Electrolyte systems for lithium batteries with enhanced safety containing at least one lithium-containing conductive salt and at least one electrolyte liquid, in which the electrolyte liquid includes an effective amount of at least one partially fluorinated amide of formula (I)

The invention relates to electrolyte systems for lithium batteries with enhanced safety, their use, and a method for enhancing the safety of lithium batteries.
Portable high-value electronic devices, such as mobile telephones, laptop computers, camcorders, etc. are enjoying a very fast growing market. An adequate electrical supply for these devices requires light, high-capacity and high-quality power sources. For environmental and economic reasons, secondary rechargeable batteries are overwhelmingly used. There are essentially three competing systems: nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, and lithium ion batteries.
A very interesting field of use, particularly for the latter battery system, could be that of electrically operated vehicles.
Due to its outstanding performance characteristics, the lithium battery has already acquired large market shares, although it was introduced in its current state of the art only in 1994. Despite the triumphant success of the secondary lithium battery, one cannot overlook the fact that from a safety aspect it still is susceptible to improvement with respect to certain requirements.
Rechargeable lithium batteries typically contain a lithium oxide and metal oxide compound as the cathode (e.g., LixMnO2 or LixCoO2) and lithium metal as the anode. The lithium is preferably used in the form of an intercalation compound with graphite or with carbon or graphite fibers. An overview of the use of such batteries is given by K. Brandt (Solid State Ionics 69 (1994), 173-183, Elsevier Science B.V.).
In accordance with the current state of the art, the electrolyte liquids, which are used to achieve high conductivity, are solvent mixtures of at least two or more components. The mixture must contain at least one strongly polar component, which due to its polarity has a highly dissociative effect on salts. The polar components that are typically used are ethylene carbonate or propylene carbonate. These highly polar solvents are relatively viscous and usually have a relatively high melting point, e.g., 35xc2x0 C. for ethylene carbonate. To ensure adequate conductivity even at lower temperatures of use, one or more low-viscosity components are generally added as xe2x80x9cthinners.xe2x80x9d Typical thinners include, for instance, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, dimethyl carbonate or diethyl carbonate. Usually the thinner is added in a proportion of 40-60% of the total volume. A serious problem of these thinner components is their high volatility and their low flash point. For instance, 1 ,2-dimethoxyethane has a boiling point (BP) of 85xc2x0 C., a flash point (FP) of xe2x88x926xc2x0 C. and an explosion limit ranging from 1.6 to 10.4% by volume. The same parameters for dimethyl carbonate are: BP 90xc2x0 C., FP 18xc2x0 C. For these xe2x80x9cthinnersxe2x80x9d there are currently no equivalent substitutes.
Since the electrochemical use of electrolyte solutions and, to a far greater extent, the occurrence of faults (short circuits, overcharging, etc.). always generates heat, this impliesxe2x80x94particularly if a cell bursts open and solvent spills xe2x80x94a risk of ignition with correspondingly serious consequences. The currently used systems basically avoid this by costly electronic controls. Nevertheless, some accidents caused by fire have become known, particularly during manufacture where large amounts of solvents are handled, but also during the use of rechargeable lithium batteries.
A greater source of risk during use is created in electrical vehicle applications. Here, substantially greater amounts of electrolyte solution are required per energy storage device, and electronic control of many interconnected cells is far more difficult and involves correspondingly greater risks.
To enhance safety, the cathode and anode space can be separated by a microporous separator membrane, which is made in such a way that the current flow is interrupted by the melting of the pores when a certain temperature limit is exceeded.
The safety of lithium batteries can be further enhanced by pressure relief devices that respond to gas development if the battery is overcharged and, as mentioned above, by electronic monitoring and control devices.
Also recommended are flame-retardant additives containing phosphorus and halogen, which, however, often have a negative effect on the performance characteristics of the batteries.
All of these measures, however, cannot exclude that the highly volatile and flammable xe2x80x9cthinnersxe2x80x9d are ultimately ignited in case of malfunctions and after rupture of the cell cause a fire that is difficult to control with common extinguishing agents. Burning lithium reacts violently not only with water but also with carbon dioxide, which is commonly found in commercially available extinguishers.
The following documents represent the state of the prior art:
JP-A-7 249432=D1
EP-A-0 631339=D2
EP-A-0 599534=D3
JP-A-10064584=D4
U.S. Pat. No. 5,169,736=D5
B. Scrosati, ed., 2nd International Symposium on Polymer Electrolytes, Elsevier, London and New York (1990)=D6
U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,621=D7
JP-A-6 020719=D8
U.S. Pat. No. 4,804,596=D9
U.S. Pat. No. 5,219,683=D10
JP-A-5 028822=D11, and
EP-A-0 821368=D12
D1 and D2, for instance, propose highly fluorinated ether as the electrolyte solvent or as additives to other electrolytes. In general, these substances are thermally and chemically very stable and have high flash points. However their solvent power is far too low for the required lithium electrolyte salts, so that they cannot be used alone, and they are poorly miscible with conventional battery solvents.
Partially fluorinated carbonates are also described as electrolytes having an increased flash point (D3). The problem here is that the compounds, which are apparently suitable based on their low viscosity, have only a moderately increased flash point (37xc2x0 C.). Their electrical conductivities are clearly below those of the prior art, provided that the measurements disclosed in D3 were taken at room temperature, which is likely, since no measuring temperature was specified.
Amides are also described as thinners for anhydrous electrolytes, e.g., in D4. But the suitable representatives of this class of substances based on their higher boiling point and flash point, e.g., N,N-dimethylacetamide, are so viscous that they can at best be added in small percentages and do not act as a xe2x80x9cthinner componentxe2x80x9d in the proper sense.
D8 discloses ester compounds of the formula R1COOR2 as electrolytes for secondary lithium batteries, in which at least one of the groups R1 and R2 has a fluorine substitution. A preferred compound is trifluoroacetic acid methyl ester. However, this compound has a boiling point of only 43xc2x0 C. and a flash point of xe2x88x927xc2x0 C., which presents a high safety risk in case of damage.
According to the present state of the art, reduced flammability of the electrolyte solution is primarily achieved by increasing the viscosity of the electrolyte solution with the aid of binders or fillers or the use of polymer electrolytes, which are practically solid at room temperature.
D5, for instance, describes organic or inorganic thickeners (polyethylene oxide, SiO2, Al2O3 and others) for solidifying liquid electrolyte solutions.
Polymer electrolytes composed of macromolecules with numerous polar groups, such as polyethylene oxide, as they are known from D6, are also far less flammable due to their low volatility.
One also frequently finds diacylated diols or monoacylated diol monoalkyl ethers in which the acyl component carries a double bond (i.e, is, for example, an acrylic or methacrylic acid) as the monomer components for the formation of such a gel-like polymer electrolyte. Examples of this include references D11 and D12.
D7 describes polymer electrolytes comprising polar macromolecules formed by polymerization of organophosphorus compounds, which are characterized by their particularly low flammability.
All of these gel-like to solid electrolytes have in common that due to their high viscosity, the mobility of the ions of the salts dissolved therein is far lower than in liquid electrolyte solutions. As a result, particularly at lower temperatures, the conductivities required for most technical applications are no longer reached.
D9 claims esters, such as methyl formate and methyl acetate, as thinner components. From a safety aspect, however, these substances offer no advantages since they also have low flash points and boiling points.
Finally, D10 proposes diol diesters as electrolyte components and, among these, especially 1,2-diacetoxyethylene as the preferred substance. Although this substance has clear advantages with respect to its flash point compared to the typical thinners, its viscosity is so high that one of the conventional thinners, such as dimethoxyethane, has to be added again to obtain the required conductivity.
Thus, despite the efforts of the prior art, there has remained a substantial need for improved electrolyte solvents.
One object of the invention, therefore, is to provide novel electrolyte solvents, which can be used alone or as additives to known electrolyte solvents.
Another object of the invention is to provide electrolyte solvents which are chemically and physically stable, are adequately miscible with other suitable solvents, and adequately dissolve conductive lithium salts.
A further object of the invention is to provide electrolyte solvents which have a clearly increased flash point while nevertheless exhibiting a viscosity and conductivity behavior that makes them suitable in practical applications even at low temperatures.
It is also an object of the invention, particularly in view of the increased significance of rechargeable lithium cells, is to provide electrolyte solvents or additives to known solvents, which do not jeopardize, or even enhance or at least promote, the recyclability of the components.
A still further object of the invention is to provide an electrolyte system for lithium batteries with enhanced safety.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an electrolyte system which makes possible an enhanced secondary lithium battery with respect to its applicability and fitness for use; particularly a secondary lithium battery which meets all safety requirements in an outstanding manner.
From a process engineering point of view, it is an object of the present invention to make secondary lithium batteries safer without significantly impairing their other properties.
Furthermore, an additional object of the invention is to provide a method which makes secondary lithium batteries safer without negatively influencing the stability and/or conductivity of the cells.
A final object of the invention was to specify the use of electrolyte solvents or additives.
These and other objects, which are not further defined but are readily apparent from the introductory discussion, or which can be readily derived from the introduction, are achieved in accordance with the present invention by providing an electrolyte system of the type described above which has the features described hereinafter.
Advantageous preferred modifications of the electrolyte system according to the invention are also described hereinafter.
In accordance with another aspect, the objects of the invention are achieved by providing a method for enhancing the safety of lithium batteries, and described hereinafter.
Advantageous preferred applications are also described.
By providing an electrolyte system for lithium batteries which contains an effective amount of at least one partially fluorinated amide corresponding to formula (I)
R1COxe2x80x94NR2R3xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(I)
wherein
R1 is
a linear C1-C6 alkyl group, in which one or more hydrogen atoms are substituted by fluorine atoms, or
a branched C3-C6 alkyl group in which one or more hydrogen atoms are substituted by fluorine atoms, or
a C3-C7 cycloalkyl group optionally substituted one or more times by a linear C1-C6 alkyl group and/or branched C3-C6 alkyl group, in which one or more hydrogen atoms of the cycloalkyl radical and/or the optional linear and/or branched alkyl substituent groups are substituted by fluorine atoms; and
R2 and R3
independently represent an identical or different linear C1-C6 alkyl group, a branched C3-C6 alkyl group or a C3-C7 cycloalkyl group, or together with the amide nitrogen form a saturated five or six-membered nitrogen-containing ring, or with one or more additional N and/or O atom(s) form a 4 to 7-membered ring, wherein the additional N atoms present in the ring are optionally saturated with C1-C3 alkyl groups and the ring carbon atoms may also carry C1-C3 alkyl groups;
it is possible, in a particularly advantageous and not readily foreseeable manner, to provide an electrolyte, which exceeds, or is at least equivalent to, the known electrolyte systems for lithium batteries within the usual requirement spectrum and at the same time provides increased safety compared to the prior art systems.
In particular, it was surprisingly found that electrolyte systems for lithium batteries with the addition of partially fluorinated amide of general formula I meet the following requirements to an outstanding degree:
high thermal stability
high flash point
low vapor pressure
high boiling point
low viscosity
miscibility with the usual solvents used for batteries, particularly with ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate or lactones, e.g., g-butyrolactone
adequate solubility for fluorine-containing conductive lithium salts, e.g., LiPF6, LiN(SO2CF3)2 or LiC(SO2CF3)3
high stability with respect to metallic lithium
high decomposition voltage
good film-forming properties. The initial formation of suitable protective films on the electrodes is a very important function for the life of the battery.
good solvent power for carbon dioxide: CO2 accelerates the formation of protective films on lithium and LiCn anodes
good solvent power for SO2: SO2 enhances the conductivity over the entire temperature rangexe2x80x94which is particularly important at lower temperaturesxe2x80x94and the formation of protective films on the electrodes.
Another essential advantage of the solvents according to the invention is that they are not miscible with water at all or only to a minor extent. As a result, they can be readily separated from the conductive salt and the polar components and recovered for the necessary recycling of used cells.
The term xe2x80x9clinear C1-C6 alkyl,xe2x80x9d xe2x80x9clinear C1-C6 alkyl groupxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cstraight chain alkyl group with 1 to 6 carbon atomsxe2x80x9d comprises the groups methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, n-pentyl and n-hexyl; preferably the groups methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl and n-hexyl; and particularly preferably the groups methyl, ethyl, n-propyl and n-butyl.
The term xe2x80x9cbranched C3-C6 alkyl,xe2x80x9d xe2x80x9cbranched C3-C6 alkyl groupxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cbranched alkyl group with 3 to 6 carbon atomsxe2x80x9d comprises, among others, the groups isopropyl, isobutyl(2-methylpropyl), sec-butyl(1-methylpropyl), tert-butyl(1,1-dimethylethyl), 1-methylbutyl, 2-methylbutyl, isopentyl(3-methylbutyl), 1,2-dimethylpropyl, tert-pentyl(1,1-dimethylpropyl), 2,2-dimethylpropyl, 3,3-dimethylpropyl, 1-ethylpropyl, 2-ethylpropyl, as well as the branched hexyls, particularly, among others, 1-methylpentyl, 2-methylpentyl, 3-methylpentyl, 4-methylpentyl, 1,1-dimethylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylbutyl, 3,3-dimethylbutyl, 1,2-dimethylbutyl, 1,3-dimethylbutyl, 2,3-dimethylbutyl, 1-ethylbutyl, 2-ethylbutyl, 3-ethylbutyl, 1,1,2-trimethylpropyl, 1,2,2-trimethylpropyl, 1-methyl-1-ethylpropyl, 1-ethyl-2-methylpropyl; preferably the groups isopropyl, isobutyl(2-methylpropyl), sec-butyl(1-methylpropyl), tert-butyl(1,1-dimethylethyl), 1-methylbutyl, 2-methylbutyl, isopentyl(3-methylbutyl), 1,2-dimethylpropyl, tert-pentyl(1,1-dimethylpropyl), 2,2-dimethylpropyl, 3,3-dimethylpropyl, 1-ethylpropyl, 2-ethylpropyl; and especially preferably the groups isopropyl, isobutyl (2-methylpropyl), sec-butyl(1-methylpropyl), and tert-butyl(1,1-dimethylethyl).
The term xe2x80x9cC3-C7 cycloalkylxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cC3-C7 cycloalkyl groupxe2x80x9d comprises cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl; preferably cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl; advantageously cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl;
xe2x80x9cC1-C6 alkyl, xe2x80x9d without specifying linear or branched, in principle comprises linear as well as branched groups, preferably the linear groups, xe2x80x9cGroups R2 and R3 together with the amide nitrogen forming a saturated five or six-membered nitrogen-containing ring,xe2x80x9d represents particularly pyrrolidinyl and piperidinyl;
xe2x80x9cGroups R2 and R3 bonded to a 3 to 7-membered ring with one or more additional N and/or O atomsxe2x80x9d include, for example, oxaziridinyl, diaziridinyl, 1.3-oxzetidinyl, 1.3-diazetidinyl, oxazolidinyl, diazolidinyl, morpholinyl(tetrahydro-1.4-oxazinyl), tetrahydro-1.4-diazinyl;
In the context of the invention, partially fluorinated compounds or groups are groups in which at least one but not all of the carbon-bonded hydrogen atoms of the corresponding compound or the corresponding group are replaced by fluorine.
In the context of the invention, perfluorinated compounds or groups are compounds or groups in which all carbon-bonded hydrogen atoms of the compound or group are replaced by fluorine.
The electrolyte systems for lithium batteries according to the invention with enhanced safety, which comprise at least one conductive lithium-containing salt and at least one electrolyte liquid, contain xe2x80x9can effective amountxe2x80x9d of one or more compounds corresponding to formula 1. In the context of the invention, this is to be understood as an amount of partially fluorinated amide of formula I sufficient to construct a serviceable and operational secondary lithium battery. The invention solves the safety problem of secondary lithium batteries by using compounds of formula I as essential components of the electrolyte system.
In principle, the compounds according to the invention are characterized by the presence of a di-alkyl substituted amide of an acid in which the alkyl group of the acid, in particular, contains one or more fluorine atoms.
An electrolyte system with outstanding performance characteristics also results from a content of one or more of compounds of formula I, where R1 is a partially fluorinated or perfluorinated straight chain alkyl group with 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a partially fluorinated or perfluorinated branched alkyl group with 3 or 4 carbon atoms.
In another advantageous embodiment, an electrolyte system contains compounds of formula I, wherein group R1 has the composition CnH2n+1xe2x88x92mFm, where n=1 to 6 and m=1 to 13. Among these electrolyte systems, the systems in which the group R1 has the composition CnH2n+1xe2x88x92mFm, where n=1 to 4 and m=1 to 9, are particularly advantageous.
Of particular interest among the compounds of formula I are those, among others, in which the groups R2 and R3 in formula I represent an identical or different linear C1-C4 alkyl group or a branched C3-C4 alkyl group.
Electrolyte systems containing compounds of formula I in which one or both of the groups R2 and R3 represent identical or different cyclopropyl and/or cyclobutyl groups can also be advantageous.
If the groups R2 and R3 are cyclized, the resulting ring contains at least one nitrogen atom and is completely saturated. R2, R3 thus are thereby cyclized via methylene groups xe2x80x94(CH2)nxe2x80x94, where n is 4 or 5. The ring may carry C1-C3 alkyl substituents. The ring may contain oxygen or C1-C3 alkyl substituted nitrogen atoms, for instance in xe2x80x94(CH2)mxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94(CH2)pxe2x80x94 or in xe2x80x94(CH2)mxe2x80x94N(alkyl)xe2x80x94(CH2)pxe2x80x94 where m, p=1, 2 or 3 and m+p=4 or 5. Furthermore, one or more hydrogen atoms may be replaced by fluorine.
Particularly advantageous electrolyte systems are obtained if the system contains compounds of formula I in which the groups R2 and R3 are joined to form a 5 or 6-membered ring either directly or with an additional N or O atom.
According to the invention, the solution to the safety problem of secondary lithium batteries is to use compounds of formula I as essential components of the electrolyte system. Use is also made of their comparatively favorable viscosity.
The substances of general formula I may be used as thinners for fire-resistant, highly viscous components, for instance, ethylene carbonate and propylene carbonate. This makes it possible to produce aprotic electrolyte systems that are scarcely flammable.
Preferably, an electrolyte system according to the invention also contains an effective quantity of a film former, such as ethylene sulfite.
Particularly good results may also be obtained if, in addition to the combination of ethylene carbonate or propylene carbonate and a compound of general formula I, a film former is added, e.g., ethylene sulfite. In this type of mixture, it is even possible to use graphite electrodes with propylene carbonate, which would otherwise cause the electrode to be destroyed.
In a special embodiment of the invention, the content of amides of formula (I) amounts to 2 to 100%, preferably 2 to 70%, advantageously 3 to 40% by volume in relation to the entire volume of the electrolyte system. This implies that amides of formula (I) can be used as the sole solvent but also as a thinner in a secondary lithium battery.
The compounds according to formula I in pure form can not only be used alone as safety electrolyte liquids for non-aqueous battery systems, they can also be used in combination with known electrolyte liquids, such as carbonates, esters, lactones, nitrites and the like in the form of electrolyte liquid systems or combinations. To further increase the conductivity over the entire temperature range and further improve protective film formation on the electrodes, they may contain certain additives (e.g., ethylene sulfite or certain gases).
If the proportion of the amides of formula I to be used according to the invention in the electrolyte system of a secondary lithium battery is less than 2% by volume, the aforementioned advantages are not as pronounced. Typically, the content is 3 to 50% by volume, preferably 3 to 40% by volume relative to the total volume of the electrolyte system. In the lower concentration range, the film forming properties are in the foreground, whereas at higher concentrations, the other advantageous characteristics discussed above become more pronounced.
Based on the above discussion, highly advantageous modifications of the electrolyte system according to the invention are obtained, if apart from the content of at least one amide of general formula (I), an additional content of ethylene carbonate and/or propylene carbonate is present.
The partially fluorinated amides according to Formula I also enhance the solvent power for non-polar or slightly polar gases, particularly CO2, N2, N2O, SF6, SO2FCl or SO2F2. These gases can advantageously be used as a protective gases in lithium batteries, since they have a positive effect on the reactions occurring at the electrode/electrolyte interface [cf. J. O. Besenhard et al., J. Power Sources, 44 (1993), 413].
Of particular interest are electrolyte systems for secondary lithium batteries according to the invention in which SO2 or CO2 is used as a protective gas, respectively systems that are saturated with SO2 or CO2. This supports distinctly advantageous protective film formation on the electrodes.
Particularly advantageous systems also result if they are composed of the components conductive salt, partially fluorinated amide of formula I, ethylene carbonate and/or propylene carbonate, and SO2 or CO2.
Further, the high solvent power for non-polar gases has the additional safety advantage that it can reduce the pressure buildup within the cell when gaseous electrolyte decomposition products are formed.
Particularly advantageous systems result also if they are composed of the components conductive salt, partially fluorinated amide of formula I, ethylene and/or propylene carbonate, and 2-20% by volume of an additional film forming component, such as ethylene sulfite.
The compounds of formula I are commercially available in some cases, can partly be synthesized according to methods known from the literature or produced according to modified methods of the literature, and are thus available. The starting material is an ester or anhydride, preferably trifluoroacetic acid ester or anhydride, which is reacted with the appropriate corresponding secondary amine.

Electrolyte system for lithium batteries, the use thereof, and method for enhancing the safety of lithium batteries

Abstract: in which R1 is a linear C1-C6 alkyl group, or a branched C3-C6 alkyl group, in which one or more hydrogen atoms are replaced by fluorine atoms; or a C3-C7 cycloalkyl group optionally substituted one or more times by a linear C1-C6 alkyl group and/or branched C3-C6 alkyl group, in which one or more hydrogen atoms of are replaced by fluorine atoms; and R2 and R3 independently represent an identical or different linear C1-C6 alkyl group, a branched C3-C6 alkyl group or a C3-C7 cycloalkyl group, or R2 and R3 together with the amide nitrogen form a saturated five or six-member nitrogen-containing ring.


An apparatus for mixing dry and liquid components is used to form a setting paste. A holder is mounted on the apparatus for reciprocating movement with respect to a base of the apparatus. The movement has an amplitude with components in first and second perpendicular directions. A drive system is operatively connected to the holder for imparting said reciprocating movement to said holder at a predetermined number of cycles per minute. A container having a mass of said dry and liquid components therein is mounted in the holder. The mass, amplitude and cycles per minute of reciprocation being chosen to produce an energy input of at least about 3xc3x9710xe2x88x923 Joules per second per 3 cc of mixture.

This invention relates to a mixing device for mixing bone cement comprised of a dry and a liquid component. More particularly, it relates to a bone cement made from mixing powdered calcium phosphate compounds and an aqueous setting solution.
Calcium phosphate cements for use in the operating room are currently mixed in a bowl with a spatula by hand. Either sterile water or a sterile 0.25M sodium phosphate solution (0.25M Na-phos) are used as the liquid component. Such cements are described in Brown and Chow U.S. Reissue Pat. Nos. 33,161 and 33,221 and Constantz et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,336,264, the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference. Optimally, mixing with water results in a faster setting time of 25 to 35 minutes, while mixing the 0.25M Na-phos solution results in a setting time of 5 to 8 minutes. These solutions are mixed with the calcium phosphate powders in a liquid to powder ratio of about 0.25 to 0.30 by weight.
The mixing of powder and liquid by hand with a spatula is a technique sensitive process since each individual mixing the cement performs the operation differently. To obtain optimal mixing the powder and liquid must be pressed against the side of the bowl and the mixture continuously spread and recombined during the mixing stage. Also, the time and amount of liquid for mixing is dependent on the operators perception of a good mixing consistency and is thus very subjective. Ideally 45 to 60 seconds of hand mixing is required but the hand mixing times vary widely from individual to individual. It has been found that these mixing techniques result in a wide variation in the physical properties of the hardened cement or bone filler because largely varying amounts of energy are inputted into the material during mixing. A desire to provide alternate delivery systems (i.e. by syringe needle or cannula) also necessitate that the mixed cement flow into and from a convenient dispenser. These factors have provided the impetus for the development of automatic mixing systems.
Applicants have found that when mixing calcium phosphate cements, in particular calcium phosphate cement made from powdered tetra-calcium phosphate and di-calcium phosphate in a 1:1 molar ratio which are mixed with water or other aqueous solutions, such as those containing sodium phosphates, that a high degree of wetting of each of the powder particles is necessary for the material to harden from a paste into a cement or bone filler having optimum physical properties. Although mixing devices existed in the prior art for combining powdered and liquid components, such were not used with calcium phosphate bone cements but rather these cements were hand mixed or mixed via methods which only inputted a low amount of energy into the mixing. Such a low energy mixing system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,083,229.
A typical prior art dental mixer is shown in FIG. 1A is used to make dental amalgams and has an almost linear motion with a travel distance of about 1.6 cm in each direction. The complete cycle (a back and forth eccentric motion) has a total travel distance of 3.2 cm. The side to side motion per cycle is about 0.5 cm. The motor runs at 3290 rpm and produces one back and forth motion each rotation or 3290 cycles per minute. However, the motor is of low power and can only mix less than one gram of material. Another mixer is made by Ivoclar which has a two pivot point eccentric motion with 2.8 cm of linear travel and 5 cm of up and down motion at one end. This system runs at a fixed 1788 rpm.
When a syringe containing a powdered calcium phosphate mineral and an aqueous solution is affixed to the prior art mixing apparatus of FIG. 1A, an intimate powder-liquid mixture results having a high degree of wetting. This mixing is superior to hand mixing. Such an improvement in wetting is shown by the ability to eject the paste through an 18 gauge or larger needle.
While this system can be modified to meet the mixing energy input and motion requirements for forming a calcium phosphate paste which can be injected, its mixing motion is not optimal and it is not a system suitable for hospital or operating room use for sterilization reasons. The mixer of the present invention can hold a large container, similar in volume to a 60 cc syringe. In its preferred embodiment, one complete cycle in this system has 3.2 cm of linear travel. There is also a maximum of 3.5 cm up and down motion on one end of the tubular syringe and a variable amount of up and down motion along the longitudinal extent of the rest of the mixing chamber.
The system of the present invention has the capability of reciprocating a container in an eccentric motion at between 800 to 2000 cycles per minute (cpm) and provides sufficient energy to form a paste which can be ejected through an 18 gauge or larger needle. The system of the present invention is a well-balanced system which minimizes vibration by means of a counter weight on the drive plate, providing a very smooth motion at high cycles per minute. This system meets the mixing energy input and motion requirements for forming a calcium phosphate paste which can be injected and may be made sterilizeable. The calcium phosphate powder may be packaged after sterilization so that sterile liquid can be added to the powder and the two components mixed together, while in a sterile package such as a syringe. Alternatively the syringe and powder combination can be sterilized together.
It is an object of this invention to provide a mixing device for mixing dry and liquid components.
It an additional object of this invention for providing a mixing device for mixing dry calcium phosphate powders and aqueous solutions which provides a high degree of coating of the dry powders with the aqueous solution.
It is yet an additional object of the invention to provide a mixing device which inputs a predetermined mixing energy into the mixture over a predetermined time in order to effect the complete wetting of the dry powders with the aqueous solution.
These and other objects are accomplished by a mixing apparatus for mixing dry and liquid components to form a paste which has a holder mounted on the apparatus. The holder is mounted for eccentric reciprocating movement of a predetermined up and down and side to side amplitude. The movement has components in at least two perpendicular directions. A drive system is operatively connected to the holder for imparting the reciprocating movement to the holder at an optimal number of cycles per minute depending on the materials to be mixed. Initially a container having a mass of dry and liquid components therein are mounted in the holder.
The mass, amplitude and cycles per minute of reciprocation are chosen to produce an energy input of at least about 3xc3x9710xe2x88x923 Joules/second. The drive system is capable of driving the holder in the reciprocating motion at least about 1600 cycles per minute. The reciprocating movement occurs in a plane with the first and second directions of movement being perpendicular along said plane. The drive system includes an input shaft rotating a drive plate with the plate having the holder pivotally mounted thereon at a first pivot point with an axis offset from an axis of the input shaft to impart an eccentric motion to the holder as said drive plate rotates about the input axis. The holder has a first end coupled to the offset first pivot point and a second end pivotally mounted on the apparatus at a second pivot point in a manner permitting a first amplitude of movement in the first direction along said plate and permitting a lower amplitude movement in the second direction along the plate.
The mixing apparatus includes a base having a circular drive plate mounted thereon with the input shaft rotating the drive plate about its central axis with the holder mounted at a first pivot point radially spaced from the central axis of the plate. The holder second pivot point is spaced along the holder from the first pivot point along the first direction. The second pivot includes a pin slidably mounted in a longitudinal slot in the base of the mixer with the slot extending in the first direction. The container is removably mounted in the holder and may be in the form of a sterile syringe pre-packaged with the dry component. The liquid component, such as a sterile aqueous solution, is brought into the syringe immediately before use by activating the plunger of a standard syringe to draw the liquid into the syringe barrel. Alternatively, both the powder and the liquid component may be added to the syringe immediately prior to mixing.
The dry component may comprise a calcium phosphate mineral powder such as a combination of tetra-calcium phosphate and di-calcium phosphate and the liquid component may be an aqueous solution of either sterile de-ionized water or a sterile water and sodium phosphate solution. The dry component also may include dry sodium phosphate particles. The liquid powder ratio in the syringe prior to mixing is generally between 0.25 and 0.3. The syringe should have an excess of empty volume of approximately 1 cc after it has been loosely filled with the powder. Addition of the liquid component will consolidate and decrease the volume of the loosely packed powder.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the accompanying drawings, which disclose several embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that the drawings are to be used for the purposes of illustration only and not as a definition of the invention.

Apparatus for mixing a liquid and dry powdered components


A method for burning secondary sludge in a recovery boiler, in which method secondary sludge is mixed with black liquor. According to the method, an alkali is added to the secondary sludge so as to obtain a mixture having a pH of over 7, whereafter the mixture of alkali and secondary sludge is heated to a temperature of over 80.degree. C. and kept at this temperature for over 30 minutes. Thereafter the heat treated mixture of alkali and secondary sludge is supplied to the thick end of a black liquor evaporation plant.

Considerable amounts of secondary sludge are produced yearly in connection with biological waste-water treatment in paper and pulp mills. Secondary sludge is mainly organic material which can be separated from the mill waste-water as suspended matter. The disposal of secondary sludge is rather problematic, as all methods currently used are costly or difficult to employ. Conventionally secondary sludge has been disposed of by trucking it to a dumping ground or composting, or burning it together with an auxiliary fuel in a solid fuel boiler.
Before being trucked to a dumping ground, secondary sludge must be pretreated. Furthermore, the treated waste material requires a great deal of space. All this is rather costly. The secondary sludge must be composted with various additives, such as bark suspension or the like. The humus which is obtained by composting and which is in principle fit for use may be difficult to sell, and it is fairly expensive to dispose of it in some other way. If secondary sludge is burnt in a solid fuel boiler, it must be mixed with at least the same amount of bark or fibre suspension. The resulting mixed suspension has a low dry solids content, approximately 30%, and therefore the burning requires an auxiliary fuel. Such burning is financially unprofitable. Another factor that increases the costs is that the fibre suspension which would thus be required to be burnt with the secondary sludge could otherwise be recirculated to the process as fibrous raw material and sold with the final product. The burning of secondary sludge in a solid fuel boiler may also involve risks because so-called super toxins, such as dioxins, may be formed from chlorine compounds at low temperatures. It is thus not recommendable to dispose of secondary sludge in this way. Moreover, the burning of secondary sludge in a solid fuel boiler increases corrosion of the heat transfer surfaces on account of low fuel temperature and the chemicals contained in the secondary sludge.
The publication "Disposal of secondary sludge in the kraft recovery system" by W. J. Frederick, T. M. Grace and T. W. Joyce, Proc. Environmental Conf. Chem. Soc. Dir. Inst. Pap. Chem., Appleton, Wis., USA 1980, pp. 43-47, discloses the burning of secondary sludge in a recovery boiler. According to this publication, fairly small amounts of secondary sludge were added to black liquor before evaporation of the black liquor. In order for the fouling of heat transfer surfaces in the evaporation plant to be reduced, the secondary sludge was treated with white liquor before being added to the black liquor. In this publication it was found to be problematic that the separation of soap is less efficient when the black liquor comprises secondary sludge.
It is also known to burn secondary sludge by mixing it with black liquor as, for example, in the solution disclosed in Finnish Patent No. 80,664. This patent discloses a method in which soap separated from black liquor and acid are added to secondary sludge so as to obtain a mixture having a pH of 2 to 5. Thereafter the sludge is dewatered by pressing to obtain a dry solids content of about 20 to 25%. The sludge is then added to the black liquor prior to the evaporation plant. In the evaporation plant, soap is separated from the black liquor comprising sludge, and the soap is reused for the treatment of secondary sludge. This solution requires that the sludge be concentrated by pressing so that it would be suitable for the process. It further requires the use of additional acid, which increases the treatment costs. Even in this solution the separation of soap is less efficient because the liquor contains sludge, which further reduces the usefulness of the method. The fouling of heat transfer surfaces is also an obvious risk in the method according to Finnish Patent No. 80,664.

Method for burning secondary sludge in a recovery boiler


A protective case for an electronic device includes a cover with a cavity and a back plate that fits within the cavity of the cover. The cover has an aperture that displays either the back plate or an electronic device, if an electronic device is housed in the protective case. The cover may contain at least one locking latch with three orientations, the locking latch includes a tab. In the first orientation, the tab protrudes into the cavity, engages the back plate, holding the back plate within the cavity of the cover. The locking latch may slide across a portion of the cover to the second orientation, where the tab continues to protrude into the cavity and engage the back plate. Once in the second position, the locking latch is free to rotate to the third position, where the tab no longer protrudes into the cavity, allowing the back plate to be removed from the cavity.

Various protective covers, cases, and sleeves for portable electronic devices, such as cellular phones, smart devices, media players, and portable computers, are known. Some designs provide additional protection to the device from damage, but do not permit use of the device when disposed in the protective cover. Other designs permit use of the device when disposed in the cover, but do not sufficiently protect the device from damage, misuse, or unauthorized use when handled by young children or infants. Furthermore, some designs allow the device to be slipped into a protective cover, while others lock the device within the protective cover. Protective covers, however, often are difficult to open to gain access to the interior of the protective cover and remove the device.
Therefore, there is a need for a protective case for a portable electronic device that is appropriate for use by infants and young children. In addition, there is a need for a protective case for a portable electronic device that is configured to be easily opened and easily locked closed. Furthermore, there is a need for a protective case for a portable electronic device to be configured with an ornamental and interactive design that enhances the play element of the electronic device.

Protective case for portable electronic device


An unlock system does not use a key that might be copied so that only a correct person can unlock a door and security is enhanced. Unlock records of door-lock are stored in a limited memory capacity in volume.

In order to unlock a door-lock of a doorway of a building such as a stand-alone house, an apartment such as a condominium research/development facility and an office building, a normal key, i.e., a latch key or notch key, and a corresponding lock unit are used. A normal key is used also for locking the door of the doorway of each portion in the building.

Abstract: Fingerprint data input to a fingerprint input section 21 disposed outside a door 11 provided on a doorway 10 is detected, and the detected fingerprint data is verified against previously registered fingerprint data. If it was confirmed that the detected fingerprint data coincided with the registered fingerprint data, an unlock signal is output to unlock the door-lock. At the same time, an identification code of the registered fingerprint data that unlocked is stored.


An outboard motor is provided that can include an exhaust guide, a shift shaft, a shift shaft rotating mechanism, and a shifting mechanism. The exhaust guide, on which an engine can be mounted, can be utilized to fix the relative positions of an axis of the shift shaft and a body of the shift shaft rotating mechanism for facilitating highly accurate and well-executed shifting of a propeller to or from one of forward and reverse rotating directions. The shift shaft can be rotatably supported by the exhaust guide, and the shift shaft rotating mechanism can be fixed to the exhaust guide. Further, the shift shaft rotating mechanism can be configured to selectively rotate the shift shaft.

1. Field of the Inventions
The present inventions generally relate to an outboard motor that provides a thrust to a watercraft by rotating a propeller using engine power, and more particularly, to an improvement of a shift shaft rotating mechanism to facilitate highly accurate and well-executed shifting of a propeller between neutral, forward, and reverse rotating directions.
2. Description of the Related Art
Japanese Patent Application Publication Nos. JP-A-Hei 5-24580, JP-A-Hei 10-184402, JP-A-2001-65536, JP-A-2004-243934, JP-A-2004-244003, JP-A-2004-245350, and JP-A-2005-297785 each describes an outboard motor that is mounted on the stern of a hull and provides thrust to a watercraft by rotating a propeller using engine driving power. The engine is disposed in an upper portion of the outboard motor, and drives the propeller disposed in a lower portion of the outboard motor through a drive shaft and a propeller shaft. The drive shaft extends vertically downward from the engine. The propeller shaft extends horizontally rearward to the propeller. A shifting device that transmits a driving force from the drive shaft to the propeller shaft is provided between the drive shaft and the propeller shaft (in particular, see Japanese Patent Application Publication Nos. JP-A-2001-65536 and JP-A-2005-297785).
Typically, the shifting device includes a forward bevel gear and a reverse bevel gear, both being provided on the outer surface of the propeller shaft. As the shift shaft rotates, one of the bevel gears meshes with a gear on a lower end of the drive shaft, or both of the bevel gears separate from the gear on the lower end of the drive shaft, thereby performing gear shifting to one of the forward, neutral, and reverse positions. The engine is mounted on the exhaust guide (e.g., reference numeral 28 of JP-A-Hei 5-24580), and the engine is covered with a top cowling.
JP-A-2005-297785 also describes an outboard motor having a shift actuator for rotating a shift shaft (see paragraph [0050] and FIG. 4 of JP-A-2005-297785). The shift actuator swings a shift arm with a driving power of a motor, and also advances and retracts a shift slider using a link rod that is placed between the shift slider and the shift shaft. In this regard, the shift slider advances and retracts the link rod to rotate the shift shaft.

Outboard motor including shift shaft rotating mechanism


An implant manipulator may have a distal end that retains an implant, a proximal end, and an intermediate portion between the ends. The intermediate portion may have a cross-sectional shape that extends along a nonlinear pathway. The intermediate portion may have a selectively bendable portion in which the cross-sectional shape varies to facilitate bending when desired. The implant manipulator may be a needle for a suture passer, with a suture capture feature at the distal end. The suture capture feature may have first and second members that flex apart to permit entry of the suture into a suture capture hole wherein the suture is retained until released. A suture passer may receive the needle in a bore shaped to change the cross-sectional shape to facilitate or restrict bending of the needle, as needed.

1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to surgical instruments, and more particularly to instruments that are used to insert, pass, or retrieve surgical implants within the body.
2. The Relevant Technology
There are a multitude of endoscopic, arthroscopic or other surgical procedures that require the ability to pass suture through soft tissues as part of an effort to repair various damaged structures. Surgical instruments specifically designed to pass and/or retrieve suture through tissue have become increasingly popular among surgeons. Due to the size constraints of the surgical procedure, the pathway for the needle to pass through the instrument and tissue is typically non-linear. Because of this non-linear pathway, the needle used to pass or retrieve the suture must be flexible enough to bend, yet rigid enough to still pass through the tissue to be sutured. Some existing needles are unable to reliably meet these requirements.
The specific mechanism by which the suture can be passed or retrieved may be accomplished by the needle, the instrument, or a secondary suture capturing feature such as a wire loop snare. Suture mechanisms involving the instrument or secondary features will add complexity to the design of the instrument and may even add steps to the surgical procedure. Mechanisms that utilize the needle for suture retrieval typically do not actively grasp the suture without assistance from other features on the instrument.
In order to consistently pass and retrieve suture through tissue, a complex process is involved that combines the challenges, described above, of passing a needle over a non-linear pathway and reliably retrieving the suture, all while operating through a small cannula and working in the confines of a small anatomical space.
Aside from sutures, other types of implant devices may be required to be implanted with constraints similar to those described above. These implants may need to be implanted or removed over a non-linear pathway relative to the access ports. Accordingly, procedures involving such implants are similarly difficult with existing technology.


A system for authenticating digital data capable of preventing change or disguise of data by improvement or interchange in case of no confidentiality in the data itself so as to maintain the data. When writing digital data from an input device to a memory and transferring the digital data from the memory to a receiving device, device authentication is performed between the input device and the memory and between the memory and the receiving device respectively. At the same time, when writing digital data to the memory, in the case of implementing on the digital data an electronic signature by a one-way hash function and also reading from the memory and transferring the digital data, the implemented electronic signature is decrypted so as to transfer the digital data after ensuring that it has not been changed since it was recorded. Thus, it is possible to prevent change or disguise of data by improvement or interchange in case of no confidentiality in the data itself so as to maintain the data.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system for recording digital data for maintenance, namely prevention of tampering or changing of digital data transferred via memory for temporarily storing data from a digital data input device such as a digital camera, particularly to a system capable of preventing changes to a digital photograph for assessment of non-life insurance or for recording work on a building site taken by a digital camera.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, digital data is increasingly used in a number of fields due to rapid proliferation of consumer digital devices such as a digital camera. However, digital data is accompanied by a risk to be used as evidence since there is a danger of contents being changed without leaving a trace. In order for a recipient of data to trust any data, there should be a means for assuring that the data has not been changed since it was acquired.
As a method to prevent tampering or changing of digital data, there are methods such as MAC (Message Authentication Coding) where an electronic signature created by a one-way hash function is transferred being attached to the data. In the case of a digital image, it is also possible to further enhance conformity of the electronic signature with an embedded image by using an electronic watermark in the image (for instance, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 10-164549).
However, if application to a digital photograph which supposedly needs this technology most of all is considered, it will be inside a camera that an electronic signature is implemented. In that case, a more reliable system is desired since an encryption key stored in the camera is fixed in addition to high load of computation on the camera. Namely, a method which is implementable within constraints of current hardware and capable of ensuring necessary and sufficient integrity of data has been required.
An object of the present invention is to resolve the above-mentioned problem and to provide a system for authenticating digital data capable of preventing change or disguise of data by improvement or interchange in case of no confidentiality in the data itself so as to maintain the data.

International Business Machines Corporation


A terminal block includes a housing defining at least one bias compartment and at least one terminal compartment. A terminal plate is located within the housing and separates the bias compartment and the terminal compartment, and a bias element is positioned in the bias compartment. The bias element comprises a retainer portion extending through an opening in the terminal plate into the terminal compartment. The bias element is configured to retain a wire terminal to the terminal plate along a first direction and the terminal plate is configured to retain the wire terminal along a second direction when the wire terminal is received in through the retainer portion.

This invention relates generally to electrical connectors, and, more particularly, to terminal block devices and methods for connecting the same.
Terminal blocks for interconnecting wiring of electrical systems are known. In one type of terminal block, such as those commonly employed in European systems, wires are connected to the terminal block by inserting the ends of stripped wire into cage clamps or spring-clamps in the terminal block. A tool is used to depress the spring-clamp or cage clamp and create an opening between an edge of the clamp and an edge of a terminal plate in the terminal block. When the clamp is released, the clamp returns to its original position and presses the end of the wire against the terminal plate. While such clamp connections are convenient for attaching the wires to the block, they are susceptible to the wires being pulled from the clamp or jarred loose from the clamp.
Another type of terminal block, such as those commonly employed in North American systems, employs ring terminals for connecting wires to the block. A fastener, such as a binding head screw, is inserted through an opening in the block and also through the opening in the ring terminal to secure the wire to a pressure plate. While ring terminals and associated fasteners provide a more secure mechanical and electrical connection than cage clamps or spring-clamps, they can be difficult to install or remove when connecting and disconnecting wires to the block.

Locking spring-clamp terminal block and method for connecting the same


A lighting device includes one or more light sources, one or more switches, and a controller. The lighting device has multiple modes of operation. The controller selects modes of operation according to the one or more switches. The controller controls or operates the one or more light sources according to the selected mode of operation.

Current flashlights typically have limited functionality and performance. Generally, conventional flashlights include a housing, batteries disposed in the housing, a bulb holder, a bulb, and a switch. The switch, is typically located on the outer circumference of the housing and can be activated to alternatively turn the flashlight on and off. The bulb holder typically includes a spring that is biased against the batteries in the housing as the lamp holder is screwed onto the housing. The spring also serves as an electrical contact for powering a lamp in the lamp holder.


The invention relates generally to the use of databases. Preferably the invention relates to a method and a system associated with the use of databases with mobile terminals. The objective of this invention is to present a method and a system which allows managing a large dynamically changeable set of applications in the mobile Internet. The objectives of the invention are attained by determining user profiles within communities, and the rights for using applications of a community server depends on the profiles of the user within the community. The identity information is preferably maintained in an identity server. The invention provides a solution to the problem of managing services and configuration of smart network node in environments where the services and their content data need to be managed remotely from multiple remote sources in a dynamic manner.

The following notions are used in this application:
"Data management system" is an entity, which comprises one or more databases and/or data management systems, whereby the system is responsible for reading the data structures contained in the databases and/or data management systems and for changing these data structures.
"Database" is an information structure, which comprises one or more data elements, and the use of which is controlled by the data management system. The invention is applicable both in relational databases and in databases of other forms, such as in object oriented databases.
"Data element" is an information structure, which can comprise other data elements or such data elements, which can be construed as atomary data elements. For instance, in a relational database data elements are represented by tables comprising rows. The rows comprise fields, which are typically atomary data elements.
"Database operation" is an event, during which data elements are read from the database, during which data elements of the database are modified, during which data elements are removed from the database, and/or during which data elements are added to the database.
"Transaction" is a plurality of database operations acting on the data elements. A transaction can also comprise further transactions.
"Database Catalog" is a logical database within a database instance. A physical database can manage data of multiple database catalogs. Each database catalog can act as an independent master or replica database node in a database synchronization environment.
"Database Schema" is the structure of a database system, described in a formal language supported by the database management system (DBMS). In a relational database, the schema defines the tables, the fields in each table, and the relationships between fields and tables.
"Master database" is a database catalog in a database synchronization system that contains the official version of synchronized/distributed data. A master database can have multiple replica databases.
"Replica database" is a database catalog in a database synchronization system that contains a full or partial tentative copy of the master data.
"Synchronization" is operation between replica and master database catalogs in which changed data is exchanged between the catalogs. In one known embodiment, this means propagation of Intelligent Transactions from replica to master and/or subscription of changed data of publications from master to replica.
"Publication" is a set of data in a database catalog that has been published in master database for synchronization to one or multiple replica databases.
There are presently some software push technologies available that are capable of pushing a set of software files to terminals and keeping the once-installed configuration up-to-date by pushing upgrade files to the terminal on an as-needed basis. This means that the software that is stored and run locally in the terminal can be managed remotely.
However, this technology does not address the requirements of mobile users and wireless communities where it is important to manage a potentially large, dynamically changing set of applications. For instance, the list of services available to that terminal, i.e, the "desktop" of the terminal, is relatively static and cannot be easily changed to reflect different roles and locations of the user of the terminal.
Many web portals allow personalization of their home pages so that different users can have different view to the list of services provided by the portal. This perzonalization data is separate for each portal and it cannot be utilized when using another portal. Moreover, web portal personalization techniques are applicable only to web-based applications, i.e. services that are provided by a server that resides in the network.
For these reasons, the current web service personalization technology that operates on isolated and proprietary user profile data is not feasible in environments, where there are potentially a very large number of application service providers, e.g. one per each wireless base station, which all need to conform with the personal preferences of the user and capabilities of the current terminal of the user.


A liquid crystal display comprises: a first data drive circuit that supplies a data voltage to data lines present in a first portion and a third portion on the screen of a liquid crystal display panel in response to a first source output enable signal; and a second data drive circuit that supplies the data voltage to data lines present in a second portion and a fourth portion on the screen of the liquid crystal display panel in response to a second source output enable signal. The first source output enable signal controls the data voltage output timing and charge sharing timing of the first data drive circuit. The second source output signal controls the data output timing and charge sharing timing of the second data drive circuit in a different way from the first data drive circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
This document relates to a liquid crystal display.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
An active matrix driving type liquid crystal display displays moving pictures by using a thin film transistor (hereinafter, "TFT") as a switching element. The liquid crystal display is small-sized compared to a cathode ray tube (CRT), and hence is rapidly replacing the cathode ray tube (CRT) in televisions, as well as displays of mobile information devices, office machines, computers, etc.
A liquid crystal display comprises a liquid crystal display panel, a backlight unit irradiating light onto the liquid crystal display panel, a source drive integrated circuit (IC) supplying a data voltage to data lines of the liquid crystal display panel, a gate drive IC supplying a gate pulse (or scan pulse) to gate lines (or scan lines) of the liquid crystal display panel, a control circuit controlling the above ICs, a light source driving circuit driving a light source of the backlight unit, and the like.
As the source drive IC outputs a relatively high analog voltage, its power consumption and heat generation are high. The source drive IC requires measures for reducing the high power consumption and heat generation. However, the operation timing of the source drive IC should be in synchronization with the operation timing of the gate drive IC, and the amount of delay of control signals for controlling the drive ICs varies depending on the position of the drive ICs, thereby making it difficult to achieve an optimum design for reducing the power consumption and heat generation of all source drive ICs.


A system for minimizing the time required to initiate and terminate an instant messaging session. An initial message in an instant messaging session is checked to determine whether it has any significant content. If the received initial message has insignificant content, then a non-intrusive notification is provided to the user, without changing the current focus in the user interface. A pre-composed response message may also be automatically transmitted to the initiating user, requesting that a more significant message be sent. When an initial message in an instant messaging session is received that is determined to have significant content, the user is promptly notified in a different manner, which may be intrusive such that the current focus of the user interface is changed to a new window or the like containing the newly initiated instant messaging session.

As it is generally known, instant messaging systems are software applications that enable the exchange of messages in a real-time communication session between two or more people over a communication network such as the Internet. Instant messaging is a synchronous communication technology, requiring all participants in a communication session to be logged onto their instant messaging service during the session. Also referred to as "chatting," instant messaging has become very popular for both business and personal use.
Instant messaging systems maintain and distribute the on-line status of users. Instant messaging client programs automatically set and/or enable users to set their on-line status to indicate that they are currently available for an instant messaging session ("on-line", "available", etc.), or that they are not currently available for an instant messaging session ("away from desk", "do not disturb", etc.). When a user has indicated that they are available for an instant messaging session, other users are informed of that user's availability, and thus understand that they can initiate an instant messaging session with that user. When an instant messaging session is initiated by an initiating user with a target user, the target user receives a notification, the specific type of which depends on the target user's preferences. One common type of notification is the generation of a pop-up dialog window generated immediately in the user interface of the target user.
In existing systems, because of the synchronous nature of instant messaging, when an instant messaging session is initiated, the target user is interrupted. At the time a session is initiated, the target user is often working on something else, but the newly generated instant messaging session window in the user interface requires the complete attention of the target user. The target user must accordingly immediately change contexts, and start thinking about something completely different from what they were working on.
A related problem is the habit many users have of initiating an instant messaging session with an initial message that includes little or no meaningful content. For example, many initial instant messaging session messages include only insignificant text consisting of "Hi", "Hello", "Are you there?", "Do you have a minute?", or the like. In these situations the target user is interrupted, and may be blocked from continuing with their work. The target user cannot continue with their real work, but cannot substantively respond to the instant messaging session initiator (other than by responding with more insignificant text, such as "Hi", "What's up?", etc.), since they don't know what the initiator of the session wants. The resulting delay before substantive communication can begin takes significant time, especially if the initiating user still needs to type in a whole paragraph of text for their first question after the target user responds to the initial insignificant message.
Another problem with existing systems arises when an instant messaging session is terminated. When a local user terminates a session, they often will enter a final, closing message including a relatively short term, expression and/or acronym used to express farewell such as "bye", "see ya", "ttyl" ("talk to you later"), "bfn" ("bye for now"), "thx" ("thanks"), or the like, and then immediately close the user interface window through which the session has been provided to them on their local client computer system. At this time, the user that terminated the session in this way typically desires to immediately turn their attention to another task. However, in existing systems, when one of the other participants in the just terminated instant messaging session sends a farewell message back to the local user, the local user's client computer system generates a visual alert to the local user indicating receipt of the farewell message. As a result, the local user must take an action in response to the alert, such as again closing an instant messaging session window. This series of events delays the local user from promptly turning their attention to a new task or resuming a task they were previously performing.
Given that instant messaging will continue to be used in many contexts, and that it will continue to cause interruptions of target users when instant messaging sessions are initiated, and delay users from turning their attention to other tasks when instant messaging sessions are terminated, it would be desirable to have a new system that minimizes the unnecessary time taken up during the initiation of a new instant messaging session resulting from the use of initial messages that lack significant content, and during the termination of an instant messaging session while insignificant farewell messages are exchanged.

Minimizing the time required to initiate and terminate an instant messaging session


The invention concerns a security chip of a communication device, comprising: a near field communication interface (37), a first processing unit (42), a first non volatile storage capability (45), adapted to store first information related to near field communication, and connected to be accessed, from outside the security chip, through said near field communication interface (37), under the control of said first processing unit (42), wherein it also comprises a second non volatile storage capability (48), adapted to store second information related to near field communication different from said first information, and connected to be accessed, from outside the security chip, independently from said first processing unit (42).

Near Field Communication (NFC) is a short range radio technology which is preferably based on the inductive coupling of two loop antennae resonating at 13.56 MHz. Typical data rates are in the range of 100 to 400 Kbps, and communication distance is in the range of several centimeters. Typical applications include secure transactions for payment and ticketing. Secure NFC applications require the addition to the system of one or more security chips to hold sensitive information, like Credit Card numbers, transportation system subscriptions, etc. Security chips include some non volatile storage capacity. Those security chips may be accessed through interfaces and protocols which are for example defined by the standards ETSI 102613/102622. NFC applications can be of several types, for example peer to peer applications, or read and write applications, or card emulation applications.
More and more NFC devices are to be integrated with other wireless communication units into communication devices, like combined connectivity devices, for example into mobile phones. Those other wireless communication units may be for example Bluetooth, FM Radio, and/or GNSS location, which may be integrated with a NFC function, altogether in the same chip. To perform the NFC function correctly, some configuration parameters of the NFC function will need to be stored in a persistent way, which means in a non volatile storage capacity.
According to a first prior art, since the state of the art technologies used to implement these wireless units do not provide cost effective ways to implement on-chip non volatile storage, dedicated external storage peripherals, for example an EEPROM, are often used to store these NFC function configuration parameters. However this dedicated external storage peripheral involves extra cost and extra complexity to the communication device including it.
According to a second prior art, for example described in US 2008/155258, it is known a memory module including a NFC component, a security processor, and several flash memories. However, in this second prior art, all flash memories are accessed through the security processor. So none of available non volatile memories of this prior art is efficient since it requires access under the control of security processor, and NFC function configuration parameters need to be accessed before being able to start communicating with the security processor. Besides, the memory module is not a security chip since it does include a NFC component.
According to a third prior art, for example described in US 2008/155257, it is known a memory module including a NFC component, a security processor, and several non volatile memories. However, in this third prior art, all non volatile memories are accessed through the security processor. The only memory, which is not accessed through the security processor, is a volatile memory. So none of available non volatile memories of this prior art is efficient since it requires access under the control of security processor, and NFC function configuration parameters need to be accessed before being able to start communicating with the security processor. The only directly accessible memory is not efficient either, since it is not adapted to store information which needs to be kept even when the communication device is off. Besides, the memory module is not a security chip since it does include a NFC component.


An adjustable wrench includes a handle including a notch defined therein. A driving head is pivotally fixed to the handle for engaging an object that is driven by the adjustable wrench. The driving head and the handle include first and second springs engaged therebetween. The first and second springs each include a first end abutting against the handle and a second end abutted against the driving head, respectively. The notch receives the first and second springs. Coils of the second spring are disposed within a space delimited by the coils of the first spring. One of the first and second springs is coiled clockwise from the first end to the second end thereof, and the other of the first and second springs is coiled counterclockwise from the first end to the second end thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an adjustable wrench and, in particular, to an adjustable wrench for quickly turning an object.
2. Description of the Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 6,336,384 shows an adjustable wrench for quickly turning an object. The adjustable wrench includes a handle and a driving head pivotally connected together. A spring is installed between the handle and the driving head. The handle and the driving head can reciprocally pivot with each other, and the spring is selectively depressed and released by the driving head and the handle. Thereby, the spring aids the driving head to reciprocally pivot with respect to the handle. Unfortunately, the spring becomes fatigue and distorted after repetitive movements of the driving head with respect to the handle.
The present invention is, therefore, intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in the prior art.


An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for determining fan rotation direction. A first temperature detection module detects a first temperature at a first location between a fan and a heat generating device. The fan provides cooling for the heat generating device by drawing air from the heat generating device across the first location to the fan when the fan is rotating in a first direction. A second temperature detection module detects a second temperature at a second location where the heat generating device is between the second location and the fan such that heat from the heat generating device is drawn away from the second location when the fan is rotating in the first direction. A temperature comparison module determines if the second temperature is above the first temperature. A fan rotation error module generates a fan rotation error signal if the second temperature is above the first temperature.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to cooling fans and more particularly relates to detecting fan rotation direction in electronic devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electronic devices generate heat when in operation. Integrated circuits, resistors, and other components in electronic devices generate heat while operating. Some integrated circuits generate much more heat than other components. For example, switching elements in a switching power supply that constantly switch on and off at a fixed switching frequency typically generate a lot of heat compared to other components in the power supply. Central processing units ("CPUs") also generate a lot of heat. Other integrated circuits may also generate more heat than surrounding components. Even where an electronic device does not have one or more specific components that generate excessive heat, general heat generation within an electronic device may be excessive.
Integrated circuits and other components that generate heat run the risk of being damaged if the temperature of the integrated circuits and components increases above designed limits. Excess heat often causes failures of electronic devices and may decrease the useful life of the electronic devices.
One solution to reduce heat buildup in electronic devices is to use one or more cooling fans. Cooling fans draw air across heat generating devices and act to carry heat away from the heat generating devices. Typically air exterior to an electronic device is at a lower temperature than air surrounding a heat generating device in an electronic device. The exterior air is drawn by a cooling fan into the electronic device and the heated air around the heat generating component is expelled from the electronic device.
Typically a cooling fan is used to pull air through the electronic device and push heated air to the exterior of the electronic device. This creates a slight vacuum compared to air pressure exterior to the electronic device and is typically more efficient than a fan that pushes exterior air into an electronic device, which may increase air pressure within the electronic device with respect to air exterior to the electronic device. Some electronic devices include more than one cooling fan. Some electronic device may include two or more fans that draw air from the electronic device and push the air to the exterior. In other electronic devices, one or more fans positioned at an air intake push air into the electronic device while one or more other fans positioned at an air exhaust pull the air from the electronic device and push the heated air to the outside.
A major problem facing electronic device manufacturers is that fans can be connected incorrectly so that a fan incorrectly connected can push air into the electronic device instead of pulling air from the electronic device as designed. This can cause an increased pressure instead of a vacuum so that cooling provided by the fan is less efficient than designed. In this case, the electronic device may overheat. Often failed electronic devices are returned to an electronic equipment manufacturer where the cause of the failures is a fan connected incorrectly. The failed equipment may be returned with "no defect found" or "NDF" because system diagnostic circuits and software in the electronic device cannot detect a fan spinning the wrong way. A fan spinning the wrong way draws power at a level close to the same fan connected so the fan spins in a correct direction; so a reversed connection typically cannot be detected by sensing fan power.
In addition, electronic devices with a fan connected incorrectly may take a long time to fail so that many electronic devices with incorrectly connected fans may be shipped before the problem is detected. Physically determining if a fan is incorrectly detected at a factory of an equipment manufacturer may also be expensive due to the time taken by employees to check the fan rotation.
Other fan direction detection methods may use some type of air pressure detectors, air flow direction sensors, and the like. Each of these methods requires specialized equipment that may increase cost of production of the electronic devices significantly.

Apparatus, system, and method for detecting fan rotation direction in electronic devices


A multi-purpose visual signaling device, particularly for road emergency warning and in low visibility conditions, includes light-emitting means for generating a light beam and means for supplying power to the light-emitting means. The light-emitting means include at least one laser projector adapted to project images over a substantially flat surface for such images to be visible from a relatively long distance. The light-emitting means and the power supply means are mounted onto a stationary support structure, which may include a front warning triangle-defining portion. The laser projector comprises at least one laser diode and optical and/or electronic means for generating images in space or over a substantially flat surface. The optical and/or electronic means comprise a diffractive lens. Images include monochromatic, polychromatic and/or holographic images, possibly of variable configuration, and preferably form a triangular design.

Fixed obstacles on the road, such as tollgates, roadwork sites, accidented vehicles, and road maintenance workers, are equipped with various devices designed to make them easily visible, especially in the dark or in particular environmental conditions, such as fog, snow or rain.
Currently available equipment essentially consists of active or passive visual devices, such as signaling lights, reflex reflectors, and warning triangles.
In conditions of particularly low visibility, this equipment may be inadequate, exposing the road user to serious risks of accidents.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,440,104 discloses and claims a warning triangle device, having retroreflective and fluorescent arms, which increase visibility thereof when lit up.
This prior art arrangement has the drawback that the effectiveness of the retroreflective material is dependent on the intensity of the light source that lights it up. In the event of low visibility, such as in fog conditions, the light source, e.g. the headlights of an approaching vehicle is partly attenuated, and so is the reflected signal. The light beam passes through the light-emitting means twice, i.e. from the approaching vehicle to the reflective material and from the reflective material to the observer.
A further drawback of this device is that, in low visibility conditions caused by fog, if the approaching vehicle uses upper beams, the light reflected by the fog causes an excessive diffused lighting, which may dazzle the driver. However, if the driver properly uses fog-guards, which are normally downwardly and sideways directed, the warning triangle is seen at the last moment.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,028 discloses a safety triangle which has, in addition to a retroreflective surface, an inner portion with red or yellow light sources. This device uses the power of the car battery, through a DC connector to be connected to the cigarette-lighter socket.
In addition to the disadvantages as set out above, such prior art device has the drawback that it has to be placed on the vehicle, e.g. on the roof, due to the power supply arrangement, to provide a signal that is eventually untimely, especially in low visibility conditions.
An additional shortcoming of this triangle is that, in case of prolonged usage, it may discharge the car battery, thereby causing serious damages thereto.
From U.S. Pat. No. 6,515,584 a safety device is known, onto which blinking lights are mounted that produce a rapid pattern of short light pulses, followed by a more or less long pause.
This prior art arrangement has the drawback of dazzling the driver, the light source having a very high intensity. Furthermore, it has a very complex light control arrangement, which requires a high battery power absorption, whereby batteries tend to discharge rapidly, which makes the device unusable in case of prolonged usage.
Other emergency warning devices are known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,512,876, EP 089852, and EP 0691243.
These devices are also of little use, especially in low visibility conditions, as they generate a very low-intensity light beam.
Generally, all the above prior art arrangements have the drawback that, to provide an effective emergency warning signal, the user has to place the device at a very short distance from the stopped or disabled vehicle, as prescribed by applicable rules, and is thereby exposed to danger.
French patent 2,816,264 discloses a visual signaling device mounted onto a vehicle, which is based on the use of laser beam projection, providing effective visibility properties in low visibility conditions.
However, no attempt has been made heretofore to include a laser light source on a fixed signaling device like a warning triangle.

Multipurpose optical signalling device, particularly for road emergency in low visibility conditions


A seal for a high temperature treatment vessel, particularly those common to the steel industry, has a primary purpose to prevent gases from escaping the treatment vessel. The seal is provided by a positive gas pressure curtain barrier means, a plurality of mechanical seal and a means of aspirating gases escaping past the seals for recycling into the vessel.

During the operation of high temperature reaction vessels in the steel industry, material treatment devices are introduced through a neck in the vessel. As these devices deliver gaseous and/or solid materials to the vessel there are sudden bursts of high temperature gases. In order to contain fumes and maintain a desired atmosphere within the vessel, it is desirable to form a seal between the material treatment device and the vessel. This seal should optimally allow for movement of the material treatment device including its removal for maintenance while preventing volatile gases from escaping. Common methods of sealing a lance in a reaction vessel are often problematic because the seal is only effective when the axis of the sealing mechanism coincides precisely with the axis of the mouth of the vessel. U.S. Pat. No. 4,465,265 discloses an adjustably positioned lance structure which provides a gas-tight passage comprising a metal bellows and a protective sleeve which projects into the reactor. U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,960 describes an oxygen/carbon blowing lance assembly which includes a modular design housing for ease of maintenance but it is not disclosed how the lance is sealed in the vessel.


The reference image data corresponding to one pixel block stored in a reference image line memory 6 is output to a stereo matching circuit 8. The comparative image data corresponding to a “search range” stored in a comparative image line memory 7 is output to the stereo matching circuit 8 according to an instruction of a search range address generator 13. The stereo matching circuit 8 calculates parallaxes by performing the stereo matching based on the reference image data and the comparative image data. A position where the search range S is set is corrected based on the amount of the deviation of an infinite distance corresponding point with respect to a position of the reference image data.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for stereo matching and a method of calculating an infinite distance corresponding point. More particularly, the present invention relates to setting of a search range to be used in stereo matching.
2. Description of the Related Art
A stereo processing apparatus is known in the prior art, which obtains a pair of photographed images with a stereo camera system and calculates a distance to an object (or a parallax) shown in the photographed images based on the pair of photographed images obtained from a stereo camera system. First, the processing apparatus identifies a correlated destination of a given pixel block of one photographed image (right image, for example) in the other photographed image (left image, for example) (stereo matching). Then, the processing apparatus calculates a parallax of the pixel block, that is, the amount of deviation in a horizontal direction between the position of the pixel block (a correlated source) on the right image and the position of the correlated destination on the left image.
As is commonly known, the correlated destination of a given pixel block in the right image (reference image) exists on an epipolar line in the left image (comparative image), or on the same horizontal line (at the same vertical coordinate) as the correlated source of the reference image is located, according to the principle of a stereo method. Accordingly, the parallax is calculated as the amount of rightward deviation with respect to a horizontal coordinate of the correlated source on the reference image. Here, assuming that the distance from the stereo camera system to an object is infinitely large, its theoretical parallax is zero and the correlated destination exists at the same horizontal coordinate as the correlated source. A point of the horizontal coordinate on the epipolar line of the correlated destination calculated when the object is located at an infinite distance is referred to as an "infinite distance corresponding point." The amount of the rightward deviation (parallax) with respect to this infinite distance corresponding point increases as the distance to the object decreases. Therefore, a search range to be used when performing stereo matching may be set to be a predetermined range located to the right with respect to a point where the correlated destination is located most leftward, or the infinite distance corresponding point.
Acoordinate point of the correlated source on the reference image (hereinafter referred to as a "reference coordinate point") and the infinite distance corresponding point on the comparative image theoretically coincide with each other as seen above. In actuality, however, there are many cases in which they deviate from each other. The degree of such deviation is not uniform over the whole image but varies depending on the location in the image. A potential cause of this deviation is that focal distances of the right and left cameras differ from each other, causing one of the images to be enlarged or reduced compared to the other. The deviation can also occur due to distortion of camera lenses or an error in camera mounting position, for instance. As a consequence, there can arise such a situation that the infinite distance corresponding point is located to the left (which is opposite to the normal direction) of the reference coordinate point. Thus, there arises a problem that, if the reference coordinate point is set to as starting point of a search range, it becomes impossible to identify a correlated destination located to the left of this starting point.
A potential solution to this problem would be to set the starting point of the search range to the left of the reference coordinate point with some margin. The amount of deviation of the infinite distance corresponding point from the reference coordinate point, however, is not uniform for different image areas as stated above. Therefore, when setting a margin of a fixed amount, it needs to be set to a larger amount than the amount of a maximum deviation of the infinite distance corresponding point. As a consequence, however, the search range widens as much as the increased amount of the margin thus provided, and this causes a problem that computational complexity involved in stereo matching increases, resulting in a reduction in processing speed. In addition, the possibility of mismatching increases as much as the increase in the search range. Consequently, there also arises a problem that the reliability of calculated parallaxes, or calculated distances, deteriorates.

Apparatus and method for stereo matching and method of calculating an infinite distance corresponding point


Peel plates and plate assemblies are shown and described. In one embodiment, a peel plate assembly includes a semi-rigid plate, a removable cover seal, and an adhesive to provide a moisture vapor barrier. In particular embodiments, the moisture vapor barrier provides less than about one pound peel adhesion and a stiffness for reapplication without wrinkling. The result is a peel plate, assembly, and method for the enumerating a microorganism, when present, in a sample.

It is desirable to provide rapid, effective detection and identification of various and numerous microorganisms in test samples, such as samples of water, food, such as milk, and body fluids. Microorganisms of interest include all aerobic bacteria and specific bacterial groups, such as coliforms. Other microorganisms of interest include a variety of molds and the like.
Classical methods for culturing various microorganisms for detection and identification thereof include the spread plate method, the pour plate method and the liquid medium method. These methods, however, require preparation by technicians. Such preparation includes mixing, heating and pouring, sterilization of culture medium, apparatus, sample spreading etc. before culture of microorganisms, and inoculation of a test sample into the medium.
Particularly in the food industry, testing is very cost-sensitive. In addition, users might not be laboratory-trained technicians. Tests used must, therefore, be user-friendly and inexpensive without sacrificing accuracy.
Applicants desire an alternative user-friendly culture peel plate device, assembly, and method that is useful, for example, for enumeration, detection, identification, and/or transportation of various microorganisms, without the disadvantages of traditional systems and methods.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


Apparatus is shown for regenerating a signal stream of binary digits which has been distorted by intersymbol interference during passage through a channel (10 and 12) having insufficient channel bandwidth such that the channel output waveform comprises substantially an analog signal. (FIG. 2 at B and D.) After equalization (24) the channel output is converted to a digital sample signal stream at analog-to-digital converter (26). The converter (26) output is supplied to shift register (28) from which successive groups of digital sample signals produced over a plurality of bit intervals of channel output are shifted to decoder (22). Initialization bits that immediately precede the first group of binary digits to be regenerated also are supplied to decoder (22) through sector header reader (20) for use in decoding the first group of digital sample signals supplied to the decoder. During decoding of subsequent groups of digital sample signals, end bits (3,4 and 5) from the preceding group of regenerated binary digits are supplied to the decoder (22). The decoder includes a plurality of trained networks (40-1 through 40-5 and 50-1 through 50-m) of either the neural network or binary tree type.

In electrical communication systems information often is transmitted over a binary channel by use of a series of binary digits such as 0's and 1's. Often, the bit stream in the channel is distorted by transients from a bit interval extending into one or more subsequent bit intervals. Such distortion is known as intersymbol interference (ISI). As a result of such intersymbol interference, the channel output may substantially comprise an analog waveform rather than a binary bit stream.
The amount of ISI is dependent upon the channel bandwidth; the channel bandwidth sets the upper limit on the bit rate that can be transmitted through the channel. In a linear, or substantially linear, binary channel, the bit error rate is determined by the channel signal-to-noise ratio and the channel bandwidth. In practice, the maximum bit rate that can be employed is highly dependent upon the method and means used to detect the distorted binary digits at the channel output. The present invention is directed to method and apparatus for regenerating the distorted binary signal stream.
The binary signal regeneration method and apparatus of the present invention is not limited to any particular application. The invention is useable, for example, in binary communications systems for transmission of digitized text, graphics, audio and/or video signals. For example, the invention is well adapted for interconnection of computers in, say, computer networks. It may be used in repeater stations included in binary signal transmission systems. Another use includes the regeneration of digital signals that have been subjected to magnetic recording and playback, such as those from a magnetic storage disk employed in a computer. In this application, the channel includes magnetic recording and playback means. As will become apparent, the invention is not limited to such uses.

Method and apparatus for regenerating a distorted binary signal stream