A radio wave absorbent comprises an Ni--Cu--Zn base ferrite having a major composition comprising 49 to less than 50 mol % of Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, 32 to 35 mol % of ZnO, 3 to 9 mol % of CuO and 9 to 14 mol % of NiO. The radio wave absorbent further contains an additive molybdenum oxide in an amount of greater than 0 to 0.10 wt %, calculated as MoO.sub.3, with the proviso that the total amount of the major composition is 100 wt %. The radio wave absorbent may be used as an exterior or interior material for a building or structure.

The present invention relates generally to a radio wave absorbent used to prevent TV, and radio interferences (ghosts, etc.) and to constitute an anechoic chamber, and more particularly to a radio wave absorbent using an Ni--Cu--Zn base ferrite.
Various interference problems are found to arise in the reception of radio waves used for public broadcasting such as television, and radio broadcasting as well as for mobile communications. Among others, interferences due to radio waves reflected at buildings, bridges, and mobile bodies such as vehicles (especially high-speed mobile vehicles such as those on the Shinkansen Line)--which have been introduced through urbanization and with the advancement of traffic networks--appear in the form of ghosts in the case of televisions and in the form of multipath errors in the form of FM radios, offering a leading cause of making the utilization of media worse or doing damage to mobile communications.
Radar used for airport controls, etc., on the other hand, is now subject to structural limitations. For instance, search waves are reflected at radar structures, causing interferences, and to avoid such situations there may be no choice but to restrict the zone to be searched.
To prevent interferences caused by such reflected waves, a radio wave absorbent is used. The radio wave absorbent is also used as a material for constituting a so-called anechoic chamber which enables a wave-free environment to be achieved within a certain building.
Among such radio wave absorbents known so far in the art, there is an Ni--Cu--Zn base ferrite magnetic material represented by MFe.sub.2 O.sub.4 where M is Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mg or Co, as typically disclosed in JP-A 52-19046. A radio wave absorbent having such composition has a matching thickness of about 6.4 to 7.4 mm, and is found to show an attenuation of 20 dB or more at a frequency band of 50 to 400 MHz.
In this connection, when a radio wave absorbent is used for exterior or interior finish work for a certain structure, it must be processed in conformity with the contour, standard, etc. of the structure. For instance, when radio wave absorbent panels are used on the outer wall of a certain building, they may be spaced away from each other or may not be located at predetermined positions unless they are processed with a constant dimensional accuracy. However, conventional radio wave absorbents are susceptible to chipping or cracking upon processing or execution due to their low mechanical impact resistance. This, in turn, makes yields worse, resulting in cost increases.
A radio wave absorbent offers a problem in connection with matching thickness when used as an exterior material, etc. for a huge structure such as a building or bridge. That is, when a radio wave absorbent is used as the exterior material for such a structure, the thickness of the radio wave absorbent at which the necessary performance is obtained is determined by the material of which the radio wave absorbent is constructed. It is thus required to use a radio wave absorbent material having a smaller matching thickness so as to reduce the amount of the radio wave absorbent used. Especially in the case of an exterior material for a building or bridge, a large amount of radio wave absorbents is needed. For instance, a matching thickness decrease of 0.1 mm means that some considerable amount of radio wave absorbents can be saved. As an example, a matching thickness increase of 0.1 mm is tantamount to a weight increase of 5 tons in the case of an outer wall of 10,000 m.sup.2. Especially when weight is a predominant factor in determining the strength and performance of a structure like a bridge, the weight reduction is a great problem to be solved; even a matching thickness decrease or increase of 0.1 mm or less is of significant importance. For this reason, it is required to achieve a matching thickness decrease of 0.1 mm even at the lowest.
When a radio wave absorbent is used as an exterior material for a structure, it is required to have a high Curie point. More specifically, when a radio wave absorbent is used as an exterior material for a building or the like, it is preferable to have a Curie point of 80.degree. C. or higher in view of an ambient temperature as well as heat from direct sunlight. Another consideration in this regard is the influence of heat generated due to friction.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a radio wave absorbent which is particularly suitable for use as an exterior material for a building or the like, has a smaller matching thickness and is excellent in chipping resistance so that it is unlikely to fail upon processing or execution, and has a practically high-enough Curie point.


A method for allowing a human subject having a mouth to time a predetermined duration, the method comprising: initiating a first oral sensation in the mouth of the human subject to indicate a beginning of the predetermined duration; and initiating a second oral sensation in the mouth of the human subject to indicate an end of the predetermined duration, the second oral sensation differing from the first oral sensation. Initiations of the first and second oral sensations are separated in time by substantially the predetermined duration. Also, an oral timer for performing the method and a kit including a plurality of the oral timers.

The prior art proposes numerous devices for identifying the end of a predetermined time period. These devices of the prior art generally include mechanical and/or electronic components that can measure a fixed or user selectable time period and generate a visual and/or audible signal at the end thereof. Furthermore, some timer devices of the prior art may generate such signal at the end of each of a series of fixed or user selected time periods.
Typical examples of prior art devices that can be used to identify the end of one or more than one predetermined time period are solar clocks, sand clocks, mechanical or electronic watches, alarm clocks, sport chronometers and kitchen timers.
While these prior art timer devices can generally fulfill the main objective of identifying the end of one or a series of predetermined time periods, the visual and/or audible signal they generate may not be desired during certain types of timed activities. For examples, it may be not desirable to disturb a user with one or more visual and/or audible signals during a meditation or yoga session during which a total state of calmness and relaxation is often the primary objective. There are other activities wherein the identification of time lapses is sometimes required but where a visual and/or audible signal may not be a practical means to signal a user that a preset time period has elapsed. For example, a user may be floating half immersed in total darkness in an isolation tub filled with highly saturated salt water, or a user may be participating in a complex choreography during which his or her visual and hearing senses are already over solicited for other purposes.
Against this background, there exists a need for a new and improved timer.
It is a general object of the present invention to provide such a timer.


An turbine airfoil and a process for near wall cooling of a turbine airflow with low flow in which the airfoil is formed by a main spar that forms the support structure for the airfoil and forms a series of cooling air collecting chambers extending from the leading edge region to the trailing edge region of the airfoil. A thermal skin forms an outer airfoil surface and also forms a series of pressure side and suction side impingement chambers along the airfoil walls. A cooling air supply chamber is formed by the spar in the leading edge region and supplies the cooling air for the airfoil. A series of leading edge impingement chambers are formed along the leading edge and carry the cooling air from the supply chamber to the series of collection chambers and impingement chambers downstream. The spent cooling air is then collected in a trailing edge collecting chamber and discharged through a row of exit holes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a gas turbine engine, and more specifically to an air cooled turbine airfoil with relatively low cooling flow volume.
2. Description of the Related Art including information disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98
In a gas turbine engine, airfoils such as stator vanes (sometimes referred to as guide nozzles) and rotor blades are exposed to extremely high temperature gas flows in order to produce a high efficient conversion of the combustion gas. In order to allow for higher temperature, the airfoils exposed to the higher temperatures require internal and external cooling. Elaborate internal cooling circuits have been designed to produce convection cooling for the airfoils, and film cooling holes are used to provide a layer of film cooling air over certain external surfaces of the airfoil to limit exposure to the hot gas flow. An airfoil with many film cooling holes requires a larger volume of cooling air flow because much of the cooling air is discharged out from the airfoil before passing through much of the airfoil internal cooling circuit.
In future industrial gas turbine engines, large airfoils are proposed in which the latter stages will also require some sort of internal cooling in order to increase the useful life of the airfoils. In recent engines, typically only the first and second stages of the turbine require internal cooling while the last two stages (third and fourth) are not cooled at all.


The invention relates to methods to select animals, such as mammals, particularly domestic animals, such as breeding animals or animals destined for slaughter, for having desired genotypic or potential phenotypic properties, in particular, related to muscle mass and/or fat deposition lean meat, lean back fat, sow prolificacy and/or sow longevity. Provided is a method for selecting an animal for having desired genotypic or potential phenotypic properties comprising testing the animal, a parent of the animal or its progeny for the presence of a nucleic acid modification affecting the activity of an evolutionary conserved CpG island, located in intron 3 of an IGF2 gene and/or for the presence of a nucleic acid modification affecting binding of a nuclear factor to an IGF2 gene.

Herein, a domestic animal is defined as an animal being purposely selected, or having been derived from an animal having been purposely selected, for having desired genotypic or potential phenotypic properties.
Domestic animals provide a rich resource of genetic and phenotypic variation; traditionally, domestication involves selecting an animal or its offspring for having desired genotypic or potential phenotypic properties. This selection process has in the past century been facilitated by growing understanding and utilization of the laws of Mendelian inheritance. One of the major problems in breeding programs of domestic animals is the negative genetic correlation between reproductive capacity and production traits. This is, for example, the case in cattle (a high milk production generally results in slim cows and bulls), poultry (broiler lines have a low level of egg production and layers have generally very low muscle growth), pigs (very prolific sows are, in general, fat and have comparatively less meat), or sheep (high prolific breeds have low carcass quality and vice versa). PCT International Patent Application WO 00/36143 provides a method for selecting an animal for having desired genotypic or potential phenotypic properties comprising testing the animal for the presence of a parentally imprinted qualitative or quantitative trait locus (QTL). Knowledge of the parental imprinting character of various traits allows selection of, for example, sire lines homozygous for a paternally imprinted QTL, for example, linked with muscle production or growth; the selection for such traits can thus be less stringent in dam lines in favor of the reproductive quality.
The phenomenon of genetic or parental imprinting has earlier never been utilized in selecting domestic animals; it was never considered feasible to employ this elusive genetic characteristic in practical breeding programs. A breeding program, wherein knowledge of the parental imprinting character of a desired trait, as demonstrated herein is utilized, increases the accuracy of the breeding value estimation and speeds up selection compared to conventional breeding programs. For example, selecting genes characterized by paternal imprinting is provided to help increase uniformity; a (terminal) parent homozygous for the "good or wanted" alleles will pass them to all offspring, regardless of the other parent's alleles, and the offspring will all express the desired parent's alleles. This results in more uniform offspring. Alleles that are interesting or favorable from the maternal side are often the ones that have opposite effects to alleles from the paternal side. For example, in meat animals such as pigs, alleles linked with meat or carcass quality traits such as intramuscular fat or muscle mass could be fixed in the dam lines while alleles linked with reduced back fat could be fixed in the sire lines. Other desirable combinations are, for example, fertility, teat number and/or milk yield in the female line with increased growth rates, reduced back fat and/or increased muscle mass in the male lines.
The purpose of breeding programs in livestock is to enhance the performances of animals by improving their genetic composition. In essence, this improvement accrues by increasing the frequency of the most favorable alleles for the genes influencing the performance characteristics of interest. These genes are referred to as QTL. Until the beginning of the nineties, genetic improvement was achieved via the use of biometrical methods, but without molecular knowledge of the underlying QTL. Now, the identification of causative mutations for Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) is a major hurdle in genetic studies of multifactorial traits and disorders. The imprinted IGF2-linked QTL is one of the major porcine QTLs for body composition. It was first identified in intercrosses between the European Wild Boar and Large White domestic pigs and between Piétrain and Large White pigs.(1, 2) The data showed that alleles from the Large White and Piétrain breed, respectively, were associated with increased muscle mass and reduced back-fat thickness, consistent with the existing breed differences in the two crosses. A paternally expressed IGF2-linked QTL was subsequently documented in intercrosses between Chinese Meishan and Large White/Landrace pigs(3) and between Berkshire and Large White pigs.(4) In both cases, the allele for high muscle mass was inherited from the lean Large White/Landrace breed. However, there are a large number of potentially important elements that may influence IGF2 function. Recent sequence analysis (Amarger et al. 2002) provided a partial sequence of the INS-IGF2-H19 region and revealed as many as 97 conserved elements between human and pig.

Selecting animals for desired genotypic or potential phenotypic properties


A novel Aromatic Thermosetting Copolyester (ATSP) can be processed into highly effective wear resistant coatings by blending with polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) and other additives. Surface treatments/coatings are key to improving wear performance and durability in a wide array of applications. The problems associated with use of liquid lubricants, hard/soft coatings are well known but only modest progress has been achieved due to lack of research on new material systems. These coatings were fabricated and tested as highly effective wear resistant coatings by blending ATSP with PTFE and other tribologically beneficial additives. The main advantages of these polymeric-based coatings are their relatively low cost and simple substrate surface conditioning (i.e., no need for expensive surface preparation before coating).

Protective thin film coatings ranging in thickness from a few nanometers to several micrometers are used to protect surfaces that are in contact and sliding. These coatings can be found in applications such as magnetic storage hard disk drives, compressors, engines, biological devices and many others. Compressors and similar industrial equipment comprise moving parts that are subject to constant wear and fatigue because of prolonged surface contact and motion. Without protective treatment of the surfaces, equipment that utilizes internally moving parts can suffer from catastrophic failures. Next-generation compressors are being designed to withstand stringent contact and operating conditions, including oil-less or low-lubricant operation. Surface treatments/coatings are key to improving performance and durability for these applications since advanced ultra-low wear and inexpensive coatings would substantially reduce operating costs.
In recent years, great efforts have been made in the formulation of solid lubricants and solid lubricant coatings to achieve desired levels of performance or durability that conventional materials and lubricants cannot provide. Numerous techniques and diverse materials have been used to develop new solid coatings. For simplicity, coatings can be classified into two broad categories—soft coatings (hardness <10 GPa) and hard coatings (hardness >10 GPa). Conventionally, hard coatings such as diamond-like carbon (DLC), Ti—N and WC/C are synthesized through physical vapor deposition (PVD) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) techniques. These are thought to be effective in preventing both abrasive and adhesive wear of metal sliding contacts. However, hard coatings are relatively expensive and are difficult to coat on substrates with low surface energies, high roughness, and/or complex geometries. They also often wear out the counterface they slide against due to their relatively high hardness.
Due to these concerns with hard coatings, recent attention has focused on soft, thermoplastic-based polymers such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polyether ether ketone (PEEK), which show relatively low friction coefficient and self-lubricating properties. Significant work has been performed with bulk polymeric blends based on PTFE and PEEK for high bearing applications. The main advantages of the polymeric-based coatings are their relatively low cost and simple substrate surface conditioning (i.e., no need for expensive surface preparation before coating). Despite the improvements in wear offered by bulk polymer blends, they are not likely to replace critical components in compressors (and other machinery) since polymeric coatings still exhibit the following problems:                their wear rate is still high (compared to hard coatings);        because they rely heavily on the interaction between the PTFE/PEEK wear debris/solid lubricant (debris film) and the substrate for surface protection, in the presence of lubricant they may become ineffective;        the addition of hard particles in these mixtures scratches the counterface, thus creating excessive abrasive wear;        the wear debris likely contains hard particles that can damage downstream machinery; and        they often have low glass transition temperatures (Tg<150° C.), which limits the operating temperature.
However, little work has been done on new high bearing polymeric-based coatings that would overcome the shortcomings highlighted above, which are highly desirable in most industrial applications.

Polymer coating system for improved tribological performance


A method and apparatus for automatically transferring a pattern to a surface of a steering wheel, automating a series of hydraulic pressure transfer steps, such as steering wheel supply, hydraulic pressure transfer, drying, and cleaning. Since a series of hydraulic pressure transfer processes, such as steering wheel supply, first transfer to the front surface portion of a rim of a steering wheel, removing of foreign material, drying, second transfer to the rear surface portion of a rim of a steering wheel, first cleaning, and second cleaning, are automated, processing time is saved and labor costs are reduced, improving productivity.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for automatically transferring a pattern to a surface of a steering wheel, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for automatically transcribing a pattern to a surface of a steering wheel by floating a transfer film on which a pattern print layer is formed on liquid and pressing the steering wheel onto the transfer film so that the pattern print layer is transferred to a surface of a rim portion of the steering wheel. In particular, a series of processes such as supplying, flipping, transferring, drying, and cleaning of a steering wheel are automatically performed.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, to make products luxurious, a steering wheel and interior members of a car are used by being printed with a pattern such as wood pattern. Also, for the purpose of a luxurious product, a careful process is required to prevent defects such as bubbles generated between a transfer sheet and a product.
Further, an automated process is required to improve productivity such as accuracy of transfer and reduction of transfer time.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,022,438 discloses a method for transferring a transfer sheet on a surface of a steering wheel using hydraulic pressure. According to the method, transfer sheets are continuously provided and a steering wheel is moved by a conveyer so that transfer using hydraulic pressure is automatically performed. However, the disclosed technology is disadvantageous in that a pattern extends due to one time hydraulic pressure transfer which deteriorates the quality of steering wheel.

Method and apparatus for automatically transferring pattern to surface of steering wheel


This disclosure relates to structures for the conversion of light into energy. More specifically, the disclosure describes devices for conversion of light to electricity using photovoltaic cells comprising graphene.

In recent years, numerous alternatives to coal, oil, and natural gas for generating electrical energy have been proposed. Among these alternative sources of energy, the conversion of solar energy to electric energy using photovoltaic solar cells is considered the most promising. However, the current photovoltaic technology comprises limitations that make it difficult to compete with the fossil-fuel technology. In addition to the high costs of semiconductor materials, fabrication and handling, the maximum efficiency of energy conversion that can be achieved by the current photovoltaic technology is about 25%.

Graphene-based multi-junctions flexible solar cell


Bonding of a plurality optical recording substrates in multi-layered optical recording mediums are facilitated by using ultraviolet lasers in a line-by-line manner such as telecentric scanning, raster scanning, circular scanning, or the like.

Optical recording mediums, such as compact disks ("CD"), have been widely used to record audio, video, and computer data. However, some optical recording mediums, such as laser discs ("LD") and digital versatile discs ("DVD") require much larger storage capacity than currently provided by CDs in order to record digitized audio and video information of full-length feature movies, for example. One way of increasing the storage capacity of optical recording mediums is by bonding two or more optical recording medium substrates together.
Typically, the recording substrates of these multi-layered optical recording mediums are bonded together by materials that are curable when exposed to ultraviolet ("UV") radiation. First, UV bonding material is applied between two or more optical recording medium substrates. Then, the multi-layered optical recording medium is exposed to a UV radiation source to complete the bonding process. Currently, wideband sources of UV light are used to bond these multiple layers of optical recording medium substrates together.
As shown in FIG. 1, one prior art system includes a UV light source 20 and a double substrate disc 22 to be bonded. In order to bond the two substrates of disc 22, UV light source 20 irradiates the entire surface of double substrate disc 22 for the bonding to take effect.
As shown in FIG. 2, another prior art system includes a UV light source 20, a slit 24, and a double substrate disc 26 to be bonded. In this system, UV radiation from UV light source 20 is passed through slit 24. Consequently, only a line of UV radiation 28 is exposed onto double substrate disc 26. Therefore, double substrate disc 26 is rotated either clockwise or counter clockwise to expose the entire surface of double substrate disc 26 to the line of UV radiation 28.
Currently, wideband light sources, such as mercury fusion lamps are used as the UV light source of the prior art systems. Wideband light sources are difficult to spectrally control and generate large amounts of infrared ("IR") energy. Although optical filters are used to adjust the resulting spectrum reaching the substrates of multi-layered optical mediums, large amounts of heat are produced in the substrates that can cause warpage. Furthermore, longer curing times are necessary with wideband UV light sources.

Laser scanning applied to bonding of multi-layered optical recording mediums


A hybrid vehicle powertrain system includes a first prime mover, a first prime mover driven power transmission mechanism having a power take-off adapted to drive a vehicle accessory, and a second prime mover. The second prime mover is operable to drive the power transmission mechanism alone or in combination with the first prime mover to provide power to the power take-off through the power transmission mechanism. The invention further includes methods for operating a hybrid vehicle powertrain system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to hybrid motor vehicles and, more particularly, to a hybrid powertrain system including a power take-off driven vehicle accessory.
2. Background of the Invention
Mechanical powertrain systems commonly employ a power transmission mechanism driven by a prime mover, such as an internal combustion engine, to power a primary vehicle drive shaft. Equally common are arrangements in which a secondary drive shaft is coupled to the prime mover through some sort of transmission power take-off mechanism, thereby enabling the prime mover to independently power a vehicle accessory in addition to one or more of the vehicle wheels.
Many heavy vehicles in use today (e.g., utility trucks, over-the-road tractors and the like) include at least one power take-off ("PTO"). In utility trucks, for example, a PTO may be used to drive a hydraulic pump in an on-board vehicle hydraulic system. In some configurations, a PTO driven vehicle accessory may be powered while the vehicle is moving. In other configurations, a PTO driven accessory may be powered while the vehicle is stationary and the prime mover is operating. Still others may be driven while the vehicle is either stationary or traveling. Regardless of the type of PTO configuration used, ease of operator use and flexibility of control are important considerations when designing a vehicle's PTO driven accessory system.
Motor vehicle manufacturers are also actively working to develop alternative powertrain systems in an effort to reduce the level of pollutants exhausted into the air by conventional powertrain systems equipped with internal combustion engines. Significant development efforts have been directed to electric and fuel-cell vehicles. Unfortunately, these alternative powertrain systems suffer from several disadvantages and, for all practical purposes, are still under development. However, "hybrid" vehicles that include an internal combustion engine and an electric motor offer a compromise between traditional internal combustion engine powered vehicles and full electric powered vehicles. A hybrid powertrain systems' unique configuration allows the electric motor to provide the sole power needed to operate one or more vehicle functions that include, among other things, independent delivery of motive power to the vehicle wheels through the power transmission mechanism. While hybrid powertrain systems continue to improve in efficiency and seamlessness of operation, a need remains for an improved hybrid powertrain system that allows operation of a power take-off driven vehicle accessory independent of the internal combustion engine.

Hybrid vehicle powertrain system with power take-off driven vehicle accessory


A link lever configured to assist operation of a clutch assembly is disclosed. In particular, a link lever configured to assist operation of a clutch assembly in a washing machine and that applies force to securely engage and completely release a coupling of the clutch assembly when the coupling is moved by a clutch lever between different sets of teeth in the clutch assembly.

In general, a totally automatic washing machine refers to a washing machine that can perform multiple operations including, but not limited to: supplying wash water, washing, rinsing, spin-drying, and draining water. These operations are automatically performed in a single apparatus. Laundry can be washed by wash water flowing past/through the laundry, the impact of wash water on the laundry, and the like.
Various types of totally automatic washing machines include, in general, a main body, a water storage tub, a washing tub, a pulsator or agitator, a pulsator or agitator shaft, a washing tub shaft, a clutch assembly, a motor, and other elements. In such washing machines, the pulsator or agitator is connected to the pulsator or agitator shaft, and the washing tub is connected to the washing tub shaft.
In Korean Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-73569, Korean Patent No. 10-1015241, a connection to the pulsator shaft and a connection to the washing tub shaft are selectively and intermittently operated through the clutch assembly.
Particularly, in contemporary washing machines, the clutch assembly and a drain valve are simultaneously and intermittently operated by the motor.
For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, one side (110 of FIG. 3) of a link lever 100 is connected to a drain valve (not illustrated) in a drain assembly 10 to intermittently drain wash water through an inlet 11, and the other side (120 of FIG. 3) of the link lever 100 is connected to a clutch lever 21 to finally and intermittently operate a clutch assembly.
In the clutch assembly, the clutch lever 21 is connected to a lift lever 22, and the lift lever 22 is connected to a coupling 23. Rotor teeth 24 are disposed at an upper portion of the coupling 23, and fixed base teeth 25 are disposed at a lower portion of the coupling 23.
The rotor teeth 24 are connected to a washing tub shaft 30, and the coupling 23 is connected to a pulsator shaft 40. The pulsator shaft 40 is rotatably coupled to a hollow portion (an opening) in the center of the set of rotor teeth 24.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the drain valve is closed when the link lever 100 is pulled, e.g., during washing; and as illustrated in FIG. 2, the drain valve is opened when the link lever 100 is released (no longer pulled), e.g., during spin-drying. In an alternative implementation, the drain valve is opened when the link lever 100 is pulled (e.g., during spin-drying), and closed when the link lever is released (e.g., during washing).
As illustrated in FIG. 1, during washing, the coupling 23 is raised and engaged with the rotor teeth 24. As a result, because the lower portion of the pulsator shaft 40 is coupled to the coupling 23 like a spline, the washing tub shaft 30 and the pulsator shaft 40 rotate together.
In contrast, as illustrated in FIG. 2, during spin-drying, the coupling 23 is lowered, releasing the engagement between the coupling 23 and the rotor teeth 24. Instead, the coupling 23 is engaged with the base teeth 25 that are disposed at the lower portion of the coupling 23. As a result, only the washing tub shaft 30 rotates (the pulsator shaft 40 does not rotate together with the washing tub shaft 30).
However, the aforementioned washing operation and spin-drying operation are merely examples. In some types of washing machines, during washing, only the pulsator or agitator is rotated, only the washing tub is rotated, and/or the pulsator and the washing tub are simultaneously rotated.
During spin-drying, both the washing tub and the pulsator or agitator may be rotated. However, in some types of washing machines, during spin-drying, only the washing tub is rotated, and/or the pulsator or agitator is maintained in a free state so as to prevent laundry from being damaged due to a collision between the laundry and the pulsator or agitator.
As illustrated in the examples of FIGS. 1 and 2, when the link lever 100 is pulled, the coupling 23 is raised upward and can engage with the rotor teeth 24; and when the link lever 100 is released, the coupling 23 is lowered and the engagement between the coupling 23 and the rotor teeth 24 is released, allowing the coupling 23 to engage with the base teeth 25.
However, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, with reference also to FIG. 3, one side (portion 120) of the link lever 100 is securely coupled to the clutch lever 21. Therefore, there may be a problem when the coupling 23 is lowered because it may not separate completely from the rotor teeth 24 due to the force with which it is engaged with the rotor teeth 24 and/or because the link lever 100 is connected to the drain valve by a spring that may not be fully operational.
On the other hand, when the coupling 23 is raised, there may be a problem because it may not separate completely from the base teeth 25, because of the force with which it is engaged with the base teeth 25. This can be particularly problematic when the laundry presses up against the pulsator shaft 40 (that is, when the weight of the laundry is applied to the pulsator shaft 40).
The washing machine may not operate smoothly because of the aforementioned problems. Furthermore, if spin-drying starts before the coupling 23 moves from its position for washing (the raised position) to its position for spin-drying (the lowered position), then the coupling 23 may be engaged with the base teeth 25 by only the slight amount of force present when spin-drying starts.
Consequently, because the motor may be already rotating at a high speed when the coupling 23 and the base teeth 25 engage each other, the coupling 23 can be abraded or damaged from impacting the base teeth. A similar problem can occur when the coupling 23 is moved from its position for spin-drying to its position for washing.

Link lever that assists operation of a clutch assembly


The invention can provide a method of processing a substrate using multi-pitch scatterometry targets (M-PSTs) for de-convolving lithographic process parameters during Single-Patterning (S-P), Double-Patterning (D-P) procedures, and Double-Exposure (D-E) procedures used to control transistor structures. The M-PSTs) can have critical dimension (CD) and sidewall angle (SWA) sensitivity to exposure focus variations, exposure dose variations, and post exposure bake (PEB) temperature variations. In addition, the variation can be de-convolved so that the individual measurement process variable contributor can be identified.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to substrate processing, and more particularly to improving the substrate processing by using multi-pitch scatterometry targets for de-convolving lithographic process parameters during Single-Patterning (S-P) procedures, Double-Patterning (D-P) procedures, and Double-Exposure (D-E) procedures.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many multiple patterning techniques are currently being used during semiconductor substrate processing to increase the number of features and/or structures within devices on a substrate. Multiple patterning techniques can include double exposure techniques, double patterning techniques, spacer techniques, mask techniques, and brute force techniques. In 2006, the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors was expanded to include double patterning as a potential solution for 32 nm (nanometer) lithography. Multiple patterning techniques are viewed by some device manufacturers as bridge solutions that can be used until Extreme Ultra-Violet (EUV) techniques become more fully developed.
As substrate geometries continue to shrink, the process window shrinks as well. The need to tightly control and understand critical dimension (CD) variations becomes more and more critical. Typically, APC control uses exposure dose alone as a single control knob for CD variation. In reality, there are other process parameters that are affecting CD, and the other process parameters can include focus and post exposure bake (PEB) temperature. Conventional metrology targets and techniques do not provide the necessary parameter sensitivity required to detect and differentiate the variation due to focus, dose, and PEB temperature


A liquid drug delivery device is adapted to be adhered to the skin of a subject by a base member defining a skin-contacting surface having an adhesive coating. A columnar cartridge serves as reservoir for the drug and is incorporated in a housing which is connected to the base member such that in use the longitudinal axis of the cartridge is disposed substantially parallel to the skin-contacting surface. A delivery needle communicating in use with the interior of the cartridge penetrates the skin of the subject when the housing snaps downward relative to the base member. This action also causes the actuation of a citric acid/sodium bicarbonate gas generator which generates a gas to move a piston within the cartridge, compressing the drug compartment. This compression causes a stopper to be penetrated by a conduit in communication with the delivery needle, allowing the drug to be ejected from the compartment through the needle and into the subcutaneous tissue of the subject.

The conventional method of parenteral administration of a drug to a subject is by injection using a hypodermic syringe. A number of difficulties associated with these syringes have led to attempts to derive more advantageous drug delivery devices. Syringes are not generally advocated for use in self administration by patients because of the dangers of embolisms arising from the introduction of air bubbles into the bloodstream, incorrect dosing, and the accidental infection of third parties after use of the syringe. In any event, syringes cannot be used by children or by many elderly patients, and the use of syringes is very traumatic for the large number of people who are needlephobic to a greater or lesser extent.
In trying to provide improved syringes, a number of inventors have focussed on the provision of a pre-filled syringe or a pre-filled ampoule for use in a syringe, as these devices can be useful in addressing the problems of incorrect dosage or incorrect filling of syringes. Furthermore, some syringes have been provided with expelling means which automatically deliver the drug from the syringe body or ampoule, rather than relying on a conventional syringe mechanism which can be difficult to manipulate in a smooth uniform fashion with one hand. Examples of such devices are the syringe disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,390,246, the ampoule disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,445,477 and the disposable needleless hypodermic injector disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,527,212.
The devices of U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,390,246 and 2,445,477 still require the patient to correctly administer the injection, which may be difficult for some patients, and which some patients may refuse to do because of a fear of needles. Furthermore, each of these documents discloses a very sophisticated and complex mechanical arrangement for activating the expelling means. The devices would, in consequence, be prohibitively difficult and expensive to mass produce and would be prone to failure due to device complexity.
The device of U.S. Pat. No. 3,527,212 eliminates the use of needles and has a construction with fewer parts, but manufacture would still be difficult and expensive as the needleless injection of a drug requires the drug to be provided to the skin at pressures in excess of 400 lb/in.sup.2 (27.5 bar). Thus, the device must be provided with a propellant at such a pressure when it is manufactured, and this pressure must be maintained throughout the shelf life of the device in a compartment which is bounded by a membrane strong enough to withstand the pressure but which is nevertheless easily rupturable by the manual depression of a plunger. Again, it will be appreciated that these requirements lead to a product which is quite difficult and expensive to manufacture.
Needleless devices have their own problems, since their correct use requires a certain degree of dexterity and strength. The device must be held firmly against the skin at the correct angle. Correct delivery of the drug requires it to be propelled at high pressure through the skin, so if the device is held at an incorrect angle or is not held firmly enough, then there is a strong likelihood that the medicament will not pass through the skin but will be dispersed into the air. As needleless injectors are usually quite bulky, the dexterity issue may be far from trivial from many patients.
Another limitation which is associated with each of the devices referred to above is that they can only be used for bolus administration, i.e. the immediate injection of a single entire dose. This is not suitable for all therapies, as it may be preferred in many cases to provide a continuous infusion of a drug both to avoid toxicity problems and to provide improved efficacy. Furthermore, if a drug is provided as a bolus injection, it may be necessary to inject a number of doses per day.
A number of infusion pumps are known, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,886,499 and our own WO 95/13838. In general, however, infusion pumps are far more sophisticated and complex than syringes or syringe-based injectors, with the result that they are unable to compete commercially with conventional injectors.
The problems associated with complex devices should not be underestimated from a manufacturing point of view. Not only does it become increasingly difficult and expensive to mass-produce a device having large numbers of components, but the reliability of such devices is inherently worse. To illustrate this point, if each component in a production line is tested and found to have, on average, a reliability of 99% (1 failure in every 100), then devices having only 5 components can be predicted to have expected reliability rates of 95% (given by 0.99.sup.5). Devices having 10, 20, and 50 of such components can be expected to have reliability rates of 90%, 82% and 61%, respectively. Evidently the safety implications of increasing device complexity cannot be ignored when considering drug delivery devices in particular.
Therefore, among the objects of the present invention are the provision of a drug delivery device which: is capable of delivering a pre-set dosage of drug to a subject; is suitable for use in self-administration by patients (including young patients and elderly patients); does not require the patient to consciously insert a needle into the skin; has a construction sufficiently simple to enable it to be mass produced at least as cheaply as (and in most cases more cheaply than) prior art bolus injectors described in the documents referred to above and substantially more cheaply than prior art infusion pumps; can provide either a bolus injection or can perform a continuous or controlled infusion; and overcomes the disadvantages associated with the conventional hypodermic syringe. Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description given below.


Techniques of designing an antenna array with antenna units controlled electronically are described. Through controlling the combination of the reflectors in each of the antenna units, a desired antenna pattern is formed, adapting to the environment, and providing reliable and efficient links between two transceivers. According to one aspect of the present invention, a switch (e.g., a diode) is used to couple two reflectors. The diode is controlled to be on or off so that the reflectors are conductively integrated or separated.

Field of Invention
The invention generally is related to the area of antennas, and more particularly related to integrated antenna arrays structured in a way and controlled electronically to form a desired antenna pattern adapting to an environment, and providing reliable and efficient links between two transceivers.
Related Art
An antenna system is an indispensable component in communication systems. In conventional wireless communications, a single antenna is used at the source, and another single antenna is used at the destination. This is called SISO (single input, single output). Such systems are vulnerable to problems caused by multipath effects. When an electromagnetic field (EM field) is met with obstructions such as hills, canyons, buildings, and utility wires, the wavefronts are scattered, and thus they take many paths to reach the destination. The late arrival of scattered portions of the signal causes problems such as fading, cut-out (cliff effect), and intermittent reception (picket fencing). In a digital communications system like the Internet, it can cause a reduction in data speed and an increase in the number of errors.
The use of smart antennas can reduce or eliminate the trouble caused by multipath wave propagation from reflection, deflection, refraction, and scattering. A smart antenna is a digital wireless communications antenna system that takes advantage of diversity effect at the source (transmitter), the destination (receiver), or both. Diversity effect involves the transmission and/or reception of multiple radio frequency (RF) waves to increase data speed and reduce the error rate. Smart antennas (also known as adaptive array antennas, multiple antennas and, recently, MIMO) are antenna arrays with smart signal processing algorithms used to identify spatial signal signature such as the direction of arrival (DOA) of the signal, and use it to calculate beamforming vectors, to track and locate the antenna beam on a mobile target.
Most of the smart antennas in use today have some undesired nulls in the antenna patterns. In radio electronics, a null is an area or vector in an antenna radiation pattern where the signal cancels out almost entirely. If not carefully planned, nulls can unintentionally prevent reception of a signal and fail to transmit a signal. There is a need for an antenna system that has a controllable antenna pattern without developing nulls.

Switchable antennas for wireless applications


A fuel cell system in which fuel cell flooding is eliminated by providing necessary flow speed of fuel gas within a channel while improving system efficiency of the fuel cell by re-circulating unreacted fuel gas, which has been discharged externally from a circulation channel in order to provide the flow speed within the channel. An exhaust gas storage unit which stores exhaust gas is disposed in an exhaust gas recovery channel, to store exhaust gas discharged from the anode channel of the fuel cell. Fuel consumption can be improved by re-supplying the exhaust gas to the fuel cell again. Furthermore, an exhaust storage unit is maintained at a negative pressure. This allows the flow speed of reactant gas flowing through the channel for fuel gas to be increased at the time of opening the control valve connected to the exhaust gas storage unit. Such an arrangement allows water droplets or the like remaining within the anode electrode of the fuel cell to be removed, thereby suppressing flooding. This improves the system efficiency while suppressing fuel consumption.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fuel cell system for generating electricity using fuel gas including hydrogen, and particularly relates to supplying of fuel gas in a fuel cell system.
2. Related Art
In recent years, there has been great expectation for fuel cells, as means for suppressing global warming and environmental destruction, and also as next-generation electrical-generating systems, and research is being actively pursued. Fuel cells generate energy by electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, examples thereof including phosphoric-acid fuel cells, molten carbonate fuel cells, solid-oxide fuel cells, polymer electrolyte fuel cells, and so forth. Of these, polymer electrolyte fuel cells can be activated from room temperature and furthermore are small and have high power, and accordingly are gathering attention as a power source for vehicles (motorcycles, automobiles) and for portable power sources and the like.
With general polymer electrolyte fuel cells, an electrode structure, which is a basic configuration unit of the fuel cell, is sandwiched between separators, thereby forming a single cell. A combination thereof of the order of tens to hundreds of cells is used as a stack. An electrode structure serving as a basic configuration unit of a stack is formed of two electrodes, which are an anode electrode (fuel electrode) and cathode electrode (air electrode), and a polyelectrolyte membrane introduced therebetween. Also, normally, these electrodes are formed from a catalyst layer at which an oxidation and reduction reaction occurs in contact with the polyelectrolyte membrane, and a gas dispersion layer in contact with the catalyst layer.
Polymer electrolyte fuel cells having such a configuration generate electricity by supplying fuel including hydrogen to the anode electrode side and supplying oxygen or air to the cathode electrode side. Upon supplying fuel gas to the anode electrode, the hydrogen included in the fuel gas is ionized on the electrode catalyst. The ionized hydrogen moves to the cathode electrode side through the electrolytic membrane. On the other hand, the electrons generated in the aforementioned ionization step are extracted to an external circuit, thereby providing DC electric energy.
The above-described fuel cells also generate water as well as electricity during generating of electricity by the electrochemical reaction between the hydrogen gas serving as the fuel gas, and the oxygen. Normally, this water is purged from channels at both electrodes due to a gas flow supplied at a sufficient gas flow speed. However, in some cases, the gas flow speed drops due to a low load or the like. Such a case can lead to an undesired phenomenon in which the water therewithin is not completely discharged and closes off the channel (hereafter referred to as "flooding"). There has been a problem in that electricity generation becomes unstable when the channel of the fuel gas is closed off due to this flooding.
Furthermore, a method is being used wherein unreacted fuel gas discharged from the fuel cell is re-circulated to improve system efficiency. However, with such a method, vapor is also included in the re-circulated gas, so there has been a problem in that flooding occurs even more easily.
In view of such problems, an invention has been disclosed which solves flooding by external discharge of fuel gas (e.g., Japanese (Unexamined) Patent Application Publication No. 2002-237322). The invention disclosed in this publication solves flooding by closing a valve within the circulation system channel and opens a discharge valve to prevent backflow and to increase the flow speed within the fuel cell channel, in the event that flooding occurs due to reduction in suction of an ejector pump or the like.
Moreover, an invention has been disclosed wherein flooding is solved using a compressor such as an electric pump or the like in the circulation of the fuel gas (e.g., Japanese (Unexamined) Patent Application Publication No. 2002-280027). That is to say, while, in general, the fuel gas circulation amount is determined corresponding to the load of the fuel gas, the invention disclosed in this publication provides an arrangement in which the circulation flow is corrected corresponding to the electricity generating state. That is to say, in the event that flooding or the like occurs, the output of the pump is increased to enhance the circulation flow, thereby solving flooding while reducing external discharge of fuel gas.
Furthermore, an invention has been disclosed wherein hydrogen off-gas is extracted, the hydrogen collected by a hydrogen collector is stored in a storage tank, and then supplied to the fuel cell again using a supply pump (e.g., Japanese (Unexamined) Patent Application Publication No. 62-272468). Moreover, an invention has been disclosed wherein hydrogen off-gas is extracted, and hydrogen collected by a hydrogen generator is stored in a hydrogen storage unit and then supplied to the fuel cell again (e.g., Japanese (Unexamined) Patent Application Publication No. 5-13094). The inventions disclosed in these publications suppress consumption of fuel in the fuel cell system by re-circulating the unreacted gas discharged from the fuel cell.
However, with the invention disclosed in Japanese (Unexamined) Patent Application Publication No. 2002-237322, fuel consumption efficiency decreases due to discharging the fuel gas externally in order to increase the flow speed within the fuel cell channel, thereby deteriorating the efficiency of the overall system. Also, while the invention disclosed in Japanese (Unexamined) Patent Application Publication No. 2002-280027 is capable of reducing the external discharge amount of fuel gas, a compressor such as an electric pump or the like which is capable of blowing out water droplets in the channel of the fuel cell, becomes necessary, which leads to the problem of increased weight and size. Further, energy necessary for driving this compressor must be supplied, meaning that the overall efficiency of the system is deteriorated to that extent.
Also, with the inventions disclosed in Japanese (Unexamined) Patent Application Publication Nos. 62-272468 and 5-13094, the hydrogen discharged from the fuel cell can be efficiently used up, but the flow speed within the reactant gas channel cannot be increased, leading to the problem that flooding easily occurs.


An image-effect apparatus which provides high quality motion pictures and image effects such as supper slow motion based on a small amount of image data. An image input unit inputs a first image and a second image. A matching processor performs pixel matching between the first image and the second image, and a result thereof is recorded as a corresponding point file. An intermediate image generator generates an intermediate image between the first image and the second image based on the corresponding point file. A speed controller controls the number of intermediate images to be generated, based on a user's instruction. As the number of intermediate images generated is increased, slow motion and super slow motion images are produced.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to image-effect techniques and more particularly relates to a method and apparatus for digital image effects.
2. Description of the Related Art
As a part of the digital revolution, many users have come to enjoy services on the Internet from personal computers and portable telephones. Now, the digital revolution is spreading to broadcast services and movies, including digital satellite broadcasts. Thus, a barrier that had previously existed between broadcasting and communications is quickly beginning to disappear. Moreover, as broadband communications grow, multimedia content and culture will experience significant development, and, as a part of this multimedia culture, the distribution of video or motion pictures will become a key technology.
When humans acquire information from the outside world, images are capable of conveying much more information than audio. Besides being used for entertainment and recreational purposes, it is believed that images will also serve as a vital part of a software infrastructure which will support a wide range of aspects of human life and culture. As images are used more and more in a digital form, image-effect technology will expand into many fields with additional applications in computer graphics (CG) and image processing technologies.
Various image effects have been proposed and used in image processing. For example, known effects include slow motion, walk-through, multi-viewpoint image, special filtering, pseudo stereoscopic vision and so forth. However, many of these effects require expensive equipment that may be difficult to operate or require extensive human input or provide only low quality output. As the importance of images grows in the future, it is important that these and other image effects be provided with efficiency, cost-effectiveness and improved quality.

Image-effect method and apparatus using critical points


When a first base station serving a mobile communication terminal in a standby mode, a first neighbor list is acquired from the first base station and stored in a memory. If the serving base station is changed in a standby mode from the first base station to a second base station, a second neighbor list is acquired from the second base station. When the second base station is serving the mobile communication terminal in a standby mode, the communication quality between the mobile communication terminal and each second peripheral base station listed in the acquired second neighbor list, and between the terminal and each first peripheral base station listed in the stored first neighbor list. Based on the measurement results, a peripheral base station that satisfies a preset condition is selected as a hand-off destination candidate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mobile communication terminal for use in a cellular mobile communication network system.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a cellular mobile communication network system, a plurality of base stations are provided in a service area, and each base station forms a radio zone called a cell. In each cell, the corresponding base station is connected by radio to mobile communication terminals. In this system, when a mobile communication terminal is turned on, synchronization is established between the terminal and the closest base station. After the establishment of synchronization, the terminal shifts to a standby state. In the standby state, an incoming call is transmitted from the base station to the terminal, or negotiation is performed for establishing a communication link between the terminal and base station if the terminal performs an operation for an outgoing call. When the communication link is established, the terminal shifts to a communication state.
In a cellular mobile communication network system, hand-off is performed when a mobile communication terminal moves from a cell to another cell. "Hand-off" means a process for changing, to another, the base station as a synchronization establishment destination. In the standby state and communication state, a mobile communication terminal acquires, from the base station with which synchronization is established (hereinafter referred to as an "active base station"), a neighbor list message listing the base stations located near the active base station. The mobile communication terminal searches for the neighboring base stations, using this message, and performs hand-off processing, if necessary.
For example, in a system employing a code division multiple access (CDMA) method, in which a mobile communication terminal establishes synchronization with a base station using sliding correlation therebetween, each base station transmits a pilot signal diffused by a diffusion code. The diffusion code used to diffuse the pilot signal is provided with an initial phase offset value, which varies between base stations. Each mobile communication terminal receives pilot signals transmitted from peripheral base stations, using the offset values recited in the neighbor list message, thereby measuring the reception quality of the pilot signals. The measurement of reception quality is performed by, for example, detecting the signal/interference-wave ratio (SIR) or reception-signal level. Based on the measurement results, the mobile communication terminal selects a peripheral base station of the best reception quality, and uses this base station as a destination candidate with which synchronization is to be established.
On the other hand, if all the measured reception quality levels are lower than a reference value, the mobile communication terminal determines that there is no appropriate base station for a destination candidate. In other words, it is determined that all peripheral base stations are out of range. After that, the terminal searches the base stations over all phases of the diffusion code used to diffuse pilot signals, and selects the base station from which the best reception quality can be acquired. Searching over all phases of a diffusion code corresponds to initial resetting for selecting a base station upon the turn-on of the mobile communication terminal. Accordingly, this operation requires a lot of time and power consumption. If it is performed frequently, the battery life of the terminal is shortened.
For various reasons, "Out of Range" determination is made. For example, the acquired neighbor list may become an inappropriate one due to a change in the positional relationship between the mobile communication terminal and base stations.
FIG. 4 is a view useful in explaining such a case. In the figure, assume that a mobile communication terminal MS establishes synchronization with a base station BS-A, and the neighbor list acquired from the active base station BS-A lists a peripheral base station BS-B. In this state, even if the terminal MS moves to a second position, the communication state does not change. However, if the terminal MS further moves to a third position, the communication between the terminal and base station BS-A is interrupted by an obstacle 1. At this time, the terminal MS hands off from the base station BS-A to the peripheral base station BS-B listed in the neighbor list.
After that, if the terminal MS moves to a fourth position, communication with the base station BS-B is interrupted by an obstacle 2. The fourth position is close to a base station BS-C. However, if the neighbor list acquired from the base station BS-B does not list the base station BS-C, and a pilot signal of sufficient reception quality cannot be acquired from any other peripheral base station listed in the neighbor list, the terminal MS determines that it is out of the range of the base stations listed in the neighbor list. In this case, the mobile communication terminal MS must perform the above-mentioned searching over all phases of a diffusion code.
Since the transmission lines for mobile communication are very complex, it is difficult to prepare a neighbor list that enables optimal hand-off processing to be executed in all positions in its service area. Therefore, it is a frequent practice to perform searching over all phases of a diffusion code.
There are known techniques for reducing the power consumption of a mobile communication terminal by shortening the time required for base-station searching for hand-off. Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2002-171555, for example, discloses the following technique (pages 2 to 5 and FIG. 1): When a mobile communication terminal selects a peripheral base station as a hand-off destination candidate, it stores, in its database, information indicating the base station, together with positional information indicating the position of the terminal itself. When the terminal again enters the cell indicated by the positional information, it selects the information, stored in the database, in preference to a neighbor list acquired from a base station corresponding to the cell. Based on the selected information, the terminal searches the peripheral base stations for a hand-off destination candidate. This search technique, however, requires a function for acquiring information indicating the position of a mobile communication terminal, which increases the circuit scale of the terminal and the amount of processing by the CPU of the terminal.
Further, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2001-54156 discloses a technique for searching for a pilot signal transmitted from a peripheral base station, acquiring a neighbor list from the base station detected by searching, and selecting a hand-off destination candidate from the acquired neighbor list. In this technique, to acquire a neighbor list from a peripheral base station, a mobile communication terminal holds synchronization with the active base station, while periodically searching peripheral base stations other than the active one to select an accessible base station. After selecting the accessible base station, the terminal must perform processing for acquiring a neighbor list therefrom. This processing significantly reduces the battery life of the terminal.

Mobile communication hand-off control system and unit


The invention relates to a data carrier (1) having microencapsulated scents and to a method for producing it. The data carrier (1), which is generally made of an unabsorptive material, is in particular a telephone card, identity card or the like. The microencapsulated scents are applied to the data carrier (1) with a coating material in a mixture ratio or layer thickness such that at least some of the microcapsules (4) are accessible on the surface of the coating. After being applied to the data carrier (1) the coating material hardens by polymerization or another chemical reaction. The coating material is applied as a priming layer (5) or/and as an information layer (2) or/and as a transparent cover layer. Application takes place on one or both sides of the data carrier (1) over part of the area or all over.

A) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a data carrier having encapsulated scents and to a method for producing such a data carrier.
B) Related Technology
Data carriers having encapsulated scents are known which are used in particular for advertising purposes. In known data carriers the carrier material used is paper which is printed with inks containing scents enclosed in microcapsules. The inks used generally contain not only the microcapsules but also dyes or pigments, binders and solvents.
In the production of known data carriers the ink, after being printed on the paper base, dries by absorption in the data carrier and evaporation of the solvent. The dyes or pigments are largely fixed on the paper surface with the help of the binder. Evaporation of the solvent and absorption of the binder reduce the volume of applied ink so much that the microcapsules admixed to the ink are in any case accessible on the paper surface. If one rubs the surface of a data carrier thus printed, some of the microcapsules accessible on the paper surface are destroyed, thereby releasing the scents contained therein.
The known method for applying encapsulated scents provides satisfactory results but was restricted up to now to absorptive surfaces, i.e. surfaces on which an applied ink dries quickly by absorption. It was evidently assumed up to now that this method cannot be used if the microcapsules are applied to an unabsorptive base since the microcapsules are then too greatly embedded in the binder or enveloped thereby and fail to release the scent even after being destroyed. The invention is based on the problem of extending the range of application of microencapsulated scents in data carriers.

Data carrier having encapsulated scents and a method for producing it


The powdery bleaching composition has improved storage stability and contains from 25 to 70 percent by weight of at least one solid per-compound as effective bleaching agent and from about 0.1 to about 20 percent by weight of at least one cross-linked silicone elastomer. The at least one cross-linked silicone elastomer is made by cross-linking with an alpha, omega-diene or a vinyl-polysiloxane and preferably is a dimethicone/vinyl-dimethicone crosspolymer or a cyclopentasiloxane and dimethicone crosspolymer. Simple methods of making the powdery cosmetic compositions are also described.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to powdery cosmetic compositions and to methods of making same.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventional powdery cosmetic compositions, for example, powdery hair dye compositions, bleaching compositions and dry shampoos, are either formulated with diverse drying agents or binding agents and/or are treated by appropriate dedusting techniques.
A number of methods for making more or less dust-free powders are known in the state of the art. In these methods the dedusting of the powder usually occurs with the help of a liquid oil or wax, especially silicone oils and silicone waxes or paraffin oils and paraffin waxes. European patent application EP-OS 0 583 767 discloses a method of making a dust-free formulation, in which the powder is treated with an inert liquid, especially silicone oils or natural oils. In European Patent EP-PS 0 560 088 the dedusting of powdery bleaching agents with oils or liquid waxes, especially silicone oils or paraffin oils, is described. In German Patent Application DE-OS 19600225 the dedusting of powdery hair dye composition with oils or liquid waxes, especially silicone oils, jojoba oil or certain fatty acids and fatty alcohols, is disclosed. German Patent Application DE-OS 198 53 653 teaches a powdery composition with certain liquid solvents that are liquid at 25xc2x0 C., for example hydrocarbons, alcohols, esters and ketones for dedusting. European Patent Application EP-OS 0 630 643 describes a method of making a powdery composition for dyeing and bleaching hair, in which high melting waxes are melted and then sprayed on the powder in liquid form. The previously described methods however are not optimum in every aspect, so that the powdery compositions obtained by these methods have several disadvantages, especially in regard to storage stability.
The stabilization of the powdery components during storage (i.e. during the time they are kept or preserved until they are used) is of considerable significance in the manufacture of the powdery composition in addition to its dedusting and keeping the composition dry. In order to stabilize the powder during storage, the partially very reactive powdery components of the powdery mixture must be treated so that they neither react chemically nor agglomerate.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a powdery cosmetic composition that does not have the above-described disadvantage, i.e. that has an improved storage stability.
Surprisingly it has now been found that a powdery cosmetic composition with a content of silicone elastomers does not have the above-described disadvantages.
According to the present invention a powdery cosmetic composition comprising at least one cosmetic active ingredient for treating hair and/or skin and at least one silicone elastomer has improved storage stability. The term xe2x80x9ccosmetic active ingredientxe2x80x9d means the principle component or components that act to perform the primary function or functions of the cosmetic composition, e.g. dye compounds in a dye composition or reducing agents in a permanent shaping composition.
The silicone elastomers, according to the invention that provide the improved storage stability, include cross-linked silicone polymers, which, for example, are obtained by cross-linking of Sixe2x80x94H groups (I) with an alpha, omega-diene (IIa) or a vinylpolysiloxane (IIb) in the presence of a suitable catalyst (such as a platinum catalyst) and a suitable solvent (for example, a low molecular weight linear or cyclic polysiloxane). Silicone elastomers of this type and a method for making them are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,654,362, whose disclosure is expressly incorporated by reference herein. The acceptable range of solvents are described in this reference.
Preferably silicone elastomers with a molecular weight of more than 1000 g/mol are used in the compositions according to the invention. Especially preferred silicone elastomers include dimethicone/vinyidimethicone crosspolymer and cyclopetasiloxane and dimethicone crosspolymer, which are marketed, for example, under the respective trademarks DOW CORNING(copyright) 9506 and DOW CORNING(copyright) 9040 of Dow Corning Corp.
The cosmetic compositions of the invention preferably contain about 0.01 to about 50 percent by weight, especially about 0.1 to about 20 percent by weight, of the at least one silicone elastomer. Cosmetic compositions containing from 1 to 10 percent by weight of the silicone elastomer or elastomers are most preferred.
The powdery cosmetic composition can be, for example, a powdery hair and skin treatment composition, such as a powdery dry shampoo, or an active powder for cosmetic compositions (e.g. hair care compositions) or a powdery hair dye composition, especially a bleaching agent.
The powdery cosmetic composition can contain any and all cosmetic addition ingredients that are known or suitable for treating skin and/or hair besides or other than the silicone elastomer ingredient, for example, surfactants and emulsifiers including anionic, nonionic or ampholytic surface-active compounds, for example fatty alcohol sulfates, alkane sulfonates, olefin sulfonates, fatty alcohol polyglycol ether sulfates, alkylpolyglycosides and ethoxylated fatty alcohols, fatty acids, alkylphenols, sorbitan fatty acid esters and fatty acid alkanol amides; thickeners and gel formers, such as bentonite, fatty alcohols, fatty acids, paraffin oils, silicone oils, fatty acid esters, methyl cellulose or hydroxyethyl cellulose, starches, synthetic polymerizates, such as polyvinyl pyrrolidones and polyacrylates, or biopolymers, such as guar gum, xanthan gum, traganth, alginic acid and sodium alginate; stabilizers for peroxo compounds, such as silicates; as well as complex formers; perfiume oils, hair fixing polymers and hair care substances, such as cationic polymers, lanolin derivative compounds, jojoba oil, octyl stearate, isoparaffins, cholesterol, pantothenic acid, protein derivatives and protein hydrolyzates, provitamins and vitamins, plant extracts and inorganic or organic salts, such as aluminum, sodium, potassium and magnesium salts of higher fatty acids(e.g. stearates, palmitates, oleates, laurates, tallates or 12-hydrostearates), as well as buffer substances and agents for adjusting pH, for example organic and inorganic acids or bases, such as alkali, alkaline earth or ammonium salts.
These cosmetic ingredients are used in the powdery cosmetic composition according to the invention in an amount that is suitable for their purpose. For example, the surfactants are present in the composition according to the invention in a concentration of 0.2 to 30 percent by weight and the thickeners (not including the silicone elastomer component) are present in a concentration of from 0.1 to 25 percent by weight (in relation to the ready-to-use composition).
When the powdery cosmetic composition is a hair dye composition (xe2x80x9cpowdery dyestuffxe2x80x9d) it contains the usual oxidative dye compounds including the so-called developer substances and coupler substances and/or non-oxidative dye compounds and/or non-oxidative dyestuffs as the effective dyeing ingredient for treating hair and/or skin. The effective non-oxidative dyestuffs are selected from the group consisting of triphenylmethane dye compounds, azo dye compounds, quinone dye compounds and cationic or anionic dye compounds. These dye compounds are contained in the powdery dye composition in an amount suitable for an effective dyeing of the hair, especially in a total amount of about 0.1 to 25 percent by weight.
When the powdery cosmetic composition is a composition for de-coloring, bleaching or lightening the hair (xe2x80x9cbleaching powderxe2x80x9d), these powders contain a solid per-compound, such as a persulfate, percarbonate, perborate or hydrogen peroxide adduct, such as urea peroxide, as the cosmetic active ingredient for the cosmetic treatment. These per compounds are contained in the bleaching powder according to the invention in an amount that is effective for their purpose, particularly of about 25 to 70 percent by weight.
The above-described amounts relate to the total amount of the powdery cosmetic composition according to the invention.
The method of making the powdery cosmetic composition according to the invention usually comprises mixing the silicone elastomer ingredient in a suitable mixing unit with the remaining components at room temperature (about 10xc2x0 to 35xc2x0 C.). The silicone elastomer ingredient is dispersed, if necessary, in a natural or synthetic oil (for example liquid silicone oils or paraffin oils, plant oils, etc at 25xc2x0 C.) in order to provide better distribution. The mixing unit can be any known conventional mixing apparatus, for example drum mixers, eccentric tumbling mixers, double-cone mixers, screw mixers, plough-share mixer, fluid bed mixers, telex mixers, kneading mixers or pneumatic mixers. The dispersion of the silicone elastomer ingredient in the oil preferably occurs by means of a homogenizer.
The powdery cosmetic composition according to the invention is not only completely dust-free, suitably fluid and mixable with water or aqueous preparations without any difficulty, but is very easy to make and has an outstanding strorage stability because it contains the silicone elastomer ingredient.
The subject matter of the present invention thus includes a method for making a dust-free storage stable powdery cosmetic composition by mixing the above-described silicone elastomeric ingredient with at least one cosmetic active ingredient.

Powdery cosmetic composition and method of making same


A power platform assembly is provided to convert available AC power into power suitable to power SINCGARS radio components. The platform includes a horizontal base for supporting up to two SINCGARS radios and a carriage assembly supported above the base to provide support for up to two radio frequency power amplifiers. Connectors, internal wiring, and electrical components inside the platform provide power and electrical connections between components within and connected to the platform. Ancillary electronics and connectors provide for remote audio monitoring of communications via an LS-671 external speaker, or equivalent external speaker arrangement. The platform allows various types of available AC power, as may vary across different regions of the world, to power the radios and radio frequency power amplifiers while allowing others in a secure vicinity of the platform to hear incoming and outgoing voice transmissions without draining the batteries powering the radios.

In the early 1990's a new family of VHF-FM combat net radios was adopted by the American military; known as Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System, commonly referred to as "SINCGARS." SINCGARS radios were designed to provide the primary means of communications and control for infantry and armored vehicles, and artillery units, all in coordination with naval and air support, and are designed on a modular basis to achieve maximum commonality among the various ground airborne system configurations of the armed forces. The SINCGARS radios have the capability to transmit and receive voice, as well as, tactical data and are consistent with NATO interoperability requirements. SINCGARS systems operate on any of 2320 channels between 30 and 88 megahertz and are designed to survive in a nuclear environment. Communication security ("COMSEC") for SINCGARS are provided by use of the VISON encryption device and are operable in hostile environments for the use of electronic counter measures ("ECCM"). SINCGARS achieve significant reductions in physical space and power supply requirements over the prior versions of standard man pack and vehicular radios.
SINCGARS provide commanders with a highly reliable, secure, easily maintained combat net radios that have both voice and data handling capabilities in support of command and control operations. Together with internet controller capabilities, and communications links to other airborne defense communication centers (e.g. Hawkeye airborne communication centers) multi-task force inter-operability is achieved.
Communications and especially radio communications is the lifeline of the U.S. military forces. SINCGARS radios and their associated equipment are employed to accomplish various communication requirements during unit mission operations and, typically, require man pack or vehicular mounts for mobile utilization. The primary radios utilized by the Armed Forces are receiver transmitter versions RT-1523A through RT-1523F and 1523F with an attached waveform expansion module such as offered by ITT Aerospace/Communications Division under the trade name "SIDEHAT", but other physical configurations exist in the full range of SINCGARS radio models, such as: ground ICOM radios using receiver-transmitter ("RT") RT-1523, RT-1523A, RT-1523B, RT-1523C, RT-1523D, and RT-1523E; receiver-transmitter RT-1523 series ANNRC-87A/D/F through AN/VRC-92A/D/F and AN/PRC-119 SINCGARS, SINCGARS AST. Radio frequency power amplifiers ("RFPAs") are often used to extend the transmission range of the SINCGARS radio transmitters, especially in command post communications roles. For example, the model AM7238BNRC RFPA is used to amplify the radio frequency output of a radio from its standard output of about 5 watts to 50 watts. Thus extending the transmission range dramatically for a SINCGARS radio, albeit with additional power drain and increased current requirements.
In a typical peacetime situation, a SINCGARS radio operator will obtain required communications gear from a communications or supply depot. A man pack outfit will usually include a main power battery in addition to the SINCGARS radio components. Vehicular SINCGARS radio outfits may also include a dismount radio, including a main power battery, to enable dismounting and removal of the SINCGARS radio from the vehicle.
Both man pack and dismount configurations require batteries for the main power source and for digital memory retention within the radio itself. Actual battery life varies depending upon storage history, operational environment, communications demand, and functional selections within a radio's features. However, typical battery life is between 9 and 11 hours on a single battery charge, depending upon use load.
The SINCGARS RT-1523 series of radios are designed for the non-technical operator and for ease of operation for functioning in a hyperactive tactical environment. Once a radio had been put into operation and its operator has entered the communications net, there are few requirements for the operator to perform. Nominal input power requirement for a SINCGARS radios are 11-16 volts direct current, which are supplied by rechargeable on-board batteries. A competent communications operator must obviously monitor the battery status of each radio under his or her care and keep the units sufficiently charged for each intended mission so that a radio will not become inoperative during a critical stage of a mission.
However, recharging of SINCGAR'S radio batteries can be inconvenient and even unavailable in some mission applications, especially in remote and undeveloped regions of the world. Interestingly, the SINCGARS radio is designed such that specialized recharging units are required to recharge their internal batteries. Many mission applications utilizing SINCGARS radios, including training, are well within local proximity of standard 110/220 Volt AC electrical outlets. However, a standard AC electrical outlet is useless to SINCGARS radio without additional specialized recharging equipment, which is fairly bulky. Further, radio frequency amplifiers are frequently used to extend the transmission field of each SINCGARS radio for command post or fire control centers, which requires additional power. A SINCGARS radio's inability to utilize standard 110/220 Volt AC outlets limits its usefulness, especially in training missions, and can hamper the success of a mission when power duration of internal batteries are stretched and recharging units are not readily available.
Therefore, what is needed is a lightweight, versatile, and inexpensive docking platform for SINCGARS radios that will allow for powering of a SINCGARS radio while utilizing available AC power outlets offering 85-260 Volts at 47-440 Hz, and also provide for the incorporation and powering of frequency amplifiers for command post and fire control center operations.

Integrated power supply and platform for military radio


A method for diffusing titanium into a single-crystal lithium niobate substrate and guided wave devices produced therefrom provide improved mode match with coupled fibers. Preferably, the titanium diffusion occurs at a diffusion temperature for a time between about 8 hours and about 18 hours. Outdiffusion of lithium oxide is allowed to occur during titanium diffusion. The outdiffused region, typically at least about 25 .mu.m, is much deeper than the titanium diffusion depth, typically about 5-10 .mu.m.

A light waveguide is formed in a birefringent crystalline substrate such as lithium niobate by depositing a metal film followed by heating of the substrate in a flowing inert gas such as argon, nitrogen or oxygen at about 1,000.degree. C. This results in a metal diffused layer with a higher refractive index near the surface. The metal film is typically selected from vanadium, titanium, nickel, and copper. Of these metals, titanium-diffused lithium niobate waveguides have exhibited preferred optical properties for many applications.
Though this type of surface channel waveguide can guide propagation modes efficiently, insertion loss is high because of surface scattering and mode mismatch between the waveguide and a coupled fiber. Propagation modes of such surface channel waveguides are inherently asymmetric with respect to the guiding axis. By burying the waveguide under the substrate surface, modes can be made more symmetric and better matched with the fiber. Magnesium oxide has been found useful for burying the waveguide. Both the ordinary and extraordinary refractive indices of lithium niobate have been found to be reduced by diffusion of magnesium. However, deposition of magnesium in lithium niobate is difficult as special precautions are required. Proton exchange in lithium niobate has also been used to bury waveguides below the surface; however, with proton exchange only one polarization mode can be guided by the waveguide.
A polarization beam splitter is a device that separates an incoming beam of light into orthogonal TE and TM modes at the output ports. Several approaches are known for achieving a polarization splitter, including mode sorting and modal interference. Other techniques include use of a directional coupler with metal loading on one of the waveguides to prevent the TM mode from coupling. Another approach employs electro-optical effects acting differently on TE and TM coupling lengths, allowing both to be tuned independently. However, most of these techniques require stringent fabrication tolerances.
A continuing need exists to provide improvements in optical waveguides to provide more efficient coupling of light and ease of manufacture.

Guided wave device and method of fabrication thereof


The invention provides a series resonant LLC power converter unit to provide a plurality of power outputs. The power converter unit comprises a plurality of transformers arranged such that at least one primary winding of each transformer is connected in parallel and configured to provide a power output. An inductive element is positioned in parallel with a single primary winding selected from said plurality of transformers, wherein the inductive element and single primary winding restricts variation in inductance for said plurality of transformers and power outputs in operation.

In 'configurable' power supply converters providing multiple outputs, there may be a single stage providing unregulated power to multiple isolating transformers or multiple regulated converters each with its own transformer. Furthermore, with multiple LLC isolating transformers, the problem is maintaining resonance over varying magnetizing inductance due to the varying quantity of parallel isolating transformers.
In the single stage unregulated case, there is no 'hold up' gain phenomenon in the event of loss of AC supply. The provided voltage falls away proportionally to the supply bus voltage.
In the case of multiple converters, there is much duplication of circuitry. Each transformer has associated a complete separate converter circuit.
A further problem with multiple transformers is the difficulty in regulating multiple bus voltages across one or more isolation barriers. This can be achieved with multiple feedback loops making the control circuitry extremely complex. This would also demand multiple 'across-the-barrier' components, such as optoisolators, which can make safety requirements more difficult to meet.
Various power transformer architectures with multiple parallel transformers are used in many power converter topologies are known in the art such as US patent publication US 2006/139977, PCT patent publication number WO 2015/071842 and US patent publication US2010/097826. For example US 2006/139977 discloses an inductor placed in series with a winding of a high voltage transformer. The function of the inductor is to simply change the voltage level.
WO2015/071842 discloses converter and transformer circuits that work alternately and are disconnected using a number of switches for each transformer depending on which output is required. However this is a complicated circuit because of the requirement of switches for each transformer and a dedicated control circuit for each switch.
In addition, prior art converters have either multiple primary switching stages, multiple primary resonant circuits or multiple secondary resonant circuits. The connection of primary windings in series limits the configurability of the converter. FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art schematic of an LLC converter with two transformers connected in parallel, however this type of converter suffers from the same resonance problem described above.
It is therefore an object to provide an improved LLC Resonant converter having multiple transformers.

LLC resonant converter having multiple transformers and a parallel inductor


A projection objective of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus contains a plurality of optical elements arranged in N≧2 successive sections A1 to AN of the projection objective which are separated from one another by pupil planes or intermediate image planes. According to the invention, in order to correct a wavefront deformation, at least two optical elements each have an optically active surface locally reprocessed aspherically. A first optical element is in this case arranged in one section Aj, j=1 . . . N and a second optical element is arranged in another section Ak, k=1 . . . N, the magnitude difference |k−j| being an odd number.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a projection objective for micro-lithographic projection exposure apparatus, such as those used for the production of microstructured components.
2. Description of Related Art
Microlithographic projection exposure apparatus, such as those used for the production of large-scale integrated electrical circuits, have an illumination device which is used to generate a projection light beam. The projection light beam is aimed at a reticle which contains structures to be imaged by the projection exposure system, and which is arranged in an object plane of a projection objective. The projection objective forms a reduced image of the structures of the reticle on a photosensitive surface, which is located an image plane of the projection objective and may for example be applied on a wafer.
Owing to the small size of the structures to be imaged, stringent requirements are placed on the imaging properties of the projection objective. Imaging errors can therefore be tolerated only to a very small extent.
In general, imaging errors which occur are assigned to the following categories. On the one hand, there are imaging errors which result from the design of the projection objective, i.e. in particular the specification of dimensions, materials and distances in the optical elements contained in the projection objective. These design errors will not be considered below.
On the other hand, there are imaging errors which are attributable to production or material errors and which it is generally sensible to correct only once the objective is finished. Examples of production errors include so-called form errors, which are intended to mean deviations from surface accuracy in the case of optical surfaces. Material errors, however, do not generally affect the condition of the optically active surfaces, i.e. ones through which projection light passes, but lead to inhomogeneous refractive index profiles inside the optical element. The possible causes of such imaging errors due to production or material will more generally be referred to below as perturbations, which may be locally very limited but which may even extend over a sizeable region of the optical element in question.
In order to correct the wavefront deformations caused by such perturbations, it is known to apply corrective structures to suitable optical surfaces of the projection objective by means of reprocessing, which generally involves material erosion. The reprocessing gives the surface an aspherical shape that is generally not rotationally symmetric, and which differs from the shape on which the design of the projection objective was based. Such reprocessing methods are described at length in an article by C. Hofmann et al. entitled "Nanometer Asphären: Wie herstellen und wofür?", Feinwerktechnik und Meβtechnik 99 (1991), 10, pp. 437 to 440.
The way in which the corrective structures required for the compensation may be deduced from the wavefront deformations, which can generally be recorded by measuring techniques, is described at length in U.S. Pat. No. 6,268,903 B1. In the method described there, the optical element whose surface is to be locally reprocessed for perturbation compensation is preferably a plane-parallel plate, which is arranged between the reticle and the projection objective of the projection exposure apparatus. The known corrective element may furthermore be arranged inside the objective, before or after a shutter contained therein, in which case a position where the projection light beam has a particularly small cross section is preferred.
However, it has been found that not all optically active surfaces inside the projection objective are equally suitable for correcting a wavefront deformation by local reprocessing. Since projection objectives generally contain a large number of optically active surfaces, it is not in fact readily possible to determine the correction potential computationally for all these surfaces. As a rule, therefore, empirical values or rules of thumb are relied upon when choosing which optically active surfaces should be reprocessed in order to compensate for perturbations. For example, a small diameter of the projection light beam is highlighted as an essential criterion in the method known from the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 6,268,903 B1.
It has been found, however, that the imaging properties often cannot be improved sufficiently with the known criteria for the selection of surfaces to be reprocessed.

Projection objective for a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus