A recording material comprising: a support; and (A) a recording layer capable of forming color due to application of at least one of heat and pressure thereto; and between the support and the recording layer, (i) a layer containing acetoacetyl denatured polyvinyl alcohol, partially saponified polyvinyl alcohol, and a film hardening agent, (ii) a layer containing acetoacetyl denatured polyvinyl alcohol and a film hardening agent, and (iii) a layer containing acetoacetyl denatured polyvinyl alcohol whose degree of polymerization is 1000 or more, or (B) between the support and the recording layer, at least one layer containing acetoacetyl denatured polyvinyl alcohol, partially saponified polyvinyl alcohol, and a film hardening agent, wherein the layer is coated with a coating solution whose viscosity is no more than 0.3 Pa·s at 40° C. by using a gravure roller.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a recording material, and in particular, to a recording material on which an image can be recorded by a thermal head or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recording materials on which an image is recorded by heat being applied thereto by a thermal head or the like have come into wide use in recent years as the recording devices therefor are simple, reliable and do not require maintenance. Such recording materials include, on a support, a recording layer which contains, as color forming components, an electron donating dye precursor and an electron receiving compound, or a diazo compound and a coupler, for example. An image is recorded by utilizing a color forming reaction of the color-forming components which proceeds due to the application of heat.
In such a heat-sensitive type recording method, an image is recorded due to the application of heat. Thus, the surface temperature of the recording material becomes high during image recording. Further, if a contact type recording means such as a thermal head is used, pressure is applied to the recording material during the image recording. At this time, moisture and air in a recording layer expand due to the heat applied thereto, and then move to the surface of a coating layer of the support, and when the moisture and air reach the coating layer and continue to expand thereon, they form air gaps and cause a so-called blistering. The generation of blistering causes a deterioration of image quality such as glossiness, of a recorded image.
As a method of suppressing the generation of the blistering, a method is known in which a layer having low permeation with respect to gas water vapor, e.g., a so-called undercoat layer, is formed between the recording layer and the support. As the undercoat layer, a layer that contains a water-soluble resin such as polyvinyl alcohol, as a binder, is preferably used. Further, if the undercoat layer containing therein the polyvinyl alcohol is formed on a support, the coating layer is leveled to form a flat surface after being coated. Therefore, it is preferable to use a method in which, first, polyvinyl alcohol is dissolved in water, then methanol or the like is added to the mixed solution of the polyvinyl alcohol and the water, to thereby prepare a coating solution for undercoat layer.
However, even in a case of the undercoat layer containing the polyvinyl alcohol as described above, there is a possibility that cracks will be produced due to physical stress, and gas water vapor will reach the support via the cracks, whereby blistering might occur.
As described above, the recording material comprises a recording layer on a support. However, when the recording material is immersed in water, the recording from the support might peel off. It is desired to provide a recording material in which water resistance and wet bond strength are improved.
The coating solution for undercoat layer has high viscosity, and at the time of forming the undercoat layer, there has been a problem regarding coating suitability when the coating solution is coated using a gravure coating method which has been considered to be preferable from the viewpoint of cost. Further, there are some cases in which, after images were printed in an atmosphere of low humidity (for example, 10% at 20° C.), fine cracks were produced on the surface of the undercoat layer.


The present invention provides a method of maintaining fan airflow at 100% for throttle transients from 100% military power to 30% thereof by increasing exhaust nozzle area as the fuel flow the engine decreases until the exhaust nozzle reaches its fully open position. Subsequent reductions in fuel flow produce a commensurate reduction fan airflow.

This invention is particularly concerned with military aircraft as opposed to civilian or commercial aircraft and even more particularly to the class of aircraft that would fall in the fighter class. As is well known, fighter aircraft as presently perceived are designed for aerial combat. Because of the nature of its flight mission this class of aircraft typically undergoes rather violent maneuvers, calling for much manipulation of the engine power lever to change thrust of the engine so as to accelerate, decelerate, climb, dive, etc. at very severe conditions.
Many fighter engines are equipped with augmentors and during aerial combat the engine operates from maximum augmented power to 100% military power (augmentor off) to idle power. The invention disclosed herein relates to engine operation between 100% military ("mil") power and idle power, and does not affect augmented power or engine operation in the afterburning mode.
When the aircraft performs combat maneuvers the pilot will typically exercise power lever movements which result in engine speed, temperature, and airflow excursions. Under such maneuver excursions the rotor speeds of the fan and high pressure compressor rotors will vary from a maximum rotational speed at "military power" (100% thrust) to a substantially lower rotational speed called "cruise" (60% thrust) or an even lower speed called "idle" (0% thrust). While these rotor speeds and thrusts are varying during maneuver excursions, the variable geometry parts of the engine are also changing. Although the exhaust nozzle area remains constant, the fan and high compressor variable vane angles are changing with rotor speed.
The relationship between fuel flow and fan rotational speed at various exhaust nozzle areas for a gas turbine engine is shown in FIG. 1. N1C-RPM, the Y axis of the graph, is the fan speed (corrected for temperature, N1C) and main engine fuel flow is the X axis. The solid line identified by reference numeral E is the normal operating line of the engine. For each exhaust nozzle (jet) area line of the parameters shown in FIG. 1, the fan rotor speed and jet area increases in the direction denoted by the arrow. As those skilled in the art will readily appreciate, as fuel flow increases along the operating line, N1C-RPM increases along a constant exhaust nozzle area operating line, X to O.
A typical method of controlling a gas turbine engine results in an engine operating line as shown in FIG. 2 on a fan map, which shows a typical engine operating line E plotted against percent fan design pressure ratio (ordinate) and percent fan design airflow (abscissa) for given lines of corrected fan speed, N1C. For typical engine transients between mil power, 60% mil and idle, the schedule would operate the engine along the operating line E from point G to H (60% mil) to M (idle). The operating line E is spaced from the stall line J and the difference between the stall line J and the operating line E for any given corrected fan speed defines the stall margin K. On a percentage basis, stall margin K is equal to (% Fan Pressure Ratio at Stall--% Fan Pressure Ratio at Operating Condition)/(% Fan Pressure Ratio at Operating Condition). The larger the stall margin the better the engine's stability, particularly during transients. As FIG. 2 shows, a throttle transient from point G to point H results in a fan airflow excursion in excess of 10%. Unfortunately, since the engine inlet is normally designed to capture enough air to provide the correct airflow through the engine at military power, reducing fan airflow below 100% causes air at the inlet to "spill" out around the engine, and the magnitude of this spillage air increases as the fan airflow decreases. This changing spillage air affects the airflow field over and under the aircraft wings which causes aircraft buffeting. Aircraft buffeting is distracting to a pilot during combat maneuvers, and causes cracking and breakage of the brackets and rails which support the weapons on the aircraft.
What is needed is a method of operating a gas turbine engine at part power below 100% mil power which does not produce the type of inlet spillage air for thrust changes below military power.

Method of operating a gas turbine engine


A containment cellar collects petroleum products leaked in a vicinity of a conductor pipe at an oil drilling site. The containment cellar has a body, a pipe, and a pumping orifice. The body has bottom and side surfaces to define an interior chamber to surround a length of the conductor pipe. The bottom surface includes an aperture to receive the conductor pipe. The surfaces are composed of materials substantially impermeable to the petroleum products. The side surface has sufficient strength to maintain integrity of the interior chamber when the containment cellar is disposed at least partially beneath a surface of the earth. The pipe extends through the interior chamber. The pumping orifice is coupled with the pipe and adapted for coupling with a pump to extract the leaked petroleum products from the interior chamber.

This application relates generally to oil drilling and production. More specifically, this application relates to containment of leaks during oil drilling, production, and completion processes.
There are a number of different types of structures that are used in oil drilling, but there are certain common features. For example, a common approach is to drill a borehole (typically between 5 and 50 inches in diameter) into the earth with a drilling rig that rotates a drill string with a bit attached. Casing sections of steel pipe having a diameter smaller than the borehole are place into the borehole, and cement may be used between the outside of the casing and the borehole itself. This casing provides structural integrity to the borehole and may also isolate potentially dangerous high-pressure zones from each other and from the surface. It is common to drill deeper by using a sequence of smaller bits with progressively smaller casings.
The cased borehole is completed by making perforations in the portion of the casing in the oil-production zone, thereby providing a path for the oil to flow from the surrounding rock into production tubing. Other structures such as sand screens or gravel packs may additionally be used, as known to those of skill in the art. While many sites have sufficient natural pressure in the subsurface reservoir for the oil to flow to the surface, other sites require the use of additional structures such as downhole pumps, gas lifts, or surface pump jacks.
One of the risks involved with these techniques for oil production is the potential for structures to leak. Natural pressures on the structures, both underground and aboveground, can cause damage. Over time, even small leaks can result in the escape of considerable amounts of oil that not only affects production volume but may also cause damage to the local environment by producing pools of leaked oil.
Traditional methods for addressing this potential for leaks have made use of concrete culvert pipes, but there are a number of long-term costs and safety issues associated with such methods. For example, difficulties with culvert pipes include the potential for soil and groundwater contamination and present a difficult work environment for onsite workers.
There is accordingly a need in the art for methods and systems that prevent the escape of leaked oil in oil-production processes.


The present invention relates to a product for fluidic applications, with at least one surface segment having a plurality of ribs in contact with a fluid flowing in a flow direction and adjacent ribs delimit between them in each case a valley and a method for production and a use of such a product. The product according to the invention can be produced economically with further improved flow properties; in that at least two ribs with the valley they respectively delimit are combined in a group, that at least two groups are present, and separated from each group arranged adjacent to it, viewed transverse to the flow direction S of the fluid, by a valley, and that the height profile of the valley differs in each case from the height profile of the valleys delimited by those ribs of the groups which are adjacent to the valley separating the groups.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a product for fluidic applications with at least one surface segment provided to come into contact with the fluid flowing in a flow direction, wherein in the segment coming into contact with fluid are formed ribs of particular length and shape, of which adjacent ribs delimit between them in each case a valley. The invention also relates to a method for production and use of such a product.
2. Description of Related Art
Products of the type cited above are for example sheets or pipes or other flow bodies made therefrom, through or over which a flowable medium flows in practical use. Such products are used for example in the production of heat exchangers for solar thermal plants, as suction pipes for suction devices used in domestic or industrial apparatus, or other applications. With a view to an optimum energy use, in these and comparable fluidic applications one essential construction objective is to reduce flow losses to a minimum.
The fluid flowing over the products according to the invention can be a liquid such as water, oil, a suspension or dispension, a gas or gas mixture such as for example air, oxygen, nitrogen, argon or similar. The fluid can be mixtures of the same phases and also multiphase media such as gas-liquid or particle-fluid mixtures or particle-gas flows. Individual phase parts can have concentration differences. Also a substance exchange can occur within a phase or between the phases of the flowing fluid.
The processes used for the production of pipes, sheets and sheet films, and films in general, vary greatly. Sheets, sheet films and films made from steel or light metal materials are normally hot- or cold-rolled in the production process. Where they consist of corrosion-sensitive materials, they are normally also coated. Sheets made of non-corrosion resistant steels are normally coated with zinc, tin, zinc-magnesium. In addition or alternatively a paint layer can be applied.
In the production of pipes suitable for fluidic applications from sheet metal, the sheets are normally formed into a slot profile. The resulting slot is then closed by a welding process. Alternatively pipes can be made seamlessly from round castings.
A common feature of all known processes for production of components intended for fluidic application is that the surface structure of the products generated according to the current prior art have the following features:                The surface structure is stochastic in nature and described only imprecisely. To describe the surface topography and roughness, statistical mean values are used such as for example the arithmetic mean roughness Ra, the maximum roughness depth Ry, the mean roughness depth Rz etc.        In the production of sheets, the topology or roughness of a sheet can be influenced by texturing the working rolls used for hot or cold rolling of the sheet. Thus by corresponding roll texturing, the key values listed above can be influenced and thereby the visual impression of the surface, the paintability or deformation behaviour in subsequent moulding steps such as deep drawing and pressing. The surface structure which can be generated in this way however remains substantially stochastic in nature.        To describe the central properties here essential for the fluidic behaviour of product surfaces, normally specific key values are used such as sand roughness, coefficient of friction X, resistance count and similar empirically determined key values to describe the friction and the pressure loss occurring at the surface under the flow in each case. The key values concerned are influenced firstly by the nature of flow (laminar, turbulent) and secondly by the material and process used in production of the product coming into contact with the flowing fluid in each case. Thus for a steel pipe with longitudinal seam welding, new roller skin, the value for the equivalent sand roughness k lies typically in the range 0.04 to 0.1 mm (stochastic).
With a view to the efficient use of resources and environmentally and climate-friendly use of energy—here electricity, pump power, fuels and similar—minimising flow losses in components through or around which fluid flows has particular importance. The energy required to deliver a fluid through a pipe or around a body depends on the friction losses which are generated in the fluid by the segment of the respective component exposed to fluid contact i.e. the inner surface of the pipe through which fluid flows or the respective wall of the body around which it flows. For a relative movement of component and fluid, at least the friction predominating between them must be overcome.
In the case of a fluid-carrying pipe, one factor is the pressure loss Dp which results when a fluid flows at speed v through the pipe. In the case of fluid flowing around the body, often the coefficient of friction cw is used as the comparative energy value.
Friction losses in components through or around which fluid flows arise in principle because in the contact zone, the relative speed between the fluid and the segment of the component it moistens is equal to zero. Between the fluid speed at the respective segment of the component and the flow further out, consequently in the case of a pipe flow, a speed profile forms ranging between zero at the pipe inner wall and a maximum speed in the centre of the pipe. In the case of fluid flowing around a body, a corresponding speed profile results which ranges from "zero speed" at the respective component to a maximum flow speed in the outer region lying spaced from the respective component and beyond influence.
In the region of contact between the flowing fluid and the component, characteristic flow regions are formed known as interface layers which decisively determine both the energy losses and the heat or substance transfer between the fluid and the wall/body. Depending on the observation site and the flow form (laminar or turbulent), laminar interface layers, transition regions and turbulence interface layers occur (both for the flow and for the temperature and substance concentration). Their spatial extent and the site of the change from laminar to turbulent can be determined as a function of the roughness k.
As stated initially, the roughness k is usually a stochastic value and is determined by the production process. When a sheet is produced by hot and cold rolling, the rolling parameters and surface roughness of the roll have a decisive influence on the roughness of the resulting sheet.
Another cause of friction losses or reduced heat transfer is deposits which result by particle or droplet transport from the flow region in contact with the moistened wall of the component. The deposit mechanism is determined firstly by chemical, metallurgical or thermodynamic regularities and secondly by the roughness of a surface.
Also the heat transport from a wall to the fluid flowing along it—either by cooling processes, heating processes or incident radiation—directly influences the fluid behaviour at the wall. Thus the heat exchange in particular influences the viscosity of the fluid concerned. As a result of the heat supplied or dissipated in the region of the contact surface, a viscosity gradient is formed between the regions close to the wall and the uninfluenced flow remote from the wall. In the case of a solar thermal or comparable application, the formation of this gradient has an influence on the entire heat transmission behaviour of the object concerned.
DE 36 09 541 A1 discloses that the flow resistance of a surface over which there is a turbulent fluid flow, such as for example an inner face of a pipe, can be reduced in that on the surface of the body concerned, ribs running in the flow direction of are formed which are separated from each other by sharp-edged ribs. The ribs are arranged in a plurality of staggered rib groups which each consist of a plurality of ribs arranged transverse or oblique to the flow direction next to each other and spaced apart. The ribs of rib groups successive in the flow direction of the fluid can be arranged offset to each other lateral to the flow direction. At the same time the ribs of the individual staggered rib groups have short extensions in the flow direction. Adjacent ribs arranged transverse to the flow direction delimit between them in each case a valley formed in the manner of fluting, the transition of which to the adjacent rib is rounded in a fluted manner. The staggered arrangement is regarded as decisive for the effect of said surface structuring. The targeted formation of short ribs arranged with the staggered offset can be particularly effective in minimising the flow resistance in the region close to the wall.
EP 1 925 779 A1 discloses in general that the flow resistance at surfaces over or around which fluid flows can be reduced, and in particular the efficiency of flow machines further increased, if the surface around or over which the fluid flows is given a surface structure creating a sharkskin effect. This is achieved by material removal, in particular by etching the surface, or by applying a coating forming the desired structure on the surface concerned.

Product for fluidic applications, method for its production and use of such a product


The invention relates to an arrangement for implementing data transmission between at least two sets of software used in one or more devices. The devices are capable of establishing a connection to a data transmission system. The communication between the devices takes place using service requests that include information on an address of a service provider. A name server of the arrangement maintains a list of sets of software providing and needing different services and their addresses. The name servers are arranged to search the data transmission system for other name servers and to exchange information concerning the sets of software needing a service and providing a service when they find a new name server.

In designing and maintaining information systems, attention has been paid to the establishment and smooth operation of connections between different systems. Separately located systems have often been implemented using rather many different methods and incompatible hardware of different type. It has been laborious and time-consuming, if at all possible, to convert the different systems into compatible ones.
Consequently, many different hardware and system manufacturers have developed a common architecture called CORBA (Common Object Request Broker Architecture) to enable different computer systems implemented using different programming languages to communicate with each other in a flexible manner. The CORBA specifies a GIOP (General Inter-ORB Protocol) protocol, and application of this protocol enables devices of different type and programs programmed in different programming languages to communicate. The GIOP protocol is a common protocol, from which an IIOP (Internet Inter-ORB Protocol) is has been developed particularly for the Internet environment. Further information on the CORBA can be obtained e.g. from a specification called The Common Object Request Broker: Architecture And Specification., Revision 2.0, published by OMG (Object Management Group), a group which created the architecture. The specification can also be found at www.omg.org.
The CORBA has been developed for systems that are fixedly interconnected through an unspecified network. When the protocol was being designed, little attention was paid to transmission path capacity and to the possibly changing transmission paths, the main focus being the creation of a safe and flexible protocol. Since wireless communication has recently become increasingly popular, computers and devices whose only or main connection to other networks is a wireless network, such as a GSM, GPRS or UMTS, have also started using information systems and different software.
Examine a simplified example of the CORBA architecture of FIG. 1. The figure shows software or an application 100 and a name server 102. A name server is typically a server implemented by a computer and software, into which applications providing different services can register. In the example of FIG. 1, an application 104 providing a service is registered in the name server. Physically, an application is typically software arranged in computer hardware. When the application registers in the name server, it indicates its address, i.e. how the application can be accessed. The name server maintains a list of software items providing different services, including the addresses. When the software 100 needs a service, it establishes a connection 108 to the name server 102 and indicates that it needs a particular service. The name server searches its list for such a service and replies by issuing the address of the application providing the desired service. Next, the software may transmit a service request 112 to the application 104 providing the service.
A special feature of the wireless telecommunication systems in particular is that the devices in a system can usually be readily moved. Hence, e.g. when wireless local area networks are used, a terminal may be switched over to be controlled by another local area network. The immediate network environment of the terminal thus changes. The applications of the terminal cannot thus know e.g. the services provided by the name server since the nearest name server has changed. Similar problems may also be presented by systems using wired connections, which, however, allow the devices to be moved from one place to another. As was stated above, the CORBA was originally developed for systems that did not take mobility into account. Consequently, problems caused by mobility have been ignored while designing the method. When the network environment of the devices changes, it is essential that the operation of the devices continues as easy and as flexible as possible.

Data transmission method and data transmission arrangement


A semiconductor device has a first conductor and a second conductor for fuse terminals. A fuse portion is disposed on a different level relative to both the first conductor and the second conductor. A first contact connects the fuse portion to the first conductor, and a second contact connects the fuse portion to the second conductor.

1. Technical Field
This disclosure relates to semiconductor devices and fabrication methods, and more particularly, to multilevel fuse structures and fabrication methods.
2. Description of the Related Art
Semiconductor devices include on-chip integrated circuits. These integrated circuits may include fuses. Fuses are employed on a semiconductor device to enable or disable portions of a circuit. Fuses are typically classified as two types: laser blown and electrical fuses. Both laser blown and electrical fuses are typically located near the surface of the semiconductor device so that fuses can be blown without damage to underlying integrated circuits. As chip density increases, however, the distance between fuses (fuse pitch) is forced to become smaller. When a fuse is blown, damage may be caused to neighboring fuses or wires.
Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, a semiconductor layout 10 shows two laser blowable fuses 12 and 14 adjacent to one another. Fuses 12 and 14 of FIG. 1A each include a thermal pad 16, which melts from laser heat to open a fuse. For lower fuse pitches (P), a laser beam 13 aimed at fuse 12 could cause damage to fuse 14. Damage to fuse 14 may also be caused when fuse 12 is blown or due to cracks, which may propagate to fuse 14 as a result of the blowing process.
Therefore, a need exists for a fuse structure and method for fabrication, which provides for smaller spacing between fuses and protects neighboring fuses when a fuse is blown.
A semiconductor device has a first conductor and a second conductor for fuse terminals. A fuse portion is disposed on a different level relative to both the first conductor and the second conductor. A first contact connects the fuse portion to the first conductor, and a second contact connects the fuse portion to the second conductor.
In other embodiments, the fuse portion may include tungsten. The first conductor may be disposed on a different level than the second conductor. The fuse portion may be disposed in a terminal via window. The fuse portion may include a thermal pad.
Another semiconductor device of the present invention includes a plurality of fuses disposed in a fuse region. Each fuse includes a first conductor, a second conductor, and a fuse portion disposed on a different level relative to both the first conductor and the second conductor. A first contact connects the fuse portion to the first conductor, and a second contact connects the fuse portion to the second conductor wherein each fuse portion is offset from adjacent fuse portions.
In other embodiments, the fuse portion preferably includes tungsten. The first conductors are preferably disposed on a different level than the second conductors. The fuse portions may be disposed in a terminal via window. Each fuse portion may be next to one of the first conductor and the second conductor of adjacent fuses, and each fuse portion may be disposed on a different level than the one of the first conductor and the second conductor of adjacent fuses. The fuse portions may be formed on a plurality of different levels. The plurality of different levels may include two and the fuse portions may alternate between the two different levels. The fuse portions may include a thermal pad.
Another semiconductor device of the present invention, includes a plurality of fuses disposed within a terminal via window. Each fuse includes a first conductor, a second conductor disposed on a level different from the first conductor, and a fuse portion disposed on a same level as the first conductor and connected to the first conductor. A first contact connects the fuse portion to the second conductor wherein every other fuse portion is offset to an opposite side of the terminal view from adjacent fuse portions, and every other fuse portion is adjacent to the second conductor of an adjacent fuse. In other embodiments, the fuse portion preferably includes tungsten. The fuse portion may include a thermal pad.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

International Business Machines Corporation


Epoxy-containing compounds which are essentially free of organic halides are prepared by (I) reacting an allyl derivative of an active hydrogen-containing compound with (II) a peroxygen-containing compound. The epoxy-containing compounds are useful in coatings, castings, laminates etc.

It is well known to prepare epoxy compounds by reacting epihalohydrin with an active hydrogen-containing compound and subsequently dehydrohalogenating the chlorohydrin intermediate product with a basic acting compound such as an alkali or alkaline earth metal hydroxide or carbonate. Since epichlorohydrin is prepared in three steps from propylene (the very basic starting material) this entire process for the preparation of glycidyl ether (or other glycidyl derivative) based epoxy resins involves four or five steps depending upon whether or not steps four and five are conducted simultaneously or separately. The five-step reaction is as follows:
1) propylene+chlorine .fwdarw. allyl chloride PA1 2) allyl chloride+water+chlorine .fwdarw. dichloropropanol PA1 3) dichloropropanol+NaOH .fwdarw. epichlorohydrin PA1 4) epichlorohydrin+active hydrogen-containing compound such as a bisphenol .fwdarw. chlorohydrin intermediate PA1 5) chlorohydrin intermediate+basic acting compound .fwdarw. glycidyl ether epoxy resin PA1 (1) providing an allyl reagent which is substantially halogen-free and which reacts with an acid, hydroxyl or amine group to form an allyl ether, allyl thioether, allyl ester or allyl amine; PA1 (2) allylating one or more compounds containing at least one active hydrogen atom using the allyl reagent from step (1), whereby allyl ether, allyl thioether, allyl ester or allyl amine compound is formed; and PA1 (3) converting the allyl groups on the compound from step (2) to epoxide groups, whereby a glycidyl ether, glycidyl thioether, glycidyl ester or glycidyl amine compound is formed. PA1 1)Propylene+oxygen+acetic acid+catalyst .fwdarw. allyl acetate; PA1 2))Allyl acetate+active hydrogen-containing compound such as a bisphenol .fwdarw. diallyl derivative of active hydrogen-containing compound; and PA1 3)Diallyl derivative of active hydrogen-containing compound+peroxy oxidant .fwdarw. diglycidyl derivative of active hydrogen-containing compound. Although acetic acid is illustrated above to prepare allyl acetate which is employed as the allylating agent, it is understood that other acids and allylating agents as enumerated elsewhere herein can be employed in the process of the present invention. PA1 when a heterogeneous catalyst is employed by: PA1 when a homogeneous catalyst is employed by: PA1 1)Propylene+oxygen+acetic acid+catalyst .fwdarw. allyl acetate; PA1 2)Allyl acetate+active hydrogen-containing compound such as bisphenol-A .fwdarw. diallyl derivative of active hydrogen-containing compound; and PA1 3)Diallyl derivative of active hydrogen-containing compound+peroxy oxidant .fwdarw. diglycidyl derivative of active hydrogen-containing compound.
In the four-step reaction, steps four and five are conducted essentially simultaneously.
The most widely used current processes for the preparation of epichlorohydrin also produce a significant amount of chlorinated by-product such as 2-chloropropene, 2-chloropropane, allyl chloride, 1,2-dichloropropane, 3,3-dichloropropene, 2,3-dichloropropene, 1,3-dichloropropene, 1,3,3-trichloropropene, 1,2,3-trichloropropane, bis-(dichloropropyl)ethers, 2,3-dichloro-1-propanol, 1,3-dichloro-2-propanol. These by-products must be sold into a useful market or disposed of by environmentally friendly methods. Moreover, certain of the by-products are difficult to separate from the epihalohydrin. When the epihalohydrin is used to make epoxy resin, the epoxy resin becomes contaminated with undesirable bound and hydrolyzable halides resulting from reaction by-products and from incompletely reacted epihalohydrin.
What is needed is a process to make similar epoxy resins or other glycidyl compounds which process has one or more of the following advantages: fewer process steps, fewer halogenated by-products, and/or lower levels of halogenated contaminants, by-products, in the resulting resin or compound or simultaneously having an epoxide equivalent weight less than about 200 and an amount of total organic halide of less than about 200 ppm excluding any halogen atoms attached to an aromatic ring to which the group containing the vicinal epoxide group is attached.

Process for preparation of epoxy compounds essentially free of organic halides


A system and method for assessing component capability to accept and execute mobile code includes a first component coupled via a network to a second component. The first component uses a predicate object to determine whether the second component can accept mobile code, such as a data type handler object or an applet. The instructions included in the predicate object are executed in the environment of the second component, although they can be executed in the first component environment. The execution of these instructions in the second component environment causes the second component to respond to a series of basic tests, such as whether the second component has access to required libraries, software versions and/or peripherals. Additionally, a predicate object creation module is disclosed for generating predicate objects that are specific to the objects desired, such as a data type handler object or a controller object.

Often in networked settings, components, such as devices, services and/or applications, may desire providing each other with helper applications to assist them in interacting with each other. For instance, Java applets have been used in the World Wide Web to provide Web browsers with additional functionality. An applet is a small, self-contained computer program that usually performs a task as part of, or under the control of, a larger software application. Moreover, applets can be sent along with a Web page to a Web browser. Applets can provide browsers with additional functionality, such as enabling the browsers to display interactive animations and perform immediate calculations or other tasks without having to send a user request back to a server.
The use of such helper applications or transferable programs, such as the applets mentioned above, has helped extend the functionality of components in a variety of settings. On the other hand, increased dependence and use of these applets has created new problems. For instance, sometimes applets can hinder Web page loading or cause the browsers to crash. Heretofore, these transferable programs have been sent indiscriminately to clients, such as Web browsers, without first determining whether their intended recipients have the capability to execute these programs in the first place. Thus, components that do not have sufficient processing power, memory or appropriate supporting software versions are force-fed programs they simply cannot execute. With the advent of devices and services that can communicate in a fluid, ad-hoc manner, the role of transferrable executable programs may continue to increase thereby amplifying the problems noted above.

System and method for assessing component capabilities


The present invention relates generally to a bone plate for stabilizing bony structures. More particularly, the invention is directed to bone plates having an elongate body to which an integrated rod is formed. Integrated rod portion may be captured by a bone anchor with a receiving member. The bone plate is movable from a first position to a second position and may have an aperture for lagging the bone plate to the bone.

Bones and bony structures are susceptible to a variety of weaknesses that can affect their ability to provide support and structure. Weaknesses in bony structures may have many causes, including degenerative diseases, tumors, fractures, and dislocations. Advances in medicine and engineering have provided doctors with a plurality of devices and techniques for alleviating or curing these weaknesses.
The cervical spine has presented the most challenges for doctors, partially due to the small size of the vertebrae and the spacing between adjacent vertebrae. Even throughout the spine, because of its proximity to the spinal nerve and the importance the spine plays in day-to-day activities, correcting spinal disorders requires reliable and effective treatments.
Typically, weaknesses in the spine are corrected using devices that fuse one or more vertebrae together. Several artificial materials and implants have been developed to replace the vertebral body, such as, for example, titanium cages, ceramic, ceramic/glass, plastic or PEEK, and carbon fiber spacers. Recently, various expandable prosthetics or expandable cages have been developed and used for vertebral body replacement or in conjunction with other fusion procedures.
During fusion or other corrective procedures, bone plates or other stabilization systems are used to help maintain rigidity of the treated area, maintain compression between adjacent vertebrae, and fix or stabilize the area being fused. One such example is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/464,625, which is incorporated herein by reference. Thus the bone plate is attached to two vertebrae to secure the area of fusion. As plates are often constructed of a single material, they are stable, strong devices.
In other instances, staples, anchors, and rod assemblies are used to stabilize the area being fused. Under these procedures, staples are placed into the adjacent vertebra with anchors. Titanium rods may then be fixed to the staple/anchor assemblies. One such system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,986,771, which is incorporated herein by reference. Stabilization techniques involving rods allow for customization during implantation and a greater degree of control over placement, tension, load, and other important characteristics known to those of skill in the art.
Design considerations for fixation systems include ease of use, stability, ability of the surgeon to customize during implantation, and ability of the fixation system to allow for compression. Past fixation system designs have not necessarily alleviated all of the problems. Accordingly, a need exists for fixation systems that can provide a surgeon and patient with stable, customizable fixation systems.


A corrosion inhibitor comprising a dispersant, an imidazoline, an amide, an alkyl pyridine and a heavy aromatic solvent. The resultant blend effectively inhibits corrosion of flow lines containing low pH mixtures of hydrocarbons, water, and acid gases.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to solutions and processes for inhibiting corrosion. More specifically, this invention relates to solutions and processes for inhibiting corrosion of flow line surfaces that contain a mixture of hydrocarbons, water, and acid gases.
2. Description
Petroleum refiners have long sought a solution to corrosion of flow line surfaces that contain highly acidic mixtures of hydrocarbons, water, and acid gases such as carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2), hydrogen chloride (HCl), and hydrogen sulfide (H.sub.2 S). Refiners have had particular difficulty preventing corrosion caused by highly acidic mixtures, specifically those mixtures having a pH lower than 4-5, in refinery distillation tower overhead streams. As the steam in the overhead gas from a tower is condensed into liquid water at the surface of condensation equipment, some of the acid gases also condense and become dissolved in the liquid water or water phase. The resulting aqueous solution is highly acidic and thus corrodes the tower overhead piping, vessels, pumps, exchangers, and other equipment that will be familiar to one skilled in the art.
The conventional solution to the problem of inhibiting corrosion has been to add a neutralizing agent to the mixture of hydrocarbons, water, and acid gases to raise the pH. Such neutralizing agents have included ammonia and neutralizing amines, such as diethanolamine, methoxypropylamine, and morpholine. Some equipment operators have found that adding filming amines to the neutralizing amines further reduces corrosion of flow line surfaces.
Unfortunately, conventional filming amine corrosion inhibitors are ineffective in the low pH environment of petroleum refinery tower overhead streams. The conventional practice of adding neutralizing amines to elevate pH such that conventional filming amine corrosion inhibitors may be used has proved unsatisfactory. Above a pH of five (5), many naturally soluble species such as iron sulfide (FeS) and iron carbonate (FeCO.sub.3) form insoluble deposits that reduce the size of flow paths and eventually plug the equipment by totally blocking the flow path. Also, neutralizing amines may react to form corrosive salts and deposits that plug the flow lines of tower overhead piping and equipment. Therefore, the application of neutralizing amines in conjunction with conventional filming amines that do not inhibit corrosion in low pH environments has not satisfactorily solved the problem of inhibiting corrosion. The addition of neutralizing amines must be done judiciously, using as little neutralizing amine as possible to avoid possibly plugging equipment with deposits. In addition, reducing the amount of neutralizing amines used significantly reduces the overall cost of using the equipment to make a product, as neutralizing amines are relatively expensive.
Refiners have also had problems with conventional corrosion inhibitors that form oil/water emulsions. Water is typically separated from hydrocarbon streams, such as gasoline, to avoid contamination of the hydrocarbon product. Conventional corrosion inhibitors that form oil/water emulsions cause undesirable water entrainment in hydrocarbon streams. Thus, there is a need for a corrosion inhibitor that has little tendency to form oil/water emulsions.
Yet another problem with conventional corrosion inhibitors is inadequate distribution of the corrosion inhibitor throughout the corrosive stream. Conventional water-soluble corrosion inhibitors fail to adequately distribute themselves in a flow line that contains predominantly hydrocarbons in a hydrocarbon/water mixture. Poor distribution of conventional corrosion inhibitors causes inadequate corrosion protection of the piping and equipment surfaces because the chemical simply does not get to where it is needed. Thus, a need has long existed for a corrosion inhibitor that distributes itself evenly throughout a predominantly hydrocarbon stream and yet effectively prevents corrosion in the acidic aqueous phase. Solubility of the corrosion inhibitor in the hydrocarbon stream to which the inhibitor is added is a desirable characteristic. Because hydrocarbon solubility of a corrosion inhibitor enhances adequate distribution within the equipment to be protected, there is a need for a corrosion inhibitor that is hydrocarbon soluble yet still protects against corrosion in an aqueous phase.
Thus, there is a need for a corrosion inhibitor that (1) inhibits corrosion at low pH ranges, (2) is soluble in hydrocarbons such that the corrosion inhibitor is adequately distributed through the corrosive stream, (3) provides protection against corrosion in the aqueous phase of the fluid contained in the piping and equipment to be protected, and (4) does not cause an oil/water emulsion problem in the fluid contained in the flow lines to be protected, and more particularly, in the piping, condensers, pumps, vessels and other equipment in a distillation tower overhead system.

Solutions and methods for inhibiting corrosion


The fuel pressure regulator is disposed in an off-engine mounting that is fastened to a wall of the engine compartment. The mounting is a body of synthetic material having a socket within which the fuel pressure regulator is disposed. Nipples for fluid-connecting flexible fuel conduits to the body are integral formations of the body. Protective walls that are also integral formations of the body circumferentially surround the nipples. Levers are pivotally connected with the protective walls, and when operated to force-applying positions, they pinch the sides of the conduits against the nipples.

A typical fuel injection system for a spark-ignited internal combustion engine that powers an automotive vehicle comprises a fuel pressure regulator that regulates the pressure of fuel that is supplied to the fuel injectors. A common practice is to mount the fuel pressure regulator in the fuel rail.
Remote mounting of the fuel pressure regulator, separate from the fuel rail, may be desirable, and it is toward this objective that the present invention is directed. Remote mounting may be desirable for different reasons, such as space constraints within the engine compartment for example.
According to principles of the invention, the fuel pressure regulator is mounted in the engine compartment, but not on the engine. Such an off-engine mounting comprises a body having a receptacle, a fuel pressure regulator disposed in, and sealed in fluid-tight manner to, the receptacle, three fuel ports, first internal passageway structure that is common to a first one of the three fuel ports, to a second one of the three fuel ports, and to the fuel inlet of the fuel pressure regulator, and second internal passageway structure that is common to a third of the three fuel ports and to the return port of the fuel pressure regulator. When the body is installed in a fuel injection system in an automotive vehicle, a first conduit communicates the first fuel port to a pump that delivers pressurized fuel that is to be pressure-regulated by the fuel pressure regulator, a second conduit communicates the second fuel port to the fuel injectors, and a third conduit communicates the third fuel port to the fuel tank.
The body is a synthetic material comprising a through-hole that intersects neither the receptacle nor the two passageway structures, and a tubular metal insert, or bushing, is disposed in this through-hole. A screw is used to fasten the body to the engine compartment. The screw's shank passes through the insert to engage the engine compartment, and the screw is tightened. The insert is rotatable within the through-hole prior to final tightening of the screw so that the tightening of the screw does not tend to twist the body out of a desired orientation on the engine compartment.
At least one of the three fuel ports is a nipple that is an integral formation of the body. The associated conduit is a flexible hose having an end that telescopes over the nipple. Each of two levers is pivotally mounted integrally on the body proximate the nipple by a living hinge connection with the body so as to be selectively operable from a non-force-applying position which applies no force on the flexible hose end to a force-applying position which applies force. The two levers are diametrically opposite each other about the nipple.
Each lever comprises a free end spaced from its living hinge connection with the body, and the body comprises, for each lever, a corresponding integral catch. Each living hinge connection is disposed proximate the distal end of the nipple, and the catches are disposed proximate the proximal end of the nipple. The free end of each lever is caught by the corresponding catch when it is in its force-applying position. Each lever includes between its living hinge connection to the body and its free end, a projection that extends laterally away from the lever, and that forcefully bears against the flexible hose end when in its force-applying position so as to pinch the flexible hose end against the nipple. The nipple comprises two axially spaced apart circumferentially extending barbs and the projections bear against the flexible hose end at a location between the two barbs.
The body further comprises a protective wall circumferentially bounding the nipple in outwardly spaced relation to the nipple, and the levers form a portion of the protective wall when in their force-applying positions.
A bracket keeps the fuel pressure regulator in the receptacle. It has a tab that passes through an aperture in the protective wall and has an interference with the protective wall for positioning the bracket to keep the fuel pressure regulator in the receptacle.
Features that are believed to constitute patentable subject matter are defined in the claims. Drawings accompany the disclosure and present a presently preferred embodiment of the invention according to the best mode contemplated at this time for carrying out the invention.

Remote mounting of a fuel pressure regulator for an engine


A positive-displacement pump comprising a housing, a rotatable component disposed at least partially within the housing, and a film disposed at least partially between the housing and the rotatable component, where the film comprises a reinforcing material and a fluoropolymer material.

The present invention relates to positive-displacement fluid pumps, such as a rotary gear pumps and rotary vane pumps. In particular, the present invention relates to protective coatings for use in positive-displacement fluid pumps.
Positive-displacement fluid pumps are fluid transfer equipment employed in a variety of industrial and commercial systems for pumping fluids from one location to another. For example, positive-displacement fluid pumps may be used in aircraft to pump fuel from storage reservoirs to turbine engines during flight. Such pumps typically include rotary components (e.g., rotatable gears) that rotate within a housing to transfer the fluids. To increase pumping efficiencies, the rotary components are retained as close as reasonably possible to the housing to reduce leaks. However, this can induce abrasive or adhesive wearing of the rotary components and the housings during the course of operation.
One technique for reducing the rate of wearing includes the use of side or end plates composed of monolithic-cemented carbide or case-hardened steel. The side and end plates are correspondingly subjected to wear, thereby reducing damage to the rotary components and the housings. However, such materials can increase frictional resistance between the rotary components and the housing, which can reduce pumping efficiencies, and potentially cause metal-to-metal seizures.
Another option includes the use of side or end plates having steel or aluminum substrates coated with a leaded-bronze, sacrificial material (or the plates are solid leaded-bronze). The lead in the sacrificial material is capable of smearing around the steel substrate rather than being worn down. However, because of potential environmental and health concerns associated with the manufacture and use of lead, leaded-bronze materials are falling into disfavor. As such, there is a need for a protective coating that avoids the potential health concerns associated with lead-containing materials, but retains the positive properties of leaded-bronze materials.

Fluoropolymer-containing films for use with positive-displacement fluid pumps


A coated abrasive disc has a backing comprising a synthetic woven fabric having a first major surface with a presize disposed thereon and a second major surface opposite the first major surface and having a backsize disposed thereon. The presize comprises a reaction product of a curable presize precursor comprising: at least one epoxy resin prepared by reaction of epichlorohydrin with at least one of bisphenol A or bisphenol F, polyfunctional (meth)acrylate, novolac resin, imidazole epoxy cure catalyst, dicyandiamide, and a photoinitiator. A glass woven fabric permeated with an at least partially crosslinked saturant is secured to the second major surface by a thermoplastic laminating adhesive disposed between the second major surface of the synthetic woven fabric and the glass woven fabric. A method of making the same is also disclosed.

In general, coated abrasive discs have abrasive particles secured to a backing. Typically, coated abrasive discs comprise a backing having two opposed major surfaces and an abrasive layer secured to one of the major surfaces. The abrasive layer typically comprises of abrasive particles and a binder that secures the abrasive particles to the backing.
One common type of coated abrasive disc has an abrasive layer formed of a make layer, a size layer, and abrasive particles. In making such a coated abrasive disc, a curable make layer precursor is typically applied to a major surface of a backing and optionally partially cured. Abrasive particles are then at least partially embedded into the (optionally partially cured) curable make layer precursor, and the make layer precursor is sufficiently cured to provide a make layer that secures the abrasive particles to the backing. A curable size layer precursor is then applied over the make layer and abrasive particles, followed by sufficient curing of the size layer precursor to provide a size layer.
Another common type of coated abrasive disc comprises an abrasive layer secured to a major surface of a backing, wherein the abrasive layer is provided by applying a slurry having a curable binder precursor and abrasive particles onto a major surface of a backing, and then sufficiently curing the binder precursor to form an abrasive layer.
Coated abrasive discs may further comprise a supersize layer covering the abrasive layer. The supersize layer typically includes grinding aids and/or anti-loading materials.
Backings used in coated abrasive discs may be treated with one or more applied coatings. Examples of typical backing treatments are a backsize (i.e., a coating on the major surface of the backing opposite the abrasive layer), a presize or a tie layer (i.e., a coating on the backing disposed between the abrasive layer and the backing), and/or a saturant that saturates the backing. A subsize is similar to a saturant, except that it is applied to a previously treated backing.
Depending on the particular choice of abrasive layer and backing (e.g., treated or untreated), the abrasive layer may partially separate from the backing during abrading resulting in the release of abrasive particles. This phenomenon is known in the abrasive art as "shelling". In most cases, shelling is undesirable because it results in a loss of performance. Besides shelling, another important abrasive property is the "cut" (i.e., rate of cut), that is, the amount of material removed from a workpiece over a given period under specific test conditions. Various test methods are used to evaluate cut (e.g., swing arm abrasion or slide action abrasion). Generally, values of cut that are observed with a given coated abrasive disc depend on the particular test method used, so care should be taken when comparing the cut of abrasive articles to ensure that identical test conditions are used.

Coated abrasive disc and method of making the same


A manufacturing method of the present invention includes a process using a first multi-tone mask, in which a first conductive layer in which a transparent conductive layer and a metal layer are stacked over a substrate, a gate electrode formed of a first conductive layer, and a pixel electrode formed of a single layer of the transparent conductive layer are formed, a process using a second multi-tone mask, in which a contact hole to the pixel electrode, and an island of an i-type semiconductor layer and an n+ type semiconductor layer are formed after a gate insulating film, the i-type semiconductor layer, and the n+ type semiconductor layer are formed, a process using a third photomask, in which a source electrode and a drain electrode are formed after a second conductive layer is formed, and a process using a fourth photomask, in which an opening region is formed after a protective film is deposited.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device which has a circuit including a thin film transistor formed using a semiconductor film, and also relates to a manufacturing method thereof. Further, the present invention relates to a display device and a manufacturing method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Display devices are widely spread as displays of televisions and personal computers, cellular phones, and the like, in many of which a liquid crystal display device which uses a thin film transistor including an amorphous silicon (hereinafter, referred to as an amorphous silicon TFT) as a switching element is used. The amorphous silicon TFT is conventionally formed over a glass substrate by a known photolithography process using five photomasks as disclosed in Patent Document 1.
Five photomasks described here include a first photomask for forming a gate electrode, a second photomask for separating a semiconductor layer, a third photomask for forming a source electrode and a drain electrode, a fourth photomask for providing an opening in a protective insulating film, and a fifth photomask for forming a pixel electrode.    [Patent Document 1] Japanese Published Patent Application No. 2001-53283.

Method for manufacturing an LCD device employing a reduced number of photomasks including bottom and top gate type devices

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.


A method and apparatus for co-processing multi-formatted data which begins when a host processor writes data blocks, in a substantially continuous manner, into memory. Each of the data blocks includes a plurality of data elements and each data element has one of a plurality of data formats. As the data block is being stored in memory, a co-processor retrieves selected data elements from the memory. Upon retrieving the selected data elements, the co-processor interprets them to identify the data format. If the data format is consistent with the data format of the co-processor, the co-processor processes the data element without conversion. If, however, the data format of the selected data element is not consistent with the data format of the co-processor, the co-processor converts the format of the selected data element into the format consistent with the co-processor.

A computer is known to include a central processing unit, system memory, video graphics circuitry, audio processing circuitry, and peripheral ports. The peripheral ports allow the computer to interface with peripheral devices such as printers, monitors, external tape drives, Internet, etc. In such a computer, the central processing unit functions as a host processor while the video graphics circuit functions as a loosely coupled co-processor. In general, the host processor executes applications and, during execution, calls upon the co-processor to execute its particular function. For example, if the host central processing unit requires a drawing operation to be done, it requests, via a command through a command delivery system, the video graphics co-processor to perform the drawing function.
In many situations, the host central processing unit needs to know the current status of the co-processor, or co-processors, before it can continue with processing the particular application and/or before sending new commands to the co-processor. The host central processing unit obtains such status information from the co-processors via a handshaking protocol. In essence, the hosts central processing initiates the handshaking protocol by poling a co-processor to obtain its status and by poling a co-processor register to obtain the stored status. The host processor then determines whether the co-processors status has changed. If so, host processor updates the co-processor register and continues with additional processing operations. If not, the host processor waits unit the co-processor has completed the current task. Such a technique is known as poll and register writes.
To reduce the host processor's idle time while it is waiting for the co-processor, a command first-in, first-out ("FIFO") queue may be incorporated. The command FIFO stores queued commands from the host processor that are awaiting execution by the co-processor. When the co-processor is able to perform a command, it retrieves the command from the command FIFO. As the co-processor executes a queued command, it updates a co-processor register. In this implementation, the host processor needs to verify that the command FIFO is not full and still needs to read the co-processor register to determine the current status of the co-processor. If the command FIFO is relatively small, i.e., holds a limited number of commands, the host processor still experiences wait cycles while the co-processor completes the processing of a command thereby freeing space in the command FIFO.
Increasing the size of the command FIFO, such that the host processor can download as many commands as needed, may reduce the wait cycles. But, by increasing the command FIFO, the required memory is increased, as is the die area, and the cost of the co-processor.
An additional issue reduces concurrency between the host processor and the co-processor is when the co-processor is required to process data having different formats. For example, if the co-processor is a video graphic co-processor, it may be required to process a variety of graphics data having different formats. Such various graphics data includes two-dimensional images, three-dimensional images, M-PEG data, etc., each of which uses a different data format. To process the various formatted graphics data, the central processing unit pushes a processing command to a software driver that converts the command into a format that is compatible with the processing format of the video graphics co-processor. Once the software driver has converted the command, the converted command is provided to the video-graphics co-processor's command FIFO. Once the command FIFO is full, the central processor experiences wait periods since it cannot push additional commands to the software driver until the FIFO has an available entry.
Therefore, a need exists for a method and apparatus that provides co-processing of multi-formatted data with minimal wait periods and without the need for increasing the command FIFO.

Method and apparatus for co-processing multi-formatted data


An image noise reducing method that can properly reduce CCD noise which emerges in an image imported from a digital camera is provided. The method includes applying a first filtering step to luminance component image data of the image with each pixel of the luminance component image data being designated as a target pixel, thereby creating luminance component image data with its entirety smoothened, and applying a second filtering step to color-difference component image data of the image with each pixel of the color-difference component image data being designated as a target pixel, thereby creating color-difference component image data with its entirety smoothened.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of reducing image noise which is likely to emerge in an image imported from a digital camera equipped with a CCD or other light sensitive device.
2. Related Art
In an image imported from a digital camera, false colors, so-called CCD noise perceived as small spots scattered in the image, which results from underexposure which may occur depending on the image capturing conditions, sometimes emerge. This CCD noise frequently emerges when a dark place is captured by using a digital camera with a low resolution.
Due to errors in quantization and reverse quantization respectively in encoding and decoding, when encoded, compressed image data on a block-by-block basis is decoded, noise such as block noise and mosquito noise may emerge, in which the former results from discontinuity along the boundary of adjacent blocks which is perceived like a mosaic appearance, and the latter is perceived like swarms of mosquitoes clustered around a contour of a character or a figure on the background of the image (hereinafter referred simply to "a contour").
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of reducing noise in images that is capable of properly reducing CCD noise, which emerges in an image imported from a digital camera.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of reducing noise in images that is capable of properly reducing block noise and mosquito noise, as well as CCD noise, in which block noise and mosquito noise emerge in an image at the time of decoding encoded, compressed image data on a block-by-block basis, after it has been imported from a digital camera.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


An internal sensor is moved in a direction of stacking of note bundles within a cashbox along bands of the bundles. The bands of bundles are detected in accordance with movement of the internal sensor. The number of bundles within the cashbox is counted on the basis of a difference in level between a sensor output obtained when the band is sensed and a sensor output obtained when a location between the bundles, where the band is absent, is sensed.

The present invention relates to a note bundle managing apparatus such as a note bundle dispenser having functions of bundling notes into note bundles, for example, in units of 100 sheets by using bands, counting the note bundles, and dispensing the note bundles.
The note bundle dispenser is so constructed as to classify and count deposited notes in accordance with the kind of notes, bundle the classified and counted notes in units of 100 sheets, store the note bundles, and dispense the note bundles on an as-needed basis.
In general, in a case where notes are counted, bundled into note bundles and stored in internal cashboxes within the note bundle dispenser, the note bundles are stored in the cashboxes designated in accordance with the kind of notes by means of firmware. Thus, the numbers of note bundles remaining in the cashboxes are always determined in accordance with the kind of notes.
However, in a case where an operator manually has loaded a given number of note bundles of a given kind, which are brought from the outside, into cashboxes or in a case where doors of the note bundle cashboxes are opened, for example, for the purpose of error recovery, and the number of stored note bundles is collated with the mechanical count number, it is possible that the correspondency between the kind of notes and the cashbox is made wrong or the number of note bundles actually stored in the cashbox does not match with the mechanically counted number of note bundles managed by firmware.
In the above cases, the operator is conventionally required to check once again the kind and the number of note bundles in the cashbox in order to ensure the counted value. However, the result of the manual check of the number of note bundles is not perfectly sure, and it is desirable, if possible, not to conduct the manual check in order to avoid the occurrence of an unexpected situation.
The present invention, therefore, aims at providing a note bundle managing apparatus having a function of easily and exactly counting and determining the number of note bundles within a paper sheet storage box such as a cashbox, without requiring manual operations
A note bundle managing apparatus of the present invention comprises a storage box for storing note bundles each formed by bundling a predetermined number of notes, and a bundle counting means provided within the storage box.
A note bundle managing apparatus of the present invention comprises:
a storage box for storing, in a stacked manner, note bundles each formed by bundling a predetermined number of notes;
bundle counting means provided within the storage box and moved in a direction of stacking of the note bundles to count the number of the note bundles;
distance detection means for detecting a distance over which the bundle counting means has moved along the stacked bundles within the storage box;
calculation means for calculating the number of the stored bundles on the basis of the distance of movement of the bundle counting means within the storage box which has been detected by the distance detection means; and
means for determining the number of note bundles stored in the storage box on the basis of the bundle counting means and the calculation means.
With the above structures, the number of note bundles stored, for example, in the cashbox can be exactly counted by the internal bundle counting means without manual operations. Thus, there is provided a note bundle managing apparatus capable of managing note bundles with easy and security.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter.

Note bundle managing apparatus to store and count note bundles


A flushing device for toilets has a supporting assembly and a driving mechanism. The supporting assembly supports the driving mechanism in a tank of a toilet by use of adjustable beams which span the tank and a bridge plate which connects to the beams. The driving mechanism has an infrared sensor placed on a wall behind the tank, a motor contained in a waterproof housing and a disk connected to the motor by a shaft. The disk engages with a conventional flushing assembly sited in the tank. The sensor actuates the motor to rotate when the sensor detects the presence and exit of a user, thereby flushing the toilet.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a toilet and, more particularly, to a flushing device employing an infrared sensor to automatically flush the toilet.
2. Description of Related Art
Infrared sensors have been widely employed in public restrooms so as to increase the cleanness thereof, making them more sanitary for the individual users. The sensors have been adapted for use on hand dryer, faucets and urinals, eliminating the need for a user to make physical contact to operate these different fixtures.
Presently, there has not been a flushing device for toilets which successfully adapts an infrared sensor so as to flush the toilet automatically after use. Therefore, in order to make a public restroom completely "hands free", there is a need for a flushing device which employs an infrared sensor.

4th Floor, No. 19, Lane 60, Chunghua Rd.


A device, of a cloud computing environment, receives information associated with one or more computing resources of a local portion of the cloud computing environment, and receives, from a global allocator device, a request for placement of a computing resource element at a selected computing resource of the one or more computing resources. The device also determines, based on the information, whether the request can be satisfied by the selected computing resource, and places the requested computing resource element in the selected computing resource when the request can be satisfied by the selected computing resource. The device sends, to the global allocator device, a message indicating that the requested computing resource element has been successfully placed in the selected computing resource.

Cloud computing is the use of computing resources (e.g., hardware, software, storage, computing power, etc.) which are available from a remote location and accessible over a network, such as the Internet. Cloud computing environments deliver the computing resources as a service rather than as a product, whereby shared computing resources are provided to user devices (e.g., computers, smart phones, etc.). Users may buy these computing resources and use the computing resources on an on-demand basis. Cloud computing environments provide services that do not require end-user knowledge of a physical location and configuration of a system that delivers the services.
The computing resources may include virtual machines (VMs) that provide software implementations of a machine and execute programs like a physical machine. The VMs may provide cloud computing services to the users. One or more users may create one or more VMs in the cloud computing environment. The users may also delete one or more VMs in the cloud computing environment. However, since a cloud computing environment is a highly distributed infrastructure, it may be difficult to efficiently allocate such computing resources in the cloud computing environment.

Global cloud computing environment resource allocation with local optimization


An atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique is used to deposit one or more layers on hard mask layers and the sidewalls of low-K dielectric trench as part of the trench etch process. The ALD layer(s) can prevent the hard mask from being eroded during various hard mask open processes. Further, the ALD layer(s) may be utilized to prevent the low-K dielectric sidewall from being laterally etched during the low-K dielectric trench etch. Hence, better control of the trench profile and better critical dimension control may be provided.

The present disclosure relates to the processing of substrates. In particular, it provides a method for forming trenches in substrates.
The formation of trenches in substrates has long been known. For example, processing of semiconductor wafers often involves the formation of trenches. In one embodiment, trenches are formed in low dielectric constant (low-K) materials of the substrate. With regard to semiconductor wafers, trench formation in low-K materials conventionally is used during back end of line (BEOL) processing. One use of such trenches is for the formation of vias between metal interconnect lines in a substrate. A wide range of low-K materials may be utilized, including but not limited to, doped silicon dioxides (fluorine, carbon and other dopants), spin-on polymers (including organic and silicon based polymers), porous oxides, etc. all being well-known in the art. Such low-K materials provide a dielectric constant less than silicon dioxide. As used herein, "low-K" includes materials that some may consider to be "ultra-low-K" materials. Thus, "low-K" includes low-K or lower dielectric constant materials.
As the critical dimension (CD) of features formed on substrates continue to shrink, etching trenches continues to become more challenging. Conventional process flows include the use of photolithography processes to form hard masks over a low-K material within which a trench is desired. One exemplary structure, structure 100, is shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1 a metallization layer 105 has been formed in a dielectric layer 110. As shown, a barrier low-k (BLOK) material is provided as indicated by BLOK layer 115. BLOK layers are known in the art to operate as a barrier and etch stop layer. BLOK materials provide a lower dielectric constant than alternative barrier and etch stop layers such as silicon nitride. Over the BLOK layer 115, a low-K dielectric layer 120 (within which a trench will be eventually formed) is provided. Over the low-K dielectric layer 120, a plurality of patterned layers/hard mask layers may be provided. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, a patterned stack of an upper hard mask layer 135 and a metal hard mask layer 130 is provided. For example, in one embodiment the upper hard mask layer 135 may be silicon oxide (SiO2) or silicon nitride (SiN) and the metal hard mask layer 130 may be titanium nitride (TiN). As shown in FIG. 1, the upper hard mask layer 135 and the metal hard mask layer 130 have already been patterned to form a patterned feature. Such patterning may be accomplished by any of a wide range of lithography techniques, all which are well known in the art. A lower hard mask layer 125 underlying the metal hard mask may also be provided as shown in FIG. 1 such that the lower hard mask layer 125 is located under the patterned feature. The lower hard mask layer 125 may be a SiN hard mask in one embodiment.
In conventional processing, as is well known, a plasma process may be used for the etching of the lower hard mask layer 125. However, the metal hard mask layer 130 may be eroded during the etching of the lower hard mask layer 125. Such erosion may lead to larger than desired critical dimensions. An example of this is seen in FIG. 2 where erosion locations 205 illustrate the erosion of the metal hard mask layer 130.
Further, during the trench etch of a conventional process (again a plasma process) the low-K etch process used to etch the low-K dielectric layer 120 may result in the formation of sidewalls which are not substantially vertically straight but rather exhibit undesirable characteristics such as bowing 305, as shown in FIG. 3. Such a shape may result from lateral etching of the low-K dielectric layer 120. Such sidewalls are particularly problematic as critical dimensions shrink. Further, the thin lines of low-K material that remain after etch may result in undesirable line wriggle. Additionally, the sidewalls of the low-K material may exhibit undesirable damage. In one example, the trench etch is utilized so that the trench aligns with the metallization layer 105 for providing electrical connection to the metallization layer 105.
One attempt to address these problems is to utilize hard mask and low-K etch processes which generate high amounts of polymer. Such polymer formation processes may help address the sidewall damage and the bowing profiles. However, generating such polymers typically decelerates the etch rate of the low-K plasma etch such that substrate throughput is negatively impacted.
In one embodiment, it would be desirable to provide an improved trench formation process that addresses at least some of the problems described above. In another embodiment, it would be desirable to provide an improved process for forming trenches in low-K materials.

Atomic layer deposition for low-K trench protection during etch


A cable handling system mounted to a mobile robot to dispense and retrieve cable at zero tension includes a cable reel drive and a downstream tension roller drive that includes an idler. As a cable passes through the tension roller drive, position along the length of the cable and/or the cable speed is monitored accurately by a sensor attached to the idler. A system controller in communication with the sensor controls the cable reel drive and the tension roller drive for dispensing and retrieving cable downstream of the tension roller drive.

Robots and robotic devices are used today to perform tasks traditionally considered dangerous or otherwise inappropriate for humans, due to size or environmental considerations. For example, robots are often purposefully exposed to situations where the risk to a human being in a similar situation is too high. In one illustrative example, explosive ordnance disposal ("EOD") robots are used to approach, inspect, and even remove or defuse explosives or objects that may contain explosives. Generally, a human operator of an EOD robot remains at a safe distance from the explosive (or possibly explosive) object and directs the EOD robot remotely as it performs its necessary tasks. Even though the EOD robots are often driven by remote control, incorporation of a physical tether between the robot and a base station near the operator is often favored. Tethered robots and other robotic platforms are being developed. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,263,989, 6,431,296, and 6,668,951 each disclose Robotic Platforms, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties.
The tether may include a fiber optic cable, to provide a reliable, high speed, non-electric connection for sending signals to and from on-board actuators and sensors, including cameras, thus allowing the operator to control the mobile robot and view the area in immediate proximity to the robot during use. Fiber optic cables are generally preferred over wireless transceivers, because signals sent over wireless systems can suffer from limited range and radio or environmental interference. Also, in certain situations (e.g., near an explosive device), radio frequency transmissions may not be allowed. These circumstances and restrictions can reduce the quality of communications and limit or end the mission. This is often the case indoors or underground, due to interference with surrounding building structure. Use of a tethered cable, however, does have its limitations, one of the most apparent being that cables trailed behind mobile robots can become snagged as the robot moves around corners or other obstacles. These snags, in addition to effecting the motion of the robot by creating a dragging force as the robot moves, also create high stress points on the cable, which can lead to intermittent communication or damage of the cable itself. Often, the cable is under a state of tension as the robot or vehicle moves ahead. If the robot turns in place this tension will often pull the cable directly into the moving parts of the mobility system, resulting in the cable becoming wound around an axle or tangled in the drive treads. Clearly, these problems increase as the robot moves within more complicated environments or structures.
To avoid these situations, cable handling systems have been developed that dispense cable behind a moving robot. Such handling systems generally utilize a reel of cable that rotates as the robot moves to pay out or draw in cable, in conjunction with some type of second device to detect and/or control cable tension. For example, some variations of these second devices detect strain in components that the cable passes through and compensate by paying out cable faster, thus relieving the strain. Still other devices include a sensor on a tensioning roller, remote from the main hub, that helps compensate for increases or decreases in speed of the robot, and distributes cable accordingly.
Many of these present spooler systems, however, are unable to compensate for abrupt changes in speed of the robot, or are unable to work effectively at high speed. Other cable handling systems are unable to accurately compensate for turns (especially turns described as neutral or "zero radius") of the robot and either dispense or retract an insufficient or excessive length of cable. Other cable handling systems are bound to the input of a single variable to manage the cable and may pay out or draw in an improper amount of cable as long as that variable is satisfied, regardless of competing needs of the operating robot or surrounding environmental conditions.
There is, therefore, need for a spooler system that can reliably dispense and retrieve cable at various speeds, that is able to respond to abrupt changes in vehicle speed or cable tension, and that can accurately pay out and draw in cable, in an intelligent manner, during all types of maneuvers across a wide range of operational terrains.

Communications spooler for a mobile robot


An optical switch is formed by: at least one switch driving circuit for generating ultrasonic waves; at least one electric acousto-optic element forming at least one diffraction grating therein upon being applied with the ultrasonic waves generated by the switch driving circuit; at least one polarization rotator for rotating a polarization plane of a first primary diffracted light produced by the diffraction grating, by 90.degree.; and a light path through which an input light is entered into the electric acousto-optic element at a Bragg angle of the diffraction grating in a first direction side, the first direction being defined as either identical or opposite to a propagation direction of the ultrasonic waves, so that the first primary diffracted light is produced by the diffraction grating from the input light, a polarization plane rotated light produced by the polarization rotator is entered into the electric acousto-optic element at a Bragg angle of the diffraction grating in a second direction side, the second direction being opposite to the first direction, and a second primary diffracted light produced by the diffraction grating from the polarization plane rotated light is outputted as an output light.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical switch using an electro-acoustic effect, which is a high speed A/O switch with a large extinction ratio.
2. Description of the Background Art
an optical switch using an electro-acoustic effect has been utilized for a variety of purposes such as a submarine cable switching and an optical signal processing, and is particularly useful for a light blocking at a time of optical path switching.
The optical switch is constructed by using a diffraction grating, which in turn is formed by an electric acousto-optic element made of a monocrystal PbMoO.sub.4 for example, to which ultrasonic waves are applied in order to periodically change the refractive index of the acousto-optic element and thereby make the electric acousto-optic element functioning as the diffraction grating.
However, the conventional optical switch has a large insertion loss polarization dependency of about 0.5 dB for example, and a large polarization mode dispersion of about 10 ps delay for example, so that the conventional optical switch has been associated with a problem that the waveform deformation is caused for the high speed signals in random polarization states, as well as a problem that the frequency of the light is shifted as the light passes through the optical switch.

Optical switch with reduced polarization dependency and no waveform deformation and frequency shift


An image display adjusting device wherein a difference portion obtains a difference between an input signal f0 preceding by one frame as an input signal f1 held by one frame by a memory portion and a current input signal f1, a multiplication portion 106 multiplies this difference signal (f1−f0) by a highlight coefficient α, and an addition portion 107 adds a multiplication output signal α (f1−f0) thereof as correction data to the current input signal f1 to obtain an output signal having its responsiveness improved, the device provided with highlight coefficient controlling portions for performing predetermined decoding by inputting the input signal f1 or the difference signal (f1−f0) and converting it to a signal having a change characteristic different from that signal and outputting a highlight coefficient α adapted to the input signal or the difference signal by using that decode value.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image display adjusting device for allowing a display device such as a liquid crystal display to improve response characteristics in image display and display a moving image of high image quality.
2. Description of the Related Art
Flat panel displays (referred to as FPDs hereafter) of recent years are getting larger and higher-resolution, and a liquid crystal display is also demanded to be larger and of higher image quality. Of the FPDs, the liquid crystal display is particularly familiarized and drawing the highest attention. Therefore, there is a further demand for higher image quality. However, the liquid crystal display has a problem that its response speed of display is slower than that of other FPDs.
The response characteristics of a liquid crystal panel of the liquid crystal display will be presented hereunder. FIG. 28A shows a voltage waveform inside a liquid crystal layer, and FIG. 28B shows the voltage waveform after improving the response speed.
The liquid crystal panel changes an orientation of liquid crystal molecules by applying a voltage between liquid crystal layers according to a gradation to be displayed, and thereby controls a transmitted light volume of backlight so as to display an image. Here, an applied voltage for assigning intensity levels requires plenty of time before reaching a target gradation voltage due to factors such as a liquid crystal capacity, a CR time constant of connection resistance with a liquid crystal driving circuit and the like as shown in FIG. 28A. This is a cause of slowness of the response characteristics as to the liquid crystal panel. The slowness of the response characteristics is particularly conspicuous as to a moving image sequence in comparison with a conventional CRT and the like, where it remains as an afterimage. There is also a problem that the response characteristics are not equal among the liquid crystal panels.
A level adaptive overdrive (referred to as LAO hereafter) driving method is known as one of generally used techniques for improving the response characteristics. The LAO driving method supplies the liquid crystal panel with a higher driving voltage or a lower driving voltage than the gradation voltage of current frame data and thereby reduces a rise time or a fall time of the data so as to improve responsiveness. Here, an example of a general formula of improvement data by the LAO driving method is shown below.LAO=α(f1−f1)+f1  Formula (1)
Here, LAO: improvement data, α: highlight coefficient, f0: previous frame data, and f1: current frame data.
The formula (1) multiplies a difference value between a current frame and a previous frame by the highlight coefficient α, and adds the data after the multiplication to the current frame data as correction data for improving the response speed. It is thereby possible to acquire the improvement data having the response speed of the liquid crystal improved in a pseudo manner. As shown in FIG. 28B, this temporarily adds the correction data of a higher level or a lower level than a target gradation level on a rise or a fall of a liquid crystal driving waveform so that the time before reaching the target gradation level can be reduced. Such a LAO driving method is introduced as a heretofore known example by Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-20828 and the like.
As for the technique of the LAO driving method, however, there arises a problem that image quality is degraded in the case where a specific image (such as a moving image) is displayed. This will be described below. In the description, [dec] denotes a decimal number and [hex] denotes a hexadecimal number.
As an example thereof, a case of image degradation due to over-highlight will be described with reference to FIGS. 29A and 29B. In the case where, as shown in FIG. 29A, there is a display Q of a gradation level 255 [dec] in a display P of a background gradation level 127 [dec] and the display Q of the gradation level 255 [dec] moves as in FIG. 29B, the gradation level of the data at a position before the movement in a screen after the movement (1 frame later) should be 127 [dec] as gradation data thereof. As the improvement in the responsiveness of the aforementioned formula (1) is implemented by the LAO, however, the data LAO on the improvement in the responsiveness of the image at the position before the movement in the screen after the movement becomes the LAO=α(127−255)+127. Here, the LAO depends on the value of the highlight coefficient α. However, α=0.5 is an optimal value in the other images, and so this value is also used as a fixed value here. In that case, it becomes LAO=0.5×(127−255)+127=63 [dec]. Therefore, the gradation level of the display Q at the position before the movement in the screen after the movement of FIG. 28B is 63 [dec] according to the foregoing calculation, which causes a problem that the gradation level lowers as against the background gradation level 127 [dec] and it significantly darkens. To be more specific, the image quality is degraded because the highlight coefficient α is overly set (overly highlighted) . Thus, setting of the value α also depends on a type of a display image and a characteristic of each individual display panel. If the value α is fixed, there is an adverse effect on the moving image described above as to the gradation level.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-173525 also describes an example using the LAO driving method. It describes that a highlight conversion parameter (OS parameter) equivalent to the value α is stored in an ROM for each individual gradation of image data so as to read out and use the parameter stored in the ROM according to the level of the image data.
In the example described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-173525, however, a circuit scale is expanded by using the ROM while it requires work of measuring the response characteristics of each individual liquid crystal display panel and deciding the parameter to the ROM, which takes a lot of trouble. It also has a drawback that the ROM size becomes larger and the circuit scale increases if rendered versatile to be adaptable to any panel.


A work retainer device for a scroll-saw in which a work retainer is mounted on an arm cover of an upper arm. Two brackets are formed at both distal ends of the arm cover to embrace the upper arm from both sides. Upright portions of a work retainer holding member are overlapped with the brackets. The brackets and the upright portions of the work retainer holding member are fastened to each other by a fastening unit including a screw rod which passes laterally through at least one of the overlapped portions of the bracket and the upright portions of the work retainer holding member. A longitudinal hole is formed in the upright portions of the work retainer holding member. The work retainer is fixed to a lower portion of the work retainer holding member.

The present invention relates to a work retaining device for a scroll saw machine.
A work retainer has conventionally been provided on an arm cover for covering an upper arm of a scroll saw machine. There are several types of the retainers. For instance, in mounting a retainer, a round rod is vertically mounted on a side wall of the arm cover and a work retainer is mounted on a lower portion of the round rod so as to be rotatable in a horizontal direction. In another type, a proximal portion of the work retainer is fixed to a lower portion behind the scroll saw of the arm cover, and the work retainer is projected therefrom toward the scroll-saw.
However, with respect to the former conventional work retainer of the scroll saw machine, there is a fear that the work retainer would be rotated around the round rod to be brought into contact with the scroll-saw. Also, with respect to the latter conventional work retainer, since the long work retainer extends from the arm cover toward the scroll-saw, there is a fear that the work retainer would be deformed during the operation of the scroll saw machine, resulting in the contact with the scroll-saw.
In addition, an additional cover for covering the scroll-saw for safety protection has been sometimes mounted on the arm cover. However, if the workpiece is thick, a lower portion of the additional cover would be brought into contact with the workpiece to cause difficulty in operation.

Work retaining device for scroll-saw machine