Disclosed is an audio reproduction apparatus for reproducing music information recorded on a digital disk. This apparatus includes a rotatable body, a detection section for detecting a rotational state of the rotatable body, and a processing section for processing the music information to be reproduced in accordance with the rotational state detected by the detection section.

The present invention relates to a system for reproducing information such as music recorded on a compact disc (CD)(hereinafter called digital disc).
In the LP record player, the tempo, pitch and tone of the reproduced music can be variously changed by manually changing the rotating speed of the turntable of the player.
For example, in a discotheque a disc jockey operates the turntable to produce the above described effect.
However, in the present time, music is generally recorded on the disc such as CD.
Since the reproducing device for the CD comprises a plurality of complicated components, it is impossible to manually change the reproducing condition unlike the LP record player.
An object of the present invention is to provide a reproducing system which may change the music reproducing condition of the digital disc.
According to the present invention, there is provided a system for reproducing music information recorded on a disc, comprising, a reproducing system for reproducing music recorded on a digital disc, having a spindle motor for rotating a turntable, a rotating dial to be rotated by a user, detecting means for detecting a rotating condition of the rotating dial, processing means responsive to a detected rotating condition for processing reproduced music.
The processing means is provided for delaying the reproduced music information in accordance with the detected rotating condition, and for changing the pitch of the reproduced music information in accordance with the detected rotating condition, and for changing a frequency range of the reproduced music information in accordance with the detected rotating condition.
The processing means is provided for returning a processed music information to an initial condition when the rotating dial is stopped.
The rotating condition comprises an amount of rotation and rotating direction.
The delaying operation comprises the repeating of the increasing and reducing of the delay time.
The pitch is changed by changing the rotating speed of the spindle motor.
The frequency range is changed by shifting a frequency range of a band pass filter.

Audio reproduction apparatus for reproducing music information recorded on a digital disk


The present disclosure relates to a pre-5th-generation (5G) or 5G communication system to be provided for supporting higher data rates beyond 4th-generation (4G) communication system such as long term evolution (LTE). The present disclosure relates to a method for transmitting and receiving a data. A method of a terminal according to the present disclosure includes: generating a signal; identifying a category of the terminal; mapping the generated signal to a resource using resource mapping information determined based on the category of the terminal; and transmitting the signal using the mapped resource.

To meet the demand for wireless data traffic having increased since deployment of 4G communication systems, efforts have been made to develop an improved 5G or pre-5G communication system. Therefore, the 5G or pre-5G communication system is also called a "beyond 4G network" or a "post LTE system."
The 5G communication system is considered to be implemented in higher frequency (mmWave) bands, e.g., 60 GHz bands, so as to accomplish higher data rates. To decrease propagation loss of the radio waves and increase the transmission distance, the beamforming, massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, an analog beam forming, large scale antenna techniques are discussed in 5G communication systems.
In addition, in 5G communication systems, development for system network improvement is under way based on advanced small cells, cloud radio access networks (RANs), ultra-dense networks, device-to-device (D2D) communication, wireless backhaul, moving network, cooperative communication, coordinated multi-points (CoMP), reception-end interference cancellation and the like.
In the 5G system, hybrid FSK and QAM modulation (FQAM) and sliding window superposition coding (SWSC) as an advanced coding modulation (ACM), and filter bank multi carrier (FBMC), non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA), and sparse code multiple access (SCMA) as an advanced access technology have been developed.
Meanwhile, the 5G communication system has considered a support for various services compared to the existing 4G system. For example, the most representative services are an enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) communication service, an ultra-reliable and low latency communication (URLLC) service, a massive machine type communication (mMTC) service, an evolved multimedia broadcast/multicast service (eMBMS), etc.
Unlike the existing 4G system, the URLLC service is a service that is newly considered in the 5G system and need to satisfy ultra high reliability (packet error rate of 10−5) and low latency (0.5 msec) conditions, compared to other services. For example, the URLLC service may be used for services such as self-driving, e-health, and drone.
However, a scheduling request procedure which is basically performed in a cellular uplink system requires a plurality of information exchange processes between a base station and a terminal and therefore is not suitable to achieve the low latency target of the URLLC. Therefore, a grant-free and contention-based transmission technique is considered for supporting a URLLC service in an uplink system.
In addition, an mMTC service considers the minimization of the power consumption of the terminal as a very important performance index. To this end, the terminal needs to minimize a control signal exchange with the base station. However, the uplink scheduling request procedure is not suitable to minimize the power consumption of the mMTC because the uplink scheduling request procedure requires a plurality of information exchange processes between the base station and the terminal. Therefore, the grant-free and contention-based transmission technique is considered as a main scenario to support the uplink mMTC.
Meanwhile, in the uplink cellular network, the terminal can be operated based on downlink synchronization acquisition information. However, since the uplink system transmits a signal to one base station at terminals located at various positions, a receiver (base station) receives signals at different timings even if the downlink synchronization is obtained. Accordingly, the cellular system can estimate an arrival time of a received signal from each terminal in advance and transmit the signal to the terminal in consideration of the corresponding time, which is referred to as timing advance (TA) value compensation. In general, the TA value can be calculated based on initial random access channel (RACH) processing and updated based on a periodic RACH re-execution procedure.
However, when supporting the uplink mMTC or URLLC, the RACH procedure may not be performed again to minimize the information exchange process between the base station and the terminal. Therefore, the TA value estimated based on the initial RACH procedure is different from the TA value of the uplink transmission time of the actual terminal, which may cause a timing offset in the receiver (base station) to significantly reduce error probability performance. Therefore, there is a need for a method capable of preventing deterioration in performance due to an occurrence of a timing offset.

Method and apparatus for efficiently transmitting and receiving data in a wireless communication system


A system and method for monitoring a plurality of servers by a monitoring server in a computer network. A list of servers and a plurality of services to monitor in the computer network is generated at the monitoring server. A status query is transmitted sequentially by the monitoring server to each of the plurality of servers, the status query including the plurality of services to monitor at each server. A status message report is received from each of the plurality of servers in response to each status query. An event is reported in an event log for each server that has an abnormal service status. The transmission of the status query to each server is performed by the monitoring server at a specified service time interval.

The present invention relates generally to network monitoring systems. More specifically, the present invention relates to monitoring the performance of servers in a networked environment.
Various methods and tools have been used in the prior art to monitor the performance of network computer devices such as servers. Such monitoring tools include ping, port monitoring, and agents. None of these methods and tools have been totally reliable and they often provide false positives or miss actual failures. A brief description of the aforementioned tools and associated shortcomings is provided below.
The Ping utility is essentially a system administrator's tool that is used to see if a computer is operating and also to see if network connections are intact. Ping uses the Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) Echo function which is described in RFC 792. A small packet is sent through the network to a particular Internet Protocol (IP) address. This packet contains 64 bytes—56 data bytes and 8 bytes of protocol header information. The computer that sent the packet then waits (or 'listens') for a return packet. If the connections are good and the target computer is up, a good return packet will be received. One solution to monitoring server performance is to ping the servers to be monitored and provide an alert when a ping fails. This solution has proven to be ineffective because often the server could be hung while the network interface card was still responding to pings.
Another common technique is to provide an agent on each server to report back status to a monitoring device or server. This approach can cause false negatives which result in volumes of unnecessary support calls, or the reverse, i.e., no information of an actual failure.
Another common technique is to proactively monitor the server port (port monitoring) on a server to report back status to a monitoring device or server. A variation of this approach is to simply attempt to connect to the server. This can cause false negatives which result in volumes of unnecessary support calls or the reverse, i.e., no information of an actual failure.
A typical server system can provide numerous services to associated client devices. The operating status of an individual service can be determined by sending a query to the monitored server. The server sends a reply that includes the operating status of the service, indicating whether the service is running. The queries and replies usually include at least one query and reply per service status requested. In order to determine the status of multiple services at a single server, the monitoring server must send multiple queries and receive multiple replies.
Another approach is to generate a single query for all of the services provided by a monitored server. The monitoring server sends the query representing a request for the status of multiple services on the monitored server. The monitored server generates a compilation of information regarding the services that it offers, and transmits this information to the monitoring server. Although this approach reduces the number of queries directed to a monitored server, it also generates a significant amount of data on all services running on the monitored server.
Thus, there is a need for a monitoring system that does not rely on pings, agents, server connections, or port monitoring and thus does not have their associated vulnerabilities, but instead monitors the functionality of the actual device.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System and method for monitoring the status of multiple servers on a network


A heat pump system for conditioning air supplied to a space is provided. The system includes a pre-processing module that pre-conditions supply air. A supply air heat exchanger is in flow communication with the pre-processing module. The supply air heat exchanger receives air from the pre-processing module and at least one of heats or cools the air from the pre-processing module. A processing module is in flow communication with the supply air heat exchanger. The processing module receiving and conditioning air from the supply air heat exchanger. A regeneration air heat exchanger is provided to at least one of heat or cool regeneration air. The regeneration air heat exchanger and the supply air heat exchanger are fluidly coupled by a refrigerant system.

The subject matter herein relates generally to heat pumps and, more particularly, to a heat pump humidifier and dehumidifier system and method.
Heat pumps are used to condition air supplied to a building or structure. Typically, the supply air passes through a first heat exchanger to adjust a temperature and humidity of the supply air. The supply air is then channeled to a desiccant wheel to humidify or dehumidify the air prior to discharging the air into the space. Generally, return air is utilized to regenerate the desiccant wheel by humidifying or dehumidifying the regeneration air. When the supply air is humidified, the regeneration air is dehumidified. When the supply air is dehumidified, the regeneration air is humidified. Generally, the regeneration air also passes through a second heat exchanger prior to passing through the desiccant wheel. The first and second heat exchangers usually transfer energy between the supply air and the regeneration air.
Typically, the regeneration air is supplied from inside the space. As such, outside air generally lacks sufficient energy to properly regenerate the desiccant wheel. Accordingly, known heat pump systems may operate at reduced efficiencies when using outside air to regenerate the desiccant wheel. Because of the reduced efficiency of the heat pump, the heat pump may not be capable of conditioning some outside air. In particular, known heat pumps generally lack the capability of conditioning outside air having extreme hot or extreme cold temperatures.
A need remains for a more efficient heat pump system or method that utilizes the energy of return air to regenerate the desiccant wheel, increase effectiveness of the heat pump and provides considerable humidification load reductions to building operation. Another need remains for a heat pump that pre-processes supply air to enable the heat pump to operate in extreme weather conditions without significant reduction in efficiency.

Heat pump humidifier and dehumidifier system and method


A projection apparatus includes an image projection module, a lens module and a light emitting module. The image projection module has a first optical axis and forms a projection area on a bearing surface. A projection of the first optical axis on an X-Z plane is perpendicular to an X-Y plane on which the projection area is formed. The lens module comprises N cameras, each having a corresponding second optical axis and being for forming a shooting area. The N second axes are tilted to the first optical axis and have an angle with respect to the X-Z plane. The light emitting module includes M light emitting components, each having a corresponding third optical axis and being for forming a sensing area. The projection area, the N shooting areas and the M sensing areas are at least partially overlapped with each other to form a rectangular shooting sensing area.

With the technical development of projector-related industry, the size of image projection module has been significantly reduced. Thus, in recent years, image projection module has been gradually integrated into other electronic products, such as interactive electronic products.
In various interactive electronic products, for example, a projector having a camera capable of detecting infrared light uses an infrared emitting module to generate an infrared curtain over the display surface. When the infrared curtain is blocked by an object (e.g., a user's finger) and a reflected spot is generated, the projector can project different display screens through the camera capable of detecting infrared light to capture the reflected spot on the display screen and then executing corresponding control commands according to the position of the reflected spot. In addition, by using a color camera to capture and identify the user's gesture, the purpose of controlling the projector to project different images of the purpose is also achieved.
Therefore, how to increase the touch control performance of interactive projectors is the focus of attention of the related persons in the field.


An apparatus and method for cutting frozen confection including a frame defining a product void for receiving a product at least partly coated, a set of side knives, at least two knives mounted on the frame opposite of the product void, wherein the knives are rotatable arranged on the frame such that they can be rotated into a product coating cutting position for cutting the coating on the side of the product and out of such a position to a non-engaging position to allow the product to be moved passed the knives, and an end knife for cutting the coating on the end of the frozen confection.

Frozen confectionery products consisting entirely of frozen gel or comprising a frozen gel coating are known and are popular in particular with children.
One example is a frozen confectionery product comprising a core consisting of a frozen confection said core being at least partially coated with a frozen flexible edible gel coating or layer. Such a frozen confectionery product is sold by Nestlé Thailand under the brand name "Eskimo Monkey". This product comprises an ice-cream core being coated with a frozen flexible edible gel layer. This gel layer can be peeled off by the consumer and eaten separately. Since the gel is resistant to liquefaction, even in the defrosted state, the product parts that have been peeled off by the consumer remain intact without melting and dripping. To facilitate the peeling, four longitudinal cutting lines are provided in the gel layer, so that four flaps of peel can be peeled off One thereby achieves a banana-style peeling effect.
WO2013064376 discloses a product with a core of ice cream which is coated with at least two visually distinct layers of jelly. The patent application mentions that when the two gel layers are frozen in two separate steps, they show little adhesion between each other, so that they can be peeled off separately by a consumer. However, due to the very close characteristic, both jelly shell and core, or the different layers of jelly, can be found to adhere to each other and may be difficult to peel apart from each other during consumption in particular for children who enjoy these kinds of composite frozen confectionery products. For example, thinner layers of coating may be more difficult to peel off. To facilitate the peeling of the gel coating it is important that the product has well defined pre-cuts in the gel coating.
To cut spiral cutting line into the gel coating, a cutting tool as described in the International Patent Application PCT/CN11/077465 filed on Jul. 22, 2011 can be used.
When manufacturing a shell and core products on a standard industrial production line in a first production step, a liquid, jelly-like material is dosed into a mold cavity. As the mold is suspended into a cold brine solution, the jelly material starts to solidify and freeze. Once a thin layer of the jelly material has become frozen, the remaining unfrozen material is sucked out of the mold, creating a shell of frozen jelly. Into this jelly-shell, the core material, such as ice cream mix, is dosed and allowed to freeze. Prior to full completion of freezing, a stick is inserted and the product is completely frozen. Subsequently, the outside of the mold is sprayed with a warm liquid to soften or melt a thin surface-layer of the product. Using grippers the product is pulled out of the mold by it's stick. The product, suspended from the grippers, is then transported towards other process steps, and finally to a wrapping machine.
To manufacture a peelable stick, an additional process steps is included to apply of cuts to the jelly-shell. These cuts are essential for a proper working of the peelable effect, which means that the consumer can easily pull down slices of jelly material using his or her teeth. The role of the cut lines is to guide the separation of the jelly to form e.g. banana-type slices. Without the cut lines, the jelly skin would rather be torn-off in pieces, which does not reflect a banana-type peeling experience. The industrial application of such cut lines, however, constitutes a technical challenge.
CN200976814 describes frozen confection products characterized by an ice cream core and a gel-like shell on various overall shapes. The shell part can be peeled off by the consumer and consumed. The utility model does not specify how to apply the cut lines.
WO2014/079848 specifies compositional details of the shell material that can be used to create a gel-type shell that can be subsequently sliced and displays graphics of a frozen confection exhibiting a spiral-type peeling option. The patent mentions a cutting action to apply lines of weakness to guide the spiral-type peeling action. The cut is applied by two set of blades, which are pressed from opposite sides against the surface in a horizontal movement. During the process, the frozen confection is vertically suspended by the stick via grippers.
While other shapes of cut lines than a spiral can principally be manufactured using that process, it has been found this procedure has limitations when applied to vertical cut lines for generally cylinder-shaped products. In particular, the process meets limitations if more than two cut lines, such as 3, 4 or more lines, are to be produced with the lines evenly distributed around the circumference of the product. The problems arise from the fact that on modern production lines, the products are arranged in rows of typically 4 to 20 or more products side-by-side. The products are suspended from their stick and there is little space between the products available to arrange cutting mechanisms in the gap between adjacent frozen confections. Even if the gap is large enough to accommodate such mechanisms, such a procedure would require a complex mechanical installation.
One problem with the current cutting mechanisms is that it provides mechanical stress on the production line when products are moved up and down.
Furthermore, for frozen confection products in the form of a stick with longitudinal cut lines, it was found that the products tend to remain stuck in the cutter or they that may break apart during the process of cutting of the coating.
None of the documents describe a solution to improve the cutting of a gel layer of a frozen confection.
There is therefore a need to improve on the cutting of the gel coatings both for single and composite products with multiple gel layers.

Apparatus and method for cutting or embossing coatings


A luminary socket apparatus includes a socket device and a luminary device connected with the socket device for emitting light in the dark. The socket device includes a socket connected with a power supply. The luminary device includes a controller connected with the power supply, a sensor connected with the controller and a light source connected with the controller. On sensing light, the sensor sends a signal to the controller so that the controller cuts electricity from the light source. The light source is a luminescent panel defining a window through which the socket is exposed and a hole through which the sensor is exposed. The controller includes two receptacles. The luminescent panel includes two leads for engagement with the receptacles. The socket device includes a first frame for attachment to a structure and a second frame mounted on the first frame. The first frame defines a window. The second frame defines a window. The socket is exposed through the windows defined in the first and second frames. The luminescent panel is sandwiched between the first and second frames. The controller and the sensor are mounted on the first frame.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention is related to a luminescent device and, more particularly, to a luminescent device with a light sensor and, more particularly, to a socket device and switch device with such a luminescent device.
2. Related Prior Art
Taiwanese Patent Publication No. 339877 discloses a luminescent device for a socket device and switch device. The socket device includes a socket, a first frame and a second frame. The luminescent device includes a luminescent panel and an automatic switch. The first frame is mounted on a wall. The socket is electrically connected with a main power system and is put in the first frame. The automatic switch is electrically connected with the socket and mounted on the first frame. The luminescent panel is mounted on the first frame by means of the second frame. The luminescent panel is electrically connected with the switch. When no plug is engaged with the socket, under control of the switch, electricity is provided from the main power system to the luminescent panel, thus driving the luminescent panel to emit light. When a plug is engaged with the socket, under control of the switch, electricity is cut from the luminescent panel so that the luminescent panel stops emitting light. The light emitted from the luminescent panel helps people find the socket in the dark. However, as long as no plug is engaged with the socket, the luminescent emits light even if there is plenty of light emitted from other sources. In this case, the light emitted from the luminescent panel is nothing but a waste of energy. Furthermore, the luminescent device is complicated in structure.
The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in the prior art.
It is an objective of this invention to provide a socket device and switch device with a luminescent device that emits light in the dark but stops emitting light in a bright environment.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a socket device and switch device with a luminescent device that is simple in structure.
In the present invention, a luminary socket apparatus includes a socket device and a luminary device connected with the socket device for emitting light in the dark.
The socket device includes a socket connected with a power supply. The luminary device includes a controller connected with the power supply, a sensor connected with the controller and a light source connected with the controller. On sensing light, the sensor sends a signal to the controller so that the controller cuts electricity from the light source.
The light source is a luminescent panel defining a window through which the socket is exposed and a hole through which the sensor is exposed.
The controller includes two receptacles. The luminescent panel includes two leads for engagement with the receptacles.
The socket device includes a first frame for attachment to a structure and a second frame mounted on the first frame. The first frame defines a window. The second frame defines a window. The socket is exposed through the windows defined in the first and second frames. The luminescent panel is sandwiched between the first and second frames. The controller and the sensor are mounted on the first frame.
Other objectives, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings.

Socket device and switch device with luminescent device


The embodiments herein describe handling overflow that occurs between different portions of a multi-result vector storing results from performing multiple operations in parallel. Rather than using guard bits to separate the various results in the multi-result vector, the embodiments herein describe using overflow monitors to detect and account for overflow that can occur in a multi-result vector that is passed in a chain of arithmetic units. Side band logic evaluates the LSBs in the operands for the reduced-precision operations to generate an expected value of performing the operation and compares the expected value to an actual value of the corresponding bits in the multi-result vector. If the expected and actual values match, then there was no overflow. However, if the values do not match, the side band logic updates the overflow value so that this overflow can be corrected once the final multi-result vector has been calculated.

Programmable integrated circuits (e.g., programmable logic devices, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc.) and non-programmable integrated circuits can include arithmetic units (e.g., multipliers, adders, digital signal processors, accumulators, and the like) which are designed to receive multiple input operands and generate a resulting value—e.g., performing an add, subtract, multiple, or multiply accumulator (MAC) operation. The arithmetic units generate an output with a fixed number of bits (e.g., a 48 bit output) which defines the precision of the unit. However, rather than performing a single operation, the arithmetic units can be used to perform multiple reduced precision arithmetic operations in parallel. For example, rather than performing a single operation using 16 bit operands, the unit can perform two operations using 8 bit operands. However, the results of the two 8-bit operations are still stored within the same 48 bit output vector of the arithmetic unit. For example, a first sub-portion of the output vector is allotted to the first 8-bit operation while a second sub-portion of the output vector is allotted to the second 8-bit operation. However, in a chain of arithmetic units where the results of one arithmetic unit is used as an input to the next unit in the chain, the results may begin to overflow. For example, the first sub-portion of the output vectors may not be sufficient to store the results of the operation, in which case, the most significant bits of the first operation may interfere with the least significant bits of the second operation in the output vector.
To prevent this overflow, guard bits can be allocated in the output vector which provides a buffer between the portions of the vector assigned to the two operations. When in the chain the results of the first operation would overflow, this is absorbed by the guard bits. As a result, the guard bits provide a limited buffer which permits the first operation to grow without affecting the bits in the output vector assigned to the second operation.

Vectorization of wide integer data paths for parallel operations with side-band logic monitoring the numeric overflow between vector lanes


A fungicidal compound of formula (I) having a fluorovinye- or fluoropropenyl-oxyphenyloxime moiety and stereoisomers thereof are useful for protecting crops from fungal diseases: wherein, X is CH or N; Y is O or NH; R1 is hydrogen, C1-4 alkyl, or halogen-substituted C1-4 alkyl, R2 is a phenyl group optionally carrying one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkoxy, methylenedioxy and halogen; or a naphthyl group; and

This application was filed under 35 U.S.C. 371, and is the U.S. national stage of PCT/KR00/00906, filed Aug. 16, 2000.
The present invention relates to novel fungicidal compounds having a fluorovinyl- or fluoropropenyl-oxyphenyloxime moiety, a process for preparing same and a fungicidal composition containing same as an active ingredient.
A number of fungicidal compounds have been in practical use to protect crops from various pathogenic fungi; and they may be classified into several groups according to their similar structural features. However, the repetitive use of a fungicide over a long period induces the appearance of new fungal strains resistant not only to the particular fungicide but also to related fungicides having common structural features. For this reason, continuous efforts have been undertaken to develop novel fungicides.
Such efforts have led to the development of new fungicides, e.g., propenoic esters derived from strobilurin (U.S. Pat. No. 4,994,495; WO 94/19331; U.S. Pat. No. 5,003,101) and other propenoic ester fungicides disclosed in EP A 0 278 595 (Zeneca), EP A 0 782 982 (Novatis), WO 96/33164 (Ciba-Geigy), WO 96/33164 (Rhone-Poulenc Agro), WO 98/56774 (BASF), WO 99/06379 (BASF), WO 99/23066 (Agrevo UK), German Patent Nos. 724,200 and 732,846 (both BASF), and British Patent No. 22,893 (Agrevo UK). However, these propenoic ester derivatives still have the problem of limited fungicidal activity.
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a novel compound having a high fungicidal activity against a wide spectrum of plant pathogenic fungi.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a process for the preparation of said compound.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a fungicidal composition containing said compound.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there are provided a novel compound of formula (I) and stereoisomers thereof:
wherein,
X is CH or N;
Y is O or NH;
R1 is hydrogen, C1-4 alkyl, or halogen-substituted C1-4 alkyl;
R2 is a phenyl group optionally carrying one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkoxy, methylenedioxy and halogen; or a naphthyl group; and
R3 is hydrogen or CF3.
The structure of the compound of formula (I) of the present invention is characterized by the fluorovinyl- or fluoropropenyl-oxyphenyloxime moiety, and depending on whether X is CH or N, it may also be classified as a propenoic acid derivative (X=CH) or as an iminophenylacetic acid derivative (X=N).
Among the compounds of the present invention, preferred are those wherein R1 is hydrogen or methyl, and R2 is phenyl group, or Cl- or F-substituted phenyl group.
The compound of formula (I) of the present invention may be prepared, as shown in Reaction Scheme A:
wherein, X, R1, R2 and R3 have the same meanings as defined in formula (I) above.
In Reaction Scheme A, the compound of formula (I-a), i.e., a compound of formula (I) wherein Y is O, may be prepared by the steps of (a) reacting a compound of formula (II) with an oxime derivative of formula (III) in the presence of a base to obtain a compound of formula (IV); (b) debenzylating the compound of formula (IV) by hydrogenolysis in the presence of a Pd(C) catalyst to obtain a compound of formula (V-a); and (c) reacting the compound of formula (V-a) with a compound of formula (VI) in the presence of a base:
The compound of formula (II) is inclusive of the compounds of formula (II-a) (X=CH) and formula (II-b) (X=N):
The compound of formula (II-a) may be prepared by esterification, formylation, methylation and bromination of o-tolylacetic acid according to a conventional method (Yamada, K. et al., Tetrahedron Lett., 2745(1973); Vyas, G. N. et al., Org. Syn. Coll., 4, 836(1963); Kalir, A., Org. Syn. Coll., 5, 825(1973); Korean Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 98-83587 and 99-15785; and World Patent Publication No. WO 99/07665), as shown in Reaction Scheme B:
The compound of formula (II-b) may be prepared by Grignard reaction, oxalylation, condensation, methylation and bromination of o-bromotoluene according to a conventional method (Rambaud, M. et al., Synthesis, 564(1988); Korean Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 98-83587 and 99-15785; and World Patent Publication No. WO 99/07665), as shown in Reaction Scheme C:
The compound of formula (III), on the other hand, represents, among others, the compounds of formula (III-a) (R1=H), formula (III-b) (R1=CH3) and formula (III-c) (R1=CF3):
The compounds of formulas (III-a), (III-b) and (III-c) may be prepared by the steps of benzylation and condensation of 3-hydroxybenzaldehyde, 3-hydroxyacetophenone and 3-hydroxy-2xe2x80x22xe2x80x22xe2x80x2-trifluoroacetophenone, respectively, in accordance with a conventional method (Kuhn, R. et al., Chem. Ber. 90, 203(1957); Fletcher, H. G. et al., Methods Carbohydr. Chem., II, 166(1963); Freedman, H. H., et al., Tetrahedron Lett., 3251(1975); Lichtenhaler, F. W., et al., Tetrahedron Lett., 1425(1980); and Sugg, E. E., et al., J. Org. Chem., 50, 5032(1985)), as shown in Reaction Scheme D:
wherein, R1 has the same meanings as defined in formula (I) above.
In the reaction to prepare the compound of formula (IV), the compound of formula (II) and the compound of formula (III) may be used in equimolar amounts and the base may be used in one or two equivalent amounts. The base may be an inorganic base, e.g., sodium hydride, potassium t-butoxide, sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate; or an organic base, e.g., triethyl amine or pyridine. The solvent which may be used in the reaction includes acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, benzene, toluene, tetrahydrofuran, acetonitrile, dichloromethane or dimethyl formamide, and the reaction may be conducted at a temperature ranging from room temperature to 100xc2x0 C. The progress of the reaction is conveniently followed by measuring the disappearance of the compound of formula (II) with thin layer chromatography (TLC).
Examples of the compound of formula (IV) include the compounds of formulas (IV-a) (X=CH, R1=H), (IV-b) (X=CH, R1=CH3), (IV-c) (X=CH, R1=CF3), (IV-d) (X=N, R1=H), (IV-e) (X=N, R1=CH3) and (IV-f) (X=N, R1=CF3), depending on the starting materials used, i.e., depending on any one of the reactions of the compound of formula (II-a) or (II-b) with the compound of formula (III-a), (III-b) or (III-c):
Subsequently, the compound of formula (IV) is debenzylated by hydrogenolysis to obtain a phenolic ester compound of formula (V-a):
wherein, X and R1 has the same meanings as defined previously.
Examples of the compound of formula (V-a) include the compounds of formulas (V-a-1) (X=CH, R1=H), (V-a-2) (X=CH, R1=CH3), (V-a-3) (X=CH, R1=CF3), (V-a-4) (X=N, R1=H), (V-a-5) (X=N, R1=CH3) and (V-a-6) (X=N, R1=CF3), which correspond 10 to the compounds of formulas (IV-a) to (IV-f), respectively:
On the other hand, the compound of formula (VI) is inclusive of a compound of formula (VI-a), i.e., the compound of formula (VI) wherein R3 is H, and a compound of formula (VI-b), i.e., the compound of formula (I) wherein R3 is CF3.
The compound of formula (VI-a) may be prepared by a Grignard reaction, reduction, halogenation and dehalogenation of a halide of R2 according to a conventional method (Herkes, F. E. et al., J. Org. Chem., 32, 1311(1967); and Nemeth, G. et al., J. fluorine Chem., 76, 91(1996)), as shown in Reaction Scheme E:
wherein, R2 has the same meaning as defined in formula (I) above; and Z represents Cl or F.
Further, a compound of formula (VI-b) may be prepared by a Grignard reaction and Wittig reaction of a halide of R2 according to a conventional method (Herkes, F. E. et al., J. Org. Chem., 32, 1311(1967); and Wheatman. G. A. et al., J. Org Chem., 48, 917(1983)), as shown in Reaction Scheme F:
wherein, R2 and Z have the same meanings as above.
In the step to prepare the compound of formula (I-a) of the present invention by reacting the compound of formula (V-a) with a compound of formula (VI) in the presence of a base, the compounds of formulas (V-a) and (VI) may be used in equimolar amounts and the base may be used in one to two equivalent amounts. The base may be an inorganic base, e.g., sodium hydride, potassium t-butoxide, sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate; or an organic base, e.g., triethyl amine or pyridine. The solvent, which may be used in the reaction, is benzene, toluene, tetrahydrofuran, acetonitrile, dichloromethane or dimethyl formamide, and the reaction temperature in the range of room temperature to 100xc2x0 C.
In the preparation of the compound of formula (I-b) by reacting the phenolic ester compound of formula (V-a) with methylamine to obtain a phenolic amide compound of formula (V-b), in a conventional manner, and then reacting the compound of formula (V-b) with a compound of formula (VI) in the presence of a base, methylamine may be preferably employed in an excess amount than the phenolic ester compound used. The above reaction may be conducted in the presence of an alcohol (e.g., methanol), acetonitrile, dichloromethane and dimethyl formamide, at a temperature ranging from room temperature to the boiling point of the solvent used.
Examples of the compound of formula (V-b) are the compounds of formulas (V-b-1) (X=CH, R1=H), (V-b-2) (X=CH, R1=CH3), (V-b-3) (X=CH, R1=CF3), (V-b-4) (X=N, R1=H), (V-b-5) (X=N, R1=CH3) and (V-b-6) (X=N, R1=CF3), which correspond to the compounds of formulas (IV-a) to (IV-f), respectively:
On the other hand, the compound of formula (I-a) may be prepared, as shown in the above Reaction Scheme A, by reacting a compound of formula (II) with a compound of formula (VII) in the presence of a base. At this time, the compound of formula (II) and the compound of formula (VII) may be used in equimolar amounts and the base may be used in one or two equivalent amounts. The base may be an inorganic base, e.g., sodium hydride, potassium t-butoxide, sodium carbonate or potassium carbonate; or an organic base, e.g., triethylamine or pyridine. The solvent which may be used in the reaction includes acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, benzene, toluene, tetrahydrofuran, acetonitrile, dichloromethane or dimethyl formamide, and the reaction may be conducted at a temperature ranging from room temperature to 100xc2x0 C. The progress of the reaction is conveniently followed by measuring the disappearance of the compound of formula (II) with thin layer chromatography (TLC).
Further, the compound of formula (I-b) may be obtained by reacting the compound of formula (I-a) with methylamine in a conventional manner.
The compound of formula (VII) may be prepared by reaction of 3-hydroxybenzaldehyde, 3-hydroxyacetophenone or 3-hydroxy-2xe2x80x22xe2x80x22xe2x80x2-trifluoroacetophenone with a compound of formula (VI) to obtain a compound of formula (VIII) and condensation of the compound of formula (VIII) with hydroxylamine according to a conventional method (Lichtenhaler, F. W., et al., Tetrahedron Lett., 1425(1980); and Sugg, E. E., et al., J. Org. Chem., 50, 5032(1985)), as shown in Reaction Scheme G:
wherein, R1, R2 and R3 have the same meanings as defined in formula (I).
The compound of formula (VII) is inclusive of a compound of formula (VII-a), i.e., the compound of formula (VII) wherein R3 is H, and a compound of formula (VII-b), i.e., the compound of formula (VII) wherein R3 is CF3, which correspond to the compounds of formulas (VI-a) and (VI-b) used as a starting material, respectively:
The compound of formula (I) of the present invention has three double bonds, and when one ignores the double bond of the bridging oxime group, there exist four stereoisomers thereof, which, according to the terminology defined in the Cahn-Ingold-Prelog system (J. March, Advanced Organic Chemistry, 3rd Ed., Wiley-Interscience), may be expressed as (E,E), (E,Z), (Z,E) and (Z,Z) isomers. which are included within the scope of the present invention.
(when R3 is H, (E,Z) isomer; and when R3 is CF3, (E,E) isomer)
(when R3 is H, (E,E) isomer; and when R3 is CF3, (E,Z) isomer)
(when R3 is H, (Z,Z) isomer; and when R3 is CF3, (Z,E) isomer)
(when R3 is H, (Z,E) isomer; and when R3 is CF3, (Z,Z) isomer)
wherein, X, Y, R1, R2 and R3 have the same meanings as defined above.
In case a mixture of the E and Z isomers of the compound of formula (II) is used in the reaction shown in Reaction Scheme A, the compound of the present invention is obtained as a mixture of the above four isomers wherein the (E,E) and (E,Z) isomers predominate with minor amounts of the (Z,E) and (Z,Z) isomers.
However, in case only the E isomer of the compound of formula (II-a-4) or (II-b-4) is used, the compound of formula (I) of the present invention is obtained as a mixture of the (E,E ) and (E,Z) isomers, as is confirmed by 1H-NMR or 19F-NMR analysis.
According to the 1H-NMR analysis (reference compound, TMS) of the compound of formula (I) of the present invention wherein R3 is hydrogen, a hydrogen of vinyl group of (E,E) isomer is shown as a doublet having a coupling constant of 5 to 6 Hz at 5.5 to 5.8 ppm, while that of (E,Z) isomer is represented as a doublet having a coupling constant of 30 Hz at 5.0 to 5.4 ppm. The ratio of the (E,E) isomer to (E,Z) isomer is about 2:1 which may be calculated from integration on the 1H-NMR spectroscopy. This result can be confirmed by the 19F-NMR analysis. The 19F-NMR analysis of the compound (I) of the present invention wherein R3 is hydrogen, the fluorine substituent on the vinyl group of the (E,E) isomer is shown as a doublet having a coupling constant of 5.5 Hz at xe2x88x9283.3 ppm, while that of the (E,Z) isomer is represented by a doublet having a coupling constant of 28.6 Hz at xe2x88x9283.1 ppm; and, the (E,E) to (E,Z) isomer ratio is also confirmed to be about 2:1 from integration on the 19F-NMR spectroscopy.
According to the 19F-NMR analysis data of the compound of formula (I) of the present invention wherein R3 is CF3, the vinyl fluorine and the fluorine of CF3 of the (E,E) isomer are, respectively, a quartet having a coupling constant of 12.2 Hz at xe2x88x9275.9 ppm and a doublet having a coupling constant of 12.3 Hz at xe2x88x9258.7 ppm, while those of the (E,Z) isomer are, respectively, a quartet having a coupling constant of 23.9 Hz at xe2x88x9276.3 ppm and a doublet having a coupling constant of 24.7 Hz at xe2x88x9258.5 ppm. The (E,E) to (E,Z) isomer ratio is about 1:2 based on the integration of fluorine peaks.
The compound of the present invention has a broad spectrum of fungicidal activity against various plant pathogenic fungus, e.g. Pyricularia oryzae Carvara KA301 which causes Rice Blast, Rhizoctonia solani AG-1 which causes Rice Sheath Blight, Botrytis cinerae which causes Cucumber Gray Mold Rot, Phytophthora infestans which causes Tomato Late Blight, Puccinia recondita which causes Wheat Leaf Rust and Erysiphe graminis which causes Barley Powdery Mildew.
Accordingly, the present invention also includes within its scope fungicidal compositions comprising one or more of the compounds of formula (I) or stereoisomer thereof as an active ingredient, in association with fungicidally acceptable carriers.
The fungicidal compositions of the invention may be formulated in various forms such as an emulsion, aqueous dispersion, powder and granules which may contain conventional additives. The compound of the formula (I) may be used in an amount of 10 to 90% on the basis of the weight of an emulsion or aqueous dispersion, and 0.1 to 10% on the basis of the weight of granules.
Fungicidally acceptable carrier that may be used in the present invention is a liquid carrier, e.g., water, an alcohol(ethanol, ethylene glycol, glycerine), ketone(acetone, methylethylketone), ether(dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, cellosolve), aliphatic hydrocarbon(gasoline, Kerosene), halogenated hydrocarbon(chloroform, carbon tetrachloride), amide(dimethylformamide), ester(ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, fatty glycerine ester) and acetonitrile; and a solid carrier, e.g., mineral particle(Kaoline, clay, bentonite, dolomite, talc, silica, sand) and vegetable powder(shrubs).
The additive that may be used in the fungicidal composition of the present invention includes an emulsifier, adhesive, dispersion agent or permeating agent. e.g., nonionic, anionic or cationic interface active agent(fatty acid sodium salt, polyoxy alkyl ester, alkyl sulfonate ester). Further, an agrochemically active ingredient, e.g., an insecticide, herbicide, plant growth regulator, germicide, and fertilizer, may be added in the composition of the present invention.

Fungicidal compounds having a fluorovinyl-or fluoropropenyl-oxyphenyloxime moiety and process for the preparation thereof

Abstract: R3 is hydrogen or CF3.

Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology


The supporting apparatus is disposed between a fixed portion and a moving portion facing the fixed portion at a predetermined distance, and supports the moving portion which vibrates while maintaining parallelism to the fixed portion. The moving portion and the fixed portion are respectively provided with receiving members 2F, 2M facing each other. The receiving members 2F, 2M sandwich, under pressure, a rocking member 4 which limits a movement of the moving portion in crosswise directions Y vertical to vibrating directions R of the moving portion while rocking about Its axis accompanying the vibration of the moving portion in the vibrating directions (R).

The present invention relates to a supporting apparatus and a vibration generator utilizing the same, suitably used for supporting a moving portion which reciprocates in predetermined vibrating directions, such as a vibrating table in a vibration generator.
In a vibration generator, it is important to prevent a so-called cross vibration, and to reciprocate a vibrating table, which serves as a moving portion, along a predetermined single axis (vibrating directions). The term cross vibration means that the vibrating table moves crosswise, in directions vertical to the predetermined directions (hereinafter, the crosswise directions ray also be called radial directions). In order to prevent the cross vibration, the vibration generator uses a supporting apparatus provided between the vibrating table and a fixed portion provided by such equipment as an exciting machine disposed around the vibrating table. The supporting apparatus guides the vibrating table in the vibrating directions, and limits the movement of the vibrating table in the radial directions.
FIG. 11 shows a constitution of a prior art supporting apparatus 41, with diagram (a) being a plan view showing with partial cutout, and diagram (b) being a side view. The supporting apparatus 41 is constituted by sandwiching a rocker 44 between a fixed-side receiver plate 42 attached to the fixed portion and a moving-side receiver plate 43 attached to the vibrating table serving as a moving portion, and by connecting the rocker 44 with the fixed-side receiver plate 42 and the moving-side receiver plate 43 with four connecting members 45. The rocker 44 is rigid in the radial directions, and has arcuate surfaces respectively facing the receiver plates 42, 43. Each of the arcuate surfaces represents a part of the outer circumferential surface of a column assumed on a diameter as being the distance between the receiver plates 42, 43. Each of the connecting members 45 is formed of an elastic member such as rubber, or a synthetic resin such as nylon, polypropylene and so on, and is pressed between a sandwiching plate 46 provided on the receiver plates 42, 43 and another sandwiching plate 47 provided on the rocker 44. With the arrangement described above, the fixed-side receiver plate 42 is attached to a fixed block 48 fastened to the fixed portion.
According to the supporting apparatus 41, the vibrating table can move in vibrating directions because the connecting members 45 undergo deformation, Due to the movement of the vibrating table, the rocker 44 also moves accompanying the deformation of the connecting members 45, while the arcuate surfaces of the rocker 44 keep contact with the respective receiver plates 42, 43. With this constitution, the movement of the vibrating table in the radial directions is limited by the rocker 44.
According to the supporting apparatus 41 described above, since the fixed portion and the vibrating table are interconnected by the connecting members 45, there Is a problem that the connecting portions are subjected to repeated stress, which makes the connecting portions susceptible to fatigue fracture, and makes difficult to improve durability.
Further, a moving range of the vibrating table is limited within a range of deformation of the connecting members 41. Thus, in order to increase the moving range of the vibrating table, the size of the supporting apparatus 45 must be increased, which leads to a problem of increased cost.
Further, if the size of the supporting apparatus 41 is increased, a mass of the moving portion increases, which decreases acceleration to the vibrating table, and makes impossible to generate a vibration having a desired vibration waveform, resulting in decreased reliability of the vibration generator.
The present invention is made in order to solve the above described shortcomings in the prior art, and it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a supporting apparatus which can be manufactured at a reduced cost while having an increased durability. Another object of the present invention is to provide a supporting apparatus capable of generating a vibration having a desired vibration waveform, thereby increasing the reliability.
A supporting apparatus according to claim 1 is a supporting apparatus disposed between a fixed portion and a moving portion facing the fixed portion at a predetermined distance, for supporting the moving portion which vibrates while maintaining parallelism to the fixed portion, and is characterized In that the moving portion and the fixed portion are respectively provided with receiving members 2F, ZM facing each other; and the receiving members 2F, 2M sandwich, under pressure, a rocking member 4 which limits a movement of the moving portion in crosswise directions Y vertical to vibrating directions R of the moving portion, while rocking about its axis accompanying the vibration of the moving portion in the vibrating directions R.
According to the supporting apparatus provided by claim 1, when the moving portion moves In the predetermined vibrating directions R, the moving-side receiving member 2M also moves, and the rocking member held under pressure between the receiving members 2F, 2M rocks about its axis, making possible to follow the movement of the moving portion. In this case, the rocking member 4 limits the movement of the moving portion in the crosswise directions Y vertical to the vibrating directions R. In other words, the moving portion moves (vibrates) with respect to the fixed portion only in the rocking directions R, and the crosswise movement is prevented. In addition, since the rocking member 4 can be assembled by sandwiching the rocking member between the pair of receiving members 2F, 2M, assembling operation as of the entire apparatus becomes easy. Further, even if the rocking member 4 must be replaced, the replacement can be performed easily.
According to the supporting apparatus provided by claim 1, the cross vibration can be prevented, and the apparatus can be used stably as a supporting apparatus of this kind. Further, since the rocking member should only be sandwiched between a pair of the receiving members, assembling operation of the supporting apparatus becomes easy, and replacement of the rocking member also becomes easy.
A supporting apparatus according to claim 2 is characterized in that the pair of receiving members 2F, 2M each has a flat surface 3 parallel to the vibrating directions R of the moving portion; the rocking member 4 includes a roller portion 4a and an engaging portion 4b; the roller portion 4a has an axis of rotation along the crosswise directions Y; the roller portion 4a has an outer circumferential surface making linear contact with each flat surface 3 of the receiving members 2F, 2M In the crosswise directions Y upon installation of the rocking member 4; and the rocking member 4 is held between the pair of receiving members 2F, 2M by engagement between the engaging portion 4b and the pair of receiving members 2F, 2M during a travel, by rolling, of the roller portion 4a accompanying a reciprocating movement of the moving portion.
According to the supporting apparatus provided by claim 2, the roller portion 4a travels by rolling. It should be noted here that hereinafter, traveling by rolling will be called xe2x80x9crollingxe2x80x9d. Now, the rolling of the roller portion 4a causes the entire rocking member 4 to travel (rock), However, the engagement between the engaging portion 4b of the rocking portion 4 with the pair of receiving members 2F, 2M keeps the rocking member 4 between the pair of receiving members 2F, 2M. Further, the rolling of the roller portion 4a guides the moving portion in the vibrating directions R, and the outer circumferential surface of the roller portion 4a makes the linear contact with each flat surface 3 of the pair of receiving members 2F, 2M along the crosswise directions Y. Therefore, there is a large friction in the crosswise directions Y, reliably limiting the movement of the moving portion in the crosswise directions Y vertical to the vibrating directions R. Further, the rocking member 4 is held by the receiving members 2F, 2M, and the vibration of the moving portion is stabilized.
According to the supporting apparatus provided by claim 2, since the movement of the moving portion in the crosswise directions (radial directions) vertical to the vibrating directions is limited by the roller portion, the rocking member can have a relatively simple shape. This makes easy to manufacture the rocking member including the roller portion, and makes possible to reduce the cost of manufacture. Further, the movement of the moving portion in the crosswise directions vertical to the vibrating directions is reliably limited, resulting in a superb performance as a supporting apparatus of this kind. Further, since the roller portion does not move in the crosswise directions, the roller portion is less susceptible to wear and chipping, making possible to improve durability.
A supporting apparatus according to claim 3 is characterized in that the engaging portion 4b includes a pair of first and second engaging members 8a, 8b each having arcuate engaging surfaces C, C respectively on a side facing the fixed portion and on a side facing the moving portion, in symmetry with respect to the axis of rotation; the first and the second engaging portions 8a, 8b are disposed side by side, on the axis of rotation, in a mutually inverted relationship; each of the receiving members 2F, 2M is provided with a pair of slanted surfaces slanting at a same angle but in opposite directions; the mutually-facing slanted surfaces 16, 17 are slanted in a same direction; each of the first and the second engaging members 8a, 8b is disposed between the receiving members 2F, 2M, with respective engaging surfaces (C) . . . contacting a corresponding one of the slanted surfaces 16, 17; and the engaging surfaces of the engaging portion 4b and the slanted surfaces of the receiving members 2 keep contact during the travel, by rolling, of the roller portion 4a accompanying the reciprocating movement of the moving portion.
According to the supporting apparatus provided by claim 3, the first and the second engaging members 8a, 8b are disposed between the receiving members 2F, 2M, the engaging surfaces of the first and the second engaging members 8a, 8b are disposed on the fixed side and on the moving side respectively, In symmetry with respect to the axis of rotation, and the first and the second engaging members 8a, 8b are disposed in a mutually inverted relationship. Therefore, disengaging directions for the first and the second engaging members 8a, 8b to come out of the pair of receiving members 2F, 2M are different from each other. With this arrangement, even if the moving portion travels (vibrates) with respect to the fixed portion, the rocking member 4 sandwiched between the pair of receiving members 2F, 2M does not fall off from between the receiving members 2F, 2M.
According to the supporting apparatus provided by claim 3, the rocking member does not fall off even when traveling in the vibrating directions, and is held between the pair of receiving members. Therefore, a stable supporting apparatus is provided.
A supporting apparatus according to claim 4 is characterized in that the rocking member 4 is constituted by connecting the roller portion 4a and the engaging portion 4b each formed individually, and that the first and the second engaging members 8a, 8b of the engaging portion 4b are members having a same shape,
According to the supporting apparatus provided by claim 4, the rocking member 4 is constituted by assembling the roller portion 4a and the engaging portion 4b each formed:individually. Therefore, as compared to the case in which the rocking member 4 is formed integrally, a shape of the parts to be manufactured is simpler, which makes possible to easily manufacture the roller portion 4a and the engaging portion 4b. Further, the engaging portion 4b is constituted by assembling a pair of engaging members 8a, 8a having a same shape. Therefore, as compared to the case in which the engaging portion 4b is formed integrally, a shape of the parts to be manufactured is simpler, and it Is necessary to manufacture only one kind of the engaging member 8. Further, since the engaging member 8 is only one kind, storage and handling of the engaging portion 5 become easy, and an assembling operation becomes simple.
According to the supporting apparatus provided by claim 4, the rocking member is constituted as an assembly of the individually formed roller portion and the engaging portion. Therefore, as compared to the case in which the rocking member is formed integrally, a shape of the parts to be manufactured is simpler. This makes possible to manufacture the roller portion and the engaging portion easily, and to reduce the cost of manufacture. Further, the engaging portion is constituted as an assembly of a pair of engaging members having a same shape. Therefore, as compared to the case in which the engaging portion is formed integrally, a shape of the parts to be manufactured is simpler, and it is necessary to manufacture only one kind of the engaging member, making possible to further reduce the cost of manufacture. Further, since the engaging member is only one kind, storage and handling of the engaging portion become easy, and assembling operation becomes simple.
A supporting apparatus according to claim 5 is characterized in that the fixed-side receiving member 2F and the moving-side receiving member 2M have a same shape, and are disposed in symmetry with respect to the axis of rotation of the rocking member 4.
According to the supporting apparatus provided by claim 5, the pair of receiving members 2F, 2M attached to the fixed portion and the moving portion respectively have an identical shape. Therefore, it is necessary to manufacture only one kind of the receiving member 2. Further, since the receiving member 2 is only one kind, storage and handling of the receiving member 2 become easy, and assembling operation becomes simple.
According to the supporting apparatus provided by claim 5, it is necessary to manufacture only one kind of the receiving member 2, and it is possible to reduce the cost of manufacture. Further, since the receiving member is only one kind, storage and handling of the receiving member 2 become easy, and assembling operation becomes easy.
A supporting apparatus according to claim 6 is characterized in that at least one of the fixed-side receiving member 2F and the moving-side receiving member 2M is provided with a limiting member 6 for limiting an axial movement of the rocking member 4.
According to the supporting apparatus provided by claim 6, the limiting member 6 limits the movement of the rocking member 4 in the axial directions (crosswise directions Y). Therefore, the rocking member 4 can be reliably held between the pair of receiving members 2F, 2M, and thus it is possible to stably support the moving portion.
According to the supporting apparatus provided by claim 6, the rocking member can be reliably held between the pair of receiving members, and the moving portion can be stably supported.
A vibration generator according to claim 7 comprises a vibrating table 32 and a main body 34 including an exiting machine 33 for giving the vibrating table 32 a vibration in directions along a predetermined single axis R. The generator is characterized in that the vibrating table 32 provides a moving portion, the main body 34 providing a fixed portion, a plurality of supporting apparatuses 1 according to one of claims 1-6 being disposed between the main body 34 and the vibrating table 32 for supporting the vibrating table 32.
According to the vibration generator provided by claim 7, the supporting apparatuses 1 prevent movement in the crosswise directions Y vertical to the vibrating directions R, thereby making possible to stably support the vibrating table 32. Therefore, it becomes possible to generate a vibration having a predetermined vibration waveform, and improve reliability as the vibration generator.
According to the vibration generator provided by claim 7, since the vibrating table can be stably supported by the supporting apparatuses, it becomes possible to generate a vibration having a predetermined vibration waveform, and improve reliability as the vibration generator.

Supporting apparatus and a vibration generator


A conductive pattern formation ink capable of producing a conductive pattern with reduced likelihood of generation of cracks, a conductive pattern which is small in the number of cracks generated, low in specific resistance and superior in high-frequency characteristics, and a wiring substrate provided with the conductive pattern which is small in the number of cracks generated, low in specific resistance and superior in high-frequency characteristics are provided. The conductive pattern formation ink is used for forming a conductive pattern on a base member by patterning and comprised of a dispersion solution. The dispersion solution includes a solvent, metal particles dispersed in the solvent, and an anti-cracking agent contained in the solvent, wherein the anti-cracking agent is contained for preventing generation of cracks in the conductive pattern during desolvation of the solvent.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a conductive pattern formation ink, a conductive pattern and a wiring substrate, and more specially relates to a conductive pattern formation ink, a conductive pattern formed by the conductive pattern formation ink and a wiring substrate provided with the conductive pattern.
2. Related Art
A wiring for use in an electronic circuit or an integrated circuit is produced using a photolithography method or the like.
In this photolithography method, a photosensitive material, which is called a resist, is applied on a substrate pre-coated with a conductive film, light is irradiated on the resist at a pattern corresponding to a wiring to be formed, the resist irradiated is developed to form a resist pattern, and the conductive film is etched using the resist pattern to obtain the wiring on the substrate.
The photolithography method requires use of bulky equipments such as a vacuum apparatus and the like and a complex process. In the photolithography method, efficiency of using a material is as low as about several percentages, which means that there is no choice but to waste the material for the most part. This leads to an increase in production costs.
Meanwhile, there has been proposed a method of forming a conductive pattern (wiring), which makes use of what is called an ink jet method, i.e., a liquid droplet ejecting method by which a liquid material is ejected in the form of liquid droplets from a liquid ejection head (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,132,248).
With this method, a conductive pattern formation ink, in which conductive particulates are dispersed, is directly applied on a substrate according to a desired pattern, and the ink thus applied is transformed into a conductive pattern by subsequently evaporating a solvent through a heat treatment or laser irradiation. This method enjoys merits in that it requires no photolithography, bitterly simplifies a process and reduces a quantity of raw materials used.
However, a conductive pattern produced by a conventional conductive pattern formation ink suffers from a drawback in that cracks are likely to be generated in the conductive pattern during a course of evaporating the solvent, which may lead to an increase in specific resistance of the conductive pattern and may result in disconnection of the conductive pattern. In particular, generation of the cracks becomes severe as the conductive pattern grows thicker.
Causes of generating such cracks are presumed to be sudden contraction in volume of the conductive pattern during evaporation of the solvent, contraction in volume of the conductive pattern arising from breakaway of a dispersant adhering to the conductive particulates, enlargement of pores of the conductive pattern attributable to grain growth of silver particulates caused by heating during evaporation of the solvent, and so forth.
Furthermore, if the pores of the conductive pattern are enlarged due to the grain growth of the silver particulates and come up to a surface of the conductive pattern, the conductive pattern exhibits reduction in its surface planarity. This poses a problem in that what is called a skin effect is not attained, consequently reducing high-frequency characteristics of the conductive pattern.
When a relatively thick conductive pattern is formed by the ink jet method, it is sometimes a case that a conductive pattern formation ink is overlappingly applied on a substrate. In this case, a previously applied layer of ink is dried first (referred to as a preliminary drying step) and then the next layer of ink is applied in an effort to prevent disconnection or warp in shape of the conductive pattern.
In the conductive pattern formation method noted just above, it is often a case that the finished conductive pattern becomes a laminated structure because the conductive pattern formation ink applying step and the preliminary drying step are repeated alternately. With the conductive pattern of this laminated structure, interlayer specific resistance may sometimes be increased and specific resistance of the conductive pattern as a whole may become higher.

Conductive pattern formation ink, conductive pattern and wiring substrate


An electronic engine control controls the selection and confirmation of automatically selectable gears in a manual/automatic transmission. Failure to disengage the engine from the transmission within a predetermined time period, failure to reach a predetermined synchronous engine RPM window within another predetermined time period and failure to confirm gear engagement within yet another predetermined time period are three automatic shift failure modes which may cause an automatic shift attempt to fail or be aborted. A fourth automatic shift failure may occur if the clutch pedal is depressed during an automatic shift attempt. If any of the foregoing automatic shift failure mechanisms is detected, an error recovery algorithm which forms a part of the present invention determines the easiest/safest transmission gear to command to prevent the driver from having to manually attempt to engage the transmission after a failed automatic shift attempt.

Fully automatic transmission systems, both for heavy duty vehicles such as heavy duty trucks, and for automobiles, that sense throttle openings or position, vehicle speed, engine speed and the like, and automatically shift the vehicle transmission in accordance therewith, are well known in the prior art. Such fully automatic gear change transmission systems include automated transmissions wherein pressurized fluid is utilized to frictionally engage one or more members to other members or to a ground to achieve a selected gear ratio as well as automated mechanical transmissions utilizing electronic and/or pneumatic logic and actuators to engage and disengage mechanical (i.e., positive) clutches to achieve a desired gear ratio. Semi-automatic or manual-automatic transmission systems utilizing electronic control units that sense throttle position, engine speed, input shaft speed, output shaft and/or vehicle speed, and utilize automatically controlled fuel throttle devices, gear shifting devices, and/or master clutch operating devices to substantially automatically implement operator selected transmission ratio changes are also known in the prior art.
While such semi-automatic mechanical transmission systems are very well received, as they are somewhat less expensive than a fully automatic transmission systems, allow manual clutch control for low speed operation, and/or do not require automatic selection of the operating gear ratio, they may be too expensive for certain applications as a relatively large number of sensors and automatically controllable actuators, such as a master clutch and/or a fuel throttle device actuator, are required to be provided, installed, and maintained. However, with modern electronic controls for heavy duty truck engines, the majority, if not all, of the sensors are already present for providing feedback relating to engine speed, vehicle speed, throttle position, etc. Thus, an implementation of a semi-automatic transmission or manual-automatic transmission can be achieved with minor modifications to the hardware, particularly those vehicles including an electronic engine controller. Such systems require relatively sophisticated algorithms to provide reliable operation particularly with respect to the upshift and downshift of the automatically controlled gear ratios of the manual-automatic transmission.
During an automatic shift attempt, the shift may be aborted, or otherwise not completed, due to a number of reasons such as a failed solenoid, failed sensors, failure to complete certain events within a specified time period, and the like, or by operator interaction such as by depressing the clutch. In such a case, it is desirable to engage, or attempt to engage, a gear so that the transmission is not left in a neutral state for an extended period of time. The control algorithm that forms a part of the present invention provides a highly reliable mechanism for commanding the safest and/or most likely to engage transmission gear after an aborted shift attempt.

Apparatus and method for commanding a gear after an aborted shift attempt in controlling a manual-automatic transmission


A method for fabricating a flexible display device is provided. The method comprises: attaching a first flexible substrate of the flexible display device onto a conductive adhesive layer, wherein the conductive adhesive layer is disposed on a conductive rigid substrate; fabricating other parts of the flexible display device on the first flexible substrate; aging the conductive adhesive layer; peeling off the flexible substrate from the conductive rigid substrate so as to obtain the flexible display device.

Flexible displays have many advantages such as impact-resistant, vibration-resistant, lightweight, compact in volume, portable and so on.
Currently, materials for flexible display are generally divided into three categories, that is, E-papers (or flexible electrophoretic display), flexible Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) and flexible liquid crystals.
A popular method conventionally used for fabricating a flexible display is an attach and remove method, in which a flexible substrate is attached onto a conductive rigid substrate via an adhesive layer, and the flexible substrate is peeled from the conductive rigid substrate after completing fabrication of the flexible display, thereby forming the flexible display. However, during operation, such a peeling method results in generation of electro-static charges which fail to be immediately discharged via the conductive rigid substrate, thus damaging the flexible display and decreasing the non-defective rate.

Method and device for fabricating flexible display device


An optics assembly for observing a panoramic scene. The optics assembly includes a plurality of optical elements. A first element redirects light from the panoramic scene. The optical power of the first element forms an imaginary pupil. The energy from the first element is redirected about 90 degrees, forming an annular path. A second element receives the redirected light and re-images the imaginary pupil to form a real pupil. This portion of the energy continues to be in an annular form. A third element includes an optical relay system having a group of reimaging optics. The third element receives light from the second element while relaying the real pupil into the reimaging optics. It also establishes the focal length of the optics assembly, corrects pupil aberrations produced at the real pupil, corrects field aberrations and produces an annular image on a flat focal plane. The optical relay system interfaces with the second element through the use of the real pupil. The real pupil is formed at the cold stop and filter location in the third element. This pupil is relayed back through the system to be coincident with the first real pupil. The optics assembly produces a small F-number at field angles near perpendicular to the output optical axis of the optics assembly over a panoramic scene.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to optical systems, and more, particularly, to optical systems for imaging panoramic scenes onto flat focal planes.
2. Description of the Related Art
Existing wide field sensors do not combine an efficient optical system providing a large numerical aperture, a panoramic format with azimuth capability to 360 degrees and elevation coverage both above and below the horizon, with a focal plane format capable of supporting a single square or rectangular focal plane. Fish eye lenses and their derivatives have grossly distorted pupils as the field angle increases. The larger field angles of the fish eye lenses can have a pupil providing less than ten percent of the pupil area of the central system. This yields significant distortion and reduction in sensitivity. The resultant systems providing similar performance are thus relatively large and costly.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,994,670, issued to M. Noble et al, describes a dither scanned, multiple aperture panoramic sensor.
Canadian Patent No. 878,162, issued to D. Rees, describes a panoramic viewing system using a television system.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,395,093, issued to G. Rosendahl et al., describes a pair of hyperbolic reflective surfaces, which are used to image onto a complex arrangement of refractive elements to perform color correction and field corrections.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,012,126, issued to G. Rosendahl et al., discloses a panoramic optical system with a pair of hyperbolic reflective surfaces, which are used to image onto a complex arrangement of refractive elements to perform color corrections and field corrections.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,203,328, issued to H. Brueggemann, discloses a device in which the optical path includes a hyperbolic surface followed by a spherical surface. The focal plane configuration necessitated by this optical path requires an annular focal plane. The energy traveling from the primary to the spherical secondary optics passes through the center of the focal plane. This prevents the concept from being used with conventional focal planes.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,781,559, issued to E. Cooper et al., discloses a procedure for scanning a field with various fields of view.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,283,653, issued to A. R. Tokarzewski, discloses an all refractive design with many complex annular lens shapes, including conical sections.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,638,033, issued to D. R. Buchele, describes a refractive concept in which light rays pass across the prime axis of the initial optics. The invention has an exit pupil. There is only one significant optically powered surface for producing the image.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,552,820, issued to H. Brachvogel, describes a refractive first element set, which then directs energy to a re-imaging group.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,797,867, issued to J. C. Karnes discloses panoramic or omniscope optics, which includes, as the first element, a convex/concave element. This approach has significant problems producing a resolved image and pupil. The implementation of a focal plane region is a dispersed toroidal section which does not support an economical focal plane arrangement.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,244,235, issued to W. A. Ayres, describes a reflective spherical first element. This approach results in unacceptable distortion. The higher angles of elevation are very foreshortened on the focal plane, while the lower angles of elevation are severely limited in azimuthal resolution.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,923,220 and 3,151,524, issued to A. Bouwers, disclose inventions having wide angle camera lenses.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,514,186, issued to E. F. Poncelet, has deficiencies that are similar to that of the W. A. Ayres (U.S. Pat. No. 2,244,235) invention. Poncelet's first element is a sphere with the image refracted through it. Ayres' first element, on the other hand, is a reflecting sphere.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,894,798, issued to J. Wolfe, discloses a scanning invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,998,532, issued to W. Dykes, discloses a projection device for use with film.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,763, issued to P. Greguss, discloses an imaging block similar to that of Buchele (U.S. Pat. No. 2,638,033).
U.S. Pat. No. 5,402,168, issued to J. Fouilloy, discloses a camera concept which entails an optomechanical projector and scanning system.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,977,793, issued to P. Trotta, ,discloses a scanning radiation energy receiver.
Japanese Patent No. 63-172209, issued to Y. Tamagawa, describes a procedure for limiting the off axis radiation to an infra red detector.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,372, issued to M. Curnee, discloses a detector cold shield.

Optics assembly for observing a panoramic scene


A pair of swimming goggles comprises a first and a second single-eye modules, each of which includes a lens frame that has lens units mounted thereon, a module nose bridge which is mounted on the side of the lens frame, a module strap which is mounted on opposition the module nose bridge, wherein the module nose bridge include at least a first connection set which is disposed on the lens frame, the first connection set have a first position portion and a nose body which can be connected to the first position portion. The module strap including a matching mean which is mounted on the lens frame, a join mean which can be engaged to the matching mean, a strap element which is assembled on the join mean, and a fastener having a first and a second jacket set which are mounted on the free end of the strap element, such that the user can chose the dual single-eye module which are respectively conformity with own each eye""s diopter and can be easily assembled into a pair of swimming goggles when in use.

The present invention relates to a swimming goggles, more particularly to a swimming goggles which has a first single-eye module and a second single-eye module and can be capable of dual assembly.
Conventionally, there are two lens frames in a pair of swimming goggles and each of the lens frame has a lens unit which is no diopter. Nowadays, there is a diopter of a lens unit in a pair of swimming goggles that is a myopic swimming goggles, but the myopic swimming goggles can not conformity with customer due to each of the lens unit of the swimming goggles is the same diopter, but some user""s eyes has different diopter, thereby causing some user need to buy a new single-eye lens frame to replace the unconformity one. However, it is difficult to the user that the single-eye lens frame was not easy to disassembly or assembly when the user replace it because a strap of a swimming goggles should be respectively passed through each of a lens frame and a fastener with a certain direction, lead to the user can not understand how to do and do not feel convenience. Moreover, it is wasteful that the single-eye lens frame can not continue to be used after it was replaced.
The object of the present invention is to provide a swimming goggles that can overcome the drawback of the aforementioned prior art.
The main object of the present invention is to provide a swimming goggles which has a first single-eye module and a second single-eye modules for facility dual assembly and provide user to choose what he or she want for match with own eye""s dioter when the user buy a pair of swimming goggles.
To achieve the above objects, the present invention is characteristic in that a swimming goggles has a first single-eye module and a second single-eye modules for dual assembly, wherein each of the first and second single-eye module includes a lens frame that has a lens units mounted thereon, a module nose bridge mounted on the side of the lens frame, a module strap mounted on the lens frame opposite the module nose bridge, the module nose bridge includes at least a first connection assembly disposed on the edge of the lens frame, the first connection assembly has a first position portion and a nose body connectable thereto. The module strap includes a matching means mounted on the lens frame, a join means engaged to the matching means, a strap element assembled on the join means, and a fastener mounted on the free end of the strap.
Another features of the present invention is further to provide a second connection assembly having a second position portion disposed on the lens frame opposite the first connection assembly.
According to the above features of the present invention, the first position portion is two through holes or two clasp holes. The second first position portion is two clasp holes.
Further, according to the above features of the present invention, the nose body is a flexible strap which could be short or long, once the flexible strap is short, the lens frame just has a first connection assembly with two clasp holes on the inner side thereof, and the short flexible strap is clipped by either of the two clasp holes. Otherwise, the flexible strap is long, the lens frame has both a first connection assembly with two through holes and a second connection assembly with two clasp holes on both side thereof, such that the flexible strap passed through by either of the two through holes and clipped by either of the two clasp holes.
According to the above features of the present invention, the matching means includes two grooves in spaced relationship mounted on the lens frame, a post mounted between the two grooves and extending away from the lens frame remote from the lens unit, and the post has a hook which is bent toward the lens unit. The join means is an arch board which have protrusions positionable adjacent the two grooves of the matching means, a pass through portion positionable adjacent the post of the matching means having a recess, an opening and a stopper located on the end edge of the recess and positionable adjacent the hook of the post.
Moreover, the present invention is further featured in that the fastener includes a first jacket assembly and a second jacket assembly, wherein each of the first and second jacket assembly includes:
a pass through portion for receiving the strap element having a socket and a pole mounted within the socket to separate the socket into two passing spaces;
a first receiving portion being an elongated slot disposed on the end of the first jacket assembly, said elongated slot being open at a first end and closed at a second end; and
a second receiving portion being a bar disposed on the end of the second jacket assembly whereby the bar is co-operable with the elongated slot such that the first and second single eye module are capable of dual assembly.


A bearing assembly comprising a roller mechanism and a cage member. The roller mechanism includes a plurality of roller members and a plurality of frangible connector links for initially connecting each roller member to an adjacent roller member. The roller members and the connector links are integrally molded together. The cage member includes a circular flange and a plurality of spacer pegs extending perpendicular from the flange in a circular configuration. The pegs are spaced apart from one another and each peg includes a tip having a hollow chamber adapted to receive and store a connector link. The pegs are adapted to be inserted between adjacent roller members during assembly such that when the cage member and the roller mechanism are pressed together, the pegs will sever the connector links from the roller members and will retain the severed connector links in the chambers of the peg tips. The severed roller members are then free to independently rotate within the cage member.

The present invention is directed to a bearing assembly having a plurality of roller members and a cage member, and in particular to a bearing assembly wherein the roller members are initially integrally connected to one another and held in place in a particular orientation and are subsequently disconnected by the cage member during assembly. Bearing assemblies have traditionally included a cage and a plurality of independent roller members. Each roller member was assembled in the cage one at a time and then the completed bearing assembly was installed. This assembly procedure requires a large amount of time. It is also difficult to retain the assembled bearing members in the cage and in the proper alignment as the remaining bearing members are assembled and as the completed bearing assembly is installed for use.


A display substrate, display device and manufacturing method the same are provided. The display device includes an ordered porous thin film; a plurality of sub-pixel regions arranged in a matrix, a plurality of pore passages being disposed in each sub-pixel region, each pore passage having an opening on the surface of the ordered porous thin film; a plurality of quantum dots respectively arranged in at least part of the plurality of pore passages; and a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer respectively arranged on two sides of the ordered porous thin film, the second electrode layer including a plurality of sub-electrodes spaced apart from each other and respectively corresponding to the plurality of sub-pixel regions. The display substrate, display device and their manufacturing method have relatively high color gamut and quantum dots light-emitting efficiency.

A liquid crystal display generally forms different colors of light by a light mixing effect after utilizing a color filter layer included in the liquid crystal display to filter white light for example emitted by a backlight module so as to implement color display. The material of the color filter layer includes dye small molecules and can adsorb a part of light emitted by the backlight module, and thus, light-emitting efficiency of the color filter layer is limited; moreover, the backlight module generally uses a Light-Emitting Diode (LED) as a light source, a half peak width of the light emitted by the LED is relatively large and a color of light formed by interaction of the light emitted by the LED and the material of the color filter layer is impure.
A quantum dot, as a novel semiconductor nanomaterial, has various unique nano properties. Particularly, the quantum dot is uniform in particle size and high in light-emitting efficiency, and it can emit red light, green light or blue light and the like with a relatively narrow half peak width after being excited by light or electricity, and can greatly promote a color gamut of display, and thus, the quantum dot is widely applied to implementation of wide color gamut display.

Display substrate, display device and manufacturing method the same

HEFEI XINSHENG OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


A new surfboard and method for making a surfboard out of wood so that it will be lighter and stronger than any heretofore produced. It is a method of construction using sheets or panels of wood, separators or spacer blocks between those sheets, which could be of light wood or plastic foam and finally rail or edge pieces also of light wood, balsa, that are subsequently glued to the aforementioned core of sheets and separators.

The idea of building chambers into wooden surfboards is by no means original with the inventor as such craft have been built since at least 1925. Even a recent design that has been brought out using plywood sheets has come to the attention of the inventor. This recent design is conceptually no different than the age old "paddle board" design that consisted of two bi-dimensionally curved edged or rail pieces flexed and held in place at either end by solid blocks and also by spacers along their length. Then plywood skins were affixed to the top and bottom of this skeleton and the whole thing was then painted and launched. It should be noted that this apparatus never gained wide popularity as a surf riding vehicle because of its fragility, weight, and lack of versatility in refinements of shape; or more specifically the edges or rails must always be nearly square and very little curvature (as seen edgewise) can be built into it.
Now the benefits of this new system are that it is possible to use balsa instead of other heavier materials while retaining even more strength than the standard polyurethane core-fiberglass reinforced system so popular today. And this balsa construction is so light that it can be fibreglass reinforced just as the common solid polyurethane foam product and actually weigh less.
The third major advancement my system boasts is a complete freedom in the shape of the completed product. As surfboards are hand made and custom built, the precise wishes of the client are to be catered to. My system allows this.

Surfboard and method of constructing same


A monitoring system for a blowout preventer (BOP) includes an ultrasonic transceiver configured to be coupled to a body that supports a movable component of the BOP. The system also includes a reflector configured to be positioned within a channel formed in the body. The ultrasonic transceiver is configured to emit an acoustic wave and the reflector is configured to reflect the acoustic wave to facilitate transmission of the acoustic wave from the ultrasonic transceiver to the movable component of the BOP and to facilitate transmission of a reflected acoustic wave from the movable component to the ultrasonic transceiver to enable the ultrasonic transceiver to generate a first signal indicative of a position of the movable component. The system further includes a controller configured to receive the first signal from the ultrasonic transceiver and to determine the position of the movable component based on the first signal.

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present invention, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.
A blowout preventer (BOP) stack is installed on a wellhead to seal and control an oil and gas well during drilling operations. A drill string may be suspended inside a drilling riser from a rig through the BOP stack into the well bore. During drilling operations, a drilling fluid is delivered through the drill string and returned up through an annulus between the drill string and a casing that lines the well bore. In the event of a rapid invasion of formation fluid in the annulus, commonly known as a "kick," a movable component within the BOP stack may be actuated to seal the annulus and to control fluid pressure in the wellbore, thereby protecting well equipment disposed above the BOP stack. It would be desirable to monitor a position of the movable component within the BOP stack.

Blowout preventer monitoring systems and methods