The control assembly for a hydraulic circuit of a vehicle having an engine compartment and a passenger compartment which are separated by an apron (22) comprises:. a vacuum booster (16) having one axis (18) and including: PA0 a pedal unit for actuating the booster, including at least one pedal (30) mounted on a lever (32), the pivot (34) of which is retained by a bearing piece (36) fixed to the cover. The projection of the pivot (34) in the plane of fastening of the assembly to the apron (22) is located within the perimeter of the orifice of the apron, so as to transmit substantially the entirety of the force exerted by the lever (32) on the pivot (34) in a direction substantially parallel to the axis (18) of the booster (16) in order to oppose the tearing force generated between the assembly and the apron (22) during the actuation of the pedal unit.. an actuating rod (20) projecting into the passenger compartment; PA1 a shell (14) which is intended to be fastened by its periphery to the apron (22) in the engine compartment and to which a master cylinder (10) is fastened; and PA1 a cover (26) closing the shell and bearing circumferentially on the apron (22) in the engine compartment,

The present invention relates to a control assembly for a hydraulic circuit of a vehicle having an engine compartment and a passenger compartment which are separated by an apron, the assembly comprising:
a vacuum booster having one axis and including:
an actuating rod projecting into the passenger compartment, PA1 a shell which is intended to be fastened by its periphery to the apron in the engine compartment and to which a master cylinder is fastened, and PA1 a cover closing the shell and bearing circumferentially on the apron in the engine compartment, PA1 a pedal unit for actuating the booster, including at least one pedal mounted on a lever, the pivot of which is retained by a bearing piece fixed to the cover.
Similar assemblies are known, for example, from the documents FR-A-2,216,154 and EP-A-0,104,105. In these examples, an intermediate fastening plate is provided between the pedal unit and the booster. In fact, the forces generated during a breaking operation both at the fastening points of the booster to the plate and at the fastening point of the bearing piece of the pedal pivot are very high, and it is necessary to reinforce the apron of the vehicle correspondingly by means of this plate.
U.S. Pat. No. A-4,469,008 also makes known a booster for a motor cycle, having a bearing piece fixed to the cover. It also possesses a reaction piece absorbing the forces, with the result that a fastening apron is not necessary. However, the two pieces tend to exert torsion on the booster.

Control assembly for a hydraulic circuit of a vehicle


A method for forming within a substrate employed within a microelectronics fabrication a planarized trench fill layer employed to fill trenches formed within the substrate, while retaining alignment marks also formed within the substrate, by selectively etching the trench fill layer from alignment mark and from the oxide dielectric-layer regions over the mesas between the trenches formed within the substrate. After the trench fill layer is planarized, an oxide dielectric reverse-tone mask pattern is employed to form the patterned photomask for selective etching of the trench fill layer from the alignment mark and the oxide dielectric-layer mesa regions. The method of the invention affords additional protection of the alignment marks due to the presence of the overlying trench fill layer during planarization of the trench fill layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of manufacture of microelectronics fabrications employing photolithographic methods. More particularly, the invention relates to a method for retaining of alignment marks upon a microelectronics substrate when filling trenches formed within the substrate.
2. Description of the Related Art
The manufacture of microelectronics fabrications is accomplished by repetitive performance of photolithographic operations of mask pattern generation and pattern formation, employing additive or subtractive processes to form the microelectronics patterned layers which make up a microelectronics fabrication. These patterned layers must be accurately aligned with a previously formed patterned layer or layers. This is accomplished by providing within each photomask pattern a series of alignment marks to permit accurate positioning of the entire pattern to previously formed patterns. This is done via alignment of photomask alignment marks with corresponding substrate alignment marks. Alignment marks within substrates are commonly simple line or space structures whose sharply defined edges or steps are the reference points for pattern to pattern alignment wherein the sharply defined edges may be sensed by methods such as laser interferometry to provide accurate location data for positioning the overlying photolithographic patterns.
In many instances, the manufacturing steps and materials employed in microelectronics fabrications may fill in, cover over or otherwise obscure the alignment marks of a particular pattern, making subsequent pattern alignment difficult. One such example occurs when filling trenches within microelectronics substrates such as semiconductor integrated circuit microelectronics substrates. Such trench fling is generally done with microelectronics layers formed over and upon the substrate. Often such trench fill layers are planarized after formation, and the underlying substrate alignment marks are obliterated. Another example is the employment of a silicon nitride layer as an etch stop layer underneath other layers which are to be removed by etching or etching combined with mechanical polishing. It is desirable to employ a silicon nitride layer as thin as practicable to aid in retaining surface planarity. However, very thin silicon nitride layers may not afford adequate protection against etch penetration and damage to underlying alignment marks protected with only the thin silicon nitride layer.
It is an important aspect of microelectronics fabrication to be able to form isolation trenches within substrates and fill them with gap filling trench fill material layers formed over the substrate, but it is equally important to be able to align patterns using registration alignment marks formed upon the substrates.
It is therefore towards the goal of filling trenches within microelectronics substrates while retaining alignment registration marks on the substrate that the present invention is generally directed.
It is in addition towards the goal of providing a method for filling isolation trenches within semiconductor substrates employed within integrated circuit microelectronics fabrications while retaining alignment registration marks on the semiconductor substrate after planarization that the present invention is more specifically directed.
Various methods have been disclosed in the art of microelectronics fabrication for filling trenches within substrates within microelectronics fabrication and/or for preserving alignment mark integrity within microelectronics substrates when forming layers over those microelectronics substrates.
For example, Nasr et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,346,584, disclose a method for forming planarized trench isolation regions within trenches within semiconductor integrated circuit substrates. The method employs patterned polysilicon filler blocks formed within depressions over trenches filled with a conformal silicon oxide layer, which are then annealed to fill the depressions with expanded silicon oxide masses formed from the polysilicon filler blocks. The surface is then planarized by a chemical mechanical polish (CMP) method.
Further, Jain, in U.S. Pat. 5,494,854, discloses a method for forming a planarized inter-level dielectric layer interposed between patterns of a patterned conductor layers within a microelectronics fabrication. The method employs a high density plasma chemical vapor deposition (HDP-CVD) method for planarizing at least the high aspect ratio pattern followed by deposition of a sacrificial silicon oxide layer and chemical mechanical polish (CMP) planarization.
Yet further, Cho et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,578,519, disclose a method for forming a planarized surface on a gap filling dielectric layer employed to fill shallow isolation trenches within a microelectronics substrate while restoring access to alignment marks on the substrate. The method employs selective subtractive etching of portions of the gap filling dielectric layer followed by planarizing the surface of the remaining gap filling dielectric layer.
Yet still further, Jang et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,702,977, disclose a method for forming within a trench within a substrate a trench fill layer which is subsequently chemical mechanical polish (CMP) planarized without dishing within the area of the filled trench. The method employs a deposition inhibiting initial layer formed upon the regions of the substrate which do not have trenches formed therein and a deposition enhancing layer over those regions which do have trenches formed therein. The resulting differences in topography of the trench fill dielectric overlayer aid in subsequent planarization.
Still yet further, Hsu et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,705,320, disclose a method for keeping alignment mark and laser identity mark areas within microelectronics substrates clear after planarization of inter-level dielectric overlayers formed over the alignment marks areas. The method realizes the object by forming clearout window areas in the frame portions of the mask reticle. Thus the necessity for additional photomask operations to maintain accessibility to the alignment marks and identity marks is obviated.
Yet still further, Yano et al., in U.S. Pat. 5,721,173, disclose a method for forming and filling shallow isolation trenches within a semiconductor microelectronics substrate. The method forms trenches by etching through a silicon nitride pattern layer on a semiconductor microelectronics substrate and fills the trenches employing a silicon oxide dielectric layer. The silicon oxide dielectric layer is then covered with an etch resistant polysilicon layer which is selectively patterned to allow subsequent etching of the silicon oxide layer away from the trench areas. The etch resistant polysilicon layer is then selectively removed to form a planarized surface. The silicon nitride pattern layer for forming isolation trenches may be replaced by a polysilicon layer in a second embodiment.
Finally, Zheng et al., in U.S. Pat. 5,728,621, disclose a method for forming shallow isolation trenches within a semiconductor microelectronics substrate. The trenches are filled employing a gap filling silicon oxide dielectric trench fill layer. The trenches are separated by regions of differing widths causing the silicon oxide trench fill layer thicknesses over these differing width regions to be variable. The silicon oxide trench fill layer is then covered with a spin-on-glass (SOG) dielectric layer which minimizes the height differences in the silicon oxide layer underlying the spin-on-glass (SOG) layer. Thereafter, the substrate surface is planarized by etchback or chemical mechanical polish (CMP) planarizing methods.
Desirable within the art of microelectronics fabrication are methods for filling of trenches within substrates employed within microelectronics fabrications with trench fill layers while maintaining integrity of alignment marks formed within the substrate. Particularly desirable are methods for accomplishing this goal without additional photomask patterns and etch operations over and above the conventional photomask set required for the microelectronics fabrication.
It is toward the foregoing goals that the present invention is generally and specifically directed.

Shallow trench isolation (STI) method with reproducible alignment registration

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company


The compact fuel cell which can efficiently perform heating and can be repeatedly used includes a solid electrolyte, an anode that is formed on one surface of the solid electrolyte, a cathode that is formed on another surface of the solid electrolyte, an anode fuel material, a heating portion for heating and maintaining the solid electrolyte and the anode fuel material at a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined level, and a sealing portion that is installed in the solid electrolyte, forms a sealed space sealing the anode and the anode fuel material together with the solid electrolyte and the heating portion, and can repeatedly open and close, in which a helium leak rate of the sealed space is maintained at 1×10−2 Pa·m3/sec or a lower rate.

The present invention relates to a fuel cell which is useful as a stationary power source or a power source for moving objects such as cars, and as a portable power source. Particularly, the present invention relates to a fuel cell having a fuel gas regeneration apparatus and a fuel cell system using the fuel cell.
A fuel cell is means for generating power by supplying fuel gas. The fuel cell is expected to be applicable as a stationary middle-sized energy storage apparatus or as a driving source for electric cars or hybrid cars. Moreover, research and development are in progress so as to use the fuel cell as a power source for portable instruments such as mobile phones and laptop computers by realizing weight lightening and miniaturizing of the fuel cell.
Since the efficiency of electric energy obtained from a fuel cell is high in principle, it could be an efficient energy storage device if energy can be saved. In addition, since the fuel cell is a power generation mode having a low environmental load, the fuel cell is expected to be a key for resolving global energy and environmental problems.
Among fuel cells, a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) using an inorganic solid electrolyte having oxygen conductivity is known as an excellent eco-friendly power generation apparatus having a high power generation efficiency.
However, a fuel cell requires large-scale infrastructure development such as a pipe line or high-pressure gas cylinder equipment for supplying fuel gas such as hydrogen or carbon monoxide. Moreover, even methanol, which is relatively easily obtained as a fuel gas source, has a problem that establishment of the distribution thereof would take numerous years.
Therefore, as a countermeasure for these problems, JP 4821937 B proposes a repeatedly usable solid oxide fuel cell not requiring infrastructure equipment for supplying gas, in which a hydrogen-generating member such as iron that generates hydrogen by reacting with water is provided to the fuel cell body, the hydrogen generated from the hydrogen-generating member is supplied to a fuel electrode, and the hydrogen-generating member is reduced by electrical charging.
Furthermore, JP 2011-40285 A proposes a solid oxide fuel cell in which solid-state carbon is installed in a fuel electrode side of the fuel cell body, the solid-state carbon is oxidized by power generation to generate carbon dioxide, the generated carbon dioxide is converted into carbon monoxide and the carbon monoxide is supplied again to the fuel electrode.
As described in JP 4821937 B and JP 2011-40285 A, novel solid oxide fuel cells regenerating fuel gas inside the system by using iron powder or carbon have been proposed. The solid oxide fuel cell that has a constitution for regenerating fuel gas in its system as described above is called a stand-alone SOFC.


A manual winch includes a housing supporting a rotatable reel, a ratchet assembly coupled to the reel movable between an engaged and disengaged position, and a load releasing system for moving the ratchet assembly system to a disengaged position. The ratchet assembly includes a rotatable ratchet gear which is adapted to be engaged by a pivotable locking pawl. The locking pawl is pivotable into and out of engagement with the ratchet gear for moving the ratchet assembly between the engaged and disengaged position. The locking pawl is mounted on a movable base which secures the locking pawl to the housing. The load releasing system includes a linear actuator for moving the relative position of the base relative to the ratchet gear and the housing, and a separate brake for holding the reel and ratchet gear in position under a load.

The present invention relates to manual winches. More specifically, the present invention relates to a load release system for a manual winch.
1. Background Information
Winches have been used in many applications. Manual winches have been widely used in barges, tow boats and the like. Examples of manual winches are sold by W. W. Patterson Company and Nashville Bridge Company. The most common type of manual winch includes a pivotable pawl, or dog, engaging a ratchet gear of a ratchet for the winch. The pawl prevents the unwinding of the reel during engagement of the pawl.
It has been known to provide a pawl releasing system for disengaging the pawl to allow for unwinding the reel, also known as paying out the load. One known load release system includes a lever for pivoting the pawl out of engagement with the associated ratchet gear. The lever is designed to rest in an over-center position when the pawl is engaged, such that the force on the pawl is also forcing the lever to a closed position due to the over-center positioning. This design prevents the load on the ratchet gear from pushing the pawl to the disengaged position. This design has several difficulties. First, in releasing the pawl, typically after a separate brake has been set, the operator must overcome the load on the pawl due to the over-centering positioning of the lever. Under heavy loads, this can be difficult. Additionally, once the lever passes the center position, the force on the pawl will now be pushing the lever to the open disengaged position. This can result in a rapid movement of the lever which can possibly be injurious to the operator. Another drawback of this design is that the relative position of the elements essentially requires the distal end of the lever to be positioned near the ground in the locked position making it difficult to reach by the operator. The inaccessibility also results in the operator pulling on the lever in an awkward, uncomfortable position. The present invention is intended to provide a manual winch with a safe load releasing system which obviates the above discussed problems of the prior art.
The objects of the present invention are achieved by a manual winch having a safe load releasing system according to the present invention. The manual winch includes a housing supporting a rotatable reel, a ratchet assembly coupled to the reel movable between an engaged and disengaged position wherein the reel is rotatable only in one direction when the ratchet assembly is in an engaged position, and a load releasing system for moving the ratchet assembly system to a disengaged position. The ratchet assembly includes a rotatable ratchet gear which is adapted to be engaged by a pivotable locking pawl. The locking pawl is pivotable into and out of engagement with the ratchet gear for moving the ratchet assembly between the engaged and disengaged position. The locking pawl is mounted on a movable base which secures the locking pawl to the housing. The load releasing system includes a linear mechanical actuator for moving the relative position of the base relative to the ratchet gear and the housing, and a separate brake for holding the reel and ratchet gear in position under a load.
In operation, when the winch is under load and the user desires to pay out or unreel a portion of the rope, the winch according to the present invention operates as follows. First, the brake, typically a hand brake, is tightened to secure the reel and ratchet gear in position before the pawl has been released. After the brake has been tightened, the actuator moves the base relative to the housing and the ratchet gear such that the associated pawl is moved relative to the ratchet gear and the housing. The movement of the base will transfer the load from the locking pawl to the tightened brake. Once the load has been fully transferred, the pawl can be easily pivoted out of engagement to the disengaged release position and the brake can be released to pay out the load as desired.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the linear actuator is a manual jack screw operated by a hand wheel located near the top of the winch. The base can be easily formed as a pivoted linkage arm extending from the ratchet gear shaft with the brake being a conventional friction hand brake.
Another aspect of the present invention is that the present invention accommodates resetting if the brake is not set before transfer. A further feature of the present invention is the retrofitting of existing winches with the load release system of the present invention.
Another embodiment of the present invention provides for automatic pivoting of the pawl to a disengaged position as the base is moved. A stop may be positioned to engage the pawl as the base is lowered such that further lowering of the base will case the pawl to be pivoted away from the ratchet gear due to the engaged stop.
These and other advantages of the present invention will be clarified in the brief description of the preferred embodiments taken together with the attached figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements throughout.


A system for creating a position reference signal includes a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT), a magnetically permeable core capable of entering and existing the chamber of the LVDT, a positioning means for moving the core in forward and backward directions through a home location in which the core is within said LVDT, and a signal conditioner means for receiving the signals from the secondary windings and outputting a value so that when the core approaches the home location from the forward direction, the value first changes polarity only when the core passes through the home location. Preferably, the value is always positive or always negative when the core is at a location outside of the chamber.. A process of creating a reference signal includes moving a magnetically permeable core from outside of a chamber of an LVDT to inside the chamber, creating an output signal from the voltages of the secondary windings of the LVDT, and sending a signal to a control means when the output signal changes from positive to negative after the voltage of one of the secondary windings has peaked for all possible locations of the core.

In the manufacturing industry, there is a great need for high precision instruments which are capable of measuring distances within exacting tolerances. Even if a machine is able to measure and move within precise limits, it is desirable for the initial position of the measuring apparatus to be consistent from day to day. If a machine measures distance with respect to a home position, the accuracy of the machine will depend upon the accuracy of the home position.
Accordingly, the linear variable differential transformer (LVDT), which is capable of measuring extremely small changes in distance, has been extensively used in measurement instrumentation. Unfortunately, the LVDT, which is relatively inexpensive, presents certain limitations which prevent its extensive use within high quality measurement apparatus. For example, the cores within typical LVDTs are usually permanently positioned within the chamber of the LVDT, preventing the core from leaving the chamber. Therefore, the measuring apparatus which is mechanically connected to the core is not able to travel distances beyond that afforded by the LVDT. If the core is able to exit the chamber of the LVDT, the measuring apparatus must take into account the presence of stray signals within the secondary windings even when the core is absent. Due to manufacturing tolerances, these stray signals may vary in both magnitude and polarity. Although the manufacturing tolerances may be controlled, such control is quite expensive.
Accordingly, there is a need for a measuring apparatus which can use inexpensive LVDT's in a highly precise measuring instrument.

Apparatus and method for establishing a reference signal with an LVDT


An improved rack-mounted server comprises, in one embodiment, a slidable electronics tray having a top cover secured to the rack, to facilitate access to the tray when it is withdrawn from the rack. The tray also includes a camming mechanism to facilitate insertion of the tray into and its extraction from cable connectors or plugs affixed to the rack. The tray includes, in one embodiment, a movement detection mechanism to power it up or down when tray insertion or removal, respectively, is initiated. In addition, the rack includes an improved cable management system that can accommodate different cables and cable plugs. As a tray is inserted into or removed from the rack, corresponding connectors on the tray are electrically coupled to or uncoupled from cable plugs affixed to the rack, eliminating any need to remove cables from the tray or reinstall them.

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to electronics packaging. More particularly, embodiments of present invention relate to an improved rack-mounted server that facilitates access to and/or replacement of electronics trays, and to methods of use thereof.
Computer networks, such as the Internet, utilize high performance computer systems called xe2x80x9cserversxe2x80x9d. Servers typically have high performance processors and contain hardware and software capable of handling large amounts of data. Servers provide a large number of computer users with access to large stores of information. For example, servers are used to host web sites that can be accessed by many computers via the Internet.
One or more server components are often housed within a server housing or xe2x80x9cserver rackxe2x80x9d. Server racks are typically box-like structures or cabinets that contain a number of removable electronic modules or electronic trays (xe2x80x9ce-traysxe2x80x9d). Each e-tray can be a different server, or each e-tray can hold one or more components of a server. Server components can include modules, for example, for processors, disk drives (such as floppy disk drives, hard drives, compact disk or CD drives, and digital video disk or DVD drives), random access memory (RAM), network interfaces and controllers, SCSI (small computer systems interface) bus controllers, video controllers, parallel and serial ports, power supplies, and so forth.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a prior art server rack 1 and electronics tray 2. E-tray 2 can be a box-like housing having metal side panels 3, a top panel or cover 4, a bottom panel or base (not shown), and a front panel 5. These panels help to reduce the effect of potentially harmful electromagnetic interference (EMI), and to minimize the impact of various environmental factors such as dust. When a prior art e-tray 2 is removed from a server rack 1 for servicing, it is necessary to remove the cover 4 prior to servicing and to replace the cover 4 after servicing. This is a time-consuming operation with respect to relatively expensive equipment that is normally expected to operate with a minimum of down-time.
The various server components are electrically and functionally interconnected via wires or cables. Generally, in the prior art there are many cables coming out of at least one side, and sometimes several sides, of the server rack. Cables typically have an end connector or xe2x80x9ccable plugxe2x80x9d that fastens to a corresponding electrical xe2x80x9creceptaclexe2x80x9d on the e-tray. The cable plug and receptacle can be male, female, or another type of connector. Each e-tray can have multiple receptacles that require connection to corresponding multiple cable plugs.
xe2x80x9cCable managementxe2x80x9d is the implementation of a system whose object is to control the arrangement of the plethora of power and signal cables that run into and out of an electronic housing, such as a server rack. Many known server racks include dozens of cables in unsightly, disorganized, and potentially dangerous states of disarray.
As mentioned earlier, servers and their components, which are contained in e-trays, are expected to be highly reliable. When a server component requires servicing, the amount of time and effort expended in removing the e-tray should be kept to a minimum, and the same is true when the e-tray is ready to be reinserted into the server rack.
When a prior art e-tray is removed from a server rack, the service person may neglect to first power-down the e-tray. This can result in harmful arcing across the terminals of power supply connectors, to the extent that the terminals are often fused and will need to be replaced, thus incurring even more time and effort before the e-tray can be reinserted into the server rack. In addition, the service person can be exposed to potentially hazardous conditions.
For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a significant need in the art for improved rack-mounted servers and methods of making such equipment.

Rack-mounted server and associated methods


A connecting device for a fastening element with a through bore has a housing and a first pulling member slidably connected within the housing. The pulling member comprises a hook for penetrating the through opening and engaging an edge of the through opening from behind. An actuator is connected within the housing for moving the pulling member from an initial position into a clamping position. In the clamping position, the hook exerts a force directed toward the housing onto the edge. At least one pressurizing member is slidably connected within the housing so as to be movable into the clamping position. The pressurizing member has at least one section resting at the fastening element in the clamping position. The pulling member is clamped between the pressurizing member with the fastening element interposed. A device for securing the hook against displacement relative to the through opening of the fastening element is provided.

The present invention relates to a connecting device for a fastening element having a through opening. The connecting device comprises a housing and a first pulling member that is slidably connected within the housing. The first pulling member comprises a hook for penetrating the through opening and engaging an edge of the through opening from behind. An actuator is connected within the housing for moving the first pulling member from an initial position into a clamping position. In the clamping position the hook exerts a force onto the edge of the through opening, whereby the force is directed toward the housing.
Such a connecting device is known from German Patent 38 12 179. In this device the hook of the pulling member engages from behind the edge of the through opening of a fastening element that is in the form of a support. With an actuator in the form of an eccentric the pulling member is returned into the housing so that the edge of the through opening of the support is clamped between the hook of the pulling member and the housing. The through opening is substantially wider than the hook so that even in the clamped position there is a risk that the connecting device is displaced relative to the support such that the hook is located at the level of the through opening and can then fall out when treated incorrectly.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve the aforementioned connecting device such that, on the one hand, the connecting device can be mounted to and removed from the fastening element in a simple manner and, on the other hand, is secured in the clamping position to the fastening element such that an accidental loosening of the connecting device from the fastening element is prevented.


A retractable handle assembly is provided for a side plate of a suitcase and includes an outer casing having a lower portion pivotally mounted to a lower portion of the side plate. A lug is formed on the outer casing and has a chamber defined therein. A horizontal post is formed on the side plate and a biasing member is urged between the horizontal post and the lug. Two retaining blocks are each formed on an upper portion of the side plate and each has a guiding groove vertically defined therein. A linking member includes a first axle pivotally attached to an upper portion of the outer casing and a second axle having two distal ends each being stopped by a corresponding one of the two retaining blocks and each being slidable in an associated guiding groove. An inner casing is slidably mounted in the outer casing. An elongated handle is slidably mounted in the inner casing and has an upper end portion fixedly engaged with a handgrip which has a hole defined therethrough and further has a slot defined in a lower portion thereof. A resilient knob is formed on the upper portion of the side plate and is received in the hole. A stop block is formed on an underside of the resilient knob and is detachably engaged in the slot of the handgrip.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a handle assembly, and more particularly to a retractable handle assembly for a suitcase.
2. Related Prior Art
A conventional retractable handle assembly is mounted on an underside of a suitcase and is not easily operated, so incurring an inconvenience for passengers.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate disadvantages of the conventional handle assembly.

Retractable handle assembly for a suitcase

No. 428, Tung-an Rd., Wenchu Li, Tachia Chen


Before a buffer layer deposition step P5, a pre-rinse step P4 is provided to remove deposits deposited on the surface of a CIS-based light absorbing layer 3D. Thus, the disturbing factors of the formation reaction of the buffer layer are removed, thereby to improve the coverage of the buffer layer, and to hold the transparency thereof. In addition, a rinse step P6 is provided after the step P5. Thus, the colloidal solid matter remaining on the buffer layer surface is cleaned and removed with a rinse solution, thereby to hold the high resistivity. The rinse solution from a second rinse tank of the step P6 is re-used. After the step P6, a draining/drying step P7 is provided. After drying, an n-type window layer (transparent conductive film) is deposited.

As for the buffer layer of a CIS-based thin-film solar cell device, and a manufacturing method thereof, there are known Patent Documents 1, 2 and 3 proposed by the present applicant. For example, in Patent Document 1, it is disclosed that the buffer layer of the CIS-based thin-film solar cell device is formed of a zinc mixed crystal compound semiconductor thin film, and that a part of hydroxides in the zinc mixed crystal compound semiconductor thin film have been reformed into oxides. As the method for depositing the zinc mixed crystal compound semiconductor thin film, there is disclosed the following method: a zinc salt and a sulfur-containing salt are mixed with an appropriate complex forming agent, so that a zinc ammonia complex salt is formed in a solution containing a zinc salt and a sulfur-containing salt dissolved therein; a first multinary compound semiconductor thin film to serve as a light absorbing layer is brought in contact therewith in the solution, so that a zinc mixed crystal compound semiconductor thin film containing oxygen, sulfur, and a hydroxy group is grown from the solution on the first multinary compound semiconductor thin film; then, the first multinary compound semiconductor thin film on which the zinc mixed crystal compound semiconductor thin film has been grown is annealed in air, thereby to reform a part of hydroxides in the zinc mixed crystal compound into oxides; and resultantly, a high-resistance zinc mixed crystal compound containing oxygen, sulfur, and hydroxyl group is produced.
Whereas, Patent Document 2 discloses as follows: on a first multinary compound semiconductor thin film to serve as a light absorbing layer, a zinc mixed crystal compound semiconductor thin film to serve as a buffer layer (interface layer) is chemically grown from a strongly alkaline solution mixture; the strongly alkaline solution mixture is a solution obtained by mixing a solution of a zinc salt dissolved in an aqueous ammonia or an ammonium hydroxide solution with an aqueous solution of a sulfur-containing salt dissolved in pure water; and the zinc mixed crystal compound semiconductor thin film is deposited with the transparency of the solution mixture being within the range of 100% to 50%.
Further, Patent Document 3 discloses as follows: on a first multinary compound semiconductor thin film to serve as a light absorbing layer, the sulfur-containing zinc mixed crystal compound semiconductor thin film is chemically grown from a solution; then, the sulfur-containing zinc mixed crystal compound semiconductor thin film is annealed in vacuum of 1 to 100 Torr at a temperature of 100 to less than 250° C. for 10 to 120 minutes, thereby to convert zinc hydroxide in the sulfur-containing zinc mixed crystal compound semiconductor thin film into zinc oxide; and resultantly, a buffer layer (interface layer) which is transparent and has high resistance is formed.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 3249342 (JP-A-8-330614)
Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent No. 3311286 (JP-A-11-145493)
Patent Document 3: JP-A-2002-343987
In such a buffer layer or a CIS-based thin-film solar cell device manufactured by a deposition method of the buffer layer, generally, in the deposition step of a CIS-based light absorbing layer, deposits of simple substances such as sulfur and selenium, compounds thereof, and the like are deposited on the surface of the CIS-based light absorbing layer. Further, colloidal solid matter is also deposited on the surface of the buffer layer during the buffer layer deposition. In this respect, when it is possible to remove the deposits at the junction of the CIS-based light absorbing layer and the buffer layer, and to remove the deposits on the buffer layer surface, conceivably, the high resistance at the buffer layer-covered part can be held, and the conversion efficiency of the CIS-based thin-film solar cell device can be improved. However, such a technology has not yet been disclosed.

Method for manufacturing CIS based thin film solar cell device


Implementations of the present specification disclose a method and an apparatus for detecting model security and an electronic device. The method includes the following: obtaining result data computed by using a model, wherein the result data comprises intermediate result data and output result data; obtaining a discriminator through training by using a generative adversarial network (GAN) framework, the model, and a sample; discriminating the result data by using the discriminator by using the model for current input data, to detect whether the model is currently secure, wherein the model is in a trusted execution environment for obtaining the discriminator through training; and determining a security detection result of the model.

Deep learning is a popular technology field at present. Based on a deep learning model, tasks such as risk recognition, voice recognition, and image recognition can be performed.
In the existing technology, the deep learning model is usually on a server, but can also be in a relatively open environment such as a user terminal.
For the latter case, a model security detection solution is required.

Method, apparatus, and electronic device for detecting model security


A system and method for minimizing phase jumps in an output signal.

In low-voltage receivers, passive current switching mixers with operational amplifiers based loads offer wide dynamic range characteristics. 1/f noise contribution is reduced in comparison with traditional active Gilbert cell mixers. Further, the active operational amplifier based load offers rail-to-rail signal processing capability of both wanted and interfering signals, improving mixer blocking performance due to clipping effects. Capacitors are often placed at the current interface between the switching stage of the mixer and the operational amplifier based load to further improve the dynamic range. However, the presence of capacitors at the switching stage in conjunction with a limited gain-bandwidth product of the operational amplifier may result in phase jumps.

Reduction of gain switching induced phase jumps in high dynamic range downcoversion mixers


A trench is formed in a semiconductor substrate, and is filled with a node dielectric layer and at least one conductive material fill portion that functions as an inner electrode. The at least one conductive material fill portion includes a doped polycrystalline semiconductor fill portion. A gate stack for an access transistor is formed on the semiconductor substrate, and a gate spacer is formed around the gate stack. A source/drain trench is formed between an outer sidewall of the gate spacer and a sidewall of the doped polycrystalline semiconductor fill portion. An epitaxial source region and a polycrystalline semiconductor material portion are simultaneously formed by a selective epitaxy process such that the epitaxial source region and the polycrystalline semiconductor material portion contact each other without a gap therebetween. The polycrystalline semiconductor material portion provides a robust low resistance conductive path between the source region and the inner electrode.

The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor device, and particularly to a semiconductor device including a trench capacitor, an access transistor, and an embedded strap providing a conductive path between an electrode of the trench capacitor and a source region of the access transistor, and methods of manufacturing the same.
Trench capacitors are employed for various applications including stand-alone dynamic random access memory (DRAM) devices, embedded DRAM devices, and decoupling capacitors. Some applications of the trench capacitors require a low resistance electrically conductive path to an electrode of a trench capacitor. For example, high performance embedded eDRAM devices require a conductive path between an inner electrode of a trench capacitor and a source region of an access transistor.
A silicide strap formed between an inner electrode of a trench capacitor and a source region of an access transistor can have yield problems due to the proximity of a trench top oxide (TTO), which can cause formation of divots at an interface between the inner electrode of the trench capacitor and the source region. The divots can be filled by a non-conductive foreign material, or may remain unfilled after formation of a silicide buried strap. In such cases, the electrical connection between the inner electrode of the trench capacitor and the source region can be a source of a yield problem or a reliability problem. Thus, a more robust and manufacturable structure for an electrically conductive path between an inner electrode of a trench capacitor and a source region of an access transistor is desired.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Low resistance embedded strap for a trench capacitor

International Business Machines Corporation


An electric heating blanket control circuit assembly is constructed to include an electric heater, a sensor adapted for detecting the temperature level of the electric heater, a controller, the controller having a monitoring circuit adapted for monitoring normal functioning of the sensor and the electric heater and a main control circuit adapted controlling the operation of the electric heater subject to the detection result of the sensor to keep the temperature of the electric heater to be maintained within a limited range, and a power adapter adapted for providing low voltage DC to the electric heater, the sensor, and the controller for working.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electric heating blanket and, more specifically, to a control circuit assembly for electric heating blanket, which consumes low voltage DC for working, controls the temperature of the electric heating blanket constantly within a limited range, and monitors the functioning of the electric heater.
2. Description of the Related Art
During the cold season or in cold weather areas, it is necessary to prepare stoves, electric heaters, electric heating blankets, and other warn-keeping apparatus for the sick persons, the children, the old persons, and the women. However, using a stove to burn fuel material for producing heat energy and light energy simultaneously produces toxic gas that is harmful to the health and the environment. Therefore, it is more practical to use an electric apparatus for warm-keeping. FIG. 1 illustrates a control circuit assembly for an electric heating blanket according to the prior art. The design of control circuit assembly comprises an electric heater 100 adapted for converting electric energy into heat energy, and a thermostat 200 adapted for regulating temperature. This design of control circuit assembly is functional, however it still has drawbacks as outlined hereinafter.
1. The electric heater 100 is controlled by the thermostat 200 to keep the temperature within a predetermined level. However, it the thermostat 200 fails to function well, the electric heater 100 may keep heating when the temperature surpassed the set value, resulting in a catastrophe.
2. The control circuit assembly has no display means for temperature indication. The user regulates the temperature subject to the sense of touch. It is inconvenient to a disable person to regulate the temperature of the electric heating blanket. In case the electric heater 100 fails, an accident may occur.
3. Because the control circuit assembly consumes AC power supply 300 and the electric heating blanket is to be covered on the user""s body, it is dangerous if the electric heating blanket is wetted or the control circuit assembly is short-circuited.
The present invention has been accomplished to provide an electric heating blanket control circuit assembly, which controls the temperature of the electric heater constantly within a limited range. It is another object of the present invention to provide an electric heating blanket control circuit assembly, which monitors the functioning of the main control circuit and, gives a warning signal when the main control circuit fails. According to one aspect of the present invention, the electric heating blanket control circuit assembly comprises a n electric heater, a sensor adapted for detecting the temperature level of the electric heater, a controller, the controller having a monitoring circuit adapted for monitoring normal functioning of the sensor and the electric heater and a main control circuit adapted controlling the operation of the electric heater subject to the detection result of the sensor to keep the temperature of the electric heater to be maintained within a limited range, and a power adapter adapted for providing low voltage DC to the electric heater, the sensor, and the controller for working. According to another aspect of the present invention, a display is provided and controlled by the controller for temperature and time display.

Electric heating blanket control circuit assembly


The result of a first calculation may be determined by one of two alternative calculations. Each of the alternative calculations has an error associated therewith (due to factors such as measurement imprecision, rounding, etc.), and these errors propagate to the first calculation. However, there may also be error in the first calculation due to uncertainty about which of the alternative calculations applies. Such error can be taken into account based on the respective probabilities that the first and second calculations will apply, as well as the difference in the results produced by the two calculations.

Calculations over input variables can be used to produce one or more results, and the results typically have an associated error. This error can be due to various factors, such as imprecise measurement, rounding, etc. For example, if a calculation produces a dollar amount rounded to the nearest penny, then this rounding contributes to an error of ±$0.005 cents, due to the fact that a calculated result such as $16.72 could actually represent any amount between $16.715 and $16.725.
Some calculations are based on alternatives of different calculations. For example, consider two calculations represented by the two functions ƒ(x) and g(x). A third calculation, h(x), could be based on the rules h(x)=ƒ(x), if x≦10, and h(x)=g(x), if x>10. If ƒ(x) and g(x) each have associated errors, εa and εb, respectively, then h(x) inherits error from functions ƒ and g. However, h(x) also has a third potential source of error, based on the uncertainty as to whether h(x) will, in a given case, be determined by ƒ(x) or g(x). When x is very near the boundary between where ƒ applies and where g applies (e.g., where x≈10), uncertainty about the exact value of x can also create uncertainty as to whether ƒ or g applies, and this uncertainty is a third source of error apart from εa and εb. One may wish to take this third source of error into account.

Error propagation in calculation with conditional alternatives


A vehicle suspension damper including: a cylinder; a piston assembly; and an adjuster, wherein the piston assembly compresses fluid as it moves within the cylinder and the adjuster obstructs fluid flow from a first side of a damping piston of the piston assembly to a second side of the damping piston.

Field of the Invention
Embodiments generally relate to a damper assembly for a vehicle. More specifically, the invention relates to a "fluid bypass" for use with a vehicle suspension.
Description of the Related Art
Vehicle suspension systems typically include a spring component or components and a dampening component or components. Typically, mechanical springs, like helical springs are used with some type of viscous fluid-based dampening mechanism and the two are mounted functionally in parallel. In some instances, a spring may comprise pressurized gas and features of the damper or spring are user-adjustable, such as by adjusting the air pressure in a gas spring. A damper may be constructed by placing a damping piston in a fluid-filled cylinder (e.g., liquid such as oil). As the damping piston is moved in the cylinder, fluid is compressed and passes from one side of the piston to the other side. Often, the piston includes vents there-through which may be covered by shim stacks to provide for different operational characteristics in compression or extension.
Conventional damping components provide a constant damping rate during compression or extension through the entire length of the stroke. As the suspension component nears full compression or full extension, the damping piston can "bottom out" against the end of the damping cylinder. Allowing the damping components to "bottom out" may cause the components to deform or break inside the damping cylinder.
As the foregoing illustrates, what is needed in the art are improved techniques for varying the damping rate including to lessen the risk of the suspension "bottoming out".
The drawings referred to in this description should be understood as not being drawn to scale except if specifically noted.

Method and apparatus for an adjustable damper


A pair of opposed arms extend in spaced parallel arrangement to each other, each of which arms include relatively short handle portions and relatively long gripping portions. The inner or opposed gripping edge of each arm includes a plurality of jagged teeth formed by relatively deep notches in the opposed edges of the arms. The teeth and notches are provided throughout substantially the entire gripping portion. The notches extend into the surface of the arms a distance of at least one-half inch. The arms are joined together by a connection about a pivot point positioned intermediate the handle portion and the gripping portion. A compression spring extends between the handle portions for normally biasing the gripping portions toward a closed position. One of the handles of the device receives one end of a tether which is attached at the other end to the boat. The extreme upper end of the gripping portion is provided with a beveled surface so that as the device is pushed into underbrush or undergrowth or onto a small branch, the arms are caused to spread, then clamps on the underbrush or undergrowth, whereupon the teeth grip the undergrowth tightly and provide a secure mooring for the boat.

With the advent of small fishing boats which are motored around the edges of ponds and lakes, it has become desirable to provide some type of mooring devices for such boats. A pier, dock, or even large limbs are not always available and therefore it would sometimes be advantageous to be able to temporarily attach the boat to smaller types of undergrowth, shrubs, small branches and the like which grow around the edges of such ponds and lakes. No such mooring device is available for attachment to such type of growth.
The prior art shows two types of mooring devices as exemplified by the U.S. Pat. No. 2,913,797 to Hollis et al and No. 2,956,531 to Banker. The Hollis ('797) patent is exemplary of a fastening device which is somewhat complex and in which a pair of piercing points 3 are moved into opposed arrangement behind a large limb or piling while a rope is caused to encircle the opposite side thereof. When the rope is pulled the piercing points at the extreme ends of the arms are impaled on the rear side of the object to which the device is applied. The Banker patent is directed to a mooring device having a solid arm arrangement and a pair of jaws 16 for mooring the craft to a stationary support such as a pier or other similar stationary object. Each jaw of the Banker patent is provided with one or more teeth at the extreme end of the jaws. In use, again only the tip of the jaws engage the object to which the boat is to be moored.
It is apparent that the devices shown by both of the aforementioned patents, while useful for their intended environments, would be of little or no use as far as a mooring device is concerned for boats traveling around the edge of ponds and lakes and where no substantially large limbs or piers were located. Therefore, there is needed some type of mooring device which may be useful in securing a boat to such type of growth as underbrush and undergrowth and small limbs and the like.


A bipolar transistor (10) includes a collector region (13), a base region (14) in the collector region (13), and an emitter region (20) in the base region (14). A portion (18) of an electrical conductor (16) is located over a base width (23) of the bipolar transistor (10). The emitter region (20) is self-aligned to the portion (18) of the electrical conductor (16) and is preferably diffused into the base region (14) in order to decrease the base width (23) without relying on extremely precise alignment between base region (14) and the portion (18) of the electrical conductor (16). The portion (18) of the electrical conductor (16) is used to deplete a portion of the base width (23) of the bipolar transistor (10).

This invention relates, in general, to semiconductor devices, and more particularly, to bipolar transistors and methods of fabrication.
Many high voltage bipolar transistors are vertical devices, wherein a collector electrode is on one surface of a semiconductor substrate and wherein an emitter and a base electrode are on an opposite surface of the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate typically has a thickness greater than approximately 10 microns in order to provide sufficient physical separation between the collector and the emitter. The large physical separation increases the collector-to-emitter breakdown voltage and enables the vertical bipolar transistor to be used in high voltage applications. However, the large physical separation also increases the collector resistance, which degrades the drive capability and the speed of the vertical bipolar transistor.
Other high voltage bipolar transistors are lateral devices that have collector, emitter, and base contacts on the same side of a semiconductor substrate. However, lateral bipolar transistors typically have long base lengths and high parasitic capacitances between a base region and the underlying semiconductor substrate. As a result of these drawbacks, the speed and the gain of the lateral bipolar transistor is degraded.
Accordingly, a need exists for a bipolar transistor that has small parasitic resistances and capacitances, that is suitable for high speed applications, and that can be integrated into high voltage and high power technologies.


A device for detecting a biomarker for inflammation in a respiratory system includes a sample collection and/or holding area to receive an exhaled breath condensate (EBC) sample obtained from a respiratory system; an electrode system coupled to the sample collection area, the electrode system including reduced graphene oxide (rGO); and circuitry coupled to the electrode system. The circuitry is configured to apply a voltage to the EBC sample in the sample collection area via the electrode system and to measure a current via the electrode system in response to the voltage applied, in order to determine a concentration of nitrite in the EBC sample based on the current measured. The concentration of nitrite is a biomarker for inflammation in the respiratory system.

Asthma, which is characterized by variable airway inflammation and air flow obstruction, is an increasingly important global health problem. In the United States alone, ˜17.7 million adults and 6.3 million children were diagnosed with asthma in 2014. Furthermore, the cost of asthma care in the United States was estimated to be $56 billion in 2007. The currently available non-invasive methods for diagnosing and monitoring asthma, i.e., spirometry and the measurement of exhaled nitric oxide, are limited by low sensitivity and the need for expensive and bulky equipment. Moreover, existing tests have a limited ability to characterize the nature and extent of underlying airway inflammation, which is widely variable between individuals.

Quantification of inflammatory molecules in exhaled breath condensate using differential pulse voltammetry on reduced graphene oxide sensor

Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey


A cap for use in a neck of a laboratory vessel, such as a roller bottle, is disclosed. In embodiments, the cap is assembled from two parts, an annular skirted cap body and a cap insert. In embodiments the cap insert has integral connectors for attaching tubing, vents, filters, or the like. In embodiments, the cap insert fits into the annular skirted cap body through a rotatable fitting. In embodiments, when the cap is assembled, the top portion of the cap, having integral connectors, is rotatably fitted to the annular side wall of the cap.

Roller bottles are used in many laboratory and other applications. In general, roller bottles are cylindrical containers structured and arranged to rotate around a long axis when placed on a roller apparatus. This rolling motion increases the surface area available to cells for culture, and continually mixes cells and media in culture. Roller bottles may be used in cell and tissue culture applications for aseptic sampling, tissue and cell culture in media, pilot and process research and development, and sterile filling and transfer of liquid components of tissue and cell culture. In these applications, it is important to work with an aseptic closed system. The aseptic closed system often includes a vessel to hold the cell culture media with direct access to the media by way of a tubing accessory set that passes through the vessel cap. The tubing accessory set can include, for example, dip tubes, tubing, filters, Y connectors and quick connectors. Venting with tubing, which may require filtering may also be needed. Media can be placed or displaced within the vessel by way of pressure such as a vacuum pump, gravity or even a syringe. Each time that a tissue or cell culture container is manipulated manually, for example to remove or replace a lid, screw a lid onto a container or to insert a tube into a container, there is an increased risk of contamination of the culture. Therefore, there is a need for a roller bottle closure apparatus that both supports the maintenance of an aseptic environment and also allows for the motion of a roller bottle while still allowing the bottle to remain connected to accessories such as tubing passing through the vessel cap.

Container cap with kink-resistant connector


A system and method for assembling and disassembling a personal computer or components within a personal computer is disclosed. In the system and method, a computer case can be opened and closed, and computer components can be latched or unlatched, by means of a control program and locking devices that are remotely controlled by the control program.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a device and method for assembling and disassembling computers and, in particular, to a system and method of locking and unlocking embedded locking devices by remote control.
2. Description of the Related Art
Presently, it seems that only a small group of people can actually take apart a personal computer (PC) and put it back together again. However, minor maintenance tasks, such as replacing a card or installing RAM (Random Access Memory) memory, require that the computer be partially disassembled. As a result, these minor maintenance tasks often entail a call to a computer expert or IT (Information Technology) department technician to get a rather mundane task completed.
In addition, disassembling a computer can be time-consuming as well as counter-intuitive. Thus, even with a computer expert or IT technician, an inordinate amount of time is often spent on these minor maintenance tasks. This, in turn, results in either an expensive bill from the computer expert or an inefficient use of the IT department""s resources.
Therefore, there is a need for a user-friendly assembling/disassembling system and method for personal computers. This system should offer an intuitive means for a non-technical person to assemble/disassemble a computer without assistance.
An object of this invention is to provide a system and method for controlling locking devices embedded in a personal computer.
Another object of this invention is to provide a system and a method for remotely controlling, through a computer terminal, locking devices embedded in a personal computer.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system for remotely controlling, by means of a wireless connection, locking devices embedded in a personal computer.
To accomplish the above and other objects, a system and method for controlling locking devices embedded in a personal computer is proposed. Using the system and method, a computer case can be opened and closed, and computer components can be latched or unlatched, by means of a control program and locking devices that are remotely controlled by the control program.

User-friendly automatic assembler PC system

International Business Machines Corporation


Apparatus for tuning a system for detecting a target substance through the use of nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The apparatus tunes an RF coil which is employed to excite the substance under test. The tuning apparatus includes a series of fixed value capacitors switched in the tuning circuit by controllable switches. A programmable controller is employed to control the switching and thereby the tuning of the coil.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a bulk substance detection systems for detecting concealed explosives and narcotics employing either nuclear quadrupole resonance or nuclear magnetic resonance, and more particularly to a practical system and method for tuning such detection systems.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Certain atomic nuclei, typically having a spin quantum number of 1/2, exhibit magnetic signatures when they are within an externally applied magnetic field. This magnetic resonance effect is most commonly observed in .sup.1 H, and is known as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Atomic nuclei with a spin quantum number of >1/2 can also show another magnetic signature associated with the interaction of the nuclei with the local electric field. This phenomenon is known as nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR).
For both of these phenomena, the energy level transitions are observed primarily in the radio frequency range. Detection of these transitions thus requires a radio frequency source to excite the transition, and a radio frequency receiving mechanism to detect the signal. Normally, the signals appear at a pre-defined frequency. An RF coil tuned to, or close to, that predefined frequency can excite or detect those signals. The signals are of very low intensity and can only be observed for a short time, approximately 10 .mu.s to 2 ms. As a consequence, there is a need for an NQR or NMR receiver that can be tuned to (usually) high Q, has very low noise, and is capable of fast recovery after a high voltage RF pulse. In most conventional magnetic resonance (NMR and NQR) experiments, small and fairly homogeneous samples are investigated.
Over the past few years there has been considerable interest in the larger-scale "real world" applications of both NQR and NMR. These applications do not benefit from the luxury of small-scale laboratory investigations. They usually require investigation of large volumes filled with materials of vastly differing physical and chemical composition. Investigation of the contents of mail or baggage for the presence of explosives or narcotics is an example.
With respect to explosives, plastic explosives such as C-4 and Semtex, containing RDX and PETN, have an almost infinite variety of possible shapes and uses for terrorist bombing tactics. Plastic explosives are highly stable, have clay-like malleability and are deadly in relatively small quantities. A small piece of plastic explosive, a detonator, and a trip wire inside a large mailing envelope can cause a deadly explosion. Unfortunately, without close--and potentially dangerous--visual inspection, plastic explosives can be made virtually untraceable. In particular, detection of sheet explosives, typically having a thickness as small as one-quarter inch, has not been effectively accomplished by prior technologies.
The wide-scale attempts to fight the illegal drug trade indicates that narcotics detection is also extremely important. The need for a simple procedure for detecting drugs inside sealed containers, mail parcels, and other small packages, quickly and accurately, is immeasurable. Conventional detection methods are time-consuming, costly, and have only marginal reliability at best.
Detection by means of NQR or NMR is possible for both explosives and narcotics, partially because they have as a constituent element .sup.14 N in crystalline form. Particularly with respect to narcotics, this is true of cocaine base, cocaine hydrochloride and heroine based narcotics. The hydrochloride forms of narcotics, such as cocaine hydrochloride, also contain quadrupolar nuclei .sup.35 Cl and .sup.37 Cl.
A significant factor in contraband detection by means of NQR in particular is that quadrupolar nuclei that are commonly present, and potentially readily observable, in narcotics and explosives include nitrogen (.sup.14 N) and chlorine (.sup.35 Cl and .sup.37 Cl), among possible other nuclei. Thus, in commercial applications it is necessary to be able to detect quadrupolar nuclei contained within articles of mail, mail bags or airline baggage, including carry-on and checked luggage. While the resonant frequencies of the nitrogen in these substances differs for each chemical structure, these resonant frequencies are well defined and consistent. By applying an RF signal to a container having any of these suspected substances inside, and then detecting any quadrupolar resonance thus engendered by the application of RF pulses, the identity of the contraband substance can be easily determined.
NQR and NMR signals originate from the energy transitions associated with certain nuclei. These energy transitions are usually in the radio frequency range. Thus, detection of both NQR and NMR signals normally requires the use of radio frequency transmitting and receiving apparatus. To minimize noise and radio frequency power requirements and improve receiver sensitivity, conventional NQR and NMR systems use a narrow band, high Q, sample coil for both transmitting and receiving. There are, however, a number of factors that can significantly degrade the effectiveness of detecting NQR and NMR signals using this kind of narrow band, high Q, detection apparatus. Some of them are:
(1) the presence of large conductive materials inside the sample coil; PA0 (2) the presence of materials with high dielectric constant inside the sample coil; PA0 (3) temperature, which can affect the value of the capacitance used for tuning and matching the RF coil; and PA0 (4) mechanical movement of the coil with respect to its surroundings.
All of these factors can cause serious de-tuning of the detection apparatus, which in turn causes a reduction in the detection sensitivity of NQR and NMR signals from the materials inside the sample coil.
Previously, for most applications of NQR and NMR, these conditions have not presented a serious drawback. The apparatus could usually be set up under near-optimum conditions, and the materials being investigated were usually well characterized. However, over the past few years several new applications have arisen which require NQR and NMR apparatus and methods for the detection of certain materials under adverse conditions (for instance, applications in which large volumes of largely uncharacterized materials are under investigation).

Automatic tuning apparatus and method for substance detection using nuclear quadrupole resonance and nuclear magnetic resonance


In a data processing system of a type including a basic input/output system (BIOS) circuit for carrying out prescribed functions including a power-on self-test (POST) which not only enables the system memory but checks the system configuration based on device register values, the device register values are stored in a non-volatile memory. A novel POST routine responds not only to change of system configuration determined by comparing device register values with values previously stored in the non-volatile memory, but also any change of state of a cabinet switch indicating that a cover of the cabinet housing the PC has been opened. If there has been a change of system configuration and the cover has not been opened since the last boot, the POST routine signals a device error. However, if the cover has been opened, the change of configuration is presumed intentional, i.e., the user has added or removed one or more devices, and the POST routine revises device register values stored in the non-volatile memory accordingly.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to data processing systems, and more particularly, to the power-on self test routine (POST) executed upon start up of a data processing system such as a personal computer (PC).
2. Description of Related Art
All computers, such as the various models of personal computers, or PC's, produced by IBM, execute "operating system software" that instructs the PC on how to use other programs, termed "application software," such as word processing and spreadsheet programs. Examples of PC operating systems include MS-DOS and WINDOWS, manufactured by Microsoft Corporation, and IBM's OS/2.
Before a PC can run an operating system, it must load the operating system from a disk to the PC's working memory which is ordinarily random access semiconductor memory (RAM). This is carried out through a process known as "bootstrapping," or more simply, "booting" the operating system. Booting occurs automatically when the PC is first turned on, a process called a "cold boot," or by the user while the computer is running ("warm boot").
Bootstrapping performs only two functions, the first being to run a power-on self-test, or POST, routine and the other to search the storage media (floppy diskette or hard disk) for the operating system it will load. These functions are controlled by firmware stored in one or more basic input-output system, or BIOS, chips inside the PC.
The IBM PC operating environment is depicted in FIG. 2, a map of the first 1 M of random access system memory. Within the first 640 K byte region of the system memory is stored base BIOS data, such as interrupt vectors and other machine specific operating parameters such as identification of drives and access to them through BIOS INT 13 functions. This is followed in the same region of memory by the operating system, such as DOS, followed by any application programs. Residing in the upper layers of the system memory, above 640 K (called "upper memory") but beneath the 1 Mbyte boundary, are video data and firmware based BIOS which is fixed for all applications.
The POST, residing in the upper 128 K of memory (BIOS) as shown in the FIG. 2 memory map, initializes all the internal hardware and external hardware connected to the PC, such as memory, drives, adapter boards, etc., and tests and places the hardware in an operational state. The BIOS program then normally checks drive A of the PC to determine if it contains a formatted floppy disk. If a disk is mounted in the drive, the program searches specific locations on the disk to determine if a valid boot record exists. If the floppy drive is empty, the boot program checks the hard drive C for the system files. In the absence of these files, the BIOS will generate an error message.
After locating a disk with a valid boot record, the BIOS program reads the data stored on the first sector of the disk, and copies that data to specific locations in RAM. This information, found in the same location on every formatted disk, constitutes the DOS boot record. The BIOS then passes control to the boot record which instructs the PC on how to load the two hidden operating system files to RAM (the files named IBMBIO.COM and IBMDOS.COM on IBM computers). After loading other operating system files into RAM to carry out the rest of the boot up sequence, the boot record is no longer needed.
The root directory of the boot disk is next searched for a file created by the user (CONFIG.SYS) and which contains commands instructing the operating system how to handle certain operations such as how many files may be opened at a time, and so-called device drivers which describe the existence and characteristics of hardware devices not recognized by BIOS that may be connected to the PC.
Next loaded from the boot disk into RAM is the file COMMAND.COM which is an operating system file containing, among other functions, fundamental DOS commands used throughout application program execution, and a file named AUTOEXEC.BAT created by the user and containing a series of DOS batch file commands or program names to be executed by the PC each time the computer is turned on. This completes the boot up sequence, and at this point the computer is considered fully booted and ready to be used.
The conventional POST routine, having executed early in the boot process, issues a report indicating whether all the devices making up the system configuration are installed, that is, confirms that the system configuration has not changed, and indicating whether the devices are operational. These functions are performed by reading the values of device configuration registers associated with the devices, and comparing those values with prestored values.
If a value associated with a particular device is not able to be read during POST, that device is presumed to have catastrophically failed, for example, by having become unseated from its electrical connection to the bus, or having become open-circuited or otherwise non-functional.
However, the detected device values may not match with the prestored values, not because there is a device failure in the system, but because the system configuration was intentionally changed by the user since the operating system was last booted. In such an event, the POST will check the device inventory with reference to an obsolete configuration.

Method and apparatus for updating system configuration based on open/closed state of computer housing cover

International Business Machines Corporation


There is disclosed a light-sensitive silver halide photographic material having at least one light-sensitive emulsion layer and at least one non-light-sensitive emulsion layer of a support, the improvement wherein a coupler represented by the following formula (M-I) and an anti-fading additive having a quenching rate constant of a singlet oxygen of 1.times.10.sup.7 M.sup.-1 .multidot.sec.sup.-1 or more provided that 2,5-dialkylhydroquinones are excluded are contained in at least one layer of the light-sensitive emulsion layer, and a compound represented by the following formula (II) is contained in at least one layer selected from the light-sensitive emulsion layer and the non-light-sensitive emulsion layer. ##STR1## wherein Z represents a group of non-metallic atoms necessary for forming a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring, the ring formed by said Z may have a substitutent(s), X represents hydrogen atom or an eliminatable group by the reaction with an oxidized product of a color developing agent, and R represents hydrogen atom or a substituent, ##STR2## wherein R.sup.12 and R.sup.13 each represent secondary or tertiary alkyl group, provided that total carbon atoms of the alkyl groups represented by R.sup.12 and R.sup.13 are 20 or more.

This invention relates to a light-sensitive silver halide photographic material, more specifically to a light-sensitive silver halide photographic material prevented in color contamination.
In a light-sensitive silver halide photographic material (hereinafter merely referred to as "photographic material" or "light-sensitive material"), for the purpose of decreasing sub-absorption at about 430 nm which is not preferred of a dye formed from 5-pyrazolone type magenta coupler conventionally used, many pyrazoloazole type magenta couplers have been developed (U.S. Pat. No. 3,725,067, G.B. Patent No. 1,252,418, Research Disclosures No. 23220, No. 24230, No. 23531 and No. 23626, and Japanese Provisional Patent Publication No. 162548/1984).
Dyes formed from these pyrazoloazole type coupler show extremely less sub-absorption at about 430 nm than those of the dyes formed from 5-pyrazolones as mentioned above, and thus they are preferred in color reproduction and have advantages that occurrence in yellow stain (Y stain) against light, heat and humidity at an uncolored portion is little.
On the other hand, from the commercial demand for quick processing in recent years, many light-sensitive materials have been processed quickly. However, in such a system, image tone is likely contaminated and improvement thereof has been desired. In general, when a hydroquinone compound is used in an intermediate layer, contamination of image tone as mentioned above can be improved.
However, in a system to which the hydroquinone compound is added in an amount which can improve the image tone contamination, there has been found that light resistance is deteriorated. In order to improve these problems, in Japanese Provisional Patent Publications No. 169160/1987, No. 169159/1987 and No. 18475/1988, there have been proposed the methods in which light resistance is improved by changing the kind or an amount of a hydroquinone type color mixing preventive agent. However, according to these techniques, improved effect is insufficient and it is difficult to improve both of the light resistance and color contamination.
Further, in a rapid processing of the pyrazoloazole type coupler as mentioned above, there is a phenomenone that an oil component is oozing from the surface of a sample (hereinafter referred to "perspiration") and it is regarded as questionable.

Light-sensitive silver halide photographic material prevented in color contamination


A journaling file system may implement remote durable logging. Updates to a file system may be received, and log records describing the updates may be stored in a locally-accessible file system change log. The update may then be acknowledged as committed. The log records may then be sent to be stored in a network-based data store in a remote version of the file system change log. Once it may be determined that the log records are stored in the remote version, storage space for the log records in the local file system change log may be reclaimed. Various types of restoration and duplication techniques may be implemented based on the remote version of the change log to restore a file system at an originating device or to duplicate the file system at a different device.

File systems provide organization, management, and control of data. Control and durability mechanisms implemented as part of file systems affect the performance and resource efficiency of storage devices underlying a file system. Moreover, components or applications that rely upon the performance and durability of the file system may be affected by the tradeoffs inherent with accommodating both performance and durability goals. Journaling file systems are HI implemented in order to provide a greater measure of durability without posing too high a cost in performance. However, the physical limitations of journaling at a particular device limit the effectiveness of journaling file systems, reducing performance gains (or blunting measures to prevent performance losses) or lowering the durability of the file system.
While embodiments are described herein by way of example for several embodiments and illustrative drawings, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments are not limited to the embodiments or drawings described. It should be understood, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit embodiments to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope as defined by the appended claims. The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). The words "include," "including," and "includes" indicate open-ended relationships and therefore mean including, but not limited to. Similarly, the words "have," "having," and "has" also indicate open-ended relationships, and thus mean having, but not limited to. The terms "first," "second," "third," and so forth as used herein are used as labels for nouns that they precede, and do not imply any type of ordering (e.g., spatial, temporal, logical, etc.) unless such an ordering is otherwise explicitly indicated.
Various components may be described as "configured to" perform a task or tasks. In such contexts, "configured to" is a broad recitation generally meaning "having structure that" performs the task or tasks during operation. As such, the component can be configured to perform the task even when the component is not currently performing that task (e.g., a computer system may be configured to perform operations even when the operations are not currently being performed). In some contexts, "configured to" may be a broad recitation of structure generally meaning "having circuitry that" performs the task or tasks during operation. As such, the component can be configured to perform the task even when the component is not currently on. In general, the circuitry that forms the structure corresponding to "configured to" may include hardware circuits.
Various components may be described as performing a task or tasks, for convenience in the description. Such descriptions should be interpreted as including the phrase "configured to." Reciting a component that is configured to perform one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph six, interpretation for that component.
"Based On." As used herein, this term is used to describe one or more factors that affect a determination. This term does not foreclose additional factors that may affect a determination. That is, a determination may be solely based on those factors or based, at least in part, on those factors. Consider the phrase "determine A based on B." While B may be a factor that affects the determination of A, such a phrase does not foreclose the determination of A from also being based on C. In other instances, A may be determined based solely on B.
The scope of the present disclosure includes any feature or combination of features disclosed herein (either explicitly or implicitly), or any generalization thereof, whether or not it mitigates any or all of the problems addressed herein. Accordingly, new claims may be formulated during prosecution of this application (or an application claiming priority thereto) to any such combination of features. In particular, with reference to the appended claims, features from dependent claims may be combined with those of the independent claims and features from respective independent claims may be combined in any appropriate manner and not merely in the specific combinations enumerated in the appended claims.

Remote durable logging for journaling file systems


An actuating rod for a microswitch used to actuate a time for a fishing game apparatus. The timing mechanism is actuated by a microswitch having a momentary toggle arm. The actuating rod has a lower end with a longitudinal bore therein. The size of the bore is such that the actuating rod can be snugly received over the toggle arm of the microswitch. The upper end of the actuating rod is provided with a vertical notch which extends downwardly. The actuating rod also preferably includes a circular opening or eye disposed above the notch. Each preselected fish-shaped member is provided with a string which connects at one end to the preselected fish-shaped member and which is provided with a knot at the other end of the string. The strings from the two preselected fish-shaped members are inserted into the opening in the actuating rod and slipped into the vertical notch.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus or device for actuating a microswitch for a timer in a fishing game device which can be used to simulate fishing. More particularly, the apparatus of the present invention includes a rod which can be attached to the toggle arm of the microswitch, the rod being designed to receive the ends of strings which are secured to "fish" used in the fishing game apparatus.
2. The Prior Art
There are numerous games or devices wherein "fish" are involved as game pieces or tokens. However, the prior art does not disclose a fishing device or apparatus of the type disclosed in co-pending application Ser. No. 07/667,178, filed Mar. 11, 1991 on "Fishing Game Apparatus".
In the aforementioned co-pending application, there is a timer which is used to measure the lapsed time between the securing or "catching" of the first fish and the catching of the last fish in the sequence of catches. However, the timer in the aforementioned co-pending application is actuated in response to the rotation of a cam which, in turn, is rotated by an arm which connects by two separate strings attached to the first and last fish, referred to above. That is, when the first fish is removed from the apparatus of the aforementioned co-pending application, the associated string will pull on the arm, turn the cam, and actuate the microswitch to start the timer; similarly, when the last fish is removed from the apparatus of the aforementioned co-pending application, the string on the last fish will pull on the arm to turn the cam to activate the microswitch and stop the timer. The strings on the two fish in the aforementioned co-pending application are releasably attached to the aforementioned arm.
The present invention eliminates the cam and the lever arm employed in the aforementioned co-pending application. In the present invention, a hollow actuating rod is provided so that the lower end of the actuating rod is received over the toggle arm of the microswitch. The upper end of the actuating rod is provided with a notch which will receive the strings which are attached to the first and last fish, referred to above. The end of each string is provided with a knot which rests against the side of the notch when the fish are first mounted on the fishing game device. When the first fish is first pulled away from the fishing game device, the string will pivot the actuating rod so as to move the toggle arm to actuate the timer. Continued pulling on this same fish will cause the knot to slip out of the notch so that the toggle arm of the microswitch will return to its initial position. This action starts the timer. In like manner, when the last fish is pulled away from the fishing game device, its associated string will again pivot the actuating rod to stop the timer and the knot on the string for the second fish will also slip out of the notch.
A patentability search was conducted on the present invention, and the following United States patents were uncovered in the search.
______________________________________ U.S. Pat. No. Inventor Issue Date ______________________________________ 1,699,409 Stevens January 15 1929 2,511,430 Colaluca June 13, 1950 2,726,303 Berndsen December 6, 1955 2,931,878 Eisenberg April 5, 1960 3,617,676 Dennison November 2, 1971 3,959,618 Carroll May 25, 1976 3,997,750 Glazer December 14, 1976 4,115,669 Cali September 19, 1978 4,256,943 Whitlock March 17, 1981 4,615,624 Goodrich October 7, 1986 4,976,439 Kraemer December 11, 1990 ______________________________________
The Berndsen U.S. Pat. No. 2,726,303 shows an attachment arm for a toggle switch and a string attached to the arm. The Dennison U.S. Pat. No. 3,617,676 shows an extension arm 38 for the lever of a switch 12.

Microswitch activating device for fishing game apparatus


An apparatus and method is provided for safely rotating large for apply flammable tank coating materials in a spark free environment. The tank is continuously rotated for drying while being relocated to a drying position permitting another tank to be brought to a position for the tank coating process. A hydraulic motor assembly is used to drive the apparatus in its rotational and relocation modes. A hose festooning array permits the continuous rotation and relocation of the rotating tanks while maintaining the safe environment. The hose festooning array provides automatic storage and distribution of the hose between the motor assembly and the remotely positioned pump. A chain driven by another hydraulic motor provides the driving force to reposition the tanks using a track system.

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to an apparatus and method for safely positioning and rotating tanks for applying hazardous coating materials to the tanks and in particular to an apparatus and method for rotating and positioning such tanks while safely maintaining hydraulic operation for applying flammable coatings to the tank.
2. Description of Related Art
Various devices and methods have been used to rotate cylindrical structures and position them for the purpose of applying a coating to the structure and teach the use of hydraulic systems for driving such devices. U.S. Pat. No. 4,077,356 discloses a paint spray machine which includes a pair of housing members which are movable for positionally mounting cylindrical objects in a predetermined position. The cylindrical object to be painted is mounted in rotational displacement with respect to a multiplicity of rollers which extend from each of the housing members. Rotation of the rollers results in a counter rotation of the cylindrical object being painted. U.S. Pat. 3,581,922 discloses a method and apparatus for coating tubular objects such as pipe with epoxy resins wherein pipe sections are successively advanced in a train and continuously rotated through numerous operating stations. A pipe overhead suspension system coats an entire surface of the pipe and precludes damage to the pipe during curing and while it is in the critical fluid state. U.S. Pat. No. 3,659,550 discloses fluid operated coating and drying machine wherein all functions of the apparatus disclosed are accomplished by air-operated or other hydraulic methods controlled by valves actuated by an air operated circuit and in the complete absence of any electrical circuits, thereby avoiding any danger of explosion by ignition of flammable liquids which might be caused by an electrical spark.
Coating objects with hazardous materials presents the need for special handling of the materials and the objects which are to be coated. The present invention addresses the needs presented in applying tank coatings to large tanks and to the positioning of the tanks typically used in underground storage of hazardous materials.


An ambient curing coating composition made from at least two packages wherein one package contains a copolymer having acetoacetoxy groups and glycidyl groups plus an aluminum catalyst and the other package contains a copolymer having carboxylic acid groups plus a strong organic base catalyst.

The field of art to which this invention pertains is coating compositions which cure at ambient temperatures.
Coating compositions which cure under ambient temperature conditions have been known for a long time. The earliest of such coating compositions are coatings based on drying oils which cure by air oxidation. Other coating compositions which have been developed more recently are those based on the epoxide-carboxylic acid reaction, isocyanate-active-hydrogen reaction, polyaziridine-carboxylic acid reaction, and activated methylene-unsaturated acrylic reaction.
Film forming interpolymers of acrylic acid, acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate, and monomers copolymerizable therewith are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,554,987.
In U.S. Pat. No. No. 4,408,018, polymers containing pendant acetoacetate moieties are mixed with polyacrylates which contain more than one unsaturated acrylic group and are cured through Michael addition using a strong base as catalyst.
Crosslinking through Michael addition is also shown in European Patent Application No. 227,454. In this patent application, compounds containing a plurality of pendant acetoacetate groups are blended with compounds containing a plurality of ethylenically unsaturated acrylic groups and are cured with the addition of a strong base or an organometallic compound.
South Africa Patent No. 85-2044 describes coating compositions curable at ambient temperatures made from compositions which contain a plurality of activated methylene groups and ethylenically unsaturated carbonyl groups.
In an article by A. Noomen, entitled "Ambient Temperature Curable Coatings Based on Two Pack Binders", Organic Coatings Conference, Athens, Greece, June 1987, coating compositions which cure through the Michael addition reaction of acetoacetate-ketimine groups and acrylic-malonate groups are discussed.
Curable coating compositions based on the epoxide-carboxylic acid reaction are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,305,601 and 4,028,294 and European Patent Application No. 226,171.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,558,076 describes low temperature curable coating compositions made from carboxylic acid group containing polymers, polyepoxides and, as catalysts, aluminum, titanium or zirconium alkoxides or complexes thereof with a chelating agent.
In a presentation made at the Water-Borne & Higher-Solids Coatings Symposium in New Orleans, LA. on Feb. 3-5, 1988 by Robert J. Clemens entitled "A Comparison of Catalysts for Crosslinking Acetoacetylated Resins via the Michael Reaction", coatings curable at ambient temperatures are described. These coatings are made from acetoacetylated resins, polyacrylates and strong base catalysts, and care through Michael addition.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,906,684, ambient caring coating compositions are made from aqueous dispersions of copolymers containing acetoacetoxy groups, glycidyl groups and carboxylic acid groups.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,987,177 describes coating compositions which cure at ambient temperatures and which are made from (A) a copolymer of acrylic and vinyl monomers having pending from the polymer an amino group, and (B) an acrylic crosslinking monomer containing pendant glycidyl groups and acetoacetate groups.
There is a continuing need for ambient temperature curing coating compositions which have low volatile organic solvent content (VOC), lengthy pot life, and fast coating performance development upon application to a substrate.

Two package ambient temperature curing coating composition


A light switching apparatus, including an electrical switch, a water faucet assembly, an attaching mechanism for affixing the switch to a water faucet lever, and a wiring mechanism for electrically connecting the switch to a lighting circuit.. Preferably, the electrical switch is a fiat, thumb-operated switch, and the water faucet lever has at least one fiat surface. The mechanism for attaching the electrical switch to the fiat surface of the water faucet lever includes a plurality of magnets attached to a bottom side of the electrical switch to affix it to the fiat surface of the water faucet lever.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for switching a light on and off, wherein the apparatus is physically attached to a tap water faucet handle.
2. Description of the Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,126 relates to a device for introducing light into a stream of liquid in order to provide a spectacular visual effect or to provide illumination.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,922 discloses a device for introducing light into a stream of liquid, the light intensity varying according to the temperature of the liquid, and was a continuation-in-part of a co-pending application, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,126.