A large area video camera is suitable for high energy imaging applications. The sensor-target of the camera tube is composed of TlBr, TlI, PbI.sub.2, or PbBr.sub.2 or a two layer structure comprising CsI and a photoconductive layer of materials such as amorphous silicon, amorphous selenium, cadmium sulphide, antimony trisulfide or antimony sulphide oxysulphide. A disclosed tube incorporates various modifications for dealing with problems associated with stray capacitance, premature electron leakage and secondary electron emission.

This invention relates generally to scanning image tubes employed in video cameras. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices which have a photoconductive sensor-target with a relatively large area and capacity suitable for applications such as X-ray imaging.
Video camera tubes to which the present invention relates employ a low velocity electron beam (LV beam) and a very high resistivity photoconductive sensor-target. As used in this application, low velocity electron beams generally refer to electron beams which strike the sensor-targets with sufficiently low velocities that secondary emissions are not produced.
The photoconductive type sensor-target employed in video camera tubes has two functions. First, the sensor detects irradiating photons. Second, the target functions to hold electrons deposited on its inner target surface by the electron beam as the LV beam scans out a raster. In low velocity no gain tubes to which the invention relates, an electron beam scans the inside surface of the sensor-target in a raster scanning fashion. The electrons strike the sensor-target surface with low energy and the electrons are uniformly deposited across the surface of the sensor-target to drive the potential across the surface to approximately the potential of the electron gun cathode which is conventionally, but not necessarily, at ground. Modification of the charge on the sensor-target resulting from projection of a optical image onto the input sensor surface of the image tube generates a time varying video signal as the LV beam scans through the raster. The image is obtained on a successive pixel basis as electrons lost at the target surface through image formation are replaced by the scanning electron beam.
The sensor function of the sensor-target is accomplished by an insulating, photoconductive material responsive to the incident radiation to be imaged which has a resistivity on the order of 10.sup.12 ohms per centimeter. The high resistivity is required in order to maintain sufficient electron charge storage and electron immobility on the inner scanner surface of the sensor-target during the raster scanning. On exposure of the sensor-target to incident radiation from an image of an object or specimen, such as, for example, a chest X-ray, a resulting charge flow through the sensor-target medium results in electrons being lost from the scan surface. The changing radiation intensity which comprises the incident image results in a proportional electron loss on the target surface. The electronic image is thus read out by the scanning electron beam.
Various photoconductive targets suitable for use in conjunction with low velocity electron beams have been identified. Miller in Proc. Phys. Soc., Vol 50, 374 (1938) disclosed photoconductive targets which employed selenium, zinc sulphide, cadmium sulphide, thallium sulphide, antimony sulphide, zinc selenide, cadmium selenide and zinc telluride. H. G. Lubszynski U.S. Pat. No. 2,555,091, P. Weimer U.S. Pat. No. 2,654,853, P. Weimer U.S. Pat. No. 2,687,484 and R. Goodrich U.S. Pat. No. 2,654,852 disclose devices which employ a photoconductive sensor-target tube. The noted Weimer and Goodrich patents disclose devices which employ a uniform layer of antimony trisulphide as the sensor-target material in a device known as the Vidicon.TM. tube. L. Heijne U.S. Pat. No. 2,890,359 discloses a tube which employs a lead oxide sensor-target and which became a prominent television tube marketed under the Plumbicon.TM. mark. The tube disclosed in the Heijne patent incorporates a p-i-n junction which exhibits less lag than the previous conventional tubes.
There have been a number of systems advanced which employ video tubes in connection with X-ray imaging. Mackay U.S. Pat. No. 4,852,137 discloses a method and an apparatus wherein X-rays and high energy photons are transmitted through a specimen and visible light emitted by the secondary source is detected by a cooled slow readout CCD. While there have been successful small diameter tubes, e.g., on the order of a few inches in diameter, attempts to transform small diameter tube technology to large diameter tube configurations have encountered significant technical problems, including difficulties in employing sensor-target layer compositions such as lead oxide on a large diameter scale, unacceptable stray capacitance and associated unacceptable noise characteristics. Partial solutions to some of the technical problems have been advanced in the conventional small diameter tube context. Van de Polder et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,059,840 discloses the use of a signal electrode comprised of vertical, multiple strips to deal with the problem of stray capacitance in television tubes. Heretofore scaling conventional small diameter tubes to large diameter tube configurations which are more suitable for high energy imaging, such as X-ray and gamma ray imaging, has presented formidable technical obstacles. In summary, large area ionizing radiation sensitive LV-type tubes have not found widespread success due to an absence of a suitable electronics designs and an absence of suitable sensor-target materials.
A number of earlier video tube designs were disclosed by the co-inventor of the present invention in Nudelman U.S. Pat. No. 4,794,635. The latter patent discloses a number of devices and features directed to overcome the deleterious effects of high capacitance in large area raster scanner imaging tubes employed in video cameras. The use of CsI as one component of a sensor-target is also disclosed. Among the novel features disclosed in the patent are the use of a plurality of selectively oriented signal electrode strips and a multiple layer, solid state structure which provides a displaced electron layer sensor-target (DELST) for imaging with and without photoconductive gain and with and without intensifier gain. In the DELST structure, various features are selected and combined to provide a scanner suitable for various applications and which satisfy various specifications such as speed, spatial resolution, dynamic gain, and sensor-target characteristics as well as cost.
Conventional LV-type tubes which are scaled to larger areas exhibit excessive lag due to the the high beam resistance and the large charge storage capacity. Excessive storage capacity ordinarily result from increasing the size of the target, increasing the dielectric constant of the sensor-target medium and/or decreasing the thickness of the sensor-target medium.
As an additional design consideration, a high DQE which approaches 100% is a desired feature for an optimal scanner tube. A DQE of 100% represents a sensor having quantum efficiency wherein the output noise is only limited by the photon noise at the input where the image is initially projected. In practice, photon noise should dominate all other electronic sources of noise, and the modulation transfer function (MTF) of the tube and its dynamic range must match the imaging requirements for an application.
The large area imaging required in diagnostic radiology, nuclear medicine, non-destructive testing and other technologies can be successfully accomplished by a detailed reconsideration of the underlying rationales for the materials, structures and functions of conventional video tube designs. For such large area applications, real time imaging may not be required. Moreover, the spatial resolution requirements are not as demanding as the requirements for conventional television camera tubes. These relaxed constraints are important in connection with successfully overcoming the very significant capacitance problems associated with large area video tubes.

X-ray and gamma ray electron beam imaging tube having a sensor-target layer composed of a lead mixture


An electrically heated nozzle for use in injection molding is positionable between an injection apparatus and a die in an injection molding operation. The disclosed nozzle is formed in three sections an end cap integrally formed with a sleeve, a housing surrounding the sleeve, and a nozzle tip also surrounding the sleeve forwardly of the housing. A coil of electrical resistance heating wire is wrapped around the sleeve inside the housing. A control box is provided for varying the current flow to the coil heater wire.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrically heated nozzle assembly for use in a metal die casting process.
2. Prior Art
In the die casting of metals, it has been known in the art to place a nozzle between a die and an apparatus for injecting molten metal into the die. The use of such a nozzle is discussed briefly in Chapter 3 of Pressure Die Casting Part One by B. Upton, published in 1982 by Pergamon Press Limited. However, prior art die casting nozzles lacked the ability to achieve a consistent temperature throughout the nozzle, and sometimes the molten metal would begin to solidify within such a prior art nozzle, thus restricting flow.
The prior art die-casting nozzles were usually heated externally with a blow torch, which caused hot spots within the nozzle, and which created external environmental problems such as creating a fire hazard and heating up the work area to the extent that it became uncomfortable for the machine operator.
One effort has been made by DME to market an electrically heated nozzle for use in die-casting, but the previous electric nozzle design, which involved using a ceramic band heater externally of the nozzle, has been withdrawn from the market.
It would be advantageous to precisely control the temperature within a die-casting nozzle to an optimal temperature as an aid to process control. Simplicity of design and servicing are also highly beneficial in industrial equipment.
A brief discussion of some patents for heated nozzles and other fluid heaters in technologies other than die casting follows.
Krohn et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,835,924, discloses a high pressure heater for paint including a cylindrical core having a continuous spiral groove in a surface of the cylinder. An electric heating element is axially centrally disposed in the core and paint flows through the spiral groove to be heated by the heating element.
Osuna-Diaz, U.S. Pat. No. 4,196,855, discloses a machine nozzle attached to the barrel of an injection molding machine for use in plastic injection molding. The nozzle includes a body having a central passage therein, the body surrounded by a coiled electric heater extending substantially the full length thereof. A cover surrounds the heater, and a removable retainer is attached to the end of the body.
Lehrke, U.S. Pat. No. 4,501,952, discloses a fluid heater, particularly for heating paint, lacquers, finishes and other spray coating material. The heater of Lehrke includes an elongated hollow tube adapted to be inserted into a fluid flow line for fluid flow through the tube. An electric resistance heater is axially centrally disposed within the tube, the heater being surrounded by a helical coil-shaped passage which creates a helical flow path through the tube around the heater.
Although the prior art provides a variety of heated tubes for various uses, a need still exists in the metal die casting industry for a heated nozzle which is designed and constructed specifically for metal die casting, and for a heated nozzle assembly including a control mechanism for controlling the nozzle to a desired temperature to control process variability.

Electrically heated nozzle for die casting


A method, apparatus and method of making acupoint patches is disclosed. The acupoint patch of the present invention uses natural herbs as raw materials. It is made by combining traditional Chinese acupuncture therapy and contemporary transdermal controlled release technologies. The acupoint patch of the present invention is made with natural herb extracts using contemporary transdermal absorption technologies based on the characteristics of different acupoints. They can stay on the skin for 6-8 hours, during which period natural herb essence enters blood circulation and performs a sustainable regulating function. This is a feature unrivaled by traditional acupuncture.

For a long time, herbal medicine and herbal treatment in China have enjoyed seemingly mythical healing powers. As early as over three thousand years ago, BIAN Que and HUA Tuo, both prestigious doctors of Chinese medicine, have applied the fundamental principles of "stimulating blood circulation for relaxing muscles and joints" to stimulating acupoints on a patient's body for relaxing and easing purposes.
As will be described in the present application, the essences of natural herbs are extracted to make therapeutic patches of the present invention, based on the principles of Chinese medicine and acupuncture. When applied to acupoints around the eyes, the patches of the present invention can achieve an effect similar to, and yet better than, that of acupuncture. The patches of the present invention can relax muscles, nerves and blood vessels around the eyes through painless and easy application. The also help alleviate eye fatigue and give the patient a better vision.
Acupoints
Acupuncture, with a history dating all the way back to several thousand years in China, is now widely recognized in western medical filed. During recent years, scientists have done researches as well as anatomic, histochemical, and algesia physiologic experiments based on contemporary medical knowledge while continuing the development of acupuncture. Phenomena and the nature of the main and collateral channels have been studied from different perspectives. Issues such as the connection between acupuncture points and feelings, as well as that of acupuncture points and body organs have been researched to promote the benefits of combining acupuncture and contemporary medical science. As such, acupuncture has been a focus of international medical field. It is known to all that acupuncture cures diseases by stimulating specific locations, namely acupoints, of the body. Why is acupuncture applied to acupoints, instead of other parts of the body? A brief introduction is as follows.
The nature of acupoint energy substance is a cytology and biochemistry issue. Recent researches indicate that main and collateral acupoints are points consisting of cells containing a relatively large amount of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Adenosine is the factory that generates power for the cells. It contains abundant ATP synthetic enzyme and is capable of producing a large amount of ATP energy. During experiments, tissue cells taken from such acupoints such as Zusanli, Hegu and Quchi, as well as from non-acupoint locations were dyed and observed under microscope. Comparison indicated that the adenosine inside these cells increased and showed no deformity. Therefore, we can draw the conclusion that an increasing amount of good quality adenosine can produce a large amount of ATP energy and enhance the functions of different organs and fluid mobility. When acupoints are stimulated with needles, or other objects such as medicated patches, this system will produce a large amount of good quality energy to provide for and to carry different necessary substances and nutrients.
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded, in 1997, to two scholars for their elucidation of the enzymatic mechanism underlying the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP). One of the researchers who studied cell passage ions had verified the mechanism of acupuncture. In addition to a large amount of good quality adenosines, low cell electrical resistance and high current magnitude, channel and acupoint cells are also featured with good membrane permeability, more intercellular passages, good cell viability and complete ATP synthetic enzyme.
Recent studies of channel and acupoint functions have provided additional inspirations. Researches have indicated that the concentrations of calcium ions (Ca++) at channels and acupoints are higher than non-channel or acupoint locations. It has been found through experiments that stimulating a certain channel with needles resulted in increase of calcium ion concentrations at other acupoints on this channel. When any pathological change exists in a certain organ, the calcium concentrations at surrounding acupoints experienced abnormal changes, which proved that calcium ion was a key indicator of channel movements. In addition, Xiao-Song G U, et al., have recently found that electronic microscope observation of the differential protein of sensory nerve indicated that 29 KD protein was only found in the cyton and process of level I sensory neurons. Stimulating acupoints resulted in the secretion of active substances and enhanced the bridging function of 29 KD protein. The amount of information passing through the channels increased, resulting in strong interactive stress and achieving internal balance. 29 KD protein transmits more than just biological electrical signals. It can also transmit a variety of ion substances or small molecule substance. This kind of transmission is completed through continuous transmission by 29 KD protein. This is the mechanism underlying the effect of stimulating channels and acupoints.
Disadvantages of Acupuncture
Acupuncture has a history of over three thousand years in China. Over three thousand years ago, Chinese doctors started to cure different diseases with acupuncture. Recently, acupuncture has been widely used to treat eye diseases and ailments. The mechanism of alleviating and curing eye diseases involves regulating the channels and the vegetative nervous system. Then observation is on the artery peripheral plexus and the capillary artery front plexus formed by adrenalinergic nerves and cholinergic nerves around the small blood vessels distributed at certain acupoints with fluorescence organ chemical method. Experimental morphology proved that they were all fibers of sympathetic ganglions with the functions of controlling peripheral circulation resistance and local blood circulation. Using histological method, it was also observed that the cholesterase small nerve tracts consisting of the primitive marrow fiber inside the axiom nerve branches penetrated to deep underneath the acupoints, and extended to close to the capillary artery along to the small artery and vein before forming free ends. They then joined the capillary wall nerves and the vegetative nerves. Therefore, sympathetic nerves are considered an important part of the channels.
Acupuncture cures eye diseases by stimulating acupoints around the eyes and adjusting functions of the vegetative nerves. Microcirculation is promoted, and so is oxygen and nutrients transmission around the eye acupoints. Microcirculation stasis is alleviated, and the ancillary muscles around the eyes are regulated and relaxed. This results in complete regulation and adjustment of the eyes. In the meantime, it also helps reduce tension of cerebral cortex and thus achieves relaxation, as well improves sleep and memory.
Acupuncture has represented an essential part of traditional Chinese medicine. Its healing powers and effects have been widely recognized. We all know that in acupuncture, needles are used to stimulate acupoints for promoting blood circulation and relaxing nerves and muscles. Therefore, many ailments, discomforts or sicknesses can be cured with acupuncture therapy. Many people have become aware that acupuncture has an advantage in relieving pains and regulating immunity that is not matched by western medicines. However, acupuncture has its disadvantages too. First, although they are aware of the benefits of acupuncture, many people refuse to accept it as a therapy because of their phobia of pain, namely from the needles. Unable to overcome the fear of needles, they have no choice but to avoid acupuncture altogether. To these people, acupuncture is good, but it would only be perfect if it would not cause any pain. Second, recent reports have pointed out that acupuncture is only capable of relaxing local areas and the effects are temporary too. Why? In acupuncture, the needles stay for 20-30 minutes. In about two hours after treatment is finished, the effect of acupuncture starts to diminish. One cannot work or sleep while carrying needles on the body. How to extend the effect of acupuncture has become a new research subject. As will be described in the following, the present invention by inventor Liqin SUN can replace needles. While reducing the pain resulted from treatment, it also expands the scope of treatment. It is essentially "acupuncture without needles."


Embodiments of the invention provide devices and methods for measuring fluid volume. Devices according to some embodiments include a chamber, having a pair of gears rotatably mounted therewithin. Fluid flow through the chamber causes rotation of the gears, such that each rotation and/or partial rotation results in a known volume of the fluid passing through the chamber. An optical sensor positioned outside of the chamber, can view the rotating gears through a substantially transparent chamber wall. The optical sensor can view an optical characteristic of one or both of the gears, and based upon this data, fluid volume, flow rate, and/or flow direction can be determined. Devices and methods disclosed herein can provide for improved precision in fluid flow meter measurement. In addition, the devices and methods used herein can be more durable and easier to fabricate than previously known positive displacement flow meters.

Positive displacement fluid measurement systems can be used to measure a fluid flow rate or volume. For example, dispensing systems can use feedback from a positive displacement fluid meter to control the volume of fluid dispensed. Such control systems can be used in lieu of time-on controls to more accurately dispense precise amounts of fluid.
One type of positive displacement fluid measurement system is a gear flow meter, e.g. an oval gear or lobe meter. A traditional oval gear meter provides a pair of oval gears positioned within an oval gear chamber such that the gears rotate in concert. A lobe meter, provides a pair of lobe elements within a chamber which interlock and rotate about respective axes. In each case, fluid enters the chamber through a fluid inlet and causes the gears to rotate, allowing fluid to pass around the gears to a fluid outlet within precisely measured pockets. In an oval gear meter, the pockets are defined between the rotating oval gears and the inner chamber wall. In a lobe meter, spaces between the lobes of provide the pockets. Ideally, in each case, none of the fluid being metered passes directly between the gears themselves, so that the volume of fluid exiting the chamber during each rotation is known. Thus the volume of fluid flow through a gear meter can be measured by measuring the number of rotations of the gears. Likewise flow rate can be determined from the speed with which the gears rotate.
For measuring the gear rotation, gear meters frequently include additional gears. For example, an oval gear meters can include timing gear systems located external of the chamber to translate the number of rotations of the oval gears into an appropriate signal. Oval gear and other positive displacement flow meters utilizing timing gear systems have the disadvantage that the cover of the gear chamber must include one or more shaft apertures for the shafts coupling the gears to the external timing gears. Fluid leakage can occur through these shaft apertures which can decrease precision of the measurement and waste fluid product.
Commonly owned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0202255 A1 describes an oval gear meter incorporating a magnetic sensor for measuring the rotation of the oval gears with reference to a permanent magnet installed within at least one of the oval gears. Such a system addresses the issue of openings or apertures within the oval gear chamber by providing a magnetic detection of rotation through a substantially sealed chamber. However, it is often the case that the magnets must be sealed from the fluid, for example, when the meter is used with aggressive liquids. Complicated mechanics are required to seal the magnets within the gears which render such gears expensive and difficult to implement on a small scale.
Moreover, as the meter resolution is increased, the strength, size, and use of magnetic gear meters become limited. For very small meter resolutions (e.g. less than 0.5 ml), the use of magnetic gear meters can be precluded due to magnetic field interference, magnet size, and sensor location.


An improved self-developing film unit comprising: a processing fluid supply including a rupturable reservoir of processing fluid; an image recording assembly of the self-developing type including first and second overlying layers one of which is exposable to form a latent photographic image, and a spacer connected to and between the first and second layers for providing a processing space therebetween for allowing processing fluid to pass therethrough; a fluid trap at a trailing end portion of the film unit for collecting excess processing fluid traveling through the processing space; a first fluid-tight coupling device including a fluid passage for fluidically coupling the reservoir to a leading end of the processing space for allowing processing fluid from a ruptured reservoir to be introduced into the processing space and initiate processing of the latent image; and, second fluid-tight coupling device including a fluid passage for fluidically coupling a trailing end of the processing space with the trap for allowing processing fluid to enter into the trap; the image recording assembly comprises a photosensitive layer, an image receiving layer in overlying and coextensive relationship to the photosensitive layer; the image receiving layer and the photosensitive layer being of the integral diffusion transfer type; and, the spacer comprises a pair of spaced apart and generally parallel elongated rails coextensive with and adjacent opposed marginal edges of the layers.

The present invention relates generally to photographic film assemblages and manufacturing processes, and, in particular, to photographic film assemblages of the self-developing type and methods of making.
Heretofore, a wide variety of film assemblages of the instant developing type as well as attendant methods of manufacturing thereof have been proposed. Despite the significant variety of such assemblages and methods of manufacture, efforts have been undertaken to provide for even more simplified film assemblages of the self-developing type so that they can be inexpensively and reliably made; thereby resulting in overall low-cost film assemblages. It will be also be appreciated that even savings of a few cents in the manufacture individual film frames can be quite considerable given the extremely high volumes of film which are typically commercially produced.

Photographic film assemblages and methods of making


An industrial vibrator for imparting vibrations which cause the flow of bulk particulate matter. The industrial vibrator is comprised of a housing and a reciprocating piston vertically movable within the cylinder bore of the housing. The piston is driven by compressed air causing the piston to rapidly and repeatedly strike a striking plate formed by the bottom of the housing thereby imparting vibrations to a hopper or bin to initiate and maintain movement of bulk particulate material. The striking end of the piston has a threaded bore for receiving a reciprocally threaded extension of an elastomeric tip so that the elastomeric tip is fixedly attached to the piston. The elastomeric tip reduces the decibel noise level caused by the piston's repeated impacts on the striking plate to levels acceptable under industrial safety and comfort standards. The durometer rating of the elastomeric tip is between 65 and 75 to withstand the frictional heat and disintegration resulting from repeated impacts against the metal striking plate.

Industrial vibrators are utilized to enhance fluid flow of matter not prone to act like a fluid, i.e. solid matter in small particulate form such as sand, grains or any variety of small pellets stored in bulk. Often these items are kept in large containers such as hoppers or large bins where settling often causes the bulk density of the particulate matter to increase during storage, making fluid flow difficult. Vibration to the outer surface of the container by an industrial vibrator reduces the solid matter bulk density and enables fluid-like flow. Industrial vibrators are used to improve fluid flow of the particles just prior to transferring the matter by vibrating the container, or during solid matter transfer by vibrating the outer surface of a transfer line.
Two types of pneumatic industrial vibrators are commonly used to cause the vibratory action; an impact vibrator that produces vibration by a piston impacting a striking plate and an air cushion vibrator which uses a cushion of air to separate the piston from the striking plate. When impact pneumatic vibrators are used, the action of a steel piston impacting a metal striking plate can produce noise levels that violate safety and comfort levels. Noise can contribute to worker's physical ailments such as hearing impairments, headaches, fatigue and high blood pressure. Noise levels are reduced with air cushion vibrators but so is the vibratory force. Air cushion industrial vibrators often lack the force to impart vibrations required to unwedge tightly packed particles. To overcome the problem of unacceptable noise levels in impact vibrators, elastomer has been used to muffle noise. Until the present invention, however, the type of elastomer used and the method of attachment often caused disintegration of the elastomer as a result of the heat-friction from impacts occurring at the rate of up to 1500 to 5000 vibrations per minute.
McKee, U.S. Pat. No. 4,129,388 discloses a reciprocating pneumatic piston vibrator having an elastomer that prevents the piston end from directly striking the impact end of the piston chamber. McKee '388 discloses that the resilient elastomer material is adapted to be mounted between the base closed end of the cylinder and the piston end for the purpose of absorbing the noise of impact. The elastomer material may be on either impact surface, attached to the piston or the piston cylinder end. McKee '388 also discloses a piston wholly constructed of elastomer.
Blower, U.S. Pat. No. 3,917,233 discloses a pneumatic vibrator for foundry molding machines having a cylindrical striker insert fitted within a recess of an end cap. The striker insert is made of material having very low sound transmitting characteristics such as urethane, rubber or similar materials. It further discloses a striker insert made of urethane rubber having a durometer hardness around 80 to 100. This striker insert is squeezed into the recess of the end cap and may be secured in the recess by mechanical fastener means or adhesive.
Fewel, U.S. Pat. No. 4,288,165 discloses a vibratory actuator used in vibrator machines. The vibratory actuator combines the functions of a hydrodynamic journal bearing and an eccentrically weighted shaft into a single assembly. In one embodiment of this invention, the base and frame of the machine include a base supporting a frame interconnected by springs. The springs may be coil springs or elastomeric springs.
References providing general background interest consist of Lash, U.S. Pat. No. 3,731,907 which discloses a vibrator system with a sleeve member containing a tapered bore for positioning upon another tapered bore affixed to the surface that is to be vibrated, thus eliminating mounting bolts. Blakeslee et.al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,363,806 discloses a vibrator for bins or receptacles which employs a hydraulic actuating means. Blakeslee et.al. '806 also discloses a timing means for actuating the vibrator at timed intervals. Lash, U.S. Pat. No. Des. 189,793 discloses a design for a storage hopper. Konyak et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,067,549 disclose a ceramic rapper rod assembly for electrostatic precipitators for use in high temperature environments. Kita et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,083,415 disclose an impact bit for down hole operations comprising a body adapted for being chucked into an impact motor.
Prior to the present invention, the longevity of elastomers used with elastomeric-tipped pistons was limited. The elastomer often disintegrated as a result of the stress and frictional heat caused by a reciprocal steel piston impacting a metal striking plate at a rate of 1500 to 5000 times per minute. The method of attachment of the elastomer to the striking end of the piston also contributed to limited longevity of the elastomer. The known methods of attachment were not be able to withstand the stresses of rapidly repeated impacts and thereby required frequent replacements.
What is desired is a rubber or elastomer tip on the striking bottom of the piston within an industrial vibrator that reduces noise levels to acceptable decibels. It is also desired to have an elastomer with a durometer rating that enables it to withstand frictional heat and wear of 1500 to 5000 impacts per minute. Also necessary is a method of attachment of the elastomer to the piston that will not loosen upon repeated impacts.


A network monitoring and management system (10) is provided for use in conjunction with a computer network array (12) including a plurality of identifiable branch arrays known as LANS (14). The system (10) includes a sampling assembly (38) including a plurality of probe computers (42) situated along selected ones of the LANS (14) for "capturing" data packets (22) and building probe objects (52) corresponding thereto. The system (10) further includes an analysis assembly (40) including a database computer (98) for receiving a plurality of probe objects (52) and manipulating them with a database builder routine (96) into database objects (100), which are stored in a database (99). The database (99) is then subject to analysis routines in a database management system (138) which extract and display information relating to the operational parameters of the computer network array (12), including a network map (144), a plurality of conversation path maps (150) and performance specifications. The overall system (10) is utilized by network managers to analyze, optimize and "tune" the network application performance.

The interconnection of computers into large operational groups, simulating semi-independent but concerted action of human groups, is becoming increasingly prevalent, and increasingly important. With the introduction of powerful small computers, it has become recognized that decentralized computing is more efficient and cost effective than older centralized (mainframe) computing methods. Furthermore, a growing number of uses for computers appears to be the trend for the present and the future, with many of these uses requiring or involving communication and interaction between computers, both in localized areas and in remote locations. The method which is generally recognized today as being most efficient is to interconnect various independent computing units and peripherals (of any of a huge number of types and functions) into operational groupings known as "networks. Networks come in wide varieties, as well, being defined by the bus type (e.g. Ethernet, Token Ring, etc.) or by the extent of the configuration e.g. local area, enterprise, metropolitan and global networks!. All of these require management and optimization to best serve the needs of the user.
Only a short while ago even the most complex existing computer networks were small enough to be fairly easily managed. A typical Local Area Network ("LAN") was situated in a single building or office and contained a relatively small number of workstations, with a single server controlling everything. A person, known as a "network manager", would be fully familiar with all of the components and programming and would be able to recognize situations and problems very efficiently, based on this familiarity. However, even though LANs remain common, today's computer networks are often so expansive and varied that a network manager has difficulty even keeping track of all of the devices connected to the network, let alone determining an optimal configuration for such a network. Increasingly, networks are connected to other networks to form expansive and complex computer interconnection schemes, sometimes having even a worldwide scope. In such complex networks, changes, due to failed or added equipment, new users, or changing applications as a few examples, may be made at the far reaches of the computer network on, essentially, a daily basis.
As one skilled in network management will realize, a primary task is to keep track of the actual configuration of the network and, following that, to reconfigure or otherwise optimize or "tune" the network, as necessary, so as to minimize problems and maximize the utilization of resources. Having recognized a need for tools to assist network managers in the task of monitoring large networks, inventors have developed several tools for the purpose.
A Simple Network Management Protocol ("SNMP") standard has been developed, and continues to be refined, for defining types of data necessary for network management. A part of the SNMP is a Management Information Base ("MIB"), which includes information relating to the number of processors running on a network, number of collision packets detected, and the like. A Remote Network Monitoring Information Base ("RMON") is a standard protocol for use in network management and related activities. U.S. Pat. No. 5,315,580 issued to Phaal teaches a network monitoring device and system for monitoring the activity on a network, such as might be used to collect data according to the RMON standard. The Phaal system includes means for selecting a theoretically representative number of message packets and a processing means for collecting data related to such message packets.
An Open Systems Interconnection ("OSI") model describes a way to encapsulate data in packets in an effort toward standardizing data packet forms. The OSI standard divides packet information into seven general layers (see Table 1, below). The layers generally refer to the sequence of data information within each packet. The OSI reference model is utilized to generally indicate the type of information contained in data packets sent over network systems, but is not universally utilized, nor is the use consistent for all types of networks. To the inventor's knowledge, however, the OSI model has not been implemented in its entirety. Indeed, data portions which fall within the higher levels of the OSI standard are located and/or formatted quite differently
TABLE 1 ______________________________________ OSI Reference Model Layer Number Content ______________________________________ 1 Physical 2 Data Link 3 Network 4 Transport 5 Session 6 Presentation 7 Application ______________________________________
according to device and network protocol. The OSI model does, however, provide a reference that is generally accurate.
The RMON protocol deals, generally, with information contained in the second OSI layer types. Other layers, as will be discussed later, include information reflecting other characteristics of the data packet.
While the prior art systems are relatively effective at informing a network manager about the configuration of a network, there is a great paucity of information concerning the efficiency of the network and even less information which might help the manager in improving such efficiency. Moreover, the inability to integrate information, which might otherwise be helpful, from different device types has presented an even more formidable barrier to the manager's tasks.
To the inventor's knowledge, prior to the present invention, no means has existed in the art for remotely obtaining information from a widely dispersed network having therein a variety of device types and sub-network configurations, which information will be sufficient to inform a manager not only about the configuration of the network, but also about the operation, efficiency, and problem areas within the network. All prior methods and means by which network managers could obtain information about the network could obtain only superficial data about the network configuration and/or could not function to fall effect where various equipment types (such as both Apple.TM. computers and IBM.TM. compatible computers) and/or various sub-network types (such as Novell.TM. and AppleTalk.TM.) are interconnected. Much room exists for more efficient, more inclusive and more user-friendly systems for monitoring and managing complex network arrays.

Network monitoring and management system


A device for adjusting the height of a drawer, which, by way of a draw-out guide connected to the drawer on the side thereof, is guided by means of draw-out rails on supporting rails on the carcass side. The device includes an adjustment device by means of which the drawer is raiseable and lowerable relative to the supporting rails. On the draw-out rails of the draw-out guide, and at right angles to these, sliders are guided in guides, with the sliders including supports for the underside or the bottom of the drawer. The sliders are movable in height by way of the adjustment device.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a device for adjusting the height of a drawer, which, by way of a draw-out guide connected to said drawer on the side of said drawer, is guided by means of draw-out rails on supporting rails on the carcass side; comprising an adjustment device by means of which the drawer is raiseable relative to the supporting rails and is lowerable down to the plane of the top of the draw-out guide.
2. Description of the Related Art
Draw-out guides for drawers with draw-out rails on the drawer side and supporting rails on the carcass side are known in various embodiments. In this type of draw-out guide it is necessary to align the front sidewalls or front panels of the drawers relative to each other, and if necessary in relation to the doors or flaps of a piece of furniture, so that the size of the gaps or dimensions between these is the same. Due to unavoidable manufacturing tolerances, it is necessary to design the fronts or front panels of the drawers so as to be height-adjustable in order to be able to set the desired spacings to other parts of the piece of furniture. From DE 44 14 462 A1, a device of the type mentioned in the introduction is known, which comprises fittings for height-adjustable holding of drawers on these running rails of drawers which are supported at the bottom, in which a sliding piece which comprises a placement area pointing towards the bottom of the drawer is slidably arranged, at the running rail of the respective draw-out guide, by way of specified adjustment travel and parallel to the running rails, but in relation to draw-out direction of the drawer at such an incline that the placement area of the sliding piece in the one horizontal slide-end position is essentially flush with or even below the underside of the bottom of the drawer if the drawer in the proper installation position is supported on the running rail, while by contrast, in the other slide-end position, it is upward off-set by the desired height adjustment dimension.

Device for adjusting the height of a drawer


A touch panel includes a substrate, a shielding layer, a first electrode layer, a first insulation layer, a second electrode layer, a lead layer and a second insulation layer. The substrate has a touch section and a non-touch section. The shield layer and the lead layer are disposed on the non-touch section. The first and second electrode layers are disposed on touch section. The first insulation layer is disposed between the first and second electrode layers corresponding to the second electrode layer. The second insulation layer is overlaid on the second electrode layer and the lead layer. In the touch panel, the number of leads is reduced. Moreover, the touch panel is free from the problems of interference and signal interference between the electrodes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a touch panel, and more particularly to a touch panel in which the number of leads is reduced. Moreover, the touch panel is free from the problems of interference and signal interference between the electrodes.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, along with the development of touch panel techniques, various portable electronic devices with display function, such as intelligent mobile phones and tablets, have employed touch panels instead of the traditional mechanical keyboards that occupy much room.
In the existent touch panels, most of the touch panels adopted in the portable electronic devices are capacitive touch panels. An ordinary capacitive touch panel includes a transparent substrate. An indium tin oxide (ITO) layer is disposed on a bottom face of the transparent substrate. The periphery of the bottom face serves as a wiring section. Multiple electrodes are formed on the indium tin oxide (ITO) layer. Multiple leads are disposed on the wiring section and electrically connected to the electrodes respectively. The leads are non-transparent bodies. Therefore, it is necessary for the electronic device manufacturer to spray an ink layer on the periphery of a bottom section of a protection board and dispose an adhesive layer on a top face of the touch panel for adhering the touch panel to the protection board. The ink layer of the bottom face of the protection board corresponds to the wiring section of the touch panel for concealing the leads arranged in the wiring section of the touch panel. The ink layer and the adhesive layer not only lead to increase of manufacturing cost and material cost of the electronic device, but also lead to increase of the total thickness of the electronic device. As a result, the portable electronic device can be hardly slimmed, miniaturized and lightened. The above problems must be solved.
To solve the above problems, in some conventional capacitive touch panels, the transverse electrodes and the longitudinal electrodes are disposed on the same plane and finely wired so as to reduce the total thickness. However, the transverse electrodes and the longitudinal electrodes are so closely arranged as to interfere with each other. Also, the distance between the transverse electrodes and the longitudinal electrodes is so short that short circuit or signal interference between the transverse electrodes and the longitudinal electrodes is likely to take place. According to the above, the conventional touch panel has the following shortcomings:    1. The manufacturing cost of the conventional touch panel is higher.    2. The electrodes of the conventional touch panel are likely to interfere with each other.    3. Signal interference between the electrodes is likely to take place.


A method for operating a vacuum cleaning appliance, having a filter element, a filter element cleaning device, a control device, a turbine, a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor. The method includes operating the vacuum cleaning appliance to suck in the air stream through the filter element; determining a first pressure reference value; measuring the pressure difference between the first and second pressure values; dedusting the filter element with the aid of the filter element cleaning device if the value of the pressure difference between the first and second pressure values reaches a first threshold value; determining a second pressure reference value after the end of the dedusting of the filter element; determining a difference value between the second and first pressure reference values; and dedusting the filter element if the difference value between the second and first pressure reference values reaches a second threshold value, or switching off the vacuum cleaning appliance if the difference value between the second and first pressure reference values reaches a third threshold value. A vacuum cleaning appliance for carrying out the method.

Vacuum cleaning appliances having a collection container, a filter element, a filter element cleaning device, a control device, a turbine for sucking in an air stream through the filter element, a first pressure sensor and a second pressure sensor are very widely known from the prior art. The filter element serves for filtering dirt particles out of an air stream which is sucked in by the vacuum cleaning appliance. The two pressure sensors upstream and downstream of the filter element serve for determining a pressure difference which can give information about the degree of soiling of the filter element. The fuller the filter element is filled with dirt particles from the sucked-in air stream, the greater the pressure difference value between the two pressure sensors.
The collection container serves for collecting dirt particles which are filtered out of the sucked-in air stream, and the turbine serves for generating the sucked-in air stream, by which dirt particles are picked up. The filter element known from the prior art is normally arranged in the sucked-in air stream between the collection container and the turbine of the vacuum cleaning appliance.
Filter element cleaning devices for automatic dedusting of the filter element are likewise already very widely known from the prior art. In this case, with the aid of a mechanical device, an impulse can be exerted on the filter element, whereby the dirt particles which have accumulated in the filter element are moved out of the filter element and into the collection container.


Data read off an optical card are stored in a read buffer. If there are data in the read buffer when a read command is received, decoding is begun. If read commands are being issued for consecutive tracks, the reading of the data on the next track will begin as soon the reading of the preceding track is completed. This allows reading and decoding to be performed in parallel

1. Field of the invention
This invention relates to an optical-card reader and to an apparatus and method for reproducing data from selected tracks of an optical card. The term "optical card," is used herein to mean a card on which data can be recorded and reproduced optically, or one on which data can be recorded and reproduced photomagnetically.
2. Description of the Prior Art
FIG. 6 shows a known optical card 40 and includes an enlarged portion showing data tracks, on which data are recorded and reproduced optically by a card reader/writer. Optical card 40 has a data recording area 41, within which a number of tracks 43 are separated from each other by track guides 42. Data are recorded on tracks 43 in the form of pits 44. In general, optical cards typically have a recording capacity of around two megabytes.
Since the number of data which can be recorded on a single track of the card is limited, it is not unusual for a large data set to be recorded on several tracks or even on several tens of tracks. Thus data must be recorded and reproduced continuously over a number of tracks.
The recording of data on an optical card entails a number of coding operations, including error detection prior to recording, error correction and data interleave. To read the data from the card, then, it must first be decoded, and only one data track can be decoded at a time.
To continuously regenerate a large data set which ranges over a number of tracks, decoding from a track must begin while the data are still being read from the track. The data in the subsequent track cannot be read until the decoding of the previous track has been completed.
FIGS. 7 and 8 show the timing of the card-feed operations in relation to the read and decode operations in an existing device for recording and reproducing data on optical cards.
FIG. 7 shows the timing which exists after the card is conveyed back to its starting point. Data will be read only while the card is being fed forward (forward conveyance). The optical card is conveyed forwardly by the feed device in the direction in which its tracks are oriented (Direction X in FIG. 6). The optical head which reads the data off the card is conveyed in the direction Orthogonal to that of the card's movement (Direction Y in FIG. 6), to access the specified track.
As shown in FIG. 7, the optical card is conveyed in a forward direction when a read command is output by the CPU. As the card is being conveyed forward, the data are read from the specified track by the optical head. As soon as all the data have been read from the first track, the decoding operation is begun. While decoding is in process, the optical card is then conveyed in the reverse direction. The amount of time it takes to reverse is determined by how fast the card-feed device conveys the marginal portion of card 40 which surrounds recording area 41 and how long it takes for the conveyor motor of the card-feed device to come to a halt and start up in reverse.
When decoding has been completed for the data on a given track, the newly decoded data are transmitted to the CPU as a response. If data are being continuously reproduced over a number of tracks, a read command for the next track will be transmitted by the CPU as soon it receives the response. However, at this moment the card feed device is in the midst of conveying the card in the reverse direction. Therefore, before the reading of the data on the next track can begin, there is an unavoidable wait (waiting time) while the reverse feed of the card is completed and the direction of feed is changed.
FIG. 8 shows the timing relationship between the card-feed and the various operations when the card is fed in two directions and the data are read off the card during both forward movement (forward conveyance) and reverse movement (reverse conveyance).
As shown in FIG. 8, the optical card is conveyed in a forward direction when a read command is output by the CPU. As the card is conveyed forward, the data are read from a first specified track by the optical head. As soon as all the data have been read from the first track, the decoding operation is begun. While decoding is in process, the card-feed operation will be halted after the direction of card-feed has been reversed, and will remain stopped (stop time) until a read command for the next track is issued by the CPU.
When decoding has been completed for the data on a given track, the newly decoded data are transmitted to the CPU as a response. If data are being continuously reproduced over a number of tracks, a read command for the next track will be transmitted by the CPU as soon as the response is received. This command will cause the optical card to be conveyed in the reverse direction and its data to be read and decoded exactly as before.
As has been discussed above, the following problems occur in existing recording and reproducing devices for optical cards when data which extend over a number of tracks are to be continuously reproduced. When the data are read while the optical card is being fed forward (FIG. 7), a waiting time is required between the decoding of one track's data and the reading of the next track's data while the card-feed device starts up its forward operation.
When the data are read while the optical card is being fed both forward and in reverse (FIG. 8), the card-feed operation must be halted during the time that a single track's data are being decoded.


An apparatus for dispensing liquids which harden in the presence of ambient atmospheric conditions includes a housing for receiving one or more liquids and rotating rollers having roller surfaces which define an orifice through which the liquid is dispensed. A doctoring surface continuously cleans the roller surfaces to eliminate clogging of the orifice or the deposition of hardened material on the housing.

a. Field of Invention
This invention pertains to an apparatus useful for dispensing fluids which harden rapidly on exposure to ambient conditions and more particularly to an apparatus in which a dispensing nozzle is defined by two rotating members.
b. Description of the Prior Art
Various liquids are normally dispensed through a nozzle with a fixed orifice. However this type of apparatus is unsuitable for dispensing liquids such as various resins including urethane-based materials which hardened rapidly when exposed to air, they undergo a change of temperature or other ambient atmospheric characteristics. One problem with using standard dispensing apparatus with these liquids is that the orifice gets clogged with hardened material and hence it must be frequently changed or cleaned. Another problem has been that the liquid tends to hardened and form deposits in elongated shapes around the nozzle in a random manner, a phenomenon referred to in the art as `bearding`. This build up interferes with the dispensing operation and when it gets too long it can re-direct the flow of the liquid causing various problems.

Roller nozzle for dispensing fast hardening fluids


A cooling jacket of an electric motor or generator includes a cylindrical inner sleeve, a cylindrical outer sleeve coaxially surrounding the inner sleeve and forming a circular space between the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve, and a passageway extending within the circular space between the outer sleeve and the inner sleeve. The passageway may be a continuous winding path that may extend axially back and forth along the circumference of said inner sleeve. An embodiment of the present invention provides a cooling jacket that is suitable for, but not limited to, applications in the aircraft and aerospace industries, for example in air-conditioning systems. The cooling jacket as in one embodiment of the present invention may be leak proof and water tight, has a compact design, and may be easily assembled and integrated into an electrically driven machine, such as an electrically driven compressor.

The present invention generally relates to electric motors/generators and electrically driven compressors and, more particularly, to a cooling jacket of a dry-liquid cooled electric motor/generator and a method for dry liquid cooling an electric motor/generator of an electrically driven compressor.
Electric motors or generators typically generate a substantial amount of heat during operation, especially if operated at high speeds. Consequently, an electric motor or generator needs to be cooled in order to avoid damage and to ensure smooth and efficient operation of the motor or generator. Since the heat transfer coefficient for cooling using a liquid is generally much higher than the heat transfer coefficient for air, the stator of an electric motor or generator is often cooled with a liquid coolant.
During wet liquid cooling, the stator iron stack and the stator winding end turns are typically completely immersed in a cooling liquid, such as oil. Heat is extracted from the stator by conducting the heat from the stator core and winding to the cooling liquid. Wet liquid cooling of the stator requires sealing the rotor from the space surrounding the stator and is limited to the use of nonconductive liquids, since the stator winding end turns typically are immersed in the cooling liquid as well.
Dry liquid cooling of the stator is often used as an alternative to wet liquid cooling and utilizes in many cases a cooling jacket that surrounds the iron stack and winding of the stator, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,220,233, 5,923,108, 6,617,715, and 6,909,210. A cooling liquid, which may be a conductive liquid such as water or a water-based cooling liquid, is typically circulated through channels within the cooling jacket and heat is transferred from the stator through direct contact of the stator with the cooling jacket.
Even though the application of cooling jackets for dry liquid cooling is well known in the art, prior art cooling jackets often have high manufacturing costs, require extensive and complex sealing arrangements, often are not leak proof, and may not distribute the cooling liquid evenly—causing hot spots on the stator core. U.S. Pat. No. 6,900,561, for example, discloses a cooling jacket where the cooling liquid enters the cooling jacket axially in an inclined plane and exits the cooling jacket radially from an inclined plane, which may cause pressure losses in the liquid cooling loop. In other prior art cooling jackets, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,220,233 and 3,567,975, the cooling liquid travels in helical channels and enters/exits these channels radially, which may lead to even higher pressure losses and uneven distribution of the cooling liquid.
Many prior art cooling jackets, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,900,561 and 6,617,715, utilize "o"-rings to seal the inner and outer pieces of the cooling jackets. Such "o"-rings may not be leak proof and pressure tight and may show wear over long periods of operation, which may lead to high maintenance or repair costs.
Other prior art cooling jackets, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,923,108 may be manufactured form cast iron and, therefore, may be too heavy for aerospace applications. Furthermore, cooling jackets manufactured from iron-based materials may be prone to corrosion. Corrosion products that may build-up within the cooling jacket over time may cause degradation of the heat transfer capability of the cooling jacket.
As can be seen, there is a need for a cooling jacket that is leak proof and pressure tight, that minimizes pressure losses in the liquid cooling loop, and that has a reduced susceptibility to corrosion. Furthermore, there is a need for a cooling jacket that may be manufactured at a lower cost and that may be easier to assemble and to integrate into electrically driven machines than prior art cooling jackets. Still further, there is a need for a method for dry liquid cooling an electric motor or generator, which has a higher cooling efficiency than prior art dry liquid cooling methods and is also applicable in the aerospace industry.


A user interface for adjusting a plurality of parameters of a climate control system of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The user interface includes an input element having a system of coordinates having multiple dimensions, wherein each of the dimensions of the system of coordinates is associated with at least one of the parameters of the climate control system; and a program means to perform at least one of an absolute evaluation of the parameters and an incremental evaluation of changes to the parameters between an adjusted point range and an original point range of the parameters, and transmit a data representing the evaluation to at least one of a control device and a regulation device of the climate control system in order to adjust a value of the parameters.

A discrete user interface including various knobs in the instrument panel of motor vehicles typically has separate operating elements or separate operating knobs, with each operating element being allocated to temperature adjustment, air flow adjustment, and the associated fan level setting. As such, each operating element which must be adjusted separately to select a parameter.
One problem of the discrete user interface is that to adjust the stated parameters for the functioning of the climate control system, the operating elements, which in most cases are equipped with symbols, are actuated separately and in succession by the vehicle passengers.
One method of inputting parameters of a parameter field is described in the publication DE 103 31 775 A1, in which the method for controlling a system is provided, wherein the parameter field is first represented graphically in a first parameter setting on a sensitive display screen or touch screen, using dots, lines and/or areas, and wherein the dots, lines and/or areas are adjusted by touching the display screen, so that the resulting parameter field that is displayed has a second parameter setting that is different from the first setting. The system can be a climate control system for a motor vehicle, in which the parameter field is a local temperature distribution.
One problem is that the sensitive display screen always works with only one parameter adjustment at a time, for example either with a temperature adjustment or with a volume adjustment, wherein the sensitive display screen is switched on beforehand based upon the desired parameter, using a push button. The corresponding parameter can then be keyed in using the display screen. In place of a temperature controller or a volume controller, control is accomplished by shifting a preset touch area of the display screen.
A conventional touch screen is a computer input device, in which the command-supported control sequence of a technical device, in most cases a computer, are apparently directly controlled by touching parts of a symbol. The technical conversion of a command input gives the impression of direct control of a computer via finger contact. Thus a cursor focus can be positioned on the sensitive surface using the finger or a stylus. By briefly tilting or dragging the finger or the stylus across the touch screen, a drag and drop operation can be executed.
Several technical systems exist for converting the touch sensitivity, including, for example: capacitive surfaces; resistive systems; acoustic wave controlled systems; and optical, infrared controlled systems.
As a further example, analog resistive touch screens are comprised of two conductive indium tin oxide layers (x-layer and y-layer) positioned opposite one another, which are activated using a constant direct current voltage. Between the layers are a large number of small spacer dots, which enable a separation of the two layers. When the touch screen is touched at a certain point, the two layers come into contact with one another at that point, creating an electrical contact. The resistance of this contact creates a different voltage at each point. The change in voltage can then be used to determine the coordinates x and y.
Another operating device for use in a motor vehicle to adjust continuously or quasi-continuously adjustable parameters is described in the publication DE 10 2004 029 203 A1, wherein the operating device comprises a touch screen, and an operating field can be displayed on the touch screen, wherein the parameter can be adjusted by dragging it across the operating field. In this case, the length of a dragging motion across the operating field is a measurement of the change in the parameter. Parameters can be the scale of a map for a navigational system or a target temperature for a climate control system or the volume of a radio system.
One problem is that with the touch screen, only one value can be adjusted; for example, a target temperature adjustment in the climate control system of a motor vehicle, or a volume adjustment to the radio in the instrument panel, etc., can be made.
Another operating field for adjusting comfort parameters in a motor vehicle, which is located in its instrument panel or armrest area, is described in the publication DE 10 2004 038 061 A1, wherein the adjustment is made via the operating and control elements assigned to the individual functional elements, such as seat, steering wheel and foot pedal adjustment, seat heaters and climate control. In this case, it is provided that at least two comfort parameters relevant to the well-being of a vehicle passenger can be activated on a single operating unit using symbols on sections of a human body, represented as a pictogram. For the climate control system, there are symbols for air flow and fan power, and a symbol for displaying the temperature setting, and also a symbol for seat heating and seat ventilation. The directional arrows on the symbols make it possible for the vehicle passenger to make the intended adjustment.
One problem is that vehicle passengers must actuate several separate symbols in order to adjust the climate control system.
A device for displaying information regarding the climate in the interior of a motor vehicle is described in the publication DE 20 2006 003 543 U1, wherein a display screen and a control means are provided, with which the display screen can be activated to display a silhouette of a person sitting in a seat in the interior of the vehicle. Using the control means, the display screen for displaying the silhouette of the person can be controlled by filling it with multiple colors, wherein each color is assigned a temperature. The display screen can be embodied as a so-called touch screen, in which case the operating elements are a part of the touch screen.
One problem is that to establish the climate functions of a climate control system, a plurality of partial display screens are connected to the important colored areas of passenger silhouettes, which display only the actual or the target temperature in the area assigned to that part of the body. The device contains a plurality of separately actuable operating elements for adjusting the parameters of a climate control system.
An adjustment system for motor vehicles is described in the publication EP 1 292 205 B1, wherein an operating console with a touch-sensitive display screen is provided, which is connected to a control unit supported by a microcomputer, which unit has control outputs at least to a fan unit, to air flow valves, and to temperature control elements of the climate control system, in which current settings and available options for adjusting at least the air volume, the air flow and the air temperature can be displayed in analogous symbolic representations on the display screen, which respond to touch contact to change current settings, and in which each of the analogous symbolic representations comprises a geometric shape, which delimits a closed surface, which represents an infinitely variable number of available adjustment values, and a current adjustment value is visualized within the closed area by an optically accentuated marking. In this case, the adjusted air flow is changed by shifting a point within the area of a triangle. Other analogous symbolic representations make up a symbolic slide bar.
One problem is that a plurality of symbols are shown on the touch-sensitive display screen, which can be actuated via touch contact within the scope of their indicated touch-shifting options (slide bar), and via shifting within predetermined bridges, those of the parameters—temperature, air flow, fan power—thereby adjusting the parameters. This represents a two-dimensional parameter adjustment with limited actuability, and on the touch screen, the three parameters are adjustable separately from one another.
It would be desirable to develop a user interface for adjusting parameters of a climate control system in motor vehicles, which is suitably configured such that by touch actuating one area, all three parameters can be adjusted at the same time.

User interface for adjusting parameters for climate control systems in motor vehicles


An electrical contact having a mating portion and crimp portion with a transition region connecting the two portions. The transition region has a bottom wall and two side walls, each side wall having a first height and second height, the second height being less than the first height. The side walls of the transition region are folded over to secure a plurality of conductors, and the second height of the side walls allows the plurality of conductors to be viewed for inspection. Further, the bottom wall and side walls of the transition region have side embossments that reinforce the strength of the walls.

Currently electrical contacts or wire contacts are used to terminate wire. Wire contacts require a strong mechanical means of attaching to the wire to create a permanent termination and a means to mate to a mating contact to make an electrical connection. For example, a wire contact may have a crimp end for terminating to the wire and a male or female mating end. Some contacts may be developed from metal strip or pre-plated metal strip, which is stamped and then folded or formed into the appropriate shape.
One type of wire contact comprises crimping the wire strands to a conductive terminal. These contacts, such as "F" style crimp wire contacts, comprise a terminal box or mating portion, a crimp portion and a transition portion or zone between the mating portion and the crimp portion. The transition portion of most "F" crimp wire contacts require low walls to aid in forming the crimp portion. These contacts pose two problems. The first problem is that when thin strip material is used in the manufacture of the contacts, the transition region is prone to tearing or shearing of the material at the front of the crimp barrel. The second problem is that the low walls allow the wire strands to become strayed, which results in seal damage by tearing, slicing, or removing gland material from mat seals.
Therefore, what is needed is a design that does not allow the strands of the wire barrel to separate between the crimp and the rear of the terminal box and extend outside of the desired area.


An activated carbon fiber for fabricating a supercapacitor electrode and its precursor material are provided. The precursor material of the activated carbon fiber includes polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and a polymer having formula (I):

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a carbon fiber, and more specifically to an activated carbon fiber for fabricating a supercapacitor electrode and its precursor material.
2. Description of the Related Art
Among precursor materials for carbon fibers, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) has a great potential due to its high molecular orientation, high melting point, and high carbon yield (exceeding 45%). After a pre-heating treatment, a high-order ladder-typed oxidized PAN fiber structure is formed, with high thermal stability. During activation, the main molecular chain of PAN remains unchanged, without cleavage, such that an activated carbon fiber with excellent quality is prepared.
Currently, a lithium secondary battery is the main power energy source due to its high energy density. Carbon is the key material for the negative electrode thereof, for example, mesocarbon microbeads (MCMB) or graphite fibers (or powders). However, the lithium secondary battery cannot provide a high-power output because of its electrode structure, limiting the applications for power tools and electric vehicles (EV). High-power output can be achieved with a combination of supercapacitor and battery. Generally, activated carbon materials with a high surface area, a high porosity, and a high electric conductivity can be utilized as the electrode material of the supercapacitor. Further, such properties can be improved by formation of nano carbon materials. However, when nano carbon material is utilized to prepare an electrode, a great quantity of binder is required, resulting in low energy density. Finer carbon fibers can solve the above problem.

Activated carbon fibers and precursor material thereof

Abstract: wherein R1 is cyano, phenyl, acetate, or methoxycarbonyl, R2 is

Abstract: R3 is C1-7 alkyl, X is chlorine, bromine, tetrafluoroborate (BF4), hexafluorophosphate (PF6), or NH(SO2CH3)2, and m/n is 1-99/99-1.

Industrial Technology Research Institute


A centrifugal filter apparatus including a canister housing having a frusto-conical internal surface, and outlet adjacent the minor diameter of the internal surface and an inlet spaced axially toward a major diameter, a central annular filter element and centrifugal radial rotating fins extending radially from adjacent the external surface of the filter element to adjacent the generally frusto-conical internal surface of the canister having a generally frusto-conical outer surface conforming to the frusto-conical internal surface of the canister. In one embodiment, the filter apparatus includes a plurality of reaction canisters, where the outlet of the first canister is the inlet of the second canister and the radial fins drive reaction products from the first canister to the second canister.

Residential, industrial, agricultural water and oil based wastes are potentially a rich source of carbon that may be recycled or transformed to fuels. A prerequisite for transformation to fuel is generating a clean and dry solid feed source, which the centrifugal filter variations of this invention are designed to do. Unprocessed wastes often include increasingly scarce fresh water, and potentially valuable sources of hydrocarbon fuels. Disposal of wastes are now regulated under discharge limits found in numerous Federal guidelines covering Industrial Pre-treatment, National Pollution Discharge, Effluent Limitations, and Concentrated Animal Feedlot. Many wastes sources are excluded from landfills, and land application is restricted for reasons of health and environmental safety. Current municipal and animal waste treatment systems employ some combination of chemical additives and mechanical settling means to separate solids from water, which are costly to operate and maintain. By contrast, the double chambered high speed centrifugal filtration of this invention will purify or refine fluids generated in the solids-liquids separation, as well as dry and stabilize the solid products. This combination is relatively small, mobile and does not require chemical pretreatment. In various formats the centrifugal filter of this invention will generate fuel and energy by means of well known thermal processes, including flash pyrolysis and fuel reforming chemistries. The centrifugal filter reactor column embodiments include means and methods to purify water, generate useful hydrocarbons and electric power in highly integrated and stacked formats for continuous processing. These formats represent a significant contribution to cost mitigation in waste management.
The filtration apparatus of this invention also addresses the need to separate solids contaminated, waste water from emulsified fats and oils, including drilling muds. The flat wire apertures of this device successfully break the emulsion, which may thereafter be continuously separated into waste solids, water and oil phases without chemicals. A further improvement in purification (refining) of water and oil or other hydrocarbons is achieved in the high throughput centrifugal filter cone using selective adsorbents. This combination device removes and releases dissolved solids from the solvating liquids, while regenerating the adsorbent in a series of continuous cycles.


A shift register includes an output sub-circuit and a compensation sub-circuit. The output sub-circuit is coupled to a pull-up node, a clock signal terminal and a signal output terminal. The compensation sub-circuit is coupled to the pull-up node, the clock signal terminal and the signal output terminal. The output sub-circuit is configured to transmit a voltage of the clock signal terminal to the signal output terminal under control of a voltage of the pull-up node, The compensation sub-circuit is configured to transmit a voltage of the signal output terminal to the pull-up node under control of the voltage of the pull-up node and the voltage of the clock signal terminal.

Gate driver on array (GOA) is a technique for integrating a gate driving circuit on an array substrate. Generally, a GOA unit in each stage in a GOA circuit is coupled to a gate line in the array substrate as a single shift register. Thin film transistor (TFT) switches coupled to gate line in the array substrate are turned on row by row through the GOA circuit, so as to input pixel data voltages row by row.

Shift register and method for driving the same, gate driving circuit, and display device

HEFEI XINSHENG OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


Liquid coating solutions impart hydrophobicity to substrate surfaces (e.g., glass) and include a silane, preferably octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS), dissolved in a liquid paraffinic solvent. Preferred liquid paraffinic solvents are normal (straight chain) liquid parrafins having between 10 to 20 carbon atoms per molecule exhibiting flash points (ASTM D93) of between about 70° C. to about 160° C., and initial boiling points (ASTM D86) of between about 185° C. to about 300° C. The OTS will be present in the hydrophobic solutions in amounts sufficient to form a hydrophobic coating on surfaces of substrates on which the solutions are applied, and most preferably will be present in amounts ranging between about 0.25 to about 2.5 molar. Applying a coating of the solution onto a substrate surface will allow the OTS for form a self-assembled monolayer thereon imparting hydrophobicity to the substrate as determined by a high contact angle of at least about 100°.

Glass is typically made of silicates that are melted to form a clear, transparent, solid material. The fundamental molecular structural unit of conventional glass is a SiO44− tetrahedron. Ordinary float glass (named for its production process whereby a molten ribbon of glass is floated on molten metal to provide a smooth surface) includes additional amounts of soda (Na2O), usually in the form of sodium carbonate or nitrate during the production process, lime (CaO) and other oxides (usually aluminum and magnesium oxides) to form a soda-lime-silica structure known colloquially as soda-lime glass. Other specialized glass can be prepared by the introduction of other additives and constituents.
It is sometimes highly desirable for conventional glass to have hydrophobic (water repellant) surface properties when employed in certain end-use applications, such as for automotive window glass and other articles that may be subjected to humid environments (e.g., shower stall doors, ceramic tiles and the like). Various proposals exist to impart hydrophobic (water-repellant) properties to glass substrates. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,263,350, 4,274,856, 5,665,424 and 5,723,172 (the entire content of each being incorporated expressly hereinto by reference) disclose generally that glass surfaces can be coated with a vapor deposited layer of an chloroalkylsilane, such as dimethyidichlorosilane (DMDCS) so as to improve their hydrophobicity and/or release properties. Other proposals exist whereby a fluoroalkylsilane (FAS) coating may be employed to "cap" an underlayer on a glass substrate so as to improve coating durability. Please see in this regard, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,328,768, 5,372,851, 5,380,585 and 5,580,605 (the entire content of each being incorporated expressly hereinto by reference). In addition, International Application WO 00/25938 (the entire content of which is expressly incorporated hereinto by reference) discloses that a silicon film consisting of chains of siloxane groups each terminating in an end molecule which reacts with water to form an OH group, may be capped by further reaction of that OH group with trimethylchlorosilane to form trimethylchlorosiloxane.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,743,516 to Murphy et al (the entire content of which is expressly incorporated hereinto by reference) discloses coated substrates (preferably glass) which exhibit improved hydrophobicity and durability, as well as methods of imparting such improved hydrophobicity and durability to the substrates. In some of the especially preferred embodiments disclosed therein, coated substrates and methods are provided which include a SiOx-containing anchor layer comprised of a controllably humidified vapor phase deposition of a chlorosilyl group containing compound (typically silicone tetrachloride), and a hydrophobic capping layer chemically bonded to the SiOx-containing anchor layer.
Published International application WO 2004/009505 (the entire content of which is expressly incorporated hereinto by reference) discloses that hydrophobic coatings may be formed on a transparent substrate by treating the surface of the substrate with a mixture or reaction product of a silicone fluid and a solvent. Most preferably the silicone fluid is an alkyl silane or a polysiloxane having a functional group capable of a condensation reaction with hydroxyl. Preferred solvents are those which are miscible with the silicone fluid, such as alcohols, ethers, esters or C1 to C40 hydrocarbons.
In commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/771,514 filed on Feb. 5, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,138,186 (the entire content of which is expressly incorporated hereinto by reference), it is disclosed that certain performance enhancements can be imparted to hydrophobic coatings, such as enhanced chemical and weather resistance, by the vapor deposition of methyltrichlorosilane over a SiOx-containing anchor layer on transparent substrates (e.g., glass) so as to form a film of polymethylsilsesquioxane thereon. Specifically, in accordance with such application, substrates are provided which have a hydrophobic surface coating comprised of the reaction products of methyltrichlorsilane (MTCS) and dimethyidichlorosilane (DMDCS).
Octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) is also known to form a self assembled monolayer (SAM) on oxide surfaced from such materials as silicon. Specifically, U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,709 to Berquier et al (the entire content of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference) discloses the use of OTS dissolved into a mixture of aliphatic hydrocarbon and chlorinated solvents, for example dichloromethane, trichloromethane and the like, for providing an anti-icing coating on automotive windshields. The OTS coating provides for a high degree of hydrophobicity therefore preventing water sheeting and thus ice formation since discreet ice crystals are known to be much easier to remove than a continuous ice sheet. Those skilled in the art will recognize, however, that toluene and other solvents such as benzene are hazardous volatile compounds that require care to avoid environmental issues. In addition, chlorinated solvents are particularly hazardous from a human health perspective and the workspace must be carefully controlled to avoid excessive human exposure. Also, it will be appreciated that that when suing a solvent such as toluene, the solution may de-wet from the surface as the coating is forming which could lead to a lower density coating than was intended or may be required.
Therefore, while the coatings described above certainly provide hydrophobic properties, there is a continual need to improve and/or enhance the same. For example, it would be especially desirable if a more environmentally friendly solvent could be employed for OTS which wets well on glass surfaces and does not de-wet as the coating develops. It is towards providing such improvements and/or enhancements that the present invention is directed.
Broadly, the present invention is embodied in liquid coating solutions which impart hydrophobicity to substrate surfaces (e.g., glass) and include a silane dissolved in a liquid paraffinic solvent. Most preferably the silane is octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS). Preferred liquid paraffinic solvents are normal (straight chain) liquid parrafins having between 10 to 20 carbon atoms per molecule exhibiting flash points (ASTM D93) of between about 70° C. to about 160° C., and initial boiling points (ASTM D86) of between about 185° C. to about 300° C. The OTS will be present in the hydrophobic solutions in amounts sufficient to form a hydrophobic coating on surfaces of substrates on which the solutions are applied, and most preferably will be present in amounts ranging between about 0.25 to about 2.5 molar. Applying a coating of the solution onto a substrate surface will allow the OTS for form a self-assembled monolayer thereon imparting hydrophobicity to the substrate as determined by a high contact angle of at least about 100°.
These and other aspects and advantages will become more apparent after careful consideration is given to the following detailed description of the preferred exemplary embodiments thereof.


This invention relates to a floor construction method and system, and more particularly to a method for producing shallow and ultra shallow steel floor systems.

This invention relates to a floor construction method and system, and more particularly to a method for producing shallow and ultra shallow steel floor systems. Ultra-shallow steel floor systems may be defined as those having depths in the range 100 mm to 350 mm.
In multi-storey buildings it has become increasingly important to minimise the overall floor-to-floor height, and consequently the depth taken up by any floor structure needs to be minimised. This need is driven by increased levels of servicing accommodated within modern ceiling and floor zones, and the desire to accommodate as many floors as possible, without contravening planning restrictions on the allowable overall building height. Historically, very compact construction was achieved by using thin structural concrete slab with closely spaced columns.
In recent years engineers have sought methods to construct equally compact floors in steel rather than concrete. This invention is such a form of construction, being shallower, more practical, more economical and more flexible than existing technology, with the added benefit of achieving larger spans.
In traditional, non-shallow, multi-storey steel construction, a steel I or H-beam spans horizontally between supports, with concrete flooring placed on top of the steel beam spanning between adjacent beams. Thus the steel forms the building skeleton and the horizontal concrete forms the floor. In shallow construction instead of the concrete sitting on top of the steel I or H-beam, it is accommodated within the depth of the beam itself, thus significantly reducing the thickness of the overall floor.
For shallow floor construction it is very difficult to use standard H-section because the concrete flooring unit cannot be safely lowered into place without fouling the projection of the top flange of the H-section.
It is therefore preferable to use an asymmetric steel beam, where the top flange is substantially narrower than the bottom flange. The difference between the two flange widths has to be sufficient to allow the concrete unit to be easily and safely lowered onto the wider bottom flange. Several forms of asymmetric shallow steel beams are known, but each has significant drawbacks.
SLIMDEK ASB® beams are asymmetric steel beams, rolled by Corus. The top flange is 110 mm narrower than the bottom flange. However, these beams have several drawbacks:    a) There is a very limited range of section sizes, consisting of 10 depths in increments between 272 mm to 342 mm;    b) The shallowest, 272 mm deep, is too deep for many ultra-shallow floors;    c) In order to achieve composite action sufficient cover of concrete and reinforcement must be placed over the Slimdek top flange, further increasing depth;    d) Due to the small number of beams in the range, the weight increase from one to the next strongest is very substantial, making for unnecessarily heavy construction.
SLIMFLOR® Beams are standard rolled H-beams with a wide plate welded to the underside of the bottom flange to produce an asymmetric profile. This has the benefit of providing a greater range of beam depths, but is still restricted by the limited range of H-beams available in any market.
Welded Plate Beams can be produced by welding together two horizontal plates separated by a vertical plate to form an I or H-beam. An asymmetric profile is achieved by using horizontal plates of differing widths. The benefit of this is that the depth of the H-beam is totally flexible, as the vertical web-plate can be made to any required depth. However, most commercially available automated welding systems cannot gain access to weld a beam less than 300 mm in depth. Moreover, unless the welds that join the vertical and horizontal plates are full strength butt welds, which are prohibitively expensive, a plate H-beam is significantly inferior to rolled section in its load carrying capacity.
Each of the above types of steel beam have another important practical drawback. In modern buildings, numerous services (such as power cables, communication lines, water pipes, air ducts) are required for each floor of the building. It is advantageous to locate such service structures within the floor construction itself.