A lens (10) and a camera module (100) and a manufacturing method thereof, wherein the lens (10) comprises an edge-cut lens sheet (114), wherein the edge-cut lens sheet (14) includes at least one chord edge (1141) and at least one circular edge (1142), wherein the chord edge (1141) and the circular edge (1142) are adjacently connected to each other, and wherein the chord edge (1141) and the circular edge (1142) have different curvatures, so that the lens sheet (114) becomes narrow and the width of the lens (10) become narrow, to form an ultra-narrow camera module (100).

With the development of smart devices, camera modules are already indispensable devices in the smart devices. Moreover, the high performance of the camera modules is a main direction for the improvement and development of smart devices, and is the key to the performance of smart devices.
At present, the conventional smart devices, such as smart phones, smart computers, smart homes, etc., need to leave very large spaces for the camera modules, especially need to provide wide edges for the camera modules when designing the frames. However, as the smart devices are seeking for the trend of a small size and a narrow bezel, the camera modules must also be reduced in volume. How to ensure the normal operation of the lens and the intact function of the camera module while reducing the volume is a problem that needs to be solved.
A conventional lens and a conventional camera module are as shown in FIG. 1. The conventional camera module includes at least one lens sheet 10P, a lens barrel 20P, a lens base 30P, and a circuit assembly 40P, wherein the lens sheet 10P is a round lens sheet, the lens barrel 20P has a cylindrical tubular structure, the lens base 30P has a square structure, and the circuit assembly 40P has a square shape. Herein, since the lens barrel 20P encloses and supports the lens sheet 10P, the outer shapes of the lens barrel 20P and the lens sheet 10P correspond to each other, that is, the lens sheet 22P and the lens barrel 20P are both a complete round shape when viewed from an axial direction. However, the lens base 30P and the circuit assembly 40P are both square, and a main photosensitive chip 41P in the circuit assembly 40P is also square. Each of the lens sheets 10P has a round light-passing portion and a non-light-passing portion. Therefore, a lot of light is not received by the circuit assembly 40P, but falls on components having relatively smooth surfaces of the circuit assembly 40P, such as gold wires, pads, lines, lens bases, molded parts, glue, etc., and returns to an imaging region after multiple reflections to form stray light. Then, if it can be modified from the lens sheet 10P, unnecessary portions are reduced, so that the lens barrel 20P, the lens base 30P, and the circuit assembly 40P are correspondingly reduced in unnecessary portions, and the volume of the camera module may be reduced in the whole-body shape. Moreover, in practice, in an extreme case, as long as the circuit assembly 40P is slightly larger than the photosensitive chip, the lens barrel 20P has a size corresponding to the circuit assembly 40P, and the lens sheet 10P has a size corresponding to the photosensitive chip of the circuit assembly 40P, the complete function of the camera module can be ensured.
The conventional camera module leaves a lot of safety space for the circuit assembly 40P, especially for the photosensitive chip 41P to stably operate for a long time, and a lot of space is expanded in the circuit assembly 40P. Moreover, in order to ensure an effective clear aperture, the conventional lens sheet 10P uses a spacer or a light blocking plate to block unwanted light. However, the light may still be refracted and reflected on a portion of the lens sheet to form stray light.
The above factors not only decrease the imaging effect, but also cause many redundant portions existing in the overall body shape of the camera module. This is disadvantageous to a compact use environment and an application of a highly integrated system.
On the other hand, with the development of high pixel camera modules, the number of lens sheets of the lens is continuously increasing, for example, up to the number of lens sheets of 4 p, 5 p, 6 p, 7 p or more, and the volume of the lens is also continuously increasing. Therefore, the influence of the lens on the camera module is also becoming bigger and bigger, and the improvements to the lens also become more important.

Lens, camera module and manufacturing method thereof


Contact operating arrangement utilizing a stroke multiplier mechanism is provided for operating the contacts of high-voltage apparatus. The contact operating arrangement includes a shock-reducing feature such that the loading and forces on the stroke multiplier mechanism caused by the rapid deceleration of the moving contact structure are reduced by transfer to other portions of the contact operating arrangement. Where desired, the contact operating arrangement also includes provisions to reduce the loading to the moving contact structure during contact opening.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of high-voltage apparatus and more particularly to an arrangement with shock-reducing features for a stroke multiplier that is utilized to operate a moving contact of high-voltage apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various contact operating arrangements are known for high-voltage apparatus. For example, arrangements are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,668,848, 4,000,387, 3,889,084 and 3,745,283. In particular, the arrangement in the '387 patent includes a lazy-tong-multiplying operating which is one form of a type of mechanism known as a stroke multiplier. The stroke multiplier is useful to increase the speed of contact operation, which is desirable to minimize arcing when opening or closing the contacts of high-voltage circuit interrupters. The stroke multiplier also increases the length of the stroke (distance of contact travel) with respect to the drive mechanism travel which permits a smaller drive mechanism. While the arrangement of the '387 patent may be generally useful for its intended purpose, the stroke multiplier absorbs all of the impact load on contact opening due to the rapid deceleration of the rapidly moving portions of the operator. For example, when the contacts are opened, as the stroke multiplier comes to the end of its opening stroke, the moving parts of the contact operating mechanism impact the stroke multiplier. While such impact forces are always undesirable, this is especially a problem for a stroke multiplier. Additionally, to accommodate these impact forces, the mass of the stroke multiplier must increase, which is undesirable for both space considerations and the most efficient and rapid operation.

Contact operating arrangement with shock-reducing feature for high-voltage apparatus


A liquid developer comprised of a liquid, thermoplastic resin particles, a nonpolar liquid soluble charge director, and a charge adjuvant comprised of a metal hydroxycarboxylic acid.

This invention is generally directed to liquid developer compositions and, in particular, to a liquid developer containing metal hydroxy acid complexes as charge adjuvants. More specifically, the present invention relates to liquid developers containing aluminum hydroxycarboxylic acids, such as aluminum salicylate. The developers of the present invention can be selected for a number of known imaging and printing systems, such as xerographic processes, wherein latent images are rendered visible with the liquid developer illustrated herein. The image quality, solid area coverage and resolution for developed images usually require sufficient toner particle electrophoretic mobility. The mobility for effective image development is primarily dependent on the imaging system used. The electrophoretic mobility is primarily directly proportional to the charge on the toner particles and inversely proportional to the viscosity of the liquid developer fluid. A 10 to 30 percent change in fluid viscosity caused, for instance, by a 5.degree. to 15.degree. C. decrease in temperature could result in a decrease in image quality, poor image development and background development, for example, because of a 5 percent to 23 percent decrease in electrophoretic mobility. Insufficient particle charge can also result in poor transfer of the toner to paper or other final substrates. Poor or unacceptable transfer can result in, for example, poor solid area coverage if insufficient toner is transferred to the final substrate and can also lead to image defects such as smears and hollowed fine features. To overcome or minimize such problems, the liquid toners of the present invention were arrived at after extensive research efforts, and which toners result in, for example, sufficient particle charge for transfer and maintain the mobility within the desired range of the particular imaging system employed. Advantages associated with the present invention include increasing the desired negative charge on the developer particles and in embodiments providing a charge adjuvant, also referred to as a charge additive, that is superior to other charge adjuvants, like aluminum stearate. The superior charge can result in improved image development and superior image transfer.
A latent electrostatic image can be developed with toner particles dispersed in an insulating nonpolar liquid. The aforementioned dispersed materials are known as liquid toners or liquid developers. A latent electrostatic image may be produced by providing a photoconductive layer with a uniform electrostatic charge and subsequently discharging the electrostatic charge by exposing it to a modulated beam of radiant energy. Other methods are also known for forming latent electrostatic images such as, for example, providing a carrier with a dielectric surface and transferring a preformed electrostatic charge to the surface. After the latent image has been formed, it is developed by colored toner particles dispersed in a nonpolar liquid. The image may then be transferred to a receiver sheet.
Useful liquid developers can comprise a thermoplastic resin and a dispersant nonpolar liquid. Generally, a suitable colorant, such as a dye or pigment, is also present. The colored toner particles are dispersed in a nonpolar liquid which generally has a high volume resistivity in excess of 10.sup.9 ohm-centimeters, a low dielectric constant, for example below 3.0, and a high vapor pressure. Generally, the toner particles are less than 30 .mu.m average by area size as measured using the Malvern 3600E particle sizer.
Since the formation of proper images depends, for example, on the difference of the charge between the toner particles in the liquid developer and the latent electrostatic image to be developed, it has been found desirable to add a charge director compound and charge adjuvants which increase the magnitude of the charge, such as polyhydroxy compounds, amino alcohols, polybutylene succinimide compounds, aromatic hydrocarbons, metallic soaps, and the like to the liquid developer comprising the thermoplastic resin, the nonpolar liquid and the colorant.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,019,477 to Felder, the disclosure of which is hereby totally incorporated by reference, discloses a liquid electrostatic developer comprising a nonpolar liquid, thermoplastic resin particles, and a charge director. The ionic or zwitterionic charge directors may include both negative charge directors such as lecithin, oil-soluble petroleum sulfonate and alkyl succinimide, and positive charge directors such as cobalt and iron naphthanates. The thermoplastic resin particles can comprise a mixture of (1) a polyethylene homopolymer or a copolymer of (i) polyethylene and (ii) acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or alkyl esters thereof, wherein (ii) comprises 0.1 to 20 weight percent of the copolymer; and (2) a random copolymer of (iii) selected from the group consisting of vinyl toluene and styrene and (iv) selected from the group consisting of butadiene and acrylate. As the copolymer of polyethylene and methacrylic acid or methacrylic acid alkyl esters, NUCREL.RTM. may be selected.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,030,535 to Drappel et al. discloses a liquid developer composition comprising a liquid vehicle, a charge control additive and toner particles. The toner particles may contain pigment particles and a resin selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, halogenated polyolefins and mixtures thereof. The liquid developers are prepared by first dissolving the polymer resin in a liquid vehicle by heating at temperatures of from about 80.degree. C. to about 120.degree. C., adding pigment to the hot polymer solution and attriting the mixture, and then cooling the mixture so that the polymer becomes insoluble in the liquid vehicle, thus forming an insoluble resin layer around the pigment particles.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,852,208 and 3,933,664, both to Nagashima et al., disclose colored, light-transparent photoconductive material which is obtained by a condensation reaction of organic photoconductive substances with reactive colored components. The chemical combination of an organic photoconductive substance having at least one amino or hydroxyl group with a color development component having at least one active halogen atom produces the color developing organic photoconductive materials. Alternatively, the color developing materials can be obtained from the combination of an organic photoconductive substance having at least one active halogen atom with a color developing component having at least one amino or hydroxyl group. The color developing organic photoconductive material may be pulverized in a ballmill, a roll-mill or an atomizer to produce a toner for use as a dry or wet developing agent, or may be used in combination with other colored substances or vehicle resins.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,524,119 to Luly et al. discloses electrophotographic dry development carriers for use with toner particles wherein the carrier core particles are coated with fluorinated carbon or a fluorinated carbon-containing resin. By varying the fluorine content of the fluorinated carbon, systematic uniform variation of the resistivity properties of the carrier is permitted. Suitable binders for use with the carrier core particles may be selected from known thermoplastics, including fluoropolymers.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,026,621 to Tsubuko et al. discloses a toner for electrophotography which comprises as main components a coloring component and a binder resin which is a block copolymer comprising a functional segment (A) consisting of at least one of a fluoroalkylacryl ester block unit or a fluoroalkyl methacryl ester block unit, and a compatible segment (B) consisting of a fluorine-free vinyl or olefin monomer block unit. The functional segment of block copolymer is oriented to the surface of the block polymer and the compatible segment thereof is oriented to be compatible with other resins and a coloring agent contained in the toner, so that the toner is provided with both liquid repelling and solvent soluble properties.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,248,954 to Datta et al. discloses carrier particles for use with a dry toner composition in an electrophotographic process, which are prepared by coating the surface of the carrier particles with a perfluoro carboxylic acid in a polymeric binder. The carrier particles are capable of imparting a positive triboelectric charge to toners used with these carrier particles.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,268,598 to Leseman et al. discloses a developing powder composition prepared by blending a fluoroaliphatic sulfonamido surface active agent with a desired formulation of toner powder particles. The toner powders are flowable, finely divided dry powder that are generally colored and are preferably conductive and magnetically attractable.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,139,483 to Williams et al. discloses a finely divided dry toner composition comprising a colorant, a thermoplastic resin, and a surface active additive which is capable of providing a desired polarity and magnitude of triboelectric charging potential to the toner composition. The surface active additives are selected from highly fluorinated materials.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,113,641 to Brana et al. discloses a dry development powder with a high charge to mass ratio comprising a carrier particle treated with a perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acid. The core of the carrier particle is any material which can react chemically with perfluoro sulfonic acid, and is preferably a ferromagnetic material such as iron or steel.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,388,396 to Nishibayashi et al. discloses developer particles comprising pigment particles, a binder and an offset-preventing agent selected from the group consisting of aliphatic fluorocarbon compounds and fluorochlorocarbon compounds. Electrical conductivity can be imparted to the developer by causing electrically conductive fine particles to adhere to the surfaces of the particles.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,468,446 to Mikami et al. discloses a dry electrostatographic toner for a pressure fixing process which comprises encapsulated toner particles with a pressure fixable adhesive core material containing a colorant and a pressure rupturable shell enclosing the core material, wherein the outer surface of the shell is an organofluoro compound.
Moreover, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,707,429 there are illustrated, for example, liquid developers with an aluminum stearate charge additive. Liquid developers with charge directors are also illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,045,425. Further, stain elimination in consecutive colored liquid toners is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,995. Additionally, of interest are U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,760,009; 5,034,299 and 5,028,508.
The disclosures of each of the U.S. patents mentioned herein are totally incorporated herein by reference.
In copending patent application U.S. Ser. No. 986,316, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, there is illustrated a process for forming images which comprises (a) generating an electrostatic latent image; (b) contacting the latent image with a developer comprising a colorant and a substantial amount of a vehicle with a melting point of at least about 25.degree. C., said developer having a melting point of at least about 25.degree. C., said contact occurring while the developer is maintained at a temperature at or above its melting point, said developer having a viscosity of no more than about 500 centipoise and a resistivity of no less than about 10.sup.8 ohm-cm at the temperature maintained while the developer is in contact with the latent image; and (c) cooling the developed image to a temperature below its melting point subsequent to development.

Liquid developer compositions with aluminum hydroxycarboxylic acids


A chair, in particular an office chair, comprises a seat support with a seat and a back rest having a base plate. The base plate is covered at least on its rear side with a covering made of a flexible material. The base plate and the seat support are interconnected in a fastening region. An opening is provided which accommodates at least the fastening region and which can be closed by a concealing member which is formed by at least one Velcro strip.

For chairs of this type, and that in particular for embodiments with a back rest extending far down to the seat and in particular for such embodiments with a back rest covered with a continuously padded covering and with a covered seat the fastening of the back rest at the back rest support is expensive with regard to design and assembly.


In one embodiment, a method includes forming a plurality of thermocouples coupled in series by forming first metal segments comprising a first metal, each of the first metal segments having a L-shape. The method further includes forming a plurality of deep openings to expose a first contact region of each of the first metal segments, and forming a plurality of shallow openings to expose a second contact region of each of the first metal segments. The method further includes forming second metal segments comprising a second metal over the dielectric layer. The second metal is a different type of metal than the first metal. Each of the second metal segments contacts one of the first contact region of the first metal segments through one of the plurality of deep openings and contacts one of the second contact region of the first metal segments through one of the plurality of shallow openings. The plurality of thermocouples is formed within a building component.

As it is well known, in the continuous research aimed to maximize the utilization of the electric power which is employed for normal human activities, the recovery of the heat, being produced as a secondary effect in these activities, is one of the keypoints to optimize the energy rendering and also to reduce the total power consumption in any kind of apparatus.
For this reason, several systems have been studied over the years, usually indicated as "scavengers", which are able to recover the heat generated by an operation performed by using electric energy.
Many known solutions, unfortunately, have a low efficiency value (for a maximum of around 10%), calculated as the amount of recovered heat, taking into account of the overall quantity of available heat.
It has been observed that solutions based on the Seebeck's effect are typically more efficient in term of energy balance because they allow a one-way and direct transformation of the heat into electric power.
The Seebeck's effect is in fact a thermoelectric effect providing a direct conversion of temperature differences into an electric voltage.
In particular, since metals respond differently to temperature, it is possible to create a current loop, when a closed loop is formed of two metals being joined and having opposite ends in two places with a temperature difference. In fact, a voltage is created in the presence of a temperature difference between two different metals or semiconductors, a continuous current then flowing in the conductors if they form a complete loop.
The Seebeck's effect is commonly used in a device called thermocouple (because it is made from a coupling or junction of materials, usually metals) to directly measure a temperature difference or to measure an absolute temperature by setting one of its ends to a known temperature.
A thermocouple based on the Seebeck's effect may be also used, working in an opposite way, for the production of electrical power by converting a gradient of temperatures into electricity, thus being an efficient system for recovering heat, as above indicated.
Also efficient systems based on the Seebeck's effect are,—however, bound by the underlying physical principle which is linked to the physical-chemical nature of the materials being used to form the thermocouple, and also depends on the difference of temperatures between the thermocouple ends, such that the problem of a low efficiency may also arise in these systems.

Process for realizing a system for recovering heat, in particular based on the Seebeck's effect, and corresponding system


A triggerable location-reporting apparatus is disclosed. A trigger signal from a page receiver triggers a GPS receiver to determine the location of the apparatus using GPS signals. The resulting GPS signal is transmitted by a telemetry transmitter, such as a cellular network telemetry transmitter.

This invention relates generally to location reporting apparatus and methods. More particularly, this invention relates to location reporting apparatus and methods that use the Global Positioning Satellite System (xe2x80x9cGPSxe2x80x9d) to ascertain an object""s location. Even more particularly, this invention relates to location reporting apparatus and methods that are triggerable and that report their location derived from GPS signals, via telemetry.
Frequently, people use credit to purchase consumer items, such as automobiles, televisions or computers. The purchasers take possession of the item and take it to their homes or offices and put them into use. They are responsible for making periodic payments to the creditor, the person or entity that extended the credit, to pay off the loan. The creditor retains a lien on the property and is also known as a xe2x80x9clien-holderxe2x80x9d.
In today""s mobile society, people frequently move from one location to another. When they move, they typically take their possessions, including those possessions covered by a lien held by the lien-holder. Sometimes when they move they stop making their periodic payments to the lien-holder, perhaps believing that they no longer have to make payments and that the lien-holder will not be able to locate them.
Further, some people simply move a possession, such as an automobile, covered by a lien, in order to hide it from the lien-holder when they stop making payments.
In either case, the lien-holder is faced with having to locate and take possession of the item covered by the lien. At times, such a process can be expensive, time consuming, and even dangerous, requiring the lien-holder to hire investigators to locate the debtor and, hopefully, the item covered by the lien.
Stolen items present a similar challenge. In the case of automobiles, thieves can steal a car, take it to a xe2x80x9cchop shopxe2x80x9d, or a specially outfitted body shop where the automobile is dismantled into salable parts in just a few hours. The traditional response to an automobile theft is to report the theft to the police who then do their best to find the automobile before it is dismantled.
Other consumer items can be dismantled or otherwise placed into an underground market within just a few hours of their theft. Alternatively, such items can be removed to the thief""s home, where they are hidden from the eyes of the police or other investigators.
Even people are subject to being xe2x80x9cstolenxe2x80x9d, or kidnapped. Again, the traditional response is to report a missing person to the police and other law enforcement agencies who then conduct a search for the missing person.
Upon receipt of a page or the occurrence of another triggering action, the invention determines its location using GPS signals and reports the location via cellular or satellite telemetry. The telemetry is routed to a service provider, which takes an appropriate action, such as informing the lien-holder of the location of the object covered by the lien.
In general, in one aspect, the invention features a triggerable location-reporting apparatus comprising a trigger signal, a GPS processor coupled to the trigger signal, a position signal carrying position information generated by the GPS processor in response to the trigger signal, a telemetry transmitter coupled to the position signal, and a telemetry transmit signal transmitted by the telemetry transmitter, the telemetry transmit signal carrying the position information.
Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following. The apparatus may include a power supply connection, a first switchable power signal coupled to the GPS processor and the power supply connection, and a second switchable power signal coupled to the telemetry transmitter and the power supply connection. The apparatus may include a controller configured to switch on and off the first switchable power signal and the second switchable power signal. The apparatus may include a power supply coupled to the power supply connection. The power supply may comprise a battery, a solar cell or a vehicle battery. The page receiver, GPS processor and telemetry transmitter may be housed in a housing. The housing may be configured to be installed in a vehicle. The housing may comprise at least a portion of an article of clothing. The housing may be configured to be installed in an object to be tracked. The telemetry transmitter may comprise a cellular telemetry transmitter. The telemetry transmitter may comprise a satellite telemetry transmitter, a cellular telephone, or a radio-telephone. The trigger signal source may comprise a page receiver, the trigger signal activating when the page receiver receives a page. The trigger signal source may comprise an alarm or a remote control.
In general, in another aspect, the invention features a method for reporting a location for an object comprising receiving a page; determining, in response to the page, the location of the object using GPS signals; transmitting the location of the object via telemetry.
Implementations of the invention may include one or more of the following. The method may include applying power to a GPS receiver and a cellular telemetry transmitter upon receipt of the page, and disconnecting power from the GPS receiver and the cellular telemetry transmitter upon transmission of the location of the object. The method may include receiving the transmitted location at a gateway and communicating the transmitted location to a service provider. The method may include transmitting the location of the object via cellular telemetry or via satellite telemetry. The method may include determining if the object is moving and continuing to transmit the location of the object while it is moving. The method may include storing the location of the object and transmitting the stored location of the object if the ability to determine location ceases.
In general, in another aspect, the invention features a triggerable location-reporting apparatus comprising a location-signal generating device and a telemetry transmitter coupled to the location-signal generating device. The apparatus may comprise a GPS processor. The apparatus may comprise a page receiver and a page signal generated by the page receiver and coupled to the GPS processor. The GPS processor may generate the location signal in response to the page signal. Power may be withheld from the GPS processor until the apparatus receives a page. Power may be withheld from the telemetry transmitter until the apparatus receives a page. The telemetry transmitter may comprise a cellular telemetry transmitter or a satellite telemetry transmitter.

Apparatus and method for triggerable location reporting


A medical device includes an elongate body configured to be disposed within a urinary tract of a patient such that a first end portion of the elongate body is disposed at a first location of the urinary tract and a second end portion of the elongate body is disposed at a second, different location of the urinary tract. The elongate body defines a lumen that is configured to convey urine from the first location of the urinary tract to the second location of the urinary tract. An agent is formulated to visually alter urine of the patient, the agent is coupled to the elongate body and releasable into the patient's urine.

The disclosed invention relates generally to a medical device and more particularly to a ureteral stent having an agent configured to visually alter the urine of a patient.
Known ureteral stents are typically placed within a urinary tract of a patient such that one end portion of the ureteral stent is located in either a kidney or a ureter of the patient and another end portion of the ureteral stent is located in a bladder of the patient. Some known ureteral stents include retention members configured to help retain the ureteral stent in position within the patient. Known ureteral stents are typically positioned within the urinary tract of the patient by placing a guidewire within the patient, sliding the ureteral stent on the guidewire, and then forcing the ureteral stent along the guidewire into a desired position within the patient using a push cannula. After an appropriate period of time, the ureteral stent is removed from the patient, such as by pulling the ureteral stent from the urinary tract of the patient.
A problem associated with the use of such known ureteral stents is that a patient may forget the stent is disposed within the patient's body, and/or the patient may delay returning to a physician to have a stent removed after the appropriate period of time. When this situation occurs, the stent may become encrusted or otherwise blocked, causing a loss of fluid passage through the stent and possible loss of kidney function. Thus, it would be desirable for a stent to provide an indicator to alert the patient that it is time for the stent to be removed.
A recent development in stents is to form the stent from a biodegradable material, such that the stent dissolves or degrades in situ in the patient's urinary tract. This avoids the need to remove the stent. It would be desirable to have a way to monitor the status of the stent, such as whether the stent is still present in the patient's urinary tract.


A method of feeding underfill material to fill a space between a semiconductor die and a substrate onto which the semiconductor die has been bonded, the method comprises positioning a stencil over the semiconductor die. The stencil has an elongated slot extending adjacent to an edge of the semiconductor die. Underfill material is printed through the slot such that the underfill material falls through the slot onto the substrate next to the edge of the semiconductor die. Thereafter, the underfill material is heated such that the underfill material flows across the space between the semiconductor die and the substrate from the edge of the semiconductor die to an opposite edge thereof through capillary action.

Flip chip packages are formed by solder joints arranged in a grid pattern on one side of an integrated circuit or semiconductor die to conduct electrical signals between the semiconductor die and a substrate such as a printed circuit board (PCB) onto which it is mounted. Each solder joint comprises a pad with a bump of solder adhered to it, and these solder bumps are usually held in place with a tacky flux.
The semiconductor die is mounted onto a PCB substrate with conductive pads in a pattern that matches the grid pattern of the solder bumps. The assembly is then heated, typically in a reflow oven, to melt the solder bumps. Surface tension causes the molten solder to hold the package in alignment with the PCB at the correct separation distance while the solder cools and solidifies, forming soldered connections between the semiconductor die and the PCB.
A disadvantage of flip chip packages is that the solder bumps are not mechanically compliant like the leads of traditional lead frame packages. Therefore, bending due to differences in coefficient of thermal expansion between PCB substrates and semiconductor dice causes thermal stress, while flexing and vibration cause mechanical stress, which can cause the solder joints to fracture.
Such thermal or mechanical stress issues can be overcome by bonding the semiconductor die to the PCB substrate in a process called underfilling, in which an electrically-insulating adhesive such as an epoxy mixture is infused under the semiconductor die after it has been soldered to the PCB substrate. This effectively glues the semiconductor die to the PCB substrate. Moreover, the underfill is useful for reducing the effects of any thermal stress experienced by the solder joints by distributing the thermal expansion mismatch between the semiconductor die and the PCB substrate, preventing stress concentration in the solder joints which would lead to premature failure. An additional advantage of injecting underfill is that it limits tin whisker growth. There are several types of underfill materials in use with differing properties relative to workability and thermal transfer.
There are basically two approaches to post-assembly underfilling, namely capillary underfill (CUF) and molded underfill (MUF).
CUF is the most common approach used for volume production. In CUF, the underfill is dispensed by a needle or jet from one or two sides of the semiconductor die that has been bonded onto a PCB substrate. With the assistance of capillary action, the underfill completely fills the narrow space around the solder joints between the semiconductor die and the PCB substrate. The semiconductor die and the substrate are then firmly bonded by curing the underfill. However, since CUF is typically performed one semiconductor die at a time, low throughput is a major disadvantage.
For MUF, a modified epoxy molding compound (EMC) is used to mold the chip and to fill the space between the semiconductor die and the substrate. The encapsulant of the semiconductor die and the underfill are formed at the same time, which helps to increase the throughput using this process. However, there are various challenges to using MUF. For instance, the flow of MUF in-between the semiconductor dies and the substrate should preferably be assisted by vacuum to improve the reliability of the process. Next, the modified EMC should have silica fillers with very small sizes to ensure that it is of sufficiently low viscosity to fill the narrow space.
Furthermore, warpage of the package is a potential issue due to the material properties of EMC and the molding temperature is limited by the melting point of the solder joints. As a result, the standoff heights and pitches of the solder joints have to be relatively large to overcome the aforesaid disadvantages.

Thermally-enhanced provision of underfill to electronic devices using a stencil


This invention relates to the cleaning composition comprising a mixture of (A) at least about 10% by weight of a terpene, (B) from about 1% to about 20% by weight of a polyalkoxylated alcohol, an alkyl or alkenyl succinate, or mixtures thereof, and (C) water, wherein the mixture has an acidic pH and methods of using the same. These compositions have improved grease cutting and rust inhibiting abilities.

Cleaners for hard and flexible surfaces must be effective in removal and/or softening of greases, tars, resins, waxes and many other contaminants on the various surfaces. Limonene is an optically active terpene closely related to isoprene. Limonene has been used in compositions for its soil removal and grease cutting abilities. Surfactants are commonly used in these cleaning solutions. The surfactants may act to enhance removal of soil or may act as a coupling agent for cleaning compositions. A coupling agent acts to produce flowable, clear, homogeneous liquid compositions.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,336,151 and 4,336,152 issued to Like et al relate to disinfectant/cleaner compositions exhibiting reduced eye irritancy potential. These compositions contain a quaternary ammonium compound, a non-ionic surfactant, d-limonene, an eye irritancy reducing compound, water and optionally a lower aliphatic alcohol. The compositions may contain from about 0.25% to about 6% by weight of d-limonene.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,414,128 issued to Goffinet relates to liquid detergent compositions which comprise 1-20% surfactant, 0.5-10% mono-or sesquiterpenes and 0.5% to 10% of a polar solvent. The polar solvent is preferably benzyl alcohol. d-limonene is listed as one of the terpene compounds and is present in a preferred amount from about 1% to about 3% by weight.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,455,250 issued to Frazier relates to disinfectant/cleaning compositions optionally containing d-limonene. The compositions generally comprise a quaternary ammonium compound, n-dodecyl guanidium hydrochloride, a specified nonionic surfactant, a lower aliphatic alcohol and water. These compositions may optionally contain from 0% to 4% by weight d-limonene.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,511,488 issued to Matta relates to d-limonene based aqueous cleaning compositions. The composition contains selected surface active agents and coupling agents. The coupling agents are glycols or lowr alkyl glycol ethers and the surface active agents are one or more anionic, nonionic surfactants. A typical cleaning composition comprises 10-60% d-limonene, 10-30% surfactant and 20-70% water, a coupling agent in an amount of 2-10 parts by weight and 2-12 parts of additives adapting the composition for particular uses.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,540,505 issued to Frazier relates to disinfectant spray cleanser containing glycol ethers. d-limonene containing aqueous pump spray compositions are rendered clear and stable by monoethers of particular aliphatic glycols.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,225 reissued as U.S. Pat. No. Re. 33,210 issued to Stoufer relates to cleaning compositions of terpene hydrocarbon and a coconut oil fatty acid alkanol amide having water dispersed therein. The terpene hydrocarbon is selected from limonene or dipentene, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene and mixtures of alpha- and beta-pinene, carinene, etc. The compositions contain an oil-phase consisting of 95 parts to 85 parts by weight of the terpene hydrocarbon.
It is desirable to find an environmentally safe cleaning composition with improved grease cutting ability. It is desirable to obtain this grease cutting ability without the use of coupling agents.

Terpene cleaning compositions and methods of using the same


A waste disposer comprising a primary dehydrating chamber, a grinding device, a secondary dehydrating chamber, and a storage chamber. The primary dehydrating chamber is adapted to allow waste to be heated therein to partly dehydrate the waste. The primary dehydrating chamber has: a first waste inlet for receiving the waste, a first vapor outlet for exhausting vapor from the waste, a drainage outlet for draining free liquid from the waste, and a first waste outlet for outputting the partly dehydrated waste. The grinding device is adapted to receive the waste from the first waste outlet and grind the waste to reduce the size thereof. The secondary dehydrating chamber is adapted to allow the ground waste to be heated therein to further dehydrate the waste. The secondary dehydrating chamber has a second waste inlet for receiving the ground waste, a second vapor outlet for exhausting vapor from the waste, and a second waste outlet for outputting the further dehydrated waste. The storage chamber is adapted to receive the waste from the second waste outlet and store the waste in the storage chamber.

In general, garbage generated from households includes inorganic waste, organic waste, and excrement, in which the latter two accounts for about 60 to 70% of the total weight. Moisture within organic waste accounts for more than 80% of the weight, and moisture within excrement accounts for more than 90% of the weight. This means that the water or moisture content weighs about 50% of all the garbage generated from households. The water content in the garbage constitutes a threat to the environment and a problem for industrial treatment, which seriously affects processes such as storage, transportation, recycling, landfill, and incineration.
Kim disclosed a food waste treatment process in U.S. Pat. No. 7,966,744. It uses a pulverizer to first pulverize food waste and distribute the waste into multiple containers for being heated by microwave. It incorporates a series of containers moving on an endless track. There are also a number of magnetrons, which generate microwave radiation, used to heat the waste as it passes by. However, the entire system is very bulky and involves many components.
Hachima disclosed an excrement disposer used with a toilet in U.S. Pat. No. 5,276,924. It requires a water absorbing agent to contact with excrement for a period of time to absorb moisture before the waste proceeds to be heated by microwave. However, the supply of the water absorbing agent, which is essential for this disposer, makes it not convenient and efficient to use.
Accordingly, there is a need for a system that is more compact and can dehydrate waste more efficiently.


A testing and bleeding apparatus incorporates an adapter rack, an adapter cable and a bleed cable harness for connecting the main unit of the apparatus to an automatic braking system. An adapter rack hold down assembly is used to secure the apparatus in order to allow in flight testing of the ABS. The apparatus incorporates bypass switch panels, a test switch and indicator light panels to test the circuitry and components of the ABS. The apparatus also incorporates a voltmeter, a meter select switch to tap into selected ABS circuits, a test lead and sets of test jacks to test each individual ABS wire as well as other selected components of the ABS.

The invention relates generally to automatic braking system testers and brake bleeding devices and, more particularly, to a tester and brake bleeder of automatic braking systems which utilize a computer system and which are incorporated in airliners, such as the McDonnell Douglas MD 80, DC 9 and DC 10.
Many modern airliners utilize an automatic braking system (ABS) to automatically apply full braking power with ground spoiler deployment during a rejected takeoff and to automatically apply a preselected level of braking power with ground spoiler deployment during landing. For landing, the pilot may select one of three ABS land modes providing either minimum, medium or maximum braking force. For takeoff, the pilot may select the ABS take off mode which provides maximum braking force during rejected takeoff. Incorporation of the ABS obviates the likelihood that brake application is delayed or not fully applied in these situations. In addition, the ABS ensures that full, steady braking pressure is applied and that it is applied at the earliest time for optimum anti skid braking efficiency.
A testing system currently in use on the ABS for the above identified airliners is integrated in the computer used in the ABS and is known as (or identified as) the Built In Testing Equipment (BITE). However, the BITE system has a number of disadvantages which render its use less than satisfactory and require technicians to utilize additional testing procedures and equipment when troubleshooting the ABS. Specifically, the BITE is not a comprehensive testing system, and, therefore, it can produce misleading results. In addition, the BITE system is not capable of fully testing some components and some component circuits of the ABS. In this regard, the BITE cannot test components and circuits used in certain ABS modes (minimum/land, maximum/land and take-off), cannot test anti-skid wheel velocity transducers and cannot isolate ABS computer control unit (LRU) component malfunctions from wiring harness and position switch malfunctions. Consequently, technicians troubleshooting the ABS often must perform aircraft taxi runs or test flights. The instructions for using the BITE system are very complex and difficult to comprehend rendering the BITE system subject to improper use or misinterpretation of the results. In addition, in order to bleed the brake manifolds, the technician must use a separate bleeder device.
An ABS tester is thus needed that is capable of fully testing the ABS in all its operational modes. An ABS tester is also needed that is simple and easy to use and that is capable of differentiating between wiring, switch and other component system malfunctions. An ABS tester is also needed that is capable of being used to bleed the brake manifolds.

Apparatus for testing and bleeding automatic braking systems


A two step process is disclosed for forming a silicon oxide layer over a stepped surface of a semiconductor wafer while inhibiting the formation of voids in the oxide layer which comprises depositing a layer of an oxide of silicon over a stepped surface of a semiconductor wafer in a CVD chamber by flowing into the chamber a gaseous mixture comprising a source of oxygen, a portion of which comprises O.sub.3, and tetraethylorthosilicate as the gaseous source of silicon while maintaining the pressure in the CVD chamber within a range of from about 250 Torr to about 760 Torr and then depositing a second layer of oxide over the first layer in a CVD chamber by flowing into the chamber a gaseous mixture comprising a source of oxygen, a portion of which comprises O.sub.3 ; and tetraethylorthosilicate as the gaseous source of silicon while maintaining the CVD chamber at a lower pressure than during the first deposition step.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a process for forming an oxide layer over a stepped surface of a semiconductor wafer. More particularly, this invention relates to a two step process for forming an oxide layer over a stepped surface of a semiconductor wafer which inhibits the formations of voids in the regions being filled with oxide between raised portions of the wafer surface.
2. Description of the Related Art
The formation of oxide layers over stepped surfaces of a semiconductor wafer is a well known technique either for forming an insulating layer or a planarizing layer or both. For example, if the stepped surface is the result of the formation of raised conductive lines on the surface of the wafer over other previously formed integrated circuit structures, deposition of an oxide layer over and in between the conductive lines will serve as both insulation for the conductive lines as well as a planarizing media.
Similarly, if the stepped surface is the result of the formation of slots or trenches in the wafer, for example, to provide electrical isolation between adjacent active devices formed in the wafer, it will be desirable to at least partially fill the slot or trench with an oxide insulation material which will also serve as a planarizing material.
In both instances, a problem of void formation can occur, during the deposition of oxide, in the regions between closely spaced apart raised lines and/or in high aspect ratio trenches. Void formation occurs when oxide forms at a slower rate adjacent the bottom portions of the trench or space between raised lines than along the upper regions of the sidewalls, especially at the upper corners, which results in a necking in of the oxide and trapping of an unfilled or void region below the necked in region. Subsequent planarization may remove enough overlying oxide to expose this void region with deleterious consequences.
The use of a doped glass, which will flow when heated to a temperature below that which will damage the wafer and integrated circuit structures already constructed therein, is known to at least partially solve the problem of formation of such voids, as well as to assist in planarization of a stepped structure.
However, it is not always desirable to use doped insulation materials because of the possible migration of the dopants into the adjacent structure in the semiconductor wafer during subsequent heating as well as the hygroscopic nature of such materials.
In our parent application Ser. No. 143,800, cross-reference to which is hereby made, we taught the use of a two step chemical vapor deposition (CVD formation) of a boron phosphorus silicate glass (BPSG), using tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) as the source of silicon. In the process claimed therein, the first step is carried out without the assistance of a plasma to form a majority of the desired doped oxide glass under conditions which inhibit void formation, and then the balance of the deposition is carried out, in a second step, in the presence of a plasma which results in a second coating layer which is less hygroscopic.
It would, however, be desirable to be able to provide a process for forming an oxide layer over a stepped surface of a semiconductor wafer, while inhibiting void formation, which could be used to form either a doped or undoped oxide glass layer.

Two step process for forming void-free oxide layer over stepped surface of semiconductor wafer


A method and an apparatus for controlling a braking system of a vehicle. The braking action is established or regulated at at least one wheel brake, by electrical structure, as a function of a driver's braking input. A capability for conventional action by the driver is cut off by a valve. A pressure medium is enclosed in a portion of the braking system. In at least one operating state in which an expansion in the volume of the enclosed medium may be expected, the valve is briefly opened in order to reduce the expansion in volume.

Braking systems are known in which, in at least one operating mode (for example in an operating mode in which the wheel brakes are controlled electrically as a function of the driver's braking input), the pressure medium is enclosed (cf. for example German Patent No. DE 40 37 662). In the case of long braking operations, for example continuous braking downhill, the volume of the enclosed pressure medium expands as a result of heating in the wheel brake cylinders. Because the enclosed volume generates a minimum braking pressure, it is possible for the thermal expansion in volume to become so great that the pressure in the wheel brakes can no longer be reduced to very low pressures. It is an object of the present invention to ensure that brake pressure can be reduced to very low pressures even when braking continues for an extended period in braking systems having a trapped volume of brake fluid.
SAE Paper 960991, Electrohydraulic Brake System--The First Approach to Brake-By-Wire Technology, by Wolf-Dieter Jonner, Hermann Winner, Ludwig Dreilich and Eberhardt Schunck, describes an electrohydraulic braking system in which the driver's input is detected, for example by means of a pedal travel and/or by means of a pressure sensor; setpoints for the brake controller are formed therefrom; and the pressures at the wheel brakes are set so that the actual values approach the setpoints. In the event of failure of this electronic controller, hydraulic or pneumatic pathways are opened for a conventional direct action by the driver on the wheel brake pressure. Enclosed pressure medium volumes which can lead to the aforementioned disadvantages can also occur with a braking system of this kind.
It is also known from European Patent No. EP 489 887 to estimate the temperature of a wheel brake.

Method and apparatus for controlling a braking system of a vehicle


Methods for enhancing expression levels and secretion of heterologous fusion proteins in a host cell are disclosed.

Several publications and patent documents are cited throughout the specification in order to describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains. Full citations of these references can be found throughout the specification. Each of these citations is incorporated herein as though set forth in full.
Functional genomic studies have been hampered by the inability to uniformly express and purify biologically active proteins in heterologous expression systems (1). Despite the use of identical transcriptional and translational signals in a given expression vector, expressed protein levels have been observed to vary dramatically (2). For this reason, several strategies have been developed to express heterologous proteins in bacteria, yeast, mammalian and insect cells as gene-fusions (3-6).
The expression of heterologous genes in bacteria is by far the simplest and most inexpensive means available for research or commercial purposes. However, some heterologous gene products fail to attain their correct three-dimensional conformation in E. coli while others become sequestered in large insoluble aggregates or "inclusion bodies" when overproduced (7,8). Major denaturant-induced solubilization methods followed by removal of the denaturant under conditions that favor refolding are often required to produce a reasonable yield of the recombinant protein. Selection of ORFs for structural genomics projects has also shown that only about 20% of the genes expressed in E. coli render proteins that are soluble or correctly folded (9). These numbers are startlingly disappointing especially given that most scientists rely on E. coli for initial attempts to express gene products. Several gene fusion systems such as NUS A, maltose binding protein (MUP), glutathione S transferase (GST), and thioredoxin (TRX) have been developed (7). All of these systems have certain drawbacks, ranging from inefficient expression to inconsistent cleavage from desired structure.
Ubiquitin (Ub) and ubiquitin like proteins (Ubls) have been described in the literature (10-12). The SUMO system has also been characterized (13). SUMO (small-ubiquitin related modifier) is also known as Sentrin, SMT3, PIC1, GMP1 and UBL1. SUMO and the SUMO pathway are present throughout the eukaryotic kingdom and the proteins are highly conserved from yeast to humans (14). Yeast has only a single SUMO gene, which has also been termed SMT3. The yeast Smt3 gene is essential for viability (13). In contrast to yeast, three members of SUMO have been described in vertebrates: SUMO-1 and close homologues SUMO-2 and SUMO-3. Human SUMO-1, a 101 amino-acid polypeptide, shares 50% sequence identity with human SUMO-2/SUMO-3 (15). Yeast SUMO (SMT3) shares 47% sequence identity with mammalian SUMO-1. Although overall sequence homology between ubiquitin and SUMO is only 18%, structure determination by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) reveals that the two proteins possess a common three dimensional structure characterized by a tightly packed globular fold with β-sheets wrapped around one α-helix (16-17). Examination of the chaperoning properties of SUMO reveals that attachment of a tightly packed globular structure to the N-terminus of a protein can act as a nucleus for folding and protect the labile protein. All SUMO genes encode precursor proteins with a short C-terminal sequence that extends from the conserved C-terminal Gly-Gly motif (13). The extension sequence, 2-12 amino acids in length, is different in all cases. Cells contain potent SUMO proteases (known also as hydrolases) that remove the C-terminal extensions (18). The C-terminus of SUMO is conjugated to ε-amino groups of lysine residues of target proteins. The similarity sumoylation pathway enzymes to ubiquitin pathway enzymes is remarkable, given the different effects of these two protein modification pathways (19). Sumoylation of cellular proteins has been proposed to regulate nuclear transport, signal transduction, stress response, and cell cycle progression (20). It is very likely that SUMO chaperones translocation of proteins among various cell compartments, however, the precise mechanistic details of this function of SUMO are not known.
Other fusions promote solubility of partner proteins presumably due to their large size (e.g., NusA)(21). Fusion of proteins with glutathione S-transferase (GST)(22) or maltose binding protein (MBP)(23) has been proposed to enhance expression and yield of fusion partners. However, enhanced expression is not always observed when GST is used as GST forms dimers and can retard protein solubility. Another problem with GST or other fusion systems is that the desired protein may have to be removed from the fusion. To circumvent this problem, protease sites, such as Factor Xa, thrombin, enterokinase or Tev protease sites are often engineered downstream of the fusion partner. Often in these cases, however, incomplete cleavage and inappropriate cleavage within the fusion protein is often observed (7). The present invention circumvents these problems.

Methods and compositions for enhanced protein expression and purification


An electric motor comprises a flange at one end, the corner portions of the flange projecting over the outline of the stator. A ventilator is provided at the opposite end, having outlets which are in alignment with the corner portions. The ventilator does not project over the borderline of the flange.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an electric motor which comprises a stator having a central longitudinal axis and an outline; a shaft disposed concentrically of the axis in the stator; an end shield on the drive side and an end shield on the ventilator side, in both of which the shaft is run; a flange, which is provided on the end shield on the drive side and which has corner portions projecting over the outline of the stator; and a ventilator, which is adjacent to the end shield on the ventilator side, and which comprises a ventilator wheel coupled for rotation with the shaft and a ventilator cowl covering the ventilator outwardly.
2. Background Art
As a rule, motors of the generic type have a flange of which only the corners project from the stator. It is considered unsatisfactory that a ventilator disposed at the other end projects from the cross-sectional area given by the flange, this leading to problems of mounting, in particular on sewing machines, where these motors are used as position drives.

Frankl & Kirchner GmbH & Co. KG Fabrik fur Elektromotoren u. elektrische Apparate


A suppression system adapted to receive gas from a gas operated system and route the gas through a series of multiple chambers having baffles and/or valves as well as expansion chambers where the chambers are formed around a gas projectile barrel and adapted to route the gas in a first route along the barrel in a first direction then routing the gas along the barrel in a second direction. An embodiment of the invention couples the chambers to a gas block adapted to route gas between the chambers in the first and second route as well as receive gas from the projectile barrel and route it to the gas operated system. Methods of manufacturing and methods of use are also provided.

The present invention relates to an integrated system of suppressing the noise and flash signature generated by firing a weapon. Existing systems suffer from a variety of design faults such as undesirable alteration of balance, inability to use in close quarters, and temperature induced failures or damage. Another disadvantage to current systems includes a noticeable difference in flash for a first shot taken through a suppressor. A first shot out of a suppressor at ambient temperature has a significantly greater light intensity than follow-on shots. Air within a suppressor is richer in oxygen during the first shot than during follow-on shots. The first shot effectively purges the suppressor of this oxygen-rich air. The oxygen contributes to the burning of more gun powder, which results in a greater flash signature. Yet another disadvantage of current systems is the possibility of baffle strikes, or bullet impacts to the interior of the suppressor. These impacts can result in fragmentation and bullets going astray from their intended target. Thermal management by current systems is another disadvantage. Existing suppressors can reach temperatures in excess of 1000° F. that can be attributed to design of a suppressor and its effect on entrapment of gas. Heat does not readily flow out of the suppressor through the suppressor muzzle. Another issue is point-of impact-shift with current suppressors. Since existing suppressors add weight at an end of the barrel due to their design, such suppressors will cause the barrel to flex and change the harmonics of the barrel. A weapon zeroed in one state, either suppressed or unsuppressed, will not be zeroed in the other state. Another disadvantage includes how, due to suppressors being mounted forward of the front sight, buoyant free convection associated with propellant gasses produce a plume of heated air as the suppressor heats up; this plume distorts the sight picture, effectively creating a condition known as mirage.
According to an illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, a multi-chambered structure having a gas path through a barrel into an embodiment of the invention which routes propellant gas through multiple chambers having different functions (e.g., gas expansion/cooling, mechanical energy absorption, reduction of first shot flash, and balance/sighting improvement, and exit routing of gas at a terminal point of the gas path which prevents, e.g., sight picture suppression), as well as permitting use of existing barrel end attachments e.g., compensators, an additional suppressor (e.g., flash, etc.). Among other things, an embodiment of the invention eliminates passage of a bullet in direct proximity to baffles and reduces or eliminates other design disadvantages of existing systems.
According to a further illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, unlike current suppressors, an embodiment of an Integral Multi-Chambered Valved Suppressor invention will keep the operating system of the weapon cleaner for a longer period of time. Gases in current suppressors have two paths to escape: out the suppressor muzzle and back down the barrel. Over time, particulates (carbon, lead, unburned gun powder, etc.) accumulate within the suppressor. Although some of these particulates exit with the bullet, some of them get cycled back with the gas required for the operation of the weapon (in the case of a semi-automatic or fully automatic weapon). The end result is a suppressed weapon is much dirtier than one unsuppressed. Although the invention provides suppression, it behaves more like an unsuppressed weapon in this manner.
According to a further illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, another advantage of an exemplary Integral Multi-Chambered Valved Suppressor is the reduction in first shot flash. With an embodiment of the invention, oxygen may be purged from the suppressor due to incoming gases, but the timing of the event is such that most of the gunpowder has already ignited or dispersed prior to the oxygen exiting the suppressor.
According to a further illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, an embodiment of an Integral Multi-Chambered Valved Suppressor invention offers a kinetic energy absorbing mechanism beyond current suppressors. Existing suppressors are made of rigid material. These rigid materials reduce the kinetic energy of the gas by interfering with its travel, effectively slowing it down. This loss in kinetic energy contributes to noise reduction. With one embodiment of the invention, section(s) of the suppressor structure are not entirely rigid. For example, one chamber, e.g., a baffle chamber, forming a segment of a gas path includes a cylindrical body with multiple baffle walls attached to the body in a substantially perpendicular orientation where the baffle walls form a barrier to the gas path. The baffle chamber, including the baffle walls, are covered with an elastomer cover stretched over the multiple baffle walls as well as a first and second end structures mounted on opposing ends of the cylindrical body where the first end structure is adapted to receive gas from a different segment of the gas path which flows on and the second end structure is adapted to exhaust gas from the gas path. Exemplary baffle walls (as well as end structures e.g., via shoulders or support ledges built into dividing walls) can provide a frame or support for the elastomer cover. The presence of this elastomer permits the absorption of more kinetic energy. The gas works on the elastomer to stretch it as the gas passes from chamber to chamber. Embodiments can include two or more chambers (e.g. gas expansion chamber and baffle energy absorption chamber) which are coupled end-to-end as well as formed in a U-shaped structure so as to create a gas path passing through multiple chambers which is U-shaped with, for example, a gas expansion chamber formed or disposed either inside of the baffle chamber floor or vice versa. An embodiment of the invention can include multiple flexible cylinder walls as well as having a metal section or deflection segment at a strike section of where exhaust gasses flow out of a barrel into an embodiment of the invention to address overpressure problems in proximity to barrel output into the invention.
According to a further illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, an embodiment of the invention offers a method, mechanism, or structure by which to shift sound frequency. Some current suppressors claim to shift the sound frequency that emanates from the weapon. To do so, positioning of baffles becomes key to altering frequency. Since most current suppressors are welded together and cannot be taken apart, baffle spacing is fixed and sound can therefore be only shifted one direction. With the Integral Multi-Chambered Valved Suppressor, this shifting of sound frequency can be accomplished by, for example, varying a thickness of an elastomer along the length of the suppressor. Since the elastomer is replaceable, changing sound frequency, if desired, can easily be accomplished.
According to a further illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, another advantage the Integral Multi-Chambered Valved Suppressor offers is that no additional length is added to the weapon. Existing suppressors extend beyond the muzzle to provide suppression. An embodiment of the invention is disposed around a barrel without extending beyond a barrel muzzle as well as, in some embodiments, beneath the handguard or rail system. An embodiment can also be designed to combine handguard/rail system elements structures with the suppressor as well.
Another illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure can include an embodiment which places a suppressor substantially or entirely beneath a hand guard or rail system. Accordingly, a center of mass stays close to the shooter thereby helping the shooter to maintain better weapon balance while firing.
Another embodiment can include a combination of a gas block inserted between two Integral Multi-Chambered Valved Suppressors which receives propellant gas from a barrel and passes it back to a loading/firing mechanism as well as multiple pass through structures which facilitate pass through of propellant gasses between multiple suppressors.
According to a further illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, the invention does not preclude the use of a current flash hider and/or suppressor. An embodiment of an Integral Multi-Chambered Valved Suppressor is entirely rear of a muzzle. Accordingly, current flash hiders and/or suppressors can still be attached to a muzzle if so desired. The addition of a current flash hider and/or current suppressor could reduce flash and sound signature even more.
According to a further illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, another advantage of the Integral Multi-Chambered Valved Suppressor is the ability to easily go from suppressed to unsuppressed with just a rotation of the suppressor portion in front of the gas block. This rotation could also be used to effectively block off the rear portion of the suppressor to obtain a suppressed, yet louder gun fire. Alternatively, in another embodiment of the invention, it would block off access to the cooling function of the suppressor, which may be desired if the cooling fluid has been depleted. The invention eliminates point-of-impact shifts associated with removable suppressors. Removable suppressors add weight at the end of the barrel, which causes the barrel to flex and changes the harmonics of the barrel. The suppressor must be taken on and off every time the operator goes from suppressed to unsuppressed. The proposed invention can be switched from suppressed to unsuppressed without changing the weight or harmonics of the barrel, thereby eliminating point-of-impact shifts.
According to a further illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, unlike most current suppressors that are sealed units, this invention has the potential to allow removal, disassembly, and cleaning by the operator. The ability to easily clean the invention allows the removal of residue; residue reduces suppression effectiveness and increases weight, which affects point-of-impact.
According to a further illustrative embodiment of the present disclosure, another advantage offered by the invention is the drastic reduction, possibly even elimination, of the phenomenon known as mirage. Since the suppressor is contained beneath the handguard, there is no heated plume forward of the weapon sight that would distort the sight picture.
Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the illustrative embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.

Integral multi-chambered valved suppressor

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy