A method, a server, and a terminal device of deleting a piece of push information are disclosed. The method includes: determining geographical location information of a terminal device; determining, according to the geographical location information and a preset database, whether the terminal device enters a regional range corresponding to a place, and if affirmative, pushing a piece of information related to the place to the terminal device, the database storing regional range information of each place and related pieces of information; and after determining that the terminal device leaves the regional range corresponding to the place, sending an instruction of deleting the piece of push information to the terminal device, so that the terminal device deletes the piece of push information. According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, interference caused by pieces of push information to the daily life of users can be avoided.

In daily life, when entering a place, people usually receive some push information, such as promotion activity information related to a shopping mall, which is related to the place. Such push information has a positive effect to a great extent, having a reference value in decision-making of a user, for example. However, from another perspective, such push information may have some negative effects on the users. For example, with an increasing number of push scenarios, a user may receive increasingly more push information, in which only a few pieces of information may be truly useful to the user, while the others may be regarded as harassment information and cause inconvenience to the user. When the user needs to search for desired information from an information list, for example, interference may be caused by these pieces of push information.
Therefore, how to control push information more effectively to make use of its positive effects while minimizing its negative effects has become a technical problem to be solved by one skilled in the art.

Method for deleting push information, server and terminal device


Semiconductor devices comprising two-dimensional (2D) materials and methods of manufacture thereof are described. In an embodiment, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising 2D materials may include: epitaxially forming a first 2D material layer on a substrate; and epitaxially forming a second 2D material layer over the first 2D material layer, the first 2D material layer and the second 2D material layer differing in composition.

Semiconductor devices are used in a variety of electronic applications, such as personal computers, cell phones, digital cameras, and other electronic equipment, as examples. Semiconductor devices are typically fabricated by sequentially depositing insulating or dielectric layers, conductive layers, and semiconductive layers of material over a semiconductor substrate, and patterning the various material layers using lithography to form circuit components and elements thereon.
The circuit components or elements of a semiconductor device can include transistors, capacitors, inductors, resistors, diodes, conductive lines, or other elements, depending on the circuit design. A field effect transistor (FET) is one type of transistor.
In a recent development of the FET, a channel region of the FET may be formed in a two dimensional (2D) material layer, which may provide the FET with improved performance (e.g. relative to FETs that are devoid of a 2D material layer). For example, photo-transistors having a channel layer formed in a 2D material layer exhibit high sensitivity to light compared to photo-transistors that have a channel layer formed in a typical semiconductor material, such as silicon, germanium, combinations thereof, or the like. Improved methods of forming 2D material layers for semiconductor devices may be needed.

Semiconductor devices comprising 2D-materials and methods of manufacture thereof

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.


A system for alkylating hydrocarbons which includes an improved method of safely handling alkylation catalyst is disclosed. The process includes passing the alkylation catalyst from a settler vessel to a catalyst receiving vessel, via a catalyst cooler, for containment therein in the presence of a condensible gas. Also disclosed is a method for controlling the pressure in the catalyst receiving vessel by controlling the rate of removal of vapors.

The present invention relates to a system for the alkylation of an olefin with an isoparaffin utilizing an acidic catalyst mixture. In another aspect, this invention relates to a system useful for handling fluids in an alkylation process.
The use of catalytic alkylation processes to produce branched hydrocarbons having properties that are suitable for use as gasoline blending components is well known in the art. Generally, the alkylation of olefins by saturated hydrocarbons, such as isoparaffins, is accomplished by contacting the reactants with an acid catalyst to form a reaction mixture, settling the reaction mixture to separate the catalyst from the hydrocarbons, thereby forming a catalyst phase and a hydrocarbon phase. The hydrocarbon phase is further separated, for example, by fractionation, to recover the separate product streams. Normally, the hydrocarbon phase of the alkylation process contains hydrocarbons having three to ten carbon atoms per molecule. In order to have the highest quality gasoline blending stock, it is preferred for the alkylate hydrocarbons formed in the alkylation process to be highly branched and contain seven to nine carbon atoms per molecule.
The safe handling and storage of alkylation catalyst has long been a concern to those operating alkylation units. Refiners have typically employed catalyst receiving vessel(s) located below a settler vessel which is/are suitable for receiving the alkylation catalyst volume contained in the alkylation unit and/or suitable for holding make-up catalyst needed to periodically recharge the alkylation process as catalyst is consumed during operation. These catalyst receiving vessels have typically been operated under a blanket of non-condensible gas such as nitrogen, and non-condensible gases can otherwise enter the catalyst receiving vessel during transfer operations. These catalyst receiving vessels are usually vented to a flare, via a treating system wherein acid is neutralized, during a catalyst transfer from the process unit or during a fresh catalyst receiving operation. Such venting is preferably minimized due to environmental and economical considerations. One problem with the current catalyst receiving vessel system is that as the pressure in the catalyst receiving vessel increases due to the addition of catalyst to the vessel containing non-condensible gas, the motive force for transferring catalyst diminishes. While this is not necessarily detrimental to a fresh catalyst loading operation, it is a significant safety concern for the transfer of catalyst from the process (usually reserved for emergency situations) wherein faster transfer times are preferred.
Therefore, development of an improved system for transferring alkylation catalyst to a catalyst receiving vessel would be a significant contribution to the art.

Alkylation system with catalyst transfer


An expansion fracture device for fracturing rocks and the like and having a rod, threads at least one end, a conduit in at least one end extending inwardly along the rod, and outwardly to the exterior of the rod. Collars are located at each end, defining axially opposed sealing faces directed towards one another, each of the opposed faces defining generally axially disposed tapering recesses. An expandable sleeve member formed of resilient plastic material surrounds the rod, and has two ends, each end defining generally tapering surfaces adapted to fit within respective tapering recesses defined by the axially opposed surfaces of the collars.

It is known that rock, concrete, and the like can be fractured by applying an expansion force from within a borehole. Forces in the region of 10,000 to 15,000 lbs. per square inch over an adequate surface area will usually be sufficient for the purpose, although clearly much higher forces can be developed if required. In the past, proposals have been made for developing expansion forces mechanically. However, such systems were complex and prone to failure. In addition, since in many cases the forces which they developed tended to be localized, instead of spread around 360 degrees, and over a sufficient area, the forces were not developed in a manner which was adequate to fracture the rock.
Hydraulic devices have been proposed, but are either complex in design, or are apparently unsatisfactory for other reasons. One of the particular problems in developing a hydraulic device is that generally speaking such devices are based upon the use of an expandable sleeve or bladder, which is located on a tubular body, and in which the bladder is retained on the tubular body by means of end flanges. Hydraulic fluid is forced via the tubular body into the bladder, typically at pressures up to 10,000 to 12,000 psi. These pressures cause the bladder to expand outwardly into contact with the rock. The actual force applied to the rock is a function of the square inch area of the bladder surface, and may be as much as one million pounds of force, which is usually sufficient to fracture the rock. However, substantial forces are also applied to the two end flanges attached to the tubular body.
In the case of, for example, a three inch borehole requiring an expansion member of almost three inches diameter, the two end flanges may represent a relatively substantial surface area. When this surface area is subjected to a pressure of, say 10,000 psi, it will be appreciated that there may be a very substantial total axial force applied to each of the end flanges which may be in the region of 80,000 to 100,000 pounds. The tubular body, and the means whereby the end flanges are attached to it must thus be designed and engineered to withstand these very high axial forces.
In the case of expansion devices for smaller diameter boreholes, while the total force applied to each of the end flanges may be somewhat less, it will be appreciated that the diameter of the internal tubular body will also be less. Many steels will not withstand these high axial stresses.
A further problem in earlier designs of expansion devices, was the design of the bladder. In many cases, the bladder was of a relatively complex design, requiring special moulding techniques. Typically such bladders are made of a tough resilient flexible thermoplastic material. Polyurethane materials are suitable, and other specialized thermoplastics are also suitable. In each case, however, it is preferable that the bladders shall be formed in a mould, either by injection moulding, or casting, or the like, so as to ensure that they are of substantially identical dimensions, and can be produced at a reasonable cost. Bladders of a special design may require costly tooling and expensive moulding techniques.
Another problem in earlier designs, arises again from the design of the bladder or sleeve. It is necessary to seal each end of the bladder against the escape or extrusion, of hydraulic fluid, between the ends of the bladder, and the end flanges. Various different proposals have been made, none of which were entirely satisfactory. In addition, in several prior designs, the design required a substantial space between the central tube, and the interior of the bladder. This space must be filled with hydraulic fluid before the device can apply force to the rock. Thus it will take a considerable period of time for pumping of hydraulic fluid into the space. The requirement for a substantial volume of hydraulic fluid within the device will also reduce the efficiency of the device, due to the compressibility of the fluid. While in theory hydraulic fluids are incompressible, in practice, at these higher pressures, such fluids exhibit a relatively significant degree of compressibility. Since compressibility is obviously a function of the total volume of fluid within the device, it will be appreciated that efficiency will be greatly reduced if an excessive volume of fluid is present.
In addition, the space must be completely vented of air before the device will develop its full force potential.
Another factor in earlier designs is that due to the provision of the substantial space between the bladder and the tube, the diameter of the tube is substantially reduced, thereby reducing its ability to withstand axial stresses.
Another significant factor arises from these same considerations. Where the bladder defines end flanges of a significant area, enclosing a substantial hydraulic volume, then the abutting end flanges on the rod also define a substantial annular surface area at each end of the device. This annular surface area is exposed to the hydraulic pressure developed within the bladder. It will be appreciated that the larger the surface area of these end flanges, the greater will be the axial force developed. The force will be a function of the internal pressure, multiplied by the surface area of the end flanges. It will be appreciated, therefore, that increasing the area of the end flanges and thereby reducing the diameter of the internal tube rapidly reaches critical proportions. The smaller the diameter of the internal tube, the smaller will be its ability to resist axial stresses. Conversely, the greater the area of the end flanges, the greater will be the axial forces developed in use.
As a result, it is apparent that it is highly desirable to increase the diameter of the central rod and, at the same time, reduce the area of the end flanges.
When this is understood, it will also be appreciated that when the diameter of the central rod is maximized, and the area of the end flanges is minimized, the hydraulic volume within the sleeve or bladder which must be filled each time it is used will be reduced to a minimum. This will also reduce the cycling time of the device and reduce the time required to operate the pump, or other pressure device used to provide the hydraulic pressure, and will also minimize compressibility problems.
It is also a desirable feature if such devices can be connected together in tandem, to provide expansion forces over a greater axial distance.


Various embodiments are described herein with regards to performing a selective fault recovery for an electronic device having a plurality of subsystems in which one of the subsystems has a fault. The selective fault recovery techniques described herein allow a user to use non-faulty subsystem of the electronic device while selective fault recovery is being conducted on the subsystem having the fault.

Electronic devices that are in use today provide various functions. Accordingly, these devices utilize various components in order to provide the various functions. However, when a fault occurs with one of the components of an electronic device, the electronic device may undergo a full system shutdown. This results in a major interruption of a user who is performing an activity with the electronic device.


The present disclosure relates to some aspects relate to a method for detecting stack memory corruption. In some embodiments, the method comprises determining an expected memory range of a data element that is to be written to a stack memory by tracking changes to a stack pointer. The determined memory range is stored in a stack object database. Upon receiving a stack memory access related instruction (e.g., LOAD/STORE instruction or arithmetic instruction operating on memory addresses) to write data to the stack memory, an address of the memory location to be accessed is determined. If the address falls within the expected memory range, no stack corruption is present. However, if the address falls outside of the expected memory range, stack corruption is present. Therefore, the present method provides for real time detection of corruption (e.g., overrun and underrun errors) in stack memory.

Electronic memory is used in computer systems and electronic devices to store data, programs, and the like. The integrity of the memory is important for operation of the computer systems and/or devices associated with the memory. For example, if memory is corrupted data stored in the memory may be lost or programs stored in the memory may execute incorrectly or not at all.
Buffer overrun errors and underrun errors are common causes of memory corruption. Buffer overrun and underrun errors are conditions wherein a software program writes beyond the boundaries of a memory buffer block, leading to corruption of adjacent memory blocks. The effects of buffer overrun and underrun are unpredictable. In some cases, the effects show up immediately in the form of a CPU fault and in some cases the corruption is so subtle that it simply goes undetected for long periods of time.

Method and system for realtime detection of stack frame corruption during nested procedure calls


This invention discloses a navigation apparatus correcting position data according to a map matching position and a method thereof. The navigation apparatus includes a satellite positioning module, an electronic map database, a map matching module and a correction module. The satellite positioning module provides a plurality of position data. The electronic map database stores at least one map data. The map matching module matches a position data with a map data to generate a map matching position corresponding to the position data. The correction module provides at least one turning point, and each turning point is situated at the map matching position to form an turning angular. If the turning angular exceeds a threshold value, the correction module calculates a position data and a map matching position statically collected within a predetermined time according to an algorithm to generate an offset to correct the position data behind the turning point.

As mobile communications and satellite navigations advance, a navigation apparatus such as a global positioning system (GPS) device, a mobile phone with a navigation function or a digital personal assistant with a navigation function becomes indispensable to of our daily life. During being transmitted from a satellite to the ground, the satellite positioning signal is easily affected due to factors and interferences such as various types of terrains, shelters, satellite time errors or signal delays, so the position data calculated by the global positioning system (GPS) often have errors, and thus an apparatus or a method is required to generate an offset for correcting the position data in order to provide a precise positioning on a navigation map.
In a prior art, a method of correcting the position data has been disclosed, and such method builds at least one differential global positioning system (DGPS) base station with a known reference position in advance. After receiving the satellite signals and calculating a position data according to the received satellite signals, the DGPS base station can obtain an offset by comparing the position data with latitude and longitude coordinates of the known reference position, and then transmit the offset to a navigation apparatus by a transmission module. The navigation apparatus includes a built-in differential global positioning system (DGPS) receiver for receiving the offset which can be used to correct the position data generated from the global positioning system (GPS), so that the precision of the map matching of the navigation apparatus can be improved.
However, the aforementioned prior art has the drawbacks of building at least one differential global positioning system (DGPS) base station, and the navigation apparatus also requires an additional differential global positioning system (DGPS) receiver. In other words, this method requires additional costs for hardware and software. Furthermore, if the navigation apparatus is at a location where no differential global positioning system (DGPS) base station is reachable or the navigation apparatus does not come with a differential global positioning system (DGPS) receiver, such method in prior art becomes useless.
To overcome the drawbacks of the prior art, and satisfy user requirements of the navigation apparatus, the inventor of the present invention according to years of experience in the related field to conduct extensive researches and experiments, and finally developed a navigation apparatus capable of correcting position data according to map matching position and its method in accordance with the present invention.

Navigation apparatus capable of correcting position data according to map matching position and method thereof


A monoclonal antibody having a neutralizing activity on HB-EGF is disclosed. The monoclonal antibody of the present invention is preferably an antibody that does not bind to the HB-EGF protein on the cell surface of HB-EGF-expressing cells. Also provided are an anti-cancer agent and a cell proliferation inhibitor, which comprise the monoclonal antibody of the present invention as an active ingredient, and a method of treating cancer, the method comprising administering the monoclonal antibody of the present invention. Cancers that can be treated by the anti-cancer agent of the present invention include pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, esophageal cancer, melanoma, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, ovarian cancer, bladder cancer, and brain tumors.

Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor, or HB-EGF, is a growth factor belonging to the EGF ligand family. HB-EGF gene-null knockout mice exhibit very detrimental phenotypes, such as cardiac function failure accompanied by cardiohypertrophy, and quickly die after birth (Nonpatent Reference 1). This shows that HB-EGF makes a profound contribution to the formation of the heart during gestation. In the adult, on the other hand, its expression is distributed across a relatively broad range of tissues, e.g., the lung, heart, brain, and skeletal muscle (Nonpatent Reference 2), and HB-EGF has a very important role not just during gestation, but also in maintaining biological function in the adult (Nonpatent Reference 3).
HB-EGF occurs as two different structures in vivo: a membrane-bound HB-EGF that is expressed on the cell surface of HB-EGF-expressing cells (designated below as proHB-EGF) and a secreted-form HB-EGF that occurs free from the cell (designated below as sHB-EGF or active-form HB-EGF). The structures of proHB-EGF and sHB-EGF are shown schematically in FIG. 1. The proHB-EGF precursor protein is composed of 208 amino acids and is composed, considered from the N-terminal, of a signal peptide, propeptide, heparin-binding domain, EGF-like domain, juxtamembrane domain, transmembrane domain, and cytoplasmic domain. Cleavage of the signal peptide from the proHB-EGF precursor protein results in the expression of proHB-EGF as a type 1 transmembrane protein. Subsequently, proHB-EGF is subjected to protease digestion, known as ectodomain shedding, and sHB-EGF, composed of 73 to 87 amino acid residues, is released into the extracellular environment. This sHB-EGF is composed of just two domains, the heparin-binding domain and the EGF-like domain, and binds as an active ligand to the EGF receptor (Her1) and EGF receptor 4 (Her4). This results in the induction of proliferation, via the downstream ERK/MAPK signaling pathway, in a variety of cells, e.g., NIH3T3 cells, smooth muscle cells, epithelial cells, keratinocytes, renal tubule cells, and so forth (Nonpatent Reference 4). A substantial reduction in proliferation ability occurs with cells that express only proHB-EGF due to the introduction of mutation into the region that participates in ectodomain shedding. In addition, transgenic mice that express only proHB-EGF have the same phenotype as HB-EGF knockout mice. Based on these observations, the function of HB-EGF as a growth factor is thought to be borne mainly by the secreted form of HB-EGF (Nonpatent References 5 and 6).
proHB-EGF, on the other hand, is also known to have a unique function in vivo different from that of sHB-EGF. That is, proHB-EGF was initially known to function as a receptor for the diphtheria toxin (DT) (Nonpatent References 7 and 8). However, subsequent research demonstrated that proHB-EGF forms complexes at the cell surface with molecules such as DRAP27/CD9 and also integrin α3β1 and heparin sulfate and participates in cell adhesion and migration. Operating through the EGF receptor (designated hereafter as EGFR) via a juxtacrine mechanism, proHB-EGF has also been shown to inhibit the growth of neighboring cells and to induce neighboring cell death. Thus, with regard to HB-EGF in its role as a ligand for EGFR, the membrane-bound proHB-EGF and secreted-form sHB-EGF are known to transmit diametrically opposite signals (Nonpatent References 5 and 8).
HB-EGF has a strong promoting activity on cell proliferation, cell movement, and infiltration in a variety of cell lines, for example, cancer cells. In addition, an increase in HB-EGF expression over that in normal tissue has been reported for a broad range of cancer types (e.g., pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, esophageal cancer, melanoma, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, ovarian cancer, bladder cancer, and brain tumors), suggesting that HB-EGF is strongly implicated in cancer proliferation or malignant transformation (Nonpatent References 4 and 10).
Based on these findings, the inhibition of cancer cell growth via an inhibition of HB-EGF activity has therefore been pursued. The following effects, inter alia, have been reported for efforts to inhibit the action of HB-EGF using anti-HB-EGF neutralizing antibodies: an inhibition of DNA synthesis in 3T3 cells (Nonpatent Reference 11), an inhibition of keratinocyte growth (Nonpatent Reference 12), an inhibition of glioma cell growth (Nonpatent Reference 13), and an inhibition of DNA synthesis in myeloma cells (Nonpatent Reference 14).
The use of an attenuated diphtheria toxin (CRM197) that specifically binds to HB-EGF as an HB-EGF inhibitor has also been pursued. In fact, in a test of the efficacy in a mouse xenograft model (transplantation of an ovarian cancer cell line), the group receiving CRM197 presented a superior tumor shrinkage effect (Nonpatent Reference 15). In addition, clinical testing with CRM197 has also been carried out in cancer patients (Nonpatent Reference 6).
Thus, HB-EGF is clearly useful as a target molecule for anti-cancer agents, and the efficacy of HB-EGF inhibitor molecules such as CRM197 have in fact also been tested to date. However, CRM197 is a toxin not naturally present in the human body, and it is therefore thought that the clinical utilization of CRM197 will be encumbered by very substantial problems arising not just from its toxicity, but also from its antigenicity.
In addition, although neutralizing antibodies that can inhibit the activity of HB-EGF have in fact existed for some time as noted above, all of these have been polyclonal antibodies purified from goat antisera and hence cannot be used clinically. Thus, there is demand in the medical community for HB-EGF-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies that can exhibit a high neutralizing activity and that can realize the humanization and high production levels required for clinical applications.
However, when contemplating the clinical application of anti-HB-EGF neutralizing antibodies, toxicity such as antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (abbreviated below as ADCC activity) mediated by the antibody and effector cells and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (abbreviated below as CDC) is a risk due to the fact that, as cited above, HB-EGF is also expressed in vivo in a broad range of normal tissues in the form of proHB-EGF, which is the HB-EGF protein on the cell surface of HB-EGF-expressing cells. Other problems that must be addressed are the reduction in the efficiency of antibody accumulation at the tumor tissue and the reduction in blood concentration brought about by uptake of the antibody in normal tissues.
The references cited in this specification is listed below. The contents of these documents are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. None of these documents is admitted as prior art to the present invention:
Nonpatent Reference 1: Iwamoto R, Yamazaki S, Asakura M et al., Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor and ErbB signaling is essential for heart function. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 2003; 100:3221-6.
Nonpatent Reference 2: Abraham J A, Damm D, Bajardi A, Miller J, Klagsbrun M, Ezekowitz R A. Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor: characterization of rat and mouse cDNA clones, protein domain conservation across species, and transcript expression in tissues. Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1993; 190:125-33.Nonpatent Reference 3: Karen M. Frontiers in Bioscience, 3, 288-299, 1998.Nonpatent Reference 4: Raab G, Klagsbrun M. Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor. Biochim Biophys Acta, 1997; 1333:F179-99.Nonpatent Reference 5: Yamazaki S, Iwamoto R, Saeki K et al. Mice with defects in HB-EGF ectodomain shedding show severe developmental abnormalities. J Cell Biol, 2003; 163:469-75.Nonpatent Reference 6: Ongusaha P. Cancer Res., (2004) 64, 5283-5290.Nonpatent Reference 7: Iwamoto R, Higashiyama S. EMBO J., 13, 2322-2330 (1994).Nonpatent Reference 8: Naglich J G, Metherall J E. Cell, 69, 1051-1061 (1992).Nonpatent Reference 9: Iwamoto R, Handa K, Mekada E. Contact-dependent growth inhibition and apoptosis of epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor-expressing cells by the membrane-anchored form of heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor. J Biol Chem, 1999; 274:25906-12.Nonpatent Reference 10: Miyamoto S, Cancer Sci., 97, 341-347 (2006).Nonpatent Reference 11: Blotnick S. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, (1994) 91, 2890-2894.Nonpatent Reference 12: Hashimoto K. J Biol Chem, (1994) 269, 20060-20066.Nonpatent Reference 13: Mishima K. Act Neuropathol., (1998) 96, 322-328.Nonpatent Reference 14: Wang Y D. Oncogene, (2002) 21, 2584-2592.Nonpatent Reference 15: Miyamoto S. Cancer Res., (2004) 64, 5720-Nonpatent Reference 16: Buzzi S. Cancer Immunol Immunother, (2004) 53, 1041-1048.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Anti-cancer agent comprising anti-HB-EGF antibody as active ingredient


The valve has a one-piece guide and valve seat member and a one-piece valve member that is guided by a bushing lining the guide of the guide and seat member. The valve is operated by a duty-cycle modulated waveform, and when the valve is operated in the closing direction, a gap is introduced into the waveform. The valve head and valve seat are configured to cause sonic flow through the valve when the valve is open and the pressure differential across it exceeds a certain minimum.

Contemporary systems typically comprise a solenoid-operated purge valve that is under the control of a purge control signal generated by a microprocessor-based engine management system. A typical purge control signal is a duty-cycle modulated pulse waveform having a relatively low frequency, such as 10 Hz. The modulation ranges from 0% to 100%. The response of certain conventional solenoid-operated purge valves is sufficiently fast that the valve follows to some degree the pulsing waveform that is being applied to it, and this causes the purge flow to experience similar pulsations. Such pulsations may at times be detrimental to tailpipe emission control objectives since such pulsing vapor flow to the intake manifold may create objectionable hydrocarbon spikes in the engine exhaust. Changes in intake manifold vacuum that occur during normal operation of a vehicle may also act directly on the valve in a way that upsets the control strategy unless provisions are made to take their influence into account, such as by including a vacuum regulator valve. Moreover, low frequency pulsation may produce audible noise that may be deemed disturbing.
It is known that maintenance of sonic flow will make a purge system quite insensitive to typical fluctuations in engine intake manifold vacuum that occur during engine operation. However, insofar as the applicants are aware, the possibility of maintaining sonic flow by configuring the canister purge valve's head and seat to cause sonic flow when the valve is open and the positive pressure across it is in excess of a certain minimum has not heretofore been recognized. Accordingly, a general aspect of the invention is to provide a canister purge system incorporating such a valve. More specific aspects relate to various constructional features, and some of these features may be useful in canister purge systems and valves that do not necessarily employ the novel valve head and seat for achieving and maintaining sonic flow in a canister purge system and valve.
The present invention also relates to an improved purge valve for an evaporative emission control system characterized by improved linearity and insensitivity to variations in intake manifold vacuum communicated to the valve so that better control of canister purging can be achieved. In addition to improvements that reside in constructional features of the purge valve, improvements reside in how it is operated by the purge control signal, particularly when the valve is to operate in the direction of closing. An important advantage of the inventive valve is that an additional vacuum regulator valve becomes unnecessary in view of the sonic flow characteristic of the inventive valve.
The foregoing, along with additional features, and other advantages and benefits of the invention will be seen in the ensuing description and claims which are accompanied by drawings. The drawings disclose a preferred embodiment of the invention according to the best mode contemplated at this time for carrying out the invention.

Canister purge system having improved purge valve


A cash handling device having at least one processor, a communication interface, an item accepting device, an item dispensing device, an internal currency scanning system, an internal currency transport system, one or more currency storage cartridges, and a memory may receive, from a user, a request to perform a deposit transaction. Based on receiving the request to perform the deposit transaction, the cash handling device may receive at least one deposit item for deposit. Subsequently, the cash handling device may validate the at least one deposit item received for deposit. Based on validating the at least one deposit item received for deposit, the cash handling device may generate a deposit transaction record that includes information directing a banking server to apply a provisional credit to a treasury account associated with the user. Subsequently, the cash handling device may send the deposit transaction record to the banking server.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to banking systems controlled by data bearing records. In particular, one or more aspects of the disclosure relate to utilizing cash handling devices to provide treasury functions, including deposit functions and change order functions, and implementing a computing platform to control a plurality of cash handling devices.
Cash handling devices may be used in operating centers and other locations to provide various functions that, in some instances, may otherwise be provided by personnel. Deploying and utilizing these devices may provide many benefits to clients, including increased convenience, security, and efficiency. In many instances, however, it may be difficult to integrate such cash handling devices with the technical infrastructure that supports banking operations and other operations while also optimizing the efficient and effective technical operations of the cash handling devices and various related computer systems.

Banking systems controlled by data bearing records


Water treatment system includes means for mixing ozone generated by the system with untreated water. The ozone and water mixture is delivered to a contact chamber at a pre-selected rate. As the mixture of ozone and water is delivered, ozone and other gases are released from the water into the chamber. Gas accumulates at the upper end of the chamber, forcing the water level down and increasing the pressure in the chamber. A float assembly is normally in a closed position due to the buoyancy of the float assembly and the level of the water. As the water level decreases with the accumulation of gases, the float assembly is held in place by the pressurized gas surrounding the float assembly. Finally, the weight of the float assembly overcomes the float's buoyancy and the gas pressure holding the fluid assembly in place. The float assembly then drops, opening the upper end of the chamber to atmosphere. Gases which have accumulated and stratified at the upper end of the chamber are released to atmosphere. Moreover, saturated gases held in the water are immediately released due to the sudden depressurization of the chamber in the water and are also released to atmosphere.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a system for removing undesirable constituents from water during treatment in a residential setting. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system for removing these constituents by accumulating the gases in a stratified manner to permit selective removal from the water being treated.
2. Description of Related Art
Earlier systems for removing undesirable constituents from water during treatment usually have included expensive systems for releasing gases from the water. Many of these systems suffer from the problem that the water being treated typically splashes onto or into valving through which the gases are to escape. This frequently results in clogging of the valving mechanism or thereby restricting the travel of escaping gases.
In addition, earlier systems require repressurization of the plumbing system periodically subsequent to depressurization to remove dissolved gases. Finally, many of these earlier systems are difficult to clean since the mechanisms used are intricate and difficult to disassemble and reassemble.
A water treatment unit for removing undesirable constituents of water which permits cleaner operation, is more readily serviceable and overcomes the shortcomings of earlier systems would represent a significant advancement in the art.


A method for implementing a differential lock function for a vehicle. The vehicle is an all-wheel drive vehicle, and the differential lock function produces an interaxle lock acting between the front axle and the rear axle of the all-wheel drive vehicle. In response to incipient slippage of at least one driven wheel, the method implements the function of a differential lock, using actions carried out independently of the driver, on at least one arrangement for controlling the wheel torque. In this context, at least one setpoint value for a wheel torque to be set is selected for carrying out the actions executed independently of the driver.

The present invention relates to a method and device for implementing a differential lock function for a vehicle.
The production or implementation of a differential lock function, especially the implementation of an interaxle lock function, by actively decelerating wheels having a drive slip that is too high, is known from the related art. In known methods heretofore, an interaxle lock function is usually produced or implemented by using so-called individual control systems. In this context, the individual wheel control system simultaneously assumes the locking function in the transverse direction, and in the longitudinal direction.
German Published Patent Application No. 34 21 776 describes a vehicle having all-wheel drive. In this vehicle, not only are the wheels of one axle connected to the drive shaft, but also the drive shafts are connected to the driving motor via a differential gear. The object of German Published Patent Application No. 34 21 776 is to provide an electronic alternative for the differential locks. The electronic differential locking is implemented by supplying braking pressure to the individual wheel brakes in response to the occurrence of drive slip. That is, one or more wheels are decelerated when this wheel or these wheels undergoes or undergo wheelslip in comparison to the other wheels. When the last wheel slips as well, then the engine torque is reduced. In other words, all of the wheels are adjusted to an optimum drive slip, and therefore allow good lateral grip.
With regard to the implementation of the differential lock function, one can only deduce the supply of braking pressure from German Published Patent Application No. 34 21 776. The use or provision of a specific requirement regarding the level of the braking pressure to be supplied cannot be gathered from this document. Consequently, one can also not infer from it that, within the framework of implementing the differential lock, a braking moment is set in accordance with a preselected setpoint value. Therefore, the actions carried out in this manner do not ensure that the speeds of the driven vehicle axles approach each other in a desired manner.
Therefore, the object of the present invention consists in improving existing methods and devices for implementing a differential lock function.
The method of the present invention is a method for implementing a differential lock function for a vehicle. In response to incipient slippage of at least one driven wheel the method of the present invention implements the function of a differential lock, using actions carried out independently of the driver, on at least one arrangement for controlling the wheel torque. The implemented differential lock function should preferably be a differential lock acting between the front axle and the rear axle of the vehicle. At least one setpoint value for a wheel torque to be set is selected for carrying out the actions executed independently of the driver.
The vehicle is advantageously a vehicle having all-wheel drive. Therefore, the differential lock function is an interaxle lock acting between the front axle and the rear axle of the vehicle. However, this should not represent a limitation. The present invention""s method for implementing an interaxle lock function, which is represented for an all-wheel drive vehicle in the exemplary embodiment, can also be appropriately modified for use in a vehicle having a single driven axle, in order to implement an axle differential locking function. However, this use shall not be discussed in any more detail within the framework of the present application.
The selection of the at least one setpoint valuexe2x80x94there are two driven axles in a vehicle having all-wheel drive, which is why two setpoint values are selectedxe2x80x94allows the speeds of the driven vehicle axles to approach each other. This measure assures optimum traction for the vehicle.
The arrangement for controlling the wheel torque is advantageously a brake actuator, which is assigned to a wheel of the vehicle, and is a part of a braking system that can generate braking torques at individual vehicle wheels, independently of the driver. On the other hand, the braking system can be a hydraulic, electrohydraulic, pneumatic, electropneumatic, or electromechanical braking system. A controllable mechanical locking device or a controllable clutch can be used as an alternative to the brake actuator.
Such a controllable mechanical locking device or controllable mechanical clutch could be used to bypass an open, center differential, or to directly couple the second drive axle to the main drive axle, as would be possible in the case of a front-wheel drive vehicle having a coupleable rear-wheel drive. In this case, the coupling torque to be transmitted, which results from the equation |MBrSymLSVAxe2x88x92MBrSymLSHA|, would be used as a setpoint value. This setpoint value is input via a torque interface to the secondary controller, as a setpoint value for the coupling torque.
If the arrangement for controlling the wheel torque is a brake actuator, then a setpoint value for a wheel-brake torque is advantageously selected as a setpoint value. In the case of a vehicle, which has all-wheel drive, and consequently has two driven axles, a setpoint value is selected for each of the two axles.
A setpoint value for the Cardanic speed of an axle is ascertained as a function of first wheel speed variables that describe the free-rolling wheel speeds, and as a function of a setpoint value for the drive slip. An actual value for the Cardanic speed of the same axle is ascertained as a function of second wheel speed variables, which describe the wheel speeds ascertained with the aid of wheel speed sensors. A deviation variable is determined as a function of this setpoint value and this actual value. Using a controlling arrangement, in particular a PI controller, this deviation variable is converted into the setpoint value for a wheel torque to be set.
The setpoint value for the Cardanic speed is selected in such a manner, that the differential lock function is activated as a function of time, prior to controlling the engine torque. To this end, the setpoint value for the Cardanic speed is especially ascertained as a function of a speed variable, which describes the vehicle speed. This procedure is based on the following: Measures are initially taken in the starting range, in order to improve the traction by locking action. As long as this potential is not exhausted, the engine torque is only reduced slightly. The drive torque is only reduced sharply, when all four wheels have too much drive slip, or the vehicle becomes unstable. This is accomplished by interventions in the engine-torque control.
Effects in the second wheel speed variables, which originate from reciprocal oscillations of the wheel speeds at the respective axle, are considered in the determination of the deviation variable.
It is advantageous, when the controlling arrangement has a proportional component and an integral component. The integration gain for the integration component is ascertained as a function of the value of the differentiated deviation variable. The integral component is reduced quickly, when at least one wheelslip variable for the respective axle exceeds a predetermined value. The wheelslip is monitored for the following reason: Because of the active build-up of braking pressure at the drive wheel, it can never be ruled out that this wheel is being overly decelerated. This results in brake slip at the overly decelerated wheel, which is to be immediately eliminated by reducing the pressure.
In the case of all-wheel drive vehicles, optimum traction can only be achieved when all of the driving wheels are rotating at speeds that are as uniform as possible. In particular, no differential speed, or as small a differential speed as possible, should occur between front axle (VA) and rear axle (HA), in order that the engine torque can be optimally transmitted through the wheels, to the ground. This requirement can be met with the aid of the method and device according to the present invention.
The function of a differential lock in the longitudinal direction, i.e. between the front axle and the rear axle of the vehicle, should be realized by an independent control loop. In this manner, the resulting interaxle locking effect can be controlled individually. This should be achieved by a wheel speed controller based on setpoint slip values.
For this purpose, the vehicle is advantageously equipped with a slip control device, as is known, e.g. from the article xe2x80x9cFDRxe2x80x94Die Fahrdynamikregelung von Boschxe2x80x9d (xe2x80x9cESPxe2x80x94The Electronic Stability Program of Boschxe2x80x9d) published in the Automobiltechnischen Zeitschrift (Automobile Technology Magazine) (ATZ) 96, 1994, issue 11, pages 674 through 689. In addition, at least one vehicle motion variable can be controlled by this device. This vehicle motion variable is the yaw velocity of the vehicle. To control the yaw velocity of the vehicle, the measured yaw velocity is compared to a setpoint value for the yaw velocity, and the yaw velocity deviation is ascertained, as a function of which wheel-specific braking actions and/or engine interventions are carried out independently of the driver. To this end, setpoint slip changes are determined as a function of the yaw velocity deviation, and the setpoint slip values for the individual wheels are ascertained from the setpoint slip changes. These setpoint slip values are supplied to controllers, which are subordinate to the yaw velocity controller, and by way of which the brake slip or the drive slip can be controlled. In order to set a wheel speed, the setpoint slip value is specially converted to a setpoint wheel speed in the subordinate controller that controls the drive slip. Above all, the wheel-specific braking actions that are independent of the driver apply a yaw torque to the vehicle, by way of which the actual yaw velocity of the vehicle approaches the setpoint value for the yaw velocity.
In the meantime, the above-described operating dynamics control system is now widely referred to as ESP (Electronic Stability Program). As a result, the content of the publication xe2x80x9cESPxe2x80x94The Electronic Stability Program of Boschxe2x80x9d shall be a part of this application.
The above reference to the device for controlling operating dynamics should not represent a limitation. Of course, the vehicle can also be equipped with a device for controlling drive slip, or with another device for controlling slip. However, the device for controlling slip executes wheel-specific braking actions, so-called active braking actions, independently of the driver, since these implement the method of the present invention.
The interaxle lock controller (L-controller) of the present invention is advantageously realized in such a manner, that it can be integrated into an existing electronic stability program for any all-wheel drive vehicle. The following measures ensure that the interaxle lock controller can be easily integrated: Only input variables based on physical quantities are used for the interaxle lock controller. The two torques MBrSymLSVA and MBrSymLSHA are used as output variables for the case, in which the arrangement for controlling the wheel torque are brake actuators. However, the coupling torque |MBrSymLSVAxe2x80x94MBrSymLSHA| is used in the case, in which the arrangement for controlling the wheel torque is a controllable locking device or a controllable clutch. Any actuator functioning on the basis of torque, whether it is a controllable coupling or a controllable locking device, can be rapidly coupled to the interaxle lock controller. If this is not possible, a special interface is provided. Such an interface may be a characteristics map for the coupling-actuator control current as a function of the coupling torque.
Furthermore, the interaxle lock controller of the present invention is realized in such a manner, that it functions in harmony with an engine torque control system (AMR), if necessary. In addition, it satisfies offroad requirements, i.e. it can be used in vehicles traveling on a rough road surface, or used for traveling offroad. The following measures are taken for this: The maximum interaxle lock torque (MBrSymIMax) becomes larger with increasing control period. Above certain, high engine torques, the reductions in engine torque becoming increasingly weak. In difficult offroad terrain, there is almost no more engine torque reduction. The engine torque is more distinctly reduced on low coefficients of friction, which allows one to start smoothly from rest.
Additional advantages include:
The Cardanic speeds of each axle are synchronized. For dynamic reasons (vibration damping), it is advantageous when each axle can be controlled individually. This is in close conjunction with the specific embodiment as a brake-interaxle lock.
The interaxle lock torque is built up using a PI controller, since a system deviation exists in the case in which the interaxle lock has to increase the locking torque. Whereas the interaxle lock torque is reduced with the aid of a control system. In this case, there is no deviation that can be evaluated.
Geometric slip, which can possibly occur from cornering, is calculated. Assuming that cornering and the associated geometric slip could possibly occur, this measure ensures that no actions are carried out that are not really necessary. For example, the so-called geometric slip occurs during cornering, since the front wheels are turning at a smaller radius than the corresponding rear wheels. In the absence of compensating measures, a system deviation would occur which would activate the interaxle lock in response to tight cornering. This effect is calculated by taking the kinematic interrelationships into account. It is already taken into consideration during the determination of the free-rolling wheel speeds. The dead zone of the interaxle lock controller would have to be expanded, if the geometric slip were not compensated for.
A setpoint torque is output axle-specifically, as an actuating variable, to a secondary actuator. The actuator can be a braking system, which can actively build up pressure, i.e. independently of the driver. A controllable, mechanical locking device or a controllable mechanical coupling, which acts between the front axle and the rear axle, can also be considered as an actuator. However, the actuator in the latter case must be supplied an actuating variable, which represents the difference to be set in the setpoint torque between the front axle and the rear axle. The coupling torque |MBrSymLSVAxe2x80x94MBrSymLSHA| is suited for this.
The dynamics of the interaxle lock controller can be adjusted independently of the axle differential locks. This is achieved by using an independent controller having its own set of parameters, in order to implement the interaxle lock function. At the same time, the working point can be individually adjusted in a manner enabling a harmonious interaction with an engine-torque control system.
When needed, stall protection for vehicles having a manual transmission prevents the engine from stalling, which can possibly be triggered by activities of the interaxle lock controller. The stall protection relates to the following issue: The actions of the present invention on the arrangement for controlling the wheel torque can decelerate the wheels so sharply, that it is possible for the vehicle engine to stop. Appropriate monitoring is used to prevent this.
The stall protection is implemented as follows: The engine speed is monitored. If it falls below a specific minimum value, then the interaxle lock torque is sharply reduced in response thereto, until the engine speed has exceeded this minimum value again. The minimum value for the engine speed can be selected as a function of the interaxle lock torque itself, using a characteristic curve. It is also ensured that the interaxle lock torque is limited to a percentage of the instantaneously available, Cardanic drive torque.

Method and device for exercising a differential blocking function for a vehicle


Embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in a random access memory. In one embodiment, the random access memory includes memory banks and precharge timers configured to provide precharge signals to the memory banks. Each of the precharge timers corresponds to one of the memory banks and each of the precharge timers is configured to provide one of the precharge signals to the corresponding one of the memory banks in normal mode and in test mode.

One type of memory known in the art is dynamic random access memory (DRAM). DRAM, typically, includes a plurality of memory banks. Each memory bank includes one or more arrays of memory cells. The memory cells in each array of memory cells are arranged in rows and columns, with the rows extending along an x-direction and the columns extending along a y-direction. Conductive word lines extend across an array of memory cells along the x-direction and conductive bit lines extend across an array of memory cells along the y-direction. A memory cell is located at each cross-point of a word line and a bit line. Memory cells are accessed using a row address and a column address.
Each of the memory cells in an array of memory cells includes a capacitor and a transistor. The capacitor is electrically coupled through the transistor to one of the bit lines. The control input of the transistor is electrically coupled to one of the word lines. The transistor is switched on (conducting) to access the capacitor and off (non-conducting) to capture a voltage level on the capacitor. The capacitor is charged to a high voltage level that can represent a logic one or discharged to a low voltage level that can represent a logic zero.
Each bit line is electrically coupled to a sense amplifier and precharged to a precharge voltage level by a precharge voltage source. Prior to a read or write operation, the precharge voltage source is removed from the bit line and the bit line floats at the precharge voltage level. The sense amplifier can be a differential amplifier with one input electrically coupled to a bit line and the other input electrically coupled to a reference voltage level, such as the precharge voltage level.
During a read operation, the word line is activated to turn on the transistor. The voltage level stored on the capacitor is passed to the floating bit line to change the voltage level on the bit line to either a higher or lower voltage level than the precharge voltage level. The sense amplifier compares the voltage level on the bit line to the reference voltage level and provides a corresponding high or low voltage level response. In addition, the sense amplifier provides the response back to the memory cell through the bit line to charge or discharge the capacitor and store the voltage level just read back on the capacitor. The word line is deactivated to turn off the transistor and the bit line is precharged to the precharge voltage level to prepare for the next operation.
During a write operation, the word line is activated to turn on the transistor to access the capacitor through the bit line. Typically, a write driver circuit overdrives the sense amplifier to charge or discharge the capacitor through the bit line and transistor. The word line is deactivated to turn off the transistor and store the captured value on the capacitor. The bit line is precharged to the precharge voltage level to prepare for the next operation.
During normal operation, referred to as normal mode, each memory bank is accessed independently of the other memory banks. A read or write command is issued and one memory bank is addressed to read or write memory cells in the selected memory bank. The other memory banks are precharged as the selected memory bank is accessed. After data has been read from or written to the selected memory bank, the bit lines of the selected memory bank are precharged to the precharge voltage level to complete the read or write operation. Another command is issued to read or write memory cells in the same or another memory bank. Issuing one command to access and precharge one memory bank at a time is time consuming and, if used to test all of the memory banks, can lead to testing costs that exceed costs the market can bear.
During testing of the memory, the memory can be put into a special mode, referred to as test mode. In test mode, one read or write command is issued to simultaneously access a plurality of memory banks. The memory automatically transfers data to or from each of the simultaneously accessed memory banks in response to one read or write command. Multiple commands are not needed to access multiple memory banks. Data is transferred to or from each of the simultaneously accessed memory banks in data bursts that are time multiplexed or interleaved during the read or write operation. For example, during a test mode read operation on a two-memory bank DRAM, a first data bit from the first memory bank is provided on a data line followed by a first data bit from the second memory bank. Next, a second data bit from the first memory bank is provided on the data line followed by a second data bit from the second memory bank. The data burst from the first memory bank is not completed before beginning the data burst from the second memory bank. Test mode operation decreases testing time as compared to normal mode operation. However, precharging the memory banks at the appropriate time and in the proper sequence can be a difficult task.

Random access memory using precharge timers in test mode


The present disclosure provides a control method for a vehicle with a DCT, the method including: a diagnosing step of disengaging a corresponding clutch and limiting engine torque to suppress an increase in engine RPM when a controller detects an error from a hall sensor signal, and then applying a test pulse for diagnosing the hall sensor; a reset attempting step of attempting to reset the clutch to an initial position when the controller determines that the hall sensor signal is normal after the diagnosing step; and a returning step of starting normal control of the clutch from the initial position to a target clutch stroke by means of the controller and of removing the limiting of the engine torque, when the clutch is reset to the initial position in the reset attempting step.

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.
A DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) includes a clutch actuator for controlling two clutches therein and a shift actuator for shifting gears so that a controller shifts gears by appropriately operating the clutch actuator and the shift actuator, depending on driving situations of a vehicle.
The clutch actuator is usually driven by a motor equipped with a hall sensor, so the position of a clutch is directly determined on the basis of a signal from the hall sensor and whether the clutch can be controlled is diagnosed on the basis of whether the signal is normal.
In the related art, when a signal having a wrong pattern or a wrong order is received from a hall sensor of a motor for a clutch actuator, a problem is sensed, and whether the motor has broken down is checked by applying a test pulse to the motor.
FIG. 1 is a graph exemplifying a case when a test pulse is applied, as described above, in which an error was sensed from a hall sensor of a motor for an even-numbered clutch actuator while a vehicle creeps backward with an even-numbered shaft clutch engaged.
In order to diagnose whether there is a malfunction when a hall sensor error is sensed, a test pulse is applied to a motor, and when it is determined that there is no malfunction, a clutch is engaged again in FIG. 1. Further, in FIG. 1, the actual stroke of an even-numbered shaft clutch going with an even-numbered shaft clutch target stroke drops from the target stroke, so a vertical vibration test is performed so the actual stroke approaches back to the target stroke.
In this situation, when the actual stroke of the clutch approaches back to the target stroke after the test is finished, we have found that a shock is generated by a sudden change of the clutch stroke and can be recognized by fluctuation of the curve showing the numbers of revolution of the even-numbered input shaft.
Obviously, a severe shock may considerably deteriorate riding comfort due to vibration of a powertrain and may even stop an engine.
The foregoing is intended merely to aid in the understanding of the background of the present disclosure, and is not intended to mean that the present disclosure falls within the purview of the related art that is already known to those skilled in the art.


An expansion module of a programmable logic controller is provided. The expansion module comprises a function body and an expansion base. The function body comprises a housing, a circuit board and a first connector. The circuit board is disposed in the housing. The first connector is connected with the circuit board and is partially exposed from the housing. The expansion base is detachably assembled with the function body and comprises a bracket and a three-way connector. The three-way connector is detachably disposed in the bracket and comprises three conducting terminals. The first conducting terminal and the second conducting terminal are at least partially exposed from the bracket. The third conducting terminal is configured to connect with the first connector. When there are plural expansion modules, two adjacent function bodies can be detachably assembled with each other, and two adjacent expansion bases can be detachably assembled with each other.

Generally, the programmable logic controller needs the expansion module for expansion when the number of the control points of the CPU (Central Processing Unit) module is insufficient or the programmable logic controller requires additional function. The expansion module is in communication with the CPU module. Based on the connection way between the expansion module and the CPU module, the programmable logic controller can be classified into the programmable logic controller with serial connection structure or the programmable logic controller with parallel connection structure.
As regards the programmable logic controller with serial connection structure, the first expansion module is connected with the CPU module in series, and the follow-up expansion module is connected with the preceding expansion module sequentially. As for the programmable logic controller with parallel connection structure, the expansion modules and the CPU module are connected in parallel. Even if any of the expansion modules is removed, the communication and the power transmission among the remaining expansion modules and the CPU module are not affected, and the situation of signal interruption could not happen. There are two approaches of the programmable logic controller with parallel connection structure. Firstly, the programmable logic controller includes a base module having a plurality of base connectors, and connectors are mounted on the CPU module and the expansion modules respectively. By the connection between the base connector and the corresponding connector, the CPU module and the expansion modules are assembled with the base module respectively. Secondly, the programmable logic controller includes a rail-type base with copper rail, and plural connectors are mounted on the CPU module and the expansion modules respectively. By the connection between the copper rail and the connector, the CPU module and the expansion modules are assembled with the rail-type base respectively.
However, the programmable logic controller with serial connection structure still has some drawbacks. In case that any of the expansion modules is broken or is removed as required, the expansion modules serially connected therewith are interrupted from receiving the signal and power. Under this circumstance, the CPU module can't communicate with and control the interrupted expansion modules, and a part of the programmable logic controller stops working. Thus, for example, the temperature control may be lost and the sensors may be disabled, which causes the increasing loss, the decreasing activation and even safety anxiety.
In addition, the programmable logic controller with parallel connection structure also has some drawbacks. For the first approach, the base module can't be expanded. The number of expansion modules is limited by the number of base connectors, which reduces the applicability. Moreover, the base module includes a bracket, a circuit board and a plurality of base connectors, and the construction cost is high. For the second approach, the rail-type base can't be expanded or extended. The number of expansion modules is limited by the length of copper rail, which decreases the applicability. Moreover, the rail-type base is a complex structure base with a bracket and plural copper bars, and the construction cost is high. Furthermore, the exposed copper bar may be short-circuited by the broken copper wire or the tool, and thus breaks the modules.
Therefore, there is a need of providing an expansion module of a programmable logic controller in order to overcome the above drawbacks.

Expansion module of programmable logic controller


In a heat-developable color photo-sensitive material comprising a support bearing thereon a photographic component layer containing at least a photo-sensitive silver halide, a reducing agent, a binder and a dye-providing material; said heat-developable photo-sensitive material characterized in that at least one of said dye-providing materials is a polymer having a repetition unit being derived from a monomer Formula [I] below: ##STR1## wherein , Q represents an ethylene unsaturated group or a group having an ethylene unsaturated group; Z represents a group of atoms required for forming a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic residual group in which a polymerizable ethylene unsaturated bonding may also be incorporated into the heterocyclic ring, together with a nitrogen atom; R.sub.1 represents an alkyl, aryl, alkylamino, anilino, acylamino or ureido group; Ar represents an aryl group or a heterocyclic residual group; and n is an integer of zero or one.

This invention relates to a heat-developable color photo-sensitive material in which a color-image is produced by transferring a dye formed in a heat-development process, and more particularly to a heat-developable color photo-sensitive material containing a novel dye-providing material capable of producing a diffusion type dye through a heat-development process.
Photographic method using a photo-sensitive silver halide has so far been known and that is superior to the other photographic methods in photo-sensitivity, gradation and image preservability and has most popularly been put into practice.
In this method, however, a wet-process has been applied to such a processing step as a developing, fixing or washing step. There have accordingly been many problems such as that it cannot help taking a lot of time and trouble and concerning about the influence of processing chemicals the human body or about the chemical pollution of a processing room and an operator, and further taking care of industrial waste pollution. It has therefore been demanded to develop a photo-sensitive material capable of using a photo-sensitive material therein and being applied with a dry-process.
There have been made a number of proposals of the above-mentioned dry-processing photographic methods. Among them, a heat-developable photo-sensitive material capable of being developed by a heat-treatment has now become the object of public attention.
Concerning these heat-developable photo-sensitive materials the photo-sensitive materials each comprising an organic silver salt, a silver halide and a reducing agent are disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Examined Publication Nos. 4921/1968 and 4924/1968.
There have been the attempts to obtain color-images in a variety of methods through the improvements on the above-mentioned photo-sensitive materials.
For example, the heat-developable color photo-sensitive materials for forming color images through the reaction of couplers with the oxidants of an aromatic primary amine developing agent are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,531,286, 3,761,270, 3,764,328 and the like.
In Research Disclosure, Nos. 15108 and 15127, the heat-developable color photo-sensitive materials are disclosed to produce color images through the reaction of couplers with the oxidants of developing agent of a sulfonamidophenol derivative or a sulfonamidoaniline derivative. In these processes, however, a reduced silver image and a color image are produced simultaneously on an exposed area after heat-developed, and the color image is made turbid, that is a problem. As for the methods of solving such a problem, there are some methods such as that a silver image is removed in a liquid process or that dyes only are transferred to other layer such as an image receiving sheet having an image receiving layer, however, there is also a problem that it is not so easy to transfer the dyes only to the image receiving sheet with the discrimination thereof from the substances remaining unreacted.
Further, in Research Disclosure, No. 16966, there discloses a heat-developable color photo-sensitive material in which an organic imino salt having dyes as the composition thereof is used so as to split off the imino group in an exposed area through a heat-development, and a color image is produced on an image receiving layer in the form of a sheet of transfer-paper by making use of a solvent. In this process, however, there is a problem that it is impossible to obtain a sharp and clear color image because it is difficult to inhibit the splitting-off of the dyes in an area out of light.
Still further, in Japanese Patent O.P.I. Publication Nos. 105821/1977, 105822/1977 and 50328/1981; U.S. Pat. No. 4,235,957; Research Disclosure, Nos. 14448, 15227 and 18137; and the like, there are disclosed the respective heat-developable color photo-sensitive materials in which a positive color image can be produced in a heat-sensitive silver dye bleach process. Wherein, there are problems that an extra processing step and photographic component material are required, such as that some sheets containing an activator for accelerating the bleach of dyes are superposed together and are then heated, and that the obtained color image is gradually reduced and bleached by a co-existing free silver or the like during a long-term preservation.
In addition to the above disclosures, there are U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,180,732, 3,985,565, and 4,022,617; and Research Disclosure No. 12533 each disclosing the heat-developing color photo-sensitive materials utilizing a leuco dyes to produce a color image. In this process, however, there is a problem that the photo-sensitive materials are gradually colored during the preservation, because it is difficult to incorporate the leuco dyes stably into the photo-sensitive materials.
In addition, Japanese Patent O.P.I. Publication No. 179840/1982 (U.S. Pat. No. 4,463,079) discloses a heat-developable color photo-sensitive material in which a color image pattern is formed by making use of a reducible dye-providing material capable of releasing both a dye-releasing assistant and a diffusible dye. In this method, however, it is inevitable to use the dye-releasing assistant, and this dye-releasing assistant is the so-called base or a basic precursor. There are the problems in the technique using such a base or a basic precursor, namely, fog is increased and a maximum density is lowered due to the existence of the base in the case of a heat-developable photo-sensitive material using an organic silver salt oxidizing agent.
Further, Japanese Patent O.P.I. Publication Nos. 186744/1982 (U.S. Pat. No. 4,474,867), and 123533/1983 discloses the heat-developable color photo-sensitive materials in which a color transfer image pattern is obtained by releasing or producing a diffusible dye through a heat-development process. However, the exemplified compounds of the dye-providing materials disclosed therein have such a defect that it is hard to say that the migration of the compounds between the layers is completely prohibited during the multiple coating or heat-developing process, so that a color turbidity is apt to cause.
As disclosed in Japanese Patent O.P.I. Publication No. 149047/1983 (U.S. Pat. No. 4,455,363) as well as in Japanese Patent Application No. 109293/1983 which was applied by the present inventors, there are the methods with the purpose of compensating the above-mentioned defect, in which a polymer is used to serve as a dye-providing material. Even the exemplified compounds described therein have the detects that, though the migration of dye-providing material is successfully prohibited, the efficiency of producing diffusible dye is substantially low and a maximum density (Dmax) of a transfer image pattern or the fog (Dmin) thereof is serious.
It is an object of the invention to solve the problems inhering in the above-mentioned dye-providing materials, that it to say, it is an object of the invention to provide a heat-developable color photo-sensitive material containing a novel dye-providing material.
Another object of the invention is to provide a heat-developable color photo-sensitive material capable of obtaining a color image pattern which is less in color turbidity and sharp in reproductivity.
A further object of the invention is to provide a dye-providing polymer which is excellent in efficiency of producing a diffusible dye.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a magenta-dye-providing polymer capable of obtaining a transfer image pattern which is high in density and less in fogginess.

Heat-developable color photo-sensitive material with polymeric coupler


A structure for receiving surgical instruments for performing a surgical procedure on a body includes a passage through which the surgical instruments are inserted into the body. The passage has a proximal end and a distal end. An expandable portion enables an increase in the cross-sectional area of the distal end of the passage. The expandable portion has a contracted condition in which the cross-sectional area of the distal end of the passage has a first cross-sectional area. The expandable portion has an expanded condition in which the distal end of the passage has a second cross-sectional area greater than the first cross-sectional area. The second cross-sectional area is greater than a cross-sectional area of the proximal end of the passage when the expandable portion is in the expanded condition. A retaining mechanism resists movement of the expandable portion from the expanded condition toward the contracted condition during the surgical procedure. The retaining mechanism is released at the conclusion of the surgical procedure to permit movement of the expandable portion from the expanded condition toward the contracted condition for removal of the structure.

A known structure for receiving surgical instruments is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,187,000. U.S. Pat. No. 6,187,000 discloses a cannula having an expandable portion. The expandable portion has a slot and a guide member disposed in the slot. The guide member is movable from a first terminal end of the slot to a second terminal end of the slot to enable the cross-sectional area of a passage in the cannula to increase.

Structure for receiving surgical instruments


A new Dianthus plant particularly distinguished by red purple flowers with a dark purple pattern, very early flowering, and an upright habit, is disclosed.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct variety of Dianthus, botanically known as Dianthus caryophyllus, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name 'KLEDG18274'. 'KLEDG18274' originated from an open pollination of the proprietary female parent 'DSS-2011-0087' (unpatented) and an unknown male Dianthus variety in June 2013, in Stuttgart, Germany. A single plant was selected in July 2014 and designated 'KLEDG18274'.
In September 2014, 'KLEDG18274' was first vegetatively propagated by vegetative cuttings in Stuttgart Germany. 'KLEDG18274' was found to reproduce true to type in successive generations of asexual propagation in Latina, Italy via vegetative stem cuttings.


A technique is disclosed for wound debridement in which a pulsed CO.sub.2 laser beam is caused to impinge upon exposed tissue with individual pulses sufficiently energetic to ablate a thin layer of tissue. Each pulse has a time duration short enough to avoid deleterious heat penetration but long enough so that it does not cause atmospheric breakdown. The CO.sub.2 laser, with a wavelength in the far infrared region, is operated to produce a pulsed beam with individual pulses having an energy of about one joule per pulse or greater. The beam is focused to produce a beam diameter with a fluence of approximately ten joules per square centimeter at the tissue to be ablated and with a pulse repetition rate of approximately one hundred pulses per second and a pulse duration between one microsecond and ten microseconds.

There has been a longstanding need for a new surgical technique for debridement of wounds, especially burn wounds, which will significantly lessen the trauma and enhance healing. Laser surgery has held the hope for fulfillment of the need but, for two decades, a successful laser technique has eluded the investigators.
Laser beams are used in a variety of surgical procedures. Earlier investigators have undertaken to utilize the laser for ablation of tissue in treating surface lesions of the skin and dermatologists are using such devices today. However, there has been negligible success in treating burn wounds. While there are certain inherent advantages afforded by laser surgery for serious burns, these cannot be availed of unless the time required for the surgical procedure becomes at least comparable to that in the conventional scalpel surgery presently used in serious burn cases and unless the debridement leaves a tissue bed that will take a viable skin graft.
A serious burn on the human body usually extends well below the superficial skin surface. A significant thickness of tissue dies as a result of the thermal assault and this necrotic material develops into a scar mass called eschar. The interface between the eschar and the sublying viable tissue is a fertile anaerobic region for growth and propagation of infection. The current technique for medical treatment involves debridement (i.e., removal) of the eschar by a surgical procedure called "tangential excision", accomplished with a scalpel. After the debridement, the exposed viable tissue is covered with a skin graft which provides protection against fluid loss and contamination and initiates the healing process. This surgical procedure is known to be highly traumatic. Debridement by tangential excision for severe and extensive burn wounds may require many hours for the procedure and there is an attendant very high loss of blood during the debridement. Much effort has been expended by investigators in seeking to develop a laser debridement technique to replace the scalpel excision technique with its attendant trauma.


Disclosed are a high-reflectivity reflector manufacturing method and a high-reflectivity lamp. The high-reflectivity reflector manufacturing method includes (A) preparing at least one micro foaming reflection plate processed with an anti-UV process; (B) performing a preheat process of the micro foaming reflection plate; (C) performing a heating process of the micro foaming reflection plate after being processed by the preheat process to soften the micro foaming reflection plate; (D) performing a hot pressing process to the softened micro foaming reflection plate to form a required shape of the reflector; and (E) cooling the reflector to obtain a high-reflectivity reflector. The present disclosure significantly improves the light reflectivity up to 95%˜99% as well as improving the lamp brightness.

As the lamp technology advances, there are a wide variety of lamp products on the market. In general, most lamps come with a reflector for reflecting the light emitted from a light emitting source inside the lamp. Although a lamp cover can reflect the light of the light emitting source, most reflectors used for the lamps have a reflective material coated onto a PC reflector by electroplating, so that the reflectivity of the lamp cover becomes lower, and the overall luminous efficiency of the light emitting source becomes lower, the brightness of the light outputted from the lamp becomes weaker, and the user requirements cannot be met.
In view of the drawbacks of the prior art, it is necessary to improve the conventional reflectors.

High-reflectivity reflector manufacturing method and high-reflectivity lamp

Shenzhen Thousandshores Technology Co., Ltd.


The palletizer or machine is provided to load parcels layer by layer onto a pallet carried by an elevator. The machine includes a small frame housing the elevator and an elevated platen which is mounted above the elevator on which the parcels are manually arranged into desired patterns by an operator standing adjacent the platen. After a layer of parcels has been assembled on the platen, the platen is retracted to drop the layer onto the pallet or preceding layer. The elevator supports the pallet or preceding layer at a level immediately below the platen. The palletizer includes a subframe in which the pallet storage station is located, with the subframe adapted to be secured to either left hand side or to the right hand side of the main frame. The subframe includes or carries a power feed mechanism including a ram. When the desired number of layers are accumulated on the pallet, the ram is energized and abuts an empty pallet in the pallet storage station of the subframe and moves it onto the elevator and simultaneously the empty pallet engages the loaded pallet and discharges same from the palletizer.

The present invention relates generally to palletizers and more particularly to a novel and improved semi-automatic palletizer including a frame and a subframe containing the pallet storage section which is adapted to be mounted on either the left hand side or the right hand side of the main frame so as to suit various space and loading requirements. With such a construction, an operator may arrange layers of parcels on the platen and to sequentially position such layers on a pallet carried by the elevator located within the main frame.
It is well known that materials such as bags or parcels are stacked on pallets or platforms to improve handling efficiency. Used with lift trucks, such pallets after being loaded, may be easily moved to storage locations or to a truck carrier for shipping. Palletizer machines are provided to eliminate human effort which would otherwise be required to lift and arrange parcels or bags on the pallets. At the same time, while reducing human effort, the palletizer frequently speeds up pallet loading operations in many instances.


A flight vehicle includes a base frame in which an accumulating tank is mounted for receiving air. An air entrance device is mounted on the first end of the base frame for introducing air to enter into the accumulating tank. A power supply device is mounted in the base frame for pressurizing air in the accumulating tank. A nozzle device is mounted on an upperside of a first end of the base frame and communicates with the accumulating tank for injecting the pressurized air therefrom along a longitudinal direction of the base frame. A suction device is adjustably mounted on an upperside of a second end of the base frame and is restricted to be disposed between a first position where air injected from the nozzle device is introduced into the suction device and a second position where the suction device stops operating. An elevator device and a rudder device are respectively mounted on an upperside of the second end of the base frame. A wheel assembly is mounted on an underside of the base frame.

1. FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to a flight vehicle.
2. RELATED PRIOR ART
A conventional flight vehicle has a heavy weight so as to cause a large cost in fuels and energy. In addition, the conventional flight vehicle takes up much space such that it is not easy to take off and land. Further, the conventional flight vehicle has a complex structure so that it is not easy to be controlled and requires much material, thus causing additional costs in manufacturing.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-mentioned disadvantages of the conventional flight vehicle.


A precipitation tube bundle for wet electrostatic filters is provided. The precipitation tube bundle consists of a plurality of single-piece precipitation tubes which are held at a distance from each other by an upper support collar, a central guide ring and a lower guide ring. The application is advantageous in that the tube bundle can be produced simply and economically, individual tubes can be replaced and when an electrical breakdown occurs in one of the precipitation tubes, the adjacent tubes are not damaged.

The invention relates to a precipitation tube bundle for wet electrostatic filters, in particular for the precipitation of sulfur oxides and dust from exhaust gases. Filters of this kind consist of a bundle of plastic tubes which are connected to each other at their walls. In the center of each tube there is an electrode. During operation of the filter, the inner walls of the tubes are wetted with a flowing, electrically conductive washing fluid, and between the electrode and the wall of the tube a strong electrical field is generated. This electrical field causes an ionization of the exhaust gases so that they are electrically charged and migrate to the walls of the tubes thereby following the lines of electric flux. At these walls the charged exhaust gas particles are taken up by the washing fluid and transported to the outside via the ends of the tubes. In order to avoid electrical breakdowns, the tubes are grounded.
DE-A1-41 02 732 discloses precipitation tube bundles in which the individual tubes are bonded to each other on their external walls. It is a disadvantage of these precipitation tube bundles that individual precipitation tubes cannot be replaced without being damaged and that the connection of the individual tubes requires much work and material.
In contrast thereto, it is an object of the present invention to provide a precipitation tube bundle for wet electrostatic filters in which the individual tubes can be held replaceably and in a low-stress and very accurate-to-dimension manner.
This object is achieved with the features of the claims.
In achieving this object, the invention starts out from the basic idea of holding single-piece tubes in a form-fit connection by means of an upper support collar and a lower guide ring and, if necessary, a central guide ring. By means of the support collar the bundle of tubes can be suspended in a housing. The lower guide ring serves for spacing the tubes apart and for connecting the tube grounding to the outside. The center guide ring serves for spacing the tubes apart if the bundle of tubes is relatively long.
The invention has the following advantages.
By combining stable, low-stress and very accurate-to-dimension guide and support rings with the precipitation tubes, bundles of tubes having a continuously smooth wall can be produced, wherein the distance between the tubes is reduced to a minimum. Bundles of tubes of different materials can be produced, for example, the supporting construction can be made of a material different from that of the precipitation tubes. The precipitation tube bundles have tube walls being separated from each other so that, for example, in case of voltage flashovers only the relevant tube is damaged. If they are damaged, the precipitation tubes can easily be replaced. Different kinds of grounding can easily be inserted in the precipitation tube bundles. The grounding can be prefabricated and easily be replaced or repaired in case of damage. The precipitation tube bundles can be produced more easily and cost-efficiently. In contrast to bundles consisting of connected half-tube elements, in the present invention there are no splits and/or borderings.

Precipitating tube bundle for wet electrofilters


An energy storage apparatus includes: one or more energy storage devices, each energy storage device having a side surface; and an outer housing that houses the one or more energy storage devices. The outer housing includes an attachment portion for attaching a partition plate adjacently to the side surface of the one or more energy storage devices.

Battery packs that include a plurality of energy storage apparatuses housed in a pack case are known. The plurality of energy storage apparatuses each include one or more energy storage devices (battery cells) housed in an outer housing (module case). Each energy storage apparatus included in the battery pack requires a configuration in which electrical insulation of the battery cells is maintained and heat from the battery cells is prevented from transferring to surrounding components. For example, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No, 2012-128983, when a plurality of the battery cells are to be housed in the module case, the plurality of battery cells are arranged spaced apart from each other in order to maintain electrical and heat insulation.
Another energy storage apparatus is known that can further secure electrical and heat insulation when a plurality of battery cells are to be housed in a module case by using partition plates formed between the plurality of battery cells in the module case.