A semiconductor memory device comprises two memory cell arrays (1a, 1b) in which a block divisional operation is performed. Two spare rows (2a, 2b) are provided corresponding to the two memory cell arrays (1a, 1b). Spare row decoders (5a, 5b) are provided for selecting the spare rows (2a, 2b), respectively. One spare row decoder selecting signal generation circuit (18) used in common by the spare row decoders (5a, 5b) is provided. The spare row decoder selecting signal generation circuit (18) can be previously set so as to generate a spare row decoder selecting signal (SRE) when a defective row exists in either of the memory cell arrays (1a, 1b) and the defective row is selected by row decoder groups (4a, 4b). Each of the spare row decoders (5a, 5b) is activated in response to the spare row decoder selecting signal (SRE) and a block control signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to semiconductor memory devices, and more particularly, to a semiconductor memory device with a redundancy circuit.
2. Description of the Background Art
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a structure of a conventional semiconductor memory device with a redundancy circuit. A redundancy circuit is a preliminary circuit for improving yield in manufacture and comprises a spare memory cell, a spare decoder and the like.
The semiconductor memory device of FIG. 6 receives address signals A0-A7 and has a storage capacity of 64k bits. A memory cell array of this semiconductor memory device performs a 1/2 block divisional operation.
In FIG. 6, each of memory cell arrays 1a and 1b includes a plurality of memory cells arranged in a plurality of rows and columns. Spare rows 2a and 2b including spare memory cells arranged in a plurality of rows are respectively provided at opposite sides of the memory cell arrays 1a and 1b.
In response to an externally applied row address strobe signal RAS, a RAS buffer 12 activates a row address buffer 8, a .phi.p generation circuit 14, a RX generation circuit 16 and a sense amplifier control circuit 17. The .phi.p generation circuit 14 and the RX generation circuit 16 generates a precharge signal .phi.p and a driving signal RX at predetermined timings, respectively.
A CAS buffer 13 activates a column address buffer 10 and a read/write buffer 20, in response to an externally applied column address strobe signal CAS. The row address buffer 8 latches the externally applied address signals A0-A7 and supplies one part of the signals as row address signals RA2-RA6 to a row predecoder 9, the other part of the signals as row address signals RA0 and RA1 to a RX sub-decoder 15 and the rest as row address signal RA7 to a block controlling signal generation circuit 47.
The row predecoder 9 predecodes the address signals RA2-RA6 supplied from the row address buffer 8 and applies row selecting signals Xi, Xj and Xk to row decoder groups 4a and 4b.
In response to the precharge signal .phi.p from the .phi.p generation circuit 14, the row decoder groups 4a and 4b select four rows in the memory cell array 1a or 1b based on the row selecting signals Xi, Xj and Xk.
The RX sub-decoder 15, in response to the driving signal RX from the RX generation circuit 16, applies subdecoding signals RX1-RX4 to a word driver group 3, based on the row address signals RA0-RA1 applied from the row address buffer 8.
The word driver group 3 drives a word line of one row out of four rows selected by the row decoder groups 4a or 4b, in response to the subdecoding signals RX1-RX4.
The column address buffer 10 latches the externally applied address signals A0-A7 and applies the same as column address signals CA0-CA7 to a column predecoder 11. The column predecoder 11 predecodes the column address signals CA0-CA7 and applies a column selecting signal to column decoder groups 6a and 6b. The column decoder groups 6a and 6b select one column in the memory cell array 1a or 1b, based on the column selecting signal.
The block controlling signal generation circuit 47, in response to the row address signal RA7, generates block controlling signals (block selecting signals) BSa and BSb for selecting the memory cell array 1a or 1b which is to be operated.
In response to the row address signals RA0-RA7, spare row decoder selecting signal generation circuits 18a and 18b (referred to simply as a selecting signal generation circuit, hereinafter) respectively generate spare row decoder selecting signals SREa and SREb which deactivate the subdecoding signals RX1-RX4 and activate one of spare row decoders 5a and 5b. A spare RX subdecoder 19 receives the spare row decoder selecting signals SREa and SREb to generate the spare subdecoding signals SRX1-SRX4.
Thus, one word line and one bit line are selected to read or write information from/to a memory cell at an intersection point thereof. Reading and writing of the information is selected by the read/write buffer 20. The read/write buffer 20 activates an input buffer 21 or an output buffer 22, in response to an externally applied read/write signal R/W. When the input buffer 21 is activated, input data Din is written in thus selected memory cell. When the output buffer 22 is activated, the information stored in thus selected memory cell is read out as output data Dout.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a structure of a part of the row predecoder 9 shown in FIG. 6, wherein shown is a circuit portion for generating the row selecting signal Xi. Xi represents one of X5, X6, X7 and X8.
A gate circuit 23 receives the row address signal RA2 and outputs the same and an inversion signal RA2 of the same. A gate circuit 24 receives the row address signal RA3 and outputs the same and an inversion signal RA3 of the same. Either the signal RA2 or RA2, and either the signal RA3 or RA3 are inputted in gate circuits 25, 26, 27 and 28. The gate circuits 25, 26, 27 and 28 differ in combination of the signal RA2 or RA2, and the signal RA3 or RA3. Row selecting signals X5, X6, X7 and X8 are outputted from the gate circuits 25, 26, 27 and 28, respectively. In accordance with levels of the row address signals RA2 and RA3, one of the row selecting signals X5, X6, X7 and X8 attains the "H" (logical high) level and the rest of the signals attain the "L" (logical low) level.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a structure of another part of the row predecoder 9 shown in FIG. 6, wherein shown is a circuit portion for generating the row selecting signal xj. xj represents any of X9, X10, X11 and X12.
The circuit portion of FIG. 8 includes gate circuits 29-34. Structure and operation of this circuit portion are the same as those of the circuit portion of FIG. 7.
The gate circuit 29 receives the row address signal RA4 and the gate circuit 30 receives the row address signal RA5. The gate circuits 31, 32, 33 and 34 output the row selecting signals X9, X10, X11 and X12, respectively. In accordance with levels of the row address signals RA4 and RA5, one of the row selecting signals X9, X10, X11 and X12 attains the "H" level and all of the rest attain the "L" level.
FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram showing a structure of still another part of the row predecoder 9 shown in FIG. 6, wherein shown is a circuit portion for generating the row selecting signal Xk. Kk represents either X13 or X14.
A gate circuit 35 receives the row address signal RA6 and outputs the same and an inversion signal RA6 of the same row. Gate circuits 36 and 37 output row selecting signals X13 and X14, respectively. In accordance with a level of the row address signal RA6, either one of the row selecting signals X13 and X14 attains the "H" level and the other attains the "L" level.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a structure of the RX subdecoder 15 shown in FIG. 6. In accordance with levels of the row address signals RA0, RA1, and the inversion signals RA0 and RA1, an RX1 generation circuit 40, a RX2 generation circuit 41, a RX3 generation circuit 42 and a RX4 generation circuit 43 output subdecoding signals RX1, RX2, RX3 and RX4, respectively.
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a structure of a part of the block controlling signal generation circuit 47 shown in FIG. 6. A gate circuit 44 receives the row address signal RA7 and outputs the same and an inversion signal RA7 of the same. A gate circuit 45 outputs block controlling signals BSa and BSb. In accordance with a level of the row address signal RA7, either one of the block controlling signals BSa and BSb attains the "H" level and the other attains the "L" level.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a detailed structure of the memory cell array 1a and a peripheral portion thereof shown in FIG. 6.
4m word lines WL and a plurality of pairs of bit lines BL and BL are arranged so as to intersect with each other in the memory cell array 1a. m is a positive integer here. In addition, four spare word lines SWL are arranged at the opposite sides of the word lines WL. A memory cell MC is provided at each of intersections between each word line WL and a bit line pair BL and BL, and a spare memory cell SMC is provided at each of intersections between a spare word line SWL and a bit line pair of BL and BL.
In accordance with the 4m word lines WL and four spare word lines SWL, (4m+4) word line drivers 3X are provided. Each of the word lines WL and each of the spare word lines SWL are connected to their corresponding word drivers 3X. The 4m word lines WL and the word drivers 3X are divided into m groups each comprising four word lines WL and four word drivers 3X. m numbers of row decoders 4Xs are provided with respect to these m groups. Each row decoder 4X selects four word drivers 3X corresponding thereto.
In addition, one spare row decoder 5a is provided with respect to the four spare word lines SWL and four word drivers 3X. The spare row decoder 5a selects the corresponding four word drivers 3X.
On the other hand, a plurality of sense amplifiers 7X and a plurality of column decoders 6X are provided in accordance with the plurality of pairs of bit line BL and BL. Each of the bit line pair BL and BL is connected to the corresponding sense amplifier 7X and the corresponding column decoder 6X.
When a defective memory cell or a defective word line is formed in the above described memory cell 1a, the spare row decoder 5a is selected in place of the row decoder 4X corresponding to the defective memory cell or the defective word line.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing specific circuit structures of the row decoder 4X and the word driver 3X shown in FIG. 12.
The row decoder 4X comprises N channel MOS transistors Q1-Q4, Q7 and P channel MOS transistors Q5, Q6 and Q8. A precharge signal .phi.p is applied to a gate of the transistor Q5 and a gate of the transistor Q6 is connected to a node N2. Row selecting signals Xi, Xj and Xk are applied to gates of the transistors Q1-Q3, respectively and a block controlling signal BSa is applied to a gate of the transistor Q4. The transistors Q7 and Q8 form an inverter. Accordingly, polarity of the signal at the node N2 is opposite to that of the signal at a node N1.
The nodes N1 and N2 of the row decoder 4X are connected to the corresponding four word drivers 3Xs. The word driver 3X comprises N channel MOS transistors Q9-Q11. The transistor Q10 is connected between one of the subdecoding signals RX1-RX4 and on word line WL.
Now, operation of the circuit of FIG. 13 will be described. When the precharge signal .phi.p is at the "L" level, the transistor Q5 is turned on and a potential of the node N1 is at the "H" level. Therefore, the transistor Q11 of the word driver 3X is turned on, so that the potential on the word line WL is at the "L" level. When the precharge signal .phi.p rises to the "H" level, the transistor Q5 is turned off. When all of the row selecting signals Xi, Xj, Xk and the block controlling signal BSa applied to the gates of the transistors Q1-Q4 attain the "H" level, all of the transistors Q1-Q4 are turned on. As a result, the potential of the node N1 attains the "L" level and the potential of the node N2 attains the "H" level. As a result, the transistor Q10 of the word driver 3X is turned on and the transistor Q11 is turned off. When any one of the subdecoding signals RX1-RX4 rises to the "H" level, a potential on the corresponding word line WL attains the "H" level.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the structure of the RX subdecoder 15 shown in FIG. 6.
A circuit portion 15e of the RX subdecoder 15 comprises N channel MOS transistors Q21, Q22 and P channel MOS transistor Q23 and Q24. A circuit portion 15a comprises N channel MOS transistors Q25-Q27, Q31, Q32, Q34 and Q35, and P channel MOS transistors Q28-Q30 and Q33. An NAND circuit comprised of the transistors Q21-Q24 receives spare row decoder selecting signals SREa and SREb and generates inversion signals thereof. An NOR circuit comprised of the transistors Q25-Q30 receives a signal generated from the NAND circuit comprised of the transistors Q21-Q24, the row address signal RA0 or RA0, and the row address signal RA1 or RA1.
Structures of circuit portions 15b, 15c and 15d are the same as that of the circuit block 15a.
When the spare row decoder selecting signal SREa or SREb attains the "L" level, a potential of a node N10 attains the "H" level. As a result, the circuit portions 15a-15d are deactivated. When both of the spare row decoder selecting signals SREa and SREb attain the "H" level, the circuit portions 15a-15d are activated. In accordance with levels of the row address signals RA0 and RA1, any one of the subdecoding signals RX1-RX4 attains the "H" level.
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a specific circuit structure of the spare row decoder 5a shown in FIG. 12.
The spare row decoder 5a comprises N channel MOS transistors Q41, Q42 and Q45 and P channel MOS transistors Q43, Q44 and Q46. An NOR circuit comprised of the transistors Q41-Q44 receives the spare row decoder selecting signal SREa for deactivating the subdecoding signals RX1-RX4 and activating the spare row decoder 5a, and an inversion signal BSa of the block controlling signal BSa for selecting the memory cell array 1a. An inverter comprised of the transistors Q45 and Q46 receives a signal outputted from the NOR circuit and generates an inversion signal thereof.
When both of the spare row decoder selecting signal SREa and the inversion signal BSa of the block control signal BSa are at the "L" level, a potential of a node N3 attains the "H" level and a potential of a node N4 attains the "L" level. Therefore, the transistor Q48 in the word driver 3X is turned on, and the transistor Q49 is turned off. When one of the spare subdecoding signals SRX1-SRX4 rises to the "H" level, a potential on the corresponding word line WL attains the "H" level.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a circuit structure of the spare RX subdecoder 19 shown in FIG. 6.
A circuit portion 19e of the spare RX subdecoder 19 comprises N channel MOS transistors Q51, Q52 and Q55, and P channel MOS transistors Q53, Q54 and Q56. A circuit portion 19a comprises N channel MOS transistors Q57-Q59, Q63, Q64, Q66 and Q67, and P channel MOS transistors Q60-Q62 and Q65.
An NAND circuit comprised of the transistors Q51-Q54 receives the spare row decoder selecting signals SREa and SREb and generates inversion signals thereof. The inversion signals are further inverted by an inverter comprised of the transistors Q55 and Q56. An NOR circuit comprised of the transistors Q57-Q62 receives an output of the inverter, either one of the row address signals RA0 and RA0, and either one of the row address RA1 and RA1.
Structures of the circuit portions 19b, 19c and 19d are the same as that of the circuit portion 19a.
When both of the spare row decoder selecting signals SREa and SREb are at the "H" level, all of the spare subdecoding signals SRX1-SRX4 enter a non-selected state. On the other hand, when either the spare row decoder selecting signal SREa or SREb is at the "L" level, one of the spare subdecoding signals SRX1-SRX4 enters a selected state in accordance with levels of the row address signals RA0 and RA0 levels of the row address signals RA1 and RA1.
FIG. 17 is a circuit diagram showing the selecting signal generation circuit 18a shown in FIG. 6.
The selecting signal generation circuit 18a comprises P channel MOS transistors Q72, Q73, Q76-Q77, Q79-Q81 and Q83, N channel MOS transistors Q70, Q71, Q74, Q75, Q78 and Q84-99, and link elements LN1-LN16.
Ordinarily, the link elements LN1-LN16 are connected. Therefore, if any of the row address signals RA1, RA1, RA7, and RA7 attains the "H" level, the corresponding one of the transistors Q84-Q99 is turned on. As a result, a potential of a node N9 attains the "L" level and the spare row decoder selecting signal SREa attains the "H" level. In this case, no spare word line is selected.
When there exists a defective word line, predetermined link elements are previously blown out by laser beam. More specifically, a link element connected to a transistor receiving a row address signal which attains the "H" level when the defective word line is selected, is previously blown out by the laser beam. As a result, even if a row address signal for selecting the defective word line is inputted to the transistors Q84-Q99, the potential of the node N9 does not drop but is held at the "H" level. Therefore, at a time point where the precharge signal .phi.p rises to the "H" level, the spare row decoder selecting signal SREa falls to the "L" level.
FIG. 17 shows a structure of the selecting signal generation circuit 18a, and a structure of a selecting signal generation circuit 18b is the same.
As the foregoing, in case a defective word line exists, either the spare row decoder selecting signal SREa or SREb attains the "L" level when a row address signal for selecting the defective word line is inputted. Therefore, the potential at the node N10, the potential at the node N11 and the potential at the node N12 in FIG. 14 attain the "H" level, the "L" level and the "H" level, respectively. As a result, all of the subdecoding signals RX1-RX4 attain the "L" level.
In the foregoing, description is made on the memory cell array 1a shown in FIG. 6, structure and operation of the memory cell array 1b are the same as those of the memory cell array 1a.
As described above, in the semiconductor memory device of FIG. 6, two selecting signal generation circuits 18a and 18b are provided corresponding to the divided memory cell arrays 1a and 1b. As the foregoing, in a conventional semiconductor memory device performing a block divisional operation, the same number of spare row decoder selecting signal generation circuits as that of memory cell arrays (blocks) for performing a block divisional operation are required. Therefore, a region required for a circuit layout and interconnection is increased.
Such semiconductor memory device of FIG. 6 as comprising a plurality of spare rows and a plurality of regular disable generation circuits corresponding to a plurality of memory cell arrays is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 60-103469.

Semiconductor memory device with redundancy circuit


A cutting insert includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side surface extending between the top and bottom surfaces. The top surface is generally octagonal in shape and the side surface includes eight sides and eight corners. Four edge portions are formed at an intersection of the top and side surface. A first end of each edge portion begins along one of the eight sides at a non-zero distance from any of the eight corners and a second end of the edge portion ends along another one of the eight sides that is non-consecutive to the one of the sides. Each edge portion has a wedge angle that changes from a first angle at the first end of the edge portion to a different angle at the second end of the edge portion. A cutting tool using such an insert is also disclosed.

The present invention relates to octagonal cutting inserts and, more particularly, to such cutting inserts with variable wedge angles along cutting edges of the cutting inserts.
In machining operations involving rotating tools provided with typical octagonal cutting inserts, each corner of the cutting insert functions as a cutting edge. To avoid excessive cutting forces, the insert is typically oriented relative to the workpiece so that only a portion of the edge at a deepest part of the cut performs a cutting operation, i.e., the bottom side of the octagon forms a non-zero angle with a plane perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the cutting tool. Consequently, it is difficult to form a flat surface on the workpiece. U.S. Pat. No. 5,807,031 discloses an insert providing sixteen corners, and providing an edge portion starting exactly at one of the corners. WO2007/075140 discloses double-sided inserts.
At different parts of the working portion of a cutting edge, it will often be desirable to have different characteristics. For example, at a deepest part of a cut, it may be desirable to have a sharper edge (smaller wedge angle) than at a portion of the cut in the feed direction, where edge strength may be more important and a larger wedge angle can be used. Because the end of one working portion of a cutting edge is generally immediately succeeded by the beginning of the next edge, it can be difficult to provide appropriate wedge angles at different parts of a cutting edge.
Additionally, because approximately half of each of the eight edges of the octagon is intended to perform a cutting operation at a deepest part of the cut, and approximately half of each of the eight edges is intended to perform a cutting operation in the feed direction, it is difficult to optimize the rake angles for each function. For example, it might be desirable to provide a positive rake angle at a deepest part of the cut, while it might be desirable to provide a different, possibly larger or smaller rake angle, possibly a negative rake angle, at a portion of the cutting edge that is oriented in the feed direction. Where the beginning of one cutting edge follows immediately upon the end of another, this optimization may be difficult.
It is desirable to provide an octagonal cutting insert that can facilitate forming flat surfaces on a workpiece. It is also desirable to provide an octagonal cutting insert in which cutting edge wedge angles can be optimized at different points along the length of the cutting edge. It is also desirable to provide a cutting insert in which rake angles of the cutting edge can be optimized at different points along the length of the cutting edge.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a cutting insert includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side surface extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. The top surface is generally octagonal in shape and the side surface includes eight sides and eight corners, each side being defined by two corners at opposite ends of the side. Four edge portions are formed at an intersection of the top surface and the side surface, a first end of each edge portion beginning along one of the eight sides at a non-zero distance from any of the eight corners and a second end of the edge portion ending along another one of the eight sides that is non-consecutive to the one of the sides at the non-zero distance from any of the eight corners, each edge portion having a wedge angle that changes from a first angle at the first end of the edge portion to a different angle at the second end of the edge portion.

Octagonal cutting insert having edge portion with variable wedge angle, and cutting tool


A transformer coil assembly includes a first layer having a plurality of fibers interconnected to form a fabric and a plurality of spacers. Each spacer is affixed on a first side of the spacer to the fabric and protruding from a first surface of the fabric. A second layer has a conductor in contact with at least one of the plurality of spacers on a second side of each spacer that opposes the first side. The first and second layers are covered by resin.

Transformer coils used in high-voltage and other applications are formed by winding a conductor and casting and curing a thermosetting resin composition around the conductor windings to form a resin body covering the coil. The resin body provides dielectric properties to the transformer coil assembly, as well as holding the conductor windings in place. The resin also provides protection and more uniform thermal properties to the coil assembly. Without some form of support structure for the coil assembly, the resin may develop cracks during casting or during use when the assembly is subjected to external conditions, such as high temperature, high humidity, moisture penetration and the like, or due to internal factors, such as heat generation or stress due to high current flow, electrical fault conditions, and the like.
The resin body is subjected to thermal forces from coil temperatures well above ambient during operation due to I2R losses in the conductors, from eddy currents, from hysteresis losses in the core, and from stray flux impinging the axial ends of the windings. Further, the resin body may be subject to vibratory forces during operation. The resin body should satisfactorily restrain, resist, and withstand all of these forces over long term operation.


A method for wrapping coiled material which includes the selection of a tear-resistant bag having openings at either end and drawstrings near each opening. A roll of steel is lifted, e.g., by a forklift, and the bag is slipped over the roll of steel. The excess material of the bag is then folded over so that the bag tightly fits the steel roll. The strings are then drawn tightly, pulling the bag radially over the steel roll such that the ends of the bag overlaps the aperture of the core of the roll. The overlapping portions of the bag are folded inside of the core of the coiled material and inner diameter protectors are placed in the core to secure the bag.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for wrapping rolled material, particularly a roll of steel.
2. Description of Related Art
In the manufacturing of steel rolls it is desirable to encase the roll to provide protection of the roll during shipping and storage. Heretofore, methods and systems for wrapping rolled material and cable are slow and do not provide moisture resistance in that they do not completely cover the roll. Further, in order to cover the rolls, it has been necessary to manipulate the heavy rolls, a hazardous and disagreeable task.
Following are previously patented inventions which disclose related inventions having the above-noted limitations.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 737,328, 744,467, and 746,447, issued to H. C. Boyle et al. on Aug. 25, 1903, Nov. 17, 1903, and on Dec. 8, 1903, respectively, teach tubular covers for wire coils which are tightened over the coil and whose free ends are held together by laces, straps, or buckles.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,690,087, issued on Sep. 12, 1972 to Arnulv Moe Jacobsen, teaches a method of packaging cable in which two flexible members are attached to a mandrel on which a cable has been wound and attached to each other by rope laced through holes in flaps around the periphery of the flexible members.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,015, issued on May 2, 1989 to Ronald L. Mandel, teaches a material handling arrangement which includes a set of straps circumferentially wrapping a roll of material and a second set radially wrapped around the material.
Japanese patent 3-29764, issued on Feb. 7, 1991, to Susumi Minato, teaches a method of wrapping coiled material by wrapping an outer cover around the coil and tightening with drawstrings.
In addition to lacking many of the benefits of the instant invention, these patents teach methods completely different from that instantly claimed. Thus, none of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.


A lithium secondary battery pack of the present invention includes: a lithium secondary battery including an electrode body formed of a positive electrode and a negative electrode facing each other and a separator interposed therebetween, and a non-aqueous electrolyte; a PTC element; and a protection circuit including a field effect transistor. The lithium secondary battery has an energy density per volume of 450 Wh/L or more, the lithium secondary battery has a current density of 3.0 mA/cm2 or less, and a relational expression (1) and a relational expression (2) below are established where A (mΩ) is an impedance of the lithium secondary battery and B (mΩ) is an impedance of the entire circuit unit of the lithium secondary battery pack excepting the impedance A (mΩ) of the lithium secondary battery:A≤50 mΩ  (1)B/A≤1  (2).

Non-aqueous secondary batteries including, for example, lithium secondary batteries have a high voltage and a high capacity, and thus are widely used as power sources for mobile phones, and also for various other portable devices such as smartphones and tablet terminals in recent years. They also have found medium- and large-sized applications including power tools such as electric tools, electric cars, and power-assisted bicycles.
In a standard charging method commonly used for lithium secondary batteries, when 1 C is the current value with which a fully charged battery can be discharged in one hour, constant-current (CC) charging is performed with a current of about 0.7 to 1 C until a predetermined end-of-charge voltage is reached. After the end-of-charge voltage has been reached, charging is switched to constant voltage (CV) charging in which the charge current is decreased so as to maintain the end-of-charge voltage.
Meanwhile, there is also a need to complete the charging of batteries as fast as possible. For example, in the case of lithium secondary batteries for mobile phones, conventional lithium secondary batteries for mobile phones can be brought into a fully charged or nearly fully charged state by being charged with a current value of 1 C or less for about 2 to 4 hours. However, with the sophisticated functions of devices, such as mobile phones, to which lithium secondary batteries are applied, and with the wide spread use of smartphones and tablet terminals, which have a larger size than mobile phones, lithium secondary batteries are required to have a higher capacity. Accordingly, charging with a current value that is about the same as conventionally used current values may increase the time required to reach a fully charged state to be longer than the practical range. For example, for a battery having a high capacity exceeding 1500 mAh, the current value corresponding to 1 C is relatively large. In order to prevent heat generation resulting from charging at a large current, it is required to charge with a value as low as about 0.7 C, and as a result the time required for charging will be increased. Thus, in order to avoid this, there is a need to develop a technique for enabling charging with a larger current value to achieve a higher capacity, while reducing the time.
To meet this need, there have been proposed, for example, a method of enhancing fast-charging characteristics by using a plurality of positive electrode active materials in combination (Patent document 1), a method of increasing the output (improving the load characteristics) and enhancing the fast-charging characteristics by using a lithium-titanium composite oxide for the negative electrode (Patent document 2), and a method of ensuring favorable battery characteristics even after fast charging by adding an insulating inorganic oxide filler to the negative electrode, separately from an active material (Patent document 3).
From the viewpoint of simply enhancing the load characteristics of lithium secondary batteries, it has been reported that the use of SiOx having a structure in which Si ultrafine particles are dispersed in SiO2 as a negative electrode active material is effective (Patent documents 4 and 5).
On the other hand, for devices, such as an electric tool, from which a battery pack is removed from the device body and charged, there has been proposed a method in which an abrupt temperature rise of the battery pack due to fast charge is suppressed forcibly, thereby allowing charging to be performed with a current exceeding 1 C and thus reducing the charging time (Patent document 6).

Lithium secondary battery pack, as well as electronic device, charging system, and charging method using said pack


The ability of a packed bed of adsorbent to hold a gas is increased by employing at least two sizes of adsorbent particles having nominal diameters differing by at least 7/1. In a preferred embodiment, the capacity of a bed of carbon molecular sieve particles for adsorption of natural gas is significantly improved.

The invention relates to a method of storing natural gas. More particularly, the invention relates to storage of natural gas at near ambient temperatures using a solid adsorbent, in particular, a carbon molecular sieve.
Natural gas, being substantially methane, has a low molecular weight and it occupies a large volume per unit weight compared to liquid fuels. Thus, reducing the volume of natural gas is necessary for most practical applications of natural gas as a fuel. Methods for doing this could include (1) storage at high pressure, (2) liquefaction and storage at low temperatures, and (3) adsorption on solids. Of these methods the last is of particular interest since compact storage of natural gas at moderate pressures may be achieved, while avoiding the cryogenic temperatures needed for liquid natural gas or the high pressures needed for storage as a gas in reasonable volumes.
Conventional activated carbons have been found to have reasonable capacity for natural gas but higher capacity is believed necessary for commercial success. Inorganic zeolites have also been tried, but found to have relatively low capacity for natural gas.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,820,681 the present inventor has disclosed an improved carbon molecular sieve which has a high capacity for carbon dioxide and may be characterized as hydrophobic, requires no binders, and may be carbonized in a single step.
Ideally, the carbon molecular sieve would be a solid block completely filling a container so that no void spaces are present which waste volume in the container. To obtain access to the carbon and for practical reasons it will often be used in the form of solid particles which are packed into a container. In such situations, the closest approach to completely filling the container is desired. The present invention is directed to achieve a high packing density of particulate adsorbents.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,495,900 zeolite adsorbent is compressed to form a solid mass for use in adsorbing methane gas. In a similar method, a Saran copolymer was formed into monolithic disks capable of filling a vessel and carbonized for use in the storage of natural gas (S. S. Barton et al. "The Development of Adsorbent Carbon for the Storage of Compressed Natural Gas," Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Government of Ontario, June, 1985).
Another method of increasing packing density combines particles ranging from 4 to greater than 325 mesh, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,972,658. Two methods are described, one of which involves first adding large particles of a particular size range and then, without disturbing the orientation of the first particles, adding smaller particles having another defined size range to fill the spaces between the large particles. Such a procedure can yield non-reproducible results owing to the wide distribution of particle size and non-uniform shape. The present inventor has sought an improved method which can provide reproducible results.

Packing adsorbent particles for storage of natural gas


A suspension device for a lowerable luggage stowage compartment has at least one spring element for assisting the movement of the compartment into a closed position against the force of gravity, and at least one damping element for damping the movement of the compartment into an opened position. A weight detector detects the weight of the compartment, and at least one additional spring element can be actuated based on the detected weight of the compartment. A retention device is provided for fixing the additional spring element. The suspension device provides a compartment that is easy to handle and easy to close even when fully loaded.

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to a suspension device for lowerable luggage stowage compartments comprising at least one spring element for assisting the movement of the compartment into its closed position contrary to gravity, and at least one damping element for damping the movement of the compartment into its opened position, and comprising a means for detecting the weight of the compartment and at least one additional spring element capable of being activated or switched over in dependence on the detected weight of the compartment, a retention device being provided for fixing the at least one additional spring element.
Furthermore, the invention relates to a lowerable luggage stowage compartment comprising such a suspension device, wherein at least one spring element is arranged between the compartment and a stationary structural element laterally of the compartment so as to assist in the movement of the compartment into its closed position contrary to gravity, and at least one damping element is arranged for damping the movement of the compartment into its opened position, a means for detecting the weight of the compartment being connected to the compartment part.
The present invention mainly relates to a luggage stowage compartment as is used in passenger aircraft. However, it is also applicable to luggage stowage compartments as, e.g., used in rail-borne vehicles or in other transport devices adapted for passenger transportation.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Luggage stowage compartments in passenger aircraft usually consist of cases mounted above the passengers' heads and having an opening that is closable e.g. by means of a pivotable flap. To put an item of luggage into the compartment or to remove it therefrom, the passenger must open the flap and lift his/her item of luggage through the opening into the compartment or remove it therefrom. This requires a considerable effort, particularly if the items of luggage are heavy, and this may be an impediment for short or weak persons.
To improve the situation, particularly in very large passenger aircraft which also have a greater cabin height, luggage stowage compartments have been developed which can be pivoted downwards or lowered for the purpose of loading and unloading the same. Such pivoting or lowering mechanisms usually comprise at least one damping element which dampens the downward movement of the compartment so that the compartment will not drop down abruptly during opening of the latter and cannot cause injuries. In addition, such a mechanism comprises at least one spring element which assists the movement of the compartment contrary to gravity into its closed position and thus makes it easier for the passenger to close the loaded compartment. These damping and spring elements are adjusted such that they will provide a sufficient damping for a luggage stowage compartment bearing an average load, and will sufficiently assist the movement into its closed position. If the load of the compartment deviates from this average value to which the damping and spring elements have been adjusted, the mechanism will not function as desired. Thus, an empty compartment would be only very difficult to be moved into its open position, contrary to the action of the damping element, allowing an opening of the compartment only by exerting a relatively high tensile force. On the other hand, it would be difficult and possible only by using physical activity to move an overloaded compartment into its closed position contrary to gravity. The problem is aggravated by the fact that for future aircraft designed for ever increasing numbers of passengers, the luggage stowage containes have to be built of increasingly larger sizes and have to withstand ever increasing loads. Such luggage stowage compartments may, e.g., be designed for loads of from 0 to 60 kg. Accordingly, it is nearly impossible to design a pivoting or lowering mechanism for such a luggage stowage compartment which will be the best for all loads.
DE 41 30 644 A1 shows an overhead luggage stowage device whose handling will require little actuation effort and which is largely independent of the load added and the position of the movable compartment. For this purpose, the gas spring provided to assist the closing procedure is pivotably arranged so that the hinge point on the upper lever and, thus, the torque acting on the upper lever thereby assisting the closing procedure of the compartment are changeable. The weight of the movable compartment of the overhead luggage stowage device is detected by a weighing pin which acts on a weighing lever connected to the spring element. Depending on the weight of the compartment's load, the gas spring will be pivoted more or less, and thereby the weight force of the compartment will be compensated. To prevent the gas spring from being pivotable into its original position during the closing procedure of the compartment, a blocking means is provided which is actuated via a Bowden cable as soon as a pressure is exerted on the arresting plate at the lower side of the pivotable compartment so as to initiate the switching procedure. In addition, when a certain height of the lowerable compartment has been reached, the blocking device is automatically actuated so that it will also be active independently of the state of the Bowden cable.
DE 43 35 151 A1 also shows an overhead luggage stowage device comprising a lowerable compartment wherein a further spring element can be activated in dependence on the loading of the compartment so as to assist in the closing procedure. If the compartment is not loaded or only slightly loaded, a supporting lever connected to the additional spring element is blocked so that the additional spring element will not exert an additional force on the compartment. If the load of the compartment exceeds a certain limiting value which is detected by the load-caused deflection of the movable compartment, the blocking of the supporting lever can be released by an active pressure from the bottom on a triggering plate on the movable compartment part, and the additional spring element will act to assist in the closing procedure. Between the triggering plate and the supporting lever, a Bowden cable is arranged to transmit the pressure onto the triggering plate on the blocking hook. Therefore, an active participation of the passenger is of necessity required for an activation of the supporting spring, and this renders an operation thereof difficult. The connection between the triggering plate and the blocking hook of the supporting gas spring required of necessity also makes mounting and maintenance more complex and makes it more susceptible to failure.

Suspension device for lowerable luggage compartments

Fischer Advanced Composite Components AG


A printed-circuit-type electrical contact pad having a plurality of electrically conductive metal traces and a plurality of protuberant electrical contacts projecting from the traces. The protuberances comprise an electrically conductive elastomer having a wide base portion anchored in the end of the trace by a truncated portion of the trace upstanding from the face of the pad. A denuded tip portion of the elastomer extends from the base portion for resiliently engaging a contact site on an electrical device to which the pad is coupled. A unique process for making the aforesaid pad is disclosed and claimed.

Electronic components (e.g., micro-chips, printed circuits, etc.), and packaging therefor (hereafter devices) are getting smaller and smaller. Moreover, such devices are getting more complex with a multiplicity of components, and electrical contacts therefor, being combined in ever smaller arrangements and packages. As such devices get smaller and more complex, the density (i.e., number per inch) of the input and output electrical contacts therefor increases and the pitch between such contacts decreases. Indeed semiconductor devices are available today having as many as 2000 contacts per inch.sup.2 and pitches as low as 0.003 inches. As a result the electrical connections to such devices are getting smaller and smaller. Electrical contact to such devices is commonly made by means of a printed-circuit-type contact pad comprising a plurality of circuit traces and contacts formed on the surface thereof using printed circuit manufacturing technology. As density increases and the pitch decreases, it becomes increasingly more difficult to provide multiple reliable electrical contacts to the device because surface irregularities that occur during the manufacture of the device or the contact pad can result in the inability of some of the electrical contacts on the pad to make good electrical contact to their designated sites on the device it is to contact.
It is known to make electrical contact to miniature electronic devices by providing a flexible, printed-circuit-type electrical contact pad having a plurality of metallic bumps thereon, and to press the flexible pad against the device by means of an elastomeric cushion located behind the contact pad. The cushion causes the flexible pad to conform to the topography of the device, and cause the bumps to contact their designated sites despite surface irregularities in either the device or the pad. It is also known in the printed circuit art to electrically connect circuit traces, as well as make electrical contacts to such traces, using electrically conductive elastomers (e.g., see Buchoff et al U.S. Pat. No. 3,971,610).
As the density of the input and output contacts to the devices increases so must the density of the circuit traces and contacts on the contact pad. As the density of contacts and circuit traces increases and the pitch decreases, the structure becomes less resilient due to the increased stiffness resulting from an increase in metal and a decrease in resilient dielectric, and otherwise flexible electrical contact pads tend to become stiffer and less compliant to the surface of the device they contact. As a result, there is the prospect of one or more poor connections being made to the device. The same problem can occur at the interface between adjoining contact pads that couple one printed-circuit-type electrical cable to another.

Method of making contact pad having metallically anchored elastomeric electrical contacts


A point-of-use energy status indicator monitoring the presence or absence of energy at a monitored device that is required for proper operation of a point-of-use device. The point-of-use indicator being in two-way communication with a status determining device that monitors the monitored device. The status determining device being capable of overriding a utility or energy management system curtailment of energy to the monitored device in response to receiving a signal from a means for overriding located in the point-of-use energy status indicator.

It is well known for utility companies to request voluntary curtailment of commodities such as electricity and gas during peak consumption periods. These curtailments have generally been accomplished by utility demand response systems in which the customer receives some incentive for permitting a utility operated shutoff to be place on certain high energy consuming appliances such as hot water heaters, clothes dryers, HVAC systems, etc. These shutoff devices have generally been located on or near the particular appliance being controlled and usually can not be easily accessed or controlled by the customer. Home and small businesses owners have also voluntarily restricted commodity consumption to reduce utility cost. This has generally been accomplished by manually operating the circuit breakers for high energy using appliances to prohibit use during peak and/or high cost usage time. Manual curtailment generally requires access to the electrical service entrance panel to turn the appliance circuit breakers ON and OFF, which is extremely inconvenient if use of the curtailed appliance is required immediately. Computer controlled energy management systems are now being developed for residential and small business use. These systems automatically monitor energy consumption, utility rates, peak usage periods, etc., and control energy costs by curtailing energy usage according to criteria selected by the resident or business owner, such as energy cost, peak usage time or time of day, which are programmed into the system.


Shipping containers having stacking support structures are provided. The shipping containers or cartons, are provided with three-panel inner support structures, in which the three panels form either triangular- (delta-) shaped cross-sections or L shaped cross-sections. In addition, the shipping containers or cartons, are provided with first outer support panels, and one or two second outer support panels. The shipping containers or cartons may be provided with no lid, one lid panel with closure panels for affixation to the end panels, or two lid panels, each with closure panels for affixation to the end panels.

The present invention relates to shipping containers, in particular shipping containers that are fabricated at least in part from paper, paperboard and/or corrugated paperboard material.
Shipping container designs are known which are tray/wrap structures, having an inside minor flap which is divided, and shared with an outside full depth flap, to provide four additional corners in the same amount of material as other shipping containers.
However, issues arise when the depth of the shipping container is greater than its width, as it may cause the internal and external flaps to interfere with each other when machine erected unless material is removed from those flaps.
In extreme instances, the size of the slot of removed material can be severe, creating potential weakness in the flat blank in unit load building and handling prior to erecting, not to mention the removal of material which could benefit the customer by further contributing stacking support.
In addition, as paperboard structures derive their supportive stacking strength from vertical support structures, increasing the number of corners can help to increase the overall stacking strength without increasing the material consumption.

Shipping containers with stacking support structures

Smurfit-Stone Container Enterprises, Inc.


Disclosed herein is a wake-up circuit for a bias input of a circuit such as a slave DLL circuit, to allow it to be placed in a reduced power mode and be “awoken” (brought up to a control bias level) in a sufficiently small enough amount of time. The wake-up circuit couples a bias input node to a voltage level that is higher then the control bias level in response to a wake-up event, and then it couples the control bias node to the bias input node in response to their voltage levels being sufficiently close to one another.

With reference to FIG. 1, master-slave type delay locked loops (DLLs) generally use two primary components, a master DLL 102 and at least 1 slave DLL 108. The Master DLL locks to a certain delay for a given reference clock (Ref Clk) and communicates the delay information to the slave DLL 108 via a Control Bias voltage signal generated by a replica bias generator circuit 104. The slave DLL then generates an output signal (Output) based on an applied input (Input) signal delayed by an amount corresponding to the Control Bias signal. Copies of the bias signal, which carry the Master DLL's delay information, may be sent to various other slave DLLs to control their delay characteristics to mimic those of the master.
Master and slave DLLs can be configured in a variety of different ways. For example, a master DLL (such as master DLL 102) may comprise a phase-frequency detector, a charge pump, a loop filter, and a programmable voltage controlled delay line (VCDL), coupled as is commonly known, to generate a clock with desired delay characteristics from an applied reference clock (Ref Clk) and a self-generated feedback clock (Feedback Clk). Likewise, a suitable slave DLL to work in cooperation with the master DLL may include its own VCDL, along with a phase interpolator for added granularity.
The replica bias generator circuit 104 generates a replica of a bias signal (internal to the master DLL) used to control the master DLL circuit's VCDL. This replica bias signal (Control Bias) is provided to the slave VCDL (by way of a pass transistor M1 and wake up circuit 110 as a Slave Bias signal) to control the delay of the signal applied to the slave DLL 108 in accordance with the desired delay that is generated at the master DLL circuit 102. (Note that the bias generator or replica bias generator may actually be part of the master DLL, providing the bias signal to both the master and slave DLLs, or alternatively, as is shown in FIG. 1, it may be a separate circuit to replicate, or create a suitable derivation of, a bias signal generated from the master DLL circuit.
A slave DLL is considered to be on and consume power when it is biased, i.e., when a voltage is applied at its Slave Bias input. Usually, the slaves contain a large amount of capacitance on their bias inputs due to the loading gate capacitance and extra capacitors that are commonly added for noise immunity. This large capacitance can cause the slave to require a substantial amount of time (e.g., on the order of 100 ns) to charge up and settle for normal operation. In many applications, this large time factor limits how often the slaves could be powered down and thus inhibits putting them into a low power state in order to reduce power consumption. For example, with double data rate (DDR) memory interface applications, slave DLLs are used to delay the DQS (data strobe) signal from the memory to widen the read eye during read mode. The time between initiating a READ and when the strobe signal from the memory reaches the slave circuit is on the order of 10-20 nS. Thus, the 100 nS time required to power up a slave is too long for it to be in a power down mode and then be awoken when a read operation is initiated.
Accordingly, wake-up circuits such as wake-up circuit 110 are employed to more quickly charge up the slave circuit 108 so that it can be powered down and re-started in a sufficiently small amount of time. Wake-up circuit 110 comprises comparator U1 and pull-up transistor M2 coupled to the master and slave circuits as shown. In operation, during a powered down mode (master DLL 102 remains on), the Active Slave signal is de-asserted so that M1 is off, and the Wake-up signal is also de-asserted to disable U1. U1 is configured to output a High value when it is disabled. Thus, during the powered down mode, the Control Bias signal is decoupled from the Slave Bias input, which charges down.
When the slave circuit 108 is to be activated, the Wake-up signal is asserted to activate comparator U1. The Control Bias signal will be higher than the Slave Bias signal, so comparator U1 outputs a low and turns on pull-up transistor M2. This causes the Slave Bias node to charge up more quickly than it would if it were simply coupled to the Control Bias signal through pass gate M1. The comparator keeps the pull-up transistor M2 on until the Slave Bias level reaches the level of the Control Bias signal, whereupon U1 outputs a high level and turns off M2. The controller 106 is configured so that the Active slave signal asserts and the Wake-up signal de-asserts at a set time to coincide with this occurrence.


The present invention provides a bowl stacking separation device and a method of stacking bowls using the bowl stacking separation device. In one embodiment the bowl stacking separation device comprises: (1) a spheroid body; and an (2) elastic surface on the spheroid body with the spheroid body being of a size such that it separates the bottom outer surface of an upper stacked bowl from a bottom inner surface of a lower stacked bowl.

Nearly everyone with even a modicum of cooking experience has struggled to separate two bowls that are stuck. It always seems to happen at the most inconvenient time, such as when the bowl is needed immediately in order to remove something from a hot pan.
There are a number of reasons why stacked bowls tend to stick. Similarly sized bowls frequently become mechanically jammed together when stacked. Bowls having different temperatures frequently stick when stacked because the bowls expand or contract at different rates as the temperatures equalize. Bowls also stick together when the weight of upper bowls in a stack force lower bowls in the stack into even lower bowls. In other cases a vacuum can be created between bowls such that the suction holds the bowls together. Bowls also get stuck when different shapes of bowls are stacked or when bowls made of different materials are stacked. In short, there are a number of reasons why bowls stick or jam together but, regardless of why they stick, it is nearly always maddening when it happens.
People have been known to employ a number of means in order to separate stuck bowls, some of which are extreme. The more moderate of these means range from smartly tapping the bowls on a counter in the hope that vibration will jar them loose to using an instrument, such as a knife or screwdriver, to pry them apart. It is not unusual when frangible bowls are stuck together for one or both of the bowls to be broken in an attempt to separate them. When metal or plastic bowls are stuck, efforts to separate them frequently results in bent edges or scraped surfaces.
A prior art method of preventing stacked bowls from sticking is to place a flat disk or similar object, such as a napkin or towel, in the lower bowl before stacking the upper bowl. Although this method works, it is not the best solution to the problem of bowls sticking together. While the problem of one bowl sticking to another may have been resolved, the new problem of preventing the bowl from sticking to the object inserted between the bowls must now be overcome.
Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a convenient device that can be used to stack bowls so they will not stick to each other or to an object inserted between them to prevent such sticking.

Bowl stacking separation device and method of stacking bowls


The invention relates to processes for producing protective colloid-stabilized polymers based on (meth)acrylate esters in the form of their aqueous dispersions and water-redispersible polymer powders by means of free-radically initiated emulsion polymerization of one or more monomers from the group consisting of the esters of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid and optionally one or more further monomers which are copolymerizable therewith, in the presence of one or more protective colloids, and optionally drying of the resulting aqueous dispersion, characterized in that the emulsion polymerization is carried out in the presence of one or more fully hydrolysed 1-alkylvinyl ester-vinyl ester copolymers as protective colloid.

The present invention relates to processes for preparing protective colloid-stabilized polymers on the basis of (meth)acrylate monomers in the form of their aqueous dispersions or polymer powders redispersible in water, to the process products thus obtainable, and to the use thereof, for example, as coating materials or adhesive-bonding materials in the construction sector.
Protective colloid-stabilized polymers are employed in particular in the form of their aqueous dispersions or polymer powders redispersible in water, in numerous applications, as for example in the building sector, as coating materials or adhesive-bonding materials. Very familiar for these applications are polymers based on vinyl esters and ethylene. Protective colloids widespread in the art to date have been, in particular, partly hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohols. In contrast, polyvinyl alcohols as protective colloids for acrylate polymers or styrene-acrylate copolymers usually do not lead to sufficiently stable polymer dispersions. There are problems, therefore, in stabilizing acrylate dispersions solely with polyvinyl alcohols in such a way that the resulting dispersions are stable and the powders, moreover, are stable to blocking (polymer stability). Generally speaking, a manageable dispersion viscosity is obtained by additional use of chain transfer agents for lowering the molecular weight, which in turn considerably impairs the blocking stability of the powders.
A further problem is that the stabilization of dispersed or redispersed particles of the polymers subsides over the course of time as a result of partly hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohols in cementitious construction compounds. This occurs particularly in the case of acrylate polymers and styrene-acrylate copolymers. Where protective colloid-stabilized polymers are employed to improve the properties of construction compounds, however, the formulations are required to remain stable for a certain time and must not substantially change in their processing consistency (stability of viscosity, or cement stability). Otherwise, the user is unable to produce buildings having the required performance properties, such as mechanical properties, from the construction compounds, or else the user would have to produce new construction compounds again and again within short time periods, something which in the art represents an unacceptable burden.
It has further been observed that when polymers stabilized with partly hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohols are employed in cementitious construction compounds, the stabilization of air may subside over time, meaning that air may gradually escape from the cementitious construction compounds. This effect is also dubbed "gassing" and affects the air pore content of the cementitious construction compounds and of the buildings produced from them. The air pore content and the associated porosity, however, play a key part in the mechanical properties of concrete or mortar, such as the compressive strength, for example. Too many air pores, and the compressive strength plummets; too few air pores, or none, in the mortar or concrete, and the building material lacks sufficient freeze/thaw stability.
A number of approaches have already been presented before now to the production of protective colloid-stabilized polymers for construction applications. EP-A 1065224, for instance, advises —for the preparation of poly(meth)acrylic esters—polymerization in the presence of partly hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohols, the monomers and initiators being divided in a specific way between the initial charge and the metered feed. EP-A 0477900 teaches the addition of fully hydrolyzed 1-alkylvinyl ester/vinyl ester copolymers after the polymerization and before the drying operation, for the production of polymer powders redispersible in water. DE-A 1026074 addresses the preparation of hydrolyzed 1-alkylvinyl ester/vinyl ester copolymers and their use as protective colloid in the context of the suspension polymerization or emulsion polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers. EP-A 812863 describes the preparation of poly(meth)acrylic esters by polymerization in the presence of low molecular mass polyvinyl alcohols. Polymer powders obtainable therefrom have a tendency toward blocking. From EP-A 0723975 it is possible to find protective colloid-stabilized polymer powders based on polystyrene-acrylates containing epoxy groups. EP-A 2033991, EP-A 2075286, EP-A 2166028, EP-A 2189499, EP-A 2216348, and EP-A 1612226 teach polyvinyl alcohols containing glycol side groups as protective colloids for aqueous polymer dispersions and/or water-redispersible polymer powders.
Against this background, the object was to provide stable, protective colloid-stabilized dispersions and corresponding polymer powders redispersible in water, based on (meth)acrylic ester monomers, which when used in cementitious applications possess a completely satisfactory stability of viscosity or cement stability, and which do not hinder the setting of cement. Corresponding cementitious construction compounds ought, therefore, to have outstanding processing properties and to lead to buildings having very good mechanical properties, such as tensile adhesive strengths.

Process for producing protective colloid-stabilized polymers


Described here are systems and methods for knowledge-based brachytherapy planning. These systems and methods are capable of automatically generating treatment plans for prostate brachytherapy in clinically relevant times. Primitive features computed from anatomical contours of the target organ are used to retrieve a template plan from a database. The template plan is then adjusted in a stochastic search algorithm.

The field of the present disclosure is systems and methods for radiation treatment planning. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for knowledge-based brachytherapy treatment planning.
Over sixty percent of all prostate cancers are diagnosed as localized disease. Low-dose rate ("LDR") brachytherapy—a form of internal radiation therapy—is one of the most effective methods for treating localized prostate cancer. Despite the significant benefits of LDR, utilization of the procedure among radiation oncologists has dropped in recent years. Publicity from poorly performed LDR cases, a high level of technical difficulty, and inadequate volumes of patients to train radiation oncologists on proper technique are suspected causes for this reduction.
Brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer typically involves the permanent implantation of 80-100 metallic seeds containing an x-ray-emitting radioisotope within the prostate gland using long, hollow needles. These seeds are implanted transperineally under transrectal ultrasound image-guidance in a pre-planned three-dimensional configuration. The seed configuration is designed manually, using computer software, by an expert radiation oncologist or medical physicist days-to-weeks before the actual implantation procedure. Manual planning is resource intensive, however, and requires expert skill that is established after executing several hundred treatments. Additionally, currently available automated treatment planning options cannot mimic plans that have been created by an expert planner.
Thus, there remains a need for systems and methods for brachytherapy planning that can automatically generate treatment plans having comparable quality to those manually generated by experienced practitioners. Preferably, these systems and methods will provide such automatically generated plans in clinically relevant time frames.

Knowledge-based brachytherapy planning based on primitive features computed from anatomical contour data


An electrical connector assembly combination includes a receptacle with a plurality of electrical contacts, and a connector device with housing configured to accept and retaining a terminal end of a flexible assembly comprising one or more flexible electrical conductors. The terminal end of the flexible assembly includes one or more electrical contacts. The connector device is capable of being reversibly coupled and interlocked with the receptacle such that each of the electrical contacts in the receptacle is electrically connected to a corresponding contact at the terminal end of the flexible assembly in a secure, removable and non-permanent manner.

Sophisticated electrical and electronic components are frequently disposed proximate to high vibration equipment, such as aircraft and rocket engines. Because of the narrow confines wherein such components are typically disposed, interconnecting such components often employs the use of flexible electrical conductors ("flexible assemblies").
The prior art methods of attaching a flexible assembly to a rigid assembly (such as a circuit board) usually employ some form of permanent attachment, such as methods wherein the flexible assembly is soldered to the rigid assembly.
Problems arise in such prior art methods when the attachment between the flexible assembly and the rigid assembly needs to be disengaged (to repair the rigid assembly, or for other relevant purposes requiring disassembly or unmating of the assembly). Such activities cannot easily (if at all) be performed in the field, and, in most cases, require the complete replacement of both flexible assembly and rigid assembly. Such complete replacement of both assemblies is awkward, time-consuming and expensive.
Accordingly, there is a need for a method of attaching a flexible assembly to a rigid assembly which does not involve the aforementioned problems in the prior art.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Apparatus for electrically connecting a flexible circuit to a receiver


According to one embodiment, a sound localization apparatus includes a storage unit, a selection unit, and a first operation unit. The storage unit stores a plurality of acoustic transfer characteristics each corresponding to a sound image direction and an emphasis degree of feeling of localization. The selection unit is configured to select a suitable acoustic transfer characteristic from the plurality of acoustic transfer characteristics. The suitable acoustic transfer characteristic is most suitable for the sound image direction indicated by a direction indication information and the emphasis degree indicated by an emphasis degree indication information. The first operation unit is configured to convolute the suitable acoustic transfer characteristic with a first audio signal to obtain a second audio signal.

By using an acoustic replay device such as a loud speaker or a head phone, a stereophonic acoustic technique to localize a sound image (as a virtual sound source) at an arbitrary (frontward and rearward, leftward and rightward) position of a listener is well known.
As to a sound localization apparatus of conventional stereophonic acoustic technique, a head-related transfer function (from a desired position to localize the sound image to both ears of the listener) is convoluted with an audio signal, and the audio signal is presented to the listener. As a result, the sound image can be localized at the desired position.
In this sound localization apparatus used for the acoustic replay apparatus, realization of a function to adjust an emphasis degree of feeling of localization (to be presented to the listener) based on the listener's liking is desired.
However, in order to adjust the emphasis degree of feeling of localization for the listener, it is insufficient that a sound pressure at the listener's ears (when a sound source really exists) is accurately reappeared by using the head-related transfer function. In localization processing of the sound image based on the head-related transfer function, a factor to affect on the emphasis degree of feeling of localization is not clear, and the emphasis degree of feeling of localization of the sound image is difficult to be adjusted.

Apparatus and method for localizing a sound image, and a non-transitory computer readable medium


A wagering game system can include a memory and a computing device in communication with the memory. The computing device can generate a representation of prismatic objects, each comprising at least four sides. The computing device can determine sets of indicia from a plurality of indicia, the sets of indicia individually corresponding to a respective prismatic object. The computing device can generate a user interface comprising the representation the prismatic objects arranged in a grid, each side for each prismatic object comprising indicia from a corresponding one of the sets of indicia. The computing device can rotate the representation. The computing device can stop rotation of the representation with a respective randomly selected side being shown on the user interface for each prismatic object. The computing device can determine a wagering game outcome based on the respective randomly selected side being shown on the user interface for each prismatic object.

Wagering games generally refer to experiences in which a user (referred to as a "patron") places a wager on the outcome of an event (e.g., the outcome being uncertain, at least initially hidden from the patron). A historical example of a wagering game may include three reels configured to spin independently about a shared axis, each reel having a plurality of indicia that may align in varying combination along a pay line. In this example, following initiation of a wagering game, the reels rotate for a particular interval before halting, at which point an outcome of the wagering game is determined based on a subset of the plurality of indicia with which the pay line is aligned. Past approaches to providing a digital wagering game typically include a rendered version of the previous example. However, the translation of wagering games to digital media may allow for expansion of the wagering game experience beyond traditional rotation of indicia along axis-mated reels.
Therefore, there is a long-felt but unresolved need for a system or process that provides for enhanced digital wagering games and experiences.

Three-dimensional objects in wagering games


An apparatus is provided with operating logic for performing a number of data compression operations, and control logic for dynamically selecting one or more of the data compression operations, and have the selected data compression operation(s) performed on a set of data, in accordance with a set of scaling policies. In one embodiment the scaling policies are based, at least in part, on processor type and thread backlog. The scaling policies are used to determine compression techniques and combinations to use with data being communicated.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of data compression. More specifically, the present invention relates to the art of dynamically scaling data compression.
2. Background Information
A number of individual lossless and lossy data compression techniques are known in the art. Examples of lossless data compression include Run Length Limited Encoding (RLL), and V.42bis, a standard promulgated by the International Telecommunication Union--Technical Standard Section (ITU-T), whereas examples of lossy data compression include data compression standards promulgated by Moving Picture Engineer Guild (MPEG).
Lossless data compression techniques are known to have been integrated as part of the data communication services offered by a system to all applications, regardless of the nature of the applications, whereas lossy data compression techniques are known to have been integrated as part of device services designed for certain types of applications, e.g. video applications. In the area of data communication, it is also known that some systems supporting multiple data compression techniques are further equipped to negotiate on the specific data compression technique to be employed for a particular data communication session. These negotiations are known to be conducted without regard to the workloads of the respective systems. In other words, there is no attempt to scale the amount of compression to be performed based on the workloads of the communicating systems.
Experience has shown that such ability to dynamically scale the amount of data compression being performed, depending on the workloads of the communicating systems is highly desirable in certain applications, e.g. in the area of network computing. In addition to scalability, experience has also shown that it is desirable to maintain symmetry on the amount of computations required for compression and decompression, as the amount of compression is scaled. In other words, whether it is minimal compression or maximum compression, the amount of computations required for compression and decompression are roughly the same. Furthermore, experience has also shown that it is desirable to exploit certain application characteristics to enhance compression/decompression efficiencies, even for lossless data compression.
In view of these and other desired results, the subject scalable data compression methods and apparatuses are invented.

Method and apparatus for scaling data compression based on system capacity


A method of modulating the pulse width of a pulse width signal in response to an analog signal. The steps include changing the analog signal to a digital signal, changing the digital signal to a number of counts, changing the number of counts to a time delay, and then using the logic circuit to combine the time delay with a pulse with modulated input to change the pulse width of an output signal.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to pulse width modulation.
2. Prior Art
For information transmission over distances, it is often desirable to encode such information upon a carrier signal. Various types of modulating signals are known. For example, an analog modulated (AM) signal, such as that used in AM radio transmissions, is a carrier signal with a certain frequency, and its amplitude is modulated with the information to be transmitted. If the information to be transmitted is analog, then an analog to AM conversion has to be done. Similarly, if a frequency modulation (FM) is desired, and if the information source is analog, an analog to FM conversion is necessary. When information is received, a decoding process is necessary. Various electronic circuits, including integrated circuits, exist to convert analog information into AM or FM signals, or AM or FM signals into analog information. Often, there is need to encode information by modifying the pulse width of a carrier, called a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal, or to extract information from a PWM signal. To date, there is no easy way to do this.
In automotive applications, for example, the exhaust gas sensor generates a PWM type signal which contains information about oxygen content. The engine controller continuously monitors the rising and falling edges of the PWM, thus using up important hardware and software resources. If the PWM were converted to an analog signal, such resources could be freed and an analog to digital channel used instead, thus resulting in possible cost savings.
Another automotive application where a PWM signal is present is spark advance command encoding. The spark advance command, which is sent to the ignition module by the engine controller, is a PWM signal in some vehicles. Often, while developing new or improved vehicle functionalities, it is desirable to modify the command generated by the engine controller without having to modify the engine controller's software, a time and resource consuming task. One possible solution is to intercept the PWM signal and to modify its pulse width (stretch or compress) based on an analog command. This modified pulse width is then sent to the ignition module.
The automotive examples above show the need for PWM to analog and analog to PWM conversions, which is the subject of the present invention.

Pulse width extension with analog command


In a steering wheel rotational angle detecting apparatus, an engaging pin protrudes radially from a projected part of one of a steering wheel and an annular rotating member and includes a spherical portion. An engaging groove is formed at a position on the other of the steering wheel and the annular rotating member of a rotational angle detector corresponding to the position of the engaging pin. The engaging groove is configured to receive and hold the spherical portion of the engaging pin on two sides while allowing the spherical portion to move within the engaging groove. When the steering wheel is turned, the engaging pin or groove immediately transmits torque to the engaging groove or pin, respectively, thus enabling the rotational angle detector to detect rotational angle with high precision in either of the rotational directions of the steering wheel. The movable engagement of the spherical portion and the engaging groove compensates for eccentric mounting of the steering wheel and the annular rotating member, and also a deviation of their rotational axes from each other, as the spherical portion relatively moves within the engaging groove to absorb or release twist stress, thus ensuring smooth rotation of the annular rotating member.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a steering wheel rotational angle detecting apparatus for detecting rotation of a steering wheel based on rotation of an annular rotating member that rotates in accordance with rotation of the steering wheel.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional apparatus for detecting rotation of a steering wheel is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. An annular coupling member 3 that also serves as a member for detecting rotational angle of a steering wheel 2 is disposed in a central portion of a lower face of the steering wheel 2, which is fixed to an upper end of a steering shaft 1. The steering shaft 1 extends through the coupling member 3.
Three pins 3a are formed on an upper end portion of the coupling member 3, arranged along the circumference of the end portion as shown in FIG. 11. The pins 3a are fitted into recesses 2a that are formed in the positions on the steering wheel 2 corresponding to the pins 3a. By means of the pins 3a thus fitted into recesses 2a, the coupling member 3 rotates as the steering wheel 2 is turned.
A rotational angle detector 4 is disposed on a lower end portion of the coupling member 3 and surrounds the steering shaft 1. The rotational angle detector 4 has an annular rotating member 6 that is rotatably disposed in an annular case 5. The annular case 5 is fixed to, for example, a steering column (not shown). The annular rotating member 6 is provided with an engaging pin 6a protruding radially inward. The engaging pin 6a is disposed to engage with an engaging cut-out portion 3b that extends in a lower end portion of the coupling member 3 in the direction of its longitudinal axis.
A ring-like slitted plate 7 is fixed to an outer peripheral portion of the annular rotating member 6. The slitted plate 7 has a plurality of slits that extend in the circumferential direction. A photointerrupter 8 is disposed on the case 5 and covers an outer peripheral portion of the slitted plate 7.
When the steering wheel 2 is turned, the coupling member 3 correspondingly turns so that the annular rotating member 6 of the rotational angle detector 4 also rotates. As the slitted plate 7 of the annular rotating member 6 rotates, the photointerrupter 8 detects light reception signals generated by light passing through the slits of the slitted plate 7. Based on the level and phase of the light signals, the rotational angle detector 4 obtains a signal corresponding to the rotational angle and direction of the steering wheel 2, thus detecting rotation of the steering wheel 2.
Since it is difficult to completely align the rotational axis of the rotational angle detector 4 with the rotational axis of the steering shaft 1 when mounting the rotational angle detector 4, some error in the mount precision is normally inevitable. Therefore, to ensure that the annular rotating member 6 of the rotational angle detector 4 will smoothly rotate even if the rotational axes of the two components are not completely aligned, dimensional allowances in the rotational directions are normally provided in, for example, gaps between the engaging pins 3a of the coupling member 3 and the engaging recesses 2a of the steering wheel 2, and a gap between the cut-out portion 3b of the coupling member 3 and the engaging pin 6a of the annular rotating member 6.
However, such dimensional allowances cause problems. That is, the annular rotating member 6 of the rotational angle detector 4 may rotate following the steering wheel 2 as long as the steering wheel 2 is turned in one direction, whereas when reversed, the steering wheel 2 rotates idly an amount corresponding to the dimensional allowances relative to the annular rotating member 6, and then re-engages with and turns the annular rotating part 6. This failure in immediate or precise transmission of rotation from the steering wheel 2 to the annular rotating member 6 of the rotational angle detector 4 hinders improvement of precision in detection of the rotational angle.

Steering wheel rotational angle detecting apparatus


A support device for controlling breast thickness during stereotactic guided needle biopsy is provided. The support device includes a compressible support having an inner surface which extends adjacent to a substantial portion of a peripheral surface of a patient's breast when the breast and the support are disposed between the fixed and pressure plates of an apparatus for performing stereotactic guided needle biopsy. The compressible support restricts the inferior and lateral excursion of the breast as the plates are moved toward one another and the patient's breast and the compressible support are pressed between the plates. A method for controlling breast thickness during stereotactic guided needle biopsy is also provided.

Breast cancer is a leading killer of American women. However, very significant technical improvements in the sensitivity of mammography have been made over the past decade leading to much earlier detection of cancers in many patients. Early diagnosis and treatment results in dramatically improved cure rates. With the improved radiographic resolution which is available in current mammographic studies, radiologists are detecting a greater number of suspicious densities, microcalcifications and other tissue distortions that may represent an early cancer. Biopsy of these suspicious findings is very frequently recommended to determine whether or not the patient has a malignancy.
Customary surgical biopsy is an invasive procedure that requires hospitalization, general anesthesia, a surgical incision and the removal of one or more moderately large tissue specimens to be certain that the area in question is removed. Within the last 5 years, a method of tissue sampling has been developed, wherein a needle or canula is "fired" or injected into and through a suspicious lesion by a spring loaded biopsy device or "gun". In this method, known as stereotactic guided needle biopsy, the sampling needle is guided by preliminary stereotactic radiographs from which the exact location and depth of the lesion is calculated. This information is programmed into the biopsy device so that the sampling needle can be guided to and traverse the area to be sampled. Accuracy of needle placement is plus or minus 2 to 5 mm.
As mentioned above, the sampling needle must pass through the suspicious lesion. The minimum needle "throw" or excursion to obtain a satisfactory core from the lesion is about two centimeters. Since the minimum depth of a lesion to be biopsied in this procedure must be at least 1.0 to 1.5 cm, the actual needle movement is at least 3.5 cm through tissue. For this reason, the breast cannot be reduced in thickness to less than 3.5 cm in order to perform the biopsy by this method.
Newer needles for use in stereotactic guided needle biopsy have a trough about 2.0 cm in length near the tip. When the needle is inserted into a lesion, tissue from the lesion is drawn by suction into the trough and then excised by an inner coring sleeve. Needles of this design are rapidly gaining favor since they provide larger tissue samples which provides more accurate tissue analysis. However, these newer needles must also traverse the length of the tissue to be sampled, and the required amount of breast tissue traversed remains at no less than 3.5 cm.
Known apparatus for performing stereotactic guided needle biopsy is illustrated schematically in FIGS. 1 and 2. The apparatus, generally designated 10, includes a table 12 which can be elevated. The patient lies face down on a mattress 14 supported on the table. and the patient's breast 16 containing a lesion to be biopsied, such as the lesion 17, is suspended through a circular opening 18 approximately 20 cm. in diameter. A fixed, rigid plate 20 is position at one end of the opening 18 adjacent one side of the breast 16. A radiographic recording mechanism 22, either mammography film or an electronic digital recording screen, is located behind the fixed plate. On the other side of the breast, there is a movable, mechanically driven, translucent pressure plate 24 with a window opening 26. A biopsy needle 28, which is mounted in a spring loaded "gun" or injector 29, is aligned with the window opening 26, and a mammography xray tube 30 is positioned proximal to the compression plate.
In practice, the pressure plate is moved toward the fixed plate in the direction indicated by arrow A to moderately press or squeeze the breast between the plates 20 and 24. After initial radiographic images are taken to identify the lesion 17, the window 26 is positioned directly over the lesion. Two stereotactic views are then obtained by angling the xray tube 15 degrees to either side of a central line aimed at the lesion. The figures are programmed into the apparatus to determine the depth of the lesion within the breast.
Under sterile conditions and with local skin anesthesia, the biopsy needle 28 is then inserted into the breast just proximal to the target lesion 17. Accuracy of the needle placement is then assessed by means of another pair of stereo images. If the operator confirms that the area to be biopsied is directly opposite the needle tip, the spring loaded injector then "fires" or injects the needle at a high speed for a distance of about two centimeters so that the needle traverses the length of the lesion. A third set of stereotactic views is then taken. If the needle placement is satisfactory, sampling then proceeds.
As a woman ages, the supportive fibers of the breast lose their elasticity and the fibers elongate. These changes also occur in the skin envelope encompassing the breast. Although there are variations from patient to patient, some breasts become elongated, flaccid, and pendulous. When such a breast is initially pressed between the plates 20 and 24 during the first steps of a stereotactic needle biopsy, the total thickness of the breast can be as little as two centimeters. If the needle is injected in such a case, the 2 cm excursion of the needle will very likely cause the needle to pass through the back side of the breast, impinge on the fixed plate 20, break or penetrate the plate and impale the patient's breast. Accordingly, in cases where the patient's breast, after it is pressed between the plates 20 and 24, is too thin for stereotactic biopsy, i.e., the breast does not have a thickness greater than about 3.5 cm, stereotactic needle biopsy must be abandoned and the biopsy performed with a full surgical approach.
Human tissue is not compressible, i.e., there is no reduction in volume when human tissue and, more particularly, breast tissue is pressed or squeezed. Moreover, the skin has a very limited ability to stretch. Accordingly, when a breast is pressed or squeezed there is no change in the total volume of breast tissue. Instead, the tissue is displaced, flattened and altered in shape up to the limits permitted by the supportive fibers of the breast and the confines of the skin envelope.
When the patient's breast is pressed between the fixed plate 20 and the pressure plate 24 as shown in FIG. 2, the breast generally has the configuration of a half cylinder. The volume, V, of the tissue may be roughly computed by the following mathematical formula: ##EQU1## Where .pi. is 3.14, r is the radius of the tissue cylinder, and h is the height or thickness of the cylinder.
If the radius r of the patient's breast is reduced, which is accomplished by reducing the area of the breast in contact with the pressure plate, then h or the thickness of the breast must increase in order to reflect the same volume of tissue. This reduction in the breast area in contact with the compression plate may be accomplished by restricting the displacement of the breast interiorly, medially and laterally as it is compressed.

Support device and method for controlling breast thickness during stereotactic guided needle biopsy