller than the target voltage level by a specific amount. As a second feature of the present invention, the average of the smoothed voltage output may be calculated at every output period of the inverter.
These features allow the target voltage level of the smoothed voltage output of the capacitor smoothing means to be increased when its average is reduced by a specific amount from the target voltage level. Then, the smoothed voltage output is modified to the adjusted target voltage level.
As a third feature of the present invention, the generator set having an inverter may further comprise: a conduction rate detecting means for detecting the conduction rate of the semiconductor rectifying devices; and an engine speed controlling means for controlling the speed of an engine to drive the generator so that the conduction rate is converged on a predetermined target rate, wherein the controlling of the speed of the engine is implemented by adjusting the supply of fuel to the engine.
The third feature allows the speed of the engine to be varied throughout a wider range to control the conduction of the semiconductor rectifying devices to a desired rate.
As a fourth feature of the present invention, the engine speed controlling means may be arranged to decrease the revolution of the engine when the deviation of the conduction rate from the target rate is positive and increase the same when negative. As a fifth feature of the present invention, a rate of change of the speed of the engine is greater at a increase than at a decrease thereof.

Engine speed controlled generator set having an inverter and direct current output smoothing capacitor

Abstract: An average calculator calculates an average of direct current voltage inputs to the inverter for comparing with a target voltage (level) VDC. When it is judged by an average voltage deviation detector that the average is smaller by a specific amount than the target voltage level, the target voltage level is increased by an adjusting unit. A conductor angle setting unit determines the conduction angle of thyristors to change the voltage input of the inverter to an adjusted target voltage level VDCm. A thyristor drive circuit controls the conduction of the thyristors in the converter according to the conduction angle.


A hybrid mint plant characterized by an essential oil composition profile, methods of cultivating the hybrid mint plant, and methods of producing an essential oil composition with the essential oil composition profile using the hybrid mint plant are disclosed.

The industrial mint crops are widely cultivated for the commercial production of essential oils. Mint family species (Mentha spp. L.), including peppermint and spearmint, are important specialty crops valued for the essential oils produced in trichomes on the surface of leaves. Spearmint is particularly known as a major source of carvone-rich essential oil for perfumery and flavoring industries and is grown worldwide. Spearmint is a fast-growing perennial crop capable of biosynthesizing significant amounts of essential oils containing a variety of ingredients, such as rosmarinic acid and other phenolics. For example, the essential oil of Mentha arvensis Linn. var Piperascens is a well-known source of the monoterpene 'menthol' used in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, food, confectionery and liquor industries.
Different varieties of a given plant species may provide different ratios of ingredients within the essential oils they produce. Different mint plant species and even different varieties of the same mint plant species provide different essential oil compositions that may vary widely. However, once a particular mint plant variety is identified, the plant may be clonally propagated and used to produce essential oils of a consistent content profile for a sustained period over at least several harvests.
Mint plants are capable of producing underground rhizomes which can be used as propagates for field planting. Mint plants are also capable of rapidly producing rooted branches which can aid in faster propagations. In addition, mint plants are typically easy to cultivate, can sustain several harvests annually, and exhibit rapid re-growth after each harvest, making mint plants amenable to methods of producing essential oils of a consistent composition on an industrial scale.

Method for cultivation of hybrid mint plant designated 13-S12-2 for production of essential oil composition


A multi-band (multi-color) multiwavelength mode locked laser diode is provided by dynamic phase compensation of a quantum dot active medium. The laser diode is provided with a PIN diode structure where the active medium consists of a plurality of layers of quantum dots such as those produced by self-assembly from known chemical beam epitaxy methods. The multiplicity of bands may be produced by AC Stark splitting, frequency selective attenuation, or by the inclusion of multiple different layers having different, respective, peak ASE emissions. Dispersion compensation within laser facets, waveguides, and the optically active media permit the selection of a fixed dispersion within the cavity. A dynamic group phase change induced by the AC Stark effect permits compensation of the fixed dispersion sufficiently to produce an intraband mode-locked laser. Even interband mode locking was observed.

Multiwavelength lasers based on Quantum Dots (QDs) are known in the art. They produce light that, in the frequency domain, consists of a few to hundreds of lasing modes that are discretely and substantially uniformly spaced apart in a band (also known as a "colour").
According to the prior art, (single-band) multiwavelength lasers have been produced with different gain materials such as rare-earth-doped fibers, bulk or quantum-well (QW) semiconductor waveguides, and by using different techniques such as active overlapping linear cavities [5], a high birefringence fiber loop mirror [6], intracavity polarization hole burning [7], distributed Bragg grating [8], an elliptical fiber [9], intracavity tunable cascaded long-period fiber gratings [10], a sampled chirp fiber Bragg grating [11], a self-seeded Fabry-Pérot laser diode [12], spatial mode beating within a multimode fiber section [13], multi-cavity oscillation [14], and others [15-18].
Because of the nature of large homogeneous broadening of gain media, the resulting multiwavelength lasers are sensitive to variations in intracavity gain and/or loss. Because every lasing mode shares mostly the same population inversion reservoir, all lasing modes compete continuously with each other for a larger share of this reservoir. Given the unavoidable fluctuations in electrical and optical fields within the optically active medium, the intracavity gain-loss balance for any lasing mode could be broken, resulting in fluctuations of the laser output. Consequently, the number of lasing modes in one band is very limited and the intensity of each lasing mode fluctuates.
To overcome these problems, a new gain material, semiconductor quantum dots (QDs), were introduced for generating multiwavelength lasers. The nature of QDs as active gain material permits inhomogeneous gain broadening to suppress the competition among lasing modes, leading to single-band QD-based multiwavelength lasers with tens or hundreds of lasing modes [2-3, 19], which have been demonstrated with high intensity stability and high signal-to-noise ratio.
So far, QD-based mode-locked lasers at different wavelengths and various repetition rates have been successfully demonstrated [24-26] owing to the inhomogeneous spectral broadening based on the statistical distribution in QD sizes and shapes as well as the subpicosecond gain recovery times.
Because of their compact size, mechanical stability, low power consumption, direct electrical pumping, easy operation, and manufacturability, (single-color) mode-locked lasers are promising as cost-effective and versatile light sources for many applications such as: all-optical clock recovery and high bit rate transmission in optical communications [20], coherent manipulations of qubits in quantum computation [21], generation of microwave or THz radiation in spectroscopy [22], ultrafast optical processing, multi-photon imaging, and laser machining [23]. These and other applications are possible for multi-band mode-locked lasers.
Multi-band (or multi-colour) lasers, lasers that emit at multiple bands are also known. Mode-locked lasers operating simultaneously at two or more bands have been developed in the visible wavelength range with the use of two cavities sharing a single Ti: sapphire crystal [27], or by Raman scattering [28-29]. However, as far as Applicant knows, no work specially addressing two- or multi-band mode-locked lasers using QD active media has been reported.
Recently two-band QD-based multiwavelength continuous wave (CW) lasing from both a ground state and an excited state has been reported [4] near the 1.3 μm wavelength neighbourhood. Because the ground state and excited state have fixed energy-level structures, the band positions in this two-band laser are also fixed. This provides no flexibility in the positions and distributions of the bands.
There is a need for multi-band multiwavelength lasers from QD materials with some flexibility regarding the positions and distributions of the channels within the bands. Furthermore it would be desirable to produce intraband, and/or multiwavelength mode-locked lasers.

Multi-band multiwavelength quantum dot mode-locked lasers


Apparatus for generating and displaying moving pictures in which a combination of a number of locally displaceable picture elements have positions that are variable and/or selectable by a number of adjustable outer or final control elements. At least part of individual final control elements have associated with them an inner control element. The position of the final control elements is variable in response to the action of the control elements, and these inner control elements are arranged on a movable inner control element carrier. The control elements constitute mechanical information storages in which the information has a total of at least two mechanical states and can be transmitted by mechanical contact to the associated final control elements, and hence to the picture elements. The information of the inner control elements is made variable by moving the control element carrier.

The two best known devices for the production and display of moving pictures are the film projector and the television receiver. Both devices have been perfected to a high degree, but each requires relatively complex and expensive apparatus.
The apparatus in accordance with the present invention has the purpose of displaying a very large number of different moving pictures with simple and inexpensive means, mostly of a mechanical nature. It is distinguished by the fact that the positions of picture elements are variable and/or selectable by means of a number of adjustable final control elements; and that the individual final control elements are at least partially assigned one control element each temporarily, with the position of the final control elements being adjustable by the action of the control elements and the control elements arranged on a movable control element carrier and constituting mechanical information storages whose information consists of a total of at least two mechanical conditions and is transmitted by mechanical contact to the corresponding final control elements and thus via connecting means to the picture elements, with the information of the control elements being changeable by moving the control element carrier.

Apparatus for the production and display of moving pictures


Flexible wire loop slip ring brushes for use in miniaturized gyroscopes. A lurality of flexible wire loop brushes hug or embrace opposite peripheral sides of respective slip rings in resilient sliding contact over a substantial arc for establishing a redundancy of "a" spots for assured paths through which electrical current may pass with minimal resistance. The rings and the brushes are gold alloy which in sliding contact provide good electrical conductivity and low noise.

Electrical conduction between brushes and slip rings have long encountered problems relating to frictional drag, noise, electrical resistance and even open circuits due to chemical film or physical fouling of contact points by foreign debris. These problems, particularly open circuits, have been magnified with miniaturization.
Electrical conduction through mechanically mating contact members does not occur over a continuous or substantial area. All fabricated structures have some degree of surface roughness, and when two such surfaces are brought into mechanical contact they actually touch only where their peaks (asperities) on opposing topographies coincide to a define "a" spots. As contact force on the structures is increased, the asperities are deformed, thus increasing individual "a" spot areas, and allowing other asperities to begin making contact. In practice, increasing contact force does not ultimately achieve total area contact.
The flow of electrical current from one contact member to another is constrained to mating "a" spots, thereby giving rise to a constriction resistance due to the decreased conductive area in the contact interface. In addition to constrictive resistance, there are always, except in perfect vacuum, films of various types which contribute additional resistance. These films may cause a contact to perform poorly, or fail altogether. Relative movement between the members cause wear at their interfacing "a" spots. Some beneficial effects of wear are that mating contacts become fitted to each other, thereby smoothing the surface and increasing contact area. A deleterious effect is that the wear creates debris, causing intermittent performance and electrical shorts between adjacent circuits.
These factors must be taken into consideration in the design of miniaturized precision slip rings and brushes for inclusion on gyroscopes used in inertial guidance systems where frictional drag, noise, resistance to current flow, and an environment free of foreign bodies are important considerations. In considering loop brush designs for miniaturized gyroscopes there are trade-offs in brush wire sizes, brush tension, noise, wear, and angle of brush wrap about the slip ring.
One design of a miniaturized slip ring and brush design is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,396,586. While this patent is primarily concerned with a method of assembling slip rings with a plurality of axially-spaced brushes, it discloses slip rings being contacted by a plurality of axially spaced brushes which are pieces of spring tempered round wire sections bent to a U-shape, the legs of which make point contact on opposite sides of each slip ring.
Typical wire brush arrangement in the prior art employ U-shaped round leg brushes riding in V-groove slip rings which provided a maximum of four junctures per circuit. It is obvious that contact spots which are commonly only a few micrometers in diameter are quite susceptible to contamination. Airborne dusts, for example, are common in size range of one to 20 micrometers, and bacteria may be about one micrometer in diameter. Other physical interference by free bodies, such as from abraded parts and organic vapors, add to the problem of maintaining electrical contact through the "a" spots.

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


A method for disintegrating a material comprises acting on the material being disintegrated with shock waves produced upon applying individual electromagnetic field pulses to a current-conducting element arranged in a close proximity to the material being disintegrated. An apparatus for disintegrating a material comprises a unit forming electromagnetic field pulses connected to a current source and arranged in a close proximity to the current-conducting element.

At present frozen together or caked granular materials in railway open cars are crushed before unloading by uniformly loosening the cargo over the full height of the open car (cf. D. I. Segal, "Loading and Unloading Equipment" (in Russian), Znamya Publishers, Moscow, 1976, pp. 26-27).
This method is, however, rather inefficient and requires large time and labour consumption. Apparatus for carrying out this method are cumbersome, complicated and exhibit high power requirements.
Known in the art in an apparatus for crushing oversized lumps of ore and rocks, comprising a casing accommodating a spring-loaded work tip (hammer) driven by hydraulic or pneumatic system. The apparatus may also be used for loosening and disintegrating caked or frozen together granular materials in railway open cars (cf. USSR Inventor's Certificate No. 340,447, Cl B02C 1/12, 1970).
Known in the art is a loosening excavator, comprising a loosening column provided with a work tip, and a vibratory mechanism comprising a double-action cylinder, vibratory impact impulses alternately acting on both the loosening column and work tip (cf. USSR Inventor's Certificate No. 371,320, Cl. E02f (5/30, 1970).
Known in the art is an apparatus for excavating hard rocks, comprising an excavating machine with a working member having teeth provided with pneumatic hammers (cf. USSR Inventor's Certificate No. 65,948, Cl. E02f 5/30, 1945).
All above-described apparatus are complicated, exhibit low efficiency and have limited field of application.
Better results are provided by a method for disintegrating a material involving application thereto of impulse shock waves induced by an explosion. Upon an explosion, a compression sawtooth wave propagates through the material. The disturbance incident on the exposed boundary of the material is reflected therefrom in the form of a tension wave. Superposition of the incident compression wave and reflected tension wave results in disintegration of the material (cf. J. S. Reinchart and J. Pearson, "Explosive Treatment of Metals" (transl. from English), Mir Publishers, Moscow, 1966, pp. 168-175).
The disadvantage of this prior art method resides in complicated realization thereof and high danger for the personnel performing the explosion operations.
Most perfect and efficient among prior art apparatus is a bulldozer for excavating frozen soil and rocks by an explosion method. The bulldozer comprises a working member mounted to a carrier vehicle. The working member incorporates combustion chambers and a exhaust pipe having its open end extending through holes provided in the working surface of the working member. The working member has work bits secured to a piston rod caused to move under the action of gases formed in the combustion chamber upon combustion of fuel mix. During the movement of the piston, the work bit connected thereto accomplishes the work to disintegrate the soil. At the same time, the gases leaving the exhaust pipes loosen the soil being treated and throw it away from the working surface of the working member thereby facilitating penetration of the working member into the soil.
This apparatus is deficient in complicated structure, high energy consumption and low efficiency when working in rocks.

Method and apparatus for disintegrating a material

Petrozavodskaya ulitsa, 15, korpus 1, kv. 113


An improved locking mechanism for detachably securing a seat back to a chair frame is disclosed. The improved locking mechanism includes a pair of side brackets secured to opposite sides of the seat back. Linkage supported from the chair frame are provided for receiving the slide brackets thereon for supporting the seat back on the chair frame in a predetermined orientation relative to the seat member. A moveable locking arm is supported from the slide brackets and includes an offset arcuate cam surface which is adapted to engage an arcuate notch formed on the linkage when the locking arm is moved to a locked position. The mating engagement of the arcuate offset cam surface within the arcuate notch generates a line-of-contact therebetween which inhibits relative movement between the slide brackets and the upstanding links for rigidly securing seat member to the chair frame. An alternative embodiment discloses a modified link member which is adapted to create an interference engagement with the slide bracket to augment the locking action of the arcuate cam surface within the arcuate notch.

The present invention relates generally to articles of furniture and, more particularly, to an improved locking mechanism for detachably securing a seat back relative to a seat member.
It is known in the furniture industry to install detachable seat back members on chairs, sofas and the like to facilitate more efficient storage and shipment. More particularly, detachable seat backs are primarily used on reclining-type chairs which typically have high seat back members. One example of a reclining chair having a detachable seat back is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,525,549 which illustrates the use of slide brackets mounted on each side of the seat back that are insertable over upstanding swing links mounted on opposite sides of the chair. A locking arm is pivotably supported from each of the slide brackets for movement between a "released" position to a "locked" position. In the "locked" position, a cam surface formed on the locking arm lockingly engages a rectangular notch formed on the upstanding swing links for latching the slide brackets and, in turn, the seat back to the chair. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 4,082,355 discloses a similar locking mechanism for detachably securing a seat back to a seating unit of a upholstered sofa.
While conventional locking mechanisms generally perform satisfactorily, an undesirable "squeaking" or "rattling" noise may occur upon the seat occupant applying or removing pressure from the seat back. This undesirable noise is caused by pivotal or "rocking" movement of the locking arm cam surface relative to the rectangular notch which generates audible metal-to-metal contact between the slide brackets and the upstanding swing links.


A residue remaining on an object to be cleaned after cleaning is easily detected and observed on the object. Adhesive materials for use in residue confirmation, which are applied in advance to an object to be cleaned for confirmation of a residue remaining on the object after cleaning, are formed by coloring chips produced during cutting work. The adhesive materials are preferably formed by coating and coloring the chips with paint, the paint emitting visible light in an excited state.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an adhesive material for use in residue confirmation, which is applied in advance to an object to be cleaned for confirmation of a residue remaining on the object after cleaning, and a method for confirmation of a residue remaining on the object after cleaning using the adhesive material, in cleaning of objects to be cleaned such as machine parts.
2. Description of the Related Art
Examples of the machine parts include parts cut from an extruded material and parts with a material formed by casting as a starting material. Machine parts are generally manufactured by subjecting the starting material to milling, drilling, tapping, polishing or other machining, and further surface treatment. Cleaning of the machine parts is performed while they are being machined, or before or after they are machined, or after the surface treatment. The cleaning is aimed at removing a casting mold release agent or sand mold adhering to the starting material, chips produced by machining, foreign particles caused by conveyance of an intermediate workpiece in process of machining, foreign particles deposited by surface treatment, etc. from an object (workpiece) to be machined or treated.
The workpiece after machining, which is to be cleaned by a cleaning apparatus, is referred to as the object to be cleaned, and sometimes simply as the object. The workpiece with chips thereon, as the object to be cleaned, is conveyed to the cleaning apparatus.
Most of the dirt adhering to the object to be cleaned, that is, the residue remaining on the object to be cleaned, is chips produced during cutting work of machine parts. The shape of the chips changes depending on the cutting methods and conditions, and includes a helical shape, thin sheet rectangular piece, spiral, disc or other irregular shapes. These chips may fall into a recess, screw hole, water hole, crossing hole, etc. provided in a workpiece when the workpiece is machined. Furthermore, because the chips have irregular shapes, edges of the chips pierce the object to be cleaned or get caught in a hollow portion in the object to be cleaned, so that the chips and the object to be cleaned may be joined together.
Examples of the cleaning apparatus include a spray cleaning machine. The spray cleaning machine is configured such that an object to be cleaned is put into the cleaning machine, and then cleaning liquid increased in pressure by a high-pressure pump is jetted from a nozzle to thereby wash the object.
Within the spray cleaning machine, the chips fall off the object under the dynamic pressure of the jet jetted from the nozzle. Then the chips leave the object along with the flow produced by the jet jetted from the nozzle. However, the chips joined to the object are hard to remove with a jet of the sprayed cleaning liquid.
As a related-art technology, a method is known (see, for example, Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 2011-206619), in which cleaning water used for cleaning components is filtered by a filter and dust accumulated on the filter is directly observed with a microscope or the like to evaluate the cleanliness of various components, such as machine parts or optical components, after cleaning.
The Japanese Published Unexamined Patent Application No. 2011-206619 discloses the technology for counting dust particles captured by the filter or observing the shapes of the particles with an optical microscope.
Furthermore, the cleaning capacity evaluation can be also conducted by causing the residue adhering to the object after cleaning to collect on the filter and measuring the total mass and size.
In this case, firstly, the mass of the filter in a dry state is measured. The object is left at rest on a clean sink, and then clear liquid is poured on the object. The poured liquid is collected, and filtered by the filter to collect a residue. The filter is dried, and the mass of the filter is measured again. The difference in the mass of the filter before and after filtration is expressed as the amount of residue. The smaller the amount of residue is, the higher the cleaning capacity evaluation is.
Meanwhile, in the spray cleaning machine, in order to improve the cleaning capacity, it is important that the jet jetted from the nozzle enters the area on the object where dirt is stuck.
Therefore, if the area on the object where chips remain can be specified, rather than merely detecting the amount of the residue remaining on the object after cleaning, the nozzle can be positioned or the moving path of the nozzle can be changed so that a water jet strongly hits a specified position. Furthermore, the change in the position or moving path of the nozzle allows an improvement in cleaning capacity of the cleaning apparatus.
While the above is a description with the spray cleaning machine as an example, specifying the area where chips remain is essential for improving the cleaning capacity even in other cleaning apparatuses, such as a cleaning apparatus in which the object to be cleaned is placed in a water jet and cleaned by devising the flow structure of the water jet. In other words, specifying the area of the object after cleaning where chips remain is useful for improving the cleaning capacity regardless of the cleaning method.
However, in the method in which the cleaning liquid used for cleaning the object to be cleaned is filtered by the filter to thereby collect and evaluate the residue adhering to the object, the area on the object where chips remain cannot be specified.
In order to specify the area of an object to be cleaned where chips remain, therefore, there is a possible approach, in which the object with chips intentionally applied thereto is put into a spray cleaning machine to confirm which area of the object after cleaning the chips remain in. The chips used here are chips produced in an actual process line or chips of the same material as the chips produced in an actual process line. This is because the rigidity and shapes of the chips vary depending on the cutting conditions and the joining forms of the chips to the object change. For this reason, the chips to be applied to the object are preferably of the same material as the object.
In this case, because the chips and the object to be cleaned are of the same material, the surface colors of the chips and the object to be cleaned are the same or similar. Furthermore, because the object to be cleaned is manufactured by machining an extrusion or casting as a starting material, the surface of the object includes a casting surface, extrusion surface, and machined surface. Regardless of the casting method, generally, the casting surface has very fine uneven shapes, and when it is visually observed, shades in a fine pattern on the uneven surface caused by external light are observed. Furthermore, the pattern made by a rotary cutting tool in contact with the workpiece is observed on the machined surface. Also, if the machined surface has a casting defect, shades are made on the defective places of the machined surface. In this manner, the surface of the machine parts has generally almost the same color and various fine shades.
To specify the area where chips remain after cleaning, it is necessary to find the chips of the same color as the object while lying on the surface of the object which is wide and has various shades. However, it is very hard to distinguish between the chips and the shades on the object. Therefore, there still remains the problem that the area on the object after cleaning where chips remain cannot be specified.

Adhesive material for use in residue confirmation, and method for confirmation of residue remaining on object to be cleaned after cleaning using the same


A bumper beam which can be formed easily by simple bending works is provided. The bumper beam is formed into a U-shaped sectional shape having a vertical wall and upper and lower horizontal walls connected to the vertical wall by bending a sheet of metal plate. Each lengthwise end portion of the metal plate is formed with upper and lower tapering horizontal wall extension parts and an intermediate part separated from the horizontal wall extension parts by cut-out spaces. The intermediate part comprises upper and lower horizontal wall remaining parts separated from the horizontal wall extension parts by the cut-out spaces and a vertical wall extension part. The intermediate part is bent toward opening side of the U-shaped section with the horizontal wall remaining parts stacked and welded to the horizontal wall extension parts.

This invention relates to a bumper of an automobile, and particularly to a bumper beam for reinforcing the bumper made of a resin.
The resin bumper has a plan view that at both ends of an center portion extending in a car width direction over the almost entire width are formed corner portions bent toward car body side so as to extend along side surfaces of the car body, and is shaped like a box opened toward the car body side. Therefore, the bumper beam to be extended along the bumper is also formed in the similar shape.
The bumper beam is manufactured by forming a metal plate. In the case that it is intended to reduce the weight of the bumper beam by using a high-tensile steel having a specially high tensile strength of 120 kgf/mm.sup.2 class for example as the metal plate, it is very difficult to form the pumper beam having the above-mentioned shape by a drawing process together with the corner portion.
Hitherto, in such a case, the bumper beam (reinforce) was divided into a straight central portion having a U-shaped section (reinforce main body) and two corner portions (reinforce sides) of both ends and after the portions were formed independently of each other, the corner portions were welded to both ends of the central portion to construct the bumper beam, as shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 4-24259 and Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 2-19328, for example.
Even in this case, it was common that only the central portion having a relatively simple shape was formed by bending of a high-tensile steel plate of 120 kgf/mm.sup.2 class for example, and the corner portions having complicated shapes was formed by drawing of a relatively mild high-tensile steel plate of 60 kgf/mm.sup.2 for example.
However, in the bumper beam constructed by welding the central portion and the corner portions which are formed as separate parts to each other as described above, many welding man-hour is required, material yield rate is poor and the cost rises because respective different dies are necessary for forming the central portion and the corner portions.


A shoulder orthosis is provided having an arm support and an optional arm spacer connected to the arm support. The arm support includes an arm retainer and a supportive strapping system. One optional arm spacer includes a pair of individual pillows which are attachably combinable with one another at a first face of the first individual pillow and a face of the second individual pillow to form one combined pillow having a first shape. The individual pillows are alternately attachably combinable with one another at a second face of the first individual pillow and the face of the second individual pillow to form another combined pillow having a second shape different from the first shape.

The present invention relates generally to orthoses, and more particularly to a shoulder orthosis for supporting and stabilizing the shoulder following surgery or injury.
The shoulder is a relatively complex joint of the body which is capable of rotation within multiple planes when the arm is displaced relative to the torso. For example, "external rotation" or "internal rotation" of the shoulder occurs when the forearm is displaced away from or toward the torso while the position of the upper arm is maintained fixed against the side of the torso and the elbow is flexed at 90°. "Abduction" or "adduction" of the shoulder occurs when the upper arm is extended out to the side and is displaced away from or toward the torso. "Flexion" or "extension" of the shoulder occurs when the entire arm is extended out to the front and is displaced toward or away from the torso.
Although the rotational capabilities of the shoulder advantageously enhance the function of the joint, the same expansive rotational capabilities also complicate treatment of the shoulder following injury or surgery. Treatment frequently requires determining a desired optimal treatment position of the shoulder and associated arm, placement of the shoulder and arm in the desired treatment position, and immobilization of the shoulder and arm in the desired treatment position. Such a recuperative treatment is particularly applicable to soft tissue injuries involving damage to one or more connective shoulder ligaments and furthermore is oftentimes the treatment of choice following any number of surgical procedures, including surgery for recurrent posterior subluxation, rotator cuff surgery, humeral head or shaft fracture correction, and the like. Healing occurs inter alia through diminution of inflammation and/or regeneration of muscle tissues, which is promoted by removing stress from the injured or surgically corrected joint.
Support devices for the shoulder, such as orthopedic braces, rigid casts, slings and the like, are commonly employed to perform the above-recited placement and immobilization function with varying degrees of success. For example, commonly-owned U.S. Pat. No. 7,244,239 to Howard, incorporated herein by reference, discloses a shoulder support which includes a forearm wrap, a pair of adjustable straps and a pillow. The wrap and pillow engage the forearm of a patient and the two straps cooperate with the wrap and pillow to suspend the arm at a relatively fixed position of full shoulder flexion while the elbow is flexed at 90°. One strap circles the waist primarily providing a positioning function and only secondarily providing a weight bearing function with respect to the arm and shoulder of the patient. The other strap extends over the shoulder and assumes the primary weight bearing function of the shoulder support. In particular, the shoulder strap transfers the bulk of the arm weight load borne by the shoulder support to the narrow region on the top of the shoulder where the shoulder intersects the neck.
The pillow is cooperatively attachable to the straps and wrap. The pillow, like the waist strap, serves primarily a positioning function with respect to the arm and shoulder of the patient. The pillow is positionable between the elbow and forearm of the patient on one side of the pillow and the torso of the patient on the other side of the pillow to maintain the arm at relatively fixed positions of shoulder abduction/adduction and external/internal rotation. The precise positions of shoulder abduction/adduction and external/internal rotation achieved by the shoulder support of Howard are primarily a function of the specific geometrical configuration and dimensions of the pillow relative to the size and body type of the patient.
The present invention recognizes a need for a shoulder orthosis which more evenly, comfortably and adjustably distributes the arm weight load borne by the shoulder orthosis to the torso of the patient than do shoulder supports disclosed by the prior art. The present invention further recognizes a need for a shoulder orthosis which enables more user adjustability in setting the fixed shoulder treatment position than do shoulder supports disclosed by the prior art. The present invention still further recognizes a need for a shoulder orthosis which enables a user to more easily remove the orthosis and to return the orthosis to its original treatment position with minimal readjustment of the fit than do shoulder supports disclosed by the prior art. Accordingly, among the objects of the present invention are fulfillment of the above-recited needs. These objects and others are accomplished in accordance with the invention described hereafter.

Shoulder orthosis having a supportive strapping system


The invention relates to a roadway for dual-mode vehicles with a transition region from non-trackbound to trackbound traffic. On the roadway used as an entering roadway, the transverse guide bar on the driver's side, in the area of the transition region, is extended further into the area of the roadway, which can be used non-trackbound, than the oppositely located transverse guide bar, which is widened slightly funnel-like. The two transverse guide bars of the opposite roadway, which can be used for exiting, end at a mutually equal level. To create an adequately large transverse distance between the roadways in the area where the vehicles filter in, the roadway which can be used as an entering roadway runs with a slight bulge in the area of the transition region; moreover, this provides the possibility of a further adjoining roadway.

The invention relates to a roadway for dual-mode vehicles of the type which includes a transition region from non-trackbound to trackbound traffic. In the area of the trackbound traffic the roadway is provided with transverse guide bars at the two sides. The longer of the guide bars is on the driver's side and extends in the area of the transition region further into the area of the roadway of the non-trackbound traffic than does the other guide bar. Such an arrangement is known, for example, from the German Published Unexamined Patent Application (DOS) No. 2,747,675.
The known arrangement merely shows a transition region from non-trackbound to trackbound traffic for a single direction of travel. The German Published Unexamined Patent Application (DOS) No. 30 35 422 shows a pair of roadways running parallel next to one another for trackbound traffic, in which the transverse guide bars are briefly interrupted for crossing over a crossroad which can be used non-trackbound. The guide bars each end at the same level both at the exiting and entering side and are set up slightly funnel-like relative to one another only in the entry area. The short distance required for crossing the transversely running road is crossed over in a straight line without a track connection in the confidence that no troubling effects will come into play with regard to tne transverse guidance on this short stretch. Tne driver must hold the steering wheel firmly for a short period while traversing the crossroad.
With the double arrangement of two roadways of the type described above used for two-way traffic and with in each case a transition region from non-trackbound to trackbound traffic or vice versa at the same level, certain positioning problems occur with regard to the different width requirements of the roadways with non-trackbound traffic on the one hand and with trackbound traffic on the other hand, to the extent that it must be ensured that buses entering the transition region do not project into the structure clearance of the oncoming roadway during transition to the narrower transverse distance.
The above-mentioned problems of the prior art are overcome by the present invention, which provides for a bulged portion in the trackbound roadway incoming side of a transition roadway section connecting a two-way trackbound roadway with a two-way non-trackbound roadway. Further preferred embodiments of the present invention have the lateral guide tracks disposed differently at the trackbound roadway exit and entrance portions to facilitate the traffic, transition to and from the trackbound roadways. Because of the bulging course of the roadway used as an entering roadway to the trackbound roadway, enough space is provided in the transverse direction with respect to the adjacent oncoming roadway, so that the driver can safely merge in his vehicle without encroacnment from vehicles from the oncoming direction.
In especially preferred embodiments the centerlines of the trackbound roadway leading outwardly, the centerline of the transition roadway, and the centerline of the outbound non-trackbound are aligned with one another. The centerlines for the other roadways are disposed with the non-trackbound roadway centerline spaced further from the centerline of the oppositely directed adjacent non-trackbound roadway than the centerline at the trackbound roadway sections.
Especially preferred embodiments have the trackbound lateral guide bars configured differently for the exiting and the oncoming directions. For the incoming roadway direction the center guide bar is longer than the outside guide bar to accommodate ease of driver merge into the trackbound roadway. For the exit roadway direction the guide bars are of equal length and form a funnel-like connection with the transition section.
According to especially preferred embodiments, the non-trackbound roadway sections are provided with laterally entering and exiting roadways in the region of the transition roadway section leading to and from the trackbound roadways.
Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken with the accompanying drawing which shows, for purposes of illustration only, an embodiment constructed in accordance with the present invention.


Systems, methods, and apparatus for geo-location using known target co-calibration are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, a method for geo-location of a target involves receiving, by at least three elements on a vehicle, at least one station signal from at least one station in a known direction from the vehicle. The method further involves calculating, by at least one processor, a roll estimate and a pitch estimate of the vehicle using at least one station signal. Also, the method involves receiving, by at least three elements on the vehicle, at least one target signal from the target. Further, the method involves calculating, by at least one processor, an azimuth direction and an elevation direction of the target using the roll estimate, the pitch estimate, and at least one target signal.

Currently, conventional methods for geo-locating a target utilize a two-dimensional phased array, which includes a plurality of antenna/sensor elements. These conventional methods generate an estimate of the location of the target by using measured phases of the elements of the array and also by using the known baseline lengths of the elements of the array (i.e. the spacing between the elements). When the platform of the array has an attitude error that is large, this error will drastically degrade the accuracy of the location estimate of the target. As such, there is a need for an improved method and system for geo-location of a target.

Geo-location using known target co-calibration


An undergarment is provided, e.g., a slip, especially for women. The undergarment includes a blank made of a textile material with edgings at the waist and the leg openings, wherein in each case the edgings comprise a flat, two-layered tubular elastic band, which is fastened with an adhesive layer to the left side of the textile material of the undergarment, facing the body. In addition, the invention comprises a process for producing such an undergarment.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an undergarment, for example a pair of panties, especially for women, made of a blank cut from textile material with edgings at the waistband and leg openings.
2. Description of the Background Art
Undergarments of this type, for example panties, usually include a one-piece or multi-piece blank cut from a textile material, wherein the edges of the blank must be bordered especially at the upper edge—the so-called waistband—and the leg openings. These edgings, for example a seam, are not only necessary to provide a finished edge that is resistant to raveling, but also to achieve elastic fitting of the panties to the body.
Known edgings of this type are achieved by folding over the edges and attaching elastic bands, wherein the connection of the parts usually takes place using seams made with thread. Edge folds with sewed seams not only increase the thickness of the material in these areas, so that they become noticeable especially under close-fitting clothing, but often lead to skin irritations. If thicker bands are used, into which the threads can sink, the edge fastenings are all the more noticeable under close-fitting clothing.
To avoid the annoying thickness of such edgings, it is also known to achieve edgings without folds by simply adhering or welding the textile material with the elastic bands. In this case, however, the raw edges of the textile blanks look unattractive. When an attempt is made to avoid the raw edges by means of folds, once again the thickness of the edgings increases, leading to unwanted visibility of the seams under close-fitting clothing.
In addition it is frequently observed as a disadvantage that especially the waistband, because of its width, on adhesion or welding with an elastic band, tends to undergo cross-sectional curvature when the panties are worn, since tension in the circumferential direction causes the elastic material to sink somewhat deeper into the body surface in the area of the longitudinal axis of the elastic band.

Undergarment, for example a pair of panties, especially for women


A method of manufacturing a nanocrystallite from a M-containing salt forms a nanocrystallite. The nanocrystallite can be a member of a population of nanocrystallites having a narrow size distribution and can include one or more semiconductor materials. Semiconducting nanocrystallites can photoluminesce and can have high emission quantum efficiencies.

The invention relates to methods of manufacturing a nanocrystallite.
Nanocrystallites having small diameters can have properties intermediate between molecular and bulk forms of matter. For example, nanocrystallites based on semiconductor materials having small diameters can exhibit quantum confinement of both the electron and hole in all three dimensions, which leads to an increase in the effective band gap of the material with decreasing crystallite size. Consequently, both the optical absorption and emission of nanocrystallites shift to the blue (i.e., to higher energies) as the size of the crystallites decreases.
Methods of preparing monodisperse semiconductor nanocrystallites include pyrolysis of organometallic reagents, such as dimethyl cadmium, injected into a hot, coordinating solvent. This permits discrete nucleation and results in the controlled growth of macroscopic quantities of nanocrystallites. Organometallic reagents can be expensive, dangerous and difficult to handle.
The invention features methods of manufacturing a nanocrystallite. The nanocrystallite has a diameter of less than 150 xc3x85. The nanocrystallite can be a member of a population of nanocrystallites having a narrow size distribution. The nanocrystallite can be a sphere, rod, disk, or other shape. The nanocrystallite can include a core of a semiconductor material. The core can have an overcoating on a surface of the core. The overcoating can be a semiconductor material having a composition different from the composition of the core. Semiconducting nanocrystallites can photoluminesce and can have high emission quantum efficiencies. The method forms the nanocrystallite from an M-containing salt. The nanocrystallite can include a core having the formula MX, where M is cadmium, zinc, magnesium, mercury, aluminum, gallium, indium, thallium, or mixtures thereof, and X is oxygen, sulfur, selenium, tellurium, nitrogen, phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, or mixtures thereof. The M-containing salt can be the source of M in the nanocrystallite. An X-containing compound can be the source of the X in the nanocrystallite.
The M-containing salt can be a safe, inexpensive starting material for manufacturing a nanocrystallite relative to typical organometallic reagents which can be air sensitive, pyrophoric, or volatile. The M-containing salt is not air sensitive, is not pyrophoric, and is not volatile relative to organometallic reagents.
In one aspect, the invention features a method of manufacturing a nanocrystallite. The method includes contacting a metal, M, or an M-containing salt, and a reducing agent to form an M-containing precursor, M being Cd, Zn, Mg, Hg, Al, Ga, In or Tl. The M-containing precursor is contacted with an X donor, X being O, S, Se, Te, N, P, As, or Sb. The mixture is then heated in the presence of an amine to form the nanocrystallite. In certain embodiments, heating can take place in the presence of a coordinating solvent.
In another aspect, the invention features a method of manufacturing a nanocrystallite including contacting a metal, M, or an M-containing salt, and a reducing agent to form an M-containing precursor, contacting the M-containing precursor with an X donor, and heating the mixture to form the nanocrystallite. In certain embodiments, heating can take place in the presence of a coordinating solvent.
In another aspect, the invention features a method of manufacturing a nanocrystallite including contacting a metal, M, or an M-containing salt, an amine, and an X donor, and heating the mixture to form the nanocrystallite.
In yet another aspect, the invention features a method of overcoating a core nanocrystallite. The method includes contacting a core nanocrystallite population with an M-containing salt, an X donor, and an amine, and forming an overcoating having the formula MX on a surface of the core. In certain embodiments, a coordinating solvent can be present.
The amine can be a primary amine, for example, a C8-C20 alkyl amine. The reducing agent can be a mild reducing agent capable of reducing the M of the M-containing salt. Suitable reducing agents include a 1,2-diol or an aldehyde. The 1,2-diol can be a C6-C20 alkyl diol. The aldehyde can be a C6-C20 aldehyde.
The M-containing salt can include a halide, carboxylate, carbonate, hydroxide, or diketonate. The X donor can include a phosphine chalcogenide, a bis(silyl) chalcogenide, dioxygen, an ammonium salt, or a tris(silyl) pnictide.
The nanocrystallite can photoluminesce with a quantum efficiency of at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, and more preferably at least 40%. The nanocrystallite can have a particle size (e.g., average diameter when the nanocrystallite is spheroidal) in the range of about 20 xc3x85 to about 125 xc3x85. The nanocrystallite can be a member of a substantially monodisperse core population. The population can emit light in a spectral range of no greater than about 75 nm at full width at half max (FWHM), preferably 60 nm FWHM, more preferably 40 nm FWHM, and most preferably 30 nm FWHM. The population can exhibit less than a 15% rms deviation in diameter of the nanocrystallites, preferably less than 10%, more preferably less than 5%.
The method can include monitoring the size distribution of a population including of the nanocrystallite, lowering the temperature of the mixture in response to a spreading of the size distribution, or increasing the temperature of the mixture in response to when monitoring indicates growth appears to stop. The method can also include exposing the nanocrystallite to a compound having affinity for a surface of the nanocrystallite.
The method can include forming an overcoating of a semiconductor material on a surface of the nanocrystallite. The semiconductor material can be a group II-VI, III-V or IV semiconductor, such as, for example, ZnO, ZnS, ZnSe, ZnTe, CdO, CdS, CdSe, CdTe, MgO, MgS, MgSe, MgTe, HgO, HgS, HgSe, HgTe, AlN, AlP, AlAs, AlSb, GaN, GaP, GaAs, GaSb, InN, InP, InAs, InSb, TlN, TlP, TlAs, TlSb, or mixtures thereof.
The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and from the claims.
The method of manufacturing a nanocrystallite is a colloidal growth process. Colloidal growth occurs by rapidly injecting an M-containing salt and an X donor into a hot coordinating solvent including an amine. The injection produces a nucleus that can be grown in a controlled manner to form a nanocrystallite. The reaction mixture can be gently heated to grow and anneal the nanocrystallite. Both the average size and the size distribution of the nanocrystallites in a sample are dependent on the growth temperature. The growth temperature necessary to maintain steady growth increases with increasing average crystal size. The nanocrystallite is a member of a population of nanocrystallites. As a result of the discrete nucleation and controlled growth, the population of nanocrystallites obtained has a narrow, monodisperse distribution of diameters. The monodisperse distribution of diameters can also be referred to as a size. The process of controlled growth and annealing of the nanocrystallites in the coordinating solvent that follows nucleation can also result in uniform surface derivatization and regular core structures. As the size distribution sharpens, the temperature can be raised to maintain steady growth. By adding more M-containing salt or X donor, the growth period can be shortened.
The M-containing salt is a non-organometallic compound, e.g., a compound free of metal-carbon bonds. M is cadmium, zinc, magnesium, mercury, aluminum, gallium, indium or thallium. The M-containing salt can be a metal halide, metal carboxylate, metal carbonate, metal hydroxide, or metal diketonate, such as a metal acetylacetonate. The M-containing salt is less expensive and safer to use than organometallic compounds, such as metal alkyls. For example, the M-containing salts are stable in air, whereas metal alkyls a generally unstable in air. M-containing salts such as 2,4-pentanedionate (i.e., acetylacetonate (acac)), halide, carboxylate, hydroxide, or carbonate salts are stable in air and allow nanocrystallites to be manufactured under less rigorous conditions than corresponding metal alkyls.
Suitable M-containing salts include cadmium acetylacetonate, cadmium iodide, cadmium bromide, cadmium hydroxide, cadmium carbonate, cadmium acetate, zinc acetylacetonate, zinc iodide, zinc bromide, zinc hydroxide, zinc carbonate, zinc acetate, magnesium acetylacetonate, magnesium iodide, magnesium bromide, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium carbonate, magnesium acetate, mercury acetylacetonate, mercury iodide, mercury bromide, mercury hydroxide, mercury carbonate, mercury acetate, aluminum acetylacetonate, aluminum iodide, aluminum bromide, aluminum hydroxide, aluminum carbonate, aluminum acetate, gallium acetylacetonate, gallium iodide, gallium bromide, gallium hydroxide, gallium carbonate, gallium acetate, indium acetylacetonate, indium iodide, indium bromide, indium hydroxide, indium carbonate, indium acetate, thallium acetylacetonate, thallium iodide, thallium bromide, thallium hydroxide, thallium carbonate, or thallium acetate.
Alkyl is a branched or unbranched saturated hydrocarbon group of 1 to 100 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 30 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, t-butyl, octyl, decyl, tetradecyl, hexadecyl, eicosyl, tetracosyl and the like, as well as cycloalkyl groups such as cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and the like. Optionally, an alkyl can contain 1 to 6 linkages selected from the group consisting of xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Mxe2x80x94 and xe2x80x94NRxe2x80x94 where R is hydrogen, or C1-C8 alkyl or lower alkenyl.
Prior to combining the M-containing salt with the X donor, the M-containing salt can be contacted with a coordinating solvent and a 1,2-diol or an aldehyde to form an M-containing precursor. The 1,2-diol or aldehyde can facilitate reaction between the M-containing salt and the X donor and improve the growth process and the quality of the nanocrystallite obtained in the process. The 1,2-diol or aldehyde can be a C6-C20 1,2-diol or a C6-C20 aldehyde. A suitable 1,2-diol is 1,2-hexadecanediol and a suitable aldehyde is dodecanal.
The X donor is a compound capable of reacting with the M-containing salt to form a material with the general formula MX. Typically, the X donor is a chalcogenide donor or a pnictide donor, such as a phosphine chalcogenide, a bis(silyl) chalcogenide, dioxygen, an ammonium salt, or a tris(silyl) pnictide. Suitable X donors include dioxygen, bis(trimethylsilyl) selenide ((TMS)2Se), trialkyl phosphine selenides such as (tri-n-octylphosphine) selenide (TOPSe) or (tri-n-butylphosphine) selenide (TBPSe), trialkyl phosphine tellurides such as (tri-n-octylphosphine) telluride (TOPTe) or hexapropylphosphorustriamide telluride (HPPTTe), bis(trimethylsilyl)telluride ((TMS)2Te), sulfur, bis(trimethylsilyl) sulfide ((TMS)2S), a trialkyl phosphine sulfide such as (tri-n-octylphosphine) sulfide (TOPS), tris(dimethylamino) arsine, an ammonium salt such as an ammonium halide (e.g., NH4Cl), tris(trimethylsilyl) phosphide ((TMS)3P), tris(trimethylsilyl) arsenide ((TMS)3As), or tris(trimethylsilyl) antimonide ((TMS)3Sb).
The coordinating solvent can help control the growth of the nanocrystallite. The coordinating solvent is a compound having a donor lone pair that, for example, has a lone electron pair available to coordinate to a surface of the growing nanocrystallite. Solvent coordination can stabilize the growing nanocrystallite. Typical coordinating solvents include alkyl phosphines and alkyl phosphine oxides, however, other coordinating solvents, such as pyridines, furans, and amines may also be suitable for the nanocrystallite production. Examples of suitable coordinating solvents include tri-n-octyl phosphine (TOP) and tri-n-octyl phosphine oxide (TOPO). Technical grade TOPO can be used.
The nanocrystallite manufactured from an M-containing salt grows in a controlled manner when the coordinating solvent includes an amine. Preferably, the coordinating solvent is a mixture of the amine and an alkyl phosphine oxide in a mole ratio of 10:90, more preferably 30:70 and most preferably 50:50. The combined solvent can decrease size dispersion and can improve photoluminescence quantum yield of the nanocrystallite.
The amine in the coordinating solvent contributes to the quality of the nanocrystallite obtained from the M-containing salt and X donor. The preferred amine is a primary alkyl amine, such as a C2-C20 alkyl amine, preferably a C8-C18 alkyl amine. One suitable amine for combining with tri-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) is 1-hexadecylamine in a 50:50 mole ratio. When the 1,2-diol or aldehyde and the amine are used in combination with the M-containing salt to form a population of nanocrystallites, the photoluminescence quantum efficiency and the distribution of nanocrystallite sizes are improved in comparison to nanocrystallites manufactured without the 1,2-diol or aldehyde or the amine.
Size distribution during the growth stage of the reaction can be estimated by monitoring the absorption line widths of the particles. Modification of the reaction temperature in response to changes in the absorption spectrum of the particles allows the maintenance of a sharp particle size distribution during growth. Reactants can be added to the nucleation solution during crystal growth to grow larger crystals. By stopping growth at a particular nanocrystallite average diameter and choosing the proper composition of the semiconducting material, the emission spectra of the nanocrystallites can be tuned continuously over the wavelength range of 400 nm to 800 nm. The nanocrystallite has a diameter of less than 150 xc3x85. A population of nanocrystallites has average diameters in the range of 20 xc3x85 to 125 xc3x85.
Nanocrystallites composed of semiconductor material can be illuminated with a light source at an absorption wavelength to cause an emission occurs at an emission wavelength, the emission having a frequency that corresponds to the band gap of the quantum confined semiconductor material. The band gap is a function of the size of the nanocrystallite. The narrow size distribution of a population of nanocrystallites can result in emission of light in a narrow spectral range. Spectral emissions in a narrow range of no greater than about 75 nm, preferably 60 nm, more preferably 40 nm, and most preferably 30 nm full width at half max (FWHM) can be observed. The breadth of the photoluminescence decreases as the dispersity of nanocrystallite diameters decreases.
The particle size distribution can be further refined by size selective precipitation with a poor solvent for the nanocrystallites, such as methanol/butanol as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/969,302, incorporated herein by reference. For example, nanocrystallites can be dispersed in a solution of 10% butanol in hexane. Methanol can be added dropwise to this stirring solution until opalescence persists. Separation of supernatant and flocculate by centrifugation produces a precipitate enriched with the largest crystallites in the sample. This procedure can be repeated until no further sharpening of the optical absorption spectrum is noted. Size-selective precipitation can be carried out in a variety of solvent/nonsolvent pairs, including pyridine/hexane and chloroform/methanol. The size-selected nanocrystallite population can have no more than a 15% RMS deviation from mean diameter, preferably 10% RMS deviation or less, and more preferably 5% RMS deviation or less.
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) can provide information about the size, shape, and distribution of the nanocrystallite population. Powder x-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns can provided the most complete information regarding the type and quality of the crystal structure of the nanocrystallites. Estimates of size were also possible since particle diameter is inversely related, via the X-ray coherence length, to the peak width. For example, the diameter of the nanocrystallite can be measured directly by transmission electron microscopy or estimated from x-ray diffraction data using, for example, the Scherrer equation. It also can be estimated from the UV/Vis absorption spectrum.
The method can also be used to overcoat a core semiconductor material. Overcoating can improve the emission quantum efficiency of the core. Semiconductor band offsets determine which potential shell materials provide energy barriers for both the electron and hole. For example, ZnS, ZnSe or CdS overcoatings can be grown on CdSe or CdTe nanocrystallites. An overcoating process is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/969,302, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The overcoating can be grown by the method including contacting a core with a mixture including an M-containing salt and the X donor in the presence of an amine. By adjusting the temperature of the reaction mixture during overcoating and monitoring the absorption spectrum of the core, overcoated materials having high emission quantum efficiencies and narrow size distributions can be obtained.
The outer surface of the nanocrystallite includes an organic layer derived from the coordinating solvent used during the growth process. The surface can be modified by repeated exposure to an excess of a competing coordinating group. For example, a dispersion of the capped nanocrystallite can be treated with a coordinating organic compound, such as pyridine, to produce crystallites which dispersed readily in pyridine, methanol, and aromatics but no longer dispersed in aliphatic solvents. Such a surface exchange process can be carried out with any compound capable of coordinating to or bonding with the outer surface of the nanocrystallite, including, for example, phosphines, thiols, amines and phosphates. The nanocrystallite can be exposed to short chain polymers which exhibit an affinity for the surface and which terminate in a moiety having an affinity for the suspension or dispersion medium. Such affinity improves the stability of the suspension and discourages flocculation of the nanocrystallite.
The nanocrystallites can be suitable for a variety of applications, including those disclosed in copending and commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 09/156,863, filed Sep. 18, 1998, 09/160,454, filed Sep. 24, 1998, 09/160,458, filed Sep. 24, 1998, and 09/350,956, filed Jul. 9, 1999, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. For example, the nanocrystallites can be used in optoelectronic devices including electroluminescent devices such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) or alternating current thin film electroluminescent devices (ACTFELDs).


A recommended word for each category is configured to be extracted from review information in a review database to manage the recommended word. The review database is configured to manage the review information on merchandise or a service in units of categories of the merchandise or the service. A control is configured to be executed such that a review post page on the specified merchandise or service is presented. A determination whether present time is assistance timing or not is configured to be executed based on an aspect of character input to the review post page. In response to an acquisition of a determination result that the present time is the assistance timing, a control is configured to be executed such that the recommended word corresponding to the category to which the specified merchandise or service belongs is presented.

As a so-called online shopping, for example, merchandise can be purchased on a shopping site constructed on the Internet.
In the online shopping, the merchandise cannot be actually picked up. Therefore, on the shopping site, review information on the merchandise is presented on a publication page or a similar page of the merchandise to assist a selection of purchased merchandise. The review information is formed into text of, for example, feelings of a user who has actually purchased the merchandise or a similar person about the merchandise (for example, feelings after use of the merchandise or similar feelings), and then is posted. Accordingly, the review information functions as important reference information for the user as a general consumer to select the purchased merchandise.
Patent Literature 1 discloses the system that allows posting and browsing such review information.

System and method for recommending words for insertion based on timing factors


A gas mixing apparatus includes: a discharge port of gas provided near conduit space through which the high-viscosity material can flow; a piston pump including a cylinder that can communicate with the conduit space through the discharge port, a piston arranged inside the cylinder, and a drive device for moving the piston between a top dead center and a bottom dead center inside the cylinder; a discharge valve that opens and closes the discharge port; and a suction valve that opens and closes a suction port of the gas into a cylinder space, in which the cylinder forms the cylinder space having a predetermined volume when the piston is located at the top dead center, and in which a tip of the piston approaches the discharge port when the piston is moved toward the bottom dead center.

Conventionally, a plurality of methods or apparatuses have been disclosed for the purpose of manufacturing a foam gasket, etc. foamed by mixing gas into a pressurized high-viscosity material, and subsequently applying it under an atmospheric environment. For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. H10-272344, a method for mixing gas into a high-viscosity material has been disclosed in which using a piston pump in which a piston reciprocates in a cylinder to perform a suction stroke and a discharge stroke, the gas is supplied in the cylinder in the suction stroke of the piston pump, the piston reaches a suction end, the suction stroke ends, and an inside of the cylinder becomes a state of being filled with the gas having an adjusted pressure, and subsequently, the high-viscosity material is supplied in the cylinder, the discharge stroke of the piston pump is performed after end of the supply of the high-viscosity material, and in which the gas and the high-viscosity material are discharged to a conduit in the discharge stroke.
In addition, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. H09-94450, there has been disclosed a method for mixing gas into a fluid material having the steps of: alternately sending out the fluid material and the gas through the same path by a comparatively low pressure of approximately 1 to 5 kg/cm2; and pressurizing the fluid material and the gas to a high pressure of approximately 100 to 400 kg/cm2 by a high-pressure pump in the middle of the path.

Method for mixing gas into high-viscosity material and apparatus for the same


A clamping device is provided for capping a pipe carrying fluids therein, such as oil, water, chemicals, radio active material and the like, and also an apparatus for mounting the clamping device on the pipe. The clamping device includes clamping brackets for securement on the pipe, a capping member for insertion into the open end of the pipe, and securement members for securing the capping member to the clamping brackets. The apparatus includes closable jaws for securement to the clamping brackets, and arms including a carrier member for holding and positioning the capping member. The apparatus can be moved, controlled and manipulated at a safe distance from the pipe, and includes a rod mechanism for rotating and closing the jaws to engage the clamping brackets around the pipe, and a further rod mechanism for raising, lowering and rotating the arms to properly position the capping member within the open end of the pipe. Preferably, the apparatus is provided with a device for spraying the clamping device and the pipe with water, chemicals or any other suitable liquid material for cooling same.

The invention relates to a clamping device for capping any type of pipe carrying fluids therein, such as pipes carrying oil, water, chemicals, radio active material, and the like, and more particularly, for capping pipes in which the fluid therein is on fire, such as oil well fires, where the invention also relates to the apparatus for mounting the clamping device on the fluid carrying pipe for capping same, such as to put out the oil well fire.
Recently, there is a great need to put out a very large number of oil well fires in one area, where the prior art methods such as using explosives, water, chemicals, sand and the like to put out such fires have not been very efficient and require a great deal of time in order to put out each of the fires. Due to the fact that the burning oil wells have been found to pollute the environment, and that the burning oil is costing the owners of the oil wells a considerable amount of money, it is desirable to put out the oil well fires in an efficient manner as soon as possible. Furthermore, there is a need to put out the oil well fires in such a manner which would not endanger the persons who are putting out the fires, such as could be expected when explosives are used.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,822,141 discloses means for closing oil wells including a plug adapted to be located at an open end of an oil well, in combination with means activated by the pressure escaping from the well to rotate the plug, and further means in association with the plug for moving the plug longitudinally to a proper position in the well in order to close the well. Additional means are provided in this patent for connecting the plug to the well to permit rotation of the plug into the well. It is noted, that this patent is only directed to means for closing oil wells, and is not intended to be used to put out oil well fires, particularly in view of the structure thereof which is not designed to be fire resistant.
Accordingly, there is present a need for a clamping device and an apparatus for mounting same in order to put out oil well fires and the like in an efficient manner, in a short amount of time, and at a safe distance from the oil well fires.

Clamping device for capping oil wells and the like, and apparatus for mounting same


A method of forming contact pads (140) that allows for wafer level testing and burn-in of semiconductor die (22). A plurality of semiconductor die (22) are formed upon a semiconductor wafer (20), each semiconductor die (22) having a plurality of bonding pads (78). A contact pad (140) is formed overlying each bonding pad (78) and is electrically coupled to the bonding pad (78) and to wafer test pads (38) through vertical and/or horizontal wafer conductors (42-47 and 52-53 respectively) so that each semiconductor die (22) is uniquely identified. Contact pads (140) protect underlying bonding pads (78) during the formation and removal of vertical and/or horizontal wafer conductors (42-47 and 52-53 respectively). Thus, wafer level electrical testing and/or burn-in can be performed prior to designating a final packaging method for the semiconductor die (22).

The present invention relates in general to integrated circuit dice and more particularly to a method of metallization for wafer level electrical testing of integrated circuit dice.
One factor that has been identified as critical to the continued success of the semiconductor industry, is the ability to identify a "known good die" (KGD). Typically, a KGD is one which has not only passed some preliminary electrical test, but also one in which there is essentially 100% confidence that it will function when packaged and made part of a customer's application. This must be true whether the die is packaged singly or as part of a multichip module (MCM).
The importance of having a KGD for inclusion in a MCM can be illustrated by comparing the test yield of a MCM assembled with KGD to that of a MCM assembled with dice having individual die yields of 95%. The test yield of a MCM containing ten die is a function of the individual die yield and the assembly yield of the MCM. Thus, where the individual die yields are 95%, the test yield of the MCM is at best the product of the individual die yields or 59.8%. This result is unacceptable. On the other hand, if each of the ten die were a KGD, the individual die yield would be essentially 100%. Thus the MCM yield would only be a function of module assembly operations, and could approach 100%.
One common method of determining KGD, is to first test each die individually, or in small aggregates, using costly wafer probe equipment while the dice are in wafer form. The dice are then singulated, or separated into individual die, and each die is packaged for a reliability testing procedure commonly referred to as burn-in. It has been found that the early failure or "infant mortality" can be predicted to occur within a particular period of time. Therefore burn-in testing involves testing the integrated circuit for that particular period of time, typically at elevated temperatures. The cost of this type of testing is high due to the cost of singulation, packaging and individual die burn-in.
Methods for reducing the cost of testing and burn-in have been under intense investigation. One such method is a subject of U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,505, entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PERFORMING WAFER LEVEL TESTING OF INTEGRATED CIRCUIT DICE", issued Mar. 21, 1995 to Edward C. Dasse et al., and assigned to the same assignee, Motorola, Inc. The '505 patent is hereby incorporated by reference. The patent describes, in part, a semiconductor wafer having integrated circuit dice, wafer conductors and wafer test pads formed thereon. More specifically, the patent discloses, among other things, a first method that is suitable for dice that will be wire bonded when packaged, and a second method suitable for dice that will have bumps formed overlying bonding pad areas on each die.
While the methods of U.S. Pat. No. 5,399,505 meet the needs of the industry as described therein, they are somewhat inflexible in that they require that each wafer and the integrated circuit dice thereon be committed to a specific type of assembly process at a step just prior to the formation of a first metal or first conductive layer. This is well before testing and burn-in.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a method for wafer level testing that would allow for flexibility in the ultimate packaging of the dice and not require any advance commitment. In addition, it would be advantageous to develop a method that minimizes the number of process steps required, thus making the process more cost effective.

Method of forming contact pads for wafer level testing and burn-in of semiconductor dice