A self-leveling laser transmitter is provided. The laser transmitter comprises a rotation head and an accelerometer mounted on the rotation head. An acceleration signal is received from the accelerometer and one or more tilt adjustment signals for adjusting a tilt of the rotation head to a leveled orientation are generated based on the acceleration signal. One or more actuators adjust the tilt of the rotation head based on the one or more tilt adjustment signals.

Preparation of worksites, such as, e.g., construction and agricultural worksites, typically involves grading and excavating portions of the worksite into desired topologies. Positional measuring is an important aspect in worksite preparation in order to improve the accuracy of such grading and excavating. Laser measuring systems are commonly used by construction machines (e.g., dozers, scrapers, excavators, etc.) to facilitate positional measuring. Specifically, a laser transmitter of a laser measuring system will transmit a laser signal and a laser receiver of the laser measuring system will receive the laser signal to determine positional measurements of the laser receiver. However, in order to provide accurate measurement results, the laser transmitter must be leveled.
Conventionally, laser measuring systems are self-leveled by measuring tilt angles using two non-rotating inclinometers either of vial type or MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) type and adjusting the tilt using one or more motors. One disadvantage of such conventional laser measuring systems is that the assembly of the inclinometers must be calibrated so that the zero angles of the inclinometers exactly correspond to the vertical axis of rotation. Such calibration is typically performed during manufacturing by applying additional calibration steps to align the inclinometers to the rotational axis. Such conventional laser measuring systems are also prone to losing calibration due to, e.g., the laser transmitter being dropped.

Self-leveling system for rotating laser systems


A process for the preparation of a 1,2-vinyl-polybutadiene with an adjustable amount of vinyl linkages in the microstructure of the polymer which comprises polymerizing 1,3-butadiene in a gas phase reactor under polymerization conditions using an inert gas in the presence of a catalyst comprising: (a) a cobalt compound; (b) a compound selected from the group consisting of a phosphine, a xanthogen, a thiocyanide, a carbon disulfide, and mixtures thereof; and (c) an organoaluminum compound, and optionally a modifier (d) can be included in the catalyst composition. There is also provided a novel resin particle prepared by the process.

1,2-vinyl-polybutadiene has heretofore been produced commercially only in solution, slurry or emulsion processes such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,498,963; 3,778,424; 4,182,813;and 5,548,045. There have been numerous problems associated with producing vinylpolybutadiene in these processes: the products are too crystalline or conversely too rubbery; tend to be adversely affected by impurities, particularly moisture, air, and water; require difficult polymerization conditions (e.g., relatively low temperature and/or multiple reactors) for efficient commercial production; incompatibility of solvent medium with catalyst components/combinations; difficulties in controlling molecular weight; contamination with low molecular weight polymers; inability to incorporate a desirable amount of vinyl into the polymer; require a large quantity of catalyst due to low catalyst productivity; low yield of desired product; and so forth. Additionally, these processes are labor and energy intensive, require multiple washing and solvent separation and removal steps, and present environmental concerns. All of which adds to the cost of the product and limits its use and availability on a cost basis in the marketplace.
Finally, the vinylpolybutadiene products produced in these processes are recovered in bales, or bale-like form, such that before an end-user can combine these products with other formulation components, the vinyl-containing polybutadiene products themselves must be first cut, ground and/or pulverized before any significant, subsequent dispersion and distribution in an end-user formulation or processing can occur.
It would be beneficial to conduct a polymerization of vinylpolybutadienes in a gas phase reactor, because such a gas phase polymerization would be advantageous, economical, and inherently safer in that the need to handle and recover large quantities of solvent is eliminated while providing low pressure process operation. However, in view of all of the above-enumerated processing difficulties associated with the production of vinylpolybutadiene in non-gas phase processes, it would be unlikely to expect the production of vinylpolybutadienes in a gas phase process to be possible, much less easy. Rather, one would expect some or many of the same problems associated with non-gas phase processes, as well as problems attributable to gas phase operation. Nor would one expect the product to be readily granular and/or flowable, having an even, fairly homogeneous vinyl microstructure distributed throughout in the polymer.
Surprisingly, the present invention provides such a process and vinylpolybutadiene product.

Gas phase polymerization of vinylpolybutadiene

Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology Corporation


Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) systems and devices with improved efficiencies are disclosed herein. In one example, a thermophotovoltaic (TPV) cell includes an active layer; a back-surface reflective (BSR) layer; and a spacer layer positioned between the active layer and back-surface reflective layer.

Thermophotovoltaic (TPV) energy conversion refers to a process in which thermal energy in the form of heat is converted to electrical energy. Thermophotovoltaics are solid-state devices for scalable electricity generation from a variety of high-temperature heat sources. TPVs relate to the application of photovoltaic diodes to harvest electricity from thermal radiation.
This is achieved through the use of appropriately designed thermal emitters which are typically heated to temperatures of more than 600° C. Operating ranges are generally in the range of 900° C. to 1600° C. TPVs include, at a minimum, a thermal emitter and a photovoltaic (PV) cell (e.g., a low-bandgap PV cell) in close proximity. The TPV system may also include additional components such as concentrators, filters, and reflectors.
The merits of thermophotovoltaics include the prospect of delivering high power density compared to solar photovoltaics, fuel versatility, portability and capability of around-the-clock operation. In particular, the scalability of TPVs makes them a promising alternative to turbines for small-scale (e.g., ˜10 kW) energy conversion such as distributed co-generation of heat and power. The technology also has the potential for integration with high-temperature thermal energy storage, a technique that could help regulate power supply in concentrated solar power schemes.
Challenges to commercialization of TPV technology include low heat-to-electricity conversion efficiency, thermostructural reliability at high temperatures, and cost.
Thin-film TPV cells (e.g., a few microns thick) have the potential to enable selective radiative transfer by reducing the optical path length through the cell and leveraging thin-film interference. Thin-film cells may also exhibit lower rates of radiative recombination.
Spectrally selective techniques have led to improved performance in conventional III-V TPVs where the active layer is on a growth substrate that exceeds 10 μm in thickness. They can be broadly categorized as either emission control or absorption control. In particular, suppression of sub-bandgap radiative transfer provides improvements in efficiency. Studies have utilized nanophotonic emitters to selectively emit radiation above the PV cell bandgap. However, TPV systems relying only on emission control are limited by decreased selectivity of emitters at high operating temperatures. Further, the long-term thermal stability of nanostructured emitters has yet to be addressed.
Alternatively, PV cells exhibiting selective absorption have facilitated recycling of low-energy photons, and consequently, improved efficiency. This approach makes use of a cell with a back surface reflector (BSR) or a front surface filter (FSF) to reflect the majority of radiation with energy lower than the semiconductor bandgap, while absorbing radiation with higher energies. Low-energy photons reflected by the cell are re-absorbed by the thermal emitter, decreasing net heat transfer between the emitter and cell (Qh) without decreasing output power. An early demonstration of selective absorption in a Si cell reached a thermal-to-electrical conversion efficiency of 26% for an emitter temperature of 2300 K. Utilization of lower bandgap cells has enabled similar efficiencies at moderate temperatures. Siergiej, et al. utilized an InGaAs cell with an Au BSR and a Si3N4 anti-reflection coating (ARC) to achieve an efficiency of 20.6% for a 1330 K emitter. This device was later modified to include a FSF, increasing its efficiency to 23.6%. However, the spectral-selectivity of these approaches has been limited by parasitic absorption of sub-bandgap radiation due to a variety of possible mechanisms including absorption in the wafer, the thickest layer of the cell (hundreds of microns).
As such, there remains a need to develop a TPV device or system with an improved thermal-to-electrical conversion efficiency and power output.

The Regents of the University of Michigan


A flat soft magnetic material to be used for a noise-suppressing magnetic sheet, wherein the 50% particle size D50 (μm), coercive force Hc (A/m) and bulk density BD (Mg/m3) of the flat soft magnetic material satisfy the following formula (1).D50/(HC×BD)≧1.5  (1)

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a flat soft magnetic material to be used in a noise-suppressing magnetic sheet, and to a process for its production.
2. Related Background Art
As the operating speeds of digital circuits have increased in recent years, the electromagnetic noise emitted from circuits has shifted more toward the high-frequency band. Such noise arises from malfunctioning of the devices themselves resulting from internal interference, or malfunctioning of other devices resulting from external interference. Further increased packaging density is also becoming necessary in recent years in order to achieve lighter-weight, thinner and smaller digital circuit-mounted devices. Electromagnetic shielding materials capable of shielding noise continue to be developed, and methods have been proposed wherein noise-suppressing parts comprising sheets of oriented and dispersed soft magnetic materials are placed near electronic circuits that are the sources of noise.
Soft magnetic materials are used in such noise-suppressing sheets, and it is known that a noise-suppressing effect can be achieved in a wide frequency band if the soft magnetic material is thin and flat.
Methods that have been disclosed for fabrication of flat soft magnetic materials include using sendust materials produced by water atomization, as a method for producing flaky or flat Fe—Si—Al alloy powder, in JP No. S62-238305 A (Document 1) and JP No. H1-294802 A (Document 2), for example. Also, JP No. 2003-332113 A (Document 3) and JP No. 2005-123531 A (Document 4) disclose using flat soft magnetic metal powders, or materials produced by gas atomization. In addition, JP No. 2001-303111 A (Document 5) discloses a method in which a fatty acid and an organic solvent such as an alcohol are included during pulverization in the mechanical flat working of a soft magnetic metal powder grinding medium by atomization using a pulverizer. Finally, JP No. H5-98301 A (Document 6) discloses, as an example, flattening treatment of sendust powder produced by water atomization together with ethanol, using an attritor.

Flat soft magnetic material and process for its production


A detector card strain relief system for use with a fiber optic detector system is disclosed in which a detector card/strain relief brace is permanently fixed to the detector card for receiving a plurality of optical fibers exiting from a like plurality of detector cans. The plurality of optical fibers pass through two strain reliefs which are connected to either end of a monocoil. Each of the strain reliefs is connected respectively to the detector card/strain relief brace and a fiber termination mount such that the termination mount cannot be moved without moving the detector cans and, thus, the optical fibers are protected from pulling away from the detector cans while at the same time allowing for proper cooling of the detector cans and minimizing light leaking from the optical fibers. Alternate embodiments for the detector strain relief brace are provided such that the optical fibers may exit from the bottom or the side of the detector card.

The present invention is directed to a strain relief system for use with a detector card which carries a plurality of detector cans to which are attached optical fibers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a strain relief system for securing each optical fiber pigtailed into a detector can mounted on a PC board such that the optical fibers are prevented from breaking, are maintained in their proper position and such that proper cooling is allowed of the protector cans.
In fiber optic detection systems, it is typical to utilize a plurality of detector cans which are mounted on a PC board or similar mounting material. An optical fiber is pigtailed into each detector can and is precisely positioned over a photodiode. Movement of the detector card, for example, while handling the card during its installation, can result in the pulling away of the optical fibers from the detector cans. That results in the misalignment of the pulled-away fiber with its photodiode, causing a degradation of the measurement capability of the fiber optic detection system. Worse, it is possible that the movement of the detector card could result in the pulling out of one or more optical fibers from their respective cans, or the breaking or bending of the optical fibers. Obviously, such conditions would severely degrade the operation of the fiber optic detection system using such a damaged detector card.
There is presently no known strain relief system which is designed to work with multi-can detector cards that utilize pigtailed optical fibers. While a similar detector card has been used by Lockheed Aircraft Services Company, no strain relief was designed or utilized. As a result, many of the optical fibers utilized with the Lockheed detector cards snapped or pulled away from their detector cans during handling of the cards. Also, although strain relief fittings are available from Heyco Molded Products Company, Inc. of Kenilworth, N.J. and monocoils were known for the protection of fiber optic cables, they have not previously been used in connection with a detector card strain relief system for providing protection as well as strain relief for a detector card such as that described above used in a fiber optic detection system.
The present invention is therefore directed primarily to the protection of the optical fibers which are pigtailed into respective detector cans on a detector card such that they are precisely positioned over a photodiode. The present invention eliminates the danger of the optical fibers pulling away from or out of the detector can during handling by keeping the optical fibers stationary with respect to the detector cans. Thus, using the present invention, a detector card can be moved without having to worry about moving the optical fibers along with it. The inventive assembly moves both of them at the same time. In addition, the protective monocoil, which is a flexible wire wrap covered with vinyl, keeps the fibers from getting crushed or snapped in half during movement of the card, or otherwise.
The present invention also allows for the cooling of the detector cans during operation of the fiber optic detector system of which the detector card forms a part. This is an important feature since the difference in temperature between all of the cans must be within one degree Celsius in order to maintain uniform performance. Since the instant detector card strain relief assembly is designed to keep the optical fibers in line with their respective detector cans, air is allowed to smoothly pass between the fibers and effectively cool the plurality of detector cans.
The detector card strain relief system of the present invention is also designed to keep the optical fibers straight as they enter their respective detector cans. That not only reduces strain, but keeps light from breaking out of the optical fibers. If an optical fiber is bent too much, the fiber will not be able to support the additional modes that will develop. Thus, the energy in those modes will leak out of the optical fiber with the result that a reduced amount of light will enter the detector and an erroneous signal will be measured. The optical fibers are more suspectable to such leakage at the detector cans since the fibers are rigidly attached to the cans and a kink can develop there more easily.

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army


An oxygen absorbing resin in which a deoxidizing composition is dispersed in a thermo-plastic resin mixture comprising (A) a thermoplastic elastomer and/or an ethylene propylene copolymer and (B) a thermo-plastic resin other than the above-mentioned (A), and having a flexural modulus of 600 MPa or less and an oxygen permeability of 130 cc.mm/m.sup.2.atm.day (23.degree. C., 50% RH) or more. The oxygen absorbing resin has an oxygen absorbing performance equal to that of a conventional deoxidizing agent in a small bag. A deoxidizing multi-layer structure which comprises a layer (I) comprising a thermoplastic resin layer having an oxygen permeability of 800 cc/m.sup.2.atm.day (23.degree. C., 50% RH) or more, a layer (II) comprising the oxygen absorbing resin, and a layer (III) having gas barrier properties. In addition, the deoxidizing multi-layer structure has a function of positively and efficiently absorbing oxygen.

(i) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an oxygen absorbing resin, a deoxidizing multi-layer structure using this resin, and a packaging containers This oxygen absorbing resin can be obtained by dispersing a deoxidizing composition in a resin having flexibility and a high oxygen permeability, and in addition, the oxygen absorbing resin has an oxygen absorbing velocity equal to that of a deoxidizing agent received in a small bag (hereinafter referred to as "the deoxidizing agent in the small bag" on occasion) and a higher oxygen absorbing ability as compared with a conventional oxygen absorbing resin. Furthermore, the deoxidizing multi-layer structure using this oxygen absorbing resin is excellent in the oxygen absorption ability and is also moldable. Moreover, the packaging container of the present invention can be utilized to receive drinks, foods, medicines and the like which are easily affected by oxygen, and this packaging container can shut off external oxygen and can remove oxygen present within the container itself in a short period of time without previously purging the container with an inert gas or the like, whereby the spoilage of the packed material can be prevented and hence its long-term preservation is possible.
(ii) Description of the Related Art
Heretofore, as a technique of removing oxygen from packages receiving packed materials such as foods and medicines to prevent the oxidation deterioration, the color change and the like of the packed materials, the spoilage of the packed materials by mold and aerobic bacteria, and the damage of the packed materials by worms, a way of putting a deoxidizing agent together with the material to be packed in each gas barrier bag and then sealing the bag has widely been carried out. As this way, there has usually been used the deoxidizing agent in which a powdery or a particulate deoxidizing composition is filled in a small bag having ventilation properties. However, when this deoxidizing agent in the small bag is mixed with the material to be preserved, the deoxidizing agent might be cooked together with the material to be preserved and then eaten, or the mixed deoxidizing agent might give an alien feeling or a resistant feeling to a user. In addition, the small bag might be mistakenly handled to tear the same, and at this time, the scattered deoxidizing composition might contaminate the material to be preserved. Accordingly, as a deoxidizing package technique not having the above-mentioned problems, it has been contrived in recent years to impart a deoxidizing ability to the packages themselves.
As such examples, for instance, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1824/1987 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Nos. 146651/1982, 45152/1992, 90848/1992 and 309323/1995, there are films and sheets of a multi-layer structure having a layer in which the deoxidizing composition is dispersed in a resin. In addition, Japanese Patent Publication No. 60826/1992 has disclosed a packaging container in which the commercially available deoxidizing composition is contained in a gas barrier thermoplastic resin. Furthermore, in Japanese Patent Publication No. 62858/1992, there has been disclosed a container containing a material which can express an oxygen capturing function only at a high temperature and under a high water vapor pressure in a retort treatment. Japanese Patent Publication Nos. 60826/1992 and 62858/1992 have disclosed a technique in which the deterioration of the oxygen barrier properties of a gas barrier resin in the retort treatment is restrained to prevent oxygen from getting into the container.
However, in the packaging container to which an oxygen absorbing performance is imparted, the deoxidizing composition is dispersed in the resin, and therefore the characteristics of the resin have a large influence on the oxygen absorbing velocity and the maximum oxygen absorption of the deoxidizing composition. In the conventional packaging container to which the oxygen absorbing performance is imparted, oxygen penetrated through the resin is absorbed by the deoxidizing composition. Therefore, the oxygen absorbing performance of this packaging container is much lower as compared with the conventional technique using the deoxidizing agent in the small bag, and so there has been a problem that oxygen present in the packaging container cannot be efficiently removed in a short period of time. For the purpose of overcoming such a drawback, for example, there has been used, together with the above manner, a technique in which air of the space in the package is replaced with an inert gas prior to packing the packaging container having the oxygen absorbing performance with the material to be preserved so as to previously decrease an oxygen concentration. For the replacement with the inert gas, however, specific facilities are required, which leads to the increase of a cost. Thus, the above-mentioned problem has not always fundamentally been solved.
In view of the above-mentioned conventional techniques, the present inventors have intensively researched with the intention of improving the deoxidizing performance of the oxygen absorbing resin in which the deoxidizing composition is dispersed. As a result, it has been found that an oxygen absorbing resin obtained by dispersing the deoxidizing composition in a thermoplastic resin mixture containing a thermoplastic elastomer and an ethylene propylene copolymer and having flexibility and a high oxygen permeability constant has a much higher oxygen absorbing velocity as compared with the conventional oxygen absorbing resin and a maximum oxygen absorption several times as much as that of the conventional oxygen absorbing resin. In addition, it has also been found that a deoxidizing multi-layer structure obtained by laminating a layer comprising a thermoplastic resin having a high oxygen permeability, a layer comprising the above-mentioned oxygen absorbing resin and a gas barrier layer, and a packaging container obtained by molding this deoxidizing multi-layer structure can exert the practical oxygen absorbing performance equal to that of the deoxidizing agent in the small bag. The present invention has been completed on the basis of the found knowledge.

Oxygen absorbing resin, deoxidizing multi-layer structure using resin, and packaging container


A gaming system is disclosed that comprises a prize selector arranged to facilitate player selection of at least one prize of a plurality of prizes, each prize having an associated prize value. The gaming system also includes a prize eligibility determiner arranged to determine whether a prize is eligible to be awarded to the player based on a relationship between a prize pool value and the prize value associated with the prize, the prize pool value being associated with game play, and a winning condition determiner arranged to determine whether a winning condition exists. The gaming system is arranged to award the selected prize to the player if the prize has been determined to be eligible and a winning condition has been determined.

A gaming machine can be arranged to enable a player to win a jackpot award while playing on the gaming machine, for example in response to a random event occurring. Such jackpot awards are pre-determined by a jackpot controller associated with the gaming machine.
In some arrangements, the jackpot controller uses a progressive pool amount to determine when to award the jackpot prize to a player. In one example, the progressive pool amount is set to a base amount, such as $10,000, and a portion of each wager made on the gaming machine, or on a linked gaming machine, is put towards the progressive pool amount.
The jackpot controller will select a random value between two predefined amounts, for example between $50,000 and $60,000, and award the jackpot prize to a player whose wager causes the progressive pool amount to equal or exceed the random value selected by the jackpot controller. For example, if the jackpot controller randomly selects a value of $57,585, the player causing the progressive pool amount to equal or exceed $57,585 will be awarded the jackpot prize.
Once the jackpot prize has been awarded, the progressive pool amount is reset to the base amount, which is $10,000 in this example, and the process is repeated. Players who know that a jackpot was hit recently will know that it will take a long time for the progressive pool amount to reach jackpot levels again, and may avoid playing gaming machines that are linked to a particular jackpot controller that recently awarded a jackpot prize.

Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited


The present invention relates to a fertilizer comprising at least one basic L-amino acid, such as arginine or lysine, wherein a substantial portion of the basic L-amino acid content is present as its monophosphate. The basic L-amino acid phosphate may be combined with a binder and/or provided with an outermost layer acting as a coating. The invention also relates to a method of enhancing the growth of a plant by making a basic L-amino acid phosphate available to the plant.

Methods of improving soil and/or growth conditions have in principle been applied since the first days of agriculture and horticulture. Starting with a very limited understanding of mechanisms, it was recognised that the waste from the household animals such as cows improved the growth of crops in the fields. As nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus were identified as the key components required to efficiently fertilize the soil, commercial preparations became widely available and the principle of more is less was generally applied for decades, resulting in the by now well-known over fertilization effects. While preparations including nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus together with various other mineral nutrients still constitute the standard in most plant culture, research is continuously improving with regard to the refinement of fertilizer compositions to provide plants with what is needed for their optimal growth. Specifically designed compositions for certain plants have been developed, and different formats such as liquids and dry preparations are also provided in order to balance a desired growth, feasibility of application and a minimal environmental impact.
One way to decrease the harmful environmental effects of fertilizers, and especially the losses of mineral nutrients to recipient ecosystems, is to develop compositions which provide a slow or delayed release of active component(s). Such compositions are often referred to as controlled-release preparations.
Coating of mineral nutrient salts has been proposed as one way of slowing down release. As a common mechanism, coatings have usually acted simply to delay the release of the enclosed nutrients—in the early stages, the coating has prevented any release of nutrient, and once 'opened' or consumed, the nutrients all became available at once. In theory, such released nutrients could either be utilized by the cultured plant, or, if the amount is more than needed, it could leak to the environment. In extreme cases, a large dose of nutrient or fertiliser composition may be toxic to the plant.
Thus, an ongoing challenge in coating technology is to provide for a release which is extended to a prolonged period of time, at a rate which is adapted to the needs of the cultured plant.
EP 0509030 relates to a solid fertilizer composition comprising micronutrients in the form of metal salts together with at least one water-soluble nitrate. A method is described which includes preparing the micronutrient fertilizer composition in the form of dry aggregate bodies which are adapted to be mixed with a macronutrient fertilizer composition, the method comprising dry mixing without any substantial addition of water salts of at least 2 metals selected from the group consisting of Cu, Mn, Zn, Co and Mo as well as at least one water-soluble nitrate which is not in the form of a salt of said metals. The ratio between said micronutrients and said macronutrients should be substantially above the ratio in which said micronutrients and said macronutrients are required by crop plants, to obtain an intimately mixed micronutrient mixture. The resulting micronutrient mixture is combined with a binder to obtain said micronutrient fertilizer composition in the form of dry aggregate bodies.
Despite the teachings of the prior art, there is still a need in this area for alternative fertilizer compositions, which avoid or at least reduce the above-discussed toxicity that is sometimes associated to the administration of large amounts of nutrients in one giving. There is also a need for novel fertilizer compositions which provide for sustained release of nutrient(s), and hence are suitable for less frequent additions to growing plants.


A concept of passively recharging the battery of battery backed electronic circuits and in particular utilizing these methods to recharge an RFID transponder's secondary cell(s). The invention particularly relates to battery backed transponders which contain rechargeable batteries wherein the recharging circuitry of the present invention allows for passive (non-contact) recharging of a battery residing in a transponder unit that may or may not be directly accessible for handling. The passive recharging strategies disclosed include utilizing energy sources such as: 1) a radio frequency (rf) signal generated outside the package; 2) a seismic geophone; 3) seismic piezoelectric accelerometers; 4) photovoltaic cells located outside of the transponder package; 5) infrared p-v cells located inside of the package driven by the heated package; and/or 5) acoustic energy (sonic and ultrasonic) coupled to the recharging circuitry via an acoustic transducer.

The field of RFID systems has evolved over the past years from systems developed in relatively large packages (size of a cigarette package) containing battery powered transmission/receiving circuitry or transponder, such as the identification system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,274,083, to passive systems (the size of a credit card) in which the transponder receives its power from the base station or interrogator, such as the identification system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,654,658.
Although, an inexpensive low-power RFID system having a battery powered transponder allows for greater distance between the interrogator and the transponder units, the physical size of the transponder unit has pushed the industry towards the passive transponder technology as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,654,658 and 4,730,188. However, the limit in RF communication distance between transponder an interrogator in passive systems is in the 2 foot or less range if reasonable accuracy of information collected is to be achieved.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,724,427 discloses a passive RFID transponder as well as a hybrid battery operated version which addresses both types of RFID systems.
The memory used in RFID systems depends on the type of system used wherein, most passive systems use a programmable read only memory (PROM) of some sort that will retain its programmed data even when power is disrupted or removed while a battery packed system may use any memory type, including random access memory (RAM), that requires a continuous power source to retain programmed data.
It is most desirable to use battery based transponder systems to gain communication range between the transponder and interrogator. If the battery is rechargeable, so much more the better. The present invention discloses various methods to recharge battery cell(s) of battery backed electronic systems and more particularly to recharge an RFID transponder's secondary cell(s) that may be situated in a remote location. Also, all U.S. patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference.

Passive (non-contact) recharging of secondary battery cell(s) powering RFID transponder tags


A coating system and related methods for an airfield surface or a roadway is described. The coating system may include a stable cationic emulsion for application to the airfield surface or the roadway. The stable cationic emulsion may include a) an asphalt blend comprising gilsonite, wherein the gilsonite is modified to possess a positive charge, b) one or more polymers, and c) one or more surfactants not including a cationic surfactant. The coating system may also include a fine aggregate material for application to the stable cationic emulsion applied to the airfield surface or the roadway.

Asphalt pavement is a composite material that includes mineral aggregate and an asphalt binder which hardens to form a robust surface. Asphalt pavement deteriorates over time from oxidation of the asphalt binder, heavy loads, and varying climatic conditions. One method for restoring or repairing deteriorated asphalt pavement is to remove and replace the existing pavement with either newly prepared or recycled pavement. Removal and replacement, however, is expensive and wasteful. There exists, however, asphalt pavement maintenance products that are used to repair pavement surfaces.
A typical asphalt maintenance product includes a coating composition, such as a uintaite-asphalt composition, and an aggregate. In general, the composition may be spray applied to the asphalt pavement and the aggregate is then applied over the composition using spreaders or other similar devices. There are however many variations in how the composition and aggregate can be formulated. The components of the composition, type of aggregate, and the application rates (gals./yd2 and/or lbs./yd2) can all be varied to accomplish certain performance objectives. Furthermore, in some cases, the coating composition and aggregates may be combined together and then applied to the pavement. In large part, however, the specific product applied to the pavement and its application rate is dependent on how the pavement is used.
The asphalt pavement industry has two somewhat separate sectors: aviation/airfield and roadway. Aviation pavements have greater demands compared to roadway pavements. For aviation pavements, safety is paramount, construction operations and schedules are difficult to implement, and problems are more critical and more costly to address. Additionally, the airfield pavements are used to support airplanes whereas roadways are used for cars and trucks. The two pavements types also age differently. In general, the requirements for aviation pavements (e.g. performance requirements, specifications, quality control systems, etc.) are generally tighter and more extreme than those used for roadway pavements.
Common roadway asphalt maintenance surface treatments are not always suitable for airfield pavements. Common roadway treatments designed for durability beyond 3-5 years are typically not suitable for the required airfield pavements. As roadway treatments increase in age they also create safety-performance problems, e.g. creation and increase of foreign object debris (FOD) and decrease in positive friction characteristics. In situations where the airfield asphalt pavement, even if previously treated with a common uintaite-asphalt coating or another maintenance coating, begins to decay in terms of its surface-condition characteristics, then it must be treated again in order to maintain the minimum safety requirements. If no further treatment is applied, then the pavement must undergo a much more significant and expensive disruptive rehabilitation procedure. Common roadway treatments can be modified to improve roadway condition and increase the friction characteristics, thereby addressing the safety issues described above. Unfortunately, such treatments have a relatively brief lifespan, lasting 2-5 years or less. Other more substantial (heavily applied) asphalt maintenance treatments may provide a service-life of more than 3-5 years. However, those substantial treatments are less suitable for the requirements of airfield pavement applications. There is a lack of coating systems that can be applied at relatively heavier rates that are suitable in both roadway and aviation pavements, and have increased beneficial life.

Coating system for asphalt and related methods


An emitting device using smart mobile electronic device as operation interface comprises a connector having a circuit board, the circuit board having an electrical connection portion at a front end, and the electrical connection portion set to match specifications of a transmission port of a smart mobile electronic device for being inserted into the transmission port to get the power and signal; a light emitting module installed at a side of the circuit board; a drive circuit couple between the circuit board and light emitting module. Whereby when the connector of the emitting device is electrically connected to the transmission port, the power module provides the power to the emitting device to turn on or off the light emitting module of the emitting device through the user's operation interface on the touch screen.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an emitting device using smart mobile electronic device as operation interface for getting power and signal.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the rapid development of computer and communications technology, electronic products have become increasingly popular; especially smart mobile electronic devices have become one of the essential devices of business people. At the same time, the industry continues to introduce new mobile phones with various functions for enhancing the convenience and practicality of mobile phones. For example, smart mobile phones have become the market mainstream and the various instant messaging, record cards, and other applications won the love of business people a lot. Moreover, smart mobile phones can proceed charging and data transfer through the open transmission port.
When business people make presentations, laser presenters are often required, and some laser presenter has hardware mouse or adjusted keys as an operation interface for projection function. Besides, the charging method requires either a USB port connected to an external power, or battery power.
The traditional laser pens and smart mobile phones disclosed in above prior art has following drawbacks:
1. While business people use the laser presenter for presentations, it is inconvenient to hold the smart mobile phone if an important message suddenly comes from the smart mobile phone.
2. The laser presenter uses the hardware operation interface to control the presentations, coupled with the USB port or batteries for charging, resulting in a large volume of laser presenter such that it is inconvenience to carry.
3. This transmission port of the smart mobile phone is open so that water or dust is easy to come into the transmission port, resulting damage of the smart mobile phones.
Therefore, there is room for improvement.

Emitting device using smart mobile electronic device as operation interface


A motor vehicle with a pressure vessel system includes at least a first pressure vessel arranged in a first region of the motor vehicle and at least one second pressure vessel arranged in a second region of the motor vehicle having a lower intrusion probability than the first region. Fuel is preferentially removed first primarily from the at least one first pressure vessel. When the lower limit of fuel level or fuel temperature is reached in the at least one first pressure vessel, fuel is removed from the at least one second pressure vessel. If the fuel supply rate from the at least one first pressure vessel is lower than an overall fuel supply rate for an energy converter, fuel is removed from the at least one second pressure vessel to meet the overall fuel supply rate needed by the energy converter.

The technology disclosed here relates to a motor vehicle having a pressure vessel system. The technology disclosed here furthermore relates to an operating method of a motor vehicle. Motor vehicles having a pressure vessel system are known as such. For example, motor vehicles operated by fuel cells generally have such a pressure vessel system. In order to increase the maximum range, such a pressure vessel system can have a plurality of pressure vessels which can be installed at different points of the motor vehicle. In addition to the requirement of a maximum range, there is also a requirement to design the motor vehicles to be even safer. In respect of the filling of, and the removal from, the plurality of pressure vessels, a multiplicity of different concepts are known from the prior art. For example, the German application originating from the applicant and having the application number DE 10 2018 210327 discloses a method for removing hydrogen from a multi-tank system.
A preferred object of the technology disclosed here is that of reducing or eliminating at least one disadvantage of a previously known solution, or of proposing an alternative solution. In particular, it is a preferred object of the technology disclosed here, with as great a range of the motor vehicle as possible, simultaneously to further increase the safety of the motor vehicle. Further preferred objects may arise from the advantageous effects of the technology disclosed here.
The technology disclosed here relates to a motor vehicle having a pressure vessel system. The motor vehicle can be, for example, a passenger vehicle, a motorcycle or a utility vehicle. The pressure vessel system serves for storing fuel which is gaseous under ambient conditions. The pressure vessel system may be used, for example, in a motor vehicle which is powered using compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG) or using hydrogen. Such a pressure vessel system here comprises a plurality of pressure vessels, in particular composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPV). The plurality of pressure vessels can be, for example, cryogenic pressure vessels (CcH2 or COP) or high-pressure gas vessels (CGH2). High-pressure gas vessels are designed, at ambient temperatures, to permanently store fuel at a nominal operating pressure (also called nominal working pressure or NWP) of approximately 350 barg (positive pressure in relation to atmospheric pressure), furthermore preferably of approximately 700 barg or more. A cryogenic pressure vessel is suitable for storing the fuel at the abovementioned operating pressures, even in the presence of temperatures which lie considerably below the operating temperature of the motor vehicle.
The pressure vessel system is designed to supply fuel to at least one energy converter. The at least one energy converter is designed to convert the chemical energy of the fuel into other forms of energy, for example into electrical energy and/or into kinetic energy. The energy converter can be, for example, an internal combustion engine or a fuel cell system/fuel cell stack having at least one fuel cell.
At least one first pressure vessel of the plurality of pressure vessels can be arranged in a first region of the motor vehicle and at least one second pressure vessel of the plurality of pressure vessels can be arranged in a second region of the motor vehicle.
The first region can have a higher intrusion probability than the second region. The term "intrusion probability" within the context of the technology disclosed here is a measure of the probability of other motor vehicles or foreign objects (not belonging to the motor vehicle) penetrating this first or second region. For example, the intrusion probability of the trunk or of the engine compartment is higher than the intrusion probability of the passenger cell. In other words, the first region can be a region which, in the event of a collision of the motor vehicle with an external object (not belonging to the motor vehicle), has a higher plastic deformation probability than the second region. In particular, the second region can be a region of the passenger cell or can be adjacent to the latter, whereas the first region at least partially lies in the crumple zone of the motor vehicle or is adjacent to this crumple zone. Expressed once again in other words, the term intrusion probability in the technology disclosed here could also be replaced by "collision load-bearing capacity". The term collision load-bearing capacity expediently comprises the circumstance here that, in the event of the same crash energy or collision energy acting on the motor vehicle from the outside, a pressure vessel in the first region experiences more contact energy than a pressure vessel in the second region.
At least one first pressure vessel of the plurality of pressure vessels can be at least partially and preferably completely arranged behind the rear seat bench of the motor vehicle and/or at least partially and preferably completely behind the rear axle of the motor vehicle. Such a first pressure vessel may also be referred to as the rear pressure vessel. Such a rear pressure vessel could then be at least partially provided in the trunk floor. In other words, such a rear pressure vessel would therefore generally be arranged in a first region having a higher intrusion probability.
However, a first pressure vessel of the plurality of pressure vessels may, as it were, alternatively or additionally be at least partially and preferably completely accommodated in one of the two sills of the motor vehicle. At least one first pressure vessel can expediently be at least partially accommodated in each sill. The sill is a region of the self-supporting body of a motor vehicle. The sill is expediently located longitudinally below the door entry, on both sides of the vehicle between the wheel houses at the front and rear. Such a first pressure vessel which is at least partially provided in the sill is therefore arranged in a first region which, in particular in comparison to the second region arranged between the sills, has an increased intrusion probability in the event of a side impact.
The second pressure vessel disclosed here can be at least partially and preferably completely arranged in front of the first pressure vessel, in particular when the first pressure vessel is a rear pressure vessel. The second pressure vessel can expediently be at least partially and preferably completely arranged in front of or under the rear seat bench of the motor vehicle and/or can be at least partially and preferably completely arranged in front of the rear axle of the motor vehicle. For example, the second pressure vessel can be at least partially and preferably completely arranged between the sills, particularly preferably at least partially and preferably completely in the center tunnel of the motor vehicle. In one refinement, the second pressure vessel can be arranged between two first pressure vessels.
The motor vehicle and in particular the pressure vessel system can be designed so as to undertake the removal of fuel stored in the plurality of pressure vessels in such a manner (i.e. to subject the removal to closed loop control or open loop control in such a manner) that, when a removal limit value of the pressure vessel that is representative of the lower filling level and/or a limit temperature of the first or rear pressure vessel is reached or fallen short of, the second pressure vessel has a higher filling level.
The filling level of a pressure vessel is a measure of the amount of fuel which is stored in the pressure vessel. The filling level or charging state can be an absolute value, for example the fuel storage pressure or the fuel storage density of the fuel stored in the pressure vessel. However, the filling level can also be a percentage value resulting from the amount actually stored in the pressure vessel and from maximum and minimum storage amounts. Such a percentage value may be referred to, for example, as the state of charge or SoC. The state of charge can be, for example, a percentage value of the maximum fuel storage pressure or density or of the difference between the maximum and minimum fuel storage pressure or density. The maximum fuel storage pressure is generally reached if the pressure vessel under normal conditions has reached the nominal operating pressure (also called nominal working pressure or NWP; for example 700 bar) at a nominal operating temperature (for example 15° C.). The minimum fuel storage pressure can be a defined minimum pressure (generally vessel-specific) or atmospheric pressure. The maximum fuel storage density and the minimum fuel storage density are produced, as it were, under said standard conditions. In the event of a 70 MPa pressure vessel system, the maximum storage density in a hydrogen pressure vessel at 15° C. is, for example, approximately 40.22 g/l. The filling level can be determinable directly or indirectly.
The lower filling level can be, for example, a filling level which corresponds to a minimum fuel storage pressure or a minimum fuel storage density in the pressure vessel. For example, the lower filling level can be a fuel pressure which should always be present, for example 5 bar or 10 bar or 20 bar. Such a value can be predetermined under some circumstances in order to reduce structural damage to the pressure vessel. Alternatively, the lower filling level can correspond to a fuel storage pressure or fuel storage density having a certain safety margin from the minimum fuel storage pressure or from a minimum fuel storage density.
The removal limit value of the first pressure vessel can be, for example, an electronic signal which is indicative of the minimum amount of fuel which is or should be present in the pressure vessel. For example, the removal limit value can be indicative of the filling level and in particular of the state of charge, the fuel storage pressure or the fuel storage density. However, other values for the amount of fuel that are directly or indirectly indicative of the amount of fuel in the pressure vessel, for example the expansion of the pressure vessel, are also conceivable. In particular, the removal limit value can be indicative of the fact that the first or rear pressure vessel has been emptied to the maximally permissible state of emptying.
The removal limit value can alternatively or additionally be an electronic signal which is indicative of a limit temperature of the pressure vessel, in particular of a lower limit temperature that may not be fallen short of during the removal, for example because the pressure vessel and/or other fuel-conducting components have not been configured for lower temperatures. Equally, upper limit temperatures are conceivable during the filling.
The motor vehicle and in particular the pressure vessel system can be designed first of all to remove fuel substantially exclusively from the first or rear pressure vessel until the value indicative of the current filling level of the first or rear pressure vessel has reached or fallen short of the removal limit value. The value indicative of the current filling level of the first or rear pressure vessel can be of the same type as the removal limit value. The indicative value is preferably an electronic signal which is indicative of the amount of fuel which is currently stored in the pressure vessel. In this context, the term "substantially exclusively" means that, for the entire removal period following refueling and until the removal limit value is reached, fuel is removed exclusively from the first or rear pressure vessel or at least 70% or at least 80% or at least 90% of the fuel supplied by the pressure vessel system in the aforementioned entire removal period is removed from the first pressure vessel.
The motor vehicle can be designed so as, in addition to the removal of fuel from the first pressure vessel, to always simultaneously remove fuel from the second pressure vessel whenever the overall fuel rate to be supplied to the energy converter by the fuel cell system is greater than the maximally suppliable fuel rate of the first pressure vessel.
An (overall) fuel rate is expediently an (overall) volumetric flow or (overall) mass flow.
If, for example, such a large overall fuel rate is to be supplied to an energy converter that the first pressure vessel cannot supply this fuel mass flow because of a structural limitation (for example excessive supercooling), the second pressure vessel may alternatively be of assistance here. In particular, it can be provided that fuel is only removed from the first and the second pressure vessel substantially i) if the first pressure vessel can itself not supply the overall fuel rate to be supplied, and ii) the indicative value lies above the removal limit value. In other words, the motor vehicle can be designed so as to permit the removal from the second pressure vessel only
i) if the value indicative of the filling level of the first pressure vessel has reached or fallen short of the removal limit value; or
ii) if the value indicative of the filling level of the first pressure vessel has not reached or fallen short of the removal limit value but the overall fuel rate to be supplied is greater than the maximally suppliable fuel rate of the first pressure vessel; oriii) if the value indicative of the filling level of the first pressure vessel has not reached or fallen short of the removal limit value but the removal from the second pressure vessel is so low that over the entire removal period following refueling at least 70% or at least 80% or at least 90% of the fuel supplied by the pressure vessel system in the abovementioned entire removal period is removed from the first pressure vessel.
According to the technology disclosed here, the motor vehicle or the pressure vessel system can be designed to undertake the filling of the pressure vessel system with fuel in such a manner (i.e. to subject the filling to closed loop control or open loop control in such a manner) that, when a filling limit value of the pressure vessel system that is indicative of the overall filling level of the pressure vessel system that is to be achieved by the refueling is reached or exceeded, the at least one second pressure vessel has a higher filling level than the at least one first pressure vessel.
The filling limit value can be, for example, an electronic signal which represents the entire amount of fuel in the pressure vessel system. When the filling limit value is reached or exceeded, the filling or refueling is expediently interrupted at the vehicle and/or at the filling station. The filling limit value is indicative of this overall filling level.
The overall filling level of the pressure vessel system is a filling level for the entire amount of fuel to be stored by the entire pressure vessel system after the filling or refueling. The overall filling level is expediently produced from the filling levels of the individual pressure vessels of the pressure vessel system. According to the technology disclosed here, it can expediently be provided that the first pressure vessel and the second pressure vessel have different filling levels when the filling limit value is reached or exceeded. The at least one second pressure vessel preferably has a higher filling level than the at least one first pressure vessel. In other words, the pressure vessel system is designed to subject the filling to open loop control or closed loop control in such a manner that more fuel is stored in the second pressure vessel than in the first pressure vessel. Particularly preferably, no fuel is stored in the first pressure vessel or only so much fuel until the lower filling level is reached. In particular, it can be provided that, when a filling limit value is reached or exceeded at least by the factor of 1.0 or at least by the factor of 5.0 or at least by the factor of 10.0, more fuel is stored in the second fuel vessel than in the first fuel vessel.
The motor vehicle can be designed to determine the filling limit value
on the basis of user-related data (for example on the basis of at least one calendar entry or on the basis of the driving behavior, etc.);
on the basis of historical vehicle data;
on the basis of geoinformation; and/or
on the basis of user inputs.
The technology disclosed here furthermore relates to an operating method for a motor vehicle having a pressure vessel system, in particular for the motor vehicle disclosed here. The method can comprise the steps
i) according to which fuel is removed from the pressure vessel system in such a manner that, when a removal limit value that is representative of the lower filling level and/or a limit temperature of the first pressure vessel is reached or fallen short of, the second pressure vessel has a higher filling level; and/orii) according to which the pressure vessel system is filled with fuel in such a manner that, when a filling limit value that is indicative of the overall filling level of the pressure vessel system that is to be reached by the refueling is reached or exceeded, the at least second pressure vessel has a higher filling level than the first pressure vessel.
Furthermore, the structural features, which are mentioned in conjunction with the motor vehicle disclosed here, with regard to the interaction of the first and second pressure vessels should be disclosed as being consistent with the method.
The system disclosed here furthermore comprises at least one control unit. The control unit is designed inter alia to carry out the method steps disclosed here. For this purpose, the control unit can subject the actuators of the system at least partially and preferably completely to closed loop control or open loop control on the basis of signals which are supplied. The control unit can at least the pressure vessel system. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit can also be integrated in another control unit, for example in a master control unit. The control unit can interact with further control units of the motor vehicle.
In other words, the technology disclosed here relates to an operating strategy in which the rear tank is emptied first. Only when the latter is empty (for example residual pressure of approximately 20 bar) can removal proceed here from another tank (second pressure tank) or from the remaining tanks together.
The effect which can be achieved with the technology disclosed here is that the safety of such motor vehicles can be increased further, and/or that the individual pressure vessels can be differently dimensioned according to the intrusion probability, which can have a positive effect on the component costs, weight and/or construction space.
The technology disclosed here will now be explained with reference to the figures.

Motor vehicle having a pressure vessel, and operating method for a motor vehicle

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft


The invention efficiently decreases EMI noise occurring with regard to the entirety of an electronic apparatus with a plurality of clocks as references for the operations. The spread spectrum is applied to the clock used by the largest number of ICs, that is, a display clock from among three types of clocks.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to decreasing EMI noise that electronic apparatuses generate.
2. Description of Related Art
Noise generated by various types of electronic apparatuses may cause undesirable interferences (EMI(Electromagnetic Interference)) against other electronic apparatuses. Various types of regulations are therefore stipulated for the noise (hereinafter "EMI noise") generated by the electronic apparatuses.
When related art electronic apparatuses are developed and manufactured, manufacturers may intend to decrease the EMI noise generated by the electronic apparatuses so that the electronic apparatuses to be manufactured meet EMI noise regulations.
The electronic apparatus generally operates in accordance with one type or a plurality of types of clocks used as a reference. FIG. 3 is a schematic showing an exemplary frequency spectrum of a clock. As indicated with the solid line, the frequency spectrum of the clock usually has the peaks of the amplitudes at the oscillation frequency (fundamental wave: f1) of the clock and the frequencies (f2, f3, . . . ) corresponding to each of its harmonics. This causes the frequency spectrum of the EMI noise occurring in the electronic apparatus as well to generally have the peaks of the amplitudes at the oscillation frequency of the clock (f1) and the frequency (f2, f3, . . . ) corresponding to each of its harmonics. In order to decrease the EMI noise, the peaks of the amplitudes occurring at each of the frequencies of the fundamental wave and its harmonics are required to be decreased.
One way to realize this is to vary the oscillation frequency of the clock, as indicated with the dashed line in FIG. 3. The frequency spectrum is spread to decrease the peaks of the amplitudes of the frequency spectrum generated at the frequencies of the fundamental wave (f1) and its harmonics (f2, f3 . . . ) of the clock. Hereinafter, varying the oscillation frequency of the clock to spread the frequency spectrum is referred to as "spread spectrum". The amount of variation in the oscillation frequency of the clock is referred to as "spread amount". Generally, the more the spread amount becomes, the more EMI noise can be reduced or suppressed.


An observation system includes an observation apparatus including a housing having an arrangement surface for placement of a sample, the sample including a culture medium, and an external illumination unit which is disposed outside the housing and includes at least one light source configured to emit illumination light. At least a part of the arrangement surface is formed of a transparent member having an optically transparent property. The observation apparatus includes an imaging unit which is provided in the housing and includes an image sensor configured to image, via the transparent member, the sample illuminated by the illumination light from the external illumination unit to acquire images of at least three colors.

The present invention relates generally to an observation system.
There is a demand to understand the state of cultured cells etc., when the cells etc. are cultured in an incubator. Thus, generally, a culture vessel is suitably taken out of the incubator and the cultured cells etc. are observed with a microscope. In addition, the pH of the culture medium is also of interest with regards to a state of the cultured cells. For example, US 2012/0214250 A1 discloses a pH measuring device capable of measuring the pH of the culture medium during cell culturing, and a special culture vessel for the measuring device.

Observation system for acquiring images of culture medium in at least three colors


A motor and a rotary potentiometer, or other position sensor, running on the motor shaft are mounted in a first enclosure with an output shaft for driving a power switch open or closed. A part of the system outside the first enclosure makes use of a motor position signal from the rotary potentiometer that is processed by a microcontroller that a worker can interact with at a switch panel to set and adjust motor travel limits without needing access into the motor enclosure. The first enclosure and its components can be used for various applications, including those for either underground or pad-mounted switches, which for the latter case can have the first enclosure inside a second enclosure on a pad, and the second enclosure also contains other power and control elements of the system. A portable unit with the switch panel for travel limits can be provided. Other features include a slip clutch, for running a rotary potentiometer from the motor shaft, an overspeed brake of one or more voltage suppressor elements for limiting the speed at which the motor can be turned during a manual switch operation, and a compact, economical structure of the first enclosure.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to motor operators, such as for power switches of electrical utilities, and particularly to such operators for underground switches as well as switches in other locations, with a drive and control system that allows remote adjustment of motor travel settings and other features facilitating their construction and operation.
2. Background Art
Power switches, for example, disconnect and load break switches for distribution systems, are typically used in three main types of locations: overhead on a utility pole, in an underground vault, and pad mounted substantially at surface level. (Reference to "pad" or "pad mounted" herein, unless the context clearly indicates the contrary, is to be understood as mounted on an above ground pad. It is of course the case that underground switches are sometimes mounted on a pad also.) The switches can also be of different types. Unenclosed air break switches are often used on pole top installations. Enclosed, but not sealed, air break switches are often used at pad mounted installations. Enclosed and sealed switches, such as with vacuum or gas (e.g., SF6) insulation, are often used in locations, such as underground vaults, where the confined and sometimes flooded space makes them preferred to air break switches.
Switches in underground locations, and also in some pad installations, have motor operators located near the switches (in contrast, for example, to poletop air break switches that are mechanically coupled to motor operators on or near the ground). At one time power switches could be operated only by direct access to the switch or its operator. More recently, the power switch art has applied technology for remote, automated, operation of a motor operator to close and open a power switch, (see, for example, Cleaveland/Price Bulletin DB-128C01 (of 2001), and also, U.S. Pat. No. 6,075,688, Jun. 13, 2000, herein incorporated by reference, for background information on automated motor operators). Sometimes, however, a motor operator will need some adjustment performed at the motor operator itself.
Extra danger to utility workers is encountered in tight locations such as underground vaults. For example, an enclosed switch may explode, due to heat buildup from arcing, and subject workers to injury.
Motor operators for underground switch locations generally require a sealed enclosure. For access to the interior of the enclosure, it has been necessary to have a port or panel of the enclosure that is removable and replaceable at the service location by a worker. In addition to the time needed to access the interior and to reseal the motor operator properly, perhaps dealing with up to thirty fasteners and a gasket, there is a risk the attempt to reseal is not successful and can lead to malfunction of the unit. The worker performing the field work is not equipped to test whether the seal is effective.
In the past, underground motor operators, and most others, required adjustment at the motor operator-power switch location to set the limits of travel of the motor in the motor operator which determine the travel limits of the power switch. For proper operation the motor drive unit (i.e., the motor itself and related gearing) needs to be able to move the power switch contacts to a definite closed position or a definite open position. Otherwise the function of the switch is impaired and, possibly, the motor of the drive or the mechanical coupling to the switch is damaged by being driven until the motor stalls.
For final adjustment during installation and occasional readjustment over the life of the equipment, in the case of an underground switch, a worker would have to enter the vault where the switch and motor operator are located. Typically, limit switches to control the limits of travel of the motor operating shaft would need setting upon initial installation of the operator and switch and possible adjusting from time to time after installation. The limit switches would have to be accessed by opening up the enclosure containing the motor resulting in the risks mentioned above in the case of underground units, including at least the risk to the integrity of the seal of the enclosure. While other locations, such as pad mounted at ground level, do not involve quite the same concerns for worker safety and motor operator integrity, the need for accessing limit switches is at least an undesirable maintenance requirement.
Motor operators have been used or proposed having a switch actuator with a position-sensing feature between an output shaft of the motor of the operator and a lever that produces power switch opening or closing, for example, as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,552,647, Sep. 3, 1996. Position sensing is shown by a potentiometer responsive to movement of a linear actuator to generate a signal indicating a position of a reference element on the actuator. The signal generated is communicated to control circuitry. The circuitry compares the signal to a standard to determine if the actuator travel is within limits determined by adjustable open-limit and closed-limit potentiometers. The arrangement is intended to improve on prior limit switch assemblies which fail to provide sufficient accuracy and repeatability and tend to be overly complicated and costly.
Such an actuator control is not one that avoids need for adjustment in the motor operator enclosure. The enclosure has an access hole specifically for adjustment of the open-limit potentiometer and the close-limit potentiometer.
Other motor operators have been disclosed that also have a sensed position signal. U.S. Pat. No. 6,025,657, Feb. 15, 2000, is directed to a motor operator for either power or manual operation without need for any decoupling or mode selection with a control system that receives signals indicating both the position of the drive output and the current drawn by the drive source. U.S. Pat. No. 6,215,263, Apr. 10, 2001, discloses a motor operator for overhead air break switches with a microcontroller subject to a variety of signals, including a position signal developed by a sensor that is a type of encoder. Some of the parameters relied on are temperature sensitive and require compensation. Some types of shaft position sensors, for example, including some encoders, depend on continuous power for a position signal to be reliably generated. Otherwise, after a power outage, the actual switch position would need to be observed and the motor travel limits reset. Such prior art has not particularly addressed and responded to a desire in the power switch art for avoiding needed travel limit adjustments in the enclosure of the motor, particularly important in underground sealed units, in a system not requiring multiple sensed signals and, also, easy to implement and operate.
Switches on motor operators are subject to manual operation under various circumstances. The power normally is off for a manual operation of the switch. Unless the motor is decoupled from the switch and only the switch is operated during a manual operation, there is a risk that the motor is caused to rotate at such high speed, i.e., an overspeed, that the motor is damaged (particularly its windings). Normally that risk is avoided by selecting a motor in the original manufacture that is heavy and strong enough, which of course incurs size and cost drawbacks. Similarly, any other component running off the motor shaft has to be rugged enough to withstand force that is transmitted by the shaft rotation during any operation.

Motor operator system for a power switch


In one embodiment of the present invention, a technique is provided to control leakage of a cache sub-array. Other embodiments are disclosed herein. A sleep and shut-off circuit is connected between a virtual supply terminal and a first physical supply terminal to reduce leakage from the cache sub-array when the cache sub-array is disabled in a shut-off mode. The cache sub-array is connected between the virtual supply terminal and a second physical supply terminal. An active circuit is connected to the sleep and shut-off circuit in parallel to enable the cache sub-array in a normal mode and to disable the cache sub-array in the shut-off mode.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the invention relate to the field of microprocessors, and more specifically, to cache leakage.
2. Description of Related Art
Modern microprocessors include a large amount of caches on-chip or off-chip. Many of these cache devices have a portion of the cache disabled, or fused off, for smaller cache sizes to provide better yields during the manufacturing process. These fused-off parts also allow for market differentiation for their lower costs.
For these fused-off parts, cache leakage power accounts for an increasingly larger amount of the total power consumption. The leakage power may be at around one Watt per Megabyte. For very large caches in modern microprocessor systems, the total leakage power is prohibitively expensive.


An apparatus reads a chip design comprising first and second blocks corresponding to first and second hardware modules, nodes, and data path segments that each connect a pair of nodes or a node to a block. Tracing backward along data paths that terminate at the second block, the apparatus identifies a secure cone. The secure cone comprises secure path segments of the data paths terminating at the second block and corresponding nodes. The apparatus identifies data paths originating at the first block and that are at least partially within the secure cone and determines whether any terminate outside the secure cone. When none of the data paths originating at the first block terminate outside the secure cone, the apparatus verifies the chip design. When a data path originating at the first block terminates outside the secure cone, the apparatus determines that the chip design has a potential leak.

Computer chips with cyber security features store and use cryptographic keys. However, the cryptographic keys are stored in a first hardware module of the chip and are used by a second hardware module of the chip. Thus, the cryptographic keys must be communicated from the first hardware module to the second hardware module. This introduces the possibility of these cryptographic keys being leaked to an untrusted block or hardware module, which means that the cryptographic keys may be exposed to an untrusted external user.


The invention consists of inserting electronic components into a glazing, in particular a laminated glazing, in order to create new features, in particular for automotive applications, windscreen, rear window or side windows. The inserted electronic components can be optoelectronic components such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) providing a lighting function for the glazing, e.g. interior lighting of an automobile. The electrical connections are provided by means of a conductive layer so that they are virtually invisible.

The present invention relates to glazing, in particular composed of laminated glass, in which electronic components have been inserted.
The glazing surface is becoming increasingly important in vehicles and buildings. Moreover, this surface is a particular focus for attention for the occupants compared to the exterior of the vehicle or building, and this enables completely new functions to be provided for these types of glazing. Automotive glazing means windscreens, rear windows, side windows, as well as opening and non-opening roofs, rear-view mirrors or protective glass for headlamps.


A semiconductor integrated circuit having a flip-flop with improve soft error resistance, including a controller which controls a clock signal generating circuit to output a first clock signal and a second clock signal with a timing so that logic of data retained in a first data retaining terminal becomes identical to logic of data retained in a third data retaining terminal, and then turns on a first switching circuit to connect between the first data retaining terminal and the first data retaining terminal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor integrated circuit including a master-slave flip-flop.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, micro-fabricated semiconductor integrated circuits have had a serious problem of soft errors caused by α rays and neutron rays that are generated by cosmic rays or radioactive isotope elements.
When α particles or neutrons are incident on such a semiconductor integrated circuit, charges are generated in a part of the semiconductor integrated circuit where the α rays or the neutron rays have been incident. These charges cause malfunction (soft error) of the semiconductor integrated circuit.
In particular, in flip-flops, when radiation is incident into anode in which data is retained, the retained data is inverted in some cases.
As a conventional method to solve this problem, memory circuits such as a static random access memory (SRAM) and a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) may employ a method of detecting and correcting the data inverted due to the soft error, by using an error correction code (ECC).
However, it is difficult to apply such a method to flip-flops.
For this reason, methods of improving soft error resistance of flip-flops have been devised. However, these methods need increased node capacity, or need to retain a copy of data, therefore leading to delay and increase in area of a memory circuit.
The memory circuit includes many flip-flops for storing setup information and redundancy information. The data in these flip-flops is constantly referred to when the memory circuit is operating. Moreover, the data in these flip-flops has higher importance than data that is stored in memory cells which needs to be appropriately corrected only when the data is read.
When a soft error occurs in the data in the flip-flops, the timing information and the redundancy information are destroyed. In this case, the circuit does not correctly operate as a memory circuit.
Therefore, in such conventional techniques, in order to get reliability of the memory circuit, a mechanism for detecting and correcting a soft error is needed.

Semiconductor integrated circuit including a master-slave flip-flop


A computer-readable medium stores sequences of instructions to be executed by a processor. These instructions cause the processor to perform the following steps to enhance 3-D localization of a speech source. A digital speech signal is received. The maximum frequency of the digital speech signal is determined. The sampling rate of the digital speech signal is increased. Next, wide-band Gaussian noise is added to the digital speech signal to create a wide-band digital speech signal with higher frequencies. Finally, the wide-band digital speech signal can be localized via an FIR (finite impulse response) filter.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to speech processing. More specifically, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for enhancing 3-D (three-dimensional) localization of speech.
2. Description of Related Art
Normal human speech contains a wide range of frequency components, usually varying from about 100 Hz (hertz) to several KHz (kilohertz). For instance, human speech has a low frequency fundamental, but the harmonics of human speech has a fairly wide scale. Due to the wide range of frequencies found in human speech, one is able to localize a source of speech when one is speaking to someone. In other words, one is generally able to locate and identify the source of speech with a particular individual.
In order to determine the intelligibility or message of the speech, a listener does not require the higher-frequency components contained in the speech. Therefore, many communication systems, such as cellular phones, video phones and telephone systems that use speech compression algorithms, discard the high-frequency information found in a speech source. Thus, most of the high-frequency content above 4 kilohertz (KHz) is discarded. This solution is adequate when localization of the speech is not needed. But for applications that require or desire localization of the speech (e.g., virtual reality), the loss of the high-frequency components of the speech proves to be detrimental. This is because the higher-frequencies are required for speech localization by a listener. The high-frequency content in speech helps a listener to mentally perceive where a sound is located. For instance, it helps the listener determine whether a sound is located above or below the listener, or to the right or to the left, or in front of or in back of the listener. Thus, what is needed is a method of converting speech that has been transmitted through a communication system that discarded its high-frequency content. This method should allow a listener to localize the converted speech without losing any intelligibility in the speech.

Method for enhancing 3-D localization of speech


An object of the invention is to provide a polymerizable liquid-crystal composition for obtaining a liquid-crystal film having good adhesiveness to supporting substrates. A polymerizable liquid-crystal layer of controlled alignment can be formed from the polymerizable liquid-crystal composition, and when the polymerizable liquid-crystal composition is polymerized, it gives a liquid-crystal film.

Recently, application of polarizers and phase retarders that comprise photopolymerizable liquid crystals to optical devices has been proposed. Such optical devices are obtained by polymerizing polymerizable liquid crystals having optical anisotropy in the liquid-crystal condition thereof and fixing the condition. Polymerizable liquid crystals can be subjected to suitable alignment control in the liquid-crystal condition and can be polymerized while they still keep the alignment state thereof. Accordingly, various polymers of different optical anisotropy can be obtained from them by fixing the director of the liquid-crystal skeleton in any alignment state of homogeneous alignment, tilted alignment, homeotropic alignment or twisted alignment. In the following description, showing the above-mentioned alignment state may be simply referred to as "having homogeneous alignment", "having tilted alignment", "having homeotropic alignment", or "having twisted alignment".
Polymers having homogeneous alignment can be used, for example, as combined with ½ wavelength plates, ¼ wavelength plates, or films of any other optical functions. Polymers having tilted alignment can be applied to, for example, viewing angle compensators in TN (twisted nematic) modes. Polymers having homeotropic alignment improve the viewing angle characteristics of polarizers, for example, when combined with films of any other functions. Polymers having homeotropic alignment have an optical axis in the n, direction, and the refractive index thereof in the direction of the optical axis is larger than that in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction, and therefore, they are in a group of positive C-plates in terms of the index ellipsoid. When combined with films of any other functions, the positive C-plates can be applied to optical compensation of horizontally-oriented liquid-crystal modes, i.e., IPS (in-plane switching) modes, for example, for improvement of the viewing angle characteristics of polarizers.
Polymers having twisted alignment, or that is, cholesteric liquid-crystal polymers essentially comprising polymerizable liquid-crystal molecules having positive birefringence can be applied to various optical devices depending on the helical pitch (P) thereof. For visible light, for example, when P is sufficiently larger than the wavelength of visible light, the polymers of the type may be applied to head-up displays or projectors based on the function as rotators thereof, or may be applied to optical compensation in STN (super twisted nematic) modes based on the function of birefringence thereof. When P is on the same level as that of a visible light wavelength, the polymers may be applied to the field of designs such as decorative structures that utilize selective reflection, to forgery preventive technology, and to color filters or brightness-increasing films in liquid-crystal display devices (see Non-Patent Reference 1). The refractive index in a visible light region to the plane vertical to the helical axis of the polymers is represented by ((ne2+no2)/2)0.5, and the refractive index in a visible light region in the direction of the helical axis is equal to no (see Non-Patent Reference 2). Optical films having such optical characteristics are referred to as negative C-plates. The negative C-plates have an optical axis in the nz direction, and the refractive index thereof in the direction of the optical axis is smaller than the refractive index (nx, ny) in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis direction (nz<nx=ny). Accordingly, optically-anisotropic media of which the refractive index satisfies nz>nx=ny may be optically compensated by negative C-plates. Of optically-anisotropic media, especially those of nematic liquid crystals having a region in which the alignment direction of the liquid crystals is vertical to the liquid crystal cell plane can be compensated by negative C-plates. Accordingly, negative C-plates could be good optical compensators suitable for improvement of the viewing angle characteristics of liquid-crystal display devices, especially those of VA (vertically aligned), TN (twisted nematic), OCB (optically compensated birefringence), or HAN (hybrid aligned nematic) modes. At present, compressed polymer films or films of discotic liquid crystals having planar-oriented negative birefringence (see Patent Reference 1) are used for optical compensators. Utilizing polymers of cholesteric liquid crystals of liquid-crystal molecules having positive birefringence broadens the latitude in planning refractive index anisotropy and wavelength dispersion. Negative C-plates can be combined with various optical compensation layers.
In any of the above-mentioned applications, optically-anisotropic films may be provided inside cells, or outside cells. Examples of providing them inside cells are described in Patent Reference 2. Examples of providing them outside cells are described in Patent Reference 3. When they are provided outside cells, the polymerizable liquid-crystal material for them may be laminated on a supporting substrate of a film of TAC (triacetyl cellulose) or norbornene polymer.
When a polymer of polymerizable liquid crystal is provided inside cells, it is required to have good heat resistance; and when the polymer is provided outside cells, it is required to have good adhesiveness to the supporting substrate for it and have good heat resistance and moisture resistance. Common to the two cases, photopolymerizable liquid crystals are desired to have the following properties before polymerization, or that is, to have a nematic phase at room temperature, to have good alignment and to have rapid curability through exposure to UV in air. Further, as the properties thereof after polymerization, it is important that they have good An in accordance with optical designing, have good transparency, and have good heat resistance and moisture resistance. It is therefore desired to develop photopolymerizable liquid-crystal compositions capable of giving such polymers. Of these properties, in particular, the adhesiveness of the polymer films to supporting substrate when the films are provided outside cells, and the heat resistance or uniform alignment thereof are problematic and could not be fully satisfied at present. In particular, regarding homeotropic alignment, methods of applying a long-chain alkyl-having surfactant, a coupling agent, a metal complex or the like to supporting substrates of glass or the like are disclosed in Non-Patent Reference 3, Patent Reference 4, Patent Reference 5 and Patent Reference 6. However, even though these methods are utilized, the uniformity and the stability of homeotropic alignment are still unsatisfactory.
Non-Patent Reference 1: Y. Hisatake et al., Asia Display/IDW '01 LCT8-2,
Non-Patent Reference 2: W. H. de Jew, Physical Properties of Liquid Crystalline Materials, Gordon and Breach, New York (1980),
Non-Patent Reference 3: Kikan kagaku sosetsu No. 22, Chemistry of Liquid Crystal, The Chemical Society of Japan, P.99,
Patent Reference 1: JP-A 2002-6138,
Patent Reference 2: JP-A 2001-222009,
Patent Reference 3: JP-A 2002-372623,
Patent Reference 4: JP-A 2003-211465,
Patent Reference 5: JP-A 10-319408,
Patent Reference 6: JP-A 11-240890.
An object of the invention is to provide a polymerizable liquid-crystal composition to give liquid-crystal films having good adhesiveness to supporting substrates, good heat resistance and uniform alignment. Further, another object of the invention is to provide an alignment-controlled liquid-crystal layer comprising the polymerizable liquid-crystal composition, to a liquid-crystal film formed through polymerization of the polymerizable liquid-crystal composition, and to provide an optical compensation film comprising the film. Still another object of the invention is to provide image display devices such as liquid-crystal display devices, organic EL display devices and PDP that comprise the optical compensation film.

Organosilicon compound-containing polymerizable liquid-crystal composition

Abstract: The polymerizable liquid-crystal composition of the invention contains a polymerizable liquid-crystal compound represented by Formula (1) and a organosilicon compound having a primary amino group.

Abstract: wherein W is hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, halogen, —CN or -(G-Sp)r-P; P is a polymerizable group; Sp is alkylene; G is a bonding group; and MG is a mesogenic group represented by Formula (2):

Abstract: wherein T1 and T2 are ringed group; G1 is a bonding group; and f is an integer of 0 to 4. The symbols in these formulae are defined in detail in claim 2.


An example integrated support and sensor includes a longitudinal member to support an inner duct relative to an outer duct, and a sensor received within a bore of the longitudinal member and configured to collect a measurement from a flow path bounded by the inner duct.

This disclosure relates generally to gas turbine engine supports and, more particularly, to combining sensors with gas turbine engine supports.
A gas turbine engine typically includes a compressor section, a combustor section, and a turbine section. Air entering the compressor section is compressed and delivered into the combustor section where it is mixed with fuel and ignited to generate a high-speed exhaust gas flow. The high-speed exhaust gas flow expands through the turbine section to drive the compressor. The compressor section typically includes low and high pressure compressors, and the turbine section typically includes low and high pressure turbines. Typically, one of the turbines is a power turbine and drives a fan section or helicopter rotor. The power turbine may additional drive a compressor. Any remaining non-power turbines do not drive a fan section or helicopter rotor.
In some gas turbine engines, a speed reduction device, such as an epicyclical gear assembly, is utilized to drive the fan section such that the fan section may rotate at a speed different from, and typically slower than, the turbine section to increase the overall propulsive efficiency of the engine. In such engine architectures, a shaft driven by the power turbine provides an input to the epicyclical gear assembly that drives the fan section at a reduced speed so that both the power turbine and the fan section can rotate at closer to optimal speeds.
Gas turbine engines collect information using sensors. Sensors are used to, for example, measure flow path temperatures. A control system of the gas turbine engine collects the measurements. Supporting the sensors in appropriate positions within the gas turbine engine can require bulky assemblies that increase the overall weight of the gas turbine engine.

Integrated gas turbine engine support and sensor


Methods, systems, and devices are described for wireless communication. A transmitter may receive feedback that a station failed to decode a packet sent over a first channel, and the transmitter may determine to re-send the packet or to send parity bits over the first channel or over a second channel to assist in decoding the failed packet. The first channel may be in an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum, and the second channel may be in a licensed radio frequency spectrum and may have a higher reliability level compared to the first channel. The transmitter may determine a first channel degradation level, which may be based on a signal-to-noise ratio received from the station, and may determine an amount of parity bits to send based on the degradation. The transmitter may determine the reliability level of each channel, which may be based on a channel quality indicator.

The following relates generally to wireless communication and, more specifically, to reliable channel assisted hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ).
Wireless communications systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, and so on. These systems may be multiple-access systems capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing the available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). A wireless network, for example a wireless local area network (WLAN) such as a Wi-Fi (i.e., IEEE 802.11) network, may include an access point (AP) that may communicate with one or more stations (STAs) or mobile devices. The AP may be coupled to a network, such as the Internet, and may enable a mobile device to communicate via the network (or communicate with other devices coupled to the access point). A wireless device may communicate with a network device bi-directionally. For example, in a WLAN, a STA may communicate with an associated AP via downlink (DL) and uplink (UL). The DL (or forward link) may refer to the communication link from the AP to the STA, and the UL (or reverse link) may refer to the communication link from the STA to the AP.
Wireless communication may be subject to loss or distortion during transmission, which may result in a receiver failing to decode the transmission. Some wireless systems may incorporate error-correction techniques to improve transmission reliability. For example, a transmitter may repeatedly send a lost packet, or error-correcting bits such as parity bits may be transmitted. A receiver may use the retransmission to improve the chances of successful packet decoding. Retransmissions may increase network overhead and may place requirements on the receiver hardware.


A laser light generating apparatus of the invention comprises an exciting light source (1) for generating a plurality of exciting laser beams, a laser medium (7) for generating at least two laser beams with radiation of the plurality of exciting laser beams at different positions thereof, reflecting means (8) for reflecting at least a part of the laser beams generated from the laser medium (7) and constructing a laser resonator (5) with thermal lenses (7a) through (7d) formed within the laser medium (7), and phase-compensating means (9) for compensating a phase of a laser beam from the laser resonator (5). Therefore, the laser generating apparatus becomes able to generate a laser beam whose energy is much concentrated within a small divergent angle. Furthermore, it becomes possible to control the laser beam in tracking by changing a phase-compensating amount of the phase-compensating means.

The applicant of the present invention has previously proposed a solid state laser of a phase synchronizing type that is considerably compact in size, as described in Japanese Patent Application No. 2-198441. According to this proposal, a plurality of pumping laser beams generated from a plurality of laser diodes are radiated on a laser medium at its different positions to produce thermal lenses in this laser medium. The thermal lenses, the laser medium and mirrors disposed before and after the laser medium constitute a laser resonator, whereby a plurality of laser beams are generated from the laser medium.
Study of experimental results of the previously-proposed laser light generating apparatus, however, revealed that adjoining oscillation regions of the laser medium tend to oscillate with opposite phases. Consequently, when a pumping laser beam radiates the two oscillation regions of the laser medium to generate two laser beams, then the far field pattern of the two laser beams presents a double-hump response as shown in FIG. 6 so that the conventional laser light generating apparatus cannot generate a laser beam whose strong energy is concentrated within a small range,
In view of the aforesaid aspects, the present invention is to provide a laser light generating apparatus which can generate a laser beam whose powerful energy is concentrated within a small divergent angle.