A substantially uninterrupted flow of a pressurised abrasive slurry is maintained by successively charging each of a plurality of vessels V1, V2 with an abrasive material while discharging an abrasive slurry from another of the vessels at a common outlet 2. The vessels connect to the common outlet via respective outlet valves OV1, OV2 which are closed to isolate vessels not discharging slurry. The outlet valves are not opened or closed unless there is substantially no pressure differential across the valve and substantially no flow through the valve. In a preferred arrangement, a high pressure pump 1 feeds a carrier fluid such as water to the vessels via respective inlet valves IV1, IV2. Before an outlet valve is opened or closed, any flow through the outlet valve is stopped and the pressure differential across the valve is equalised so that the outlet valve can be opened or closed without any abrasive flow through the valve.

The invention has application to the control of fluid flow and particularly the control of fluids containing abrasive material which can cause undesirable wear and erosion of control valve parts.
The use of abrasive materials in a fluid jet is well known, for example for machining operations such as cutting, drilling and surface finishing. In one known arrangement, a high pressure carrier fluid, for example water or air, is pumped into a vessel containing abrasive particles to force a mixture of the abrasive particles entrained in the carrier fluid as a slurry through a nozzle which forms a well-defined abrasive jet.
In a known arrangement a vessel is charged with an abrasive particulate material. A pressurised supply of carrier fluid is applied to the vessel where the carrier fluid and abrasive material mix to form an abrasive slurry which is discharged through the jet-forming nozzle. However, the duration of the supply of the abrasive slurry is limited by the capacity of the vessel and cannot continue without an interruption while the vessel is being refilled with abrasive material.
To maintain as near as possible a continuous abrasive flow from the jet nozzle, it is known to provide a pair of vessels in parallel or series so that one vessel can be de-pressurised and re-charged with abrasive while the other vessel, being pressurised with a carrier fluid, provides the abrasive supply to the nozzle.
European patent application No. 313,700 (Krasnoff) describes a water jet cutting system using an abrasive slurry. The inlets and outlets of a pair of vessels are connected to a pair of changeover valves. The valves are coupled together to alternately connect the vessels for recharging by induction of a slurry from a reservoir, then for pressurised discharge of the slurry at a nozzle.
International patent application No. WO 90/15694 (Saunders et al) describes a device for delivering abrasive liquid slurry to a cutting jet. There is a pair of pressure vessels connected in parallel between a supply of pressurised water and a nozzle. One vessel supplies an abrasive mixture under high pressure to the nozzle while the other vessel is replenished with abrasive from a common hopper.
A clean carrier liquid (water) is fed at a high pressure via an inlet valve into the top of the first vessel containing the abrasive mixture to force abrasive slurry from the vessel and via an outlet valve to the jet nozzle. The inlet valve is closed to stop delivery of the abrasive from that vessel. A flushing valve is opened to flush the outlet valve with a clean liquid flow allowing the outlet valve to be closed without abrasive particles causing undue wear of the moving parts. The flushing causes variations in the abrasive concentration of the abrasive mixture which are smoothed by a vessel downstream of the outlet valve.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,800,246 (Naoyoshi Tomioka) describes a blasting apparatus having a pair of vessels in parallel between a nozzle and a common hopper holding an abrasive material. Each vessel alternately recharges with abrasive from the hopper and then discharges the abrasive via the nozzle.
Wherever valves are used to control the flow of abrasive material, the valve is vulnerable to rapid wear and deterioration of the valve seal surfaces. In the absence of special techniques to avoid this deterioration, valves used to control abrasive flows can be expected to have a short operating lifespan. Many valves are unsuitable for use in the presence of a high-pressure abrasive flow.


The present invention is directed to a vehicle seat assembly comprising a seat support pan, a seat cushion, a spring biased lever and an operator present switch. Both the lever and the switch are located between the cushion and the pan, effectively integrated within the seat. The lever is movable between upper and lower positions, with its associated spring biasing the lever toward its upper position. The switch is designed and located so that all of its components are housed within the support pan and none of these components extends below or outside of the pan. When the seat is occupied, the occupant's weight depresses the cushion and, in turn, the lever moves against the force of the spring toward its lower position and the switch is actuated. Because the switch is located completely within the seat cushion, the seat assembly's vertical dimension or envelope is minimized and the design of the seat support and/or suspension located below the seat pan is simplified.

The present invention relates generally to vehicular seating and, more particularly, to vehicle seating having an integrated safety device sensing the presence of an occupant of the seat.
It is well known that a variety of different vehicle systems or functions should be operational when there is an operator or passenger occupying the vehicle seats. By way of example, the vehicle personal restraint equipment (i.e. seat belts) should be in use when the vehicle is in use. Other vehicle systems or functions are desirably disabled when the driver or operator of the vehicle leaves the driving seat. This is particularly true in off road equipment, such as construction, grading or farming vehicles.
Many different so called "operator present switches" have been in use for these purposes and have proven to be quite effective. Nonetheless, the existing operator present switches ("OP switches") do suffer from some disadvantages. For example, OP switches generally are located below the seat and may interfere with seat support or suspension components. In addition, the arrangement of the OP switch and other seat assembly components may require additional space which is a design constraint when faced with the smaller interiors of new model vehicles.
Therefore, a need exists for a small, mechanically simple and inexpensive OP switch that is integrated into the seat itself without any components extending beyond the seat cushion or support pan structures. In addition, it is desirable that such an integrated OP switch be designed to operated properly with the occupant of the seat positioned at any part of the seat and yet not be so intrusive so that the occupant can feel the presence of the switch or its related hardware.

Vehicle seat assembly with operator presence switch


A small size pulsator-type automatic washing machine comprises a housing, a control panel seat mounted on the top of the housing, a pedestal mounted at the bottom of the housing, an outer tub and an inner tub mounted inside the housing. A direct driving motor and a bearing block are mounted at the bottom of the outer tub. The motor is mounted on the outer tub by fixing elements, and a motor shaft is coupled with a pulsator shaft inside the bearing block. A fastener strap fixes the motor and the bearing block together onto the outer tub of the washing machine, thus reducing occupied space of the washing machine while improving a variety of installation mechanism of conventional washing machine. An insulation unit is disposed in the joint between the motor shaft and the tub shaft, such that the two parts cannot be in direct contact.

The washing capacity of the ordinary household automatic washing machine is generally 3˜6 kg, when washing small clothes it is not convenient, not economical and not worthwhile. Now there are some small washing machines that can wash socks, baby clothes and other small clothes, but these small washing machines can not be directly designed on the base of the structure of the ordinary fully automatic washing machine. Therefore, it only achieves the washing function of common automatic washing machine, the washing and dewatering function can not be achieved at the same time, moreover, it can not reduce the volume of the washing machine, if washing and dewatering simultaneously, so the small size of automatic washing machine is lacked in the present society.
A small size washing machine has strict requirements on the volume and capacity. Now some pulsator-type washing machine use the direct driving motor, the direct driving motor is mounted directly in the washing machine at the bottom of the outer tub, the motor shaft drives the pulsator shaft to work, though the volume of the washing machine is small in this way, the space at the bottom of the outer tub is very narrow, there is no enough space for the drain pump, the water level sensor and other components. In addition, in the prior art, the motor is fixedly connected with the outer tub by the bolts and the screws, but in the small washing machine, because of the narrow space, it is easy to appear the problem such as the alignment of the screw and so on, and it is inconvenient when installing.
The patent with the public number CN1375593A discloses a small size washing machine in which the motor and the washing tub is separate, the motor is arranged in a cavity, the motor shaft drive the washing tub by the gearing, the washing tub can be remove freely, but the washing machine can realize the function of washing and rinsing only, can not realize the function of dewatering, because of the only one washing tub.
The patent with the public number CN201151827Y discloses a new washing machine with direct driving clutch, the washing machine uses the buoyancy work mode, the motor is the direct driving motor, the motor shaft is connected with the pulsator shaft directly, the motor is arranged at the bottom of the outer tub and installed together with the outer tub through the intermediate device, but the fixation between the motor and the intermediate device need the bolt or screw, so it increases the difficulty to fix.
The patent with the public number CN201217747Y discloses a new direct drive device of washing machine, the motor is installed in the washing machine by a reducer, the output shaft of the reducer is the pulsator shaft, the motor shaft connected with the reducer drives the pulsator shaft indirectly, in this scheme, the reducer is arranged between the motor and the outer tub, so the connection structure is complex, it requires stable transmission between components, and it is easy to result in the high failure rate.
In the practical work, it will result in the electrical current leakage when the bad assembly of the motor, the component wear, the aging lines, the high ambient humidity and other factors, As the material of the motor shaft and the pulsator shaft is metal, the leakage of electrical current will transmit to the washing machine tub, will cause the washing machine to be electrified. Thus causes an electric shock hazard to the user.
In the prior art, there is a washing machine with floating structure, in such washing machine, the floating and sinking of the inner is controlled by the buoyancy of water, so the washing capacity is small, the structure is as follows: there is a buoyancy chamber at the bottom of the inner tub of the washing machine, the middle of the bottom of the inner tub joint the drive shaft of pulsator by the sealed bearing, the clutch device of washing machine is consisted of the concave gear installed at the periphery of the sealed bearing and the convex gear installed at the pulsator driving shaft between the outer tub and the inner tub, the concave gear and the convex gear are meshing when the washing machine is in the dehydration or not working, when the washing machine is filled with water, the buoyancy chamber of the inner tub forms a sealing cavity, which drive the separation the concave gear from the convex gear, so that the inner tub is driven to rise along the pulsator shaft, then it start washing.
The patent with the public number CN98221706.4 discloses a clutch device of washing machine, the clutch device is consisted of the concave gear and the convex gear, The washing tub can be driven to move along the pulsator shaft by a gas chamber in the buoyancy of water, when washing, the washing tub floats upward by the gas chamber in the presence of water, so that the concave gear at the bottom of the inner tub is separated from the convex gear on the main shaft, the motor drives the pulsator only for washing, when dewatering, the concave gear at the washing tub and the convex gear at the main shaft are meshing and rotating with the pulsator together. But all kinds of impurities contained in the clothes will be adhered to the connection of pulsator driving shaft; it will affect the floating and sinking of the inner tub along the pulsator driving shaft.

Small size pulsator-type automatic washing machine


A system and method is provided for coordinating display of synchronized spatial information and time-variant information on a visual interface as a visual representation of a multi-dimensional planned process. The system and method comprise a data store configured for storing the time-variant information, such that the data store is further configured for storing the spatial information as a plurality of data elements for representing visual elements for display in the visual representation with respect to a reference surface. Each of the visual elements is operatively coupled to at least one sequenced element of a plurality of sequenced elements. The system and method also include a synchronization module coupled to the data store and is configured for synchronizing a displayed state on the visual interface of the spatial information with a displayed state on the visual interface of the time-variant information. The time-variant information includes timeline data including at least two of the plurality of sequenced elements having overlapping time spans with respect to a common temporal reference frame, and includes a marker for facilitating navigation of the plurality of sequenced elements with respect to the common temporal reference frame. Changes in the displayed state of the time-variant information are reflected in changes to the displayed state of the spatial information.

Planning military maneuvers is a highly complex task, involving many variables across time, geography, personnel and equipment. These maneuvers are highly dependant on situational outcomes, and must be adaptable to account for unforeseen circumstances. Simply showing time sequences of events using existing charting techniques may not be appropriate for such a multi-dimensional planned process. It can be difficult for users of the chart to understand the context in which events occur, and base future actions upon these events.
One existing technique is the use of a Gantt chart. A Gantt chart is a linear time series chart that aims to show the timing of tasks or activities as they occur over time. Although standard Gantt charts do not indicate the relationships between activities, they can be extended up on such that both timing and interdependencies between tasks can be identified. Standard Gantt charts use a fixed scale for plotting events, meaning that a particular event in a long-term plan can potentially occupy a small percentage of the chart. This makes displaying detailed information problematic. Interactive, computer-based Gantt charts can employ non-linear adjustable time scales (such as fisheye views) to allow focusing on individual elements within the chart.
One disadvantage with the use of time sequential charts, such as the Gantt chart, is that the charts are abstracted away from the context in which the tasks are done. Tasks are not viewed with the resources who are performing the tasks together with the resources' characteristics. Planners need to change their views of the charts and look at a different displays of those properties. These views are not coordinated with respect to temporal and spatial concerns and therefore planners need to remember complex properties as they move back and forth from one display type to another. For example, sequential tasks are listed in an order in the Gantt charts, but the tasks are not listed in a synchronization order or in order of geo-located or time-located.
Another disadvantage of the use of time sequential charts is that they are static and do not portray dynamic properties such as speed, rate, duration of individual resources performing the task. Nor do they portray relative dynamics such as relative speeds, rates and durations of multiple coordinated units.
Another existing technique for time sequence visualization is elaborate time-by-activity sheets used in staging and coordinating theatrical productions in order to synch lights, sound, voices, actions, and scenery. These time-by-activity sheets can be used for practical schedules, but are not suited to visualization of spatial aspects related to the sheets contents, since they fail to provide a high-level representation of task planning.
In project management, managers require a full-featured tool for planning and scheduling a project, such that the schedule includes numerous tasks, the assignment of multiple resources to these tasks, and the connection of schedules for different projects. In traditional project management, a Gantt chart (or other time sequential charts) can show when the project terminal elements (i.e. the smallest task tracked as part of the project effort) start and finish, summarize elements of the terminal elements, and display terminal element dependencies. Since the initial introduction of Gantt charts, they have become an industry standard as a key project management tool for representing the phases, tasks and activities that are scheduled as part of a project work breakdown structure or timeline of activities. Further, other methods exist to represent the tasks within a project such as a network diagram, however, such a diagram is used more to show the relationship between tasks and less on the temporal aspects of the project.

System and method for data visualization using a synchronous display of sequential time data and on-map planning


A method is disclosed. An analog signal is sampled to form a sample value using a sample and hold circuit. The sample value is converted to form a first digital result. The sample value is converted to form a second digital result.

In microcontroller applications (e.g., industrial, automotive, aeronautical, etc.), analog signals may be converted to digital form and processed concurrently. For example, in such applications, multiple sensors may provide information about various aspects of complex systems, with the sensors providing analog signals at their output. With evolution in various technologies, an increasing number of analog channels are desired to be converted to a digital form concurrently for processing. In some cases, multiple analog channels may each carry multiple analog signals from multiple sources, for example.
The increasing number of analog input signals for analog-to-digital conversion can lead to a high degree of complexity regarding the sequence of conversions or to an increased area, especially if various analog input signals have to be sampled at specific points in time, which may even differ from signal to signal.
In many scenarios, the number of independent ADC modules is increased to allow independent sampling and conversion of groups of analog signals. This also increases the costs and complexity.
Typically, an increase in the quantity of analog signals to be processed results in the deployment of an increased number of analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). However, this increase in the number of ADCs increases the amount of area consumed to provide the ADCs for the application, as well as the amount of energy consumed to power them.


The invention relates to a laminated rotor structure for a permanent magnet synchronous machine wherein disks (1) of a ferromagnetic material constitute the body of the rotor. The body includes bars (3) of a damper winding that extend axially close to the surface (2) from one end thereof to the other, and a circle of permanent magnets (4) disposed in a V-shaped configuration inside the circle formed by the bars, in which permanent magnets the first ends (5) are disposed close to the outer perimeter of the rotor and the second ends (6) are disposed closer to the central axis of the rotor. According to the invention, two permanent magnets (4) constitute a pair of permanent magnets wherein the magnets are disposed at an angle (a) to each other so that their first ends (5) are disposed at a distance from each other and their second ends (6) in proximity to each other. In addition, a pair of permanent magnets includes an air channel (7) that extends axially through the laminar structure of the rotor in direct heat transfer contact with the second ends (6) of the magnets in the pair of magnets.

In permanent magnet synchronous machines it is common to use laminated rotor structures, i.e. disk rotors, wherein the actual body of the rotor around the shaft is made from a large number of round and thin ferromagnetic metal disks that are identical in shape, disposed perpendicularly relative to the shaft and packed into a tight assembly. The permanent magnets are then provided to the body of the rotor, either to the surface or embedded deeper as rods extending from one end of the cylindrical rotor to the other.
In the invention, the permanent magnets are disposed inside the rotor body in a ring-type V-shape configuration known per se, i.e. the first ends of the permanent magnets are close to the surface of the rotor and the second ends are closer to the central axis but disposed at an angle to the radial direction. This way, every second magnet is inclined in one direction and every second in the other direction relative to the radial direction. This type of structure has been disclosed in publication JP 2006050821. The purpose of said structure has been to minimize the leakage flux and at the same time to achieve sufficient rigidity of the rotor when using permanent magnets that are embedded in the rotor.
Another structure representing the prior art has been disclosed in patent U.S. Pat. No. 4,445,062. It features permanent magnet rods embedded in the rotor, in radial grooves on the surface thereof, in such a way that the poles of the permanent magnets are disposed one after the other in the circumferential direction. The bottom of a groove is so dimensioned or shaped relative to the permanent magnet as to form on the bottom of the groove a gap that can act as a cooling air channel that extends axially through the rotor. The purpose of the structure is simply and securely to fix the magnets in place in the rotor. The publication does not discuss minimization of the leakage flux of the magnets.
The ferromagnetic disk pack constitutes a good body for the rotor around the magnets, but heating of the rotor and particularly of the magnets causes problems specifically in large machines. Another problem is the leakage flux of the rotor and the armature reaction, i.e. the magnetic flux tends to move sideways on the rotor pole, which is not a desirable phenomenon.

Laminated rotor structure for a permanent magnet synchronous machine


When a vehicle is moving out of a lane of a road, an image processing computer unit judges the hazardous condition. Then, a power steering control computer unit calculates a correction reaction force based on the steering angular velocity and increases a steering reaction force so as to generate a large steering effort. This lane moving-out prevention system is constituted such that only when the steering angular velocity is large, i.e., when a driver turns a steering wheel sharply, the steering reaction force is increased, thereby no additional reaction force is produced when the driver makes a normal turn.

1. Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a lane moving-out prevention system and method in which a vehicle is prevented from moving out of a lane by controlling assist force of a power steering mechanism.
2. Prior Arts
There is an idea of realizing safety of a vehicle by positively assisting a driver's operation and a system introducing this idea is so-called Active Drive Assist (ADA) System. A primary function of the ADA system is to estimate a hazard of a collision with a forward vehicle, a hazard of a contact with an object, a possibility of a moving-out from a lane of a road and the like, based on surrounding information or running conditions of a vehicle and to inform a driver of these hazardous possibilities or to activate various control devices.
Many traffic accidents in highways are caused by drivers' inadvertent behaviors such as moving-out from a lane due to sudden drowsiness falling upon drivers. Various technologies have been developed in order to prevent the moving-out from a lane.
One of such ADA systems is exemplified by Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Toku-Kai-Hei 6-255514. In this ADA system, a function generator called "stable running potential energy" is established such that the stable running potential energy becomes high as the vehicle comes closer to the lane marker and it becomes low as the vehicle goes farther from the lane marker. When the stable running potential energy becomes high, an assist force of a power steering is reduced and when the stable running potential energy becomes low, the assist force is increased.
However, according to the ADA system, since the steering operation is controlled after the vehicle actually comes close to the lane marker, the responsiveness of the steering operation is insufficient. In particular, when the steering wheel is turned sharply, the system does not work properly.

Lane moving-out prevention system for vehicle and the method thereof


A screwing equipment that comprises at least one rotary member mounted in a tool body and capable of producing at least one vibrational frequency representing a wear condition of said rotary member(s). Such screwing equipment further comprises means for measuring said vibrational frequencies designed to communicate with means for processing, said measurement enabling same to be compared to at least one reference frequency in order to determine said wear condition.

The field of the subject of this disclosure is that of equipment. More specifically, the disclosure relates to production machinery, and in particular equipment provided for screwing with a predetermined torque.
In the field of the subject of this disclosure, screwing tools are very commonly used in the industrial sector, whether the tools are stationary (including tools mounted on machines or manipulators) or portable.
These tools can include electric motor or pneumatic means according to the envisaged applications.
According to a common implementation of these tools, they are connected by suitable connectors to an electronic controller (in the form of an electrical box) making it possible to program a large number of operation cycles (for example 250 cycles), wherein each cycle can be composed of 20 operation phases.
These cycles can be programmed directly by a keyboard comprised by the electric box or by associated programming software (the box(es) then being connected to the programming system by a ground network, Ethernet or other type of network).
These systems make it possible to ensure the traceability of the operations performed by the tool, by, for example, recording results such as the final screwing torque, the screwing speed, the final screwing angle, the date and time of the operations, or the curves representing the quality (Good or Poor, according to predetermined parameters) of the screwing performed.
The tool itself can also comprise means for indicating the screwing quality, for example by providing a report "Good/Poor" that can be displayed by LEDs.
It is understood that systems of this type make it possible to perform a wide range of parameterisation and control operations.
Nevertheless, as mentioned above, equipment assemblies such as those described above require the use of connection networks that are more or less logical in order to connect the controllers to the tools and the controllers to the programming equipment.
It is understood that these constraints can result in an increase in the operating cost.
According to a known technique, the tool is connected to the electrical section so as to supply power to control electronics integrated in the tool. In this case, the tool has a small display device and some control buttons.
It is understood that, in one or the other of the technologies described above, the data concerning the screwing torque is essential for properly controlling the tools and in order to be capable of obtaining a follow-up on the screwing results.
Indeed, the data on the screwing torque is used numerous times, to of course ensure the quality of the assembly to be produced by screwing, but also to allow for traceability of the operations and to carry out statistical processing of the tightening data.
In addition, the tools are controlled by command means, integrated in the tool or external to the tool, which define the parameters of operation of the tool according to the assembly to be performed.
However, whether it is for the control and/or the follow-up on the screwing parameters or for the proper execution of these parameters, it is necessary to ensure, above all, the good condition of operation of the tools.
In other words, the reliability of the tools must be capable of being verified, regularly during the entire period of use of the tools, so as to be capable of performing maintenance operations, preferably preventative maintenance. It is thus desirable to avoid in particular the conditions of wear leading to the breakage of the tools on the production line, requiring this line to be stopped so that the tool can be replaced. This of course adversely affects the overall efficiency of the production line concerned.
Currently, preventative maintenance is limited to recommendations by the tool manufacturers, which recommendations involve a servicing schedule.
Optionally, a system of calculations performed by a software program contained in a tool control box automatically determines the servicing schedule according to the real conditions of use of the tool (torque, speed, temperature, etc.).
It is understood that in one case or another, the servicing recommendations result from an empirical approach leading to only an estimation of the wear of the tool.
Such an approach to the servicing and/or maintenance of tools can therefore lead to two types of situations:                the recommendations are prudent and encourage servicing or maintenance that is more frequent than necessary: this tends to increase the tool operation cost;        certain tools deteriorate between two servicing operations, possibly to the point of causing a permanent defect in the tools concerned, possibly resulting in breakage of the tools during use; this can also cause defective work on the assemblies produced by a defective tool before its state is detected; in any case, this type of situation is unacceptable in that it can lead in particular to notable operating losses.
The subject of this disclosure relates to a screwing tool including at least one rotary member mounted in a tool body and capable of producing at least one vibration frequency representing a condition of wear of said rotary member(s), characterised in that it includes means for measuring said vibration frequency or frequencies intended to communicate with means for processing said measurement, making it possible to compare it with at least one reference frequency so as to determine the condition of wear.
Thus, owing to the subject of this disclosure, it is possible to determine the real condition of wear of a tool, and more specifically of the rotary members that constitute it.
Indeed, each rotary member of the tool produces a characteristic frequency that can be calculated, which is a function of the rotation speed and the geometry of the member considered.
It is then possible for a new tool, and, for each of the characteristic frequencies, to perform a measurement and a recording of the amplitude. These amplitudes constitute reference amplitudes corresponding to a new condition of the tool.
During the lifetime of the tool, the mechanical members tend to become worn and their vibration amplitude increases. The measurement of the amplitude of the characteristic frequencies and their comparison with the reference amplitudes makes it possible to assess the degree of wear of the various members.
It is therefore understood that the subject of this disclosure makes it possible to optimise the servicing and/or maintenance interventions, which are activated and performed on the basis of a condition of wear that is measured and no longer only estimated.
It is therefore possible in this way to better anticipate situations of wear, and even the breakage of tools.
More generally, the subject of this disclosure makes it possible to obtain improvements in numerous control operations and/or in the assembly quality, by regularly ensuring the good condition of the tools and therefore their reliability.
According to an advantageous solution, said rotary member(s) are intended to produce a tightening torque, with said measurement means including at least means for measuring said torque.
Indeed, it is noted that the signal for measuring the torque includes all of the data representing the vibrations of the rotary member(s) of the tool.
In other words, the measurement of the tightening torque provides the data necessary for measuring the condition of wear, without it being necessary to add components to the tool body or to modify the existing components.
Said processing means advantageously include calculation means making it possible to process a frequency spectrum obtained on the basis of a signal transmitted by said means for measuring said torque.
Thus, the signal for measuring the torque can have a spectrum of which the lines can easily be compared to a reference frequency or to a series of reference frequencies.
Said processing means preferably include means for storing a reference frequency relative to each of said rotary members.
In this way, it is possible to issue a diagnosis of the condition of wear not only for the motor but also for the associated rotary members, each being characterised by a reference vibration frequency.
In this case, a reference frequency is preferably stored for at least one of the members belonging to the following group:                motor;        bell crank member; and        gear member.
It is noted that if a bell crank member is implemented, the head of the tool integrates a conical torque and the ball rollers, which are sensitive mechanical members capable of producing a characteristic frequency of which the amplitude can be compared, as for the other rotating members, to reference amplitudes.
According to one embodiment, said processing means are integrated in a control unit separate from said tool.
It is thus possible to collect all of the data on the preventative maintenance on a unit independent of the tool, which unit can also perform other functions such as the control and/or the parameterisation of the tool.
It is noted that the dispatching and processing of preventative maintenance data on a control unit separate from the tool makes it possible to use the tools currently available, without any modification thereof.
However, it is possible in other embodiments that can be envisaged, to integrate the processing of the maintenance data directly in the tool, insofar as the dimensions thereof allow it.
Said unit advantageously includes at least one display device.
It is thus possible to display specific information, as text. However, the use of visual signals, such as lights and colours, can also be envisaged.
In one embodiment, said unit includes communication means capable of being connected to a communication network.
The control unit can thus send data to a remote unit, for centralising data, for example, by means in particular of the computer network of a company.
The subject of this disclosure also relates to a control unit intended to be provided in equipment including at least one rotary member mounted in a tool body and capable of producing at least one vibration frequency representing a condition of wear of said rotary member(s), characterised in that it includes means for processing at least one vibration frequency measurement making it possible to compare it with at least one reference frequency so as to determine said condition of wear, which equipment includes means for measuring said vibration frequency or frequencies.
The subject of this disclosure also relates to a method for checking the condition of wear of equipment including at least one rotary member mounted in a tool body and capable of producing at least one vibration frequency representing a condition of wear of said rotary member(s), characterised in that it includes the steps of:                measuring said vibration frequency or frequencies; and        comparing said vibration frequency or frequencies with at least one reference frequency in order to determine said condition of wear.

Equipment comprising at least one rotary member and means for measuring vibrational frequencies of said member to determine its wear condition, corresponding control unit and method


A thermoplastic resin molded article having gloss of at least one surface above 80%, a storage modulus in common logarithm being 7 to 8 MPa within a temperature range higher by 20.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. than the glass transition temperature, a cooling distortion ratio of 1.0 kg/cm.sup.2 .multidot..degree.C. or less when the molded article is cooled from 130.degree. C. to 50.degree. C. and an Izod impact strength of 2.0 kj/m.sup.2 or more, is provided, together with a thermoplastic resin composition containing a polybutylene terephthalate resin, a polyethylene terephthalate resin, a (metha)acrylic resin, a polymer particle of a multi-layer structure and an inorganic filler, which composition is used for producing the molded article.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a thermoplastic resin molded article, a method for producing the same, a processed article produced by subjecting the thermoplastic resin molded article to heating process, and a thermoplastic resin composition preferably used for producing the thermoplastic resin molded article. More specifically, the present invention relates to a thermoplastic resin molded article of high-grade quality owing to the excellent surface gloss, transparency and color tone thereof, and with excellent heating processability involving a smaller cooling distortion ratio during the bending process under heating and with less inner distortion in the resulting processed article which consequently can procure good impact resistance with no occurrence of break or damage, a thermoplastic resin composition preferably used therefor, a processed article produced by subjecting the thermoplastic resin molded article to heating process, and a method for producing the thermoplastic resin molded article. By utilizing the excellent properties thereof in an active fashion, the thermoplastic resin molded article of the present invention can effectively be used for a wide variety of utilities, such as interior housing materials and interior equipment including the top boards, doors and walls of system kitchens, the top boards of washing and dressing units, the side walls and aprons of unit baths, and the counter boards of bay windows.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Composite materials of melamine resin decorating boards and artificial marbles from (metha)acrylic resins and unsaturated polyester resins with other materials such as composite boards and calcium silicate boards, have conventionally been used as interior housing materials and interior equipment, such as the top boards of system kitchens, the top boards of washing and dressing units, the side walls and aprons of unit baths, the doors and wall of housings, and the counter boards of bay windows.
However, those produced by using melamine resin decorating boards are poor in terms of high-grade quality and have larger inner distortion at bending parts processed under heating, so that they have significantly low impact strength at the bending processed parts, disadvantageously. Therefore, they are not sufficiently satisfactory.
Artificial marbles produced by using (metha) acrylic resins and unsaturated polyester resins have marvelous high-grade touch compared with those of melamine resin decorating boards, but because the (metha) acrylic resins and unsaturated polyester resins used therein are thermosetting resins, these artificial marbles cannot be produced smoothly by an extrusion molding method at a high productivity. Generally, thus, casting method or press method at a lower productivity, compared with extrusion molding, has been used, which inevitably involves higher production cost. Additionally because it is difficult to subject these artificial marbles to bending process under heating, curved parts (R parts) should necessarily be formed through cutting process costing a longer time and laborious works, which inevitably involves higher processing cost.
Furthermore, it has been known an artificial marble with the base of (metha)acrylic resins which can be bent under heating, but because the resins therein are cross linked together, the marble does not have satisfactory processability. Thus, the shapes formed from the marble through heating process are limited.
For the purpose of producing molded articles with improved heating processability and impact resistance, proposition has been made of resin compositions for thermoplastic molding, into which polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate and inorganic fillers are preliminarily blended (Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 6-279665 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,997). However, barium sulfate used as an inorganic filler in the resin compositions has such a larger difference in refractive index from the resins, that the resulting molded articles with poor surface transparency and gloss are likely to lack high-grade quality.


Disclosed herein is a closure containing a top deck, an inner skirt and an outer skirt. The inner skirt engages the neck of a bottle via a snap fitting. The closure contains regions of weakness such that once the inner skirt engages the neck of the bottle and the regions of weakness are broken, the closure cannot be removed from the bottle neck without disabling the snap engagement between the closure and neck, thus preventing refilling and reuse of the bottle.

It is well known to provide mechanisms for indicating if a closure associated with a container has been opened at least once. These mechanisms may come in various forms, including, for example, tamper evident bands and tabs. However, there are situations in which what is of more concern is ensuring that the closure has not been completely removed so that an associated container can be filled, for example, with an inferior product.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A prosthetic hip joint includes a ceramic hip head having a bore which defines a surface, wherein the bore surface has a layer of malleable material disposed on at least a portion thereof. The surface of the bore includes surface imperfections in the form of peaks and valleys. The prosthetic hip joint can also include a femoral component having a trunnion with a tapered surface adapted for friction fit insertion into the bore of the hip head. The layer of material, such as pure titanium, distributes a load on the joint reducing localized stress points produced by opposing asperity peaks in the load-bearing surfaces of the bore and trunnion.

Prosthetic or artificial joints replace a natural joint that has degenerated from disease or has been damaged by trauma. Prosthetic joints allow a recipient to maintain a quality of life not possible without replacement of the nonfunctional natural joint.
FIG. 1 shows one known type of prosthetic joint in the form of a hip joint 10 having a femoral component 12 and a ceramic hip head or ball 14. The hip head 14 has a bore 16 defining a frustro-conical or tapered inner surface 18 and the femoral component 12 includes a metal trunnion 20 defining a tapered surface 22. The trunnion 20 is adapted for friction fit engagement into the bore 16 of the hip head.
The femoral component 12 includes a first end defining a stem portion 24 implantable within the medullary canal of a femur and a second end defining a neck portion 24 and the trunnion 20. The hip head 14 cooperates with a prosthetic acetabular cup in an acetabular socket (not shown). The hip head 14 is rotatable within the acetabular cup to allow movement of the femur with respect to the pelvic structure of a patient.
The hip joint must bear the entire body weight of a recipient thereby requiring materials able to withstand significant loading. A hip head formed from a ceramic material is desirable due to the exceptional hardness of the material and the smooth surface finish which provides long wear and smooth gliding at an interface between the hip head and an acetabular cup into which the head is inserted. However, a ceramic hip head can be relatively brittle and subject to fracture.
The hip head bore 16 and trunnion 20 have precision machined load-bearing mating surfaces. Even if efforts are made to achieve the smoothest surface possible, surface imperfections remain. FIGS. 2A-2B show the surfaces 18,22 of the bore and trunnion in more detail. The bore and trunnion surfaces 18,22 each include respective asperities in the form of peaks 26,27 and valleys 28,29 and various surface undulations. It should be understood that throughout the drawings the asperities are shown in exaggeration for the purpose of illustration and that the prosthetic joint components are not drawn to scale.
Upon insertion of the trunnion 20 into the bore 16, a peak 26 in the surface 18 of the bore disposed opposite a peak 27 in the surface 22 of the trunnion can locally concentrate stress at a point 30 thereby overstressing the ceramic ball 14 and causing it to fracture. It will be appreciated that many such localized stress points can exist after mating of the trunnion 20 and the bore 16. Loading of the joint will exacerbate the localized stressing of the bore 16 and trunnion 20 interface.
It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the localized concentration of stress at opposing asperity peaks increases as the taper angle of the bore and trunnion decreases. The taper angle is defined as the angle formed by the bore surface and a longitudinal axis of the bore, and similarly for the trunnion. As is known in the art, smaller taper angles are desirable to provide a more secure engagement of the bore and trunnion to reduce the risk of disassembly in use and reduce the amount of hip head material required for the bore. Disadvantageously however, smaller taper angles magnify a wedge effect of the trunnion into the bore thereby increasing the likelihood of fracturing the hip head.
It will further be appreciated by an ordinary practitioner in the art that smaller diameter hip heads are desirable to reduce friction and allow greater offsets, and are well-suited for patients having a relatively modest frame. However, smaller hip heads provide less material to support loading of the joint and are thus more susceptible to fatigue fractures, thereby limiting their utility.
FIG. 3 shows one prior art solution to reduce the tendency of a ceramic hip head 50 to fracture. The configuration includes a metallic sleeve 52 having a tapered outer surface 54 corresponding to a tapered bore 56 in the hip head and a tapered inner surface 58 corresponding to a tapered surface 60 of a trunnion 62. For example, the ceramic hip head bore 56 has a taper angle of six degrees with respect to a longitudinal axis of the bore and the trunnion 62 has a taper angle of about three degrees. As one skilled in the art can appreciate, the sleeve must be manufactured to precise dimensions, tolerances, and surface finishes to complement the contour of a hip head bore on one surface and the trunnion on an opposing surface of the sleeve. Not only is such a sleeve complex and costly to manufacture, it does not eliminate local stress concentration at points where opposing asperity peaks are in proximity to one another. Furthermore, the trunnion is subject to disassembly in use as compared with a bore and trunnion each having a taper angle of three degrees, for example.

Coated load bearing surface for a prosthetic joint


From design information on a circuit board a wiring designation unit designates a wiring model for signal analysis. A first analysis unit generates, through a 3-D electromagnetic analysis, a first output waveform received at a receiving end of a wiring model when a first input signal pattern changing from 0 to 1 is input to a sending end of the wiring model. A second analysis unit generates, through the 3-D electromagnetic analysis, a second output waveform received at the receiving end of the wiring model when a second input signal pattern changing from 1 to 0 is input to the sending end of the wiring model. An output waveform generation unit selects the first output waveform at bit 1 of a random signal of about 100 bits and selects the second output waveform at bit 0 thereof to generate for a predetermined bit count the first output waveform or the second output waveform selected with each bit position as a starting point. An output waveform synthesis unit synthesizes the output waveforms for the bit count to generate an output waveform received at the receiving end when the random signal is input to the sending end of the wiring model.

In recent years, computer makers have been increasing the number of operating frequency of CPU, the control center of a computer to allow CPU to transmit enormous amounts of control signals in a short time and to shorten the controlling time thereby to raise the data processing speed. For example, operating frequency of CPU was 1 GHz in 2001. In 2002 operating frequency became 2 GHz and in 2003 operating frequency is about to reach 3 GHz. As operating frequency of CPU increased, however, the problem of return noise demanding solution surfaced.
In voltage wave and current wave, generally there exist an incident wave propagating in the positive direction and a reflected wave propagating in the reverse direction at the same time in case a load impedance Zr is connected to a receiving end 104 of a line 100 of a finite length of a length 1 from a sending end 102 as shown in FIG. 1.
If the characteristic impedance of the line 100 is ZO and assuming the voltage upon a signal arriving at the receiving end 104 to be Va and the reflected voltage generated at the receiving end 104 to be Vr, the following will hold true. Vr/Va=(Zr−ZO)/(Zr+ZO)=m (1)
where m is a reflection coefficient at the receiving end. The reflected wave of the receiving end 104 returns to the sending end 102 and reflects at the sending end again and moves toward the receiving end 104. As long as the reflection coefficient m is not 0, the reflected wave of the receiving end 104 repeats the above.
FIG. 2 shows the change caused by reflection of voltage Va of the sending end 102 and voltage Vr of the receiving end 104 shown in FIG. 1. If transmission time is made to be t0, the signal arrives at the receiving end 104 with the propagation delay time of the line 100. In this situation, the voltage Vr of the receiving end 104 is the sum of the voltage Va of the incident wave from the sending end 102 and the voltage of the reflected wave.
The reflected wave at this time also arrives at the sending end 102 falling behind just the same td with the propagation time delay of the wiring and reflects. The reflected wave is capable of becoming a negative by impedance; therefore, as the reflected wave repeats a reflected wave, the voltage Vr of the receiving end 104 subsides and settles at the voltage Va sent from the sending end 102.
In general, the load low in the response level is also used for the load Zr at the receiving end 104 when transmission signal frequency is low. In other words, as shown in FIG. 3B and FIG. 4B, reflection is repeated before the sensitivity of the load becomes valid at time t1 as shown in FIG. 3A. Then either the voltage Vr at the receiving end settles down to a constant voltage or during the rise time of the signal up to time t1 as shown FIG. 4A, the reflection of the voltage Vr settles down and becomes constant. Therefore, the load does not make an error.
However, when operating frequency of CPU is made high, the load with high sensitivity is used to make the load compatible with CPU. Accordingly, the width of a signal determined by a clock also becomes shorter. FIG. 5A illustrates repetition of reflection. When operating frequency of CPU is high, the load responds to the reflection and acts erratically as shown in FIG. 5B.
The voltage at the receiving end changes as shown in FIG. 5A in case "111" were sent from the sending end, for example. The load makes error of judging the "111" as "101." In recent years operating frequency exceeded GHz. To make such a CPU operate normally, it became important to solve the problem of return noise of transmission waveforms.
Methods to analyze and confirm signal waveforms of the receiving end using 3-D electromagnetic analysis exist. In those methods random signals consisted of bit streams of about 100 bits are input for analysis and confirmation of waveforms. Among those methods, eye pattern analysis is most widely known.
A problem of signal transmission in transmission path of a circuit board carrying CPU is that return noise is invariably generated in a transmission waveform. Depending on the row of the signal of 1 and 0, return noise overlaps and sometimes the overlapping reaches the level at which an error occurs.
In eye pattern analysis a row of random signals consisted of bit streams of about 100 bits are to be made an input waveform. The signal waveform obtained at the receiving end from the signal transmission is superimposed bit-by-bit and displayed. On the display, the signal waveform is made in the length of 1 bit. In this way, eye pattern analysis makes it easy to observe the quality of the transmission signals and to differentiate a bad transmission waveform from a good transmission waveform.    Patent Document 1: EP 1083501 A1    Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2000-35984    Patent Document 3: U.S. 2002/0032555 A1    Patent Document 4: Japanese Patent Application    Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-163320EP

Program, method and apparatus for analyzing transmission signals


A USB card connector includes an insulative housing and a plurality of contacts retained in the insulative housing. The insulative housing includes a rear wall and a card receiving cavity located forward the rear wall. Each contact includes a contact portion protruding to the card receiving cavity. The contacts are divided into first and second contact groups with same contact arrangement in condition that each the first or the second contact group comprises four contacts for transmitting USB or similar-USB signals.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to a memory card connector, and more particularly to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) card connector with improved contact arrangement.
2. Description of Related Art
Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a serial bus standard to the PC architecture with a focus on computer telephony interface, consumer and productivity applications. The design of USB is standardized by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), an industry standard body incorporating leading companies from the computer and electronic industries. USB can connect peripherals such as mouse devices, keyboards, PDAs, gamepads and joysticks, scanners, digital cameras, printers, external storage, networking components, etc. For many devices such as scanners and digital cameras, USB has become the standard connection method.
With development of electronic devices, there are many kinds of memory cards such as SD card, MMC card, MS card, xD card etc. However, how to enhance signal transmissions of such memory cards is a great difficulty. Taiwan Pat. No. M288730 discloses a special memory card called USB card and a mateable card connector. The memory card uses four contact pads similar to USB standard for signal transmission. However, the number of contact pads is so small and may restrict high speed signal transmission. Besides, the structure of the card connector doesn't have card ejection mechanism and is not easy for usage.
Hence, it is desired to have a memory card connector solving the problems above.

Memory card connector with improved contact arrangement


The disclosure provides purified and isolated SVPH1-8 polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, processes for production of recombinant forms of such polypeptides, antibodies generated against such polypeptide, and fragmented peptides derived from these polypeptide. In addition, the disclosure provides uses of such polypeptides, fragmented peptides, antibodies and nucleic acids as well as kits containing the foregoing.

The invention is directed to purified and isolated SVPH1-8 polypeptides, the nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, processes for production of recombinant forms of such polypeptides, antibodies generated against these polypeptides, fragmented peptides derived from these polypeptides, the use of such polypeptides and fragmented peptides as molecular weight markers, the use of such polypeptides and fragmented peptides as controls for peptide fragmentation, the use of such nucleic acids, polypeptides, and antibodies as cell and tissue markers, and kits comprising these reagents.
The discovery and identification of proteins is at the forefront of modern molecular biology and biochemistry. The identification of the primary structure, or sequence, of a sample protein is the culmination of an arduous process of experimentation. In order to identify an unknown sample protein, the investigator can rely upon comparison of the unknown sample protein to known peptides using a variety of techniques known to those skilled in the art. For instance, proteins are routinely analyzed using techniques such as electrophoresis, sedimentation, chromatography, and mass spectrometry.
Comparison of an unknown protein sample to polypeptides of known molecular weight allows a determination of the apparent molecular weight of the unknown protein sample (T. D. Brock and M. T. Madigan, Biology of Microorganisms 76-77 (Prentice Hall, 6d ed. 1991)). Protein molecular weight standards are commercially available to assist in the estimation of molecular weights of unknown protein samples (New England Biolabs Inc. Catalog:130-131, 1995; J. L. Hartley, U.S. Pat. No. 5,449,758). However, the molecular weight standards may not correspond closely enough in size to the unknown sample protein to allow an accurate estimation of apparent molecular weight.
The difficulty in estimation of molecular weight is compounded in the case of proteins that are subjected to fragmentation by chemical or enzymatic means (A. L. Lehninger, Biochemistry 106-108 (Worth Books, 2d ed. 1981)). Chemical fragmentation can be achieved by incubation of a protein with a chemical, such as cyanogen bromide, which leads to cleavage of the peptide bond on the carboxyl side of methionine residues (E. Gross, Methods in Enz. 11:238-255, 1967). Enzymatic fragmentation of a protein can be achieved by incubation of a protein with a protease that cleaves at multiple amino acid residues (D. W. Cleveland et al., J. Biol. Chem. 252:1102-1106, 1977). Enzymatic fragmentation of a protein can also be achieved by incubation of a protein with a protease, such as Achromobacter protease I (F. Sakiyama and A. Nakata, U.S. Pat. No. 5,248,599; T. Masaki et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta 660:44-50, 1981; T. Masaki et al., Biochim. Biophys. Acta 660:51-55, 1981), which leads to cleavage of the peptide bond on the carboxyl side of lysine residues. The molecular weights of the fragmented peptides can cover a large range of molecular weights and the peptides can be numerous. Variations in the degree of fragmentation can also be accomplished (D. W. Cleveland et al., J. Biol. Chem. 252:1102-1106, 1977).
The unique nature of the composition of a protein with regard to its specific amino acid constituents results in a unique positioning of cleavage sites within the protein. Specific fragmentation of a protein by chemical or enzymatic cleavage results in a unique xe2x80x9cpeptide fingerprintxe2x80x9d (D. W. Cleveland et al., J. Biol. Chem. 252:1102-1106, 1977; M. Brown et al., J. Gen. Virol. 50:309-316, 1980). Consequently, cleavage at specific sites results in reproducible fragmentation of a given protein into peptides of precise molecular weights. Furthermore, these peptides possess unique charge characteristics that determine the isoelectric pH of the peptide. These unique characteristics can be exploited using a variety of electrophoretic and other techniques (T. D. Brock and M. T. Madigan, Biology of Microorganisms 76-77 (Prentice Hall, 6d ed. 1991)).
When a peptide fingerprint of an unknown protein is obtained, this can be compared to a database of known proteins to assist in the identification of the unknown protein (W. J. Henzel et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:5011-5015, 1993; B. Thiede et al., Electrophoresis 1996, 17:588-599, 1996). A variety of computer software programs are accessible via the Internet to the skilled artisan for the facilitation of such comparisons, such as MultiIdent (Internet site: www.expasy.ch/sprot/multiident.html), PeptideSearch (Internet site: www.mann.emblheiedelberg.de...deSearch/FR_PeptideSearchForm.html), and ProFound (Internet site: www.chait-sgi.rockefeller.edu/cgi-bin/prot-id-frag.html). These programs allow the user to specify the cleavage agent and the molecular weights of the fragmented peptides within a designated tolerance. The programs compare these molecular weights to protein databases to assist in the elucidation of the identity of the sample protein. Accurate information concerning the number of fragmented peptides and the precise molecular weight of those peptides is required for accurate identification. Therefore, increasing the accuracy in the determination of the number of fragmented peptides and the precise molecular weight of those peptides should result in enhanced success in the identification of unknown proteins.
Fragmentation of proteins is further employed for the production of fragments for amino acid composition analysis and protein sequencing (P. Matsudiara, J. Biol. Chem. 262:10035-10038, 1987; C. Eckerskom et al., Electrophoresis 1988, 9:830-838, 1988), particularly the production of fragments from proteins with a xe2x80x9cblockedxe2x80x9d N-terminus. In addition, fragmentation of proteins can be used in the preparation of peptides for mass spectrometry (W. J. Henzel et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:5011-5015, 1993; B. Thiede et al., Electrophoresis 1996, 17:588-599, 1996), for immunization, for affinity selection (R. A. Brown, U.S. Pat. No. 5,151,412), for determination of modification sites (e.g. phosphorylation), for generation of active biological compounds (T. D. Brock and M. T. Madigan, Biology of Microorganisms 300-301 (Prentice Hall, 6d ed. 1991)), and for differentiation of homologous proteins (M. Brown et al., J. Gen. Virol. 50:309-316, 1980).
In view of the continuing interest in protein research and the elucidation of protein structure and properties, there exists a need in the art for polypeptides suitable for use in peptide fragmentation studies and in molecular weight measurements.
The invention aids in fulfilling this need in the art. The invention encompasses an isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising the DNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 and an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. The invention also encompasses nucleic acid molecules complementary to these sequences. As such, the invention includes double-stranded nucleic acid molecules comprising the DNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 and isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. Both single-stranded and double-stranded RNA and DNA SVPH1-8 nucleic acid molecules are encompassed by the invention. These molecules can be used to detect both single-stranded and double-stranded RNA and DNA variants of SVPH1-8 encompassed by the invention. A double-stranded DNA probe allows the detection of nucleic acid molecules equivalent to either strand of the nucleic acid molecule. Isolated nucleic acid molecules that hybridize to a denatured, double-stranded DNA comprising the DNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 under conditions of moderate stringency in 50% formamide and 6xc3x97SSC, at 42xc2x0 C. with washing conditions of 60xc2x0 C., 0.5xc3x97SSC, 0.1% SDS are encompassed by the invention.
The invention further encompasses isolated nucleic acid molecules derived by in vitro mutagenesis from SEQ ID NO:1. In vilro mutagenesis would include numerous techniques known in the art including, but not limited to, site-directed mutagenesis, random mutagenesis, and in vitro nucleic acid synthesis. The invention also encompasses isolated nucleic acid molecules degenerate from SEQ ID NO:1 as a result of the genetic code, isolated nucleic acid molecules that are allelic variants of human SVPH1-8 DNA, or a species homolog of SVPH1-8 DNA. The invention also encompasses recombinant vectors that direct the expression of these nucleic acid molecules and host cells transformed or transfected with these vectors.
The invention also encompasses isolated polypeptides encoded by these nucleic acid molecules, including isolated polypeptides having a molecular weight of approximately 81 kD as determined by SDS-PAGE and isolated polypeptides in non-glycosylated form. Isolated polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies that bind to these polypeptides are encompassed by the invention. The invention further encompasses methods for the production of SVPH1-8 polypeptides including culturing a host cell under conditions promoting expression and recovering the polypeptide from the culture medium. Especially, the expression of SVPH1-8 polypeptides in bacteria, yeast, plant, and animal cells is encompassed by the invention.
In addition, assays utilizing SVPH1-8 polypeptides to screen for potential inhibitors of activity associated with SVPH1-8 polypeptide counter-structure molecules, and methods of using SVPH1-8 polypeptides as therapeutic agents for the treatment of diseases mediated by SVPH1-8 polypeptide counter-structure molecules are encompassed by the invention. Further, methods of using SVPH1-8 polypeptides in the design of inhibitors thereof are also an aspect of the invention.
The invention further encompasses the fragmented peptides produced from SVPH1-8 polypeptides by chemical or enzymatic treatment. In addition, forms of SVPH1-8 polypeptide molecular weight markers and fragmented peptides thereof, wherein at least one of the sites necessary for fragmentation by chemical or enzymatic means has been mutated, are an aspect of the invention.
The invention also encompasses a method for the visualization of SVPH1-8 polypeptide molecular weight markers and fragmented peptides thereof using electrophoresis. The invention further includes a method for using SVPH1-8 polypeptide molecular weight markers and fragmented peptides thereof as molecular weight markers that allow the estimation of the molecular weight of a protein or a fragmented protein sample. The invention further encompasses methods for using SVPH1-8 polypeptides and fragmented peptides thereof as markers, which aid in the determination of the isoelectric point of a sample protein. The invention also encompasses methods for using SVPH1-8 polypeptides and fragmented peptides thereof as controls for establishing the extent of fragmentation of a protein sample.
Further encompassed by this invention are kits to aid the determination of molecular weights of a sample protein utilizing SVPH1-8 polypeptide molecular weight markers, fragmented peptides thereof, and forms of SVPH1-8 polypeptide molecular weight markers, wherein at least one of the sites necessary for fragmentation by chemical or enzymatic means has been mutated.
Further encompassed by this invention are methods of using SVPH1-8 nucleic acids, polypeptides, and antibodies as cell and tissue markers in the identification and purification of SVPH1-8 expressing cells.

Testis-specific human SVPH1-8 proteinase


Image processing in mobile devices is optimized by combining at least two of the color conversion, rotation, and scaling operations. Received images, such as still images or frames of video stream, are subjected to a combined transformation after decoding, where each pixel is color converted (e.g. from YUV to RGB), rotated, and scaled as needed. By combining two or three of the processes into one, read/write operations consuming significant processing and memory resources are reduced enabling processing of higher resolution images and/or power and processing resource savings.

Mobile devices have either landscape or portrait mode screens. Therefore, when the image or a single frame image from a video sequence is displayed in one of those specific screen orientations, a rotation operation may be needed in order to compensate the visual disorientation of the displayed image. Moreover, a size of an input image or video stream may be smaller or larger than the display screen size. In this case, scaling is typically performed in order to maximize the viewing space and to provide better user experience for image or video content.
Conventionally, rotation and/or scaling operations are carried out by separate scaling and rotation processes. This may be performed immediately after any image/video processing steps when the image or a single frame of video is ready to be scaled and/or rotated. The sequential processing practice has its disadvantages on system resources such as processor time and memory usage.

Rotation and scaling optimization for mobile devices


A method for fabricating a capacitor using a metal/insulator/metal (MIM) structure is disclosed. An example method for fabricating a capacitor using an MIM structure including a first metal layer, a dielectric layer, and a second metal layer etches the second metal layer and the dielectric layer in order and changes the etching conditions associated with the second metal layer prior to etching the dielectric layer.

Capacitors used in a semiconductor device are generally classified as a PIP (poly/insulator/poly) structure or a MIM (metal/insulator/metal) structure. Use of either of the PIP and MIM structures is based on the application in which a capacitor is used. The MIM structure is often used for high frequency semiconductor devices or applications. This is because in the case of a high frequency device undergoing a variation of characteristics due to a RC delay, it is preferable to employ the MIM structure using metals having superior electrical properties.
Conventional techniques for forming capacitors using the MIM structure are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,468,858, 5,406,447 and 6,597,068.
FIG. 1 shows a general MIM structure. As shown in FIG. 1, the MIM structure comprises a first metal layer 11, an insulation line 12 and a second metal layer 13, which are stacked in order. The first metal layer 11 includes two Ti/TiN films and an AlCu film sandwiched between the Ti/TiN films, for example. The second metal layer 13 includes one Ti/TiN film, for example. The insulation film 12 is located between the first and second metal layers and is formed of a nitride film, for example.
A metal reactive ion etching (RIE) process is commonly used to fabricate the capacitor using the above-described MIM structure. However, in this process, nitride residues 14 are roughly or unevenly formed on a surface of the nitride film.
The formation of the rough nitride residues 14 is due to the use of a thin nitride film and the inadequacy of process conditions, which result in small etching margin and application disability of process conditions prominent in removal capacity of nitride.
In addition, the rough nitride residues are not removed in subsequent processes as the property of the nitride film is changed in a metal cleaning process. If etching time is increased to remove the nitride residues, a lower layer may be exposed in a plurality of locations. This causes pattern defects, which is a factor of a pattern short, in a subsequent patterning process. Therefore, there is a practical limit to the amount that the etching time can be increased.

Method for fabricating a capacitor using a metal insulator metal structure


The invention provides a method of culturing a microorganism that produces a free fatty acid in a culture medium, comprising culturing the microorganism in the culture medium comprising a sufficient amount (e.g., at least about 0.5 mM) of a carboxylate counterion source to enhance viability of the microorganism in the culture medium. Fatty acids produced using the methods of the invention can be used to synthesize a variety of products, including biofuels.

Fossil fuel is a general term for buried combustible geologic deposits of organic materials, formed from decayed plants and animals that have been converted to crude oil, coal, natural gas, or heavy oils by exposure to heat and pressure in the earth's crust over hundreds of millions of years. The utilization of fossil fuels has enabled large-scale industrial development and largely supplanted water driven mills, as well as the combustion of wood or peat for heat. Fossil fuels are a finite, non-renewable resource. The burning of fossil fuels by humans is a source of emissions of carbon dioxide. In addition, other air pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and heavy metals are produced. The concentrations of several greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, have increased over time. According to the global warming hypothesis, an increase in greenhouse gas emissions from industry and agriculture has played a role in global warming.
Increased demand for energy by the global economy has also placed increasing pressure on the cost of hydrocarbons. Aside from energy, many industries, including plastics and chemical manufacturers, rely heavily on the availability of hydrocarbons as a feedstock for their manufacturing processes. Cost-effective alternatives to current sources of supply could help mitigate the upward pressure on energy and these raw material costs.
One approach for the cost-effective alternatives utilizes free fatty acid production by microorganisms. Culturing the microorganisms, however, is difficult as a high level of free fatty acid in a culture environment is toxic to many microorganisms. For example, a culture of fatty-acid producing microorganisms may accumulate a toxic level of free fatty acids over a period of hours or days. In addition, the toxicity of the free fatty acid in the culture environment may cause a selective pressure to reduce the expression levels of genes associated with free fatty acid production by the microorganisms.

Culturing a microorganism in a medium with an elevated level of a carboxylate counterion source

ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company


Disclosed herein are biomarkers and uses thereof for evaluating anti-cancer efficacy and sensitivity.

The profile of serum tumor-associated proteins is useful as a biomarker in detecting cancer at early stages, monitoring disease progression, and determining therapeutic response. Drug-responsive biomarkers are particularly critical for the selection of patients in whom the drug efficacy is expected. Currently, there are no serum biomarkers available for evaluation of the early tumor cell response during DR5-mediated apoptosis.
In many cases of anticancer therapies, biomarkers are critical to predict efficacy of the therapy for individual subjects. Biomarkers can be used to predict efficacy before treatment or can be monitored to predict the therapeutic response shortly after initiation of treatment. These biomarkers are useful to select appropriate subjects for the therapy and to save remaining subjects, in whom the therapy is unlikely to exhibit any clinical benefit, from unnecessary side effects and costs. Therefore, it becomes requisite to discover predictive biomarkers for anticancer drug development. Nevertheless, there are only a few biomarkers available for determining treatment, although many effective cancer therapies have been developed. For example, expression of estrogen receptor and/or progesterone receptors in breast cancers can predict therapeutic response to tamoxifen. Breast cancers with overexpression of the HER2/neu (ErbB2) proto-oncogene are more likely to respond to a humanized anti-HER2 monoclonal antibody trastuzumab (Herceptin).
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), also called Apo2L, is a member of the TNF superfamily and has an ability to trigger apoptosis in a variety of transformed cell lines. Five receptors for TRAIL have been identified: two death receptors, DR4 (TRAIL-R1) and DR5 (TRAIL-R2), that transduce the apoptosis signal, and three decoy receptors, DcR1(TRAIL-R3), DcR2 (TRAIL-R4), and osteoprotegrin, that inhibit TRAIL-induced apoptosis. DR4 and DR5 contain a cytoplasmic death domain that is essential for induction of apoptosis. After binding of TRAIL to DR4 and/or DR5, these receptors initiate apoptosis through recruitment of the adaptor Fas-associated death domain and the initiator caspase-8 to form the death-inducing signaling complex, which leads to activation of the effector caspase cascade and eventual cell death.
TRAIL induces apoptosis only in tumorigenic or transformed cells, but not in normal cells, although TRAIL mRNA is expressed constitutively in many human normal tissues. It is suggested that there may be some mechanisms that protect normal cells from apoptosis induced by TRAIL. Preclinical studies in mice and nonhuman primates have shown that recombinant soluble TRAIL has an antitumor efficacy in various human tumor xenograft models and no significant toxicity to normal tissues. However, it has also been reported that some forms of recombinant soluble TRAIL induce apoptosis in normal human hepatocytes in vitro, suggesting potential liver toxicity in humans, although it may be caused by the form of recombinant soluble TRAIL. The anti-human DR5 monoclonal antibody TRA-8 and humanized versions of TRA-8 induce apoptosis in cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo, without hepatocellular toxicity. However, various degrees of sensitivity have been observed among cancer cells.

Biomarkers for cancer sensitivity and uses thereof


A method of manufacturing a suspension for a head of a data storage device is disclosed, the method comprising etching at least one continuous cycle of a periodic pattern on the suspension, wherein a first part of the continuous cycle adjusts a pitch static attitude (PSA) of the suspension and a second part of the continuous cycle adjusts a roll static attitude (RSA) of the suspension.

Data storage devices such as disk drives comprise a disk and a head connected to a distal end of an actuator arm which is rotated about a pivot by a voice coil motor (VCM) to position the head radially over the disk. The disk comprises a plurality of radially spaced, concentric tracks for recording user data sectors and servo sectors. The servo sectors comprise head positioning information (e.g., a track address) which is read by the head and processed by a servo control system to control the actuator arm as it seeks from track to track.
The components of the head (e.g., read element, write element, fly height actuator, etc.) are typically fabricated on a substrate of a wafer which is then sliced into individual sliders. A slider is coupled to a distal end of a suspension that biases the slider toward the disk surface. The slider comprises an air-bearing surface (ABS) wherein as the disk rotates, an air-bearing is formed between the slider and the disk that counteracts the bias force of the suspension. Accordingly, the head essentially flies just above the disk surface during write/read operations. The suspension is coupled to the actuator arm so that as the actuator arm rotates about the pivot, the slider is actuated radially over the disk surface. The initial geometry of the suspension may cause and undesirable pitch static attitude (PSA) and/or roll static attitude (RSA) at the slider air-bearing surface. Prior art techniques have attempted to adjust the PSA and RSA of the suspension by laser etching sets of parallel lines (horizontal and vertical relative to the length of the suspension). However, further improvement in PSA and RSA adjustment is desirable.

Etching continuous periodic pattern on a suspension to adjust pitch and roll static attitude


A socket is shown having an insulative housing surrounding a metal substrate. The substrate has an array of apertures which are located in spatially arranged order to accommodate the precise pattern desired for the device to be connected. Contact assemblies include stamped and formed contacts having an insulative plastic molded over a central section of the contact. The molded inserts are receivable in the apertures of the substrate and are later swaged to retain them and the contacts to the substrate. The substrates are located relative to a mating device by way of pins attached to the substrate. The pins are locked to the substrate by way of a locking device, whereby the pins are rotated and locked in place.

The subject invention relates to a Land Grid Array (LGA) socket and a method of manufacturing the same.
Various packages or devices exist within the computer industry which require interconnection to a printed circuit board. These devices have lands or balls which are placed on 1.0-mm centerline spacing and below. These devices are profiled with arrays of 50 by 50 and even greater. Given the plurality of lands, their centerline spacing, and given the force applied to each land, this device causes a variety of problems in practice in connection to the printed circuit board.
Sockets exist within the market for the interconnection of such devices, where the sockets include columns of conductive polymer allowing the interconnection between the devices and the printed circuit boards. However, these devices too can cause some problems. For example, the conductive polymers can creep over time, and after temperature exposure and thermal cycling. Therefore, its elasticity is reduced, and the normal force, which is applied to the contact interface, is also reduced.
These and other problems are addressed by the present invention.


A RAID level migration system and method are provided that enable RAID level migration to be performed without the use of a hardware RAID controller with NVRAM for storing the migration parameters. Eliminating the need for a hardware controller having NVRAM significantly reduces the costs associated with performing RAID level migration. The system and method are capable of migrating from any arbitrary RAID level to any other arbitrary RAID level.

A storage array or disk array is a data storage device that includes multiple disk drives or similar persistent storage units. A storage array can allow large amounts of data to be stored in an efficient manner. A storage array also can provide redundancy to promote reliability, as in the case of a Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks (RAID) system. In general, RAID systems simultaneously use two or more hard disk drives, referred to herein as physical disk drives (PDs), to achieve greater levels of performance, reliability and/or larger data volume sizes. The phrase "RAID" is generally used to describe computer data storage schemes that divide and replicate data among multiple PDs. In RAID systems, one or more PDs are setup as a RAID virtual disk drive (VD). In a RAID VD, data might be distributed across multiple PDs, but the VD is seen by the user and by the operating system of the computer as a single disk. The VD is "virtual" in that storage space in the VD maps to the physical storage space in the PDs that make up the VD, but the VD usually does not itself represent a single physical storage device. Typically, a meta-data mapping table is used to translate an incoming VD identifier and address location into a PD identifier and address location.
Although a variety of different RAID system designs exist, all have two key design goals, namely: (1) to increase data reliability and (2) to increase input/output (I/O) performance. RAID has seven basic levels corresponding to different system designs. The seven basic RAID levels, typically referred to as RAID levels 0-6, are as follows. RAID level 0 uses striping to achieve improved data reliability and increased I/O performance. The term "striped" means that logically sequential data, such as a single data file, is fragmented and assigned to multiple PDs in a round-robbin fashion. Thus, the data is said to be "striped" over multiple PDs when the data is written. Striping improves performance and provides additional storage capacity. The fragments are written to their respective PDs simultaneously on the same sector. This allows smaller sections of the entire chunk of data to be read off the drive in parallel, providing improved I/O bandwidth. The larger the number of PDs in the RAID system, the higher the bandwidth of the system, but also the greater the risk of data loss. Parity is not used in RAID level 0 systems, which means that RAID level 0 systems do not have any fault tolerance. Consequently, when any PD fails, the entire system fails.
In RAID level 1 systems, mirroring without parity is used. Mirroring corresponds to the replication of stored data onto separate PDs in real time to ensure that the data is continuously available. RAID level 1 systems provide fault tolerance from disk errors because all but one of the PDs can fail without causing the system to fail. RAID level 1 systems have increased read performance when used with multi-threaded operating systems, but also have a small reduction in write performance.
In RAID level 2 systems, redundancy is used and PDs are synchronized and striped in very small stripes, often in single bytes/words. Redundancy is achieved through the use of Hamming codes, which are calculated across bits on PDs and stored on multiple parity disks. If a PD fails, the parity bits can be used to reconstruct the data. Therefore, RAID level 2 systems provide fault tolerance. In essence, failure of a single PD does not result in failure of the system.
RAID level 3 systems use byte-level striping in combination with interleaved parity bits and a dedicated parity disk. RAID level 3 systems require the use of at least three PDs. The use of byte-level striping and redundancy results in improved performance and provides the system with fault tolerance. However, use of the dedicated parity disk creates a bottleneck for writing data due to the fact that every write requires updating of the parity data. A RAID level 3 system can continue to operate without parity and no performance penalty is suffered in the event that the parity disk fails.
RAID level 4 is essentially identical to RAID level 3 except that RAID level 4 systems employ block-level striping instead of byte-level or word-level striping. Because each stripe is relatively large, a single file can be stored in a block. Each PD operates independently and many different I/O requests can be handled in parallel. Error detection is achieved by using block-level parity bit interleaving. The interleaved parity bits are stored in a separate single parity disk.
RAID level 5 uses striping in combination with distributed parity. In order to implement distributed parity, all but one of the PDs must be present for the system to operate. Failure of any one of the PDs necessitates replacement of the PD. However, failure of a single one of the PDs does not cause the system to fail. Upon failure of one of the PDs, any subsequent reads can be calculated from the distributed parity such that the PD failure is masked from the end user. If a second one of the PDs fails, the system will suffer a loss of data, and the system is vulnerable until the data that was on the failed PD is reconstructed on a replacement PD.
RAID level 6 uses striping in combination with dual distributed parity. RAID level 6 systems require the use of at least four PDs, with two of the PDs being used for storing the distributed parity bits. The system can continue to operate even if two PDs fail. Dual parity becomes increasingly important in systems in which each VD is made up of a large number of PDs. RAID level systems that use single parity are vulnerable to data loss until the failed drive is rebuilt. In RAID level 6 systems, the use of dual parity allows a VD having a failed PD to be rebuilt without risking loss of data in the event that a PD of one of the other VDs fails before completion of the rebuild of the first failed PD.
Many variations on the seven basic RAID levels described above exist. For example, the attributes of RAID levels 0 and 1 may be combined to obtain a RAID level known as RAID level 0+1. When designing a RAID system, the RAID level that the system will have is selected at the time the design is created based on the needs of the user (i.e., cost, capacity, performance, and safety against loss of data). Over time, however, it is possible that the RAID system will cease to meet the user's needs. Often times, the user will replace the RAID system having the current RAID level with a new RAID system having a different RAID level. In order to replace the current RAID system, the data stored in the current RAID system is backed up to a temporary backup storage system. The VD parameters are also stored in a backup storage system. Once the data and VD parameters have been backed up, the new RAID system is put in place and made operational. The backed up data is then moved from the backup storage system to the new RAID system. The stored VD parameters are used to create a mapping between the VDs of the new RAID system and the PDs of the new RAID level system.
Recently, a technique known as RAID level migration has been used to migrate a RAID system from one RAID level to another RAID level. Using RAID level migration eliminates the need to replace the current RAID level system with a new RAID level system. With RAID level migration, it is not necessary to move the data to a backup storage system. Rather, during the migration process, the data is read from the PDs comprising the current VDs and written to the PDs comprising the new VDs. Migration is generally superior to replacement in terms of costs and time.
FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a typical RAID system 2 having the capability of performing RAID level migration. The system 2 includes a hardware controller 3 for performing the RAID level migration. The hardware controller 3 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 4, a memory device 5, a nonvolatile random access memory device (NVRAM) 6, and an I/O interface device 7. The I/O interface device 7 is configured to perform data transfer in compliance with known data transfer protocol standards, such as the Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) and/or the Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) standards. The I/O interface device 7 controls the transfer of data to and from multiple PDs 8.
The controller 3 communicates via a peripheral interconnect (PCI) bus 9 with a server CPU 11 and a memory device 12. The memory device 12 stores software programs for execution by the server CPU 11 and data. During a typical write action, the server CPU 11 sends instructions for a write request via the PCI bus 9 to the hardware controller 3. The CPU 4 of the hardware controller 3 causes the data to be temporarily stored in a memory device 5 of the hardware controller 3. The data is subsequently transferred from the memory device 5 via the I/O interface device 7 to one or more of the PDs 8. The memory device 5 contains the core logic for performing the mapping between virtual addresses of the VD and physical addresses of the PDs 8. The CPU 4 performs calculations in accordance with the RAID level of the system 2, such as parity calculations. In the event that the current RAID level of the system 2 uses parity, the I/O interface device 7 causes the parity bits to be stored in one or more of the PDs 8.
During a typical read operation, the server CPU 11 sends a corresponding request to the hardware controller 3 via the PCI bus 9. The CPU 4, with use of the logic held in memory device 5, processes the request and causes the requested data to be retrieved from the PDs 8. The retrieved data is temporarily stored in the memory device 5. Subsequently, the data is read out of the memory device 5 and transferred over the PCI bus 9 to the server CPU 11 to satisfy the read request.
In order to perform the migration process, the CPU 4 of the hardware controller 3 reconfigures the core logic of the VDs in memory device 5 to cause it to operate in accordance with the new RAID level and to perform the new VD to PD mapping. During the migration process, the migration parameters are saved in the NVRAM 6. The migration parameters typically include:    (1) Migration Type: information that describes the type of migration that is being performed (e.g., R0 to R1, R1 to R5, etc.) and which PDs are involved;    (2) Migration Progress: information that describes which block of data is currently being migrated and the corresponding read and write pointers;    (3) Migration Status: information that describes which stage of operations has recently been completed; and    4) Media errors: information that describes media errors that have been temporarily recorded during the migration of the current block of data.
The purpose of storing the migration parameters in NVRAM 6 during the migration process is to eliminate the risk of data being lost during the migration process in the event of a loss of power or other unexpected errors. However, the need for a hardware controller having NVRAM increases the overall costs associated with the system 2 and increases the costs associated with performing RAID level migration.

Method and system for performing RAID level migration