Provided is a method and a system for controlling engine start of a hybrid vehicle based on acceleration demanded power of a driver. More specifically, a variance of an output signal of an accelerator pedal sensor (APS) senses manipulation of an accelerator pedal reflecting an acceleration demand of a driver. When the variance of the output signal of the accelerator pedal sensor is a positive threshold value, acceleration demanded power corresponding to the output signal of the accelerator pedal sensor is calculated in a section in which the variance is positive and the calculated acceleration demanded power is accumulated. The accumulated acceleration demanded power is then compared with a set power value, and the engine is started to switch from the EV mode to the HEV mode when the accumulated acceleration demanded power is equal to or greater than the set power value.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and a system for controlling engine start of a hybrid vehicle configured to control engine start in a hybrid vehicle based on acceleration demanded power from a driver.
(b) Description of the Related Art
As oil prices increase and exhaust gas regulations tighten, eco-friendly demands and fuel efficiency improvements have become the focus of many automotive manufactures. Accordingly, vehicle manufactures have put forth increased efforts to develop technologies for reducing fuel consumption and decreasing exhaust gas emissions in order to meet eco-friendly demands and improve fuel efficiency.
In response to the above demands, the automotive manufactures have particularly focused interests and efforts toward development hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) which utilize a combination of power from an engine and power from a motor to achieve high degrees of fuel efficiency. As a result, hybrid vehicles have met purchase demands of many customers due to their high fuel efficiency and eco-friendly image.
FIG. 1, in particular, illustrates a conceptual configuration of a hybrid vehicle. Referring to FIG. 1, a hybrid vehicle (HEV) typically includes a transmission 22 for adjusting and determining a speed ratio between a driving shaft 12 and a wheel shaft 14. An electric motor 24 configured to transfer power to the driving shaft 12 via electric energy and regenerate energy via inertia from the vehicle during braking. An engine 26 generates power via fuel injection into one or more cylinders of the engine, and an engine-side clutch 28 transfers power from the engine 26 to the driving shaft 12 and cuts off the power of the engine 26 accordingly. Lastly, an engine starting/stopping motor 32 is configured to start and stop the engine 26. The engine starting/stopping motor 32 may be called an idle stop & go (ISG) or a hybrid starter & generator (HSG), as referred in a vehicle industry and thus for purposes discussed herein are thought of as one and the same.
As mentioned above, hybrid vehicles may run by appropriately via a combination of power from the engine 26 and from the electric motor 24. That is, the hybrid vehicle may run via the power from the engine 26 on a road, such as an expressway, in which a high speed is allowed, and via power from the electric motor 24 on a road in which traffic is congested or at lower speeds such as in the city.
As a result, hybrid vehicles run in an electric vehicle (EV) mode using only an electric motor when driving requires little torque or power, and run in a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) mode using the electric motor and the engine together when driving requires a larger torque or power.
Hybrid vehicles run while appropriately switching between the EV mode and the HEV mode depending on a driving situation according to a characteristic thereof. For example, conditions under which the EV mode is switched to the HEV mode may include: (1) a driving demanded power (or acceleration demanded power) of a driver exceeds a discharge allowance maximum value of a battery; (2) a driving demanded power of a driver exceeds maximum power generable by the motor; (3) a driving demanded power of a driver exceeds a preset high-output driving demanded power value; and/or (4) a driving demanded power of a driver exceeds a preset low output driving demanded power for a predetermined time or longer.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the driving demanded power of the driver under conditions (1) to (3) is considerably smaller than the driving demanded power of driver under condition (4). More specifically, the driving demanded power of the driver may be variously sensed. For example, the driving demanded power of the driver may be sensed through an output value variance (or variation ratio) of an accelerator pedal sensor (APS) according to manipulation of an accelerator pedal by the driver.
Conditions (1) to (3) are generally understood by those skilled in the art. However, condition (4) may be a selective mode switching condition. A reason for setting the mode switching condition, such as condition (4), may be as follows. That is, the driving condition is sufficient for operating within the EV mode, however it is necessary to more rapidly switch from the EV mode to the HEV mode by slightly decreasing an EV mode operating time (section) for a future battery SOC management control algorithm (charge/discharge management). Otherwise, the reason of setting the mode switching condition is that when a predetermined time (for example, 2.5 seconds, FIG. 2) passes after a driver of the hybrid vehicle steps on an accelerator pedal (or a driving demanded power of a driver starts to exceed a preset low-output driving demanded power), it is necessary to achieve an effective SOC management by charging the battery with an extra portion of the power from the engine by entering the HEV mode.
However, when condition (4) is applied to the hybrid vehicle as the mode switching condition, the EV mode may frequently switch to the HEV mode, thereby incurring repetitive switching. The reason is that the engine needs to be started while switching from the EV mode to the HEV mode as described above.
An exemplary situation in which a frequent mode switching may occur under mode switching condition (4) will be described below. For example, an accelerator pedal manipulation characteristic of a particular driver while operating the vehicle and analyzed through an operational characteristic of an accelerator pedal sensor (APS) may exhibit the characteristic illustrated in FIG. 2.
Referring to FIG. 2, section (a) of the APS is a section in which a driver steps on the accelerator pedal to thereby request acceleration so that an output value of the APS increases, section (b) of the APS is a section in which a driver uniformly steps on the accelerator pedal for acceleration at a fixed speed so that an output value of the APS is uniformly maintained, and section (c) of the APS is a section in which a driver releases the accelerator pedal for decelerated driving so that an output value of the APS decreases.
However, conventionally, since the output value of the APS decreases in section (c) of the APS due to the reason below, once the predetermined period of time (for example, 2.5 seconds, FIG. 2) passes after the driver initially steps on the accelerator pedal (that is, the driving demanded power of the driver starts to exceed the preset low-output driving demanded power), the vehicle switches to the HEV mode even though the driving mode needs to be in the EV mode, thereby negatively influencing fuel efficiency and the state of charge (SOC) management of the hybrid vehicle.
As described above, because of mode switching in condition (4), the engine is started and the vehicles switches to an HEV mode even though the driving mode should be in an EV mode because the output value of the APS decreases in section (c) of the APS in FIG. 2.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Method and system for controlling engine start of hybrid vehicle


An image reading apparatus includes a first conveyance path, a second conveyance path, an insertion/discharge port, an image reader that reads an image on a medium conveyed along the first conveyance path, and a switch that is located at a first position or a second position, wherein the switch disconnects the first conveyance path from the second conveyance path and connects the insertion/discharge port and the first conveyance path when the switch is located at the first position, and disconnects the insertion/discharge port from the first conveyance path and connects the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path when the switch is located at the second position.

There is a known image reading apparatus that is provided with two conveyance paths and reads an image on the medium by conveying the medium along the conveyance path that corresponds to the type of medium (see Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2000-128413). This kind of image reading apparatus includes a switch that switches the conveyance path, thereby properly guiding the medium to the conveyance path.


According to the invention, an input power to a transmission amplifier is controlled to prevent the amplifier from breakage and distortion of wave form. All of spread transmission data are additively combined with each other in an additive composite section 11 to obtain an amplitude data S2 and a transmission mean value information S8 at its optional time mean. The amplitude data S2 is modulated in a modulation section 13 to be converted into a modulation output signal S4 which is input in an amplification section 15 and a signal transmission power amplifier 30 through a variable ATT section 14, whereby its power is amplified. A mean transmission power data S11 which is an optional time mean of transmission power data S7 from a wave detection section 17 is calculated in a comparison/control section 19, and the mean value information of transmission S8 and a maximum transmission power value S9 are compared with each other to produce the attenuation amount control signal S10 of the variable ATT section 14. In case that S8 is not more than S9, a differential correction value of S11 and S8 is S10, and in case that S8 is less than S9, a differential correction value of S11 and S9 is S10.

In CDMA system, a signal is transmitted by implementing a spread modulation using a spread signal of a high transmitting speed after normal information modulation. In a receiving side, the received signal is subjected to a spread demodulation using spread signal same as that in the transmitting side to return it to the original information band width and then is subjected to normal information demodulation. A mutually orthogonal spread sign series is allotted to each user, and a plurality of movable stations own same frequency band width. Thus, a signal desired by a movable station may be an interfered signal to the other movable stations.
For example, when a communication between a base station X and a movable station A is implemented with a communication between the base station and another movable station B simultaneously, the station A receives a signal transmitted thereto as a desired wave signal SA and also receives a signal transmitted to the station B as an interfered signal SB. The received signals SA and SB are same in fluctuation characteristic, and a ratio of the received electric power of the desired wave signal to that of the interfered wave signal is constant regardless of position of the movable station, because they are received from the base station X through the same transmitting path to the movable station A.
However, when the movable station A receives the desired wave signal from the base station X and receives the interfered wave signal from other base station Y, the signal component transmitted from the base station X reaches the movable station A through a transmitting path different from the signal component transmitted from the base station Y. As a result, since the fluctuation characteristic of the signal components is different from each other, the movable station A which is located around the boarder of cell is much affected by the interfered wave signal transmitted from the other base station Y.
In the case, deterioration of communication quality in the movable station which is located around the boarder of cell can be prevented by increasing a transmitting electric power of the base station more than a standard electric power. Also, deterioration of communication quality in the movable station which is located in a place receiving a plurality of strong multi-pass signal can be prevented by increasing a transmitting electric power of the base station more than a standard electric power.
On one hand, it is necessary in other movable station of good communication quality that a transmitting electric power of the base station is less than a standard electric power in order to reduce the interfered wave electric power which is received by the other movable station communicating with the base station.
From the above reasons, a down-link (transmission from the base station to the movable station) transmission power control is required to obtain uniform communication quality within a service area.
On the other hand, a dynamic range of transmission power amplifier in the base station is limited, and where overpower is input, an output spectrum may be distorted and an amplifier may be broken. For the reason, the number of communication channels per one carrier is regulated and communication channels more than the number are not allotted.
However, where the down-link transmission power control as mentioned above is carried out, the limitation of communication channel to certain number becomes meaningless because the transmitting power of communication channel depends on its user. If the number of communication channels per one carrier is limited by considering the case where the transmission power in all communication channels becomes maximum as a result of the down-link transmission power control, the system of which a traffic volume is less can be achieved.
An object of the invention is to provide a signal transmission device of base station which is used for a movable communication system using a direct spread CDMA system.
Another object of the invention is to provide a movable communication system using a direct spread CDMA system, which prevents a transmission amplifier from breakage and prevents a transmission spectrum from distortion by input of overpower even during a down-link control of transmission power in a communication channel carried out by a transmission channel of base station, and which makes an area covered by the base station automatic expansion/reduction in accordance with total electric power of the communication channels.

Base station transmitter and CDMA mobile communication system comprising the same


Fastener clearing systems and methods for a fastener delivery system are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes an extractor tool having one or more vacuum generators in fluid communication with a catcher for retaining fasteners during transport. The vacuum generators are selectively activated to draw fasteners into the catcher. A backflow port is formed in the extractor tool and introduces pressurized air into the catcher to dislodge fasteners that adhere to the catcher after the vacuum generators have been deactivated. The backflow port may be formed in a fitting positioned between vacuum generators and securing the vacuum generators to one another. The vacuum generators and fitting may define a common fluid channel opening into a fastener seat adapted to receive a portion of a fastener.

Automated fastener delivery systems in aeronautical applications should provide consistent operation. A typical aircraft will include thousands of fasteners, which must be installed quickly and cost-effectively. However, tools used to handle the fasteners may become fouled by contaminants, oils, or coatings that are carried by the fasteners. As a result, fasteners may adhere to tooling rather than releasing predictably. Lodged fasteners prevent consistent delivery of fasteners and cause delay when they must be removed by hand.
Fastener handling tooling using suction heads to pick up or move fasteners is particularly vulnerable to this problem. A typical suction head creates a vacuum that draws the fastener into the suction head and retains the fastener. The suction head may then be moved to another location where the vacuum is deactivated and the fastener is allowed to fall under the force of gravity. The simplicity of operation and minimal moving parts of suction heads make them very cost effective. However, when the suction head is fouled by oils or other contaminants, a fastener may remain within the grip of the suction head after the vacuum is deactivated. Accordingly, although suction heads are an effective material handling tool, there is room for improvement.


A method for measuring fluid flow includes generating vortices in a fluid and relating the fluid flow to a first set of fluid parameters to obtain a first relationship, and relating the fluid flow to a second set of fluid parameters to obtain a second relationship. The first and second sets of fluid parameters are monitored. A first flow value is calculated from the first set of monitor fluid parameters and the first relationship. The second relationship is adjusted based on the first flow value. The output value is calculated from the second set of monitored fluid parameters and the adjusted second relationship.

The present invention relates to flowmeters such as vortex shedding meters or swirlmeters which are responsive to a fluid flow.
Flowmeters sense the flow of liquids or gasses in conduits and produce a signal indicative of the flow. Under certain circumstances, the presence of an obstacle known alternatively as a shedding bar, bluff body, or vortex generator, in a flow conduit causes periodic vortices in the flow. The frequency of these vortices is directly proportional to the flow velocity in the flowmeter. The shedding vortices produce an alternating differential pressure across the bluff body at the shedding frequency. This differential pressure is converted to an electrical signal by piezoelectric crystals or other differential pressure devices. The magnitude of the differential pressure or electric signal is proportional to xcfx81V2, where xcfx81 is the fluid density and V is the fluid velocity. When the ratio of pipe diameter to the size of the bluff body is held constant, the signal magnitude is proportional to xcfx81D2F2, where D is the inside diameter of the metering pipe and F is the shedding frequency. The vortex flowmeter produces pulses having a frequency proportional to the flow rate. In a swirlmeter, the fluid whose flow rate is to be measured is forced to assume a swirl component by means of swirl blades, the arrangement being such that the swirling motion is transformed into precessional movement to produce fluidic pulses which are sensed to yield a signal whose frequency is proportional to flow rate. See e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,616,693 and 3,719,080 which disclose examples of swirlmeters and are hereby incorporated by reference.As used herein, xe2x80x9cvortex flowmeterxe2x80x9d shall include both vortex shedding meters and swirlmeters.
The vortex flowmeter is a measurement transmitter that is typically mounted in the field of a process control industry installation where power consumption is a concern. The vortex flowmeter can provide a current output representative of the flow rate, where the magnitude of current varies between 4-20 mA on a current loop. It is also desirable for the vortex flowmeter to be powered completely from the current loop so that additional power sources need not be used. Thus, the vortex flowmeter measurement transmitter should be able to operate with less than 4 mA in order for the transmitter to adhere to this process control industry communication standard.
It is known to incorporate a microprocessor into a vortex flowmeter. The microprocessor receives digital representations of the output signal from the vortex sensor and computes desired output quantities based on parameters of the digital representation. For instance, a vortex flowmeter can calculate the mass flow rate through the pipe or conduit. It is desirable to provide the calculated mass flow rate approximately ten times per second. For each new calculation of the mass flow rate, the microprocessor must perform many mathematical steps wherein each mathematical step requires a number of clock cycles, thus limiting the rate at which calculated mass flow rates can be provided. Although it would be desirable to use a more powerful microprocessor, which could perform further calculations to improve accuracy, the microprocessor would require more power than is available from the 4-20 mA industry standard discussed above.
Nevertheless, there is a continuing need for a vortex flowmeter having improved accuracy. However, sacrifices should not be made in the update rate nor should power consumption exceed the power available from the current loop.
A method for measuring fluid flow includes generating vortices in a fluid and relating the fluid flow to a first set of fluid parameters to obtain a first relationship, and relating the fluid flow to a second set of fluid parameters to obtain a second relationship. The first and second sets of fluid parameters are monitored. A first flow value is calculated from the first set of monitor fluid parameters and the first relationship. The second relationship is adjusted based on the first flow value. The output value is calculated from the second set of monitored fluid parameters and the adjusted second relationship.


A dog harness has a collar having a front ring and rings at each of its free ends. A releasable buckle functions to releasably couple the collar free ends. A cord passes through the rings and forms a pair of loops for disposition in the foreleg pits of a dog. A ring and fastener at the cord free ends releasably couples these ends with the ring and is also adapted to be coupled with a leash. A strain on the leash and harness caused by the dog will exert pressure to the foreleg pits which will result in the dog reacting to decrease this pressure.

The typical harness and collar for dogs when attached to a leash will cause the dog to choke when it strains against the leash. This adverse reaction on the part of the dog is undesirable and should be avoided. Attempts have been made to provide a non-choking type of harness, as for example, the harness disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,369. While these prior art harnesses have proved effective, they did possess several shortcomings with respect to ease of attachment and manufacturing assembly.


An optical scanning unit used for scanning a photoconductor includes a light source, a rotatable deflector, a driver, a scan lens, an optical element, a first casing, a second casing, a first cover, and a second cover. The rotatable deflector deflects a light beam generated by the light source to scan a surface of the photoconductor. The driver rotates the rotatable deflector. The scan lens converts the light beam deflected by the rotatable deflector with equiangular motion speed to a light beam having constant speed motion. The optical element is disposed along an optical path from the scan lens to the photoconductor surface. The first casing houses the light source, the rotatable deflector, and the scan lens. The second casing houses the first casing and the optical element. The first cover covers at least the first casing. The second cover covers the optical element housed in the second casing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure generally relates to an optical scanning unit and an image forming apparatus incorporating the optical scanning unit.
2. Description of the Background Art
Generally, an image forming apparatus, such as copier, printer, or facsimile, has an optical scanning unit that scans a latent image carrier with a light beam based on image information to form a latent image on the latent image carrier. The latent image is then developed as a toner image. Such optical scanning unit (or optical writing unit) generally includes a light source, a rotatable deflector such as polygon mirror, and a driver such as polygon motor, and as a whole may be termed a polygon scanner.
Further, the optical scanning unit includes a scan lens such as an f-theta lens for converting a writing beam having an equiangular speed when deflected by the polygon mirror to a writing beam having a constant speed to be used for scanning the latent image carrier. Further, the optical scanning unit includes a reflecting mirror disposed along an optical path from the f-theta lens to the latent image carrier.
The writing beam emitted from the light source is deflected by the rotating polygon mirror at an equiangular speed, enters the f-theta lens, is converted to a writing beam having a constant speed used for scanning the latent image carrier, and is scanned in a main scanning direction. The writing beam converted by the f-theta lens may be reflected by mirrors so as to irradiate the latent image carrier.
Such optical scanning units may be encased and attached in a single casing that is hermetically-sealed with a cover so that dust or other foreign particles may not adhere to optical components such as the reflecting mirror housed in the casing.
Theoretically, an adequate latent image can be formed on the latent image carrier using only a light source, a polygon scanner, and an f-theta lens. However, in practice it is difficult to directly pass a writing beam through the f-theta lens to scan the surface of a latent image carrier in an actual image forming apparatus due to a layout configuration of the image forming apparatus. Therefore, in general, one or more reflecting mirrors are disposed along an optical path from the f-theta lens to the latent image carrier, in which the writing beam passed through the f-theta lens is reflected by the reflecting mirror and then directed onto the latent image carrier surface.
Generally, the relative positions of the light source, the polygon scanner, and the f-theta lens, which are the minimum required elements for forming an adequate latent image on a latent image carrier, is similar among virtually all optical scanning units. At the same time, however, attachment positions and attachment angles of the reflecting mirrors guiding a writing beam passed through an f-theta lens to a latent image carrier vary among optical scanning units depending on the layout configuration of image forming apparatuses.
In one related art configuration, an optical scanning unit employs a first casing and a second casing, with the first casing housing a light source, a polygon scanner, and an f-theta lens, which are the minimum required elements for forming a latent image on a latent image carrier, and the second casing housing optical devices or elements such as one or more reflecting mirrors or the like. Such first and second casings can be attached together and combined in a single optical scanning unit.
With such a configuration, the first casing, having a common configuration among optical scanning units, can be attached to the second casing having different attachment angles and attachment positions for optical elements such as the reflecting mirrors due to the layout configuration of a particular image forming apparatus.
Such a configuration having the first casing for housing the light source, the polygon scanner, and the f-theta lens, and the second casing for housing optical elements such as reflecting mirror, has following preferable features.
Specifically, parts management of light sources, polygon scanners, and f-theta lenses among a plurality of optical scanning units can be commonly conducted. Further, attachment precision testing of light sources, polygon scanners, and f-theta lenses to casings can be commonly conducted among a plurality of optical scanning units. Accordingly, optical scanning units can be manufactured with reduced cost.
In such optical scanning units, the second casing and the first casing are covered by one cover member and hermetically sealed after the first casing is attached to the second casing. A maintenance operation of polygon scanner (e.g., replacement of polygon scanner) attached in the first casing can be conducted by removing such cover member.
However, when such cover member is removed for maintenance operation of polygon scanner, optical elements such as the reflecting mirror attached to the second casing are also exposed to outside, and thereby dust may adhere to the optical elements. Such adhesion of dust or foreign particles to the optical elements may cause undesirable images, such as images having white streaks.

Optical scanning unit and image forming apparatus incorporating same


Systems, apparatuses, and associated methods for counting and sorting coins are described herein. In one embodiment, a coin processing machine can include a coin input region, a coin counting portion, and a coin sorting portion. The coin counting portion can include a first hopper that receives coins from the coin input region, and a coin discriminator that receives the coins from the first hopper and discriminates the coins to determine their value. The coin sorting portion can include a second coin hopper that receives the coins from the coin discriminator, and a coin sorter that receives the coins from the second hopper and sorts the coins into individual denominations.

Various types of consumer coin counting machines are known. Some coin counting machines (e.g., vending machines, gaming devices such as slot machines, and the like) are configured to receive one coin at a time through a slot. These types of machines are typically relatively simple because the coin input slot can define the maximum coin diameter and thickness, and because they are typically designed for low throughput and little if any coin cleaning. Such machines, however, are usually not satisfactory for counting a mass of consumer coins received at once (such as a mass of coins poured into a tray from, e.g., a coin jar).
Machines for counting relatively large quantities of consumer coins include those disclosed in, for example: U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,971,699, 7,874,478, 7,520,374, 8,033,375 and 8,332,313; each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Some of these machines count consumer coins and dispense redeemable cash vouchers, while others may offer other types of products and services such as pre-paid gift cards, prepaid phone cards, and/or "e-certificates." Vouchers can be redeemed for cash and/or merchandize at a point of sale (POS) in a retail establishment. E-certificates can enable the holder to purchase items online by inputting a code from the e-certificate when making the purchase. Prepaid gift cards can be used to make POS purchases by swiping the card through a conventional card reader, and prepaid phone cards can be used for making cell phone calls. All such machines typically include sensors and similar devices for discriminating coin denominations, coins from non-coin objects, and/or coins of one country from those of another.
Various types of sensors and other devices for identifying and/or discriminating coins in coin-counting machines are known. Such devices include those disclosed in, for example: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,196,371 and 5,988,348; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/269,121, filed Oct. 7, 2011 and entitled "AUTO-CALIBRATION SYSTEMS FOR COIN COUNTING DEVICES," Ser. No. 13/489,043, filed Jun. 5, 2012, and entitled "OPTICAL COIN DISCRIMINATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USE WITH CONSUMER-OPERATED KIOSKS AND THE LIKE," Ser. No. 13/612,429, filed Sep. 12, 2012, and entitled "AUTO-POSITIONING SENSORS FOR COIN COUNTING DEVICES," and Ser. No. 13/691,047, filed Nov. 30, 2012, and entitled "DIFFERENTIAL DETECTION COIN DISCRIMINATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR USE WITH CONSUMER-OPERATED KIOSKS AND THE LIKE;" each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Some coin counting machines collect all the coins they receive in a single receptacle regardless of denomination. As a result, the coins must be sorted by denomination after removal from the machine and before they can be put back into service. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a coin processing machine that can count and sort large batches of coins.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A scrubbing tower and high pressure settler assembly, and the process for using same to remove particulates from a hot partial oxidation gas stream is disclosed. The scrubbing tower and high pressure settler assembly has a dip tube, a bottom portion, a top portion, and a high pressure settler. The dip tube transports partial oxidation gas from an injection point on the exterior of the scrubbing tower into a volume of water contained in the bottom portion of the scrubbing tower. A blowdown port capable of removing particulate matter is connected to the bottom portion of the assembly. A series of trays is provided in the top portion of the scrubbing tower. The top portion of the scrubbing tower also has inlet ports for receiving water and an outlet port for releasing the scrubbed partial oxidation gas. The use of the high pressure settler facilitates higher particulate settling rates as well as higher scrubbing efficiencies. Preferably, the high pressure settler exists as a sump internal to the scrubbing tower or a sump and quiet zone combination that is internal to the scrubbing tower.

The production of gas from the partial oxidation of hydrocarbonaceous fuels, especially coal in the form of anthracite, bituminous, lignite or peat, has been utilized for a considerable period of time and has recently undergone significant improvements due to the increased energy demand. In these methods, the hydrocarbonaceous fuels are reacted with a reactive oxygen-containing gas, such as air or oxygen, optionally in the presence of a temperature control moderator in a gasification zone to obtain the hot partial oxidation gas. In addition to coal, various other hydrocarbonaceous fuels are suitable as feedstocks for the gasification process.
The term "hydrocarbonaceous" as used herein to describe various suitable feedstocks is intended to include gaseous, liquid, and solid hydrocarbons, carbonaceous materials, and mixtures thereof. In fact, substantially any combustible carbon-containing organic material, or slurries thereof, may be included within the definition of the term "hydrocarbonaceous". For example, there are (1) pumpable slurries of solid carbonaceous fuels, such as particulate carbon dispersed in a vaporizable liquid carrier, such as water, liquid hydrocarbon fuel, and mixtures thereof; and (2) gas-liquid-solid dispersions, such as atomized liquid hydrocarbon fuel and particulate carbon dispersed in a temperature moderating gas.
The term "liquid hydrocarbon," as used herein to describe suitable liquid feedstocks, is intended to include various materials, such as liquefied petroleum gas, petroleum distillates and residua, gasoline, naphtha, kerosene, crude petroleum, asphalt, gas oil, residual oil, tar-sand oil and shale oil, coal derived oil, aromatic hydrocarbons (such as benzene, toluene, xylene fractions), coal tar, cycle gas oil from fluid-catalytic-cracking operations, furfural extract of coker gas oil, and mixtures thereof.
"Gaseous hydrocarbon fuels," as used herein to describe suitable gaseous feedstocks, include methane, ethane, propane, butane, pentane, natural gas, coke-oven gas, refinery gas, acetylene tail gas, ethylene off-gas, and mixtures thereof. Solid, gaseous, and liquid feeds may be mixed and used simultaneously; and these may include paraffinic, olefinic, acetylenic, naphthenic, and aromatic compounds in any proportion.
Also included within the definition of the term "hydrocarbonaceous" are oxygenated hydrocarbonaceous organic materials including carbohydrates, cellulosic materials, aldehydes, organic acids, alcohols, ketones, oxygenated fuel oil, waste liquids and by-products from chemical processes containing oxygenated hydrocarbonaceous organic materials, and mixtures thereof.
Depending upon its intended use, the partial oxidation gas produced in a gasification process may be referred to as synthesis gas, reducing gas, or fuel gas. The generic terms "partial oxidation gas" and "producer gas" will be used herein to collectively refer to all of these potentialities.
In a typical gasification process, a raw producer gas stream, substantially comprising H.sub.2, CO, and at least one gas from the group H.sub.2 O, CO.sub.2, H.sub.2 S, COS, CH.sub.4, NH.sub.3, N.sub.2, Ar and often containing entrained solids, i.e., particulate carbon and ash, is produced by partial oxidation of a hydrocarbonaceous fuel with a free-oxygen containing gas, optionally in the presence of a temperature moderator, in the reaction zone of an unpacked free-flow noncatalytic partial-oxidation gas generator. The atomic ratio of free oxygen to carbon in the fuel (O/C ratio), will typically be in the range of about 0.6 to 1.6, and preferably about 0.8 to 1.4. The reaction time will typically be in the range of about 1 to 10 seconds, and preferably about 2 to 6 seconds. When steam is used as the temperature moderator the steam-to-fuel weight ratio in the reaction zone will typically be in the range of about 0.1 to 5, and preferably about 0.2 to 0.7.
The raw producer gas stream will typically exit from the reaction zone at a temperature in the range of about 1,300.degree. to 3,000.degree. F., and more typically in the range of about 2,000.degree. to 2,800.degree. F., and at a pressure typically in the range of about 1 to about 250 atmospheres, and more typically in the range of about 15 to about 150 atmospheres.
The typical gas generator comprises a vertical cylindrically shaped steel pressure vessel lined with refractory, such as disclosed in coassigned U.S. Pat. No. 2,809,104. Typically a quench drum for cooling the hot effluent stream of gas from the reaction zone to a temperature in the range of about 300.degree. to 600.degree. F. by direct contact with water will also be incorporated into the gas generator. This arrangement is also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,809,104. At least a portion of the entrained solids, i.e., particulate carbon and ash, are removed from the process gas stream by the turbulent quench water and a pumpable dispersion of particulate carbon and water containing about 0.1 to 4.0 wt. % particulate solids is produced in the quench tank incorporated into the gasification reactor. Any remaining entrained solids, water vapor, and unwanted gaseous contaminants are removed from the process gas stream in additional operations.
While the composition of the raw gas stream leaving the gas generator will vary depending upon, among other things, the type of hydrocarbonaceous fuel used and process conditions, a typical partial oxidation gas emerging from the gasification reactor will have the following mole percent compositions on a dry basis: H.sub.2 O 6 to 29, CO 20 to 57, CO.sub.2 2 to 30, CH.sub.4 nil to 25, H.sub.2 S nil to 2, COS nil to 0.1, NH.sub.3 nil to 0.1, N.sub.2 nil to 60, and Ar nil to 0.5. Trace amounts of cyanides may also be present. Water will typically be present in the gas in the range of about 1 to 75 mole percent. Particulate carbon will typically be present in the range of about 0.5 to 20 weight percent (basis carbon content in the original feed). Ash and other particulate matter may also be present.
The hot partial oxidation gas which is withdrawn from the gasification zone and subjected to cleansing operations to rid it of various contaminants which are formed or liberated from the hydrocarbonaceous fuel during the gasification step. These contaminants can readily become environmental pollutants if not properly treated. For example, unwanted contaminants often found in the hot partial oxidation gas include water vapor, hydrogen sulfide, carbonyl sulfide, ammonia, cyanides, various halogens and particulates in the form of carbon, ash, and coal, as well as trace metals. The extent of the contaminants in the partial oxidation gas is often determined by the type of hydrocarbonaceous fuel, particularly when coal is employed, the particular gasification process utilized, as well as, the operating conditions. In any event, the disposal and control of these pollutants are major problems in the gasification processes which must be satisfactorily handled in order to make gasification a viable process without suffering attendant pollution problems.
Of the variety of methods employed to remove contaminants from the partial oxidation gas emerging from the gasifier, many involve the use of a scrubbing tower. In the typical scrubbing tower, producer gas emerging from the gasifier is bubbled through a volume of water contained in the tower. After the bubbling, an appreciable amount of the particulate contaminants remain in the water. These particulates initially form a dispersion in the water and over time and as the water cools settle to the bottom of the tower where they can be removed through a blowdown or other outlet port. The water will often also contain some trace metals and halogens. The water will likewise often contain very small levels of contaminants, like ammonia, hydrogen sulfides, carbonyl sulfides, and cyanides, that are at least somewhat soluble in the water. These levels, however, will be very small due to the temperature of the water and the process pressures. The procedure in which the partial oxidation gas is brought in contact with water to remove contaminants is referred to as "scrubbing."
The water used for the scrubbing operation becomes what is commonly known as "dirty water," since it is contaminated with particulates. This dirty water may be subjected to a variety of steps which may include the stripping of the water to remove the small amounts of hydrogen sulfide, carbonyl sulfide, and ammonia, and also solvent extraction to remove the small amounts of cyanides and the other inorganic anions, such as the halogens.
After bubbling, the partial oxidation gas emerges from the water. However, the gas emerging from the water is not substantially free of contaminants. Substantially all of the ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, carbonyl sulfide, and cyanides initially present in the gas stream entering the scrubber are still present in the gas emerging after bubbling from the water. Additionally, the emerging gas will contain a significant amount of water vapor. Of particular concern in the present invention is the presence of ammonia and water vapor. Among other problems that may occur if these contaminants are not substantially removed, the water can cause problems with a downstream flare if not removed in time and ammonia can interfere with process steps in which sulfur containing contaminants are removed.
Also present in the emerging gas are residual levels of particulate contaminants. As such, prior art processes have been designed to further reduce ammonia and particulate levels present in the gas after the initial bubbling.
In prior art processes, additional removal of particulates is often achieved by placing a series of vertically stacked and offset trays above the water in the scrubber. Water is provided to the top of these trays and is channeled to the bottom of the trays where it joins the volume of water contained in the scrubber bottom. As the emerging gas containing residual particulates comes in contact with the water, additional scrubbing occurs with the result being that the additional amounts of particulates are carried with the water to the bottom of the scrubber for subsequent removal.
The efficiency of this particulate removal process is directly related to the steam pressure in scrubber head space above the water. When the water temperature is high, the amount of steam, and therefore the steam pressure, in the overhead is also high. Conversely, when the water temperature is low, steam pressure and concomitantly scrubbing efficiency are also low.
From the foregoing, it would appear obvious that the solution to maintaining peak scrubbing efficiency in the overhead is to maintain the water temperatures as high as possible. Unfortunately, this solution is not without its own problems.
While increased scrubbing efficiency is directly related to increased water temperature, particulate settling rate is inversely related to water temperature. The consequences of these two adverse relationships is demonstrated as follows. The continuous addition of gas containing particulates to the scrubber dictates that at some point the particulates must be removed. Preferably, removal of contaminants is achieved without completely shutting down the scrubber. As previously disclosed, this is commonly achieved by means of a blowdown located at the bottom of the scrubber.
It should be evident that peak removal efficiency is achieved with higher settling rates. As the settling rate increases, the blowdown volume will increasingly be comprised primarily of particulates with the amount of water removed being reduced. Increased settling rates therefore have the additional benefit of reducing the amount of make-up water that must be added.
While increased settling rates are desirable, they, as disclosed, often can not be achieved in prior art processes without cooling the water in the scrubber. But as also disclosed, the cooling of the water detrimentally affects the scrubbing efficiency in the scrubber overhead.
Increased settling rates are also frustrated by turbulence. Producer gas entering the volume of water generates considerable turbulence and agitation. The scrubbing efficiency in the body of water is due in some part to this turbulence. However, the turbulence adversely affects the rate of settling for the particulates once they are separated from the gas.
In some prior art processes, the problem of turbulence and its effects on settling is remedied by the constant dumping of the bottoms of the scrubber to a low pressure settler. While this modification might solve the problem of turbulence and its effect on particulate settling, it, also, is not without its faults. In particular, this modification dictates that make-up water be added to the scrubbing tower at very high rates as the bottoms of the scrubber will contain a substantial portion of water. Additionally, some portion, albeit a very small portion, of the partial oxidation gas that has not had sufficient time to bubble to the surface of the water is also dumped. Such a modification is therefore inefficient because of the increased water requirements and the lower resulting yields of partial oxidation gas. As such, this and other modifications evident in the prior art have not been entirely acceptable.
It would therefore be desirable to discover a quenching and scrubbing system wherein separation and removal of the particulate contaminants generated during the gasification and entrained in the production gases is improved. In particular, it would be desirable to minimize the amount of makeup water that is necessary.
Another problem with prior art gasification processes relates to the removal of ammonia and cyanides, particularly ammonia as the concentration of ammonia typically greatly exceeds the cyanide concentration.
As disclosed, the partial oxidation gas exiting a scrubbing operation still contains substantially all of the ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, carbonyl sulfide, and cyanides initially present. It will also contain a considerable amount of water vapor. For almost all, if not all, of the intended uses of the partial oxidation gas, these contaminants must be removed. Removal of the water vapor, ammonia, and the cyanides, typically in the form of hydrogen cyanide, is advantageously achieved first as these contaminants will either condense at higher temperatures and pressures or dissolve in water at higher temperatures and pressures.
Typically, the hot partial oxidation gas exiting the scrubbing operation is passed through a series of heat exchangers and knockout drums or their equivalents to reduce the temperature of the gas stream, thereby effectuating the removal of water and ammonia as condensate. As disclosed, complete removal, or substantially complete removal, of water and ammonia is desired as the presence of these materials has an adverse effect on downstream operations, notable flaring and sulfur removal. As such, an inordinate number of heat exchangers and knockout drums, or their equivalents, have typically been used to help ensure complete removal of ammonia and water vapor. Unfortunately, undesirable levels of ammonia are often still present after these series of cooling and washing steps.
Therefore, it would be desirable to discover a cooling and washing system that more efficiently removed water vapor and ammonia from wet hot partial oxidation gas. In particular, a system that did not require an excessive number of heat exchangers and knockout drums, or their equivalents, would be desirable.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a scrubbing tower and high pressure settler assembly comprising a dip tube, a bottom portion, a top portion, and a high pressure settler is provided. The dip tube transports partial oxidation gas from an injection point on the exterior of the scrubbing tower into a volume of water contained in the bottom portion of the scrubbing tower. A blowdown port capable of removing particulate matter is connected to the bottom portion of the assembly. A series of trays is provided in the top portion of the scrubbing tower. The top portion of the scrubbing tower also has inlet ports for receiving water and an outlet port for releasing the scrubbed partial oxidation gas. The use of the high pressure settler facilitates higher particulate settling rates as well as higher scrubbing efficiencies.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a process for removing particulates from partial oxidation gas in a scrubbing tower and high pressure settler assembly is provided. The process comprises: bubbling partial oxidation gas containing particulates through water in the scrubbing tower under conditions sufficient to separate particulate matter from the partial oxidation gas; removing the separated particulates via a high pressure settler; passing the separated gas and any residual particulates through a series of trays; and providing water to the series of trays such that the gas emerging from the trays is substantially free of particulates; and recovering the gas emerging from the series of trays.

System for quenching and scrubbing hot partial oxidation gas


The present invention is directed to a method and system for capturing an information signal from within a noisy background utilizing a non-Gaussian model for the a priori statistics of the information signal conditioned on other a priori quantities. A specific implementation utilizing a Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) is described. The GMM implementation includes Wiener filtering as a special case, and includes methods for adaptively tracking multiple properties of the input noise and the information signal, including noise PSD, information signal PSD, information signal spectral amplitude, and probability of information signal presence versus time and frequency.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to the field of signal processing for noise removal or reduction in which speech or other information signals are received contaminated with noise and it is desired to reduce or remove the noise while preserving the speech or other information signals.
2. Description of Prior Art
The prior art is replete with methods for processing speech or other signals that are contaminated with noise. Many prior methods use empirical techniques, including but not limited to spectral subtraction as an example, that cannot be shown from basic principles to have the potential to approach near-optimal performance. In other cases, including but not limited to Wiener filtering as an example, a theoretical basis is known, but the theory and resulting methods are based on the assumption that the signal of interest has a Gaussian distribution conditioned on a priori quantities used to parameterize the processing. While the model of Gaussian statistics may often be acceptable for noise, it is not generally a good model for speech or other signals to be recovered from the noise. Furthermore, the optimal filtering is very different from Wiener filtering or spectral subtraction when the non-Gaussian nature of the speech or other signal is taken into account.
Selected prior art patents directed to this field include U.S. Pat. No. 5,768,473 issued to Eatwell et al; U.S. Pat. No. 6,098,038 issued to Hermansky et al and U.S. Pat. No. 6,108,610 issued to Winn. Numerous additional prior art patents and publications are cited in the above, and are included herein by reference.
The patent to Eatwell et al describes a method for estimating frequency components of an information signal from an input signal containing both the information signal and noise. The method is a modified version of that described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,158,168 issued to Graupe and Causey. Claimed improvements are a noise power estimator, for which a plurality of options are described, and a computationally efficient gain calculation. An added noise power estimator is described in the related patent to Winn. In the patent to Eatwell et al the gain calculation is described as capable of implementing the gain function published by Ephraim and Malah in "Speech enhancement using a minimum mean-square error short-time spectral amplitude estimator", IEEE Transactions on Acoustics, Speech and Signal Processing, Vol. ASSP-32, No. 6, December 1984, and which is based on the assumption of Gaussian speech statistics.
The patent to Hermansky et al describes a method where noisy speech signals are decomposed into frequency bands, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in each band is estimated, each frequency band signal is filtered with a prepared filter parameterized by SNR, and the filtered band signals are recombined. The SNR-parameterized filters are proposed to be prepared from prior empirical tests. One suggested means for performing the SNR estimating is the method disclosed by Hirsch in "Estimation Of Noise Spectrum And Its Application To SNR Estimation And Speech Enhancement", Technical Report TR-93-012, International Computer Science Institute, Berkeley, Calif., 1993.
These and other patents, methods, and publications in the prior art address systems and methods based on empirical designs, or on theoretical bases that rely on the assumption that information signal statistics conditioned on a priori quantities may be represented by a Gaussian distribution, or a combination of the above, or else are silent as to whether Gaussian signal statistics are assumed.

Noise filtering utilizing non-Gaussian signal statistics


A semiconductor laser device assembly includes (A) a semiconductor laser element and (B) a diffraction grating that configures an external resonator, returns diffraction light other than zero-th order diffraction light to the semiconductor laser element, and outputs the zero-th order diffraction light to the outside. An extension direction of a diffraction surface of the diffraction grating and a main vibration direction of a field of a laser beam incident on the diffraction grating are substantially parallel to each other.

The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor laser device assembly.
Recently, an ultrashort pulse/ultrahigh output laser has been actively used for making a study of an advanced scientific domain using a laser beam where a pulse time width is at an atto-second level or a femtosecond level. In addition, in the ultrashort pulse laser, in addition to a scientific interest called the elucidation of ultrafast phenomena such as picoseconds and femtoseconds, an application study to practical use such as minute processing or two-photon imaging has been actively performed using high peak power. In addition, a high-output ultrashort-pulse semiconductor laser element that is configured from a GaN compound semiconductor and has a light emission wavelength in a 405 nm band has been expected as a light source of a volume-type optical disk system expected as a next-generation optical disk system following a Blu-ray optical disk system, a light source required in fields such as a medical field and a bio-imaging field, and a coherent light source covering an entire region of a visible light region.
As the ultrashort pulse/ultrahigh output laser, a titanium/sapphire laser has been known. However, the titanium/sapphire laser is expensive and is a large-scale solid-state laser light source, which results in becoming a main factor that disturbs a technical spread. In addition, a different solid-state laser to oscillate consecutive light is necessary for excitation and energy efficiency is not necessarily high. Besides, it is not easy for a large-scaled resonator to realize mechanical stability and specialized knowledge is required on maintenance. If the ultrashort pulse/ultrahigh output laser can be realized by a semiconductor laser element (LD), large downsizing, price reduction, low consumption power, and high stability are enabled, which results in a breakthrough on promoting the extensive spread in these fields.
Meanwhile, peak power of a light pulse can be represented by an average output/(repetition frequency×pulse width). Therefore, it is effective to increase the average output to realize the high peak power. In the related art, when an external resonator structure is configured by a diffraction grating, technology for returning first order diffraction light to a semiconductor laser element and extracting zero-th order diffraction light to the outside is known. Generally, in the diffraction grating, diffraction efficiency at a blaze wavelength is highest and diffraction efficiency of polarized light (for convenience, referred to as "parallel polarized light") in which a vibration direction of a field in a laser beam (hereinafter, it may be simply referred to as the "field") and rulings of the diffraction grating are parallel to each other is lower than diffraction efficiency in polarized light (for convenience, referred to as "orthogonal polarized light") in which the vibration direction of the field and the rulings of the diffraction grating are orthogonal to each other. In addition, technology for making orthogonal polarized light incident on the diffraction grating and improving diffraction efficiency is known from JP 3-145174 A, for example.


Embodiments disclosed include a system and method for development of core muscles' support, comprising a means for identifying a user qualifying movement, a means for detecting a core muscle contraction in the identified qualifying movement, a means for discriminating between a core muscle contraction and no core muscle contraction in the identified qualifying movement; and a means to provide feedback to the user.

The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also be embodiments of the invention.
Core muscles or so-called core are comprised of a number of muscles with the primary muscles which provide foundational support located in the abdominal area of the body. These muscles can provide support and strength to the lumbo sacral junction, which is the region of the body where the spine connects to the pelvic bones.
Many large industries focus on development of muscles comprising the core muscles, for management of low-back and other body pain, as well as increased health and fitness, and improvement of one's body aesthetic. Since the core provides stability and strength to the body, there is much focus on core development to improve athletic performance.
There are a number of professionals and practitioners involved with developing and training the core. Health care professionals may focus on developing the core to manage pain, wherein such development may include reduction, elimination, and prevention of pain. Health care professionals include physical therapists, occupational therapists, chiropractors, physiatrists, and osteopathic, sports medicine, and orthopedic physicians. Practitioners and trainers may focus on working with patients and clients to develop their core muscles for strength and fitness, overall well-being, as well as for aesthetic reasons. These professionals may include personal and fitness trainers, Pilates and yoga instructors, and students and teachers of practices such as tai chi. There are a number of available instructional exercise videos and DVDs, on-line videos, and downloadable apps that focus on fitness, strength, body shaping, and/or agility training, and these generally include a substantial focus on development of the core. Coaches for a variety of sports including football, baseball, basketball, golf, soccer, and volleyball are increasingly encouraging the development and use of the core muscles for improved stability, balance, endurance, and performance.
In general, the aforementioned focus on core is on development and strengthening. Another focus for core training may be the timing or sequencing aspect of core contraction with respect to body movements. Core contraction, as used herein refers to a gentle tightening of the core muscles, in particular the inner unit core muscles, for support of the lumbo-sacral junction and the body overall. There are a number of foundational muscles included in the broad heading of core muscles, with the transverses abdominus generally agreed to be most important for lumbo-sacral junction support. The intensity of the contraction may scale with the increase in load on the body and additional muscles are generally recruited as needed.
In 1996, researchers identified a connection between the timing relationship of core contraction and body movements with low-back pain. They examined two groups of subjects. One group was experiencing low-back pain and the second group of subjects was not. Using ultra-sound sensor techniques, the core was monitored through the transverses abdominus muscle while the subjects performed rapid movements with their arms. They found subjects who were not experiencing low-back pain contracted their core milliseconds prior to the arm movements. While those who were experiencing low-back pain did not contract their core prior to the arm movements. One interpretation of this data is that contraction of the core adds stability to the lumbo-sacral junction, and therefore contraction of the core prior to certain body movements may be beneficial for low-back pain management. The benefits of timing training may extend well beyond pain management into overall fitness and strength improvement and the improvement of athletic performance.
Shortcomings of currently available products and system solutions include the following:
A. Monitoring the core muscles is difficult which makes learning difficult since without feedback, it is difficult to know whether or not the core is being contracted properly. There are no known relatively low-cost devices or systems to enable the core to be easily monitored. Even physical therapists or personal trainers may use their hands on their client to feel if they are contracting their core. This is further complicated if the subject is moving and contracting their core simultaneously.
B. Teaching the timing aspect of core training is difficult since with currently available devices and systems, it is difficult to monitor the core and body movements and their timing relationship.
C. Developing procedural memory to achieve desired timing relationships between core contractions and specific body movements requires repetition. Such repetition may be most effectively taught if the timing sequence may be encouraged and practiced throughout the day including morning, noon, and night.
D. Self-teaching or teaching one's self without an instructor is very difficult. There is a movement of increased personal responsibility for health care in the US due in part to increasing health costs and greater complexities in the health care system. With currently available devices and systems, it is difficult for an individual to learn about proper usage of their core muscles.
E. There are no known devices or systems that enable the promotion of core contraction support outside of training situations. Anecdotally, a person may spend an hour with a personal trainer in a fitness facility, spending much of the time focusing on development of the core, then (say) drop their car keys in the parking lot on their way to their next appointment and have no direct way to encourage or remind themselves to utilize their core for support as they bend down to pick up their keys.
Embodiments of the inventive devices and systems presented in this disclosure may address each of the short comings of currently available products and system solutions.
Embodiments disclosed include a device that may be worn on or near the body, and software that may be run coincidentally with the device on a handheld device such as a smart phone, electronic pad, or dedicated device or PC. In some applications, more than one device may be utilized in the system.

System, apparatus, and method for promoting usage of core muscles and other applications


Provided are methods of void-free tungsten fill of high aspect ratio features. According to various embodiments, the methods involve a reduced temperature chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process to fill the features with tungsten. In certain embodiments, the process temperature is maintained at less than about 350° C. during the chemical vapor deposition to fill the feature. The reduced-temperature CVD tungsten fill provides improved tungsten fill in high aspect ratio features, provides improved barriers to fluorine migration into underlying layers, while achieving similar thin film resistivity as standard CVD fill. Also provided are methods of depositing thin tungsten films having low-resistivity. According to various embodiments, the methods involve performing a reduced temperature low resistivity treatment on a deposited nucleation layer prior to depositing a tungsten bulk layer and/or depositing a bulk layer via a reduced temperature CVD process followed by a high temperature CVD process.

The deposition of tungsten films using chemical vapor deposition (CVD) techniques is an integral part of many semiconductor fabrication processes. Tungsten films may be used as low resistivity electrical connections in the form of horizontal interconnects, vias between adjacent metal layers, and contacts between a first metal layer and the devices on the silicon substrate. In a conventional tungsten deposition process, the wafer is heated to the process temperature in a vacuum chamber, and then a very thin portion of tungsten film, which serves as a seed or nucleation layer, is deposited. Thereafter, the remainder of the tungsten film (the bulk layer) is deposited on the nucleation layer. Conventionally, the tungsten bulk layer is formed by the reduction of tungsten hexafluoride (WF6) with hydrogen (H2) on the growing tungsten layer.
As semiconductor devices scale to the 32 nm technology node and beyond, shrinking contact and via dimensions make chemical vapor deposition of tungsten more challenging. Increasing aspect ratios can lead to voids or large seams within device features, resulting in lower yields and decreased performance in microprocessor and memory chips. The International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) calls for 32 nm stacked capacitor DRAM contacts to have aspect ratios of greater than 20:1. Logic contacts, though not as aggressive as DRAM contacts, will still be challenged as aspect ratios grow to more than 10:1. Void-free fill in aggressive features like these is problematic using conventional CVD tungsten deposition techniques.

Low tempature tungsten film deposition for small critical dimension contacts and interconnects


A method and apparatus for cutting rings from forging stock is described. The invention includes a rigid machine base affixed to a horizontal mounting surface. A rotating headstock, capable of at least one speed is permanently mounted to the machine base. A four-jaw chuck is removably attached to the front face of the rotating headstock for mounting forging stock of irregular cross-section. A three-jaw chuck is removably mounted in the four-jaw chuck for holding forging stocks of regular cross-section. An abrasive cut-off wheel is removably mounted to a rotating saw arbor. The saw arbor is pivotally mounted parallel to the axis of rotation of the headstock. The pivotal mounting for the saw arbor is slidably mounted to the machine base so that the distance form the cut-off wheel to the front face of the headstock may be varied by the operator to cut rings of varying thickness. A digital readout and incremental adjustment means are provided to control the movement of the saw arbor along the length of the forging stock. Both automatic and manual means are provided to cause the cut-off wheel to pivot toward the rotating forging stock clamped in the chuck. Means are provided to control the surface cutting speed of the cut-off wheel as it decreases in size from wear. Means are also provided to cool the cut-off wheel and forging stock as the forging stock is cut into rings, as are means to remove particulate matter from the exhaust stream from the cut-off wheel. When the operator desires to cut forging stock of regular cross-section, the three-jaw chuck and automatic saw feed are employed. When the operator desires to cut forging stock of irregular cross-section, the independently adjustable four-jaw chuck and manual saw feed are employed.

High-grade nickel-steel alloys and related materials are typically used for the manufacture of aircraft engine parts and other high-stress, high-temperature applications. These materials are necessarily difficult to cut or machine and tend to be expensive so it is desirable that waste should be minimized. Cutting of these high-strength alloys usually requires the use of abrasive cut-off wheels that are consumed in the cutting process, posing a potential air pollution hazard for the machine operator and those nearby. It is often desirable to divide a piece of forging stock of such material into nearly identical size ring sections for further forging or machining. If the ring sections can be identically sized and a minimum of material lost in the cutting, the process will be more economical.
Various types of machines have been developed for precision cutting of rings. Examples include: U.S. Pat. No. 4,052,822 issued to Obear is directed to a cut-off machine that employs a pair of abrasive cut-off wheels, the first of a larger diameter, and the second being a used, worn-down wheel of a smaller diameter. The second, smaller wheel, which is necessarily more rigid than a larger wheel, is used to produce an accurate scoring cut to align the larger cut-off wheel.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,877,180 issued to Brecker, is directed to a hydraulic, feedback-controlled system for directing an abrasive cut-off wheel. A first hydraulic system supplies torque to the cut-off wheel, while a second hydraulic system urges the cut-off wheel toward the workpiece. A feedback system balances the pressure applied to urge the cut-off wheel toward the workpiece with the system supplying torque to the wheel so that a constant rotational cutting speed may be maintained.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,311, issued to Schreder et al. is directed to a method of grinding rotary workpieces that is automatic and has accurate calibration of work monitoring. The method employs a surface grinding apparatus that is moved horizontally and vertically about a rotating workpiece.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,525 issued to Hayashi et al. is directed to a numerically controlled grinding machine. In this invention one grinding wheel grinds a workpiece having a plurality of portions to be ground with the machine enabling an operator to easily and correctly input grinding data and to modify the data in response to grinding conditions displayed to the operator.
U.S. Pat. No. Re. 33,904 issued to Rudy et al. is directed to a method and apparatus for automatically cutting food products to predetermined weight or shape. As the food products move along a conveyor, a camera provides a programmed computer with dimensional data and thus the computer is able to control the operation of the cutters in order to cut the material into portions of equal weight.
Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,831,907 issued to Gnann describes is directed to a method and apparatus for checking performance of a cut-off operation on automatic lathes for working bar material or the like.
While other inventions exist having features desirable for efficient cutting of rings from forging stocks the above-described designs for cut-off machinery and related features are typical of those encountered in the prior art.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide for cutting of rings of precisely described dimensions from forging stocks of high-strength alloys. It is a further objective to provide such precision cutting with a minimum of waste. It is yet a further objective to permit the safe and economical cutting of rings from both cylindrical forging stock and forging stock of irregular cross-section. It is yet another objective of the invention to provide a means for efficiently recycling the waste material produced by the cutting process while minimizing any pollution produced by the process. It is still another objective to provide a means to maintain a constant surface speed of the cutting means with respect to the forging stock despite wear of the cutting means. It is a still further objective of the invention to control the temperature of the cutting process to maximize cutting speed while minimizing heat distortion and wear of the cutting means. Finally, it is an objective of the invention to provide the above-described capabilities in an inexpensive and durable machine, which is capable of extended duty cycles, and that may be easily repaired and maintained.
While some of the objectives of the present invention are satisfied by features disclosed in the prior art, none of the inventions found include all of the requirements identified.

Method and apparatus for cutting rings from forging stock


A non-functional liquid rubber is prepared by the solution polymerization of vinyl monomers. The polymer may be a homopolymer or a copolymer. As a copolymer the preferred monomers are a conjugated diene and a vinyl substituted nitrile such as acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile. A non-functional initiator is employed that is either an azo initiator or a peroxide initiator.

Non-functional liquid polymers are known in the art. They are prepared by the emulsion polymerization utilizing emulsifiers, chain transfer agents, initiators, coagulants, and the like. Also utilized are mercaptans which function as chain terminators. The use of a mercaptan, however, causes the non-functional liquid polymers to be turbid and also to have a strong sulfur-like odor.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,426,006 (Nutzel et al., Feb. 4, 1969) relates to a process for producing substantially colorless telomers, homopolymer and copolymer of conjugated diolefins comprising utilizing as a polymerization catalyst a compound of the general formula ##STR1## wherein Me is an alkali metal; X is phosphorus, tin or lead; R is a hydrocarbon; and y is 2-3; the Me-X bond being a homopolymer bond.
Canadian Patent No. 834,303 relates to interpolymerizing a butadiene (for example, butadiene, 2,3-dimethyl butadiene, isoprene or chlorobutadiene) , and ethylenically unsaturated acid (for example acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, allylic acid, fumaric acid, or itaconic acid) and an acrylonitrile (acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile). The polymerization is carried out using 0. 1 to 0. 5 parts of an azo initiator (for example, azobisisobutyronitrile) in aqueous emulsion in the presence of 2.5 to 5 parts of a cationic emulsifier (for example, cetyldimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride) and 5 to 12 parts of a mercaptan modifier (for example, n-dodecyl mercaptan) for 100 parts of monomers. The interpolymerization is short stopped (for example, by 0.15 to 2 parts of hydroxyl ammonium sulfate) at 40 to 80 percent, preferably 65 to 75 percent, conversion to form an emulsion of liquid rubber.

Synthesis of low viscosity non-functional terminated polymers


A sonic or ultrasonic transducer, which is embodied as a radial oscillator. So that the sonic or ultrasonic transducer can be used at high temperatures, a matching layer is located between the radial oscillator and the atmosphere into which the ultrasonic signals are transmitted The matching layer is made from a material that has a dimensional stability up to a temperature which lies above the temperature at the installation location of the sonic or ultrasonic transducer. Furthermore, the matching layer is selected such that its material-specific coefficient of thermal expansion is greater than that of the materials of a piezoelectric unit and a coupling ring, and that the modulus of elasticity of the material of the matching layer is at least one order of magnitude smaller than that of the piezoelectric unit and/or the coupling ring.

A sonic or ultrasonic transducer, as described above, is already known from EP 0 615 471 B1. The known transducer especially distinguishes itself in that, when the dimensions of the piezoceramic disc are small, the transducer has a reduced operating frequency, as compared with the radial resonance frequency of the piezoceramic disc alone. This is achieved through a metal ring which surrounds the lateral surface of the piezoceramic disc with a form- and force-fit. For this, the metal ring is preferably assembled with the piezoceramic disc by shrink-fitting. Because of the coupling, the combination of the piezoceramic disc and the coupling ring behaves like a radial oscillator; especially, the surface of the radial oscillator, i.e. the surface formed from both components, acts as radiating surface for the sonic or ultrasonic waves.


An antenna assembly (700) includes a first element (100) and a second element (300). Each element (100, 300) transmits and receives in a particular band of frequencies. Integrated on one of the elements is a diplexer (702) that allows all frequencies to be fed into the antenna assembly (700) via a single connector (600) and each element (100, 300) receives only the frequency band that that element is designed to operate in.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to antennas and more particularly, to a dual-frequency-band/dual-element, single connector antenna with an embedded diplexer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Wireless communication is accomplished through use of a radio connected to an antenna. An antenna is an impedance-matching device used to absorb or radiate electromagnetic waves into the atmosphere. The function of the antenna is to "match" the impedance of the propagating medium, which is usually air or free space, to the source of the radio waves, i.e., output of the radio.
Antennas are available in many different shapes and sizes. The particular shape and size of an antenna designed for a particular application depends on many factors, such as the frequency or range of frequencies being received and transmitted, the expected environment the antenna will endure, size limitations of the structure the antenna is to be installed upon, power efficiency limitations, impedance limitations, application particulars, and many more.
Additionally, a common use of antennas is on ground or airborne vehicles. An antenna can be placed on various locations on the body of the vehicle, providing communication between the vehicle and other radio-wave-receiving entities, such as handhelds, base stations, other vehicles, and more. The communication links include ground to air, air to air, or ground to ground. All vehicles, whether airborne or terrestrial, have a finite amount of surface area in which antennas can be placed. It is therefore a common design goal to provide as efficient an antenna as possible in the smallest package possible.
Antennas that are installed on the exterior of vehicles must withstand heavy torque from wind and debris, resist moisture, withstand extreme and rapid temperature changes, heavy vibrations, and other environmental hazards. For this reason, antenna "assemblies" are utilized with includes a shell, which covers and protects the radiating portion of the antenna assembly, called the "element". The shell must be rugged and strong. Antenna shells are often constructed of fiberglass or other composite materials. Composite materials are chosen as a housing for the elements because they are lightweight, structurally robust, and allow radio waves to pass without appreciable attenuation.
The single largest dictator of the physical size of an antenna element is its intended frequency range. An antenna of a given size has an optimum frequency with which it is most efficient. Acceptable efficiency can also be realized with frequencies that vary above and below the optimum frequency, to a certain degree. For efficiency to remain at an acceptable level, the element should increase in length as the frequencies decrease. Likewise, the element should decrease in length as the frequencies increase.
In many applications, it is necessary to broadcast or receive over a relatively broad range of frequencies. As discussed in the preceding paragraph, an element of a fixed length is efficient at a single frequency, with performance dropping as the frequency varies from that single frequency. Transmitting or receiving a broad frequency range on a single element will result in poor performance and wasted power.
One Prior Art solution for transmitting and receiving one or more distinct broad ranges of frequencies has been to utilize two or more separate antennas (with separate housings), each for a specific range of frequencies, and each with a separate connector to the radio. However, mounting multiple antennas on a surface requires dedicated space for each antenna footprint. As mentioned above, antenna mounting space on vehicles is finite. Therefore, utilizing multiple antennas is disadvantageous in terms of space consumption.
Additionally, when one antenna is in close proximity, and in the beam field of another, transmits a signal, that signal will be received by the other antenna and fed back to the radio. This effect can damage the transmitting radio and is undesirable. To prevent or reduce the effects of poor frequency isolation between the antennas, a filter is used to isolate the intended frequency range of each antenna and reject frequencies outside that range. Some prior art designs provide filters in-line with the coaxial cable while other filters are integrated inside the antenna housing. Providing separate antennas with separate filters and connectors adds extra expense and additional potential failure points to the design.
Other Prior Art designs have put multiple elements of varying size inside a single antenna housing. Multiple elements in a single antenna assembly can result in a significant space saving over two separate antennas. However, elements in the same housing are in very close proximity. The small distance between the elements may cause them, as described above, to suffer from isolation problems, thereby necessitating the presence of one or more filters. Prior art antennas of this type utilize separate connectors for each element with in-line filters providing the necessary isolation between the frequency bands.
Multiple connectors on a single antenna is a disadvantage. This is because it requires a radio with multiple cables and connecters. In many vehicular applications, access to inside the area of the body where the antenna is to be installed is limited. The installation step of connecting both connectors is difficult and time consuming. Additionally, the multiple connectors creates added cost for the extra parts, added time, and cost for testing procedures, increased failure points, and many other disadvantages.
Accordingly, a need exists to overcome the shortcomings with the prior art and to provide a dual-band/dual-element antenna with a single connector that also provides adequate isolation between frequency bands.

Single connector dual band antenna with embedded diplexer


A converter circuit arrangement is specified. An extremely compact structure is achieved by virtue of the fact that the current rise limiting inductor concentrically surrounds the second stack containing diode and resistor. In particular, the inductor can be designed as a wire helix surrounding the stack. A very compact structure of the converter is produced, furthermore, by virtue of the fact that the first and second stacks, that is to say the stack of the switches and the stack of the snubber, belong to a common clamping lattice.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of power electronics. It is based on a converter circuit arrangement according to the preamble of the first claim.
2. Discussion of Background
A converter circuit arrangement of the generic type has already been described in European Patent Application EP 0 660 496 A2.
A converter circuit arrangement of this type comprises at least one phase module, comprising a series circuit formed by at least two reverse conducting switches, for example GTOs, with a reverse-connected parallel diode, a central node of the series circuit forming a load terminal, as well as a snubber. The snubber comprises at least one current rise limiting inductor, which is arranged in series with the switches, and a series circuit formed by a resistor and a snubber diode, which is arranged in parallel with the inductor. In the context of the aforementioned patent application, an attempt is then made to achieve a low-inductance structure by a skillful arrangement and assignment of the elements. A structure having the lowest possible inductance is a desirable aim particularly with regard to higher switching frequencies and slope gradients. For this purpose, the switches and the diodes are combined to form a stack in each case. The snubber, that is to say resistors and inductors, is arranged underneath the stacks.


The invention provides a plunger tip for die casting machines which is excellent in slidability and sealing properties. The plunger tip comprises a tip main body (20) and is slidable inside a plunger sleeve (60) for pushing out a molten metal into a die. The tip main body (20) is made of a metal material and covered over an outer peripheral surface thereof with a slide sleeve (40) made of a rigid resin material exhibiting high slidability and excellent sealing properties on the inner surface of the plunger sleeve.

For casting molten metals, such as aluminum alloys, magnesium alloys or like nonferrous metals, by die casting machines, the molten metal is placed into a plunger sleeve and injected into the cavity of a die by a plunger tip slidable inside the plunger sleeve under pressure.
Plunger tips which must have abrasion resistance and cooling properties are generally made from a high-temperature tool steel (SKD-61) or beryllium copper.
When molten metal is injected into a die for the die casting machine, great sliding resistance is produced between the plunger tip and the plunger sleeve, so that there is a need to spray a graphite oily or water-soluble lubricant onto the sliding surface for every shot.
However, when such a lubricant comes into contact with the molten metal, a gas produced from the lubricant on burning and the remaining lubricant are likely to become incorporated into the molten metal, giving rise to the problem of degrading the die-cast product or permitting the lubricant substance to scatter to impair the work environment. Accordingly, there is a growing demand for plunger tips which exhibit stabilized injection performance without using any lubricant or with a reduction in the amount of lubricant to be applied.
A plunger tip is therefore proposed which has a tubular slide sleeve made of a carbon fiber reinforced composite material (C/C composite) and fitting around the outer periphery of the tip so as to give the tip improved slidability on the inner surface of the plunger sleeve (see, for example, the publication of JP-A No. 09-94648).
The slide sleeve provided around the plunger tip gives the tip improved slidability on the inner surface of the plunger sleeve, whereas since the C/C composite is comparable to the metal material of the plunger tip in coefficient of thermal expansion, the slide sleeve almost fails to expand when molten metal is injected under pressure. This impairs the sealing effect of the slide sleeve on the plunger sleeve, permitting the molten metal to ingress into an interstice between the plunger sleeve and the slide sleeve and causing damage to the surfaces of these sleeves.
The damage entails a shortened service life.
An object of the present invention is to provide a plunger tip for die casting machines which is excellent in slidability and sealing properties.


A governor system is provided for limiting a degree of throttle travel of a throttle as a function of rotational speed of a drive axle. The governor system includes a governor shaft rotatably supported by the drive axle and operably interconnected to internal components of the drive axle for varying a feedback torque, a governor arm fixed for rotation with the governor shaft, a throttle cable interconnected with the governor arm for applying a first pulling force to the throttle and an accelerator cable resiliently interconnected with the governor arm to apply a second pulling force to the governor arm. The second pulling force induces rotation of the governor arm for applying a torque on the governor shaft. The torque balances with the feedback torque of the governor shaft for limiting the second pulling force as a function of the rotational speed of the drive axle.

Many vehicles, such as golf cars, include a governor system for limiting the degree of throttle to correspondingly limit the speed at which the vehicle may travel. Typically, vehicles include an engine, a transmission and a drive axle receiving drive torque from the engine, through the transmission. Generally, governor systems include a plurality of weights disposed about an input shaft of the drive axle, which are configured to pivot away from the input shaft as a result of the centrifugal forces generated by the angular velocity of the input shaft. The weights pivot outward against a set of sliding spacers, which in turn actuate a governor shaft extending inside the drive axle. As the angular velocity of the input shaft increases so does the centrifugal force, resulting in a torque produced through the governor shaft. Thus, the torque produced through the governor shaft is linear and directly proportional to the angular velocity of the input shaft.
A ground speed control mechanism, or governor system, is provided to limit the maximum vehicle speed. Traditional governor systems include a control arm with a pivotal box spring assembly, an accelerator cable input interconnecting the accelerator pedal and a throttle output interconnecting the throttle. The box spring assembly includes a threaded rod, a pivot bracket, a compression spring, spring retainers and an adjustment nut. The governed speed is preset by the manufacturer by adjusting the compression of the compression spring with the adjustment nut. A wire is then passed through a hole in the end of the threaded rod and a hole through the adjustment nut, the ends of which are soldered together as a means to maintain the governor setting over time.
When the accelerator pedal is actuated, the accelerator cable pulls on the box spring, which in turn applies a force to the control arm. The control arm then rotates and actuates the throttle linkage to open the throttle. As the accelerator is depressed and the vehicle accelerates, the torque exerted on the control arm by the governor shaft correspondingly increases. When this torque becomes greater than that produced by the box spring assembly, the control arm rotates, compressing the box spring further, thereby relieving the throttle linkage to enable closure of the throttle. As the vehicle slows, the torque exerted on the control arm by the governor shaft correspondingly decreases, enabling the control arm to rotate, thereby actuating the throttle linkage to again open the throttle. The result is a relatively constant vehicle speed, regardless of load.
The governor system described above, while functional, retains several disadvantages. The throttle linkage and its constituent components may be easily tampered with in order to increase the maximum speed of the vehicle. This generally results in the throttle not fully closing, causing engine back fire and poor low speed drivability. Other components wear over time leading to a significant loss in throttle travel preventing wide open throttle, thereby limiting hill climbing and other power intensive activities. Further, the overall complexity of the governor system results in tolerance stack-ups that require a long range of adjustment.
Therefore, it is desirable in the industry to provide an improved governor system for limiting a maximum vehicle speed. The improved governor system should be simple in construction, having a reduced number of components over traditional governor systems, for alleviating the disadvantages associated therewith. Further, the improved governor system should reduce the opportunity for tampering, to protect the engine and maintain drivability characteristics across all speed ranges.

Governor system for gasoline powered vehicles


A type of adjustment for snare drum, comprising a main unit to be fitted to the shell of a snare drum, an adjusting lever inside the main unit and a moving piece inside the main unit, which will move linearly in the main unit with the rotation of the adjusting rod in the main unit, for the purpose to adjust the snare tension; the entire adjustment composition is simplified, to save time and reduce costs in its assembling process, furthermore, due to its smooth operation, there will be no noise in the adjusting process.

The invention relates to a type of adjustment for drum snare, particularly one with simplified composition, time-saving assembly, reduced costs and smooth control.
Conventionally, a regular adjustment fitted on the shell of a drum for adjustment of the snare comprises a fixed unit fitted on the shell of a snare drum, and a clamp that clamps the snare with possible movement in the fixed unit, wherein said clamp involves a pull handle employing link gearing principle to achieve its linked movement, since the link gearing is more sophisticated, its production costs are increased accordingly, therefore, when the components are moving, their friction will be become serious, which results in noise and difficulty in operation, therefore:
In view of the above shortcomings, the inventor has presented an adjustment for the snare of a drum, comprising a main unit to be fitted on the shell of a drum, an adjusting rod installed in the main unit and a moving piece installed in the main unit, which will move linearly in the main unit with the rotation of said adjusting rod in the main unit, wherein said moving piece has a clamp to clamp the snare.