In a storage electrode of a semiconductor device, and a method of forming the same, the storage electrode includes an outer cylinder including a first outer cylindrical portion having a first outer diameter, and a second outer cylindrical portion that is formed on the first outer cylindrical portion and having a second outer diameter, which is less than the first outer diameter, the first and second outer cylindrical portions having substantially equal inner diameters, and an inner cylinder formed on inner surfaces of the outer cylinder.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a storage electrode of a semiconductor device and a method of forming the storage electrode. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cylindrical storage electrode of a semiconductor memory device, e.g., a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device, which is used for storing data, and a method of forming the storage electrode.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, a semiconductor memory device, such as a DRAM device, stores information, e.g., data, program orders, and the like. The information may be read from the semiconductor memory device and other information may be additionally stored in the semiconductor memory device. The semiconductor memory device may include one transistor and one capacitor.
The capacitor in the DRAM device may include a storage electrode, a dielectric layer and a plate electrode. To improve capacity of the memory device including the capacitor, a capacitance of the capacitor is increased. Particularly, when the capacitance of the capacitor is increased, a read capacity of the memory device is improved and an error ratio generated in the memory device is reduced, thereby improving memory characteristics of the memory device.
However, as memory devices have become more highly integrated, forming a capacitor having a sufficient capacitance in a cell having very small area has become increasingly difficult. To overcome the above difficulty, various methods have been studied.
Examples of these methods include a method of increasing a height of a capacitor and a method of expanding an effective area of a cell using a hemispherical silicon grain (HSG), among others.
According to the method of increasing the height of the capacitor, however, the higher a storage electrode is, the thicker a mold layer for a mold is required to be. When an opening filled with the storage electrode is formed through an insulation layer by a dry etching process, the opening has a bottom width narrower than a top width due to the thick mold layer. As a result, the storage electrode has a shape corresponding to that of the opening. More specifically, the storage electrode has a bottom width narrower than a top width, thereby shortening an interval between adjacent storage electrodes. As a result, adjacent storage electrodes lean so that a 2-bit error between adjacent storage electrodes may be generated and also the leaning storage electrodes contact each other, thereby generating an electrical short between adjacent storage electrodes.
According to the method using the HSG, a HSG layer having an uneven shape is formed on a storage electrode. However, pieces are fractured from the HSG layer or coarse polysilicon grains grow from the storage electrode during formation of the HSG layer so that the pieces or the coarse polysilicon grains may contact an adjacent storage electrode, thereby generating an electrical short between adjacent storage electrodes.
According to a conventional method for overcoming such an electrical short, a storage electrode includes a doped amorphous silicon layer and an undoped amorphous silicon layer. An upper portion of the storage electrode is partially removed using an etching selectivity between the silicon layers to form a HSG layer.
However, since the HSG layer is formed by etching the storage electrode including substantially identical materials, the etching selectivity may be relatively low. Therefore, forming the HSG layer to have a wide surface area may be difficult.

Method of forming a storage electrode of a semiconductor device


Disclosed herein are apparatuses, systems, and methods using or implementing dynamic resource allocation (DRA) of resources for machine-type communication (MTC), as a secondary partition within a system bandwidth. Allocations outside the secondary partition are configured as a primary partition for other than MTC. Apparatuses may perform MTC communications within the secondary partition when DRA configuration information includes allocation information for the secondary partition and the apparatus is configured for MTC. Otherwise, if the apparatus is other than MTC, the apparatus may refrain from performing communications in the secondary partition. Other embodiments are described.

Machine-type communications (MTC) has become increasingly important, and the number of MTC devices has increased significantly in recent years. Some of these MTC devices are mission-critical and require a high level of reliable connectivity to support public safety applications or other applications. Nevertheless, MTC devices are expected to communicate with infrequent small-burst transmissions, and other non-MTC devices should be able to use as much bandwidth as possible without interfering with MTC operations, to provide wireless users with expected data rate levels.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Dynamic resource allocation for machine-type communication


A display apparatus includes a transparent substrate, a transparent matrix layer, a black matrix layer and a conductive layer. The transparent matrix layer is disposed above the transparent substrate. The black matrix layer is disposed below the transparent substrate. The conductive layer is disposed between the transparent substrate and the black matrix layer.

Currently the liquid crystal displays (LCDs) have been dominating in almost all the major display markets for several applications, such as monitors, mobile phones, televisions, notebook computers, tablet personal computers (PCs), global positioning system (GPS) devices, portable video players, as the technologies of the LCD have been developing widely, deeply and quickly.
The liquid crystals play the role of light valves to control the light transmission and the light blocking at instantaneous display time in each pixel of the LCD. In the view of the control mechanisms of the liquid crystals, the LCD can be divided into the types of the vertical alignment (VA) and the plane switching.
The VA type can be further divided into several sub-types. Generally, the VA type LCD has very fast response time for the liquid crystals, and is especially suitable for displaying the video showing very fast movements. However, when the user presses the LCD screen by fingers or other objects, the vortex-shaped pattern appears at the place being pressed on the screen of the LCD, because the distance interval of the vertical alignment of the liquid crystals is shortened by such vertically pressing on the screen. In this aspect, the VA LCD is not suitable to be used for the touch-panel display, since the screen of the touch-panel display tends to be frequently touched and pressed by the user's finger, and the displayed picture thereof will be blurred anywhere is being touched.
On the other hand, the plane switching type LCDs, including the in-plane switching (IPS) and the fringe field switching (FFS) LCDs, do not have this kind of problem, and provide good performance for the touch-panel display, since the liquid crystal alignments thereof occur in the plane (horizontal) direction rather than the vertical direction.
The electric field of the plane switching type LCD is generated and driven in the horizontal direction, so the plane switching type LCD can also be classified as a horizontal electric field driving LCD. Since the electric field of the horizontal electric field driving LCD is generated and driven in the horizontal direction, all the positive and negative electrodes are fabricated on the bottom glass, which is located below the liquid crystal cells. In contrast, in VA type LCD, the positive and negative electrodes are located on the top glass above the liquid crystal cells and the bottom glass below the liquid crystal cells, respectively. Thus, the horizontal electric field driving LCD tends to have the electrostatic issue. The current solution to this issue is made by coating an indium tin oxide (ITO) layer on the outer or inner surface of the top glass, i.e. the outmost glass to the viewer. FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a sub-pixel of an FFS LCD 10 in the prior art. In FIG. 1, the structure of positive and negative electrodes are formed on the bottom glass 12, and the transparent ITO layer 13 is coated on the upper surface, i.e. outer surface, of the top glass 11. Since the ITO layer 13 is electrically conductive, electrostatic charges would not accumulate.
However, as the display devices are going to the style with the slim design, it is required to reduce the thickness of the glass used, and usually the glass needs to be ground and polished or the thinner glass needs to be adopted. In such conditions, the glass 11 coated with the ITO layer 13 in the LCD 10 in the prior art as shown in FIG. 1 can not be ground and polished. Besides, if the glass 11 is ground and polished to reduce its thickness at first and then coated with the ITO layer 13, usually the glass 11 would break. Thus, it is difficult to attain both the slim design and antistatic effect for the horizontal electric field driving LCD, and an effective solution is urgently required.
For overcoming the above-mentioned problem existing in the conventional techniques, the novel display apparatus with both the slim design and antistatic effect are developed to solve the above-mentioned problem, after the deep analyses, researches and plenty of experiments by the inventor.


Disclosed is a system and method suitable for calibrating a phased array system configured to inspect square bars. A square bar is provided with an array of parallel linear notches across the full range of the testing surface of the square bar for this calibrating purpose. The square bar is passed through the probe in probe's passive direction during the calibration. The phased array system is adjusted and calibrated so that the echo amplitude for each inspection channel of the phased array probe received from each notch is substantially equal. Then a known flaw with a typically expected flaw's size and shape is created on the same testing surface so that the system's sensitivity is adjusted using the amplitude of the echo signal from the known flaw as a baseline.

In an in-line ultrasonic phased-array system of inspection for round bars or square bars, shear waves (shear wave) are often used to inspect the zones on and under the bar surface (subsurface), called near wall zones. For round bar inspection, usually several circular PA probes are arranged concentrically around the bar being inspected; each PA probe fires respectively clock wise (CW) and counter-clock wise (CCW) shear wave beams in an angle to the bar surface, such as 40 degrees, to inspect the surface and subsurface zones. For square bar inspection, usually flat linear PA probes are arranged in parallel to and over each side of the bar; each PA probe fires respectively CW and CCW shear wave beams of about 40 deg into the corresponding surface (for example top surface) from water couplant and the sound beams transmit to the two adjacent surfaces (for example the right and left vertical surfaces).
Before any inspections, the sensitivities of the shear wave beams have to be calibrated with one or more artificial flaws, typically subsurface side-drilled-holes (SDH) or surface notches.
Description on round bar inline inspection can be found in section 5.10.2 in <<Introduction to phased array ultrasonic technology applications>> (ISBN 0-9735933-O-X) which describes generally round bar inspection.
The calibration is not difficult to achieve for round bars, because of the revolution symmetry and rotatable nature of round bars. In more details, when a near wall SDH or a surface notch in a round calibration bar rotates with the bar around the bar axis, all focal laws can detect the same flaw and then the detection sensitivities are obtained and compensated by the software of the inspection system.
To calibrate a square bar, the above calibration method cannot be applied because a square bar doesn't have revolution symmetry.
Existing approaches in square bar in-line inspection can be found in the figure 7-105 in <<Advances in phased array ultrasonic technology applications>> (ISBN 0-9735933-4-2) which roughly describes square bar surface inspection using SW waves, the content of which is herein incorporated by reference.
Patent research for shear wave channel calibration of square bar has been carried out, but nothing similar has been found.
Similarly to the calibration practice in ultrasonic inspection of square or rectangular parts, by translating the PA probe in beam plane, the sensitivities of a shear wave channel may be calibrated with subsurface SDHs or surface notches made in the surface to inspect. In more details, a series of flaws at different depths or sound paths are made in the surface to inspect and when the PA search unit moves in probe active plane the beams can perpendicularly cross the flaws, thus allowing the sensitivities being detected. However, in the practice of in-line inspection, this calibration method is not convenient to use because, i) to achieve the translation movement of the PA probes that are arranged equally around the square bar, the movement mechanism may become very complex, ii) such mechanism is prone to introducing PA probe positioning error through backlashes of movement.

Method of and an apparatus conducting calibration for phased-array shear wave channels inspecting square bars


The present disclosure provides systems, methods, and computer program products for controlling an object. An example method can comprise (a) obtaining video data of the object and (b) performing motion analysis on the video data to generate modified video data. The method can further comprise (c) using artificial intelligence (AI) to identify a set of features in the modified video data. The set of features may be indicative of a predicted state of the object. The AI may be been trained offline on historical training data. The method can further comprise (d) using the predicted state to determine a control signal and (e) transmitting, in real-time, the control signal to the object to adjust or maintain a state of the object in relation to the predicted state. Operations (a) to (d) can be performed without contacting the object.

Anomaly detection and predictive maintenance systems may rely on data collected by sensors that are directly connected to the objects that the systems monitor. The sensors may include accelerometers, gyroscopes, microphones, strain gauges, thermometers, and the like. The sensors may transmit data to one or more computing devices over a wired network. The computing devices may process the data using artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) algorithms to generate outputs, e.g., classifications, predictions, and control signals. The AI and ML algorithms may appear to be "black box" algorithms in that they offer little insight into what they "see" in the data when they process it.

Systems and methods for modeling and controlling physical dynamical systems using artificial intelligence


A tire intended to be mounted on a drop-center rim with a flange height G and a radius of curvature R1 has first and second beads each having an annular reinforcing structure having a radially innermost point, the radial distance between the radially innermost point and the mounting rim being A, and a carcass reinforcement anchored in the two beads by being turned back around the annular reinforcing structure forming, within each bead, a main strand and a turned-back strand, in which the thicknesses EB1 of the first bead and EB2 of the second bead are the distance separating (i) the point on the main strand that is at a distance R from the radially innermost point, where R=G+(R1)/2−A, and (ii) the point on the exterior surface of the bead that is at the distance R from the radially innermost point, and in which |EB1−EB2|≧1 mm.

The way in which a vehicle fitted with passenger vehicle tires behaves is dependent on a whole host of parameters, both related to the vehicle and related to the tire-wheel assemblies. Among these parameters there is the offset of the wheels with respect to the vehicle. By changing this offset it is possible to have a significant influence on how the vehicle behaves and the driver's impressions with respect to this behavior. It is possible to change this offset by changing the wheel design or by using spacer pieces positioned between the wheel and the hub.
Within the context of developing a tire for a given vehicle, changing the model of wheel or using such spacer pieces are not always conceivable. This is because there are a number of types or brands of tire that can generally be fitted to this vehicle, but the wheel offset required in order to achieve the target behavior may differ according to the type or brand of tire.

COMPAGNIE GENERALE DES ETABLISSEMENTS MICHELIN


An X-ray tube which is high in brightness and high in resolution, and can withstand continuous long-time use, that is, it can withstand a high heat load. An X-ray target and an X-ray tube having the X-ray target include an X-ray generating metal layer having an average crystal grain diameter not larger than 30 xcexcm on the surface of a base plate in the X-ray irradiated side. The X-ray tube has a small focus point and can withstand a high input load. A CT apparatus using the X-ray tube can provide a high resolution and a high definition image.

The present invention relates to an X-ray tube generating an X-ray by irradiating an electron beam, an anode of an X-ray target of an X-ray tube and an X-ray apparatus using the X-ray tube and, more particularly, to a medical X-ray tube and a medical X-ray apparatus which is required to be high in load resistivity and high in brightness and definition of an image.
In an X-ray generating apparatus for industrial use or medical use, an X-ray is generated by irradiating thermal electrons emitted from an cathode onto an anode target. An X-ray generating metal for the anode target (hereinafter, referred to as xe2x80x9cX-ray targetxe2x80x9d) used is tungsten (W) or a tungsten alloy which has a high X-ray generating efficiency and a high melting point.
An X-ray tube for medical use is required to produce a high definition image of a medical examination portion and to have a higher X-ray output compared to a common X-ray tube. Since most part of energy of an electron beam is converted into heat when an X-ray is generated, the X-ray target is heated to high temperature.
Further, a high power X-ray tube is so constructed that the X-ray target is rotated during electron beam irradiation in order to prevent the X-ray target from overheating. Therefore, the X-ray tube is required to have a high heat resistance and a high strength during rotation. A method for coping with this problem is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.58-59545. In the method, a tungsten or tungsten alloy layer is formed onto the surface of a molybdenum or molybdenum alloy base plate through a chemical deposition method or the like. This method has an advantage in better bonding ability between the surface of the molybdenum alloy base plate and the tungsten alloy layer and accordingly in a high thermal conductivity. A method of manufacturing an X-ray target is also disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-176654. In the method, a tungsten or tungsten alloy layer is successively laminated onto the surface of a molybdenum or molybdenum alloy base plate through a chemical deposition method or the like, and then the laminated X-ray target is annealed to improve the adhesive force. The X-ray tubes using such X-ray targets have a better load resistivity compared to an X-ray tube having a conventional X-ray generating metal, and can withstand a longtime and continuous use.
As the progress of an X-ray apparatus with computer processing such as a X-ray CT apparatus for medical use, an X-ray tube is required to cope with a high resolution processed image. Further, it is required that the X-ray tube can withstand a long-time and continuous use. In order to do so, it is necessary to increase input power to the X-ray tube to increase the amount of X-ray radiation. In addition to this, in order to obtain a high resolution image, it is important to converge an electron beam from a cathode small, that is, to increase the brightness by small focusing and large current density. Therefore, it is required that the X-ray target can withstand a large heat load on the electron irradiation surface. To these requirements, the method of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.58-59545 has a problem in that the surface of the X-ray generating metal made of a tungsten alloy is roughed and the X-ray generating efficiency is decreased as it is used long time.
On the other hand, the method of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.57-176654 has a disadvantage in that the process of manufacturing the target is complex and accordingly its manufacturing cost may be increased.
An object of the present invention is to provide an X-ray tube which is high in brightness and high in resolution, and can withstand continuous long-time use, that is, can withstand a high heat load, and to provide an X-ray apparatus such as an X-ray CT apparatus capable of obtaining a more clear image using the X-ray tube.
The object of the present invention can be attained by providing an X-ray tube generating an X-ray from a metal surface by irradiating an electron beam, wherein at least a part of an electron irradiating surface of an anode target of the X-ray tube comprises an X-ray generating metal having an average crystal grain diameter not larger than 30 xcexcm, preferably not larger than 10 xcexcm, on the surface of a base plate made of a metal. The xe2x80x9caverage crystal diameterxe2x80x9d here means a minor axis when the crystal grain is flat. The crystal grain diameter may be obtained by taking a picture of a polished surface using an optical microscope or an electron microscope, and calculating through an image processing method or measuring crystallographically using an X-ray. In these cases, although the crystal grain diameter is apt to be measured smaller in a case of using the X-ray, it is sufficient that the measured average crystal grain diameter is within the above range whichever method is chosen.
It is preferable that the X-ray generating metal having an average crystal grain diameter not larger than 30 xcexcm is composed of two or more layers. The xe2x80x9ctwo or more layersxe2x80x9d means that the composition of each layer may be different, or a boundary may be simply formed between layers. For example, in a case of forming an X-ray generating metal layer through the chemical vapor deposition method, by stopping to supply the process gas for a while during forming a layer and then starting to supply the process gas, a boundary is formed and two layers can be observed. In film forming through chemical vapor deposition, seed crystals are firstly formed on a base plate and then crystals grow based on the seed crystals to form a film. When supply of the process gas is stopped for a while, crystal growth is stopped at that time. When supply of the process gas is started again, seed crystals are newly formed. In such a way, two or more layers of metal films can be formed even if the composition of each of the layers is the same. The most convenient way to judge whether two or more layers are formed is to polish a cross section of the X-ray target and observe it by a microscope.
Further, it is preferable that, in the X-ray tube, the X-ray generating metal having an average crystal grain diameter not larger than 30 xcexcm is composed of two or more layers containing tungsten and rhenium, and tungsten concentration in the layer in contact with the metal base plate is higher than tungsten concentration in the surface layer of the electron irradiating surface. A preferable X-ray generating metal is a substance having a larger atomic number which has a higher X-ray generating efficiency, but it is required to have a higher melting point. Although tungsten is generally used as an element to satisfy these requirements, rhenium is added as an alloy element since tungsten itself is low in high temperature strength and accordingly is unsuitable for practical use.
It is also preferable that the thickness of the X-ray generating metal layer is not larger than 200 xcexcm.
It is preferable that the X-ray generating metal layer described above has a tungsten alloy layer in the side of the base plate.
Further, the present invention provides an X-ray tube in which at least a part of an electron irradiating surface of an anode target of the X-ray tube comprises two or more layers of alloy layers on the surface of a metal base plate. The definition of xe2x80x9ctwo or more layersxe2x80x9d is the same as described above.
Furthermore, the present invention provides an X-ray tube generating an X-ray from a metal surface by irradiating an electron beam in which at least a part of an electron irradiating surface of an anode target of the X-ray tube comprises an X-ray generating layer having a columnar crystal structure on the surface of a metal base plate. The xe2x80x9ccolumnar crystal structurexe2x80x9d hear means a crystal structure in which directions of crystals (directions of longitudinal axis of the crystals) are oriented in nearly the same direction and the aspect ratio of the crystal is approximately more than 5.
Further, the present invention provides an X-ray tube generating an X-ray from a metal surface by irradiating an electron beam, in which at least a part of an electron irradiating surface of an anode target of the X-ray tube comprises an X-ray generating layer made of tungsten and rhenium on the surface of a metal base plate, and concentration of elements except for the tungsten and the rhenium in the X-ray generating metal is not larger than 100 ppm. The concentration is indicated by unit of weight ratio and analyzed through a method such as chemical analysis, instrumental analysis or the like.
It is preferable that the metal layer containing tungsten and rhenium having maximum thickness of not larger than 100 xcexcm is formed at least on a part of a base plate made of a metallic sintered material having molybdenum as the main component in the side of electron irradiating surface. There is no need that the X-ray generating metal layer covers the whole surface of the electron irradiating surface of the metal base plate, but the X-ray generating metal layer may exist in, for example, a radial shape. It is preferable that a metal layer containing tungsten and rhenium having an average crystal grain diameter not smaller than 30 xcexcm is formed at least on a part of a base plate made of a metallic sintered material having molybdenum as the main component in the side of electron irradiating surface, and the metal layer having average crystal grain diameter not larger than 10 xcexcm is formed at least on a part of the metal surface having an average crystal grain diameter not smaller than 30 xcexcm in the side of electron irradiating surface. It is preferable that a clear boundary exists between the metal surface having an average crystal grain diameter not smaller than 30 xcexcm and the metal layer having average crystal grain diameter not larger than 10 xcexcm.
Further, it is preferable that the metal layer containing tungsten and rhenium is formed at least on a part of a base plate made of a metallic sintered material having molybdenum as the main component in the side of electron irradiating surface, and distribution of rhenium in the metal layer is uniform. When a cross section of an X-ray generating metal of a sintered material sintered formed by adding rhenium powder is observed by a scanning electron microscope and analyzed by an electron probe micro-analyzer, it is found that rhenium particles as it is exist in the sintered material and accordingly there is deviation in rhenium distribution. In a case of forming the metal film through a method such as chemical vapor deposition method, physical vapor deposition method, sputtering method or the like, such variation does not exist and rhenium is uniformly dispersed in the tungsten.
It is preferable that the metal layer containing tungsten and rhenium is formed at least on a part of a base plate made of a metallic sintered substance having molybdenum as the main component in the side of electron irradiating surface, and relative density to the theoretical density of the metal layer is not smaller than 98%. A value described in a chemical handbook or the like is used as the theoretical density. The density may be measured through a hydraulic replacing method (Archimedes"" method) or the like. The most convenient way to measure the density of the X-ray generating metal of metal thin film is to mechanically peel off the film from the base plate.
It is preferable that the composition ratio of rhenium to tungsten of the metal layer containing tungsten and rhenium is larger in the electron irradiated side of said layer. The efficiency of generating X-ray is larger in a metal having a larger atomic number. The atomic number of tungsten is 74 and the atomic number of rhenium is 75. Therefore, the efficiency of generating X-ray is larger in rhenium than in tungsten. On the other hand, the penetrating depth of electron into the X-ray generating metal surface is approximately 10 xcexcm, but it depends on the energy of electron. Therefore, it is preferable that the content of rhenium is made large in the zone up to the depth of 10 xcexcm from the surface and the content of tungsten is increased as the depth approaches to the metal base plate. The melting point of rhenium is lower compared to that of tungsten, and the price of rhenium is higher compared to that of tungsten. In regard to surface melt and cost, it is not preferable to make the content of rhenium excessively high.
FIG. 1 is a view showing a simulation result of temperature distribution in an X-ray target of an X-ray tube during using. Temperature at the surface of the electron irradiating surface is increased up to approximately 1500xc2x0 C., but temperature at a position beneath the surface is steeply decreased. In a case where graphite is used as the base plate and an X-ray generating metal layer is formed on the electron irradiating surface though chemical vapor deposition method, temperature at the boundary between the graphite base plate and the X-ray generating metal layer is increased above 1300xc2x0 C. since the X-ray generating metal layer is formed so as to have a thickness less than 500 xcexcm due to manufacturing cost. In such a temperature condition, the graphite reacts with the tungsten in the X-ray generating metal layer made of a tungsten-rhenium alloy to form a carbide such as tungsten carbide. When such a carbide is formed, the bonding force in the boundary is decreased, and cracks and delamination possibly occur at the junction portion during using the X-ray tube.
Since such a carbide has a small thermal conductivity, the heat generated on the electron irradiating surface is not sufficiently dispersed. That is, the temperature of the electron irradiating surface is increased and the load resistivity is decreased.
The inventors of the present invention invented the present invention by studying an X-ray target which did not decrease its load resistivity due to formation of such a carbide. That is, the inventors of the present invention found that an X-ray target having a high load resistivity could be obtained by making the base plate of the X-ray target with a metal sintered material such as molybdenum and forming an X-ray generating metal film having average grain diameter smaller than 30 xcexcm on the base plate using a thin film technology such as a chemical vapor deposition method.
There is a phenomenon that the surface shape of the X-ray generating metal is roughened when an X-ray tube is used for long time. This phenomenon is caused by sublimation or melting of the X-ray generating metal because the temperature near the electron irradiating surface increases up to approximately 2000xc2x0 C. When the surface is roughened, the X-ray generating amount is decreased because X-ray emitted from the surface of the X-ray generating surface is scattered by the rough surface. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing this phenomenon.
The inventors found that small crystal grain diameter was effective to suppress this phenomenon. The reason is that sublimation and melting of the X-ray generating surface occur in the grain boundaries first. FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing this phenomenon.
From these facts, the inventors found that an X-ray tube had a high brightness and a small degradation in performance when it was used for a long time. The X-ray tube comprised an X-ray target of an X-ray generating metal layer having average grain diameter not larger than 30 xcexcm, preferably not larger than 10 xcexcm, formed through chemical vapor deposition method or the like.
FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between crystal grain diameter and surface roughness of an X-ray generating metal layer. In order to accelerate testing time, this test was performed by irradiating YAG laser instead of electron beam to supply a high heat input and measuring worn amount of the X-ray generating metal surface. It can be understood from the result that the X-ray target having a crystal grain diameter smaller than 10 xcexcm is smaller in worn cross sectional area and smaller in surface roughness than the X-ray target having a crystal grain diameter of nearly 50 xcexcm. The reference character Z in FIG. 4 indicates the distance between the center of a laser focus lens and a sample surface. FIG. 5 is photographs showing cross-sectional features. The photograph in FIG. 5(a) shows a cross-sectional feature of the chemical vapor deposited tungsten-rhenium layer (20 go-and-return cycles), and the photograph in FIG. 5(b) shows a cross-sectional feature of the sintered tungsten-rhenium layer (20 -go-and-return cycles). The length of 1 cm in FIG. 5 corresponds to 20 xcexcm.
FIG. 6 is a graph showing dependence of crystal grain diameter in X-ray generating metal on heating temperature. It can be understood that the crystal grain diameter of an X-ray generating metal layer having initial grain diameter of nearly 1 xcexcm is grown not so large after heating at 2000xc2x0 C. for 1 hour. This means that the crystal grain diameter of the X-ray generating metal layer does not coarsen with time and accordingly there is little problem in surface roughing.
An X-ray target shown in FIG. 7 was manufactured. The X-ray target was manufactured by forming a tungsten-rhenium sintered alloy having thickness of approximately 10 xcexcm on the surface of a molybdenum sintered alloy base plate to manufacture a base X-ray target, and by further forming an X-ray generating metal layer having crystal grain diameter smaller than 10 xcexcm and thickness of 100 xcexcm on the half surface of the base X-ray target. The X-ray target was irradiated with an electron beam for a predetermined cycles while the X-ray target was being rotated, and then rotation of the target was stopped. FIG. 8 is a graph showing the measured result of amount of generated X-ray and reducing ratio of X-ray generation for the side with the X-ray generating metal layer and the side without the X-ray generating metal layer. The amount of generated X-ray is more in the side with the X-ray generating metal layer by nearly 10% than in the side without the X-ray generating metal layer. The reducing ratio of generated X-ray is less in the side with the X-ray generating metal layer by nearly 5% than in the side without the X-ray generating metal layer. FIG. 9 is photographs showing cross-sectional structures near the X-lay generating metal layers after the test. The photograph in FIG. 9(a) shows a cross-sectional feature of the chemical vapor deposited tungsten-rhenium layer, and the photograph in FIG. 9(b) shows a cross-sectional feature of the sintered tungsten-rhenium layer. The length of 1 cm in FIG. 9 corresponds to 100 xcexcm. The surface roughness is smaller in the side with the X-ray generating metal layer than in the side without the X-ray generating metal layer. Measurement by a probe type surface roughness meter showed that the average roughness (Ra) and the maximum roughness (Rmax) in the side with the X-ray generating metal layer were 5.7 xcexcm and 45 xcexcm, and on the other hand the average roughness (Ra) and the maximum roughness (Rmax) in the side without the X-ray generating metal layer were 7.5 xcexcm and 71 xcexcm. That is, the surface roughness was smaller in the side with the X-ray generating metal layer than in the side without the X-ray generating metal layer.
After studying the differences in the test results of the X-ray target with the X-ray generating metal layer and the X-ray target without the X-ray generating metal layer, the following results are obtained.
(1) When the crystal grain diameter of the electron irradiating surface is smaller than a certain value, the surface roughness is small.
(2) When there is a boundary between the surface layer and the base plate, a crack starting from a point on the surface is suppressed to progress and the crack progress distance is shortened.
(3) It is revealed from an analysis using an electron probe micro-analyzer that rhenium distribution in the X-ray generating metal layer formed on the surface is uniform compared to that in the sintered tungsten-rhenium layer.
(4) The relative density to the theoretical density is large in the surface of the X-ray generating metal layer than in the surface of the sintered tungsten-rhenium layer. That is, the sintered tungsten-rhenium layer has a lot of voids and the surface roughness is large.
Based on the above test data, the requirements for an X-ray tube having high brightness and long life-time are obtained as follows.
(1) An X-ray generating metal layer having a maximum drain diameter not larger than 30 xcexcm, preferably a maximum grain diameter not larger than 10 xcexcm, is formed on the surface of a metal base plate made of molybdenum or the like.
(2) A boundary exists between the X-ray generating metal layer and the metal base plate or inside the X-ray generating metal layer to prevent progress of a crack.
(3) Rhenium distribution in the X-ray generating metal layer is uniform.
(4) Relative density to the theoretical density in the X-ray generating metal layer is not smaller than 98%.
With the above specified construction, an X-ray tube having high brightness and long life-time can be obtained.
A method of manufacturing an X-ray generating metal layer in accordance with the present invention is characterized by that a tungsten-rhenium film of the X-ray generating metal is formed by using metal halide gases (WF6, ReF6) containing hydrogen and maintaining the base plate temperature within the range of 200 to 600xc2x0 C., preferably 400 to 500xc2x0 C., in which the film forming speed is high and a uniform fine structure can be obtained. When the base plate temperature is lower than 200xc2x0 C., the film is apt to become non-uniform. On the other hand, when the base plate temperature is higher than 600xc2x0 C., the fine structure is hardly obtained because content of rhenium becomes low. In order to make the film forming speed high, it is preferable that the chemical vapor deposition pressure is set to near atmospheric pressure. Further, it is also preferable that an amount of rhenium contained in the fine structure tungsten-rhenium alloy is in the range of 2.5 to 26 wt % in order to form the fine structure.
As for a method of manufacturing an X-ray target in accordance with the present invention, it is preferable that a fine structure tungsten-rhenium alloy as an x-ray generating metal material is coated onto a heat resistant anode base plate made of molybdenum or a molybdenum alloy, or tungsten or a tungsten alloy, or a complex base plate formed by laminating layers made of the materials, and then the coated X-ray target is performed with heat-treating at a temperature of 1000 to 2000xc2x0 C. in a vacuum environment. By the vacuum heat treatment, diffusion between the metal base plate and the X-ray generating metal coated onto the metal base plate is progressed, and at the same time gas contained in the X-ray target is completely removed. When the heating temperature is lower than 1000xc2x0 C., diffusion between the coated X-ray generating metal and the base plate made of molybdenum or the molybdenum alloy, or tungsten or the tungsten alloy, or the complex base plate formed by laminating layers made of the materials is insufficient and accordingly the coated X-ray generating metal cannot closely attached to the base plate or the complex base plate. Further, the degassing of the X-ray target is insufficient and accordingly the withstanding voltage is lowered due to gas released when the X-ray target is assembled in an X-ray tube. Therefore, an X-ray having a sufficient strength cannot be generated.

Anode target for X-ray tube and X-ray tube therewith


A device to assist in an independent piloting of an aircraft at least in a descent phase includes a unit to determine a descent axis which assists a pilot in flying from a safe altitude to a decision height, the descent axis being secured relative to the ground being flown over, and a guidance system to assist in the guiding of the aircraft along said descent axis in a descent phase.

The present invention relates to a method and a device to assist in the piloting of an aircraft, in particular a military transport aircraft, to assist in an independent piloting of the aircraft at least in a descent phase between a safe altitude and a decision height that are predetermined.

Method and device to assist in the piloting of an aircraft


An apparatus and method for removing a subsea structure wherein a housing defining a subsea structure receiving space and having a jetting system attached at or near the bottom of the housing is used to form an excavation around the subsea structure to the desired depth and a frame attached to or mounted in the housing carries a cutter assembly which is movable from a first position on the frame to a second position on the frame, the first position being on one side of the subsea structure, the second position being on the opposite side of the subsea structure.

There are thousands of subsea structures connected with the drilling and production of oil and gas from oil and gas wells which are now characterized as abandoned. Non-limiting examples of such subsea structures include wellheads, casing stubs, etc., which either extend above the mudline (seabed) or are close to the mudline. The subsea structures can vary from simply a relatively large diameter piece of pipe to more complex structures comprised of concentric steel pipes, the annulus between which are filled with concrete or cement.
Federal guidelines for the removal of such subsea structures in offshore water under United States jurisdiction typically mandate that the structure must be cut off 15 feet below the mudline unless a variance is obtained. Typical methods of removing subsea structures include explosive removal, thermal lances, electrodes for subsea cutting, grinders, pipe cutters, etc. However, because of the mandate that the subsea structure must be cut off 15 feet below the mudline, in many cases divers and other highly trained personnel must be employed to excavate around the subsea structure down to the desired depth and then carry out the cutting operation. Clearly such operations are tiresome, expensive and involve considerable fatigue and risk for the operating personnel.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,056,267 and 5,361,741 disclose methods and apparatus for cutting subsea structures.

Apparatus and method for removing subsea structures


A developing device of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus has a first roller and a second roller disposed in a peripheral contact with the first roller to define a contact region therebetween so that the first roller is capable of supplying and collecting a toner to and from the second roller in the contact region. The first roller has a core and a polyurethane foam layer. The polyurethane foam has an open ratio of cells of 2% or more and 50% or less and a hardness of 1 gf/mm or more and 6 gf/mm or less, the hardness being defined by a load per unit length in a longitudinal direction of the first roller, the load being determined by forcing the peripheral surface of the polyurethane foam layer against a substrate, measuring a load necessary for the polyurethane foam layer to be compressed by 30% in thickness, and dividing the load by a length of the polyurethane foam layer in the longitudinal direction. The first and second rollers are disposed so that the contact region has a peripheral width of 3 mm or more and 8 mm or less.

The conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatus has an electrostatic latent image bearing member for bearing electrostatic latent images. The electrostatic latent images on the electrostatic latent image bearing member are visualized with particles of toner supplied from the developing device.
There have been proposed a variety of developing devices. Among others, one typical developing device has a developing roller disposed to oppose the image bearing member and a supply roller disposed in contact with the developing roller but away from the image bearing member in which toner is supplied from the supply roller to the developing and then collected from the developing roller to the supply roller so that a certain amount of fresh toner is provided to a developing region between the image bearing member and the opposed developing roller.
JP 2007-145904 (A) discloses a supply roller of which the outermost peripheral layer is made of polyurethane foam. According to the supply roller, stress which acts on the toner between the contact region between the developing and the supply rollers is decreased due to the flexibility of the polyurethane foam to extend the life duration of the toner.
In the meantime, the current trend to pursue a high-resolution and high-quality image production needs smaller size toner particles. The small size toner particles have a low fluidity so that they tend to clog within the opened cells in the surface of the peripheral polyurethane foam layer of the supply roller. Also, the small size toner particles tend to adhere firmly to the surface of the developing roller. This results in that the supply roller becomes unable to collect the toner particles from the developing roller in a short period of use to leave ghost memories made of uncollected toner particles, which may afterwards be transferred onto the recording medium such as paper to deteriorate the quality of the resultant images.
One possible approach to this problem is to increase the frictional force between the developing and the supply rollers for enhancing the collecting ability of the supply roller by, for example, increasing the peripheral speed of the supply roller relative to the developing roller or increasing the contact width between the developing and the supply rollers in the peripheral directions thereof.
Disadvantageously, the increased frictional force can result in another increase of the stress on the toner particles in the contact region, which reduces the life duration of the toner and deteriorates the quality of the toner to result in an unwanted toner adherence on the non-image region on the recording medium.

Roller for use with image forming apparatus

Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.


The bicycle of the invention provides a frame having forward and rear frame portions that are selectively attach and detach from each other in upright and recumbent positions. In the upright position, cranks are connected to a gear box that is adapted to drive a typical chain sprocket. In the recumbent position, the cranks are removed from the rear gear box and are attached to a forward gear box. A drive shaft is positioned between the gear boxes so that the bicycle rider may power the bicycle from the forward gear box. The bicycle may also be configured to be used as a tandem with a second set of cranks attached to the rear gear box.

1. Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to bicycles and, more particularly, to bicycles that are convertible between different riding configurations. Specifically, the present invention relates to a bicycle that can be quickly and easily configured in an upright position, a recumbent position, and a tandem position.
2. Background Information
A bicycle is a two-wheeled vehicle that is propelled by energy supplied by the rider. The most traditional form of a bicycle includes a chain and sprocket drive mechanism wherein a small sprocket is attached to the rear wheel and a large sprocket is attached to a crank mechanism that allows the user to provide energy to the bicycle through his legs. The bicycle typically has two wheels of equal size. A steering mechanism allows the front wheel to be turned relative to the rear wheel to allow the bicycle to be guided through turns. The traditional upright bicycle locates the pedals generally below the seat of the rider such that the rider""s weight shifts from one foot to the other during forward propulsion. One problem with this type of bicycle is that the rider""s center of gravity is positioned above the majority of the bicycle frame.
In general, a longer wheel base and a lower center of gravity provides greater stability. A recumbent bicycle is generally longer than a conventional upright bicycle and positions the rider in a lower position to the ground. The rider is generally sitting in a slightly reclined position while riding a recumbent bicycle. Recumbent bicycles provide increased comfort, greater pedal efficiency, and a lower center of gravity compared to the conventional upright bicycle.
Tandem bicycles are also known in the art. A tandem bicycle allows two riders to power a single bicycle unit that typically has a pair of crank mechanisms driving a single wheel or a pair of crank mechanisms driving individual wheels.
The art generally desires a bicycle configuration that allows the user to selectively configure his bicycle between the upright, recumbent, and tandem positions so that the user may enjoy the benefits of all three types of bicycle configurations while only purchasing a single bicycle. Although some prior art devices provide a conversion function, the devices either require the greasy chain to be manually moved between sprockets, position the seat too high, or require relatively complicated pivoting arrangements to move the elements of the bike between the different positions. The art desires the conversion to be simple and clean so that the user will not hesitate to make the conversion when desired.
One type of conversion configuration for a bicycle is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,034. The conversion apparatus disclosed in this patent is functional but includes some undesirable drawbacks. U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,196 allows a recumbent bicycle to be connected with other recumbent bicycles (FIG. 6) so that a tandem bicycle may be created. U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,574 discloses a bicycle frame that allows the crank to be positioned in a variety of different positions. U.S. Pat. No. 4,502,705 discloses a semirecumbent tandem bicycle but includes a relatively complicated chain drive that is used by the front rider. U.S. Pat. No. 4,248,448 discloses a bicycle that allows the user to sit in an upright position or lie forward in a prone riding position. German document DE 3837-018-A discloses a bicycle having an adjustable riding position that includes a seat and pedal arrangement on a hinged frame configuration that allows the seat to pivot rearwardly and downwardly while pivoting the crank mechanism upwardly. Each of the bicycle configurations noted above has at least one undesirable aspect and room for improvement remains in the art.
In view of the foregoing, the present invention provides a bicycle that may be selectively configured in one of an upright, recumbent, or tandem position. The invention provides a bicycle that may be selectively configured without requiring the user to move the chain of the drive mechanism. The bicycle of the present invention achieves this objective by providing gear boxes in the drive mechanism of the bicycle. When the bicycle is converted from the upright to the recumbent position, a drive shaft is placed between a front gear box and the rear gear box to allow the user to drive the rear drive mechanism with a front crank assembly.
The invention also provides a frame configuration that uses quick-disconnect locking clips to hold the frame together in its different configurations.
The bicycle also provides a configuration that positions the rider""s seat below the top of the rear wheel in the recumbent position so that the recumbent bicycle is easy to ride.


A corona-type, air-cooled ozone generator has a cluster of ganged cylindrical generator units (100) packed into a cylindrical pipe (10). Each unit has an inner electrode (101), a dielectric tube around the inner electrode (103), and a concentric outer electrode (102 with side wall openings (112). The corona air gap is between the dielectric and the outer electrode. The inner electrode and dielectric tube are held in each respective outer electrode with silicone end pieces (152, 151). Voltage is put on the inner electrodes while air is blown through the pipe from a blower (30); the air passes through the gaps between the units' ends and circulates through side wall openings, passing over the dielectric tubes and cooling them. Because the dielectric tubes are small, for example 0.25 inches across, they lose heat quickly and do not reach a high temperature. The generator is compact.

Ozone, which chemically is three oxygen atoms joined into a molecule (formula O.sub.2), is a highly reactive gas and a very strong oxidizer because it readily splits into a stable atmospheric oxygen molecules (formula O.sub.2) and a free single oxygen atom. Ozone has many and varied uses: it kills bacteria and viruses, purifies water, deodorizes carpets, bleaches fabrics, and so on.
In many applications there has been a need for a strong draft of ozonated air, of up to 100 cubic feet of air per minutes, from a compact ozone generator. However, the existing technology has not met this need for a compact, simple ozone generator with a high air-flow rate.
Ozone generators for ozonating air are of two basic types; ultraviolet and corona.
The ultraviolet type employs gas-discharge lamps which emit bright ultraviolet light (also called "UV" or "black light" lamps), which breaks up atmospheric oxygen and thus creates ozone. Because the UV lamps are bulky, an ultraviolet generator cannot be very compact. The lamps are also fragile and expensive and can burn out.
The corona or Siemens type creates ozone by subjecting air to a very high electric field. Typically the strong electric field is supplied from a transformer, which converts ordinary line current at 115 volts into alternating current (AC) at about 6000 volts, sufficient to break up oxygen molecules. The high-voltage coil of the transformer is connected to two electrodes so that one goes positive when the other is negative. The two electrodes form a sort of capacitor, and usually comprises two parallel plates, concentric cylinders, or some other geometry which allows for a constant distance between the electrodes. A dielectric (insulating) material, typically plastic or ceramic, is often included in between the two metal electrodes; however, it does not fill the gap completely because air to be ozonated must circulate through. The dielectric provides a solid insulator to prevent shorting between the electrodes and also intensifiers the electric field.
Ozone generators create substantial amounts of heat, and indeed heat build-up is a basic limited factor in ozone generators. To produce a great deal of ozone requires a large volume of air subjected to strong electric fields. Under these conditions, heat builds up quickly inside the dielectric material because of the strong alternating electric field to which it is subjected. This heating of the dielectric is analogous to heating in a microwave oven. The dielectrics can suffer a shortened life, melt, crack, and so on. Air temperatures above 130 degrees Fahrenheit also interfere with ozone production.
(The metal electrodes do not generate so much heat internally as dielectrics, and are better able to withstand elevated temperatures; of course, the air between the electrodes can be heated without damage.)
Previous workers in the field above have devoted considerable energy to the problem of removing heat from the dielectric. Often the cooling is quite elaborate. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,766,051 discloses concentric tubes electrodes with coolant fluid both inside the inner electrode and outside the outer electrode. Another example is U.S. Pat. No. 4,960,570 issued to Mechtersheimer shows an arrangement with cooling fluid circulating outside electrode plates (labeled 1 and 2) and also inside electrode tubes (3) held in a row between the plates.
It is much less expensive, and simpler, to cool the dielectric with air. However, if only air is used then the problem of heat removal is made more difficult, because air, compared to a liquid like water, is a thermal insulator and cannot hold as much heat per unit volume. One need only imagine standing in 60-degree air while wearing a swim suit and standing in 60-degree water while dressed the same. Water removes heat from the body about 3600 times faster than air does.
Moreover, the heat problem becomes worse as the ozone generating unit is made smaller and more compact. Clearly, to produce ozone at a certain rate, heat must also be generated at a certain rate; but the smaller the unit, the less the internal and external surface area is from which the heat can be lost, and the higher the temperature of the unit becomes.
Thus, the problem of producing an ozone generator which is both compact and air-cooled is double difficult. Prior workers have not solved it.
Batchelor, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,008,087, discusses the heat problem and attempts to solve it by using reversing air flow. Air is injected into the annular gap between a round inner electrode (12) and the inside of a dielectric tube (16). At the far end the air is forced to reverse direction and flow between the outside of the dielectric tube and a tubular outer electrode (14). This is claimed to reduce the temperature differential between the inside and outside surfaces of the dielectric tube, reducing the risk of heat cracking (at column 2, lines 25-54). The diameter of the inner electrode is given as 1.25 inches.
Aside from the obvious fact that the outside surface of the dielectric tube is being "cooled" with already-heated air, reversing the flow increases air resistance and makes the design more bulky, since the air is removed from the same end at which it is injected. The air needs to turn many corners, the flow is not straight-through, and the diameter of the unit is increased.
A "Compact Ozone Generator" is described by Coate in U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,809. An inner dielectric tube (18) and an outer dielectric tube (16) have electrodes in between them, within, and without. Air flows through the inner tube, reverses, and flows out in the annular space between the tubes. Unlike Batchelor, Coate does not attribute cooling properties to the reverse flow, and instead advises (column 3, line 49) that the feed air be chilled to cool the unit. The refrigeration unit required for this will naturally obviate any advantages of Coate's "compact" design.
The conventional technology has not provided an effective solution to the heat problem in air-cooled ozone generators. It has particularly not provided a compact, large output, air-cooled ozone generator which can eliminate heat from the dielectrics at the required rate.

Ozone generator with small-diameter dielectric tubes


A linear compressor includes: a cylinder block forming a compressing chamber; a piston reciprocatably provided in the compressing chamber; a reciprocating member connected to the piston to reciprocate with the piston as a single body; a driver driving the reciprocating member to reciprocate; and a resonance spring including a first connecting part formed with a plurality of first connecting holes to permit connection to the cylinder block, and a second connecting part that is provided inside of the first connecting part and formed with a second connecting hole to permit connection to the reciprocating member to reciprocate with the reciprocating member. A plurality of arms spaced apart from one another are disposed between the first connecting part and the second connecting part, each of the arms including a first end connected to the first connecting part to be positioned between the plurality of first connecting holes.

1. Field of the Invention
An apparatus consistent with the present invention relates to a linear compressor and, more particularly, to a linear compressor having a resonance spring of an improved structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, different from a reciprocating compressor, a linear compressor is of a free-piston structure having no connecting rod to restrict movement of a piston. The linear compressor comprises an outer casing to seal a predetermined space, a compressing part accommodated in the outer casing to suck and compress/discharge refrigerant gas and a driver to operate the compressing part by electric power from the outside.
The compressing part comprises a cylinder block forming the compressing chamber, a piston reciprocatably provided in the compressing chamber and a cylinder head having a sucking valve to suck a refrigerant gas in the compressing chamber and a discharging valve to discharge the refrigerant gas.
The driver comprises an inner core provided outside of the cylinder block, an outer core spaced apart from a circumferential surface of the inner core, a magnet provided between the outer core and the inner core to reciprocate in a perpendicular direction by interacting with a magnetic field generated between the inner and outer cores due to electric power from the outside. A reciprocating member having a first part connected with an upper part of the piston and a second part connected to the magnet of the driver is provided on the compressing part to reciprocate with the piston and the magnet as a single body. A resonance spring connected with reciprocating member and the outer core of the driver is provided on the reciprocating member to facilitate a reciprocation of the piston.
Generally, the reciprocation of the piston depends on a stiffness due to the gas pressure in the compressing chamber, a stiffness of the resonance spring, the weight of the piston and a driving force of the driver.
The stiffness of the gas pressure in the compressing chamber is reduced when the discharging valve is opened. That is, if the stiffness of the gas pressure in the compressing chamber is increased when the refrigeration gas is compressed and reduced when the refrigeration gas is discharged. An average stiffness with respect to the average gas pressure in the compressing chamber has a highly nonlinear property as the maximum displacement of the piston is varied.
The stiffness of the resonance spring may be represented as an elastic force of the resonance spring per a unit displacement.
If the weight of the piston and the driving force of the driver are constant, the reciprocating motion of the piston mainly depends on the stiffness of the resonance spring and the stiffness or resistance of the gas pressure in the compressing chamber. The stiffness of the resonance spring and the resistance of the gas pressure in the compressing chamber facilitate the efficient operation of the linear compressor. For greater efficiency, it is better if a natural frequency according to the addition of the stiffness of the resonance spring and the average stiffness with respect to the gas pressure remains approximately the same as a frequency of the electric power.
As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional resonance spring 150 is of a disk shape and comprises a first connecting part 151 connected with the outer core (not shown) at a circumferential part and a second connecting part 155 connected with the reciprocating member (not shown) in the center to reciprocate with the reciprocating member as a single body. The resonance spring 150 is formed with a plurality of through holes 159 of a spiral shape between the first connecting part 151 and the second connecting part 155, which forms a plurality of arms 160.
The first connecting part 151 is formed with a plurality of first connecting holes 153 so as to be fixedly connected with the outer core by bolts passing therethrough and the second connecting part 155 is provided with a second connecting hole 157 to permit connection with the reciprocating member by a bolt passing therethrough.
Thus, the first connecting part 151 of the conventional resonance spring 150 is fixed with the outer core of the driver and the second connecting part 155 thereof is reciprocatably connected with the reciprocating member, which facilitates the reciprocation of the piston.
However, the first connecting holes 153 of the conventional linear compressor are formed also at a part at which the first connecting part 151 and the arm 160 are connected. Thus, the first connecting part 151 is not deformed with respect to the outer core of the driver, when the reciprocating member reciprocates. In the conventional linear compressor, only the second connecting part 155 is twisted—deformed with respect to the first connecting part 151. Accordingly, the stiffness of the conventional resonance spring 150 has an approximately linear property, so that the stiffness is approximate linearly changed as the maximum displacement is changed.
As shown in FIG. 2, the average stiffness or resistance b of the gas pressure constantly decreases in a narrow-range for maximum displacement at a small displacement section X1, and radically decreases highly nonlinearly for maximum displacement at a large displacement section X2. The stiffness a of the conventional spring remains constant and has an approximately linear property in both the small displacement section X1 and the large displacement section X2.
Thus, an addition c of the stiffness a of the conventional spring and the average stiffness b of the gas pressure remains fairly constant in the small displacement section X1 but still radically decreases in the large displacement section X2.
Accordingly, the conventional linear compressor can be used only in the small displacement section X1 in which the addition c of the stiffness a of the conventional spring and the average stiffness b of the gas pressure remains fairly constant and approximately the same as the frequency of the electric power, thereby causing a problem in that the conventional linear compressor cannot be used in the large displacement section X2 in which the average stiffness of the gas pressure is radically changed with a highly nonlinear property.


A melt is stored in a vessel placed in a decompression vessel. On the bottom of the vessel is arranged a bubble generator made of porous bricks, and bubbles of argon gas are introduced into the melt through this bubble generator. Also a lower half section of a degassing member is immersed in the melt. This degassing member has a cylindrical form with the lower end closed and the section immersed in the melt is made of a porous material permeable to gases and impermeable to melts.. With these features, a surface of molten metal can be put under reduced pressure and high content components of the melt can be removed by means of bubbling, and also solute components in the melt can be removed into bubbles of argon gas. Also, gases in the melt and gases produced by reactions between the melt and the porous material can be sucked through a wall of the degassing member into inside thereof and removed.

The present invention relates to a vacuum-suction degassing method and an apparatus therefor, in which gas-forming solute ingredients are removed or recovered from a melt, such as a molten metal, matte, or slag, through a porous member.
Conventionally, the RH method, DH method, and other degassing methods are used to remove gas-forming solute ingredients from a molten metal. According to the RH or DH method, a large quantity of argon gas is blown into the melt, the surface of which is kept at a vacuum or at reduced pressure so that the partial pressure of the gas-forming ingredients is lowered, thereby removing these ingredients.
Requiring the use of argon gas in large quantity, however, the conventional RH or DH degassing method entails high running cost. In addition to this defect, the conventional method has a defect that the concentration of gas-forming ingredients in the melt can not be reduced to an extremely low level.

Vacuum-suction degassing method and an apparatus therefor


An implantable cardiac monitor is arranged for detecting both arrhythmias and ischemia of the human heart. The monitor includes subcutaneous electrodes for establishing electrical contact with the heart and a sense amplifier coupled to each electrode for generating an electrocardiogram of a heart beat sensed at each of the electrodes. The electrocardiograms are digitized and the digital samples thereof are stored in a memory. A microprocessor processes the digital samples of the electrocardiograms and generates characterizing data indicative of the physiology of the heart. The cardiac monitor includes telemetry to permit the cardiac data to be interrogated externally of the patient for obtaining the generated cardiac data indicative of arrhythmic and ischemic episodes.

The present invention generally relates to a cardiac monitor. The present invention more particularly relates to a fully implantable cardiac monitor for monitoring the physiology of the heart and which is externally programmable for detecting either arrhythmias of the heart or ischemia or both. The implantable cardiac monitor generates data indicative of these conditions and stores the data in memory for later retrieval externally of the patient through telemetry. The present invention is further directed to electrode systems for use with the implantable cardiac monitor for sensing heart activity.
Coronary artery circulation normally supplies sufficient blood flow to the heart to meet the demands of the heart muscle (myocardium) as it labors under a widely varying workload. An imbalance that arises between this supply and demand usually precipitates angina pectoris (pain). When the imbalance becomes excessive, myocardial infarction results. Myocardial infarction is necrosis or death of cardiac tissue resulting from the lack of blood flow to the heart. For example, the narrowing of a major coronary artery by more than fifty percent (50%) impairs nutrient blood flow under conditions of myocardial demand.
By far the most common underlying pathologic process that gives rise to the narrowing of a major coronary artery is atherosclerosis. In most patients suffering from atherosclerosis, plaque develops in the proximal segments of the coronary arteries In other patients, this condition may be diffuse and may occur in both proximal and distal vessels.
Increases in oxygen consumption cause ischemia if coronary artery blood flow cannot rise to meet a higher demand. The clinical manifestations of ischemia are angina, myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, and electrical instability (arrhythmia). The last mentioned symptom is assumed to account for most of the sudden cardiac death syndrome patients.
Silent ischemia (ischemia without angina) is common and may result in a myocardial infarction without warning. It has been reported that twenty-five percent (25%) of patients hospitalized with a myocardial infarction have no pain and over fifty percent (50%) of ischemic episodes occur without associated pain.
In treating ischemia, the primary goal of medical therapy is to reduce oxygen consumption and increase blood supply by reducing vascular tone (improving collateral flow) preventing thrombosis and opening or bypassing the blockage in the artery or arteries affected If a clot is causing the blockage, a thrombolytic drug may be used to open the occluded artery. The most direct way to increase blood supply is to revascularize by coronary artery bypass surgery or angioplasty.
Cardiac electrical instability (arrhythmia) may occur during ischemic events and is also a common condition after a myocardial infarction. Since cardiac arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia can degenerate into ventricular fibrillation which is life threatening, these arrhythmias are of great concern to the physician or cardiologist. To control such arrhythmias, the cardiologist may choose to treat the patient with antiarrhythmic drugs.
The testing of the effectiveness of such drugs in reducing the number and severity of arrhythmias is very difficult. This is due to the fact that arrhythmias occur at any and all times. In attempting to test the effectiveness of such drugs, patients are often required to wear an external monitor for periods of twenty-four (24) or forty-eight (48) hours that record all cardiac signals during these periods. Also, the physician may submit a patient to extensive electrophysiologic testing which is often performed in a hospital. The physician then uses the results of such testing to assist in determining the course of such drug therapy
Myocardial infarctions often leave patients with a permanent arrhythmogenic condition even after coronary artery bypass surgery or angioplasty. Such patients are in need of close monitoring for both arrhythmic events as well as further deterioration of the patency of the cardiac vessels.
After revascularization to increase blood supply to the myocardium, the cardiologist must continually submit such patients to diagnostic tests to determine if the revascularization procedure has remained effective. In angioplasty patients, studies have indicated that twenty-five percent (25%) of those patients will experience restenosis within a period of six (6) months. In those patients having coronary artery bypass surgery, restenosis may occur anywhere from a few hours to several years from the time of such surgery. Studies have indicated that after approximately five (5) years, patients having coronary artery bypass surgery should be monitored closely.
To diagnose and measure ischemic events suffered by a patient, the cardiologist has several tools from which to choose. Such tools include twelve-lead electrocardiograms, exercise stress electrocardiograms, Holter monitoring, radioisotope imaging, coronary angiography, myocardial biopsy, and blood serum enzyme tests. Of these, the twelve-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) is generally the first procedure to be utilized to detect a myocardial infarction. An exercise stress electrocardiogram is generally the first test to be utilized for detecting ischemia since resting twelve-lead electrocardiograms often miss the symptoms of ischemia. Unfortunately, none of the foregoing procedures provide an ongoing and continuous evaluation of a patient's condition and are therefore only partially successful at providing the cardiologist with the information that the cardiologist requires in determining the proper corrective course of action.
There is therefore a need in the art for an implantable cardiac patient monitor capable of providing twenty-four (24) hour a day monitoring of patients for either the sudden onset of restenosis or a new occlusion or a serious arrhythmic event. The present invention provides such an implantable cardiac patient monitor. By virtue of the present invention, long-term trends in ischemia, heart rates and arrhythmias may be monitored and recorded. Also, by virtue of the present invention, high-risk patients can be instructed to seek aid immediately to avoid permanent cardiac tissue damage due to a thrombus. In addition, by virtue of the present invention, the cardiologist can use the ischemia trend data to guide further therapy to match changing conditions of a patient whether the patient is improving or deteriorating. Arrhythmias common to myocardial infarction patients may also be monitored and these conditions may also be trended as well. Such information can be especially useful to the cardiologist in adjusting antiarrhythmic drug therapy to maximize such therapy and minimize side effects. Hence, the implantable cardiac patient monitor of the present invention is capable of providing the cardiologist with ischemic and heart rhythm information not previously available in the prior art which will enable a physician to eliminate or delay certain diagnostic tests and enable the physician to maximize drug therapy.


An image processor is provided with an acquisition unit; a discriminating unit; a decomposing unit; and a rearranging unit. The acquisition unit acquires image data and layout information of an original document which are obtained by reading the original document in which the layout information is recorded in advance. The discriminating unit discriminates number of logical pages in the original document, an arranged order of the logical pages, and orientation of the original document, based on the layout information. The decomposing unit decomposes the image data into the logical pages, based on the result of the discriminating. The rearranging unit rearranges the decomposed logical pages according to a predetermined output layout, and outputs image data in which the logical pages has been rearranged.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an image processor, an image forming device, a method for image processing and a storage medium for storing an image processing program, and, more particularly, to an image processor which can read an original document image for a copier, a printer and the like, or can output an image after the read image is laid out again, an image forming device provided with the above image processor, a method for image processing and a storage medium for storing an image processing program and the like.
2. Related Art
Conventionally, it has been widely known that an image forming device, such as a copier and a printer, has a function by which image forming is performed in a format different from that of an original document having plural leaves. There is, for example, a function (hereinafter, called Nup) by which, according to an original document of a number N of pages, images are formed within one page.
However, since characters in a read image are processed as one image regardless of the writing form in a language, such as Japanese, which has both forms of vertical writing (writing from top to bottom) and horizontal writing (writing from left to right), there have been sometimes unfavorable cases in which processing is performed as horizontal writing when an original document of plural pages is laid out into images in one page by Nup.

Image processor, image forming device, method for image processing and storage medium for storing image processing program


A fiber processing system including a refiner configured to process fibrous matter. The system further includes a plurality of measurement units coupled to the refiner to measure different operating conditions of the refiner, and a first control system coupled to the plurality of measurement units and configured to receive a plurality of operation conditions of the refiner from the plurality of measurement units. A processing unit is coupled to the control system and configured to estimate a production disturbance and a feed consistency disturbance of the refiner based on the plurality of operation conditions. The system also includes a second control system coupled to the processing unit and configured to generate a target operating condition based on the production disturbance and the feed consistency disturbance. The first control system is further configured to control an operation of the refiner based on the target operating condition.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to fiber manufacturing and, more particularly, to improving performance of a refiner. The invention can be particularly advantageous for monitoring and controlling, for example, a rotary disk refiner.
2. Description of the Related Art
Refiner devices are used to process the cellulose fibers of a fibrous matter prior to delivering the fibrous matter to a machine for manufacturing a fiber product, such as paper. Types of fibrous matter that are typically processed by refiners includes wood chips, pulp, and fabric. One type of refining process is typically referred to as a thermo-mechanical pulp ("TMP") process, in which abrasive forces are exerted on the fibrous matter to fibrillate the outer layers of the fibers. Refiners used in TMP processing can be arranged in several known configurations, including counter-rotating refiners, double-disc or twin refiners, and conical disc ("CD") refiners.
Maintaining a specific set of characteristics, such as burst and tear strength, from one batch of fiber products to another is of utmost importance in fiber manufacturing. However, it is difficult to maintain such characteristics in finished fiber products over time, even when specific parameters of the refiner can be monitored. Specifically, although measured refiner parameters may indicate the existence of disturbances in a refiner, known systems are unable to use these measurements to properly respond to these disturbances. One reason for this deficiency is that known control systems do not have the capability to fully characterize refiner disturbances, which can, for example, be related to production, feed consistency, and/or feed water. A production disturbance can be defined as an unexpected change in on-line stock throughput, while a feed consistency disturbance can be defined as an unexpected change in consistency of feed stock as it enters a refiner. A feed water disturbance can be defined as an unexpected change in a mass flow rate of dilution water.
Some known fiber manufacturing control systems include a distributed control system (DCS) that is coupled to multiple refiners in a fiber processing plant and that monitors specific parameters of each refiner. These parameters can include a motor load, a dilution water flow rate, a hydraulic load, a feed screw speed, a refiner case pressure, an inlet pressure, a refiner plate gap, and a refiner consistency. A DCS can also control the operation of a refiner based on measured parameters. For example, when a DCS determines that a measured motor load indicates a disturbance in the refiner, the DCS can attempt to address the disturbance by adjusting the speed of a feed screw, thus changing the on-line throughput of the refiner.
However, adjusting feed screw speed by the DCS may not sufficiently address the disturbance indicated by the detected change in motor load. In the above example, the DCS adjusts only the feed screw speed to address the disturbance based on the assumption that the disturbance is solely production-based. However, in reality, the disturbance may be related to both production and feed consistency, which is not affected by an adjustment to feed screw speed. Rather, feed consistency can be altered by adjusting a flow rate of dilution water or by changing a plate gap distance. As such, the response by the DCS to the disturbance may be improper or deficient.
In another example, when a DCS determines that a measured refiner consistency indicates a disturbance in the refiner, the DCS can attempt to address the disturbance by adjusting the dilution water flow rate, thus changing the feed consistency of the refiner. If the refiner consistency is held at a constant value, then any remaining motor load disturbance is then attributed to production and addressed by adjusting the speed of a feed screw. While this control strategy effectively eliminates the feed consistency and production disturbance, it requires a specific, rigid, control strategy. Thus, this control method only applies to refiners in which a feed screw speed can be adjusted, such as primary refiners.
Known systems are unable to measure or otherwise characterize production disturbances and feed consistency disturbances. Thus, such systems are unable to accurately adjust the operation of a refiner in response to such disturbances using a multivariable control approach that does not require a specific, rigid, control strategy and a feed screw with an adjustable speed. As a result, both manually-controlled processes and DCS-based processes rely on post-processing pulp quality feedback to make corrections for disturbances in production and feed consistency.

System and method for estimating production and feed consistency disturbances


An inkjet recording device, capable of reliably detecting obstacles such as wrinkles or foreign particles on a recording medium, is provided with a clearance sensor mechanism for detecting foreign particles and wrinkles on the recording medium. In such an inkjet recording device, printing is performed by scanning with the inkjet head while a platen on which the recording medium is mounted is fed. When a plate-like member provided between the default position in which the platen is on standby and the printing performing position to be scanned by the inkjet head contacts foreign particles or wrinkles of the recording medium mounted on the platen, the concealing member, together with the plate-like member, rotates about the axis line direction of an axis member. When a sensor detects the rotation of the concealing member, the platen is fed in the reverse direction. Further, when the inkjet head starts printing, a solenoid presses a receiving member and rotates the plate-like member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an inkjet recording device, and in particular relates to an inkjet recording device capable of detecting obstacles such as wrinkles and foreign particles on a recording medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, with an inkjet recording device which performs recording by ejecting ink to a recording medium, after printing paper or the like, which is the recording medium, is mounted on a platen, a feed mechanism for feeding the platen feeds such printing paper to the position of an inkjet head. Then, inks are guided from an ink supply source to a plurality of ejection channels of the inkjet head, an actuator such as a heater element or piezoelectric element is selectively driven, and inks are ejected from the nozzle face provided to the tip of the ejection channel to the printing paper or the like. After the recording to the printing paper or the like is completed, the printing paper subjected to recording is returned to the original standby position of the platen before the start of recording.
With this kind of inkjet recording device, when obstacles such as a foreign particle or dust are adhered to the recording medium mounted on the platen, it is known that adverse effects are exerted on the recording results to the recording medium such as the ejection of ink to an accurate position being hindered, or the ink being ejected on such foreign particle or dust and therefore not being attached directly on the recording medium. Further, when these obstacles contact the nozzle face of the inkjet head as a result of the platen being fed, there is a problem in that an adverse effect is exerted on the subsequent printing as a result of the nozzle face being damaged or tainted.
Thus, conventionally, an optical sensor for detecting obstacles such as a foreign particle or dust has been provided to the inkjet recording device. For instance, as the inkjet recording device having such an optical sensor, known is an inkjet recording device in which a printing head in which a plurality of nozzles are disposed serially is passed through above an optical beam, and, when a foreign particle is adhered to the printing head, since the intensity of the optical signal detected with the optical sensor will weaken, the foreign particle adhered to the lower face of the printing head can be detected (for example, c.f. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-179934).
Further, with this kind of inkjet recording device, although it is common practice to perform recording on paper or the like as the recording medium, also known is an inkjet printer for fabrics wherein recording is performed on fabrics such as a T-shirt. With this kind of inkjet printer for fabric, in addition to the problem of the adhesion of obstacles such as foreign particles and dust, there is a problem in that an adverse effect is exerted on the recording results or the nozzle face since the fabric itself, which is the recording medium, easily floats and wrinkles, and the floating and wrinkling of such fabric will become an obstacle.
Thus, known is an inkjet printing device in which a sensor for measuring the distance to the fabric, which is the recording medium, is provided to the side that is more upstream than the printer head at the lower part of the carriage, whereby this sensor continuously measures clearances between the sensor and the fabric surface, and, when the sensor detects clearances of a certain value or less, this detection result is interpreted to indicate a wrinkle, and this is notified to the operator, or the feeding is automatically stopped (for example, c.f. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-262459).
Nevertheless, with the method of detecting obstacles such as a foreign particle or dust in the inkjet recording device with an optical sensor, depending on the various conditions such as the reflection of the optical beam, there are cases where an obstacle is erroneously detected, or the obstacle cannot be detected, and there is a problem in that the inkjet recording device will malfunction in such a case. Although it is considered to technically advance the optical sensor to deal with the foregoing situation, there is a problem in that the installation of a more accurate optical sensor in an inkjet recording device will cause increased costs.
Moreover, even with the invention described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-262459, since it employs an optical sensor to measure the clearance between the sensor and the fabric surface, it encounters the same problem as with the conventional method described above.
Meanwhile, after the recording to the recording medium is completed, with an inkjet recording device which feeds the platen to a standby position of the platen before the start of recording, there is a problem in that the recording medium subjected to recording and mounted on the platen contacts the optical sensor upon passing though immediately beneath the optical sensor due to the thickness of the ejected ink or the floating or wrinkling that occurs upon feeding. In particular, when the recording medium contacts the optical sensor in a state in which the ejected ink is not yet completely dried, the optical sensor will become tainted with the ink ejected on the recording medium, and there is a problem in that the precision of the optical sensor will deteriorate. Meanwhile, also with the recording medium subjected to recording, there is a problem in that the ink would smear or taint the recording medium or the optical sensor as a result of contacting the optical sensor. Further, there is also a possibility that the contact of the optical sensor and recording medium would damage each other.

Inkjet recording device with contact-area detection unit