A phase-locked loop and method of operation are disclosed. One embodiment includes providing a phase-locked loop, comprising a charge pump system comprising a first charge pump and a second charge pump, the charge pump system configured to provide control signals, a dual path filter, the dual path filter consisting of passive components that are configured to provide summation of control signals, wherein the dual path filter includes a first node coupled between a first charge pump and a first capacitor, wherein the dual path filter includes a second node coupled to a second charge pump through a first resistor, wherein the second node is connected to the first capacitor, and a voltage source coupled to the second node through a second resistor.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is generally related to frequency synthesizers. More particularly, the invention relates to phase-locked loops that include loop filters integrated entirely on a semiconductor chip.
2. Related Art
Frequency synthesizers are regularly employed in communication transceivers used in numerous types of communication systems and communication technologies. The frequency synthesizer typically includes a phase-locked loop comprising an oscillator, such as a voltage-controlled oscillator, a loop filter, and a phase-frequency detector. A problem with conventional phase-locked loop designs is that the conventional loop filter consists of capacitors that often consume too much space to practically allow integration on a chip.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates an example phase-locked loop (PLL) 160. The phase-locked loop 160 includes a phase-frequency detector (PFD) 162, a charge pump (CP) 164, a loop filter 166, a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) 168, and a divide-by-N (/N) module 170. Note that N can be a fractional or integer value. Although shown using a divide-by-N module 170, the phase-locked loop 160 can also be implemented using a mixer in place of the divide-by-N module 170. The use of a mixer in place of the divide-by-N module 170 provides an architecture that is known in the industry as an "offset-phase-locked loop" or "translational loop." The phase-locked loop 160 locks the output signal of the VCO 168 to a clock signal (designated reference signal, Vref) that is N times lower in frequency than the VCO output signal.
The PFD 162 controls the frequency of the output signal of the VCO 168. The PFD 162 of the phase-locked loop 160 receives the divided VCO output signal from the divide-by-N module 170 at one input terminal and compares the phase and frequency of the divided VCO output signal to the reference signal, Vref, received at the other input terminal. Based on the comparison of the divided VCO output signal to the reference signal, the PFD 162 generates control signals to the charge pump 164, which generates a control signal (e.g., current signal) that is low-pass filtered by the loop filter 166 and then provided to the VCO 168. The filtered control signal output from the loop filter 166 is received by a varactor (not shown) in the VCO 168. The filtered control signal from the loop filter 166 tunes the varactor by changing the voltage across the varactor, thereby changing the frequency (and the phase) of the output signal of the VCO 168. The output signal of the VCO 168 is then divided down by the divide-by-N module 170 for comparison with the lower clock frequency, Vref, at the PFD 162 to adjust to the same phase and frequency.
The loop filter 166 generally comprises an integrating capacitor 174, with a value generally in the range of a few hundred pico-Farads for UHF (ultra-high-frequency) phase-locked loops. The integrating capacitor 174 is configured in parallel with a series R-C combination (i.e., a resistor 171-capacitor 173 series arrangement), which creates a low-frequency zero in the frequency response of the loop filter 166. A low-frequency zero can improve stability of the phase-locked loop 160. One well-known mechanism for creating a low-frequency zero is by using a large capacitor (e.g., capacitor 173 is typically in the range of a few nano-Farads). The integrating capacitor 174 is also in parallel with another R-C combination (resistor 172 and capacitor 175), which attenuates high-frequency signal components that are output from the charge pump 164 and creates a high-frequency pole in the frequency response of the loop filter 166. These resistor-capacitor networks of the loop filter 166 pose integration difficulties with the rest of the phase-locked loop components because of the large amount of space consumed to realize the needed capacitance (e.g., in the few nano-Farads range).
Several attempts at integrating a loop filter onto a chip are known in the art. One example implementation is illustrated in FIG. 2A. FIG. 2A is a block diagram of an example phase-locked loop (PLL) 260 configured with what is known in the art as a dual-path loop filter 266. This circuit is described in further detail in "A 1.5V 900 MHz Monolithic CMOS Fast-Switching Frequency Synthesizer For Wireless Applications," by C. W. Lo, H. C. Luong, in the 2000 Symposium on VLSI Circuit Digest of Technical papers, pp. 238–241, herein incorporated by reference. The phase-locked loop 260 includes a phase-frequency detector (PFD) 262, a charge pump (CP) system 264 comprising charge pump modules 269a and 269b, a loop filter 266, a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) 268, and a divide-by-N (/N) module 270. The general principles of operation for the phase-locked loop 260 are similar to that described for the phase-locked loop 160 of FIG. 1. However, in the example phase-locked loop 260, the charge pump system 264 includes two modules 269a and 269b that provide current signals ICP1 and ICP2 on output connections 280 and 282, respectively. Connections 280 and 282 are a point of origination for dual paths of the loop filter 266. The current signals from each module 269a and 269b are a ratio of each other (e.g., they both increase or decrease based on the signals from the PFD 262). Generally, the current values at connections 280 and 282 are different (e.g., 10 microamperes versus 100 microamperes, respectively). The use of dual paths carrying current signals that are a ratio of each other provides a mechanism to obtain low-frequency zeroes for the frequency response of the loop filter 266 while enabling a reduction in the size of the capacitors of the loop filter 266 to conserve chip area.
The loop filter 266 comprises R-C networks configured as an integrator 284 in the path corresponding to connection 280, and a low-pass filter (LPF) 286 in the path corresponding to connection 282. Signals from the integrator 284 and the LPF 286 are provided on separate connections 290 and 291 to the VCO 268, which is shown in further detail in FIG. 2B.
The VCO 268 includes, among other components, back-to-back varactors 202 and 204. Varactor 202 includes back-to-back, reverse-biased diodes 206 and 208, and varactor 204 includes back-to-back, reverse-biased diodes 210 and 212. The output of the integrator 284 (FIG. 2A) is provided over connection 290 to node 218 corresponding to varactor 202. The output of the LPF 286 (FIG. 2A) is provided over connection 291 to node 220 corresponding to varactor 204. Diodes 206, 208, 210, and 212 are weighted to enable summation of the outputs of the integrator 284 and LPF 286 in the capacitance domain. Typically, one varactor set will have a KVCO (i.e., the control characteristic of a VCO in frequency per voltage) that is scaled in comparison to the other set. For example, varactor 202 may have a KVCO of approximately 10 mega-Hertz (MHz) per volt, whereas the other varactor 204 may be ten times less in KVCO value. Thus, the varactors 202 and 204 of the VCO 268 combine the different filtering characteristics of the loop filter paths, enabling smaller capacitance values for the loop filter 266 than those utilized in the loop filter 166 (FIG. 1) for the phase-locked loop 160 of FIG. 1. Yet, the output signal of the phase-locked loop 260 approximates the output signal provided in the phase-locked loop 160.
Similar dual-path solutions have been disclosed. In J. Craninckx and M. Steyaert's article, "A Fully-Integrated CMOS DCS-1800 Frequency Synthesizer," IEEE Journal of Solid State Circuit (JSSC), December 1998, pp. 2054–2065, herein incorporated by reference, a dual-path loop filter is used to create a low-frequency zero in the frequency response of the loop filter by adding an integrator path and a low-pass filter path. Each of these paths has a separate charge pump modules, as shown in FIG. 2A. This implementation is disclosed using two active devices to do the summation of the two paths. However, the active components can create extra noise.
Another solution is described in the 2001 Symposium on VLSI Circuits Digest of Technical Papers, pp. 43-46, entitled, "A Fully-Integrated CMOS Frequency Synthesizer With Charge-Averaging Charge Pump And Dual-Loop Path Filter for PCS and Cellular CDMA Wireless Systems," by Y. Yoo, et al., herein incorporated by reference. In this implementation, a unity gain buffer is used to combine the two paths, thus using only a single active device.
Although some of these implementations facilitate the integration on-chip of loop filters by reducing the capacitance and consequently the area consumed by the capacitive device, it would be desirable to provide a phase-locked loop having a loop filter integrated on chip and having reduced complexity and improved noise performance while not significantly altering the loop transfer characteristics.

Loop filter integration in phase-locked loops


The present invention relates to a method of suppressing bone marrow (BM) and treating conditions that arise in or near bone such as cancer, myeloproliferative diseases, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, metabolic diseases or genetic diseases, with compositions having as their active ingredient a radionuclide complexed with a chelating agent such as macrocyclic aminophosphonic acid.

The use of agents which cause partial or total suppression or eradication of bone marrow has become an accepted part of certain procedures used to treat patients with cancers such as leukemias, lymphomas, myelomas and Hodgkin's disease as well as in the treatment of patients suffering from hematopoietic disorders such as sickle cell anemia and thalassemia. In situations where the patient is suffering from a hematopoietic disorder such as thalassemia or sickle cell anemia, bone marrow transplantation may offer the possibility of a cure. If the abnormal bone marrow of an individual suffering from sickle cell anemia or thalassemia can be eradicated and then replaced with a bone marrow that takes and is reproduced and capable of producing normal red cells with normal hemoglobin, the individual may be cured.
Multiple myeloma is a disease of abnormal plasma cell proliferation that can result in anemia, pathologic fractures, renal failure, and death. Complete eradication of the abnormal plasma cells and precursor abnormal cells that may differentiate into abnormal plasma cells can prevent the progression, reverse or even cure the disease.
Current therapy is high dose chemotherapy (melphalan or combinations such as thiotepa/busulfan/cyclophosphamide) with or without total body irradiation (TBI). Treatment with melphalan 140 mg/m2 of body-surface area given intravenously can induce complete remissions in about 20-30% of patients. However, it causes severe and sometimes irreversible myelosuppression. For example, see B. Barlogie et al., Blood, 72, 2015 (1989); (1998); D. Cunningham et al., J. Clin. Oncol., 12, 764 (1994); R. Bataille et al., New Engl. J. Med., 336, 1657 (1997).
Furthermore, when radiation is combined with other cytotoxic therapies, such as chemotherapy, the toxicity can be additive or synergistic. In addition, patients who undergo bone marrow suppression or ablation, sufficient to require either growth factor support, transfusion support or stem cell reinfusion, may encounter toxicities from the chemotherapy, from TBI, or both.
The dose of chemotherapy and radiotherapy that can be administered to an individual patient is often limited by patient age or overall health. Some patients who could benefit from high dose chemotherapy and radiotherapy do not receive it because they are considered to old or have other concomitant diseases which make them unsuitable candidates because of the non-target organ toxicity currently associated with these therapies. Higher doses of radiation may increase the percentage of tumor cells that are killed, and, with ionizing radiation, there comes a point where small increments in radiation can have a major impact on the percentage of cells killed.
The use of complexed radionuclides for bone marrow suppression is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,853,209, where the use of Samarium-153 (153Sm), Gadolinium-159 (159Gd), or Holmium-166 (166Ho) complexed with a ligand selected from ethylenediaminetetramethylenephosphonic acid (EDTMP), diethylenetriaminepentamethylenephosphonic acid (DTPMP), hydroxyethylethylenediaminetrimethylenephosphonic acid (HEEDTMP), nitrilotrimethylenephosphonic acid (NTMP), or tris(2-aminoethyl)aminehexamethylenephosphonic acid (TTHMP) is disclosed. Phosphonic acid-containing chelators are selected due to their ability to target the radionuclide to the bone.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,882,142, and 5,059,412 are directed to a method for the suppression of bone marrow and to a composition for use in the method. The method comprises administering to a mammal in need of such treatment a bone marrow suppressing amount of at least one composition comprised of a radionuclide 153Sm, 159Gd, or 166Ho complexed with 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecanemethylenephosphonic acid as the macrocyclic chelating moiety. The method of bone marrow suppression described therein may be used in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs and/or external radiation. The compositions comprise the radionuclides in dosages comprising from about 18 to 1850 megabecquerels per kilogram of body weight of the target mammal. The amount of radioactivity delivered to the bone is necessarily lower, and was not determined.
Therefore, a continuing need exists for methodologies and agents useful for selective bone marrow suppression and/or for adequate tumor cell killing, that is, wherein the bone marrow is suppressed and/or tumor cells killed with only minimal damage to non-target soft tissues, for example, liver, urinary bladder, and kidney. There is also a need for a means of delivering high radiation doses to sites of disease in or near bone, with standard or high dose chemotherapy without increasing toxicity to non-target organs. For those situations where bone marrow support can aid in therapy or cure, it would be desirable to have a means of first selectively suppressing the abnormal or diseased bone marrow independent of, or with limited, total body irradiation.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A compound bow includes a riser section, a pair of inner bow limbs cantilevered to respective ends of the riser section, and a pair of outer bow limbs each hingably attached the free standing end of the inner bow limbs. A cam assembly includes a pair of parallel cams attached to opposite sides of the riser section for allowing a pair of camming cables to extend over the edges of the hinged limbs. Each pair of parallel cams are disposed outboard of the width of the riser section to interconnect the bow limbs for lessening the pull force as the drawstring is pulled beyond an intermediate draw length. In a preferred arrangement, the camming cables each extend of the edge of the outer bow limb, and are spaced on either side of the hinged connection between the bow limbs.

For purposes of control and accuracy, it is desirable that a less than maximum draw force be perceived by an archer when the bowstring has been pulled taut. To that end, a number of bow designs utilize cams suspended between the bow limbs to control the relative motion between the bow string and the bow limbs such that maximum pull is reached at an intermediate draw position. Such designs are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,981,290, 4,287,867, and 5,388,569. In the U.S. Pat. No. '569 patent, a cam assembly is disposed adjacent the interconnection of the outer and power limbs, and interconnected to the riser using a pair of corresponding pulleys.
A more specific compound bow design designed and manufactured by Oneida Labs of Fulton, N.Y., is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The bow 10A includes a riser portion 12A having a pair of outer limbs 54, each limb being hingably attached to the distal end of a respective power limb 38. The opposite or proximal end of each power limb 38 is attached to the end of the riser portion 12A. A drawstring 74 extends between the distal ends of the outer limbs 54.
More specifically, a single cam 156 is centrally mounted to an axle disposed between a pair of mounted parallel extension plates 140, 144 at the top and bottom of the riser portion 12A, the plates being directly attached by fasteners thereto. A pair of cables 110, 120 extend from each cam 156, one of the cables 110 being interconnected with the outer limb 54 to rotate the mounted cam in response to pulling of the drawstring 74. As the cam 156 rotates past its knockover point, the tension in the drawstring as perceived by the archer is significantly reduced, thereby allowing a level of accuracy and control at the time most needed.
The remaining cable 120 interconnects each cam 156 with each flexible power limb 38 to bias and return the cam to its original prefiring position after the tension of the drawstring 74 has been removed, using the hinged arrangement between the outer limb 54 and the power limb.
In the described bow design, the plates 140, 144 must extend a considerable distance in order to allow the mounted cam 156 to successfully rotate. In addition, because the cam 156 is centrally disposed between the two plates 140, 144, an intermediate yoke 130 is required to allow interconnection of the first cable 110 from the internal grooves of the cam 156 over the edges of the outer limb 54. Similarly, a clevis block 160 is also required to interconnect the remaining cam cable 120 to the power limb 38.
Each of the above components introduce a level of structural complexity, as well as add weight to the above described bow. For example, the use of the intermediate yoke constrains the sizing of the bow, preventing the manufacture of bows for younger users. It is a perceived desire in the industry to be able to construct and manufacture a compound bow including a cam assembly for lessening the draw force, but which optimizes weight, size and manufacturability.


A predetermined number of logical page addresses are effectively translated into corresponding real ones. The number of the logical page addresses is determined by (M+N) bits and, each of the logical page addresses includes upper M-bit and lower N-bit. Logical page address registers, whose number is equal to 2.sup.N, are provided to respectively store the predetermined number of logical page addresses applied. Address translation buffers (whose number is also equal to 2.sup.N) each stores 2.sup.M real page addresses which are grouped according to each of the lower N bits. The address translation buffers receive the upper M-bit of one of the logical page addresses, and output real addresses. An address translation controller receives the outputs of the address translation buffers and also receives the lower N-bit, and selects the real page addresses using the lower N-bit. The selected real page addresses are applied to a plurality of real address registers. A page number comparator determines whether or not the upper M-bit of one of the logical page address coincides with the upper M-bit of each of the remaining logical page addresses. The page number comparator outputs the comparison results which allow the real address(es) stored in the real address registers to be applied to a main memory.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an arrangement for translating logical (or virtual) page addresses into corresponding real ones in data processing systems using virtual memory techniques.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A so-called supercomputer has found extensive uses in high speed mathematical or scientific tasks such as in weather forecast simulation, image data processing for natural resources, etc. It is known in the art that such a very powerful mainframe adopts high-level operations that work on vectors (viz., linear arrays of numbers) utilizing a virtual memory technique. The virtual memory is a large imaginary main memory made available by loading smaller pages from a backing store into a main memory as they are required.
The mechanism used to define the relationship between the logical (or virtual) address space that the program thinks it is controlling, and the actual main memory locations being utilized, is called an "address translation".
In order to accelerate the page address translation, it is a common practice to prepare one or more address translation buffers into which a page address translation table(s) has previously been transferred from a main memory.
One known approach to performing high-speed page address translation, is to translate all the logical page addresses at a time by preparing a plurality of address translation buffers, the number of which is equal to the entire number of logical pages. Although this method is able to attain the address translation at a high speed and hence a high throughput, it has encountered the problem in that a bulky hardware arrangement is undesirably required.
Another known approach is to prepare a plurality of address translation buffers and then implement address translation of a plurality of consecutive logical pages at a time according to a heading number of the consecutive logical pages to be translated and a direction (increasing or decreasing direction) of the consecutive page numbers. This prior art has been disclosed in Japanese patent application publication No. 63-62012 issued for public inspection on Dec. 1, 1988. This prior art features an effective address translation without an undesirable increase in hardware, but has encountered the problem in that it is unable to implement address translation of a plurality of logical pages at any given time if a program requires random logical pages in the case of indirect addressing.

Arrangement for simultaneously translating logical page addresses to corresponding real ones in data processing system


The present invention relates to a field coil assembly of an electromagnetic clutch for a compressor. A field coil assembly according to the present invention includes a field coil member 20 having a coil wire 22 extending outward; a power connecting member 30 having a sleeve 35 with a terminal 40 protruding out, the terminal electrically connecting the coil wire 22 to an external power source; a flange 28 coupled to one side of the field coil member 20 with the coil wire 22 drawn therefrom, the flange 28 having a catching portion 29 coupled with the sleeve 35, the flange 28 having electric conductivity; and a ground terminal 50 provided in the sleeve 35 and electrically connected to the terminal 40, the ground terminal 50 having at least a portion contacted with the catching portion 29.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a field coil assembly of an electromagnetic clutch, and more particularly, to a field coil assembly of an electromagnetic clutch in which a grounding structure and an interconnection structure between a terminal of a power supply connector and a field coil are improved.
2. Description of the Related Art
A compressor of a refrigerant system for a vehicle operates and stops under the control of an electromagnetic clutch that regulates rotating power transferred from a vehicle engine to a rotating shaft of the compressor.
As shown in FIG. 1, a general electromagnetic clutch 101 includes a pulley 103 rotating with power received from a vehicle engine, a disc and hub assembly 105 coupled to a rotating shaft 109 of a compressor 107 so as to be attached to or detached from the pulley 103, and a field coil assembly 110 for attaching or detaching the disc and hub assembly 105 to or from the pulley 103 according to supply or interruption of power.
If power is supplied to the field coil assembly 110, the electromagnetic clutch 101 forms a magnetic field by electromagnetic force so that the disc and hub assembly 105 is attracted attached to a frictional surface of the pulley 103, thereby operating the compressor 107. Then, if the supply of power to the field coil assembly 110 is interrupted, the disc and hub assembly 105 is separated from the frictional surface of the pulley 103 due to the released electromagnetic force and elastically repulsive force of the disc and hub assembly 105, whereby the compressor 107 stops operating.
In other words, the compressor 107 operates or stops under the control of the electromagnetic clutch 101 according to whether or not to supply power to the field coil assembly 110.
The field coil assembly 110 employed in the conventional electromagnetic clutch 101 includes a field coil member 120 for generating electromagnetic force, a power connecting member 130 for connecting an external power source to the field coil member 120, and a ground terminal 150 for the field coil member 120, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
Now, the field coil member 120, the power connecting member 130 and the ground terminal 150 will be described in detail.
First, the field coil member 120 includes a coil body 121 having a coil wire 122 wound in a ring shape, and a bobbin 123 receiving the coil body 121 and having a coil drawn-out portion 124 formed in a region thereof to expose both ends of the coil wire 122 that extends outward from the coil body 121.
In addition, the field coil member 120 is provided with a core ring 125 that receives the bobbin 123 having the coil body 121 received therein and is inserted into a coil receiving space of the pulley 103.
The field coil member 120 is provided with a core ring cover 127. The core ring cover 127 serves to seal an open side of the core ring 125, which receives the coil body 121 and the bobbin 123.
The field coil member 120 is provided with a flange 128. The flange 128 is coupled to one side of the core ring 125, and the flange 128 has catching portions 129 formed in a region corresponding to the coil drawn-out portion 124 of the bobbin 123, wherein the catching portions 129 are caught to or released from a sleeve 135 of the power connecting member 130, which will be described later.
In addition, the power connecting member 130 includes a connector 131 connected to an external power source, and the sleeve 135 electrically connected to the connector 131 and having terminals 140 connected to the exposed ends of the coil wire 122 of the field coil member 120.
Here, as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, the power connecting member 130 is configured such that the connector 131 connected to an external power source A (see FIG. 1) is formed integrally with the sleeve 135, and the terminals 140 is provided within the sleeve 135 by an insert injection molding process.
Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b, upper and lower sleeves 135a and 135b may be coupled with each other to form a sleeve 135, and terminals 140 interposed between the upper and lower sleeves 135a and 135b may be electrically connected to a power supply line 133 of the connector 131.
The sleeve 135 of the power connecting member 130 has hooks 137 formed at both sides thereof in a width direction, wherein the hooks 137 are caught and engaged to the catching portions 129 formed on the flange 128 of the field coil member 120.
In addition, the terminals 140 for electrically connecting the coil body 121 of the field coil to the external power source protrude between the pair of hooks 137. Here, a connection end of the terminal 140 is open at one side thereof to have a '⊂' shape such that both the ends of the coil wire 122 of the field coil member 120 may be inserted therein.
Meanwhile, the ground terminal 150 is provided at one end of a ground lead wire 151 extending from the coil body 121 of the field coil member 120 to the outside through the bobbin 123 and the core ring 125. At this time, a bushing 153 having an airtight property is coupled to the portions of the bobbin 123 and the core ring 125 through which the ground lead wire 151 passes, thereby allowing the ground lead wire 151 to be drawn out with airtight.
An assembling process of the field coil assembly 110 of the conventional electromagnetic clutch 101 so configured will be described. When the sleeve 135 of the power connecting member 130 is inserted between the catching portions 129 formed on the flange 128, the hooks 137 at both the sides of the sleeve 135 are caught to the catching portions 129, and both the ends of the coil wire 122 of the field coil member 120 are inserted into the '⊂' shaped connection ends of the terminals 140.
In this state, the '⊂' shaped connection ends of the terminals 140 are compressed by means of a press tool (not shown), and the compressed portions are treated through a high frequency fusing process. Then, the electrically coupling state of the end of the coil wire 122 and the connection end of the terminal 140 is maintained.
Then, the electrically connected portions between the coil wire 122 and the terminals 140 of the sleeve 135 and their surroundings are molded by an insert injection molding process, thereby preventing the electric connection portions from being exposed to the outside and penetrated by moisture. Thus, the field coil assembly 110 is completely assembled.
In addition, the ground terminal 150 is grounded to one side of a vehicle body using a coupling part (not shown), such as a screw or rivet.
However, in the field coil assembly 110 of such a conventional electromagnetic clutch 101, the '⊂' shaped connection end of the terminal 140 of the sleeve 135 has a certain height and surround a vertical range of the end of the coil wire 122, so that the molded portion M formed on the electric connection portions of the coil wire 122 and the terminal 140 of the sleeve 135 and their surroundings has a great height h.
More specifically, the height h of the molded portion M is at least a sum of the height of the '⊂' shaped connection end of the terminal 140 and a length of the coil wire 122 drawing upward from the '⊂' shaped connection end.
Due to the height of the molded portion M, the overall appearance of the field coil assembly 110 is deteriorated.
Also, in a process of mounting the field coil assembly 110 to the coil receiving space of the pulley 103, the molded portion M of the sleeve 135 may easily interfere with surroundings due to its height h, thereby deteriorating the mountablity of the field coil assembly 10. Also, the volume occupied by the field coil assembly 110 in a vehicle is increased, thereby deteriorating a space utilization of a vehicle.
In addition, the field coil assembly 110 of such a conventional electromagnetic clutch 101 is provided with the additional ground terminal 150, which needs additional parts such as the ground lead wire 151 and the bushing 153 in addition to the ground terminal 150, thereby increasing the number of parts and assembling processes.
Also, since the ground terminal 150 grounded to the vehicle body is exposed to the outside, the exposed portion easily corrodes, thereby deteriorating the durability of the field coil assembly 110.

Field coil assembly of electromagnetic clutch


An arrangement for, and a method of, electro-optically reading a target by image capture, employ an aiming assembly for projecting an aiming light pattern on the target that is located within a range of working distances relative to a housing, an imaging assembly for capturing an image of the target and of the aiming light pattern over a field of view, and a controller for determining a distance of the target relative to the housing based on a position of the aiming light pattern in the captured image, for determining a scanning resolution based on the determined distance, for comparing the determined scanning resolution with a scanning resolution setting, and for processing the captured image based on the comparison.

Solid-state imaging systems or imaging readers have been used, in both handheld and/or hands-free modes of operation, to electro-optically read targets, such as one- and two-dimensional bar code symbols, each bearing elements, e.g., bars and spaces, of different widths and reflectivities, to be decoded, as well as non-symbol or form targets, such as documents, labels, receipts, signatures, drivers' licenses, and payment/loyalty cards, each bearing alphanumeric characters, as well as pictures, to be imaged. A known exemplary imaging reader includes a housing either held by a user and/or supported on a support surface, a window supported by the housing and aimed at the target, and an imaging engine or module supported by the housing and having a solid-state imager (or image sensor) with a sensor array of photocells or light sensors (also known as pixels), and an imaging lens assembly for capturing return light scattered and/or reflected from the target being imaged along an imaging axis through the window over a field of view, and for projecting the return light onto the sensor array to initiate capture of an image of the target over a range of working distances in which the target can be read. Such an imager may include a one- or two-dimensional charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device and associated circuits for producing and processing electrical signals corresponding to a one- or two-dimensional array of pixel data over the field of view. These electrical signals are decoded and/or processed by a programmed microprocessor or controller into information related to the target being read, e.g., decoded data indicative of a symbol, or into a picture of a non-symbol target.
In order to increase the amount of the return light captured by the sensor array, especially in dimly lit environments and/or at far range imaging and reading, the known imaging module may also have an illuminating light assembly for illuminating the target with illumination light from an illuminating light source, e.g., one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) and illuminating lenses, for reflection and scattering therefrom. The known imaging module may also have an aiming light assembly for projecting an aiming light pattern or mark, such as a "crosshair" pattern, with aiming light from an aiming light source, e.g., an aiming laser or one or more LEDs, through aiming lenses on the target prior to imaging. The user aims the aiming pattern on the target to be imaged during an aiming mode prior to imaging and reading.
In the hands-free mode, the user may slide or swipe the target past the window in either horizontal and/or vertical and/or diagonal directions in a "swipe" mode. Alternatively, the user may present the target to an approximate central region of the window in a "presentation" mode. The choice depends on the type of target, operator preference, or on the layout of a workstation in which the reader is used. In the handheld mode, the user holds the reader in his or her hand at a certain distance from the target to be imaged and initially aims the reader at the target. The user may first lift the reader from a countertop or a support stand or cradle. Once reading is completed, the user may return the reader to the countertop or to the support stand to resume hands-free operation.
Although the known imaging readers are generally satisfactory for their intended purpose, one concern relates to the scanning resolution (also known as pixel resolution), often expressed by a value measured in pixels per inch (ppi). Scanning resolution refers to the size of the smallest target detail that the sensor array can resolve (assuming the focus of the imaging lens assembly is adequate), which is determined by the size of the detail in the target image projected onto the sensor array. Put another way, the scanning resolution can be defined as the size of the smallest detail on the target that a single pixel of the sensor array can resolve. The target image on the sensor array grows smaller as the distance to the target is increased. When the target image approaches (for instance) around the same size as a pixel, the end of the working range has been reached, simply because, if the target moves any further away than that, then the smallest detail can no longer be resolved by the sensor array.
It is standard for the controller of the known reader to energize an indicator, such as a beeper or an indicating light emitting diode (LED), to advise a user that a symbol target has been successfully decoded. Thus, if the user receives no such feedback when attempting to read a symbol target at one distance, then the user will simply move the symbol target and/or the reader to another distance until such feedback is received.
However, when reading a non-symbol or form target, such as a document, there is no such equivalent feedback. If the scanning resolution is low at a particular distance, then the captured image will lack sufficient detail, be blurry, and perhaps illegible, particularly if, for example, the captured image is subsequently used as an input to recognition software, such as facial or object recognition software, or optical character recognition (OCR) software, or optical mark recognition (OMR) software, or intelligent character recognition (ICR) software, etc. The user will not be alerted to the poor quality, or lack of sharpness, of the image being captured and is not guided to try and get a better quality, or sharper, image by perhaps changing the distance between the reader and the document.
Accordingly, there is a need to provide an arrangement for, and a method of, electro-optically reading a target, particularly a non-symbol target, by image capture, based on an evaluation of the scanning resolution based on the target distance and by providing user feedback, especially if a minimum scanning resolution setting is not met.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
The arrangement and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

Image capture based on scanning resolution setting compared to determined scanning resolution relative to target distance in barcode reading


The present invention provides an organic electroluminescent element containing: a first gas barrier layer; an intermediate layer; a second gas barrier layer; a third gas barrier layer; a first electrode; an organic functional layer; and a second electrode, in that order, wherein the intermediate layer contains a resin and has a thickness of 10 μm to 250 μm; the second gas barrier layer contains silicon, carbon and oxygen, wherein a composition of silicon, carbon and oxygen contained in the second gas barrier layer is continuously changed in a thickness direction of the second gas barrier layer, and distribution curves of silicon, carbon and oxygen each have an extremum point; and the third gas barrier layer is a polysilazane reforming layer.

An organic electroluminescence element (organic EL element) is a thin-type complete solid element utilizing electroluminescence produced by an organic material (hereafter, the term "electroluminescence" is also simply called as "EL") and enabling to emit light at a voltage of approximately a few to a few tens volts. It has excellent features of high luminance, high emission efficiency, thin-type, and lightweight. Therefore, particularly in recent years, an organic EL element using a resin substrate provided with a thin and lightweight gas barrier layer attracts attention as a surface-emitting body used for a backlight in various displays, a display panel of sign or emergency light, or an illuminating light source.
As a resin substrate for a flexible organic EL element, for example, a gas barrier substrate utilizing a polysilazane reforming layer is disclosed (for example, refer to JP-A No. 2014-109001). The present inventors have tried to produce an organic EL element having a thick gas barrier layer. It was found that the produced organic EL element generated cracks when it was bent, and its gas barrier ability was seriously deteriorated.
It was disclosed a gas barrier substrate composed of a functional layer of a thickness of 1 μm to 30 μm sandwiched between two gas barrier layers (for example, refer to WO 2004/101276). The present inventors have tried to produce an organic EL element using a gas barrier substrate composed of a functional layer between two gas barrier layers. It was found that high gas barrier ability can be obtained even when it was bent, however, it was found that high gas barrier ability was insufficient in a durability test under an accelerated condition by using a heat cycle. An example of a heat cycle is as follows: to keep the sample at 85° C. and 85% RH for 120 minutes; to decrease the temperature to −40° C. over a period of 90 minutes and to keep at −40° C. for 120 minutes; and to increase the temperature to 85° C. (with humidity of 85% RH) over a period of 90 minutes and to keep at 85° C. for 80 minutes. A durability test was done by repeating 100 times of the above-described heat cycle processes. It was also found that its stress relief function was insufficient and a gas barrier property after impact test under high temperature and high humidity conditions was considerably deteriorated.


The present invention provides an image forming apparatus that suffers less toner particles scattering and a narrower variation in image density. In this image forming apparatus, a decrease of a contrast potential difference can be compensated by means of a developing bias voltage generator circuit and a grid bias voltage generator circuit, so that the image density can be kept constant. The apparatus includes a developing mechanism in which the respective average particle diameters of carrier members and toner particles, toner concentration, and the diameter and peripheral speed of a developing roller are optimized. Although the diameter of the developing roller is small, therefore, a high image density can be secured, and the value of toner particles scattering can be lowered.

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, in which a latent image is formed on a photosensitive body by using the electrophotographic process and developed by means of toner particles, and the developed image is delivered onto a sheet of paper for use as a transfer medium, and a developing device adapted for use in the image forming apparatus.
In an image forming apparatus that utilizes the electrophotographic process, an electrostatic latent image is formed by giving a predetermined potential to a photosensitive body having photoconductivity, applying light corresponding to image information to the photosensitive body, and selectively attenuating the potential of the photosensitive body, and toner particles are fed to the latent image, whereupon a copy image i.e., printable image of an object of copying is outputted.
The toner particles fed to the photosensitive body i.e., the resulting toner image is transferred to a sheet of paper for use as a transfer medium, and fixed to the sheet of paper by means of a fixing device. Untransferred toner particles remaining on the photosensitive body are removed from its surface by means of a cleaning device.
Many of copying apparatuses use a method in which the toner particles members are frictionally charged to the full by means of carrier members, and the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive body is developed by being fed with the frictionally charged toner particles by means of a developing roller that is located at a fixed distance from the surface of the photosensitive body.
In this case, the quantity of the toner particles attached to the latent image, that is, image density, is maintained by moving (or rotating) the outer peripheral surface i.e., a developing sleeve of the developing roller at a speed higher than the moving speed of the surface of the photosensitive body.
If the developing sleeve of the developing roller is rotated at high speed, however, then the toner particles will be scattered around the photosensitive body or in the copying apparatus.
This scattering is caused by insufficiently charged toner particles, that is, low-charged toner particles. The force of electrostatic attraction between the low-charged toner particles and the carrier members is smaller than that between the normal toner particles and the carrier members. If the developing sleeve of the developing roller is rotated at high speed, therefore, the low-charged toner particles are scattered as it is released from the electrostatic attraction to the carrier members by centrifugal force.
This toner particles scattering can be prevented by two methods, improvement of the developing agent and improvement of the developing device.
According to an example of the method in which the developing agent is improved, the amount of frictional charge on the toner particles are increased to augment the force of electrostatic attraction between the toner particles and the carrier members. Although scattering of the toner particles can be prevented, according to this method, the amount of frictional charge on the toner particles is so large that a high image density cannot be obtained with ease.
According to a proposed example of the method in which the developing device is improved, the ratio of the moving speed of the surface of the developing sleeve of the developing roller to the speed at which the moving speed of the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive body (hereinafter referred to as processing speed), is reduced. The moving speed of the surface of the developing sleeve can be lowered by increasing the outside diameter of the sleeve. Accordingly, the centrifugal force to which the toner particles on the sleeve is subjected can be reduced by increasing the diameter of the sleeve.
However, the increase of the diameter of the developing sleeve results in an increase in size of the developing device, thereby making the copying apparatus large-sized. Thus, the total cost of the apparatus increases inevitably.
In consideration of these circumstances, there has recently been proposed a developing method that uses small-particle carrier members.
With use of the small-particle carrier members, the specific surface area of a carrier particle compared with the toner particles can be increased. With the ratio in weight between the toner particles and the carrier members is fixed, therefore, the toner concentration can be set at a high value. This indicates that the developing efficiency can be improved. In the case where the target image density is fixed, the increase of the developing efficiency can make the rotating speed of the developing sleeve lower than in the conventional case, thus helping the reduction of the toner particles scattering.
It is ascertained, however, that the small-particle carrier members, especially one with a particle diameter of 50 .mu.m or less, the carrier members adheres to the photosensitive body (so called carrier adhesion) is occurred.
Thus, although the small-particle carrier members can improve the developing efficiency, it is of no practical use on account of its tendency to adhere to the photosensitive body.


The present invention relates to improved fluid valves actuable by a non-axial movement of an actuation stem. The non-linear actuable valves embodied in the present invention maintain pressure containment through a novel approach over the prior-art. The exemplary embodiments teach improved non-linear actuable valves that reduce the chances for seal extrusion, particularly at elevated retaining pressure, while keeping the component count low, and are capable of functioning under both high and low pressure.

Several species of prior-art valves are going to be discussed in the background, followed by a summary of why the present invention is novel and improved over the prior-art.
Standard Style Non-Axial Actuable Valve: Summary
FIG. 1A PRIOR-ART illustrates a non-axial actuable valve commonly used in low pressure pneumatic and hydraulic applications; for example used as a dog watering system that attaches to a hose bib on the outside of a home. A dog can drink a clean supply of water from the valve at will while not wasting excess water when not drinking from the valve. The dog watering valve typically utilizes a valve body comprising a bore that has a reduced diameter through-hole at its end. An elastomeric seal, such as having a round or square cross-section seats at the bottom of this bore. A rigid valve element sits on the elastomeric seal thus forming a circumferential sealing surface distally within the valve body bore. A compression spring sits above the rigid valve element and the spring is held in compression by a cap. The rigid valve element also has an actuation stem that protrudes through the reduced diameter through-hole at the end of the valve body that situates circumferentially within the elastomeric sealing surface. This valve is normally closed and fluid typically enters near or through the compression spring cap and is prevented from flowing through the valve by compression of the elastomer seal. The non-axial actuable valve is opened by pivoting the actuation stem generally perpendicular to the valve main axis. A greater pivoting angle from the valve main axis typically provides a higher flow rate through the valve. A dog would typically use its nose or tongue to pivot and actuate this type of valve. Upon removal of the pivoting force from the actuation stem such as when the dog stops drinking from the valve, the compression spring within the valve body will bias the non-axial actuable valve to a closed position. Most dogs quickly learn that by pivoting the actuation stem, water will flow for a refreshing drink. When done drinking, the water flow will cease.
Standard Non-Axial Actuable Valve: Limitations
The elastomeric seal is circumferentially supporting the compression spring preload between the bottom of the valve body and the rigid valve element. Excessive inlet pressure will compress the elastomeric seal proportional to the inlet pressure and the area of the rigid valve element. Illustrated in FIG. 1B PRIOR-ART, elevated inlet pressure makes valve actuation more difficult and will cause the elastomer seal to extrude as it excessively deforms under compression loading. Also, illustrated in FIG. 1C PRIOR-ART, opening the standard non-axial actuable valve while retaining elevated pressure increases the chances that the elastomer seal will extrude right out of the valve body, in whole or in part, thus possibly not allowing the valve to actuate on, actuate off once actuated on, and/or cause elastomeric seal damage. Therefore, the standard non-axial actuable valve works well in low pressure applications that only moderately deform the elastomeric seal and works poorly in elevated pressure applications that excessively deform the elastomeric seal.
Hard Seat Non-Axial Actuable Valve: Summary
Similar in construction of the standard non-axial actuable valve is a non-axial actuable valve that utilizes a harder material as the sealing seat. FIG. 2A PRIOR-ART illustrates a biased closed hard seal non-axial actuable valve. This harder material possesses structural integrity and is not likely to extrude, even under high pressure. Possible seat materials include delrin, Teflon, soft metals, or high durometer urethanes among other possible materials. A higher compressive spring force is required to attempt to fluidly seal a valve that utilizes a hard material seat which also equates into requiring a higher actuation force to overcome the closed position.
Hard Seat Non-Axial Actuable Valve: Limitations
Due to the excessive compressive forces on the hard seat, pivoting actuation force will likely be higher than the valve using an elastomer at its seat. Small amounts of contamination can quickly interfere with a hard seat thus not allowing the valve to completely close, causing a leak failure. A hard seat non-axial actuable valve will minimally compress its seat material upon actuation, even under elevated pressure. Very low pressures are typically not sealed by a hard valve seat. FIG. 2B PRIOR-ART illustrates an actuated open hard seat non-axial actuable valve exhibiting minimal seal material deformation.
Bonded Elastomer Seal Non-Axial Actuable Valve: Summary
Attempts to utilize an elastomer seal that is bonded or captured in place have been practiced and a non-actuated bonded elastomer seal non-axial actuable valve is illustrated in FIG. 3A PRIOR-ART. Adhesives can maintain an elastomer in place either to the valve body or to the rigid valve element. Likewise, an elastomer seal having a more complex shape can be captured to a valve body or captured within a multi-piece rigid valve element. Rapid actuation of a non-axial actuable valve having a bonded elastomer in place will not likely extrude the seal out of position within the valve.
Bonded Elastomer Seal Non-Axial Actuable Valve: Limitations
Either an additional elastomer bonding process must be practiced, thus increasing manufacturing costs, or a special shaped elastomer and/or valve seat(s) need to be made that are capable of capturing part of this seal in place thus maintain the seal into position. Any of these bonding or securing methods do create an overall more complex non-axial actuable valve assembly also increasing cost. Containment pressure capabilities for a bonded elastomer seal non-axial actuable valve are similar to those of the standard non-axial actuable valve, yet chances for elastomeric seal extrusion are considerably minimized. FIG. 3B PRIOR-ART illustrates a bonded elastomer seal non-axial actuable valve in an actuated open position. In addition to higher cost and potential failure of the seal bond or containment method, exposure to chemicals, heat, or other potential failure modes such as high pressure can cause failure of the seal retaining means.
The non-axial actuable valve taught in the embodiments of the present invention will improve upon the aforementioned limitations of the prior-art. Each embodiment is designed to be actuated by a pivoting action on its actuation stem. This pivoting action will fulcrum about one or more valve components and the actuation force can deviate from true perpendicular to the valve main axis so long as the pivot force (perpendicular) component can overcome the closed forces. Also, each embodiment self-resets to a closed position when not acted upon by external actuation forces.
This invention solves a long felt need for a valve that is simple by design, inexpensive to manufacture, and capable of handling both high and low operating pressures equally well. Other non-axial actuable valves are a rare find in hardware catalogs. One lucky enough to find a commercially available non-axial actuable valve will quickly find that manufacturers consistently limit the maximum operating pressure to the low hundred psi pressure range, such as 200 psig maximum, or considerably less.
In fact, Inventor searched near and far for such a non-axial actuable valve that could maintain low input pressure as well as reliably operate under high inlet pressure. After much research, it became apparent that no manufacturers made such a valve that could handle inlet pressures operable to thousands of psig before failing and capable of opening through non-linear actuation while also sealing at 0 psig or substantially 0 psig.
The non-linear actuable valves embodied in the present invention maintain pressure containment through a novel approach over the prior-art. The exemplary embodiments teach improved non-linear actuable valves that reduce the chances for seal extrusion, particularly at elevated retaining pressure, while keeping the component count low, and are capable of functioning under both high and low pressure.
The following embodiments will describe the present invention as well as exemplify the preferred embodiment. Additionally, with the aid of figures and an understanding of the prior-art, one having ordinary skill in the art will be able to understand and appreciate the gained utility from the embodiments to follow.

Non-axial actuable valve capable of retaining both high and low pressures


A sealing assembly for a bearing assembly. The sealing system comprising a removable cover and a rotatable member. The bearing assembly also comprising a bearing insert and a bearing housing. The removable cover is securable to the bearing housing. The rotatable member is secured to the removable cover. The rotatable member has an opening for a rotatable shaft to pass into the bearing assembly through the rotatable member. The opening through the rotatable member is adapted to receive the rotatable shaft and to form a seal against the rotatable shaft.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of antifriction bearings and housings for such bearings. More particularly, the invention relates to a sealing system for a bearing assembly including features advantageous in certain applications, such as in the food and beverage industries.
2. Description of the Related Art
A wide range of applications exist for antifriction bearings, such as ball bearings, roller bearings, needle bearings and the like. In many industrial and material handling systems, such bearings perform a fundamental function of permitting rotating machine elements to turn with little resistance and thereby to effectively transmit power and motion between drive system components. Applications for such bearings include conveyors, mixers, pump drives, and the like, to mention just a few.
In general, bearings of the type commonly used in most industries include an inner race, an outer race, and a plurality of antifriction bearing elements disposed therebetween. The bearing elements are captured by the races and permit the races to rotate freely with respect to one another. The bearing assembly is typically installed in and supported by a housing. A number of housing types are known and are in common usage, including pillow block styles, two and four bolt flanged styles, take-up frame styles, and so forth. In addition to supporting the bearing inserts, such housings include features that permit them to be easily attached to machine frames and other support structures at the application. Depending upon the housing style, these features typically include support feet or flanges traversed by apertures for receiving fasteners. Once mounted on the machine frame, a base surface of the bearing housing generally abuts the machine frame and forms a solid foundation for both the bearing insert and for the machine elements held in rotation by the bearing insert.
Housings of the type described above are commonly made of a variety of materials depending upon the particular application, the loads to which the bearing insert will be subjected and the environmental conditions of the application. For example, in most bearing styles, metal housings provide sufficient mechanical support and resistance to loads. However, such metal housings are not well-suited to certain applications. Specifically, in certain industries health or environmental constraints may make the use of metal bearing housings difficult or impossible. In the food and beverage industries, conditions tend to promote the growth of fungi, molds, bacteria and other microorganisms. Health requirements often necessitate frequent washing of processing and material handling equipment including bearings and their housings. Under such conditions, the bearings within conventional bearing housings may tend to corrode or otherwise degrade in ways that would contaminate the working conditions of the machinery and/or the product processed by the machinery. Similarly, in chemical processing industries and certain marine applications the presence of corrosive substances may significantly reduce the life of conventional metal bearing housings.
There is a need, therefore, for an improved bearing assembly which can be used in applications where environmental or health conditions require superior resistance to the proliferation of microorganisms. More particularly, there is a need for a bearing assembly that will prevent contaminants, such as microorganisms, from proliferating on or within a bearing assembly.


Disclosed is a surface light source device suitable for backlighting film images in film scanner. The surface light source device comprises: a light source for emitting a light toward an optical path; a first reflector provided so that a reflective surface of said first reflector is vertical to the optical path; a second reflector provided between said light source and said first reflector so that a reflective surface of said second reflector is parallel to the optical path; an exit diffusing plate; and a plate on which a diffusing patter is provided, said plate being provided so as to be tilted with respect to the optical path in a direction such that light from the light source is reflected toward the second reflecting surface.

This application is based on Japanese patent application No. 10-283917 filed on Oct. 6, 1998, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a surface light source device and a film scanner using the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, surface light source devices have been used as backlights of flat-panel displays typified by liquid crystal displays and signboards and as devices for backlighting film images in film scanners for reading film images.
Japanese Unexamined Laid-open Patent Application No. 09-33923 discloses a surface light source device for backlighting. Referring to FIG. 8, this surface light source device comprises a light directing plate 100, a radiation light source 101 and a reflector 107. The radiation light source 101 is tubular, and disposed at a side of the light directing plate 100. Light from the radiation light source 101 is incident on the light directing plate 100 directly and after reflected at the reflector 107. The incident light and the light reflected at a reflecting surface 102 provided on an incidence opposite surface of the light directing plate 100 are diffused by a diffusing pattern 104a provided on an exit opposite reflecting surface 104 and a diffusing plate 106 provided on an exit surface 105. Consequently, the light from the radiation light source 101 is directed to the exit surface 105 without any nonuniformness. color surface light source device for backlighting. Referring to FIG. 9, in this color surface light source device, light from LEDs 200 is made incident from a side of a box 201, and after reflected at a reflecting plate 202 in the box 201, the light is made to impinge on a diffusing plate 203 so as to be diffused. Consequently, the light from the LEDs 200 exits from an exit surface 204 without any nonuniformness.
In the conventional example shown in FIG. 8, however, since the reflector 107 and the light directing plate 100 are used to effectively use the light from the radiation light source 101, the structure is complicated and the cost is high. Moreover, when a fluorescent tube is used as the radiation light source 101, it is necessary to increase the operating voltage to approximately 24 V. Further, when a fluorescent tube is used, an inverter circuit is necessary to suppress illumination flicker. For illuminating small areas such as film images, this device is unsuitable because the cost is too high. In addition, the running cost is high. When a xenon tube is used instead of a fluorescent tube, since it is necessary to accumulate charges in a capacitor by increasing the voltage like in the case of a fluorescent tube, the cost is somewhat high although it is not as high as that in the case of a fluorescent tube. Moreover, since it is impossible for this light source device to be always on, it is necessary to control the timing of taking in charges. Since fluorescent tubes and xenon tubes are still thick, they are unsuitable for size reduction, particularly, thickness reduction of surface light source devices.
In the conventional example shown in FIG. 9, since the light from the LEDs 200 is bent only once and is diffused only once, it is necessary for the optical path to be long in order to obtain uniform plane light. Thus, this light source device is also unsuitable for size reduction.
On the other hand, a white LED was recently invented and is attracting attention as a lighting source. This lighting source whose working voltage is approximately 4 V is excellent in energy conversion efficiency and never breaks down.
Therefore, the inventors prototyped a surface light source device using this lighting source. However, the light emission quantity is limited, and in the system shown in FIG. 9 in which the LEDs having high diffusibility is used and the light is made incident from a side of the light directing plate, a sufficient light quantity cannot be obtained. Consequently, to obtain a necessary quantity of plane light, it is necessary to provide LEDs all over a necessary area, so that the cost increases.
An object of the present invention is to provide a small-size, low-cost surface light source device with which a sufficient quantity of uniform plane light is obtained, and a film scanner using the same.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a surface light source device with which a sufficient quantity of plane light is obtained even when a low-illumination light source is used, and a film scanner using the same.
To achieve at least one of the above-mentioned objects, a surface light source device of the present invention essentially comprises a plate optically disposed between a light source and a light exit surface, said plate being capable of partly passing a light therethrough and of partly diffusing the light. The plate is preferably provided so as to be inclined against at least one of the light source, the light exiting surface and a reflecting surface for reflecting the light.
For example, the surface light source device of the present invention is specifically provided with: a light source; a first reflecting surface which is provided so as to be vertical to an optical path from the light source; a second reflecting surface which is provided between the light source and the first reflecting surface so as to be parallel to the optical path; an exit diffusing plate; and a transparent thin plate tilted or inclined with respect to the optical path in a direction such that light from the light source is reflected toward the second reflecting surface, and where a diffusing pattern is provided.
According to this specific structure, the light from the light source is partly transmitted by the transparent thin plate disposed on the optical path thereof at transparent parts where there is no diffusing pattern, and reaches the first reflecting surface serving as an exit opposite surface to be reflected toward an incidence surface. However, the ratio of the light from the light source directly reaching the first reflecting surface is halved because of the light interrupted by the diffusing pattern of the transparent thin plate and the light reflected by the transparent thin plate toward the second reflecting surface. Since the light reaching the first reflecting surface to be reflected toward the incidence surface again reaches the transparent thin plate, the ratio of the light directly passing through toward the incidence surface is further halved because of the light similarly interrupted by the diffusing pattern and the light surface-reflected at the transparent thin plate toward the exit surface. Consequently, the effectiveness of light improves even when there is no reflecting surface on the side of the incidence surface, and a sufficient quantity of exit light is obtained even when the LED is used as the light source, so that characteristics of the LED are delivered that the life is long and that the device cost and the running cost are both reduced. Further, the light from the light source is diffused by the diffusing pattern of the transparent thin plate three or more times including when the light reaches the transparent thin plate for the first time, when the light is transmitted by the transparent thin plate toward the first reflecting surface to be reflected at the first reflecting surface and again reaches the transparent thin plate, and when the light from the light source reaches the transparent thin plate for the first time to be reflected toward the second reflecting surface and the reflected light is then reflected at the second reflecting surface to again reach the transparent thin plate, and the light is further diffused by the exit diffusing plate when exiting from the exit surface, so that the diffusibility of the exiting light is high. Consequently, uniform plane light is obtained although of the LEDs, one that easily effectively uses light and has an excellent directivity is used as the light source. Therefore, the light diffused by the transparent thin plate is directed in all directions, and although some of the light exits outside from the incidence surface, this hardly affects the quantity of exit light because the ratio of the light exiting outside is low and the remaining light reaches the exit surface. Moreover, since the optical axis of the light source is parallel to the exit surface, the size in the direction of the thickness as the surface light source device like in the case in which the light source is tilted is small, and since the transparent thin plate having a diffusing pattern is only obliquely disposed instead of a light directing plate, the size is small and the cost is low. Therefore, this structure is suitable for illuminating small areas such as film images. In addition, weight reduction is achieved.
The number of light sources may be one. However, according to the size of the area to be illuminated, a plurality of light sources such as LEDs may be disposed parallel to the exit surface.
When the light source, the first reflecting surface, the second reflecting surface, the exit diffusing plate and the transparent thin plate are held in one holder, the structure is simple, the positioning among the elements is easy and the surface light source device is convenient for use as a unit to be replaced.
Moreover, according to the present invention, to construct a film scanner for sensing film images illuminated from behind by a surface light source, the surface light source for performing the above-mentioned illumination is disposed in the rear of the film. Film images can highly precisely be read out with a sufficient quantity of uniform plane light capitalizing on the characteristics of the above-described surface light source device, and further, the overall size is small, the cost is low and the weight is light, and one in which LEDs are used as the light source and a plurality of LEDs are arranged in a direction parallel to the exit diffusing plate is suitable for the above-mentioned reasons.
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and drawings. The features of the present invention can be used independently or in various combinations to the greatest extent practicable.
These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrates a specific embodiment of the invention.
FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) are cross-sectional views showing the structures of prototypes of a surface light source device of the present invention;
FIG. 1(c) is a cross-sectional view showing a best mode of the surface light source device of the present invention;
FIG. 1(d) is diagram showing the transparent thin plate 10 of FIG. 1(c).
FIG. 2 is a front view of the surface light source device of FIG. 1(c);
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a film scanner using the surface light source device of FIG. 1(c);
FIG. 4 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the film scanner of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a rear view of the film scanner of FIG. 3 from which the exterior case of the body is removed;
FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the film scanner of FIG. 3 viewed from a different position from that of FIG. 3;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the structure of connection between a magnetic recording head and a signal plate;
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of conventional surface light source devices; and
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of conventional surface light source devices.

Surface light source device and film scanning apparatus


A disclosed lubrication system for a turbofan engine includes a pump for driving lubricant through a lubrication circuit, at least one sensor generating a signal indicative of an engine operating condition and at least one valve for controlling a flow of lubricant through the lubrication circuit. A controller controls operation of the valve to vary the flow of lubricant based on the engine operating condition to maintain lubricant flow within predefined operating limits.

A gas turbine engine typically includes a fan section, a compressor section, a combustor section and a turbine section. Air entering the compressor section is compressed and delivered into the combustion section where it is mixed with fuel and ignited to generate a high-energy exhaust gas flow. The high-energy exhaust gas flow expands through the turbine section to drive the compressor and the fan section. The compressor section typically includes first and second compressor sections, and the turbine section includes first and second turbine sections.
A speed reduction device such as an epicyclical gear assembly may be utilized to drive the fan section such that the fan section may rotate at a speed different than the turbine section so as to increase the overall propulsive efficiency of the engine. In such engine architectures, a shaft driven by one of the turbine sections provides an input to the epicyclical gear assembly that drives the fan section at a reduced speed such that both the turbine section and the fan section can rotate at closer to optimal speeds.
Lubrication systems for turbine engines are typically sized and operated to continually provide a minimum level of lubricant flow and pressure to the various structures and portions of the engine. The minimum level of lubricant flow and pressure is typically based on maximum lubricant demand conditions such as during maximum thrust conditions during take-off. Other operating conditions may not require lubricant at such high levels of lubricant pressure and flows. Excess lubricant flow can reduce efficiency and insufficient lubricant flow and pressure can increase wear on components.
Although geared architectures have improved propulsive efficiency, turbine engine manufacturers continue to seek further improvements to engine performance including improvements to thermal, transfer and propulsive efficiencies.

Controlling lubricant flow in epicyclic gearbox


An axle measurement holder device to fasten a measuring head to the rim (5) of a vehicle wheel (2), includes a base body (3) for direct or indirect stable contact with a rim (5) of a vehicle wheel (2). Two arms (13, 14) arranged diametrically opposed feature respective hooks (15, 16) at their ends that are directed radially outward to hook into a tread of a tire (17). The ends of the arms (13, 14) directed radially toward the inside are attached by means of a pivot bearing (11, 12) to the end of a one armed lever (13, 14), the end of which is directed away from the base body (3), the other end of which is connected to the base body (3) via an articulation (20, 21) and tension springs (22, 23). The one armed levers (7, 8) can be tensed radially inward by means of clamping devices. The one armed levers (7, 8) are each preloaded radially toward the outside by centering springs (33, 34) which exert the same force and have the same characteristics and which are supported at a central point of the base body (3). The centering springs (33, 34) hold the arms (13, 14) and thereby the hooks (15, 16) located at their ends in any tensed position at the same radial distance to the axle that is defined by the axle shaft (6). This simplifies the attachment and clamping of the axle measurement holder device.

The invention relates to an axle measurement holder device to fasten a measuring head to the rim of a vehicle wheel.
An axle measurement holder device of the type at issue is known from the company brochure "PROVAC," Edition 1996, of Siege Social et Agence France Sud, 16 Premiere rue, Z1-BP 127-13744 Vitrolles cedex. It features a base body consisting of two parallel bars, at the ends of which are attachment heads for the attachment to a rim of a vehicle wheel. The bars are provided with two arms arranged in a diametrically opposed manner, featuring hooks to hook into the tread of the tire at their ends that are directed radially outward. The ends of the arms directed radially inward are attached, by means of a pivot bearing, to a one armed lever that essentially faces axially away from the base body, the other end of which is connected via an articulation to a holding device arranged on the bars. The arms are acted upon by springs that act radially inward. The one armed levers can be tensed toward the inside by means of clamping devices. As a result of this tension, the one armed levers are swiveled toward the inside and the articulated radial inner ends of the arms are thereby moved radially toward the inside. In doing so the hooks at the ends of the arms are also moved radially toward the inside, so that the hooks hook into the tread of a tire. Since the pivot bearings of the arms are in a plane which is axially distant from the plane in which the hooks are located, an axial force as well as a radial force are created by means of the tension resulting from the clamping devices, said force pulling the base body toward the rim.
One disadvantage of this known axle measurement holder device resides in the fact that before and during tensioning the arms and therefore also the hooks are not symmetrized, i.e. they are in an undefined pivot position. This creates the danger that the hooks will not hook in the same plane perpendicular to the axle, with the consequence that the axle measurement holder device is not pulled to the rim in the proper axial position, whereby at the same time the axial tension force of the arms will be different. Measurement mistakes may arise in this manner, which can only be partially prevented by controlled manual clamping of the axle measurement device with the precise control of the hooking locations of the hooks. But this procedure is clumsy.
The invention has the basic task of creating an axle measurement holder device of the type including a base body for contact with the rim of a vehicle wheel and two diametrically oppositely arranged arms which have hooks on their ends directed radially outward for the purpose of hooking onto the tread of a tire and which at their ends which are directed radially inward, are respectively articulated by means of a bearing to an end of a one armed lever that is directed away from the base body, and the other end of which is connected to the base body by means of an articulation and a compression spring and by clamping means by means of which the one armed levers can be tensed radially inward, which is easy to operate and nevertheless facilitates the precise positioning and attachment of the axle measurement holder device to the rim of a vehicle wheel.
The task which is the basis for the invention is accomplished by the fact that the one armed levers are respectively preloaded radially outward by means of centering springs which exert the same forces and have the same characteristics and are supported on a central point of the base body.
The basic concept of this teaching consists of assuring a symmetrical alignment of the one armed levers in any clamping position relative to the center of the axle measurement holder device, by providing two springs that exert the same force and which have the same characteristics, supported at a central point of the base body and, in addition, pressing radially toward the outside against the one armed levers. The tensioning devices are thereby positioned symmetrically in any clamping position relative to the central point and thereby to the axle of the axle measurement holder device, with the consequence that the tension by the clamping devices is also accomplished symmetrically.
A further development of the invention resides in having the clamping devices feature a diametrically arranged rotatable threaded bar with two oppositely directed threaded sections, each of which is in operational connection with a complementary female thread in a journal which is connected in a rotating manner to the one armed lever between its articulations, around an axis which is parallel to the pivot axis of the articulation of the one armed lever. The springs are coil springs that are arranged on the threaded sections and that are supported on a stop on the threaded bar on the end directed radially outward, and the other end is supported on a central block on the base body. This embodiment is particularly simple and, moreover, includes the advantage that the stops may be formed by nuts on the threaded sections, by means of which the symmetrical alignment of the one armed levers can be achieved.
The arms are advantageously formed of bell cranks, the other arms of which are connected via articulations to the tension springs which are constructed as compression springs, the other ends of which are connected to the base body via articulations. This arrangement, according to a further development of this form of embodiment, can be implemented such that the one armed levers and the tension springs designed as compression springs, respectively, form a parallel guide.
According to one embodiment of the invention there are at least two groups of parallel axis bore holes in the base body positioned on different circles having different diameters and/or in varying number and at the same circumferential distance. A group of contact pins of the same length can be inserted into the bore holes. In this manner the attachment points defined by the ends of the contact pins can be allocated to defined contact points on the rim or holes in the rim or spaces between the spokes of the rim, so that they extend through the holes or intermediate spaces and can contact a brake disc arranged behind the rim by means of their ends, said brake disc representing an exact reference plane, and thereby assuring a parallel holding device of the axle measurement holder.
In order to be able to easily locate the bore holes that belong to one group the bore holes, according to a further development of this embodiment, feature a depression at the ends opposite the insertion points, whereby the depressions of one group of centering bore holes look alike, while the depressions of different groups of bore holes appear different. The depressions at the bore holes may feature different shapes and/or depths and/or diameters to create differing appearances. Expediently, they may also feature a different color. Regarding the shape of the depressions, a radial strip design is advantageous.

Axle measurement holder to fasten a measuring head to the rim of a vehicle wheel

Haweka Auswuchttechnik Horst Warkotsch GmbH


A power supply and circuitry system for powering HVPT devices includes a power supply circuit that selectively provides an operating power and a simmer power to multiple HVPT devices. The system also includes a trigger circuit for each respective HVPT device that selectively couples the power supply circuit to one HVPT device to provide the operating power thereto. The system also includes a simmer control circuit for selectively coupling the power supply circuit to the HVPT devices to provide the simmer power thereto, the simmer control circuit further including a simmer switch circuit for each HVPT device, wherein each simmer switch circuit comprises an input coupled to the power supply circuit to receive the simmer power therefrom and an output coupled to one HVPT device. The simmer control circuit also further includes a simmer drive circuit coupled to each simmer switch circuit for selectively enabling the simmer switch circuits.

The present invention relates generally to simmer power supplies and, more particularly, to systems incorporating a simmer control circuit with outputs to multiple devices and methods of operation thereof that provide for high efficiency operation of the systems.
Some devices, such as arc and flash lamps for solid-state laser systems, require high-voltage trigger pulses to operate. Often, such high-voltage-pulse-triggered (HVPT) devices are connected with a simmer power supply providing a low current through the device during device operation. The low current provided by a simmer power supply may range from milliamperes to several amperes, depending on the device characteristics, and may allow for the use of a low-voltage trigger pulse to transfer energy to the device, extend the life of the device, improve pulse-to-pulse jitter in the device, and overcome most electromagnetic interference problems present in the device when a simmer power supply is not used.
Frequently, different HVPT devices are used in the same system. For example, it may be desirable to use multiple laser heads in an arc-lamp-pumped laser system. Such a laser system might be useful in dermatology for hair and tattoo removal and skin rejuvenation and augmentation, as examples. However, current systems including HVPT devices are large and inefficient because they require a separate simmer power supply for each device in the system.
It would therefore be desirable to design a smaller, more efficient, and more cost effective system for HVPT devices.

System and method for providing multiple simmer outputs


A coaxial cable with standard coaxial structure of central conductor, foamed polyethylene dielectric, and outer conductor and having a jacket that provides sufficient flame resistance and smoke generation to allow the cable to be used in plenum spaces. The jacket includes a halogenated polymer with a heat of combustion less than 7000 BTU per pound and including a free-radical scavenger.

Buildings are often times designed with a space between a drop ceiling and a structural floor from which the ceiling is suspended to serve as a return air plenum for elements of heating and cooling systems as well as serving as a convenient location for the installation of communications cables and other equipment, such as power cables. Alternatively, the building can employ raised floors used for cable routing and plenum space. Communications cables generally include voice communications, data and other types of signals for use in telephone, computer, control, alarm, and related systems, and it is not uncommon for these plenums and the cables therein to be continuous throughout the length and width of each floor, which can introduce safety hazards, both to the cables and the buildings.
When a fire occurs in an area between a floor and a drop ceiling, it may be contained by walls and other building elements which enclose that area. However, if and when the fire reaches the plenum space, and especially if flammable material occupies the plenum, the fire can spread quickly throughout the entire floor of the building. The fire could travel along the length of cables which are installed in the plenum if the cables are not rated for plenum use, i.e., do not possess the requisite flame and smoke retardation characteristics. Also, smoke can be conveyed through the plenum to adjacent areas and to other floors with the possibility of smoke permeation throughout the entire building.
As the temperature in a non-plenum rated jacketed cable rises, charring of the jacket material begins. Afterwards, conductor insulation inside the jacket begins to decompose and char. If the charred jacket retains its integrity, it still functions to insulate the core; if not, however, it ruptures due either to expanding insulation char or to pressure of gases generated from the insulation, and as a consequence, exposes the virgin interior of the jacket and insulation to the flame and/or the elevated temperatures. The jacket and the insulation begin to pyrolize and emit more flammable gases. These gases ignite and, because of air drafts in the plenum, burn beyond the area of flame impingement, thereby propagating flame and generating smoke and toxic and corrosive gases.
Because of the possibility of flame spread and smoke evolution, as a general rule, the National Electrical Code (NEC) requires that power-limited cables in plenums be enclosed in metal conduits. However, the NEC permits certain exceptions to this requirement. For example, cables without metal conduits are permitted, provided that such cables are tested and approved by an independent testing agent, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), as having suitably low flame spread and smoke generating or producing characteristics. The flame spread and smoke production of cables are measured using the UL 910 standard test method for fire and smoke retardation characteristics of electrical and optical fiber cables used in air handling spaces, i.e., plenums.
Communication systems in the present day environment are of vital importance, and, as technology continues to become more sophisticated, such systems are required to transmit signals substantially error free at higher and higher bit rates. More particularly, it has become necessary to transmit data signals over considerable distances at high bit rates, such as megabits or gigabits per second, and to have substantially error free transmission. Thus, desirably, the medium over which these signals are transmitted must be capable of handling not only low frequency and voice signals, for example, but higher frequency data and video signals. In addition, one aspect of the transmission that must be overcome is crosstalk between pairs of commercially available cables. One of the most efficient and widely used signal transmission means which has both broadband capability and immunity from crosstalk interference is the well known coaxial cable.
The coaxial cable comprises a center conductor surrounded by an outer conductor spaced therefrom, with the space between the two conductors comprising a dielectric, which may be air but is, most often, a dielectric material such as foamed polyethylene. The coaxial cable transmits energy in the transverse electromagnetic (TEM) mode, and has a cut-off frequency of zero. In addition, it comprises a two-conductor transmission line having a wave impedance and propagation constant of an unbounded dielectric, and the phase velocity of the energy is equal to the velocity of light in an unbounded dielectric. The coaxial line has other advantages that make it particularly suited for efficient operation in the hf and vhf regions. It is a perfectly shielded line and has a minimum of radiation loss. It may be made with a braided outer conductor for increased flexibility and it is generally impervious to weather effects. Inasmuch as the line has little radiation loss, nearby metallic objects and electromagnetic energy sources have minimum effect on the line as the outer conductor serves as a shield for the inner conductor. As in the case of a two-wire line, power loss in a properly terminated coaxial line is the sum of the effective resistance loss along the length of the cable and the dielectric loss between the two conductors. Of the two losses, the resistance loss is the greater since it is largely due to skin effect and the loss will increase directly as the square root of the frequency.
The most commonly used coaxial cable is a flexible type having an outer conductor consisting of copper or aluminum wire braid, with the copper or aluminum inner conductor supported within the outer by means of the dielectric, such as foamed, or expanded, polyethylene (XPE), which has excellent low-loss characteristics. The outer conductor is protected by a jacket of a material suitable for the application, such as, for example, for non-plenum use, poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) or polyethylene (PE).
The coaxial cable most preferred for its performance characteristics for non-plenum uses has an XPE dielectric and PVC jacket. However, the use of XPE dielectric material and a PVC jacket generally does not result in a cable that satisfies UL 910. The use of foamed perfluorinated ethylene polymers, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and perfluorinated ethylene-propylene polymer (FEP), both sold under the trademark TEFLON.RTM., has been suggested for the dielectric material due to its low flame spread and low smoke emission characteristics. However, foamed polyethylene is preferable because it is cheaper and requires simpler processing techniques. When accompanied with a plenum grade jacket, a cable having an XPE dielectric material will usually satisfy UL 910. TEFLON.RTM. is also useful as a plenum grade cable jacket material. However, TEFLON.RTM. is quite expensive and is currently in extremely short supply, hence is unsatisfactory from an economic standpoint, although outstanding for its flame and smoke retardation characteristics.
In general, highly flame retardant cable jackets have been made in two ways. An inert flame retardant additive such as antimony or molybdenum can be added to an appropriate polymer, such as PVC. Alternatively, or perhaps in combination, a halogenated polymer that is inherently flame retardant (such as TEFLON.RTM.) can be used alone or as a copolymer.
It is apparent from the foregoing discussion that what is still sought is an inexpensive, flame retardant, and low-smoke generating coaxial cable with excellent electrical transmission capabilities. The sought after cable desirably is easy to manufacture and does not sacrifice transmission properties for fire and smoke resistance.