A long life double layer capacitor and method of making the same including a case and a first terminal with an electrically insulating hermitic seal interposed between the first terminal and the case. A first current collector foil is electrically coupled to an interior portion of the first terminal and a first electrode comprising carbon which is juxtaposed against the first current collector foil. A porous separator is then juxtaposed against the first electrode comprising carbon and separating the first electrode from a second electrode comprising carbon. A second current collector foil is juxtaposed against a side of the second electrode and is electrically coupled to the second terminal. And an electrolyte solution saturates the first and second electrodes comprising carbon and is substantially contained by the case and the electrically insulating hermitic seal such that an influx of impurities into the electrolyte solution is substantially inhibited by the case and the electrically insulating hermetic seal.

The present invention relates generally to an electric double layer capacitor, and more particularly to a high performance, high reliability double layer capacitor made with low-resistance aluminum-impregnated carbon-cloth electrodes and a high performance electrolytic solution. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to high performance, high reliability, long life, organic double layer capacitor made with low-resistance aluminum-impregnated carbon-cloth electrodes and a high performance electrolytic solution, and housed within a hermetically sealed case including a hermetically sealed, electrically insulated electrical feedthrough.
There is a well recognized need in the electronics industry for a rechargeable energy source with high reliability that can provide high power, that can be charges, discharges, and recharged quickly, and that has a high life cycle, i.e., is long life. Among applications that could benefit from such a device are industrial applications, consumer applications, and automotive applications.
Double layer capacitors, also referred to as electrochemical capacitors, are energy storage devices that are able to store more energy per unit weight an unit volume than traditional capacitors. In addition, they can typically deliver the stored energy at a higher power rating than rechargeable batteries.
Double layer capacitors consist of two porous electrodes that are isolated from electrical contact by a porous separator. Both the separator and the electrodes are impregnated with an electrolyte solution. This structure allows ionic current to flow between the electrodes through the porous separator at the same time that the porous separator prevents an electrical or electronic current (as opposed to ionic current) from shorting the two porous electrodes. Coupled to the back of each of the active electrodes is a current collecting plate. One purpose of the current collecting plate is to reduce ohmic losses in the double layer capacitor. If these current collecting plates are non-porous, they can also be used as part of the capacitor seal.
Double layer capacitors store electrostatic energy in a polarized liquid layer which forms when a potential exists between two electrodes immersed in an electrolyte. When the potential is applied across the electrodes, a double layer of positive and negative charges is formed at the electrode-electrolyte interface (hence, the name "double layer" capacitor) by the polarization of the electrolyte ions due to charge separation under the applied electric field, and also due to the dipole orientation and alignment of electrolyte molecules over the entire surface of the electrodes.
The use of carbon electrodes in electrochemical capacitors with high power and energy density represents a significant advantage in this technology because carbon has a low density and carbon electrodes can be fabricated with very high surface areas. Fabrication of double layer capacitors with carbon electrodes has been known in the art for quite some time, as evidenced by U.S. Pat. No. 2,800,616 (Becker), and U.S. Pat. No. 3,648,126 (Boos et al.).
A major problem in many carbon electrode capacitors, including double layer capacitors, is that the performance of the capacitor is often limited because of the high internal resistance of the carbon electrodes. This high internal resistance may be due to several factors, including the high contact resistance of the internal carbon-carbon contacts, and the contact resistance of the electrodes with a current collector. This high resistance translates to large ohmic losses in the capacitor during the charging and discharge phases, which losses further adversely affect the characteristic RC (resistance×capacitance) time constant of the capacitor and interfere with its ability to be efficiently charged and/or discharged in a short period of time. There is thus a need in the art for lowering the internal resistance, and hence the time constant, of double layer capacitors.
Various electrode fabrication techniques have been disclosed over recent years. For example, the Yoshida et al. patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,283) discloses a method of connecting a carbon electrode to a current collector by depositing carbon powder and other electrical conductivity-improving agents on an aluminum substrate.
Another related approach for reducing the internal resistance of carbon electrodes is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,028 (Yoshida et al.) which teaches that the incorporation of metals such as aluminum into carbon fiber electrodes can be accomplished through weaving metallic fibers into carbon fiber preforms.
Yet another approach for reducing the resistance of a carbon electrode is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,562,511 (Nishino et al.) wherein the carbon fiber is dipped into an aqueous solution to form a layer of a conductive metal oxide, and preferably a transition metal oxide, in the pores of the carbon fibers. Nishino et al. also discloses the formation of metal oxides, such as tin oxide or indium oxide by vapor deposition.
Still another related approach for achieving low resistance is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,102,745, 5,304,330, and 5,080,963 (Tatarchuk et al.). The Tatarchuk et al. patents demonstrate that metal fibers can be intermixed with a carbon preform and sintered to create a structurally stable conductive matrix which may be used as an electrode. The Tatarchuk et al. patents also teach a process that reduces the electrical resistance in the electrode by reducing the number of carbon-carbon contacts through which current must flow to reach the metal conductor. This approach works well if stainless steel or nickel fibers are used as the metal. However, applicants have learned that this approach has not been successful when aluminum fibers are used because of the formation of aluminum carbide during the sintering or heating of the electrode.
Another area of concern in the fabrication of double layer capacitors relates to the method of connecting the current collector plate to the electrode. This is important because the interface between the electrode and the current collector plate is another source of internal resistance of the double layer capacitor, and such internal resistance must be kept as low as possible.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,562,511 (Nishino et al.) suggests plasma spraying of molten metals such as aluminum onto one side of a polarizable electrode to form a current collector layer on the surface of the electrode. Alternative techniques for bonding and/or forming the current collector are also considered in the '511 Nishino et al. patent, including arc-spraying, vacuum deposition, sputtering, non-electrolytic plating, and use of conductive paints.
The previously-cited Tatarchuk et al. patents (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,102,745, 5,304,330, and 5,080,963) show the bonding of a metal foil current collector to the electrode by sinter bonding the metal foil to the electrode element.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,451 (Kurabayashi et al.) discloses a method of bonding the current collector to the surface of the electrode by a hot curing process which causes the material of the current collectors to enter the pores of the electrode elements.
Still other related art concerned with the method of fabricating and adhering current collector plates can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,065,286; 5,072,335; 5,072,336; 5,072,337; and 5,121,301 all issued to Kurabayashi et al.
Recently, electrochemical capacitors employing non-aqueous (organic) electrolyte solutions have been developed. These double layer capacitors have the advantage of higher operating voltage, but generally suffer from higher internal resistance. Nonetheless, the operating voltage greatly increases the energy density of the double layer capacitor. For example, an aqueous double layer capacitor may only operate at 0.67 volts per cell, while a similar non-aqueous device will operate at 2.3 volts per cell. This difference in operating voltage increases energy density by a factor of 11.8.
Unfortunately, non-aqueous electrolytes tend to be much more sensitive to impurities, such as water or oxygen, in the electrolyte. Any level of these impurities will lead to gas generation within the double layer capacitor when the double layer capacitor is operated at high voltage. Because of this, manufacturers of non-aqueous electrolyte double layer capacitors take great care is limiting the levels of water and oxygen contamination within the electrolyte solution during manufacture, striving to achieve levels of contamination on the order of 10 to 100 parts per million.
In order to achieve long life in a double layer capacitor employing a non-aqueous electrolyte and that is operated at high voltage, care must be taken in limiting the influx of water and oxygen into the electrolyte solution. Commercially available non-aqueous electrolyte double layer capacitors are packaged with sealing technologies that limit the life of these double layer capacitors due to the influx of water and oxygen.
Another issue that continues to face virtually any technology that involves electronics is that of miniturization. With smaller and smaller devices being designed, and thus smaller and smaller components being demanded, pressures have been put on the makers of double layer capacitors to decrease device size, while maintaining a high level of capacitance. This demands not only extremely low internal resistances, but poses an additional problem.
This additional problem lies in the fact that, at least in non-aqueous electrolyte double-layer capacitors, environmental contamination from, for example, air and water leaking into the electrolyte result in a significant reduction in capacitance, and a corresponding increase in resistance, namely resistance to ionic current flow.
While in conventional double-layer capacitor devices conventional technology has been applied to seal the capacitors so as to both contain the electrolyte and to prevent contamination of the electrolyte with oxygen and water, as devices become increasingly miniaturized, conventional techniques are no longer suitable. Further complicating this problem is the fact that materials used in sealing the double-layer capacitor must be thermally and chemically compatible with the electrolyte and the case of the capacitor, and provide appropriate electrical characteristics, i.e., be conductive or an insulator, depending on where the seal is positioned.
With small double-layer capacitor devices, a further complication arises in that consumer demand is for devices that can be directly soldered to printed circuit boards. Thus external terminals must not only be compatible with the sealing approach adopted (and it with them), but must be of a material that is solderable using conventional soldering techniques and materials. Furthermore, in a conventional automated soldering process, the case and internal components of the double layer capacitor must be able to withstand exposure to high temperatures, for example, temperatures of up to 250 degrees Celsius for up to 5 minutes.
It is thus apparent that there is a continuing need for improved double layer capacitors. Such improved double layer capacitors need to deliver large amounts of useful energy at a very high power output and energy density ratings within a relatively short period of time, and need to be produced in a small, solderable, long-life device. Such improved double layer capacitors should also have a relatively low internal resistance and yet be capable of yielding a relatively high operating voltage. It is also apparent that these devices should be of low internal resistance.

Method of making a multi-electrode double layer capacitor having hermetic electrolyte seal


A flexible dry electrode comprises a multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite. The flexible dry electrode may be utilized for monitoring electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. The dry ECG electrode may be fabricated by screenprinting silver (Ag) ink on flexible polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate, followed by bar coating of a MWCNT/PDMS composite.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of death. Electrocardiogram is one of the most frequently used techniques for monitoring the heart's electrical signals to investigate and diagnose symptoms related to heart problems. Even though wet Ag/AgCl electrodes are widely used for monitoring ECG signals and have good signal stability, it has drawbacks such as requiring skin preparation and using conductive gels that often causes irritation or allergies of the skin. In addition, motion artifacts reduce the performance of wet electrodes due to relative motion of electrodes with the body as well as drying of the conductive gel.
Several research groups have reported on the use of dry electrodes such as nanofiber web textile dry electrodes, silver nanowire dry electrode, conductive fabric textile dry electrode and circular ring electrode for ECG measurements. These dry electrodes can be applied for long-term ECG monitoring and used multiple times without the use of conductive gel. However, the fabrication of these dry electrodes may require the use of metallic electrodes as well as metal or rigid substrates, which are not conformal enough and may cause damage to the skin. Several studies have reported on the development of conductive polymers by coating, dispersing or encapsulating metallic electrode surfaces with materials such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and conductive polymer foam. In addition, traditional printing processes such as gravure, screen and inkjet have also been employed for the development of low cost, lightweight, biocompatible and flexible electronic devices.

The Board of Trustees of Western Michigan University


An electrical connector is provided for surface mounting along an edge of a circuit board in an edge straddling configuration. The circuit board has a plurality of contact pads spaced along opposite faces of the board near the edge thereof. The connector includes a dielectric housing and a plurality of terminals mounted on the housing with solder tails projecting from the housing generally in two rows to define an elongate board-receiving mouth for receiving the edge of the circuit board. The contact pads are adapted to receive soft solder paste thereon prior to insertion of the board into the mouth between the two rows of solder tails. The solder tails of the terminals are configured for receiving the circuit board at a first angular orientation wherein minimal contact force is effected between the solder tails and the contact pads to prevent any substantial wiping away of the solder paste from the contact pads and a second angular orientation wherein substantial contact force is effected between the solder tails and the contact pads in a direction generally normal to the faces of the circuit board. Therefore, the solder paste remains in an interface area at each contact pad and its respective solder tail.

There are a wide variety of electrical connectors adapted for surface mounting on a printed circuit board. Some such connectors are mounted to one side of the circuit board and include solder tails for surface mounting to contact pads on the side of the board or for insertion into holes in the circuit board for soldering to circuit traces interconnected to the holes. Other such connectors are adapted for mounting along an edge of the circuit board, with solder tails of the terminals engageable with contact pads on one or both sides of the board adjacent the edge. The latter type of connectors commonly are called "edge connectors" and, when the solder tails engage contacts on both sides of the board along the edge, the connectors commonly are called "straddle mount" connectors.
One of the problems encountered with straddle mount connectors is that soft solder paste or cream is removed from vital portions of the board contact pads if there is a sliding engagement between the tails and the pads during positioning of the board and the connector in such a straddle mount condition. In a straddle mount connector system, the board must be inserted in a slot or mouth defined between solder tails engageable with contact pads on both opposite sides of the board in a straddling configuration. Soft solder paste is applied to the contact pads on both sides of the board before the board is inserted into the connector. It is desirable to have a predetermined contact force between the solder tails and the board contact pads, in a direction normal to the board, to provide good electrical contact points. On the other hand, it is desirable to have zero or minimal forces between the solder tails and the contact pads while positioning the solder tails on the contact pads to prevent the soft solder paste from being wiped off of the contact pads which can result in defective solder interfaces or short circuiting between adjacent contact pads.
Various approaches have been made in the connector industry to solve the problems outlined above. For instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,160,275, dated Nov. 3, 1992, a straddle mount electrical connector is provided which will not cause removal of a cream solder that has been applied to the circuit board, and which will not flaw the surface of circuit portions on the board. The connector has a resilient arm which undergoes elastic deformation to flex contacts perpendicularly away from the surface of the circuit portions when the circuit board is inserted into the connector. The resilient arm is restored to its original shape when the connector has been correctly fitted on the circuit board, thereby allowing the contacts to contact predetermined circuits. In another embodiment, the resilient arm is replaced by a frame member which is urged into the connector body by the circuit board. This causes the contacts to part perpendicularly from the surface of the circuit portions.
Another example is disclosed in United Kingdom patent application No. 2 242 579 A, published Oct. 2, 1991, which includes latch arms at the ends of a connector housing extending in the same direction as the terminal pins or solder tails with molded protuberances at the outer ends of at least one of the latch arms, apparently to keep the board contact pads from touching the solder tails until the circuit board is fully inserted between the spaced latch members, when the terminal pins are electrically engaged with the contact pads. In the fully inserted position, the protuberances fit into openings in the board.
Most such approaches as described above involve additional expensive connector components, even components which are separate from the connector housing, or expensive integral devices between the connector housing and a specially designed board. This invention is directed to providing an extremely simple and cost effective solution to solving the problems outlined above.

Edge mounted circuit board electrical connector


A display apparatus including: a display unit; a communication unit which receives information about a coordinate from an input device; and an image processor which displays an image including an object and a cursor on the display unit, and moves the cursor toward the object according to a position of the object in the image with respect to information about movement corresponding to a first input coordinate at an input start point and a second input coordinate at an input termination point, wherein the first input coordinate and the second input coordinate are received from the input device through the communication unit.

Field
Apparatuses and methods consistent with the exemplary embodiments relate to a display apparatus displaying an image and a control method thereof, and more particularly to a display apparatus having a structure of moving a cursor displayed on an image based on a transfer signal received from an input device to a user desired position, and a control method thereof.
Description of the Related Art
A display apparatus processes image signals input from external image sources in various methods and displays images on a display panel, e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), etc. A display apparatus available to general users is configured as a television (TV), a monitor, or the like. For example, a display apparatus configured as a TV conducts various processes, such as tuning and decoding, on broadcast signals received from the outside, thereby providing images of user desired broadcast channels.
In displaying images, the display apparatus is capable of displaying an object corresponding to a preset operation, for example, a hyperlink text of a webpage or an application icon of a desktop, presenting a cursor/pointer laid on an image to select the object. When a user sends a transfer signal of directing movement of a cursor through an input device configured in various forms, the display apparatus moves a cursor according to the received transfer signal.
However, it may not be easy for a user to move a cursor to a desired object through manipulation of the input device due to various factors, e.g., a configuration mode of the input device, the size of a display screen, and a distance between the user and the display screen, etc.

Display apparatus and control method thereof


An integrated circuit device includes a serial peripheral interface adapted for receiving a first command supporting an address of a first configuration, wherein the serial peripheral interface supports an address of a second configuration upon receipt of a second command, the second configuration being different from the first configuration. In a specific embodiment, the first and the second configurations are different in address length. In another embodiment, a second address cooperated with the second command has a first part and a second part, the second part comprising a plurality of byte addresses, each of the byte addresses being associated with a corresponding byte of data. In another embodiment, integrated circuit device also includes a mode logic circuit for controlling operations of the first command and the second command. Various other embodiments are also described.

The present invention is directed to integrated circuits and their operation. More particularly, this invention provides a method and system for serial peripheral interface protocol for an integrated circuit which include memory device. Merely by way of example, the invention has been applied to serial memory devices for fast data transfer rate and for enabling simultaneously read/write operations. But it would be recognized that the invention has a much broader range of applicability. For example, the invention can be applied to other stand-alone or embedded memory devices such DRAM, SRAM, parallel flash, or other non-volatile memories.
Flash memories are used in a variety of applications in electronics. These memory devices often include a large number of input and output pins to accommodate data and addresses required to access the memory cells. In response to increasing space and wiring demands, serial flash memories have been developed to provide reduced pin counts, often requiring only one or two data pins. These serial flash memories provide a storage solution for systems with limited space, pin connections, and power supplies. Serial flash memories can be used for code download applications, as well as for storage of voice, video, text, and data, etc. However, conventional serial flash memory devices have many limitations. For example, a conventional serial peripheral interface flash memory device transfers data or address bits in a sequential and serial fashion, limiting the speed of the memory device.
From the above, it is seen that an improved technique for design of semiconductor memory devices is desired.

Method and system for a serial peripheral interface


A track assembly (24) is provided for use on an automotive seat assembly (10) for providing forward and rearward movement of a seat assembly within a comfort range (C) of seating positions and a forwardly extended position (D) in a vehicle. The track assembly comprises a lower track and an upper track slidably coupled to the lower track. A locking mechanism is coupled between the upper and lower tracks and moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position for selectively locking the upper track to the lower track. A seat dumping mechanism is operatively coupled to the upper track for automatically actuating the locking mechanism between the locked and unlocked positions to extend the track assembly between the forwardly extended position (D) and a predetermined position (E) within the comfort range (c).

1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention relates to a track assembly for providing forward and rearward adjustment of an automotive seat assembly.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Automotive vehicles include vehicle seat assemblies for supporting an occupant seated in the vehicle. The seat assemblies typically comprise a seat cushion and a seat back pivotally connected to the seat cushion by a recliner mechanism for providing adjustment of the seat back relative to the seat cushion between a plurality of reclined positions. Further, seat assemblies typically include a track assembly which allows incremental forward and rearward sliding adjustment of the seat assembly within the vehicle within a comfort range of seating positions, such as between a full forward and full rearward position.
It is common for a track assembly to allow the seat assembly to slide forwardly to a forwardly extended position beyond the comfort range, i.e. the full forward position, in order to facilitate access to an area behind the seat assembly. Some track assemblies known in the art allow the seat assembly to return from the forwardly extended position to the full forward position. Other track assemblies allow the seat assembly to return to the full reward position within the comfort range. More complex and expensive track assemblies allow the seat to be returned to the original seating position.
It remains desirable to provide a track assembly which allows the seat assembly to slide to the forwardly extended position in response to forward pivoting of the seat back to a forward dump position and then returned to a default mid-position between the full forward and full rearward position of the comfort range.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Easy entry seat adjuster with mid position memory


An adaptive interface for a programmable system, for predicting a desired user function, based on user history, as well as machine internal status and context. The apparatus receives an input from the user and other data. A predicted input is presented for confirmation by the user, and the predictive mechanism is updated based on this feedback. Also provided is a pattern recognition system for a multimedia device, wherein a user input is matched to a video stream on a conceptual basis, allowing inexact programming of a multimedia device. The system analyzes a data stream for correspondence with a data pattern for processing and storage. The data stream is subjected to adaptive pattern recognition to extract features of interest to provide a highly compressed representation which may be efficiently processed to determine correspondence. Applications of the interface and system include a VCR, medical device, vehicle control system, audio device, environmental control system, securities trading terminal, and smart house. The system optionally includes an actuator for effecting the environment of operation, allowing closed-loop feedback operation and automated learning.

Significant difficulties are experienced by users when complex programmable devices having multiple commands which are infrequently used or programmed by those users. Further, when a user attempts to use an uncommon or rarely used function of these devices, which may be, for example video cassette recorders (hereinafter "VCRs") difficulties are also encountered. For example, studies have concluded that 80% of users cannot correctly program their VCRs. This has been due, in part, to the fact that manufacturers continue to add more features to existing devices, without simplifying those which already exist. Another problem has been the failure of manufacturers to design products in which the control interface adapts to the behavior of the user or to allow a system to be adaptive to the behaviors of a plurality of users.
People learn most efficiently through the interactive experiences of doing, thinking, and knowing. Learning may often be facilitated by observing an experienced teacher. For ease-of-use, efficiency, and lack of frustration of the user, utilizing the device should be intuitive. Users should be able to operate the device without referring to an instruction manual. Often, actual working examples are helpful. Well-designed products should contain visual clues which prompt and convey their meanings, however, prior art devices do not always live up to this ideal. This problem of insufficient perceptual clues to cue the user as to the identity and nature of available choices is accentuated by various manufacturers and designers who focus on the production and design of feature-rich systems, rather than on ones which are also "User Friendly" and thus easier to use. Therefore, many products are extremely complex and thus difficult to use, thereby preventing all but the most technically advanced people from using them. Other products are simple to use for a low level of functionality, but make it extremely difficult to transcend an arbitrary barrier set by the interface designer.
Some display systems have a higher available resolution than others, and the interface is preferably arranged to optimize the intended display for the resolution limits and display format of the intended or available display device. Further, even with sufficient resolution, certain displays are of small size, and thus the visibility of the information may also be optimized by taking into consideration the size, resolution, contrast, brightness of the display, ambient conditions, characteristics of the human visual system, factors specific for a known user, and the available options of the apparatus. Thus, the interface may employ a number of methods to optimize the visibility of the information for a variety of display devices, storage formats and transmission standards. Known display standards and types include: National Television Standards Committee (NTSC), Phase Alternate Line (PAL), Sequential Coleur à Memoire (SECAM), Comité Consultatif International des Radio-communications (International Radio Consultative Committee, Geneva, Switzerland) (CCIR) standard 601 (encoding parameters for digital television); High Definition Television (HDTV), Multiple Sideband Encoding (MUSE), Improved Definition Television (IDTV), Video Home System (VHS), Super-Video Home System (S-VHS), Beta, SuperBeta, 8 mm, Hi-8 mm, videotel or picturephone (Px64), International Telecommunication Union (ITU) standard H.261, Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) 1, MPEG-2, Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG), computer display standards (Color Graphics Adapter (CGA), Hercules Graphic Card (HGC), Enhanced Graphics Adapter (EGA), Video Graphics Array (VGA), Super Video Graphics Array (SVGA), extended Graphics Array (XGA), Macintosh®, 8514/A (IBM high resolution video standard), Private Eye® (a small reflection scanned light emitting diode (LED line array for projecting a virtual image in front of the eye, available from Reflection Technology, Inc.), Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), etc., each of which may have a number of size ranges, e.g. about 1 cm2 to about 10 m2, with a resolution range including displays having about 16 dot matrix characters or more or about 16 by 64 pixels to about 2,048 by 2,048 pixels. Techniques such as antialiasing, font substitution, hinting, precompensating for expected distortion, etc., are all known employed to improve the readability of the display under various circumstances.

Ergonomic man-machine interface incorporating adaptive pattern recognition based control system


A digital keystone modulation circuit for transforming a digital image to a digital projection image is disclosed. The digital image and the digital projection image have n horizontal image signals and n horizontal projection image signal respectively. The digital keystone modulation circuit includes an output controller for outputting a (3kxe2x88x921)th image signal and one of a (3kxe2x88x922)th and (3k)th image signal in response to an output image selected signal, an output image selector for outputting a first counting signal and the output image selected signal in response to a localization sync-signal, a first counting controller for counting in response to the counting signal, a kth horizontal projection image frequency, and a dot number of one of the (3kxe2x88x922)th and (3kxe2x88x921)th image signal, a second counting controller for counting in response to the output image selected signal, the kth horizontal projection signal, and a dot number of the (3kxe2x88x921)th image signal, and a projection image frequency generator for outputting the kth projection image frequency in response to a horizontal sync-signal and a sum of the dot numbers of the (3kxe2x88x922)th, (3kxe2x88x921)th, and (3kxe2x88x921)th image signals.

The present invention relates to a digital keystone modulation circuit, and especially to a digital keystone modulated circuit for transforming a digital image into a digital projection image.
A conventional optical projector is gradually replaced with a electronic projector. By scanning the original object, the electronic projector can generate a digital image and project it on a display directly. The operating process of the conventional electronic projector are shown in FIG. 1. At first, an analog signal is generated after scanning an object (step S11). Then, the analog signal is transformed into a digital image signal through an analog-to-digital transformation (step S12) and the digital image signal is stored in a memory (step S13). Finally, through a digital-to-analog transformation, the digital image signal is converted to a projection image signal projected on the display (step S14).
However, the projection image on the display usually is deformed as shown in FIG. 2. Because the traveling length of light at the top and bottom of the display is changed with the projection angle xcex8, the projection image is deformed and has a shape of a trapezoid. This is usually called a keystone deformation. FIG. 2 shows a normal projection image without the keystone deformation and the shape constructed by the four points A, B, C, D is a rectangle. If the projection angle xcex8 is an elevation angle, as shown in FIG. 2(b), the distance between the points B1 and C1 is extended and the distance between the points A1 and D1 is shortened. If the projection angle xcex8 is a dip angle, as shown in FIG. 2(c), the distance between the points B1 and C1 is decreased and the distance between the points of A1 and D1 is increased.
Although the keystone deformation can be solved by adding a set of optical lens in the projection image output unit to change the refracting angle of light, adding these optical lens will greatly increase the cost of the electronic projector. In addition, the optical lens will enlarge the size of the electronic projector which does not meet the current requirement of small size. It is therefore attempted by the applicant to provide a low-cost and effective electronic projector to deal with the keystone deformation encountered with the prior art.
An object of the present invention is to provide a digital keystone modulation circuit to modulate the keystone deformation in an electronic projector when a digital image is transformed into a digital projection image.
The digital image and the digital projection image is formed by n horizontal image signals and n horizontal projection image signals respectively wherein n is a positive integer. The digital keystone modulation circuit of the present invention includes an output controller, an output image selector, a first counting controller, a second counting controller, and a projection image frequency generator. The output controller is used for outputting a (3kxe2x88x921)th image signal and a (3kxe2x88x922)th or a (3k)th image signal in response to a first and a second state of an output image selected signal respectively. The (3kxe2x88x922)th, the (3kxe2x88x921)th, and the (3k)th image signals make up a kth horizontal projection image signal wherein k is a positive integer, 1xe2x89xa6kxe2x89xa6n, and the (3kxe2x88x921)th image signal is a kth horizontal image signal. The output image selector is electrically connected to the output controller for outputting a first counting signal in an enable state and the output image selected signal in the second state in response to a horizontal localization sync-signal from a microprocessor. The first counting controller is electrically connected to the microprocessor and the output image selector for counting in response to the first counting signal in the enable state, a kth horizontal projection image frequency, and a dot number of the (3kxe2x88x922)th or (3k)th image signal from the microprocessor, and outputting a first transforming signal to transform the first counting signal into a disable state and the output image selected signal into the first state after a first counting time. The second counting controller is electrically connected to the microprocessor and the output image selector for counting numbers in response to the output image selected signal in the first state, the kth horizontal projection image frequency, and a dot number of the (3kxe2x88x921)th image signal, and outputting a second transforming signal to transform the output image selected signal into the second state after a second counting time. The projection image frequency generator electrically connected to the microprocessor, the first counting controller, and the second counting controller for outputting the kth horizontal projection image frequency in response to a horizontal sync-signal and a sum of the dot numbers of the (3kxe2x88x922)th, (3kxe2x88x921)th, and (3k)th image signals from the microprocessor.
According to the present invention, the keystone modulation circuit further includes a memory and a modulated signal generator electrically connected to the output controller. The microprocessor and the memory can be set in the electronic projector, and the modulated signal generator is preferably a grounded port. Therefore, the digital image can be stored in the memory.
In accordance with the present invention, the (3kxe2x88x922)th and the (3k)th image signal are black image signals and the output controller comprises a multiplexer. The multiplexer is preferably a 2-to-1 multiplexer having a multiplex output control port to input the output image selected signal. The first state and the second state of the output image selected signal are a low voltage level or a high voltage level.
According to the present invention, the output image selector includes a first flip-flop, a second flip-flop, and a transforming signal output controller. The first flip-flop is electrically connected to the microprocessor and the first counting controller for outputting the first counting signal in the enable state to the first counting controller in response to the horizontal localization sync-signal and transforming the first counting signal in the enable state into the disable state in response to the first transforming signal. The second flip-flop is electrically connected to the microprocessor, the second counting controller, and the output controller for outputting the output image selected signal in the second state to the second counting controller in response to horizontal localization sync-signal and to the output controller to control the output of the (3kxe2x88x922)th or (3k)th image signal. The transforming signal output controller is electrically connected to the first counting controller, the second counting controller, and the second flip-flop for logically controlling the outputs of the first transforming signal and the second transforming signal to control the transformation of states of the output image selected signal.
Preferably, the first flip-flop includes a pre-set port for inputting the horizontal localization sync-signal, a data input port for being grounded, a clock port for inputting the first transforming signal, and an inverting output port for outputting the first counting signal. The second flip-flop includes a pre-set port for inputting the horizontal localization sync-signal, a data input port electrically connected to an inverting output port, a clock port for inputting the first or the second transforming signal, and an output port for outputting the output image selected signal. The transforming signal output controller is an assembling logic generator, preferably an OR gate.
Preferably, the first counting controller is a first counter and the first counter is a down-counter. The first counter includes a data input port for inputting the dot number of the (3kxe2x88x922)th or (3k)th image signal, a clock port for inputting the kth horizontal projection image frequency, an enable port for inputting the first counting signal, and an output port for outputting the first transforming signal.
Preferably, the second counting controller is a second counter and the second counter is preferably a down-counter. The second counter includes a data input port for inputting the dot number of the (3kxe2x88x921)th image signal, a clock port for inputting the kth horizontal projection image frequency, an enable port for inputting the output image selected signal, and an output port for outputting the second transforming signal.
In accordance with the present invention, the first counting time is the dot number of the (3kxe2x88x922)th or (3k)th image signal divided by the kth horizontal projection image frequency. The second counting time is the dot number of the (3kxe2x88x921)th image signal divided by the kth horizontal projection image frequency.
Preferably, the enable state and the disable state of the first counting signal are a low voltage level or a high voltage level. The first and second transforming signals are a positive pulse and a negative pulse respectively or a negative pulse and a positive pulse respectively.
In accordance with the present invention, the projection image frequency generator includes a phase-locked loop generator and a frequency divider. The phase-locked loop generator is electrically connected to the microprocessor, the first counting controller, and the second counting controller for outputting the kth horizontal projection image frequency to the first and the second counting controllers in response to a divided frequency. The frequency divider is electrically connected to the microprocessor and the phase-locked loop generator for inputting the divided frequency to the phase-locked loop generator in response to the horizontal sync-signal from the microprocessor, the sum of the dot numbers of the (3kxe2x88x922)th, (3kxe2x88x921)th, and (3k)th image signals, and the kth horizontal projection image frequency.
Preferably, the frequency divider is a third counter and the third counter is a down-counter. The third counter includes a load port for inputting the horizontal sync-signal, a data input port for inputting the sum of the dot numbers of the (3kxe2x88x922)th, 3kxe2x88x921)th, (3k)th image signals, a clock port for inputting the kth horizontal projection image frequency, an enable port for inputting an enable signal, and an output port for outputting the divided frequency.
According to the present invention, the dot numbers of the (3kxe2x88x922)th and the (3k)th image signals are changed with a projection angle xcex8 and a number n of the horizontal image signal. Both of the dot numbers of the (3kxe2x88x922)th and (3k)th image signals are (nxe2x88x92k+1)xc3x97tan xcex8.
In accordance with the present invention, the digital keystone modulation circuit further includes an initial image modulated dot number storage and an image dot decreasing coefficient storage. The initial image modulated dot number storage is electrically connected to the microprocessor and the first counting controller for outputting the dot number of the (3kxe2x88x921)th or (3k)th image signal to the first counting controller in response to an initial image modulated dot number from the microprocessor wherein the initial image modulated dot number storage gradually decreases one image dot in response to an image dot decreasing signal. The image dot decreasing coefficient storage is electrically connected to the microprocessor and the initial image modulated dot number storage for counting according to the horizontal sync-signal and an image dot decreasing coefficient from the microprocessor and outputting the image dot decreasing signal after the counting is finished.
Preferably, the initial image modulated dot number storage is a fourth counter and the fourth counter is a down-counter. The fourth counter includes a data input port for inputting the initial image modulated dot number to the first counting controller and a clock port for inputting the image dot decreasing signal.
Preferably, the image dot decreasing coefficient storage is a fifth counter and the fifth counter is a down-counter. The fifth counter includes a data input port for inputting the image dot decreasing coefficient, a clock port for inputting the horizontal sync-signal, and an output port for outputting the image dot decreasing signal to the initial image modulated dot number storage.
According to the present invention, the image dot decreasing signal is a positive or a negative pulse. The initial image modulated dot number is a dot number of a first or a third image signal and is changed with the projection angle xcex8 and the number n of the horizontal image signal. The dot numbers of the first and the third image signals both are nxc3x97tan xcex8. The image dot decreasing coefficient is an integer value of tan xcex8.
In accordance with the present invention, the digital keystone modulation circuit further includes a first data buffer for temporarily storing the initial image modulated dot number, a second data buffer for temporarily storing the image dot decreasing coefficient, and a third data buffer for temporarily storing the sum of the dot numbers of the (3kxe2x88x921)th, (3kxe2x88x921)th, and (3k)th image signals.


An improved toggle assembly for use in a band-type clamping closure assembly such as provided on a textile kier or like pressure vessel for securing a lid or cover in place during operation. The toggle assembly includes a first pair of lugs affixed to one end of the clamping band in laterally spaced facing relation and a second pair of lugs affixed to the other band end in laterally spaced facing relation. A toggle body has a pair of laterally spaced arm portions each pivotably affixed to a respective one of the first lugs and a handle portion extending outwardly from the arm portions. An actuating link is affixed pivotably at one end to each of the arm portions of the toggle body intermediately of the handle portion and the location at which the arm portions are pivoted to the first lugs and is affixed pivotably at the opposite end to each of the second lugs. Pivotal movement of the toggle body with respect to the first lugs actuates translatory movement of the actuating link for selective clamping and unclamping movement of the band ends toward and away from one another.

The present invention relates generally to toggle assemblies for selectively tightening and loosening clamping devices and, more particularly, to toggle assemblies for use in a band-type closure assembly for removably securing a door, lid or other closure member over an opening in a pressure vessel such as a textile dyeing kier.
Pressure vessels such as textile dyeing equipment optimally operate under considerable pressure and, accordingly, closure assemblies utilized to secure doors, lids or like covers over access openings into the interiors of such vessels should be constructed to facilitate easy opening and closing of such covers repetitively while also reliably withstanding normal operating pressures over an extended useful vessel life. For this purpose, kiers and similar textile dyeing apparatus have typically been equipped with mating annular flanges about the respective perimeters of access openings into the vessel interior and lids or other covers to be mounted thereon, with a closure assembly in the form of an elongate resilient clamping band mounted to the body of the pressure vessel about the access opening with the opposite ends of the band joined by a toggle assembly for selective clamping and unclamping of the lid and vessel flanges with respect to one another.
Optimally, such toggle assemblies should be of a mechanical design which is of a simple construction utilizing a minimal number of components while maximizing mechanical advantage in operation to provide ample clamping force and strength to easily withstand all operating pressures which may be encountered in normal use.


A structure for attracting fish in lakes and ponds is presented that includes a central mast with one or more angled shafts for the fish to rest upon and congregate near.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to artificial structures adapted for submersion in bodies of water. The artificial structure is configured to be attractive to fish, and thus to create an artificial habitat around which fish can usually be found.
2. Description of the Known Art
Fish that live in natural environments such as lakes, streams, oceans, ponds and rivers, can usually be found around the protective cover of rocks, coral, plant life and the like. However, many of these habitats have been destroyed by natural phenomena such as hurricanes, floods, and the like. Additionally man made problems such as pollutants, dams and other developmental issues have claimed their fair share of these habitats as well. This loss of habitats has led to entire species being lost from certain bodies of waters, thus further affecting other organisms in the food chain. Even fishermen, who at one time would frequent certain fishing spots, would stop their visits, thus affecting local business cycles as well.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which fish habitats can be replaced or created in a manner which is quick, easy and effective. The development of the artificial structure for attracting fish fulfills this need.
Details of artificial structures for attracting fish are contained in U.S. Pat. No. 4,727,672 issued to Hill, et al. on Mar. 1, 1988; U.S. Pat. No. 4,916,845 issued to Aydelette, Sr. on Apr. 17, 1990; U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,309 issued to Hall on Apr. 9, 1991; U.S. Pat. No. 5,272,829 issued to Roberts, et al. on Dec. 28, 1993; U.S. Pat. No. 5,315,779 issued to Fussell on May 31, 1994; U.S. Pat. No. 6,523,497 issued to Smith on Feb. 25, 2003; U.S. Pat. No. 6,978,735 issued to Yeager on Dec. 27, 2005. Each of these patents is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,727,672 issued to Hill, et al. on Mar. 1, 1988 entitled Artificial Structure for Attracting Fish teaches an artificial structure for attracting fish that includes a ballast and anchoring subassembly having an elongated trunk detachably and pivotally connected thereto and extending in a generally vertical direction therefrom. A plurality of elongated leaf fronds are each centrally engaged with the trunk at longitudinally spaced intervals along the trunk.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,916,845 issued to Aydelette, Sr. on Apr. 17, 1990 entitled Device to Attract Fish discloses a device for attracting fish in fresh water lakes and ponds that includes one or more disk which are tandemly arranged and are anchored by a tubular transparent anchor which contains bait fish. The disk have a concave configuration and are formed from a floatable plastic. A serrated edge on at least the bottom disk provides a niche for a fishing line to maintain the fishing line bait near the fish which congregate under the disks.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,309 issued to Hall on Apr. 9, 1991 entitled Instrumented Drift Fish Aggregating Device and Method discloses an instrumented drift fish aggregating device to attract game fish for harvest. A highly positive flotation buoy with instrumentation including visual and radio acquisition devices floats on the water. Suspended from the buoy is a plurality of suspension lines connected to a ballast weight, which combine for stability of the buoy. A multiplicity of fish attraction streamers are connected to the suspension lines. The device can provide information to a remote location, such as a fishing vessel, by radio means as to its location, water temperature and quantity of fish in the vicinity of the buoy.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,272,829 issued to Roberts, et al. on Dec. 28, 1993 entitled Fish Attracting Bassin Stump and Method of Use discloses a fish attracting device which simulates a tree stump to provide a habitat for fish to congregate. The device includes an outer textured wall that resembles the bark on a tree trunk and an inner chamber secured to the outer textured wall. A structure for deploying the device within a body of water is secured to the inner chamber.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,315,779 issued to Fussell on May 31, 1994 entitled Fish Habitat discloses an artificial habitat assembly for fish or other aquatic life that includes a series of vertically spaced plates or discs having a specified gravity less than 1.0, which are held adjacent the bottom of a body of water by an anchor and a flexible stress member to which the plates are attached in vertically spaced relationship. The plates provide areas of shade or darkness which are attractive to fish seeking shelter.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,523,497 issued to Smith on Feb. 25, 2003 entitled Reticulated Fish Aggregation Apparatus discloses a submersible artificial fish bed formed of hollow members that are self flooded in order to be placed.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,978,735 issued to Yeager on Dec. 27, 2005 entitled Artificial Fish Habitat discloses an artificial fish habitat that comprises an open framework including a plurality of layers. The layers each include an open portion and are generally aligned so that the open portions cooperate to define a passageway through the framework for fish to reside therein. Each layer includes a periphery section which is formed from a material presenting a minimum cross section sized and configured to be greater than the gap spacing of a conventional fish hook such that the hook may not snag on the framework. A method of utilizing the partially submerged habitat comprises descending a hook through the passageway to contact a layer and withdrawing the hook without snagging.
The use of the present invention provides fish an artificial habitat in areas where none exist. Fisherman in the past have cut natural tree limbs or shrubs and placed them at desired locations in lakes and ponds to serve as gathering points and shelters for fish. All such past devices have been employed with varying degrees of success depending on the type of fishing conducted, and the particular conditions encountered. Certain serious drawbacks have resulted for example, in using artificial or natural tree limbs as fishing lines often become enwrapped with the limbs and have to be cut free. Other specific devices which have been used are difficult to retrieve or move as may be desired from time to time or from location to location. Also, artificial devices can be expensive, easily damaged and are therefore little used. Other artificial devices have provided an area that attracts fish momentarily, but does not encourage the fish to stay within the area for a length of time since the fish must remain active.
In icy environments, government restrictions prevent fishermen from deploying permanent or semi-permanent structures. Only structures which can fit within the limits of a hole cut in the ice, approximately eight inches or so, can be used. The prior art fails to show a device that can be deployed within the confines of an ice fishing hole and subsequently removed.
The prior art patents are very limited in their teaching and utilization, and an improved artificial structure for attracting fish in an icy environment is needed to overcome these limitations.

Artificial structure for attracting fish


A particular shift control system is provided for an automatic transmission having a primary transmission, changeable to at least three primary gear ratios, and a secondary transmission, changeable to at least two secondary gear ratios. The primary and secondary transmissions combine to shift the automatic transmission to a plurality of forward speeds. The control system monitors the progression of change in the primary transmission gear ratio. In a specific automotive drive condition, the primary transmission changes from one primary gear ratio to another primary gear ratio via an intermediate primary gear ratio between the two primary gear ratios. This produces an increase or decrease in a primary gear ratio. At the same time, the secondary transmission decreases or increases, respectively, a secondary gear ratio so as to shift the automatic transmission from one forward speed to another, skipping an intermediate speed between the two forward speeds. The secondary transmission starts a change in a secondary gear ratio in an opposite direction only when a primary gear ratio of the primary transmission reaches the intermediate primary gear ratio.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a shift control system for an automatic transmission for an automobile and, more particularly, to an automatic transmission shift control system for an automobile which reduces shift shock.
2. Description of Related Art
Automatic transmissions for automotive vehicles typically include first or primary transmission means, selectively shiftable into first to third speed gears, and second or secondary transmission means, selectively shiftable into low and high speed gears. The automatic transmissions are each shifted into various forward speeds by combinations of speed gears of the primary and secondary transmission means.
In such an automatic transmission, an automatic shift may occur in which the primary transmission means shifts to a high speed gear while the secondary transmission means shifts to a lower speed gear. Alternatively, the automatic shift may involve a shift of the primary transmission means to a low speed gear while the secondary transmission means shifts to a higher speed gear. When a shift in which the primary and secondary transmission means are "inverse" in shift direction relative to each other occurs, the shift typically causes what is called "shift shock."
In a specific situation, an automatic transmission may shift from one speed to another speed by skipping over an intermediate speed. In such a situation, a transitional shift to the intermediate speed may occur. For example, a down-shift from a fourth speed to a second speed may be performed by skipping over an intermediate speed, namely, a third speed. For such a down-shift, the primary transmission means shifts down from a third speed gear to a first speed gear, skipping a second speed gear, while the secondary transmission shifts up from a lower speed gear to a higher speed gear. If an up-shift of the secondary transmission means is completed while the second speed gear is transitionally created by the primary transmission means, the automatic transmission will temporarily complete an up-shift to the third speed during the fourth to second (4-2) down-shift. If this occurs, a steep decline in transmitting torque in the automatic transmission is produced. The steep torque decline produces a shift shock which is physically felt by the driver. Such a shift shock, due to a steep torque decline, is induced during any up-shift which skips over an intermediate speed as well as a down-shift which skips over an intermediate speed.

Shift control system for automobile automatic transmission


A stator for an electromagnetic machine includes a plurality of discrete and individually wound stator segments having end caps positioned on the segments. The end caps have legs for positioning the end cap on the segments with an interference fit. The end caps have angled surfaces to facilitate winding of wire on the segments. The end caps have male and female couplings that mate together to couple adjacent segments together. The end caps have fingers and slots for aligning the segments on substantially the same plane. The end caps have wire isolation features, including hooks, shelves and ledges, for separating the interconnect wires routed on the stator to electrically interconnect the segments. The segments include scalloped contours on their outer edges for draining oil, and the end caps have passages for draining oil.

Segmented stators for use in electromagnetic machines, such as hermetic compressor motors of a refrigeration system, are known in the art. The segmented stator assemblies typically include a plurality of segments that form the stator of the motor. The stator is typically contained within a shell, and a rotor and shaft are positioned for rotation within a bore of the stator. Each segment of the stator includes a yoke portion and a tooth portion. As is known in the art of electromagnetic machines, such as induction motors, brushless permanent magnet (BPM) motors, and switched reluctance (SR) motors, the stator teeth are wound with magnet wires to form winding coils having a plurality of phases.
End caps fit on the ends of segments of a stator to facilitate the placement of wire on the segments. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,584,813 to Peachee et al. and entitled "Washing machine including a segmented stator switched reluctance motor," which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, discloses a segmented stator assembly that uses end caps on the segments. In addition, U.S. Pat. NoS. 2,688,103 to Sheldon; U.S. Pat. No. 2,894,157 to Morrill; U.S. Pat. No. 6,127,753 to Yamazaki; U.S. Pat. No. 6,509,665 to Nishiyama et al and U.S. Patent Application No. 2002/0084716 to Harter et al. disclose various examples of end caps for stators. The prior art end caps are typically glued to the segments, and winding coils are wound about the tooth portions of each segment and on portions of the end caps. Therefore, any problems with the end caps can produce poor winding characteristics in the winding coils, such as undesirable overlap of the winding coils or inefficient density of the winding coils about the tooth portions.
Segmented stators require various manufacturing steps to interconnect all the individually wound coils on the segments to form the phase windings. To interconnect the winding coils of the stator, it is known in the art to use a printed circuit board to interconnect the various winding coils of the stator. The printed circuit board is generally circular and has a plurality of terminal pads that connect to terminal pins on each end cap of the stator.
Rather than using a printed circuit board, interconnect wires can be used to connect the various winding coils of opposing electrical phases (voltages). Ends of the interconnect wires can be welded or soldered to terminal pins on the end caps of the stator, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,688,103 to Sheldon. The interconnect wire can be routed on the stator in several different ways. In one example, the interconnect wires can be routed around the outside portions of the segments. It is known in the art to provide hooks on the outboard side of a stator for routing the wires to route interconnect wires on the outside portion of the stator. In a compressor motor, however, routing wires on the outside portion of the stator is not desirable.
In another example, the interconnect wires can be routed within the inside portion of the stator. It is known in the art to use a stitcher ring to guide the wires to route interconnect wires on the inside portion of the stator. For example, a stitcher ring, having part no. 280138 and manufactured by Emerson Electric Co, is used in motors to route interconnect wires. The stitcher ring is a disc with a central opening for passage of a rotor shaft. The stitcher ring positions on a lead-end of the stator and fits partially over the bore of the stator. A plurality of hooks are provided on one side of the stitcher ring and are used to route wire between winding coils. In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,900,687 to Kondo et al. discloses an end plate having grooves for arranging the conducting wires between the coils of the various phases. The end plate is fixed onto an upper portion of the winding coils of the stator in the area of the bore.
Because the interconnect wires routed on a stator are positioned adjacent one another, a large voltage differential between the adjacent interconnect wires can produce phase-on-phase conditions in the motor and can cause premature failure of the insulation on the wires. In a compressor motor, any large voltage differential between adjacent wires can be magnified because the motor is used as a magnetization fixture where upwards of 1600 Volts and 1200 Amps may be passed through the stator at a given instant. In addition, a compressor motor can be used with a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) drive. The waveform from the PWM drive may have high voltage spikes on the leading and trailing edges of the waveform, creating the need to separate the phase wires. Traditionally, motors use insulation made of MYLAR® or NOMEX® between the magnetic wires forming the separate winding coils. It is also known in the art to use secondary insulation between the interconnect wires interconnecting the winding coils. Unfortunately, such secondary insulation can increase the manufacturing costs and production time of the motor.
Some segmented stator assemblies use interlocking features or hinges on the segments to hold them together. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,127,753 to Yamazaki et al. discloses segments having hinged ends that connect adjacent segments together. Unlike the segmented stators having interlocking segments, some prior art segments for stators are not formed to directly interlock with other segments of the stator. Instead, such segments have ridged and slotted ends. The ends merely fit together on adjacent segments so that the segments are not physically held together in the absence of some other retaining structure. Hence, the stator segments are used to form a stator of the "loose" segmented type. "Loose" segmented stators typically require a secondary retention device, such as a heavy metal band, to hold the segments together when the segments are formed into the annular shape of the stator. The heavy band is positioned around the outside diameter of the segments to hold them together when manufacturing the motor or when transporting the stator as a separate part to customers. In addition, conventional segmented stators do not provide a ready way to axially align the segments to prevent unacceptable differences in tolerances during manufacture. Currently, no form of axial alignment for "loose" segmented stators is thought to exist in the art.
As noted above, segmented stators can be used in hermetic motors for a compressor of a refrigeration system. The compressor has an oil pump on the bottom of the compressor, which is known as the oil sump. Typically, oil is pumped up through a shaft of the hermetic motor, past the stator and rotor, and to the main bearing of the compressor. From the bearing, the oil is let loose on a lead end of the motor to drain back to the oil sump. The contours of the motor, such as the contours of the segmented stator, can determine how the oil is allowed to return to the oil sump from the lead end of the motor. In addition, oil from the oil sump in the hermetic motor can also pool in cavities and recesses of typical end caps, which can prevent the return of oil to the oil sump. If the motor does not have sufficient drain area, for example, the oil will become dammed on the lead-end of the motor. The damming of oil can cause higher oil circulation in the refrigeration system, can starve the oil pump of oil, and can hinder the performance of the compressor. On the other hand, if the motor has too much drain area for the return of the oil, then the stator may have less back iron than desired. A stator with less back iron can have higher magnetic flux saturation and reduced performance.
Typical stators for hermetic motors in compressors have flat areas defined on the outside diameter of the stator. The flat areas of the stator provide a drain area for the oil to pass from the lead-end of the motor to the oil sump. In some stators, the flat areas are made very large so that the material used to form the stator can be used efficiently. However, the large size of these flat areas in the stator can deform the shell of the motor. For example, the progression of the laminations forming the stator with the flat areas can create issues with shell deformation. In addition, the scroll shear pattern when used in a compressor can create issues with shell deformation because of the physical size of the flat areas on the outside of the stator. Thus, a trade off is typically made between the size of the flat areas in the stator and the efficient use of material used to make the stator.
The subject matter of the present disclosure is directed to overcoming, or at least reducing the effects of, one or more of the problems set forth above.


A method of manufacturing a complimentary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor. The method includes a step of performing a silicide process relative to a plug for transferring electrons generated from a photodiode. The silicide of the plug blocks light irradiated through the plug, so that the performance of the image sensor may be optimized.

A CMOS image sensor is a device which may covert optical images into electrical signals using machine vision. A CMOS image sensor may include a pixel region which responds to the optical signals and a periphery region that does not respond to optical signals. A pixel region may generate electricity through photoelectric effect in response to light.
A silicide process may be performed when a CMOS image sensor is manufactured. In a silicide process, metal may be diffused into a silicon substrate to lower the resistance. A silicide process may be used to maintain relatively high performance of a device. Silicide may be formed regions outside a pixel region. Silicide formed in a pixel region may degrade electrical characteristics of a device by lowering light transmittance and causing junction leakage.
A plug (e.g. a conductive plug) may connect to a photodiode in the pixel region. A silicide process may not be performed with relation to the plug. Accordingly, a plug may not have silicide formed on it. A plug may receive a portion of the light irradiated onto the pixel region, which may generate some electrons from a photoelectric effect. As a result, electrons generated by the plug may cause undesirable electrical signals (e.g. noise) in an image sensor, which may compromise performance and reliability of an image sensor.


The present invention relates to a heating device having at least a first heating element 102 for heating at least one protective sleeve 105, 602 arranged around at least a first uncoated optical fiber section 501, 603. Said sleeve 105, 602 being arranged to shrink when exposed to heat to form a protecting member tightly enclosing said uncoated optical fiber section 501, 603. The at least first heating element is flexible, and arranged to take at least a first open state and a second substantially closed state. Said first open state is suitable for inserting and removing said protecting sleeve and fiber into and out off said heating device. Said heating element, in said second state, substantially surrounds said sleeve to form an enclosure around said sleeve, so that said heating element radiates heat around substantially the complete circumference of said sleeve.

In the fiber optical communication technology to a higher and higher extent, in addition to loose or separate optical fibers, optical ribbon fibers or "ribbons" are used, i.e. optical fibers which by an outer enclosure are held to form a unit of type ribbon cable, i.e. a flat fiber assembly including a plurality of optical fibers extending in parallel to each other. Such ribbon fiber typically contains 2, 4, 6, 8, or 12 individual fibers.
When splicing optical fibers and ribbon fibers often fusion, also called welding or fusion welding, is used in devices particularly designed for this purpose. When splicing two different fibers to each other the different enclosures and protective layers are first removed. This can be made in a single step so that the naked surface of the optical fibers appears after the operation. Thereupon the naked fibers are cleaned, cut off, placed in the fiber-splicing device and are spliced to each other.
Thereafter a separate protective sleeve is placed over the splicing region. Such protective sleeves are usually heat-shrinkable pieces of tubing made of a suitable polymer material. Such a piece of tubing is then placed over the spliced portion of the fiber and the protective sleeve and the spliced portion is moved to a heating device, in which the protective sleeve is heated to make it shrink and tightly seal the spliced portion. The two operations, splicing using fusion and applying the protective sleeve tightly around the spliced portion, are most often executed in two separate devices but may equally well be executed in a single device with two operations, cf. WO 00/65388 OPTICAL FIBER SPLICING APPARATUS assigned to Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson.
It is also possible to automate the process steps of stripping, cleaning, cutting, splicing through fusion, recoating and testing, through for instance robot technology. In this situation, each process step is a working station and a robotic arm moves each fiber between each station. All stations are working simultaneously wherefore the working time for the longest process step sets the limit for the speed of the total process. It is therefore important to minimise the time taken for each step. The time taken for splicing is approximately around 50 seconds. State of the art ovens or heating devices for recoating have difficulties with reaching these times and therefore constitutes a bottleneck in the process. It is of course also important to minimise each process step if an operator manually handles the fibers. Thus, the above process, described having a robot, can also be carried out with an operator moving the fiber between each process step.
These devices are also at times, in a mobile form, brought about to places where no mains is available, thus requiring their own power supply. Therefore, it is important to minimise power consumption.


A friction stir welding equipment according to an embodiment includes a spindle unit, a holder, and a moving part; the spindle unit is capable of rotating a tool; the holder is connectable to the tool via a radial bearing and is capable of holding at least one of a side surface of a processing member or a rim of an upper surface of the processing member; and the moving part is capable of changing relative positions of the tool and the holder with respect to the processing member.

In friction stir welding (FSW; Friction Stir Welding), plastic flow of the material of a member (a main material) to be joined is caused by the pressure and the angular moment of a rotating tool.
For example, in the case where friction stir welding of overlaid members is performed, the rotating tool is inserted into the member on the upper side; and plastic flow of mainly the material of the member on the upper side is caused. At this time, there are cases where the rotational force of the tool is transferred to the member on the upper side; and the member on the upper side rotates or deforms. In the case where the position of the member on the upper side shifts, there is a risk that the joining position may shift; or the external appearance quality of the product may be lost.
Therefore, technology has been proposed in which the rotating tool is inserted into the member on the upper side in a state of being pressed onto the upper surface of the member on the upper side.
However, in the case where the force that presses onto the upper surface of the member on the upper side is weak, a new problem occurs in that the member on the upper side shifts in the rotation direction. In such a case, if the force that presses onto the upper surface of the member on the upper side is increased, there is a risk that damage to the upper surface of the member on the upper side, etc., may occur.
Also, the friction stir welding to date has been used to join relatively large parts used in automobiles, aircraft, etc.; therefore, normally, the joining position where the tool is inserted has been confirmed by the naked eye. However, to use for joining with higher quality, joining using a tool having a small diameter, etc., it is becoming more necessary to mount, to the friction stir welding equipment, an imaging unit such as a camera, etc., that images the joining position. In such a case, it is favorable for the distance (the offset amount) between the imaging unit and the tool to be determined easily.
Further, in friction stir welding, there are many cases where defects are prevented by slightly inserting the shoulder of the tool into the member to be joined to ensure the frictional heat amount and to apply pressure to the joining part. In such a case, it is favorable to be able to easily measure the distance between the shoulder of the tool and the upper surface of the member to be joined.
Therefore, the development of a friction stir welding equipment, a processing-position setting system, and a measurement system in which the productivity can be increased is desirable.


A slack chamber in a form which will extendably retain a loop of service cable ready to pay out slack in the event of ground subsidence is provided buried either in line with an underground cable run or partially buried in line with the service line from the building service downwardly to an underground service line.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to electrical service conduits extending from buried or underground service lines to individual electrical service installations comprised of buildings requiring power and more particularly to providing means for protection of the building electric service from damage and possible interruption as a result of ground subsidence or other disturbance in the area of the underground electrical service lines. More particularly still the invention pertains to a slack provision arrangement to provide additional service cable to allow for any additional length of service line necessary to relieve tension on the service attached to a building induced by ground level alterations.
2. Preliminary Discussion
In the connection of underground electric service to building structures, difficulty has been encountered with settling of backfill over the electrical conduits on building sites. It is not unusual for such backfill to settle several feet or more along with the conduits surrounding the service. Such settlement can initially be at a fairly high rate of several inches or more per month particularly during periods of high rainfall. The force of such settlement is transferred to the conduit and the electrical service wires where they are connected to the electrical service box on the exterior of the building. Even if the service wires are not broken or disconnected by the resulting tension exerted on them, sections of the protective conduit around the service wires are frequently pulled apart or away from each other or from the service box, exposing the service wires and sometimes even pulling the building service box away from its anchoring or even breaking away portions of the building structure to which the service extends. Exposure of the service conduit or wires is not only dangerous because of the danger of severe shock by anyone coming in contact with the service wires or conduit, but constitutes a fire hazard due to possible ignition of surrounding materials in case of breaking and exposure of the wires.
This problem was recognized in U.S. Pat. No. 4,861,942 issued to T.F. Moran, Jr. on Aug. 29, 1989, entitled "Adjustable Riser Assembly", which discloses an adjustable length conduit for protecting underground electrical power service wires between the ground and an exterior above ground service box. Such prior art riser assembly is comprised of a first lower conduit section the lower end of which extends into the ground and has a bend of at least 30° on such end, and a second rigid conduit which connects to the service box on one end and has a larger overall diameter along its lower end so as to slid ingly receive the upper end of the lower conduit section. A very close tolerance is provided between the outer diameter of the lower conduit section and the inner diameter of the upper conduit section, with such diameters being substantially the same so that at least partial sealing between the two diameter conduits is effected. The two conduits overlap and allow for subsidence of the ground surface in new construction while maintaining a substantially sealed conduit protection of the electrical service wires between the service box and the ground. Such continued protection is important not only to prevent children or others from gaining access to and possible experiencing injury from the charged service wires, but also to keep insects and small animals out of the service box and building and to prevent the service box in an extreme but not uncommon case from being bodily ripped from its position on the wall. The Moran Jr. invention therefore addressed a very serious consequence of backfill settlement in building construction.
There are several problems, however, with the Moran, Jr. riser protection assembly which make it in practice impractical and difficult to use and install. First, the close sliding fitting or tolerance between the conduits does not allow for any lateral or side to side movement of the lower conduit with respect to the upper conduit. Thus, if the lower conduit is not installed so that it is exactly aligned with the upper conduit, the outer edge of the lower conduit will press against the inner side of the upper conduit and will not slide easily or possibly even at all due to frictional forces between the conduits. This makes the Moran, Jr. protective assembly very difficult to hook up, or install, since, in most cases, it is difficult and time consuming to install the conduits so that they are exactly aligned. Furthermore, just as settling forces may cause downward strain on a nonadjustable conduit, such forces may also place significant lateral pressure on the below ground portion of the adjustable conduit which may in itself exert sufficient force to loosen the conduit from the wall. Yet another problem with the Moran, Jr. assembly is that if the upper slightly larger conduit and the lower smaller conduit are not exactly aligned, when the smaller enters into the larger it can be inserted only a minimal distance before its edge begins to severely impact the inside of the larger pipe and refuses to slide farther without displacing the larger conduit which may be already secured to the wall when the electric lines are installed. Consequently, the lower small conduit is extremely difficult to install or insert into the larger upper conduit again primarily due to the close fit or tolerance between the upper and lower conduits.
The present inventor recognized the disadvantages of known sliding or slip joint type devices, and conceived of a new assembly that overcomes all of such disadvantages. In particular, the present inventor solved the problem of the lateral stress placed on the sliding portions of the conduits by using a larger inside diameter conduit assembly or fitting as the outer conduit plus placing a deformable sealing ring at the end of such fitting between the conduits. The deformable sealing ring is secured to the inner diameter on the lower end of the assembly, so that the section of conduit that extends into the ground will connect with such assembly with a close fit between it and the sealing ring, rather than with the inner diameter of the assembly or fitting itself. The improved slip-joint provided is described and claimed in applicant's prior application.
In addition, the prior patented invention did not address the possibility that subsidence of the ground or backfill might stress the underground electrical service conductor or cable itself and possibly pull it loose from its connections and the present inventor therefore provided an improvement in the basic sliding coupling in the top to provide an additional length of wire conduit to allow for slack therein to allow for the extra conduit that may be necessary to provide a continuous length of cable between the service connection and the power line connection at the street in case of settlement with additional inevitable lengthening of the path which a cable must follow in its path from a service box on a building to a service connection at the street. This allowed additional service cable to be paid out from the storage in the upper portion of the connecting slide fitting to allow for the lengthening of the conduit and tension of the electric cable itself.
However, it has now been found that providing a slack reservoir in the upper end of the slide fitting providing additional extension for the conduit attached to the building may not always be sufficient and that a more easily paid out length of excess cable may be desirable more in line with the underground section of the main run underground of the cable from the building to the street service. The present applicant has supplied such a slack arrangement in accordance with the present invention by providing a slack receptacle or container adapted to contain an underground loop or loops of electrical conduit which are automatically paid out upon the application of tension upon the electric cable caused by subsidence of backfill or the like. The container or receptacle may be constructed of polyvinylchloride, the approved material for service cable conduits because of its weather resistance and fire resistance in case the wires or electrical conduit is short-circuited in contact with it. However, sine there is little danger of fire underground, other structural plastics may be used. The slack cable or conduit within the receptacle or box is easily available and is placed in the receptacle through a door or cover and will be adapted to contain at least one full loop of wire, cable or conduit arranged to be easily paid out in either direction from the receptacle in case of need due to subsidence or any other severe tension on the electrical service. Since the receptacle is buried or arranged in line with the electrical service it is arranged to easily pay out cable or conduit in either or both directions upon tension being exerted upon the cable tension loop within, thereby preventing any accumulation of tension, due especially to subsidence, from tensioning the electrical service box or the service to the street and possibly detaching or breaking the wires or even pulling the entire service from the wall of the building to which it is connected. The slack receptacle should be strong enough to withstand the weight of earth over it, plus the possible weight of machinery and vehicles passing over it and is preferably substantially impervious to the silt laden water percolating around it. While moisture entering the slack receptacle will not usually be deleterious to the electrical conduit or cable, which is designed for underground service in any event, the collection of silt within the slack receptacle can cause any cable loop therein to become substantially immobile and prevent it from being able to pass the slack in the cable from the receptacle. See, however, the further discussion hereinafter.
Preferably, therefore, the orifices provided in the sides of the conduit slack receptacle ought to be either essentially plugged with an effective seal such as electrical sealant or so-called duct sealant material or will be provided with a strong flexible gasket sealing against the electrical cable. While the usual underground cable run will be provided on the sides and preferably the top with so-called "screening" in the form of a layer of small broken rock to protect the cable and conduit from deleterious underground movements and influences including mud and silt flows, such screening may not be sufficient to prevent the passage of very fine silt particles. While larger clastic or divided materials will be excluded by such broken rock screening, fine silt and the like may still percolate through the screen and upon entrance in the slack receptacle settle in the center of a coil of wire or cable and effectively resist the contraction of said coil or cable, effectively resisting payout of the coil and the relief of tension caused by earth subsidence. This, however, depends also upon how much flow of moisture is likely to occur through the slack chamber and if the chamber is carefully designed to limit such flow no serious consequences may result.
The primary focus of this invention, therefore, is the provision of a sturdy damage proof containment suitable for the containment of at least one large loop of electrical service wire from which wire or service cable can be paid out simply and reliably to provide extra slack to prevent serious electrical service tension on a wire service and into which containment means the electrical service cable can be conveniently strung when installing the electrical service. It is preferred that only a single large loop be used.
Several embodiments of the invention can be used dependent upon the local utility custom respecting the laying of conduit to the street service, i.e. whether conduit is laid only from underground upwardly to the building service with the remainder of the run to the street service being without conduit protection, this being referred to as direct burial or whether protective conduit surrounds the electrical cable all the way to the street service referred to as non-direct burial.
3. Description of Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 4,006,289 issued to N. P. Roe et al. on Feb. 1, 1977, entitled "Electromechanical Cable Deployable in a No-Torque Condition, and Method," discloses a method and means for winding cable torque free in a coil placing one full twist in the coil with each winding so that when removing the cable from the coil it is presented without twist. The cable can be wound on a reel or into an open container. There appears to be no disclosure of the coil as a supply of cable for pay out to relieve tension, however.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,864,080 issued to H. P. Fochler et al. on Sep. 5, 1989, entitled "Terminator Connector Fitting for Electrical Box and Conduit System," broadly discloses the use of a connector box for electrical fitting, but does not disclose an arrangement for coiling extra cable in a fitting below ground level to provide slack to relieve tension on the cable in the case of ground subsidence.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,031,180 issued to R. J. Schilling et al. on Feb. 29, 2000, entitled "Below Ground Pressurizable Cable Interconnect Enclosure," discloses a specialized below ground interconnect chamber for electrical cable. The chamber is formed from plasticized concrete and is provided with internal environmental gases and is attached to PVC conduit. The cable connection chamber is designed to be useful for various interconnect purposes.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,181,861 issued to W. Wenski et al. on Jan. 30, 2001, entitled "Arrangement for Branching a Telecommunications Cable Containing Several Stranded Elements with Optical Fibers," discloses a below ground chamber in which a number of fiberoptic cables can be stored in individual plastic cassettes or tubes and from which when a new connection to a local customer is to be made one or more of the fiberoptic cables or strands can be paid out to the customer from coiled fiberoptic strands stored in cassettes in the below ground chamber.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,526,858 issued to K. J. Smith et al. on Mar. 4, 2003, entitled "Cable Breakaway Assembly," discloses an alternative way of preventing excessive tension on communication lines including a knife severing arrangement to sever the lines when excessive tension on a line occurs.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,646,854 issued to W. J. Fowler et al. on Nov. 11, 2003, entitled "Lightning Suppression Attenuator and System Employing Same," discloses an underground container in which a conductive strand is coiled surrounded by conductive grit. Preferably the chamber outside the coil is filled with a conductive steel grit. The interior of the chamber being surrounded by conductive grit to draw off any charge from a lightening strike the cable within is neither intended to nor would be able to pay out any substantial amount of slack cable in case tension was applied to the cable.
U.S. Published application No. 2002/0034369 on Mar. 21, 2002 to J. H. Forrester et al., entitled "Apparatus for Storing Surplus ADSS Cable," which is a CIP of several earlier applications previously issued discloses an adaptation of a presently popular arrangement for providing slack which can be paid out in overhead lines when required. The arrangement is designed for use in overhead lines and not for relieving tension on underground lines.
U.S. Published application No. 2002/0172489 on Nov. 21, 2002 in the name of B. H. Daoud et al. entitled, "Fiber Splice Holder with Protected Slack Storage Feature," discloses a fiberoptic splice holder with a slack storage feature. The application explains that in fiber splice holders which keep various spliced fiberoptic fibers separated and prevent the fiberoptic element from being bent at too great an angle it is convenient to have slack provided right on the splice holder.
U.S. Published application No. 2003/0123935 on Jul. 3, 2003 in the name of D. Dofher entitled, "Subsurface Fibre Optic Cable Network Installation," discloses a small junction box for fibre optic cable with at least one separable sidewall and sealing means for fibre optic cable entering from the side. The junction box is designed to fit into narrow subsurface openings. A wire loop may be on the outside to hold further loops of fibre optic cable.
Patent document EP0726478 to G. S. Cobb et al. published Aug. 14, 1996, entitled "Splice Holder Assembly for an Optical Fiber Cable Splice Closure," discloses a splice holder for a fiber optic cable in which slack loops of fiber optic cable can be loops in the bottom.
None of the prior art known to the applicant discloses a slack cable box or case adapted to be used in the manner of that of the present invention for containing electric service cable looped in a loose coil in a slack coil container adapted for burying at the end of an underground conduit and to provide cable slack in the event of ground or fill subsidence, which cable slack will allow for such ground subsidence and prevent severe tension from being applied to exterior service facilities on the wall of a building and further deigned to have cable simply and easily coiled manually into the slack container by personal laying the conduit in place.

Slack cable arrangement for underground electric service conduit connected to service boxes on the sides of buildings