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IC chip carriers and connectors typically house IC chips during burn-in testing. For certain types of IC chips, the connector must firmly and positively lock the IC chip package in place by an external mechanism. One example of a prior IC chip connector is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,120,238, which is incorporated herein by reference. The device shown in the 5,120,238 patent includes a latch plate pivotally connected to an end of the connector and a hook part pivotally connected to an opposite end of the cover or latch plate. An actuator is pivotally connected to the latch plate adjacent the hook part for locking contact with the connector body, which secure the IC chip package and carrier within the connector. The plate-actuator-hook connection allows the connector to be opened and closed with one hand, since the force transmitted to the hook part is significantly increased from the force applied to the actuator. The latch plate is rotated about the pivot into a lateral position to serve the chip package to the body. Integral contact pads of the latch plate press the IC leads against the resilient contacts to ensure electrical connection between the IC leads and the contacts.
In this type of connector structure, the lateral row of IC leads arranged close to the pivot is pressed at first by the pad disposed close to the pivot and the opposite lateral row of IC leads arranged away from the pivot is then pressed by the pad disposed away from the pivot. In other words, it is difficult to carry out simultaneous pressing of all IC leads against the resilient contacts. With a deviation load exerted on the lateral row of IC leads arranged close to the pivot, there is a fair possibility of deformation of the IC leads. Furthermore, since the IC leads in longitudinal rows are successively pressed by the pads from the side close to the pivot, deviation force will be applied to the IC leads in the width direction. This may possibly cause deformation of the IC leads and lateral displacement of the IC package. | {
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1. Field of The Invention
The invention relates to large current terminals and methods of metal-working .such terminals. More particularly, the invention is directed to large current terminals applied to connectors used for wire harnesses of electric cars, their structure, and methods of making such terminals.
2. Related Art
Since connectors used as wire harnesses for electric cars must have a large current-carrying capacity, terminals thereof, both male terminals and female terminals, must also have a structure suitable for high ampacity.
To achieve high ampacity and low contact resistance, terminals of a connector have been formed by cutting a solid conductive rod having a round cross-section.
The structure of such a male terminal for the connector (hereinafter referred to simply as "the male terminal") and a female terminal for the connector (hereinafter referred to simply as "the female terminal") as well as methods of forming such terminals will hereunder be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are FIGS. 16 to 19.
FIG. 16 is a side view of a female terminal made by a cutting process; and FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along a line X--X of FIG. 16. In FIGS. 16 and 17, a female terminal 51 is formed by cutting the outer circumference and inside of a solid round rod 52 with a cutting tool. A wire crimping part 53 and an electric contact part 54 are also formed by the same cutting process. In addition, an engaging hole 55 for allowing a cylindrical contact spring member to be inserted and engaged with the inner circumferential wall of the female terminal is also bored similarly with the cutting tool.
Then, FIG. 18 is a side view of a male terminal made by a cutting process; and FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken along a line Y--Y of FIG. 18. In FIGS. 18 and 19, a male terminal 61 is similarly formed by cutting the outer circumference and inside of a solid round rod 62 with a cutting tool. A wire crimping part 63, an electric contact part 64, and a collar 65 are respectively formed by the same cutting process. In addition, a hollow space 67 for engaging a caplike contact with the inner wall of the nose of the electric contact part 64 is also bored similarly with a cutting tool.
However, to implement accurate metal working of the terminals based on the aforementioned art, it takes time since the main part of such work is the cutting process. Moreover, although it is possible to automate the major part of the cutting process, the finishing work must depend on the skill of an operator, from which arises inconsistency in product quality. As a result, the problem of inconsistent finishes of the products have been imposed.
Furthermore, the problem of high cost has also been encountered. | {
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Virtually every company provides goods and/or services to their customers. The goods and services often include several components that can be ordered to the customer's specifications. For example, a telephone company can provide wireless and wired phone service, access to the Internet via one or more communication links such as wireless access, a digital subscriber line (DSL), or a T1 line, and hardware for accessing the services. During the initial ordering process, it is common for a customer to select and change various components or service options over a period of time until the goods are delivered and services are established or performed. As the needs of a customer change over time, the customer can choose to add or remove services, or upgrade some of the products or components in the products.
Many companies, such as communications and energy companies, bill for their services by a mix of one-time fees (e.g. installation or disconnection), recurring charges (e.g. a monthly access charge) and usage based charges (e.g. long distance calling charges). The recurring and usage based rates are determined when the request for service is captured as a quote or an order. After the initial installation order is provisioned, those rates can be re-priced due to an update to the price list, or the addition or removal of other products and services that impact the pricing of all services offered to the customer (e.g. adding a new local line qualifies the customer for a volume discount on the recurring charge for all local lines).
It is often convenient to provide customers with a system to view the configuration of a product or service options currently selected, and to modify the selections until a more desirable configuration or set of options is ordered. Such a system would allow the customer to modify the selections themselves, or with the help of a sales agent. As an order develops and is completed, it is desirable to allow distributors to access the system to determine inventory and service levels required to provision the order. | {
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Finding the proper spatial relationship between a cyclist's hands, feet and buttocks is key to preserving bicycle riding enjoyment and preventing injury to the cyclist. This is true whether the cyclist is a beginner or a professional or the bicycle is stationary or non-stationary. Often, when a cyclist is introduced to a new bicycle, adjustments are made to the relative location of the handlebar, pedals and seat. These adjustments are used to minimize discomforts and the chance for a repetitive stress injury and to maximize performance and speed.
Arguably a key aspect of ensuring that the bicycle-human relationship works harmoniously is to place a comfortable seat under the rider. Seat preference is highly personal. While there are many gimmicks on the marketplace to help cyclists find seats that will be comfortable, the best selection method is a trial and error process, performed quickly so the cyclist may compare and contrast one seat to another. Accordingly, a need exists for a bicycle seat mounting mechanism that permits bicycle seats to be installed and removed rapidly, easily and safely on a stationary or non-stationary bicycle. Typical bicycle seat attachment mechanisms do not allow for quick or easy changes of bicycle seats. Though prior art seat attaching mechanisms exist that allow for quick and easy seat changes such prior art devices are complex, and larger than desirable. Operating the prior art can be difficult and also dangerous. Prior art is also restrictive in the ability to easily be used with saddle rails of different shapes. What is desired is an actual quick attachment and release device that is also safe, not very large, simple to operate by a user and that can be easily adopted to saddles with rails of different shapes on stationary bikes and non-stationary bikes.
What is desired is a bicycle seat attachment device that allows for a quick and simple change of the seat. A device having a two-part interlocking member, such as a pin and receiver, would allow for the bicycle seat to be installed quickly and simply. A device is desired where one interlocking member is fixed to the bicycle and the other interlocking member is fixed to the bicycle seat thereby creating a quick and easy attachment method. A device is further desired that may allow for the tilt of the seat to be adjusted in different ways. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of geothermal aqueous liquid production and more particularly to methods for preventing scale formation by such geothermal aqueous liquids.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Large subterranean reservoirs of naturally occurring steam and/or hot aqueous liquid can be found in many regions of the world. These natural reservoirs of geothermal steam and water or brine are particularly prevalent in regions where the thermal gradient near the earth's surface is abnormally high, being most often found in regions of volcanic, geyser and fumarole activity, for example, along the rim of the Pacific Ocean.
When readily accessible in advantageous locations, geothermal steam and water or brine have, for some time, been used for therapeutic purposes, industrial processes and/or direct heating. Although current interest is further developing geothermal resources for such purposes still exists, principal effort has recently been directed more towards developing these resources, which are usually considered to be at least partially renewable, for production of electric power, the use of which is usually far less site-restricted than is the more direct use of the geothermal fluids for non-electric power purposes. In particular, the recent steep increases in hydrocarbon fuel costs and actual or potential shortages of heretofore abundant supplies of hydrocarbon fuels, together with increasing bias against nuclear power, have substantially accelerated interest in developing geothermal fluids for electric power generation.
General techniques are, of course, known whereby hot geothermal fluids can be used to generate electric power. Geothermal steam can be used, usually after treatment to remove particulate matter and such gases as carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, in substantially the same manner as boiler-generated steam to drive combination steam turbine/electric generator apparatus. Pressurized geothermal water or brine, having a temperature above about 400.degree. F., can be flashed to a lower pressure to extract steam used for driving steam turbine/generators. Lower temperature geothermal water or brine can be used in a closed loop, binary system to vaporize a working fluid, the vapor being used to drive a gas turbine/generator.
Use of geothermal steam, being relatively direct and hence comparatively inexpensive, is usually preferred over use of geothermal water/brine for production of electric power, and in places such as The Geysers in California, a substantial amount of electric power is currently being generated at a competitive cost by geothermal steam. However, the scarcity of geothermal steam as compared to geothermal water/brine in commercially usable amounts has resulted in much of the geothermal power developmental efforts being concentrated on the use of geothermal water/brine.
In spite of the known, general techniques for using hot geothermal water or brine for production of electric power, in actual practice the problems encountered with handling and disposing of the large amounts of usually heavily contaminated and frequently highly saline geothermal liquids have often been quite formidable. Development of geothermal water/brine resources for production of commercial amounts of electricity has, in consequence, often been very difficult and costly to achieve.
The most serious problems encountered with use of hot geothermal aqueous liquids, especially with use of geothermal brine, for producing electric power (and often for other uses as well) usually result from severe equipment scaling caused by the liquid. Because of their typically high temperatures and their long natural residence times in subterranean formations, geothermal aqueous liquids ordinarily leach large amounts of minerals from the formations. These leached minerals typically include heavy metals such as lead, zinc, iron, silver, cadmium, and molybdenum. Such other minerals, as calcium and sodium, typically in the form of chlorides, are also typically dissolved into the geothermal liquid, as are naturally occurring gases, including carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and methane. Large concentrations of silica, which may be in the form of silicic acid oligomers, are also commonly found dissolved in hot geothermal aqueous liquids.
During geothermal water/brine extraction, that is, while the fluid is leaving the producing formations and is still in the extraction wells, as well as during subsequent use of the fluid, pressure and temperature changes occur which cause saturation levels of many of the dissolved materials to be exceeded. As the saturation levels of these dissolved materials are exceeded, the materials leave the solution and, depending on the materials involved, may form insoluble, scale-forming precipitates. Other mechanisms, such as chemical reactions under altered water/brine conditions and polymerization, may also lead to formation of scale in system lines and equipment.
In typical geothermal power plants operated by steam obtained by flashing geothermal water/brine to a reduced pressure, several relatively distinct types of scaling problems may be encountered. For example, scaling within the producing formations, extraction wells and lines and equipment up to, and through, the wellhead separators used to separate non-condensable gases from the water/brine, is largely attributable to the formation of metal sulfides by reactions between dissolved metals and hydrogen sulfide. Downstream thereof, during, and subsequent to, flashing of the water/brine to remove steam, the predominant scaling is typically that caused by silica, due to normal polymerization processes and/or reactions with iron to form insoluble, iron-rich siliceous material. Calcite scaling, however, tends to predominate in the power plant extracted steam portion, including in the steam turbine. The scaling mechanisms responsible for the several scaling problems are different from one another, and the rate at which scale builds up on the inside of pipes and equipment may vary, not only according to scale type but according to composition, flow rate and temperature of the water/brine, from only fractions of an inch per month to several inches per month.
Because of the high cost and great difficulty of removing most scale deposits from pipe and equipment, considerable effort has understandably been expended in developing processes to prevent this often severe scaling. In general, these efforts have been directed either towards developing processes for controlled removal of the scale-forming materials, for example, for removal of silica by seeding techniques or by chemical addition before the scale can be formed, or towards developing processes for maintaining the scale-forming materials in solution during the entire geothermal water/brine transit through the power plant or other system. Processes for keeping the scale-forming materials in solution during the water/brine transit typically include pressure and/or temperature control of the water/brine and addition of chemicals which inhibit scale-forming mechanisms and/or reactions.
Particular disadvantages of induced precipitation of scale-forming materials, particularly of silica, are that large, complex, and usually quite expensive, precipitation equipment is necessary and that the cost of disposing of the large quantities of induced precipitates, which may amount to many tons per power plant operating day, is high. As a result, processes for preparing scale formation by maintaining the scale-forming materials in solution between geothermal water/brine extraction and reinjection or other disposal at least appear to be preferable over those processes which induce precipitation.
In developing processes for keeping scale-forming materials in solution, many types of scale formating mechanisms have been found to be quite pH-sensitive. Geothermal water/brine is usually fairly acidic in its natural state, typically having a room temperature or "effective" pH of between about 3.5 and about 4.5 or 5. (Unless otherwise stated, pH as used herein is the effective pH). Acidizing the geothermal water/brine somewhat more has been found to inhibit formation of the most common scales. Providing additional hydrogen ions during the acidizing is believed to enhance reactions which compete with precipitation reactions and/or to shift equilibrium precipitation reactions away from precipitation. Very importantly, each of the above-mentioned metal sulfide, calcite and silica scaling, certain of which predominate in different regions of typical geothermal water/brine power plants, are considered to be controllable by reducing the pH of the water/brine.
At its above mentioned typical pH, corrosion caused by geothermal water, or more specifically, by geothermal brine, to associated delivery and use piping and equipment has not usually been found to be a very serious problem, even when using piping and equipment made from common steels. As a result, the small pH reduction necessary to control scaling by the geothermal brine is not expected to significantly increase corrosion problems in the brine delivery and use system as a whole. However, in actual practice severe corrosion has sometimes been found to occur, at least in relatively localized regions at and near acid injection points. Such corrosion seems to result from concentrated acids being added so as to effect the desired brine pH reduction in as short a brine flow distance as practical when typically high brine flow rates are involved. As a result, considerably more expensive and much less readily available corrosion resistant piping and equipment may be required in such regions. In addition, expensive, highly corrosion resistant pumps and equipment are, of course, necessary for injecting the acid into the brine, which may, for example, be pressurized between about 100 psig to over 400 psig.
Further complications and expenses are involved with acidizing the brine in close proximity to the underground production zone so as to reduce sulfide scaling in the well. At the high production zone temperatures, typically between about 400.degree. F. and 600.degree. F., the corrosion rate is substantially increased and at these temperatures virtually any type of metal acid-delivery system will rapidly corrode. However, the severe flow turbulance associated with high brine production rates has precluded use of other than metal acid-delivery systems.
An object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a method for acidizing hot geothermal water/brine so as to reduce or substantially prevent scaling thereby.
A further object of the invention is to provide a method for reducing the pH of hot geothermal water/brine, to reduce or substantially prevent scaling thereby, without causing substantial corrosion problems.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method for preventing or substantially reducing scaling by hot geothermal water/brine by acidizing the water/brine while it is still in the extraction well and is in close proximity to the production zone.
Additional objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a manufacturing method of a tuning-fork type quartz crystal resonator. More particularly, it relates to a manufacturing method of a tuning-fork type quartz crystal resonator, in which short-circuit of an electrode at a crotch portion is eliminated, and yield can be improved.
2. Description of the Related Art
A general constitution of a tuning-fork type quartz crystal resonator will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a schematic constitution diagram of the general tuning-fork type quartz crystal resonator.
As shown in FIG. 3, the general tuning-fork type quartz crystal resonator is formed by cutting out a single crystal of a quartz crystal, and constituted of a base portion 10 and two arm portions 11 and 12 protruding from the base portion 10.
Moreover, electrodes 13 and 14 formed of metal films are formed on a front surface portion and a back surface portion of the base portion 10. Here, the only front surface portion is shown, but the back surface portion is similarly formed.
Groove portions are formed in portions close to the base portion 10 at the front surface portion and the back surface portion of a quartz crystal 17 of the arm portion 11, and electrodes 15 formed of a metal film are disposed at the groove portions.
Similarly, groove portions and electrodes 16 are formed at the front surface portion and the back surface portion of a quartz crystal 18 of the arm portion 12. The electrodes 15 and 16 are also formed at outer surface portions and inner surface portions of the arm portions 11, 12.
In this manner, since the groove portions are disposed at the front surface portions and the back surface portions of the arm portions 11 and 12, the arm portions 11 and 12 have substantially H-shaped sections (not shown).
Furthermore, weight films 19 formed of metal films are disposed at the front surface portion and the back surface portion of the quartz crystal 17 at an end portion of the arm portion 11 on a side opposite to the base portion 10. Similarly, weight films 20 are disposed at the front surface portion and the back surface portion of the quartz crystal 18 of the arm portion 12.
Moreover, when a voltage is applied to the tuning-fork type quartz crystal resonator via the electrodes 13 and 14 of the base portion, the arm portions 11 and 12 vibrate to oscillate a predetermined frequency of, for example, 32.768 kHz.
However, with miniaturization of the tuning-fork type quartz crystal resonator, a short-circuit defect is easily generated in root portions of the arm portions 11 and 12.
The short-circuit defect will specifically be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional explanatory view of a case where the short-circuit defect is generated at the A-A′ portion of FIG. 3.
As shown in FIG. 4, at the root portion (a crotch portion 30) of the arm portions 11 and 12, the arm portions 11 and 12 are formed from the base portion 10. Moreover, the electrode 15 is disposed at the inner surface portion of the arm portion 11, and the electrode 16 is formed at the inner surface portion of the arm portion 12.
In the tuning-fork type quartz crystal resonator, patterning is generally performed at a front and a back of a quartz crystal substrate by use of the same electrode and wiring line outer patterns, and electrode arrangements intersect with each other at the crotch portion 30. Therefore, the pattern at the crotch portion 30 becomes very complicated. It is to be noted that FIG. 4 is simplified in order to simplify description thereof.
Steps of forming the conventional electrodes 15 and 16 will briefly be described.
First, the quartz crystal substrate is processed into a tuning-fork form by machine processing and photography/etching, the groove portions of the arm portions 11 and 12 are further formed, and then the metal films constituting the electrodes are formed by vacuum evaporation or sputtering.
Then, after resists applied onto the metal films are exposed and developed into desired patterns by the photolithography, the metal films are patterned using the resist patterns as masks by etching. Afterward, the resists are peeled to form the electrodes 15 and 16. In the conventional manufacturing method of the tuning-fork type quartz crystal resonator, the electrodes 15 and 16 are formed in this manner.
In addition, since a crotch portion 30 part is a small area nipped between the arm portions 11 and 12 and further the pattern is complicated as described above, the exposure and development of the resist easily become insufficient as compared with another area (easily under-exposed and under-developed). Similarly, the metal films are easily under-etched.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, a non-etched metal film portion 31 is easily generated at the crotch portion 30, and short-circuit occurs between the electrodes 15 and 16.
It is to be noted that examples of prior arts concerning the tuning-fork type quartz crystal resonator include Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2001-085963 (Patent Document 1), 08-139337 (Patent Document 2), 2003-133875 (Patent Document 3) and 2005-134364 (Patent Document 4).
In Patent Document 1, a constitution is described in which trim processing of irradiating the center of an arm portion with laser of 700 nm or less to remove a metal coating film is performed to regulate a frequency in the manufacturing method of a tuning-fork type quartz crystal resonator.
Especially, it is determined in Patent Document 1 that in a state in which individual piezoelectric vibration pieces (quartz crystal resonator elements) cut from a quartz crystal wafer are packaged in a sealed manner, a metal coating film portion is irradiated with laser light from a processing device to evaporate and remove a metal. Moreover, in Patent Document 2, there is described a constitution including the steps of forming a metal coating film for forming silicide, selectively reacting the metal coating film with an active layer to selectively form a silicide area in the active layer, and removing a non-reacted metal coating film in a preparing method of a semiconductor device.
In Patent Document 3, a constitution is described in which a metal coating film is irradiated with laser to form a pattern of a photo mask corresponding to the film in a manufacturing method of a tuning-fork type quartz crystal resonator, and in Patent Document 4, a constitution is described in which a dividing portion of an arm is irradiated with laser to remove the metal coating film in the manufacturing method of the tuning-fork type quartz crystal resonator.
However, the conventional manufacturing method of the tuning-fork type quartz crystal resonator has a problem that the short-circuit defect is easily generated at the crotch portion corresponding to a root of the arm portion.
Moreover, to prevent the short-circuit, process precision needs to be improved, and there has been a problem that manufacturing costs increase. | {
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The invention relates to a method for producing a combustible cartridge case for cartridge ammunition.
In the known method, the combustible cartridge case is produced through a felting process comprising three basic work steps: preparing an aqueous pulp that contains nitrocellulose and cellulose fibers (fiber pulp); producing a raw felt by draining the fiber material on a sieve and squeezing the raw felt for the purpose of further draining; and compressing or compacting the fiber material to provide the final shape.
A drawback of cartridge cases produced in accordance with this known method is that, when used in ammunition with heavy projectiles, the cartridge cases must have a relatively thick wall to assure stability. Furthermore, known combustible cartridge cases that are exposed to high mechanical stresses (such as occur in a drop test or in automatic loading systems) are repeatedly damaged, which can prevent the cartridges from being loaded properly. | {
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The use of communication cables which include a plurality of optical fibers is rapidly expanding. An optical fiber cable may comprise a plurality of optical glass fibers each of which is protected by at least one layer of a coating material. The optical fibers may be assembled into units in which the fibers are held together by binder ribbons or tubes to provide a core. Another optical fiber cable core includes a ribbon type optical fiber arrangement in which a plurality, such as twelve fibers for example, are arrayed together side by side. A plurality of these ribbons may be stacked to obtain a high fiber count cable. The core is enclosed by a plastic core tube and a plastic jacket. Also, the cable may include metallic strength members or the cable may be all-dielectric.
Whatever the structure of a transmission cable, there must be provisions for splicing transmission media at an end of a given length of cable to corresponding transmission media at an adjacent end of another length of cable. Where two ends of a cable such as a telecommunications cable are spliced together, the splice area is ordinarily housed within a protective arrangement. It is conventional to use a splice closure, within which the transmission media are spliced, wrapped and stored and protected environmentally. Such closures often have included cylindrical covers with one or more longitudinal joints and end plates that surround incoming and outgoing cables and that form seals with the covers. Closures which are effective in providing protection for the splice connections are available in the marketplace, but the assembly of some of these is relatively time consuming, often requiring specialized tools and equipment which in a limited space such as in an underground tunnel or on an overhead pole or line may be difficult to handle and operate.
Optical fiber cables and associated apparatus such as a cable closure, for example, are typically designed and manufactured to avoid problems which may be caused by a variety of anticipated environmental conditions to which the cable and associated apparatus will be exposed. One such condition is the exposure of portions of the cable and the cable closure to water. Potential problems associated with this condition are the entry of water into internal potions of the cable as well as the entry of water into the cable closure in which the cable has been terminated, spliced, stored or branched.
The entry of water into a cable closure is an undesirable condition because water generally has a detrimental effect on the enclosed optical fiber cable, the optical fiber and internal portions of the cable closure. For example, water vapor may attack surface flaws of the external surface of the glass optical fiber and cause stress corrosion. In the presence of water and stress in the optical fiber, a surface flaw in the optical fiber will tend to grow in size. This may result in lower tensile stress fiber breaks. Another detrimental effect from the presence of water in a closure may result if the water freezes. Such a condition may subject the fiber and internal portions of the cable and closure to damaging mechanical loads.
Common to substantially all closures is the requirement that they restrict moisture ingress. In some prior art closures, sealing an optical fiber cable closure to prevent the ingress of water has depended on effecting three different seals. One is a seal formed between a portion of an outer surface of an outer jacket of the cable and a surface of the closure or a surface that is independently sealable with the cable closure. At times it becomes somewhat difficult to match the size and sometimes deformed shape of a cable with flexed seals. A second cable closure seal is a seal associated with a closure cover. The cover portion is caused to seal with, for example, a closure bulkhead portion through which cables extend into the closure. Steps also must be taken, such as by filling interstices in the cable with a water blocking compound or by including a water blocking tape as a sheath component to prevent water that enters interior portions of the cable at a point outside the cable closure from travelling along the length of the cable between adjacent cable sheath components.
In the prior art, it is not uncommon to use a pressurized gas system to prevent the intrusion of moisture. Some systems employ dry air, nitrogen or a similar chemically inert gas in the cables and closures. In this type of reenterable closure, the gas is pressurized to create a flow from enclosed equipment through any openings and prevent the ingress of moisture. In such a system, it is advantageous to minimize the amount of gas leakage to reduce the consumption of pressurized gas and to insure against any requirement of high gas flow to maintain adequate pressure throughout the system. Accordingly, closures and associated equipment should be sealed sufficiently to prevent a reduction in pressure and the loss of gas. At the same time, it is necessary to provide a system which is easily assembled in the field and in which the probability of installer error is relatively low.
Heretofore a number of sealed closure designs have been made available. However, some of these have employed somewhat complicated sealing mechanisms which have added to the cost and which may have required close attention to assemble. Efforts have been made to provide closures which may be assembled more rapidly, which are less craft sensitive and which include fewer parts.
Another commonly used approach of preventing the ingress of water into a closure is to cause the closure to be filled with an encapsulant material. Such a closure may include two sections defined by two bulkheads with cable sealing grommets through which cables extend and a closure cover which is tubular and which has a closed end and an open end. A cable end portion is extended through a first bulkhead into a first chamber and portions of the cable sheath system are removed so that only an end portion of a core tube extends through a second bulkhead into a second chamber. In the just-described closure in which encapsulant materials are used to effect water blocking of the cable sheath system, splice connections are typically located in the second chamber. The blocking of water through portions of the able sheath components into the cable closure occurs in the first chamber. The closure cover is fastened securely and the first chamber is caused to receive a liquid encapsulant material. The encapsulant material is allowed to cure, thus forming a solid potting compound that surrounds the splice connections. The solid, cured potting compound effectively prevents water from entering the cable closure through portions of the cable sheath components.
The just-described cable water blocking arrangement is most practical when access to the interior of the cable closure is not anticipated. Reentry into the closure would most often occur if a new cable were being spliced or connected to another cable within an in-use closure. To effect the introduction of a new cable into the closure, at least a portion of the cured encapsulant material within the closure would have to be removed. The first chamber of the closure is re-potted after a portion of the new cable is introduced to reestablish the closure water blocking capability. The removal of cured encapsulant material and the installation of new encapsulant material is a laborious task. What is needed is a closure which provides at least the same level of protection against water as does an encapsulant, yet is one which presents fewer housekeeping problems.
Notwithstanding the above-enumerated problems, it continues to be necessary to splice together the ends of transmission media such as optical fiber cables in field locations. A new closure is sought after to facilitate splicing in which suitable protection is afforded the optical fibers. Provisions must be included in the sought-after splice closure for holding mechanical splices as well as fusion splices. What is needed and what seemingly is not provided for in the art is a simple system for protecting connective work within a closure from moisture. The sought-after system should be one which allows for relatively easy reentry, which includes few parts, and which is less craft sensitive than prior art closures to stem increasing labor costs. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to three dimensional integrated circuit (3D IC) devices.
Some monolithic 3D approaches and other inventive concepts relevant to this document are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,273,610, 8,557,632, 8,298,875, 8,642,416, 8,163,581, 8,378,715, 8,379,458, 8,450,804, 8,574,929, 8,581,349, 8,687,399, 8,742,476, 8,674,470, 8,902,663, 8,803,206; US patent publication 2013/0020707; and pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 13/862,537, 13/836,080, 62/077,280, 62/042,229, Ser. Nos. 13/803,437, 14/298,917, 61/932,617, and Ser. No. 14/607,077. The contents of the foregoing patents, publications, and applications are incorporated herein by reference.
2. Background
Three dimensional integrated circuits are known in the art, though the field is in its infancy with a dearth of commercial products. Many manufacturers sell multiple standard two dimensional integrated circuit (2DIC) devices in a single package known as a Multi-Chip Modules (MCM) or Multi-Chip packages (MCP). Often these 2DICs are laid out horizontally in a single layer, like the Core 2 Quad microprocessor MCMs available from Intel Corporation of Santa Clara, Calif. In other products, the standard 2DICs are stacked vertically in the same MCP like in many of the moviNAND flash memory devices available from Samsung Electronics of Seoul, South Korea like the illustration shown in FIG. 9C. None of these products are true 3DICs.
Devices where multiple layers of silicon or some other semiconductor (where each layer comprises active devices and local interconnect like a standard 2DIC) are bonded together with Through Silicon Via (TSV) technology to form a true 3D IC have been reported in the literature in the form of abstract analysis of such structures as well as devices constructed doing basic research and development in this area. FIG. 9A illustrates an example in which Through Silicon Vias are constructed continuing vertically through all the layers creating a global interlayer connection. FIG. 9B provides an illustration of a 3D IC system in which a Through Silicon Via 404 is placed at the same relative location on the top and bottom of all the 3D IC layers creating a standard vertical interface between the layers.
Constructing future 3DICs will require new architectures and new ways of thinking. In particular, yield and reliability of extremely complex three dimensional systems will have to be addressed, particularly given the yield and reliability difficulties encountered in complex Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC) built in recent deep submicron process generations. In this specification the terms stratum, tier or layer might be used for the same structure and they may refer to transistors or other device structures (such as capacitors, resistors, inductors) that may lie substantially in a plane format and in most cases such stratum, tier or layer may include the interconnection layers used to interconnect the transistors on each. In a 3D device as herein described there may at least two such planes called tier, or stratum or layer.
Fortunately, current testing techniques will likely prove applicable to 3D IC manufacturing, though they will be applied in very different ways. FIG. 28 illustrates a prior art set scan architecture in a 2D IC ASIC 2800. The ASIC functionality is present in logic clouds 2820, 2822, 2824 and 2826 which are interspersed with sequential cells like, for example, pluralities of flip flops indicated at 2812, 2814 and 2816. The ASIC 2800 also has input pads 2830 and output pads 2840. The flip flops are typically provide with circuitry to allow them to function as a shift register in a test mode. In FIG. 28 the flip flops form a scan register chain where pluralities of flip flops 2812, 2814 and 2816 are coupled together in series with Scan Test Controller 2810. One scan chain is shown in FIG. 28, but in a practical design comprising millions of flip flops many sub-chains will be used.
In the test architecture of FIG. 28, test vectors are shifted into the scan chain in a test mode. Then the part is placed into operating mode for one or more clock cycles, after which the contents of the flip flops are shifted out and compared with the expected results. This provides an excellent way to isolate errors and diagnose problems, though the number of test vectors in a practical design can be very large and an external tester is often required.
FIG. 29 shows a prior art boundary scan architecture in exemplary ASIC 2900. The part functionality is shown in logic function block 2910. The part also has a variety of input/output cells 2920, each comprising a bond pad 2922, an input buffer 2924, and a tri-state output buffer 2926. Boundary Scan Register Chains 2932 and 2934 are shown coupled in series with Scan Test Control block 2930. This architecture operates in a similar manner as the set scan architecture of FIG. 28. Test vectors are shifted in, the part is clocked, and the results are then shifted out to compare with expected results. Typically, set scan and boundary scan are used together in the same ASIC to provide complete test coverage.
FIG. 30 shows a prior art Built-In Self Test (BIST) architecture for testing a logic block 3000 which comprises a core block function 3010 (what is being tested), inputs 3012, outputs 3014, a BIST Controller 3020, an input Linear Feedback Shift Register (LFSR) 3022, and an output Cyclical Redundancy Check (CRC) circuit 3024. Under control of BIST Controller 3020, LFSR 3022 and CRC 3024 are seeded (set to a known starting value), the logic block 3000 is clocked a predetermined number of times with LFSR 3022 presenting pseudo-random test vectors to the inputs of Block Function 3010 and CRC 3024 monitoring the outputs of Block Function 3010. After the predetermined number of clocks, the contents of CRC 3024 are compared to the expected value (or “signature”). If the signature matches, logic block 3000 passes the test and is deemed good. This sort of testing is good for fast “go” or “no go” testing as it is self-contained to the block being tested and does not require storing a large number of test vectors or use of an external tester. BIST, set scan, and boundary scan techniques are often combined in complementary ways on the same ASIC. A detailed discussion of the theory of LSFRs and CRCs can be found in Digital Systems Testing and Testable Design, by Abramovici, Breuer and Friedman, Computer Science Press, 1990, pp 432-447.
Another prior art technique that is applicable to the yield and reliability of 3DICs is Triple Modular Redundancy. This is a technique where the circuitry is instantiated in a design in triplicate and the results are compared. Because two or three of the circuit outputs are always assumed in agreement (as is the case assuming single error and binary signals) voting circuitry (or majority-of-three or MAJ3) takes that as the result. While primarily a technique used for noise suppression in high reliability or radiation tolerant systems in military, aerospace and space applications, it also can be used as a way of masking errors in faulty circuits since if any two of three replicated circuits are functional the system will behave as if it is fully functional. A discussion of the radiation tolerant aspects of Triple Modular Redundancy systems, Single Event Effects (SEE), Single Event Upsets (SEU) and Single Event Transients (SET) can be found in U.S. Patent Application Publication 2009/0204933 to Rezgui (“Rezgui”). | {
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The use of and development of communications has grown nearly exponentially in recent years. The growth is fueled by larger networks with more reliable protocols and better communications hardware available to service providers and consumers. In order to meet these customer and business needs, communications equipment has been installed at a breakneck pace. A large portion of communications equipment and projects require grounds to ensure proper functionality and safety.
Some ground connectors may require in-field customization which may include multiple steps of cutting, stripping, and crimping. Other grounding equipment is mass produced at specifications that may not closely match each project. The various forms of ground connections may experience failures at any number of points. As a result, materials and effort may be wasted. | {
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Tampering with vessels or bottles containing pharmaceuticals or other liquids has been of major concern both to manufacturers and consumers. It will be appreciated that drugs in liquid form are most usually consumed by children, and that tampering with a bottle or container containing a drug for pediatric use creates such a problem for the manufacture that any measure which is as effective as posible in alerting the user to potentially poisonous contamination is of paramount importance not only in saving the individual who uses the drug but also in preventing unwanted publicity for the manufacturer.
While, until the present, it has been mainly encapsulated drugs which have provided the focus for tampering efforts, with single-walled bottle construction, it is presently possible to penetrate the bottle with a syringe carrying, for instance, a poison, and then to reseal the bottle with a second syringe filled with a fast-setting adhesive. The result is that the liquid within the bottle is contaminated with the poison, with the ability to detect the violation of the bottle or container being almost impossible.
In the past there have been numerous systems for indicating the penetration or violation of packaged goods, some of which are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,436,203; 4,449,631; 4,295,566; 4,424,911; 4,434,893 and 4,457,430. All of the above-mentioned patents provide some measure of tamper indication. Some of the above-mentioned patents involve pressurized systems in which indicators are actuated via pressure or vacuum changes due to container penetration. Other of these patents describe systems in which tampering results in activation of a dye. In none of the above-mentioned patents is the concept of providing a mottled or spoiled appearance upon tampering either shown or taught. Rather, in some of the above patents, upon tampering either a complete color change of the package occurs, or the tampering results in the appearance of a printed warning.
By way of example, with prior pressure responsive systems, tampering can involve pressure changes which lead to indications that by and large are ignored by the buying public either out of ignorance or out of simple neglect. Also the shelf life of such products is limited due to the pressurization or vacuum involved. This is because plastic containers can typically only hold pressurization for six weeks to six months, whereas certain drugs in liquid form can stay on the pharmacist's shelf for as many as two or three years. Another reason for the lack of viability of such pressure-related indicators is that the buyer must be somewhat sophisticated to know what to look for in terms of either a pop-up cap or a change in the container configuration, which change may not be readily perceptible.
Moreover, the anti-tempering protection provided by pressurized bottles can be circumvented by the use of dry ice to evacuate the bottle slightly during the penetration attempt. Thus the pessurized anti-tampering devices can be easily circumvented.
With respect to dye-indication systems, those tampering indication methods in which a complete color change occurs are not sufficiently graphic to indicate tampering because the buyer is generally unfamiliar with what the container should look like as opposed to what it does look like after tampering. Moreover, for those materials which carry printed warnings in the form of inks which are activated upon tampering, it will be appreciated that such warnings are often ignored because the only evidence of tampering is additional printing. Moreover, most of these systems are activated by humidity in the air which takes a relatively long period of time. Additionally, when laminated layers are used, adhesive normally utilized to bond the multiple layers together restricts the flow of liquid to the dye-carrying layer such that even when water-sensitive dyes are utilized, either the dye is not activated because insufficient amount of water is in contact with the dye-carrying ink or because the aforementioned adhesive bonding prevents capillary action that would permit migration of the water to the dye. Additionally, carriers for imprinted inks prevent the bleeding of the dye away from its originally imprinted position. Thus these systems do not result in an indication of spoilage by dye bleeding. This is because water-activated print indicators are specifically designed not to bleed so that the information to be conveyed to the user will be clear and visible.
By way of further background, it should be noted that tamper-resistant containers have been provided with shrink-wrapped materials which in general may be easily removed and replaced without any visible indication that the particular container has been tampered with. | {
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The use of treatment fluids in general, and high solids content treatment fluids in particular, may benefit from very good leak off control properties to inhibit fluid loss, as well as good stability, minimal settling of solids, suitable rheological properties for pumping with oilfield equipment, and/or good permeability of a solids pack after placement. Accordingly, there is a demand for further improvements in this area of technology. | {
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The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for mulching waste material and is particularly although not exclusively concerned with mulching of green organic material (GOM) for the purpose of converting that GOM into a form for composting. It will be convenient therefore to describe the invention as it relates to that application, although it should be appreciated that the invention has wider application in the mulching of various waste products.
Green organic material is an expression adopted to cover a wide range of organic waste and includes wooden waste products such as trees, branches, logs, grass cuttings, hard and croft woods and other foliage, but excludes treated wooden products. The disposal of GOM traditionally has been by way of dumping, such as into rubbish dumps or land fills, or if possible it has also been burnt off. However, in more recent years, GOM more and more is being treated to produce organic compost and the demand for such compost over recent years has steadily grown.
Australian Standard 4454/1997 governs the characteristics preferred for commercial sale of compost and that Standard covers a variety of composting systems and products. The present invention is highly suitable for producing compost through the open windrow composting system and can meet the requirements of the Standard for that system although it does have application to other composting systems.
Open windrow composting for GOM is known and normally involves treating the GOM in a manner which reduces the GOM into smaller particles and feeding the treated product to a stockpile. The product is then screened to eliminate particles which are too large for open windrow composting after which fertiliser is added and the product then windrowed. The larger particles which do not pass through the screen the first time are retreated to reduce their size and are then fertilised and windrowed as before. Most machinery manufactured for mulching GOM in the above manner has employed a hammer mechanism which applies a repetitive impact force to the GOM so as to break it down into smaller particles. The particles are collected, before being passed over sorting screens through which particles of the desired size fall. The process is continuous, so that particles which do not fall through the screens are returned for further impact treatment before again being passed over the sorting screens. The process continues until all the GOM has been converted to a size that fits through the screens. When the particles pass through the screens they fall onto a conveyor which transports the GOM to be windrowed.
A disadvantage with known mulching machines concerns the of use particle screens. Such screens are commonly clogged over time by particles that are small enough to be trapped by the screen, but which are too large to pass through. Periodic cleaning or changing of the screens is therefore required and that creates downtime for the machine. The screens also tend to limit access to the internal components of the machine, so that maintenance of the machine is made more difficult. A further disadvantage relates to the product produced by such machines, because it is not in a form which can be windrowed without further treatment. Normally, the particles are required to the treated with fertiliser prior to windrowing, to produce mulch that will adequately compost according to the requirements for commercial compost as set out in Australian Standard 4454/1997.
It is an object of the invention to overcome or at least alleviate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, it is an object of the invention to produce a mulch which can be windrowed immediately and preferably without further treatment. It is a further object of the invention to produce a mulch which has a controlled moisture content and particle size.
According to the present invention there is provided a method of processing green organic waste (hereafter xe2x80x9cGOMxe2x80x9d) into mulch product for forming a mulch windrow, including feeding GOM to a first cutting zone and rotating a plurality of blades through that zone to cut the GOM into smaller particles, transferring the particles to a second cutting zone and rotating a plurality of blades therethrough to reduce their size to a suitable mulch particle size and ejecting said mulch particles at high velocity to form a windrow, the method further including the addition of moisture to increase the moisture content at the windrow formed.
The present invention also provides apparatus for processing GOM to form mulch particles for a mulch windrow, said apparatus including a first cutting zone and at least one blade for rotation through said first cutting zone for cutting the GOM into particles, a second cutting zone and at least one blade for rotation through said second cutting zone for cutting said particles to reduce their size to a suitable mulch particle size, feeding means to feed GOM to said first cutting zone and ejecting means to eject said mulch particles from said second cutting zone at high velocity to form a windrow, and means to increase the moisture content of the windrow formed by adding moisture.
The invention as defined above is distinguished from the prior art, because the mulch particles produced are of a size and moisture content that readily composts when formed into a windrow. Additionally, the use of the rotating blades as opposed to impacting hammers facilitates reduction of the GOM without requiring sorting screens. The size of the particles formed by the invention is partly a function of the speed at which GOM is fed to the first cutting zone, and partly a function of the rotational velocity of the blades rotating through the respective cutting zones. GOM can be processed at quite high speed. For example the following feed speeds to the first cutting zone are appropriate
Larger material (150 mm-300 mm dia branches and twigs)xe2x88x920.125 m/s
Medium material (150 mm-150 mm dia branches and twigs)xe2x88x920.25 m/s
Small material (0.50 mm dia branches and twigs)xe2x88x920.5 m/s
For the above feeding speeds, it is preferred that the blades rotate at a high speed in the range of 1600 RPM. Within these ranges, the particle size of the GOM produced can be in the region of 0.50 mm which is an optimum size for composting.
The addition of moisture to the particles ensures that the mulch product can be produced with an optimum moisture content, preferably around 38%, conducive to composting. The moisture typically can be provided in the form of water and preferably is injected through water jets into the particles in an evenly distributed manner. The water is preferably injected into the first cutting zone, although it may be injected elsewhere. Preferably the volume of water injected can be controlled and varied as necessary, so that variations in the moisture content of the GOM prior to mulching can be accommodated. Also, the water can contain such additives as considered desirable for proper or optimum composting of the mulch formed, such as nutrients.
It is a characteristic of the known machinery and methods that they do not, and largely cannot, add water. The reason for this, is that the mulch product is delivered to form a windrow via a conveyor and that delivery does not facilitate addition of moisture. Additionally, the delivery of the particle mulch in this manner also does not result in a windrow which is of a density achievable by the method and apparatus of the invention, as will become apparent later. The deficiency in moisture content and density can seriously inhibit the microbial activity within the windrow which is essential for composting. If the windrow is left in this state for some time, it can possibly turn aerobic or anaerobic depending upon the density thereof and that could cause pH imbalance if the windrow has proceeded to that state. The method and apparatus of the invention can be used to correct this problem by re-mulching the windrow and adding correct nutrients just prior to re-mulching or by injecting water during re-mulching.
The blades which pass through the first and second cutting zones can be supported on separate blade mounting arrangements which rotate about separate axes. Preferably however, the blades are supported on a single blade mounting arrangement which is arranged so that the blades pass through both cutting zones, the zones being displaced from each other about the rotational path of the blade mounting arrangement.
The blade mounting arrangement can include any number of blades suitably arranged relative to one another and it is possible that a single blade be provided. However, it is preferred that a plurality of blades be provided and in one mounting arrangement, a cylindrical cutting mill is provided, which supports a plurality of blades extending both axially thereof and extending outwardly beyond the circumference of the mill. Separate groups of axially extending blades can be disposed of circumferentially of the mill and in a preferred arrangement, four groups of axially extending blades are spaced equidistantly about the mill circumference.
The blade or blades are preferably mounted for movement relative to the cutting mill and in one arrangement, they are rotatably mounted to the cutting mill. This ability to rotate reduces the potential for damage to occur to the blades in the event that the GOM encountered is too hard for the blade to cut, or if other GOM, such as metallic nails or rocks etc enter the cutting zones. Alternative arrangements, such as spring mounting arrangements, are also appropriate for this purpose.
The transfer of particles from the first cutting zone to the second cutting zone can occur in any suitable manner by any suitable means. In one preferred form, the blades which pass through the first cutting zone imparts a force in a direction which causes the particles to move into the second cutting zone. Thus, the angle at which the blades engage the GOM at the first cutting zone may be such as to cause the particles to be pushed toward the second cutting zone. Alternatively, or in addition to, guiding means may be employed. The guiding means may take the form of a guiding plate or plates, which direct the particles to the second cutting zone.
The ejection of particles from the apparatus can be facilitated by any suitable means. Preferably however, the blade speed through the second cutting zone is such as to impart a velocity to the particles that is sufficient for their ejection and for the creation of a windrow of desired characteristics. The velocity of the particles principally determines the density of the windrow and that velocity can be controlled by altering the rotational speed of the blades through the second cutting zone. The density of a windrow formed by the invention can be greater than that formed by conventional means and occurs principally due to the impact of mulch particles to progressively laid layers of mulch. This arrangement is distinguished from the prior art in which the mulch, once prepared and treated, is laid in a windrow, not ejected according to the invention.
Guiding means are preferably provided to guide the mulch particles in the correct manner to form a windrow. The guiding means can include a plate which directs the mulch particles in the desired direction from the second cutting zone and that plate may be flat, or curved to form a channel and may be adjustable in the direction it guides the particles. In one form, the guiding means includes a delivery chute from which the particles are delivered to form a windrow. The delivery chute can be formed to spread or to compact the mulch particles received from the second cutting zone and the chute may be adjustable to adjust the direction at which the mulch particles exit the chute.
The apparatus of the invention is preferably portable and is preferably mounted on a trailer or formed with wheels. The apparatus preferably can be trailed behind a car, truck or tractor, or includes its own motive capability, so that a windrow of some length can be progressively formed by progressive movement of the apparatus.
The method and apparatus of the invention is such as to produce mulch of a controllable moisture content which can be used to form a windrow for composting. Additionally the use of rotary blades at two separate zones results in an optimum particle sizes for composting without the need for particle screens. The preferred aspects of the invention facilitate the formation of a densely packed windrow which can be formed in a relatively easy manner. The invention therefore has significant advantages in the composting industry. | {
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The active cathode materials used in rechargeable lithium cells include materials based on lithium manganese dioxide, on which many experiments have been conducted. Some have been found to be unrechargeable or rechargeable to only a small degree, such as Li.sub.2 MnO.sub.3 and derivatives of .beta.-MnO.sub.2 and .gamma.-MnO.sub.2. The specific cell capacity decreases rapidly after a few cycles in the case of materials with a spinel structure such as LiMn.sub.2 O.sub.4, Li.sub.1-x MnO.sub.4, Li.sub.1s+x Mn.sub.2 O.sub.4 (described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,196,279) and .lambda.-MnO.sub.2. Nevertheless there are substances with a stable capacity on cycling but having a discharge voltage below 3 volts, such as the substance derived from .alpha.-MnO.sub.2 described in French patent 2 644 295 or that derived from Li.sub.2 MnO.sub.3 described in French patent 6 656 957. The energy per unit volume of cells using these substances is low.
Materials which can be cycled electrochemically having mean discharge voltages above 3.5 volts are known, such as the lithium metal oxides LiCoO.sub.2, LiNiO.sub.2 and LiNi.sub.1-x Co.sub.x O.sub.2. The oxides of nickel and cobalt have the disadvantage of being much more costly than manganese dioxide and they are extracted only in hazardous geographical regions. | {
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The invention relates to a separator to remove magnetic particles from liquid phases, consisting of an application unit, a separating unit and a collecting unit. This separator can be used to fractionate biological materials, in particular to remove cells, antigens, antibodies, enzymes etc., with the aid of magnetic microspheres (MIMS).
There has been a considerable increase in recent years in the interest in efficient analytical and preparative cell separation procedures. Since cell biologists have increasingly turned their attention to the investigation of the functional interaction of even the smallest subpopulations of cells within heterogeneous mixtures, the requirements of a separation technique are not only the necessary quantitative physical efficiency but also the ability to make specific qualitative differentiations. Up to the present time, the density centrifugation technique, which separates various cells on the basis of the physical parameters volume and density, has retained its uncontested value for the first requirement mentioned (see Hutchins, D. and C. M. Steel, in: Peters, H. editor: Separation of cells and subcellular elements 1979; A. J. Fluks, 1981, J. Immunol. Methods 41: 225; A. J. Ulmer and Flad H. D., 1984, Immunobiol. 166: 238), but at the expense of limited specificity (selectivity).
The only techniques which can be used for the second requirement are those which, owing to their ability to make use of different molecular surface structures of various cells (target molecules such as antigens, receptors or the like) as separation parameters, carry out biospecific, and thus selective, separations. In this connection, solid-phase affinity techniques, which separate on the basis of serological reactions, should be especially picked out.
These methods allow specific separation of cells or cellular material by differentiation of molecular surface structures, for example antigens, by immobilization of antibodies on plastic surfaces (for example the panning procedure: Wysocki, L. J. and V. L. Sato, 1978, Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. 75: 2844; Basch, R. S. et al., 1983, J. Immunol. Methods 56: 269), glass or gel materials (Basch, R. S. et al., loc. cit.) which can be packed to form columns. The disadvantages of these procedures are non-specific binding reactions with material surfaces, the blockage of columns owing to aggregating particles or cells, adverse effects on sensitive cells owing to shear forces, long process times and, very especially, the lack of capacity to deal with large amounts.
In contrast, in liquid-phase procedures, in which the actual separation process takes place from dilute suspensions, it is possible almost entirely to eliminate nonspecific adhesion, inadequate conservation of cells, and shear forces. The following may be mentioned in this connection: Cell immunoelectrophoresis (van Oss et al., 1979, Immunol. Communic. 8: 419), FACS (Loken, M. R. and A. M. Stall, 1982, J. Immunol. Methods 50: R 85), and magnetic cell separation techniques based on antibody-conjugated magnetic microspheres (MIMS). Common to all these techniques is the combination of the serological specificity of antibodies with a controllable physical force: electric field, optical recognition or magnetic field.
Although, for example, FACS at present represents the state of the art in the field of analysis--despite its high costs of acquisition and maintenance, in particular because of its multifactorial character--it has an important disadvantage, as has also cell immunoelectrophoresis: the capcity available for preparative use is strictly limited and is inadequate to deal with large amount of cells in an acceptable time.
In contrast, the use of magnetic microspheres offers remarkable advantages, since magnetic separation procedures with microspheres are low-cost and straightforward in their process sequence and, in particular, can be used preparatively with acceptable economy not only for dealing with large amounts of cells (10.sup.6 -10.sup.12 cells) but also for the rapid isolation of other cellular particles.
However, in this connection, an additional important system objective must be the parallel development and provision of a favourable priced unit of apparatus, in which the specific separating efficiency of MIMS is exploited, in an industrially reliable and reproducible manner, and the extensive analytical and preparative possibilities are made use of flexibly and quantitatively efficiently. The present invention relates to the provision of a separator of this type. | {
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The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for cutting sheet material by means of a cutting blade such as a reciprocating blade. More particularly, the present invention resides in an automatically controlled cutting machine that can be optionally programmed at the machine or operator's discretion to cause special cutting techniques to be utilized by the blade during the cutting operation. The optional programs are selected based on knowledge, testing and prior experience and take into consideration such factors as the type of sheet material being cut, the special features or contours of the patterns or array of patterns being cut, the proximity of adjacent lines of cut, the depth of the sheet material and the desired accuracy of the finished product.
The techniques of controlling the motions of a cutting blade as it advances along a cutting path through a layup of sheet material are based partly on technical reasoning and partly on experience in the art. For example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,855,887 and 3,864,997 issued to Pearl and Robison and having the same assignee as the present invention, a yawing technique is disclosed and claimed for controlling a reciprocating cutting blade as it advances along a cutting path in close proximity to adjacent cuts. Such technique comprises rotating the cutting blade slightly out of a position tangent to the cutting path and away from a previous adjacent cut to prevent the cutting blade from jumping into the previous cut as a point of tangency is approached.
The special techniques for controlling motions of a cutting blade cause the blade to track a desired cutting path with minimal error in spite of the complex loading of the blade which affects its cutting operation, particularly in multi-ply layups of sheet material. Stress and strain within the blade cause the blade to deviate from a desired cutting path in spite of the accuracy with which servomechanisms or other positioning mechanisms locate the blade, and without the special techniques, the deviations are often sufficient to produce cutting errors which are too significant to be ignored.
Several objects are achieved by the special techniques of controlling blade motions. First of all, it is highly desirable to have uniformity among pattern pieces which are cut at different positions in a multi-ply layup of sheet material. Such uniformity enables pattern pieces to be interchanged and assembled in a finished product such as an item of upholstery or a garment with greater ease and consistent quality.
Secondly, with greater assurance that the cutting blade will track a desired cutting path, pattern pieces may be more closely packed in the marker or array of pattern pieces cut from a piece of sheet material. Closer packing conserves material and since the material is a significant factor in the cost of a finished product, the product can be manufactured at a lower cost.
It has been found from experience that the special cutting techniques are not always needed. Some sheet materials or markers can be cut quite satisfactorily without adapting the machine to use special techniques and, in fact, if the techniques are employed, the resulting pattern pieces may be less accurate because of different material behaviors and cutting conditions. On the other hand, the special techniques may be employed advantageously in other situations and, it is desirable to have the option of employing the techniques.
In the prior art Pat. Nos. 3,855,887 and 3,864,997 referenced above, the special cutting techniques are integrated into the cutting program at the digitizing stage. Therefore, it was not possible for the operator or the cutting machine to be selective in the employment of the techniques after the contours were set in the digitized data.
Furthermore, the special cutting techniques disclosed in the referenced patent were employed only in limited circumstances. It has been determined, however, that a more general application of special techniques is needed if discretion to use the techniques is to be allowed. Accordingly, new techniques have been conceived which have broader application, and it is these techniques that form the basis of the optional programs of the present invention.
Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide method and apparatus for cutting sheet material by introducing special cutting techniques into a cutting operation when needed or desired. It is a further object of the invention to disclose new cutting techniques which are suitable for general application to the cutting of pattern pieces, especially when the techniques are offered as optional cutting programs. | {
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The present invention relates to a nonvolatile flash memory in which information is rewritable by electrical erasing/writing and a microcomputer incorporating the same.
JP-A-1-161469 (Laid-open on Jun. 26, 1989) describes a microcomputer having, as a programmable nonvolatile memory, an EPROM (erasable and programmable read only memory) or an EEPROM (electrically erasable and programmable read only memory) carried on a single semiconductor chip. Data and programs are held in such an on-chip nonvolatile memory of the microcomputer. Since information stored in the EPROM is erased by means of ultraviolet rays, the EPROM must be removed from a system on which it is mounted in order for the EPROM to be rewritten. The EEPROM can be erased and written electrically and therefore information stored therein can be rewritten with the EEPROM mounted on a system. However, memory cells constituting the EEPROM must be comprised of, in addition to memory devices such as MNOSs (metal nitride oxide semiconductors), selecting transistors and hence the EEPROM requires a relatively large chip occupation area being, for example, about 2.5 to 5 times as large as that of the EPROM.
JP-A-2-289997 (Laid-open on Nov. 29, 1990) describes a simultaneous erasing type EEPROM. This simultaneous erasing type EEPROM can be described as operating as a flash memory, such as described in the present specification. In the flash memory, information can be rewritten by electrical erasing and writing, each memory cell can be constructed of a single transistor as in the EPROM and,functionally, all memory cells or a block of memory cells can be erased simultaneously by electrical erasing. Accordingly, in the flash memory, information stored therein can be rewritten with the flash memory mounted on a system, the time for rewrite can be shortened by virtue of its simultaneous erasing function and contribution to reduction of the area occupied by a chip can be accomplished.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,065,364 (issued on Nov. 12, 1991) shows a flash memory of the type in which an array of electrically erasable and rewritable memory cells having control gates, drains and sources is divided into a plurality of memory blocks in a unit of data line, source lines in common to each block are led out and a voltage complying with an operation is applied separately to a source line by means of a source switch provided in each source line. At that time, ground potential is applied to the source line of a block selected for writing. A voltage VDI of, for example, 3.5 V is applied to the source line of a block not selected for writing. The voltage VDI guards against word line disturbance. The word line disturbance referred to herein is a phenomenon that for example, in a memory cell having a word line conditioned for selection and a data line conditioned for unselection, the potential difference between the control gate and floating gate is increased and as a result, electric charge is discharged from floating gate to control gate to decrease the threshold of the memory cell transistor.
JP-A-59-29488 (laid-open on Feb. 16, 1991) and JP-A-3-78195 (laid-open on Apr. 3, 1991) describe an ultraviolet light-erasable EPROM in which sources of memory cells connected with the same word line are connected in common and a source potential control switch is provided for the commonly connected sources. JP-A-3-78195 (laid-open on Apr. 3, 1991) describes an ultraviolet light-erasable EPROM in which sources of memory cells connected with adjacent two word lines are connected in common and a source potential control switch is provided for each adjacent two word lines. Each of the inventions disclosed in these three references is intended to provide a solution to a problem of erroneous writing/reading caused by leak current from an unselected memory cell in an EEPROM.
U.S. application Ser. No. 07/942,028 filed Sep. 8, 1992, which is a continuation application of U.S. application Ser. No. 07/568,071 filed Aug. 16, 1990, discloses a structure of a flash memory in which sources of memory cells are connected in common for the purpose of preventing a word line disturb problem for a writing operation.
Meanwhile, JP-A-3-14272 (laid-open on Jan. 22, 1991), JP-A-3-250495 (laid-open on Nov. 8, 1991) and JP-A-2-241060 (laid-open on Sep. 25, 1990) describe division of a memory cell array in a unit to data line. | {
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1. Field
This disclosure relates to an additive for an electrolyte of a lithium secondary battery, an organic electrolytic solution including the additive, and a lithium battery including the organic electrolytic solution.
2. Description of the Related Technology
Lithium batteries are used as driving power sources for portable electronic devices, including camcorders, mobile phones, and laptop computers. Lithium secondary batteries are rechargeable at high rates and have a high energy density per unit weight of about three times higher than that of conventional lead storage batteries, nickel-cadmium (Ni—Cd) batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries.
Since lithium batteries operate at high operating voltages, they are not compatible with aqueous electrolytes highly reactive to lithium. Lithium batteries mostly use organic electrolytic solutions. An organic electrolytic solution may be prepared by dissolving a lithium salt in an organic solvent. An appropriate organic solvent for the organic electrolytic solution may be stable at high voltages, and have a high ionic conductivity, a high dielectric constant, and a low viscosity.
When a lithium battery uses a carbonate-based polar nonaqueous solvent, an irreversible side reaction between the electrolyte solution and a positive or negative electrode may occur during an initial charging process, causing excess consumption of charges.
As a result of the irreversible side reaction, a passivation layer such as a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) may be formed on a surface of the negative electrode. The SEI may prevent decomposition of the electrolyte solution during charging and discharging and may serve as an ion channel. The higher stability and smaller resistance the SEI has, the better lifetime characteristics the lithium battery may have.
The irreversible side reaction may also result in a protection layer on a surface of the positive electrode. The protection layer may prevent decomposition of the electrolyte solution during charging and discharging and may serve as an ion channel. The higher stability and smaller resistance the protection layer has, the better lifetime characteristics the lithium battery may have.
Therefore, there is a demand for an organic electrolytic solution able to form such a SEI and protection layer with improved stability and low resistance. | {
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This invention relates generally to weatherproof types of electrical installation, and more particularly to weatherproof electrical service outlet receptacles, electrical junction boxes, and outdoor electrical service centers that are weatherproof, but utilize non-weatherproof electrical fittings.
Consumers and homeowners are spending more of their leisure time out of doors on patios, lawns, and pool decks. As this leisure time movement to the outdoors continues, consumers are requiring an increasing number of outdoor appliances, which include various types of electrical lights, electric grills, pool filters, lawn and hedge trimmers, lawn mowers, TV, and stereo systems. These appliances are often powered by electrical extension cords that are plugged indoors and extended to the appliances being operated outdoors.
Outdoor, wall type, electrical service outlet receptacles, when used, need to be both waterproof and weatherproof to be safe from electrical shock hazard. Since both personal safety and potential consumer product safety liability are involved, the development of do-it-yourself outdoor electrical service wiring systems, at voltage levels of 105-220 volts, has been moderately slow in growth. However, this problem has been recognized heretofore, and systems have been disclosed ranging from "Weatherproof Receptacle Covers and Shields" described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,102,466, to a "Weatherproof Electrical Installation With Pivotally Attached Hood Means" described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,188,379.
These devices all utilize conventional electrical outlet receptacles that are either hermetically sealed with physical covers, or have weather protective hoods covering the outlet receptacle(s). Outdoor wall receptacles with hermetically sealed screw covers, or with moveable doors, are most widely used. They are, however, least desirable, since they are not watertight when electric cords are plugged in place. More recent art, as disclosed in the above referenced patents, provides protective hoods that are generally raised when electric cords are attached, then returned to a closed protective position by gravity or springs. The disadvantages of these devices are as follows: the moving door must be physically opened for the receptacle to be used; with plugs in place, it is often difficult to get the door properly closed because tight right angle turns are required in the cords; doors requiring hinges, springs, counter-weights and seals, are expensive to manufacture; and, such designs are not fail-safe. If the door does not close, for any reason, exposure can cause a dangerous electrical shock hazard.
A satisfactory outdoor receptacle must be fail-safe. Preferably, it should have no doors. It must be easy to use, and, plugging in cords must not interfere with its operation. It must comprise few parts, and be economic to manufacture. Finally, these remote electrical service outlets must be capable of both portable operation, and of permanent installation. Such receptacles must be capable of having their power turned on and off at the remote unit to achieve effective appliance control. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a steel for a vehicle suspension spring such as a coil spring, a torsion bar or a laminated leaf spring, which has a good sag-resistance, a good fatigue resistance and a good hardenability.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There has been an increasing demand for light weight suspension springs reflecting a trend for light weight automobiles, in recent years. As an attempt to meet such a demand, it is said to be an effective approach to the reduction of weight to design the springs to have an increased stress and to use them under a high stress state.
However, if presently available spring steels are used under a high stress condition, there will be problems such that the durability will be reduced and the sagging will be increased, and consequently the level of the springs will be lowered, accordingly, the height of the vehicle will be decreased and the location of the bumper will be lowered thus leading to a serious problem for safety.
Under the circumstances, there is a strong demand for a spring steel having a good sag-resistance, which makes high stress designing possible. However, there are severe requirements for light weight suspension springs. Accordingly, it has been strongly desired to develop a spring steel having a sag-resistance superior to that of SAE 9260.
Further, in the case of a thick coil spring or a thick torsion bar made of a wire having a diameter of at least 20 mm, or a laminated leaf spring made of a sheet material having a thickness of at least 12 mm which is used for a relatively large automobile, it is difficult to harden the material to its core portion during the heat treatment, and the structure of the core portion tend to be bainite or ferrite-pearlite which has a lower hardness than a martensite structure, thus giving an inferior sag-registance.
Thus, it is desired to provide a steel for springs, which, even in a form of a thick coil spring, a thick torsion bar or a thick leaf spring, is capable of forming a martensite structure extending to the core portion by the heat treatment, and thus providing a good hardenability without a loss of a sag-resistance. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a magnetic memory device and a method of manufacture of the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to the structure of wirings of a magnetic memory device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Magnetic memory devices that utilize magnetic properties are known. The magnetic memory devices store information utilizing the tunneling magnetoresistance (referred hereinafter to as TMR) effect.
One example of such magnetic memory devices is a so-called magnetic random access memory (MRAM). The MRAM, which is a generic name for solid memories that utilize a direction of a magnetization of a ferromagnetic material as an information recording carrier, can rewrite, hold and read recorded information whenever necessary.
FIG. 22A is a plan view schematically illustrating the structure of part of a typical magnetic memory device. FIG. 22B is a sectional view taken along line XXIIB—XXIIB of FIG. 22A. As shown in these figures, first and second write wirings 201 and 202 are arranged in a matrix form. A memory cell 203 is placed between the first and second write wirings 201 and 202 at each of intersections thereof.
As each of the memory cells 203 use is made of a MTJ element based on a magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) (see, for example, ISSCC 2000 Digest Paper TA7.2). The MTJ element is comprised of a fixed layer, a tunnel barrier layer, and a recording layer, which are stacked in sequence.
In writing information into a selected memory cell, currents are caused to flow through the first and second write wirings associated with the selected cell. As a result, a magnetic field is produced at the intersection between the first and second write wirings, reversing the magnetization direction of the recording layer of the selected cell. Binary information is recorded depending on whether the magnetization direction of the recording layer is parallel or antiparallel with respect to that of the fixed layers. The intensity of a magnetic field (switching field) required to reverse the magnetization direction will be of the order of tens of Oe in a 0.1-μm rule by way of example.
The reading of recorded information is achieved by utilizing the magnetoresistance. The magnetoresistance is a phenomenon by which the electrical resistance of a memory cell changes according to the relative angle between the magnetization direction of the ferromagnetic body of the cell and current. A change in the resistance is read by causing current to flow in the memory cell.
As described above, in writing information into a selected memory cell 203 a current is caused to flow in each of the first and second write wirings 201 and 202. Memory cells in the neighborhood of the selected memory cell (hereinafter referred to as semi-selected memory cells) are affected by magnetic fields resulting from the currents in the wirings. As a consequence, the semi-selected memory cells may be written with erroneous information. This problem will become more serious as the integrated density of magnetic memory devices increases and hence the spacing between each memory cell decreases.
In order to prevent the semi-selected memory cells from being written with erroneous information, it may be effective to adjust the current value in each of the write wirings 201 and 202 associated with a selected memory cell. In order to generate the aforementioned switching field, however, it is required to cause a current of a predetermined magnitude in each of the write wirings. For this reason, a problem arises in that the tolerance for the current value at the time of writing is very small. | {
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Calls placed to mobile units can arrive when the mobile unit is not on the person of the user or when the mobile unit is stationary. In the situation when the mobile unit is not on the person of the user, the user may not be aware of the missed call.
A user may also miss a call when the mobile unit is located on the user, but the user is unaware that a call request has arrived. For example, if the user is driving, sleeping, or is in a meeting and is unable to hear the ring tone, the user will be unaware of the missed call.
Some phones provide a beep or light that is used to indicate a new voice mail message or a missed call. However, continually generating this signal can be disturbing to a user who does not want to be disturbed. Further, the continual generation of the signal can cause unnecessary degradation of the battery.
Therefore, a need exists for a method of alerting a user of a mobile unit of a missed call in a manner that is beneficial for the user of the mobile unit. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to mortarless interlocking blocks capable of being easily assembled in longitudinally staggered or aligned rows and, more particularly, to the special interlocking terminations on said blocks and the system for forming wall structures.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Several attempts have been made in the past to reduce ever increasing construction labor costs. Laying blocks constitute a big portion of the direct labor cost. The need for a sturdy structure limits the economic steps that may be taken to reduce cost. It is worthwhile noting the approach taken by J. Roe in U.S. Pat. No. 2,392,551 wherein the interlocking block described and claimed is believed to be the closest prior art to the present invention. Roe's block, however, has a dovetail termination that requires the lifting and aligning of the block with other blocks already laid on the structure before it can be laid. Also, the keys and keyways need to be matched before the blocks can be laid. Using these blocks would be a prohibitive time-consuming proposition with today's rising labor costs.
Other patents for interlocking building blocks provide for a number of more or less complicated features that fail to solve the problem of building a sturdy and economical wall structure. Refer to U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,291,712; 2,544,983 and 1,430,431. None of these patents suggest the novel features of the present invention. | {
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The Picornaviridae is the smallest animal RNA virus known in the art, and it has 7 genera, i.e., rhinovirus genus, enterovirus genus, aphthovirus genus, cardiovirus genus, hepatovirus genus, double ECHOviruses (enteric cytopathic human orphan viruses) genus, and some unclassified picornaviruses. Picornaviruses can induce diseases in many systems, such as respiratory diseases, hand-foot-mouth diseases, meningitis/encephalitis, acute poliomyelitis, cardiovascular diseases, hemorrhagic conjunctivitis, and hepatitis.
In the late 1980s, virology developed greatly. Several important events in viral life cycle have been well described, and many molecular targets are confirmed. In recent years, the appearance of many novel antiviral drugs also promotes the development of virology. The activities of picornavirus inhibitors are studying. These inhibitors act on targets including viral capsid protein 1 (VP1), a relatively conservative capsid structure for mediating viral absorption/uncoating process. VP1s of viruses of different serotypes are of highly conservative structure, but are very important for replication of viruses, and inhibitors acting on this target could be drugs for combating picornaviruses, among which Pirodavir is a typical representative (ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS and CHEMOTHERAPY, 36(4), 727-732), and this compound exhibits significant activity against rhinovirus (HRV) in vivo and in vitro. Bioorg Med. Chem. 2009, 17: 621-624 discloses a series of compounds with good inhibition activity to HRV, among which the compounds 4-{2-[N-(3-chloropyridazin-4-yl)piperidin-4-yl]ethoxyl}benzoic acid ethyl ester (5f) and 3,6-dichloro-4-{4-[2-(4-ethoxylphenoxy)ethyl]piperazin-1-yl}pyridazine (5c) have an activity comparable to Pirodavir, but have a relatively low toxicity, and a relatively high index of selectivity.
However, there is still need to develop an antiviral agent having a novel structure, effectiveness, and optionally one or more physiological and/or physicochemical advantages. | {
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Lithium batteries are widely used in consumer electronics due to their relatively high energy density. Rechargeable batteries are also referred to as secondary batteries, and lithium ion secondary batteries generally have a negative electrode material that intercalates lithium or alloys with lithium. For some current commercial batteries, the negative electrode material can be graphite, and the positive electrode material can comprise lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2). In practice, only a modest portion of the theoretical capacity of the cathode can be used. At least two other lithium-based cathode materials are also currently in commercial use. These two materials are LiMn2O4, having a spinel structure, and LiFePO4, having an olivine structure. These other materials have not provided any significant improvements in energy density.
Lithium ion batteries are generally classified into two categories based on their application. The first category involves high power batteries, whereby lithium ion battery cells are designed to deliver high current (Amperes) for such applications as power tools and Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs). However, by design, these battery cells are lower in energy since a design providing for high current generally reduces total energy that can be delivered from the battery. The second design category involves high energy batteries, whereby lithium ion battery cells are designed to deliver low to moderate current (Amperes) for such applications as cellular phones, lap-top computers, Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) with the delivery of higher total capacity. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copier or a printer which uses an electrostatic recording process, an electrophotographic process, or the like.
2. Related Background Art
Conventionally, an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a copier, or a facsimile is provided with a recording material supplying portion and an image forming portion. The recording material supplying portion stores a large number of sheet-like recording materials (mediums on which images are formed) and separates and conveys the recording materials one by one. On the other hand, the image forming portion forms an image with a toner or ink on a surface of the recording material supplied by the recording material supplying portion.
In such an apparatus, the recording material supplying portion for supplying a recording material to the image forming portion is constituted as a unit having a plurality of cassettes and is arranged below the image forming portion, whereby a width of the apparatus is reduced.
However, since a size of the recording material is smaller than the area of the base of the image forming portion, there is still left room for reduction of a space. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an error detection technique, particularly to a CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Checking) value calculator that uses cyclic codes for detecting and correcting errors in network related fields, particularly in data communications.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Cyclic code systems are well-known. How they work is that a code polynomial in which the bits of each codeword are the coefficients is divided by a generator polynomial to obtain remainder coefficients that form check bits. Then, when the codewords and the check bits are transmitted along a transmission channel in which communication errors may occur, at the receiving side, errors in transmission can be detected from the remainder obtained when the polynomial corresponding to the received information is divided by the same generator polynomial, enabling the received data to be corrected. Such cyclic code systems are used in magnetic storage devices and commercial data network devices.
CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Checking) is one error checking system. It is noted for its use of compacted cyclic codes. It is extensively employed for error checking in serial transmission channels, because it facilitates burst error detection and can be readily implemented in hardware. It is used for checking frame data in Ethernet (TM) systems. An example is 32-bit-long CRC-32 used for the FCS (Frame Check Sequence) of network frames.
FIG. 9 shows a LFSR (Linear Feedback Shift Register) which is a simple CRC circuit. This is a well-known circuit that performs CRC calculations during each clock cycle, one bit at a time.
Research continues to be carried out aimed at improving the processing performance of CRC circuitry. For example, since the unit of network frame data is the byte, research is being carried out into CRC-32 circuits that calculate the CRC value per byte. FIG. 10 shows an example of a CRC-32 circuit. The circuit shown uses exclusive OR to calculate CRC values from 8-bit data inputs. The length of the data that is processed per cycle is fixed; this 8-bit processing CRC circuit cannot calculate a CRC value from 5-bit data, for example.
Network speeds continue to improve, as shown by the recent appearance of 10-gigabit Ethernet (registered trademark), and is driving a need to similarly improve the throughput of CRC calculation processing. As a result, CRC calculators have been developed with improved throughputs that are able to process multiple bytes of data per cycle. The lengths of the data that can be processed by these calculators per cycle is fixed, and the calculators are comprised of these basic CRC circuits.
FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a conventional CRC-32 calculator, in this case one in which the process data width is eight bytes per cycle. The calculator is comprised of eight CRC circuits. Including CRC circuits for processing data having widths of from one to eight bytes makes it possible to calculate the correct CRC value by selecting the CRC value result corresponding to the byte length of the remainder, even when input network data frames have remainders that are not 8-byte multiples.
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a CRC-32 value calculator that is a generalized implementation of the configuration of FIG. 1, shown during the calculation of m2n bits. By including CRC circuits for data widths m, 2m, . . . , m2n, it is possible to calculate the correct CRC value by selecting the CRC value result corresponding to the remainder byte length.
However, in the case of these circuit configurations, increased data widths are handled by scaling up the circuitry by increasing the number of CRC circuits. This increase is accompanied by an increase in the number of CRC value selector inputs, increasing the circuit delay. When the data width is increased in the case of the conventional technology, a CRC calculator that processes m2n bits of data per cycle is configured using m2n basic CRC circuits. For example, a CRC calculator that processes a data width of 2n bytes per cycle is comprised of 2n basic CRC circuits consisting of
a CRC circuit that processes every 2n bytes,
a CRC circuit that processes every 2n−1 bytes, . . . ,
a CRC circuit that processes every one byte.
Therefore, if, for example, the width of the data processed by the CRC calculator is doubled, the number of basic CRC circuits constituting the calculator is also doubled, increasing the relative scale of the circuitry.
With respect to differences between the prior art and the present invention arising from differences in the scale of the circuitry, while with a conventional configuration the size of a CRC circuit is 2n, the size of a circuit is (n+1) in the case of the configuration of the present invention. The number of CRC circuits is a logarithmic scale, and the latency only increases by the amount of the logarithmic scale.
JP-A 2002-359561 discloses a CRC calculator that can receive variable-length data for processing. However, the CRC calculator comprises an input data shift circuit, a masking circuit and a CRC arithmetic unit.
The CRC calculator of the present invention comprises a number of CRC circuits that is a logarithmic order of the input data width, and selectors possessing registers, connected in series, and as such has a configuration that is different from that of JP-A 2002-359561. | {
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Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an automatic pouring furnace which receives a molten metal and pours into a caster automatically. More specifically, the invention relates to a pressure type automatic pouring furnace which pours a limited amount of molten metal in the furnace by applying gas pressure. | {
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I. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to video frame coding and, in particular, to an arithmetic coding scheme using context assignment based on neighboring syntax elements.
II. Description of the Prior Art
Entropy coders map an input bit stream of binarizations of data values to an output bit stream, the output bit stream being compressed relative to the input bit stream, i.e., consisting of less bits than the input bit stream. This data compression is achieved by exploiting the redundancy in the information contained in the input bit stream.
Entropy coding is used in video coding applications. Natural camera-view video signals show non-stationary statistical behavior. The statistics of these signals largely depend on the video content and the acquisition process. Traditional concepts of video coding that rely on mapping from the video signal to a bit stream of variable length-coded syntax elements exploit some of the non-stationary characteristics but certainly not all of it. Moreover, higher-order statistical dependencies on a syntax element level are mostly neglected in existing video coding schemes. Designing an entropy coding scheme for video coder by taking into consideration these typical observed statistical properties, however, offer significant improvements in coding efficiency.
Entropy coding in today's hybrid block-based video coding standards such as MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 is generally based on fixed tables of variable length codes (VLC). For coding the residual data in these video coding standards, a block of transform coefficient levels is first mapped into a one-dimensional list using an inverse scanning pattern. This list of transform coefficient levels is then coded using a combination of run-length and variable length coding. The set of fixed VLC tables does not allow an adaptation to the actual symbol statistics, which may vary over space and time as well as for different source material and coding conditions. Finally, since there is a fixed assignment of VLC tables and syntax elements, existing inter-symbol redundancies cannot be exploited within these coding schemes.
It is known, that this deficiency of Huffman codes can be resolved by arithmetic codes. In arithmetic codes, each symbol is associated with a respective probability value, the probability values for all symbols defining a probability estimation. A code word is coded in an arithmetic code bit stream by dividing an actual probability interval on the basis of the probability estimation in several sub-intervals, each sub-interval being associated with a possible symbol, and reducing the actual probability interval to the sub-interval associated with the symbol of data value to be coded. The arithmetic code defines the resulting interval limits or some probability value inside the resulting probability interval.
As may be clear from the above, the compression effectiveness of an arithmetic coder strongly depends on the probability estimation as well as the symbols, which the probability estimation is defined on.
A special kind of context-based adaptive binary arithmetic coding, called CABAC, is employed in the H.264/AVC video coding standard. There was an option to use macroblock adaptive frame/field (MBAFF) coding for interlaced video sources. Macroblocks are units into which the pixel samples of a video frame are grouped. The macroblocks, in turn, are grouped into macroblock pairs. Each macroblock pair assumes a certain area of the video frame or picture. Furthermore, several macroblocks are grouped into slices. Slices that are coded in MBAFF coding mode can contain both, macroblocks coded in frame mode and macroblocks coded in field mode. When coded in frame mode, a macroblock pair is spatially sub-divided into a top and a bottom macroblock, the top and the bottom macroblock comprising both pixel samples captured at a first time instant and picture samples captured at the second time instant being different from the first time instant. When coded in field mode, the pixel samples of a macroblock pair are distributed to the top and the bottom macroblock of the macroblock pair in accordance with their capture time.
The introduction of MBAFF coding to the precoding stage as an alternative to PAFF (picture adaptive frame/field) coding where the decisions between frame and field coding are made for each frame as a hole, was motivated by the fact that if a frame consists of mixed regions where some regions are moving and others are not, it is typically more efficient to code the non-moving regions in frame mode and the moving regions in the field mode.
As mentioned above, in the H.264/AVC video coding standard, there is an option to use macroblock adaptive frame/field coding (MBAFF) for interlaced video sources. As turned out from the above considerations, in MBAFF, the pixel samples in a respective macroblock pair are distributed in different ways to the top end field macroblock, depending on the macroblock pair being frame or field coded. Thus, on the one hand, when MBAFF mode is active, the neighborhood between pixel samples of neighboring is somewhat complicated compared to the case of PAFF coding mode.
On the other hand, the CABAC entropy coding scheme tries to exploit statistical redundancies between the values of syntax elements of neighboring blocks. That is, for the coding of the individual binary decisions, i.e., bins, of several syntax elements, context variables are assigned depending on the values of syntax elements of neighboring blocks located to the left of and above the current block. In this document, the term “block” is used as collective term that can represent 4×4 luma or chroma blocks used for transform coding, 8×8 luma blocks used for specifying the coded block pattern, macroblocks, macroblock or sub-macroblock partitions used for motion description.
In the case of macroblock adaptive frame/field coding, while the neighborhoods that are used for CABAC are not clear since field and frame macroblocks can be mixed inside the picture or slice. In the solution to this problem that was included in older versions of the H.264/AVC, each macroblock pair was considered as frame macroblock pair for the purpose of context modeling in CABAC. However, with this concept, the coding efficiency could be degraded, since choosing neighboring blocks that do not adjoin to the current blocks affects the adaption of the conditional probability models. | {
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As mobile phone devices equipped with a digital camera have been widely used recently, there are more opportunities to use image data. For example, image data is acquired by use of such a mobile phone device and displayed on a display device, or thus obtained image data is printed out by a printer. As such, the image data has been widely used in various ways.
Further, a notification service of a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) with the use of a two-dimensional code, such as QR code (registered trademark), and the like services have been offered. More specifically, image data of a QR code is read by a camera function of the mobile phone device, and then the image data is analyzed whereby information of a URL or the like that is embedded into the QR code can be obtained. Moreover, there has been also studied and developed such a technique that data, such as URL, is embedded into an image so that information can be obtained from image data of the image.
Moreover, there have been widely used techniques of transferring image data via wireless communication between apparatuses. For example, as a protocol for transferring image data via wireless communication, a high-speed infrared communication protocol (i.e., IrSimple (registered trademark)), a short distance wireless communication protocol (i.e., Bluetooth (registered trademark)), and the like techniques are used. Furthermore, short distance data communication using infrared radiation, such as IrDA, is also used. With the use of these communication protocols, it is possible to easily transmit, to a display device, image data obtained by a mobile phone device or image data including information of a URL or the like.
Further, along with the wide use of mobile phone devices, there have been increased such opportunities that for using a content of video data, image data, or the like, the content is received from a server that administrates the content. The server performs an authentication process with respect to a user of a mobile phone device at the time of distributing a content so that the content can be distributed only to the mobile phone device of the user who is permitted to use the content. Then, the server distributes the content only to the mobile phone device of the user who is authenticated.
In the meantime, the authentication process requires transmission of personal information of the user and the like information that the user does not want to disclose to other people, from the mobile phone device to the server. However, there is such a risk that the personal information and the like information may be eavesdropped at the time of transmission from the mobile phone device to the server. One of effective ways to prevent such a risk is encryption of information to be transmitted.
As a technique related to encryption of information and decryption of encrypted information, Patent Literature 1 (Japanese Patent Application Publication, Tokukai, No. 2002-366442 (Publication Date: Dec. 20, 2002)) discloses a data terminal device. More specifically, Patent Literature 1 discloses a data terminal device that obtains, from a data recording device, encrypted content data and a license including a license key for decrypting the encrypted content data, so that the data terminal device decrypts the encrypted content data and reproduces the content data thus decrypted.
The data terminal device is arranged such that the data terminal device transmits, to the data recording device, a function certificate that ensures a reproduction function of a content, and then receives encrypted content data and a license from the data recording device when the function ensured by the function certificate conforms to reproduction control information included in the license. The arrangement allows the data recording device that manages a license key to check a reproduction limit of the data terminal device upon content data.
However, the above conventional arrangement causes the following problem. That is, in a case where a reproducing apparatus receives content request information from a portable communication apparatus and requests, in response to that, an administrative server that administrates a content, to provide the content to the reproducing apparatus, the administrative server cannot check whether or not the reproducing apparatus is an authentic destination to which the content is to be transmitted.
For example, in a case where a content of image data received from a certain WEB site or the like is displayed on a portable communication apparatus, visibility of an image displayed on a display screen of the portable communication apparatus may be poor because the display screen is small. In this case, such a system may be possible that the image data of the WEB site is transmitted to a reproducing apparatus having a display screen larger than that of the portable communication apparatus so that the image data is displayed on the display screen of the reproducing apparatus.
In the meantime, as described above, a content to be distributed from a certain WEB site is provided only to an apparatus belonging to a user that is permitted to use the content. At this time, data necessary for an authentication process is exchanged between an administrative server of the WEB site and the apparatus that requests the content. However, a reproducing apparatus, such as a television, cannot exchange such data necessary for the authentication process with the administrative server. As a result, the reproducing apparatus cannot receive the content directly from the administrative server. | {
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1. Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a sewing machine driving system, and more particularly to a sewing machine driving system including a controller for operating a sewing machine at a desired speed to sew a fabric piece and thereafter stopping a sewing needle at a prescribed position.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various control systems for sewing machine drivers having a needle position stopping capability are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,910,211 discloses a control system employing an electromagnetic clutch and brake system. The control system shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,080,914 comprises an eddy-current braking system. According to U.S. Pat. No. 4,137,860, a DC motor control system is disclosed for a sewing machine.
The electromagnetic clutch and brake system includes a clutch motor having a coupling which comprises a combination of an electromagnetic clutch and an electro-magnetic brake for changing the speeds of rotation of the motor and stopping the motor.
As shown in FIG. 8 of the accompanying drawings, the disclosed coupling includes a flywheel 2 fixed to the output shaft 1 of an induction motor, the flywheel 2 being rotated at all times while the the motor is being energized. When there is no load on the motor, the flywheel 2 stores rotational energy. A friction disc 3 is mounted on an outer side of the flywheel 2, and another friction disc 5 is mounted on a bracket 4 which is positioned in confronting relation to the flywheel 2. Between the friction discs 3, 5, there are disposed a movable clutch disc 8 and a movable brake disc 9 which are axially slidable on a spline sleeve 7 forced-fitted over an output shaft 6. Linings 10, 11 are fixed respectively to the outer sides of the clutch and brake discs 8, 9 which face the friction discs 3, 5, respectively. The discs 8, 9 have outer peripheral surfaces providing a portion of a magnetic path formed by electromagnets 14, 15 that are energized by respective coils 12, 13.
The coupling thus constructed operates as follows: When the electromagnet 14 is energized, a magnetic flux flows through the friction disc 3 and the outer peripheral edge of the movable clutch disc 8 to magnetically attract the movable disc 8 toward the flywheel 2. As the disc 8 is thus moved axially, the lining 10 is pressed against the friction disc 3 as it rotates, whereupon the torque of the flywheel 2 is transmitted through the spline sleeve 7 to the output shaft 6.
Upon enegization of the electromagnet 15 under this condition, a magnetic flux flows through the outer peripheral edge of the movable brake disc 9 and the friction disc 5 to magnetically attract the disc 9 toward the bracket 4. This axial movement of the disc 9 presses the lining 11 against the friction disc 5 to couple the output shaft 6 to the bracket 4, thus braking the output shaft 6.
The currents flowing through the coils 12, 13 may be controlled to provide a partly connected clutch condition.
The output shaft 6 is operatively connected by a belt and pulleys to a sewing machine drive shaft. The motor is controlled in speed by a signal fed back from a speed sensor mounted on the sewing machine drive shaft.
Sewing machines for industrial use with a needle position stopping capability and a thread cutting capability are required to provide an intermediate operation speed. To obtain such an intermediate operation speed, the coupling is controlled at the partly connected clutch condition, in which the linings 10, 11 are worn of necessity. If wrong materials were selected for the linings 10, 11, the linings 10, 11 would be responsible for troubles.
The disclosed coupling requires constant maintenance since the worn linings 10, 11 must be replaced. However, the servicing of the linings 10, 11 is problematic because they're not worn uniformly.
The eddy-current braking system employs an eddy-current coupling in place of the coupling of the electromagnetic clutch and brake system. The eddy-current coupling is better than the electromagnetic clutch and brake system in that there is no lining wear problem inasmuch as the torque output is transmitted without any physical contact.
The eddy-current coupling mechanism is shown in FIG. 9 of the accompanying drawings. An induction motor has a motor shaft 20 with a rotating member 21 mounted thereon. The rotating member 21 comprises a driver 21a made of a nonmagnetic material, a claw pole 21b connected to the driver 21a, a nonmagnetic member 21c mounted on a distal end of the claw pole 21b, and a yoke 21d joined to the nonmagnetic member 21c.
A cup-shaped cylindrical member 24 of copper is mounted by a hub 23 on an output shaft 22 and extends into a gap defined between the claw pole 21b and the yoke 21d. The induction motor also has an intermediate bracket 25 to which an excitation coil 27 is attached by a ring-shaped steel plate 26. When the excitation coil 27 is energized, a magnetic flux is generated as indicated by the broken lines.
When the magnetic flux is generated by energization of the excitation coil 27, it flows from the claw pole 21b through the cylindrical member 24 as the rotating member 21 rotates. This magnetic flux is equivalent to a rotating magnetic field applied to the cylindrical member 24, causing an eddy current to be produced in the cylindrical member 24.
The eddy current and the claw pole 21b coact to produce an attractive force between the cylindrical member 24 and the claw pole 21b for transmitting the motor torque from the motor shaft 20 to the output shaft 22 without any physical contact. Since the transmitted torque varies by changing the magnitude of the exciting current flowing through the excitation coil 27, the speed of rotation of a load coupled to the output shaft 22 can be controlled in a stepless manner by changing the magnitude of the exciting current.
Problems with the eddy-current braking system are that since the cylindrical member 24 is of a coreless structure for desired response, the thermal capacity thereof is limited and the permeance thereof is low thus limiting the magnitude of the magnetic flux. As a result, the transmitted torque is low.
With the eddy-current braking system as well as the electromagnetic clutch and brake system, the motor has to be rotated at all times, and hence the power consumption of the motor while the coupling is not in operation and the noise of the motor while it is idly rotating are disadvantageous.
The DC motor control system employs a DC servomotor. The DC motor control system eliminates the problems of the electromagnetic clutch and brake system and the eddy-current braking system, and can perform ideal sewing machine control because of its high response. The motor is normally de-energized since it is started by depressing a sewing machine pedal. Accordingly, a large amount of electric power can be saved and there is no noise problem.
However, the DC motor suffers from the problem of brush wear. Where the sewing machine is used very often and transformerless AC-to-DC conversion is effected in a high-voltage region (such as in Europe), some measure must be taken to reduce brush wear. When the brush service life is terminated, the brush must be replaced and brush powder must be removed. Therefore, the motor requires maintenance relatively frequently.
The applicant has found that all of the above conventional drawbacks can be removed by designing a DC motor control system with a brushless motor, and directed attention to an AC servomotor system taking advantage of semiconductor control technology which has been advanced rapidly in recent years. The applicant has considered a system in which a synchronous motor with a permanent magnet field is used and a system in which an induction motor is used. These motors require a power converter composed of a converter and an inverter. It has been found that since the motors can be driven at variable speeds primarily by controlling the inverter, the same speed control as that of the DC motor can be achieved even though the motors are brushless.
Although the synchronous motor with a permanent magnet field only needs a relatively simple control circuit, the permanent magnet is disposed on a rotor side and there is a certain problem as to how the permanent magnet is fixed. In addition, the permanent magnet tends to be demagnetized by an overcurrent and a peak current of the stator. The synchronous motor with a permanent magnet field is expensive to construct because a high-resolution encoder or a costly resolver must be used in order to accurately detect pole positions.
The induction motor is rugged and inexpensive inasmuch as the rotor comprises an aluminum die casting rotor. However, a loss on the stator is large because the stator is relied upon for the supply of electromagnetic energy, and the temperature rise due to a copper loss on the rotor which arises from the generation of a secondary current is higher than that of the synchronous motor. The controller for the induction motor is rendered complex and expensive by the use of a transvector system and means for compensating for a change in the secondary resistance. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is for a vacuum constriction system, a medical device, and, more particularly, pertains to an internal constriction ring releasing device (IRRD) for a vacuum constriction device system (VCD).
2. Description of the Prior Art
The market for vacuum constriction systems in the United States is currently $20 Million and growing. The projected market is $30 Million by fiscal year 1998.
All systems currently on the market operate similarly in the sense that the constriction ring is applied from the outside of the cylinder.
The successful use of a vacuum constriction system requires a certain amount of practice. The most difficult part of using the system involves maintaining the vacuum, especially during the transfer of the ring from the outside of the cylinder onto the base of the penis. Patients who do not become proficient at this lose a significant amount of vacuum during this transfer and this affects the quality of their erection.
The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a system which releases the ring from the inside and eliminates the outside transfer step, and thus, there is no potential for vacuum loss during ring transfer. The system is easy to use. The quality of the erection is better, resulting in increased user satisfaction and co-user satisfaction. | {
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The present invention differs substantially from presently known and used sprinkler systems. The present invention incorporates an elongate pipe which is driven in rotation both to distribute spray and to intermittently drive spaced apart carrier wheels through a novel wheel engagement linkage. Each single spaced apart carrier wheel provides the sole support for the pipe where such wheel is located. The pipe is provided with spaced apart low pressure splash type sprinkler heads which are mounted to be rotated with the pipe. Such features are not used in the presently known sprinkler systems. The presently known irrigation systems utilize high pressure impact sprinklers mounted upright along pipe which are not rotated and which generally are supported on wheeled carriers of complex design. | {
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The present invention relates to an electric machine such as a motor or generator of the induction type.
A motor is an electromechanical device which converts electrical energy, delivered in the form of voltages or currents, into mechanical energy that is represented as rotational movement. One common type of motor consists of two major elements, a stator and a rotor. The stator typically includes a wire coil having a number of windings. The rotor typically includes permanent magnets. The rotor and stator are mechanically arranged such that the rotor can move freely with respect to the fixed stator. Electromagnetic interaction between the stator and rotor then causes the rotor to move for each polarity change in the stator windings. Other types of electric machines such as generators may be constructed in a similar fashion.
In one type of motor, the stator is formed by laminating a number of disks formed of a ferrous material to provide a cylindrical stator housing. The core disks have formed therein tabs or tines that provide a structure around which are wrapped bare copper wire strands to form the windings. The stator housing provides a coaxial located open space into which is inserted the rotor assembly. The rotor assembly typically is made from a number of electromagnets spaced about a shaft. Typically, the magnets are contained or held with the shaft by an outer sleeve. The rotor assembly is rotatably supported mechanically within the stator housing by low friction bearings.
Such motors have been widely accepted in industry for precision control applications, and they are presumably considered to perform reasonably well for their intended purpose. However, they are not without their shortcomings.
It would be desirable to eliminate the need to provide for a number of windings in the stator assembly from a manufacturing perspective.
It would also be desirable if the power generation or torque capability of a motor of a given size and weight could be increased.
Furthermore, the reliability of such motors could be improved, given that in extended use the wire windings of the rotors may sometimes tend to short or wear out.
The present invention is an electric machine, such as a brushless motor, in which the coil is formed by a set of electrically conductive blade structures disposed about an axis of a stator core. Electrical interconnections between the blades are provided by a set of disks mounted to the ends of the blades. The disks electrically connect the blades in a correct circuit orientation to provide a desired number of turns and phases for the machine.
The number of phases and number of turns associated with the motor may be changed by changing the circuit arrangement of the interconnect disks.
The non-conductive portions of the interconnect disks may be provided by a ceramic or other alumina material.
The blades and conductive portions of the interconnect disks are preferably formed from a material such as a copper and molybdenum laminate.
The outer layers of the blades may have a portion thereof which mechanically contacts a back iron structure of the stator assembly, to provide a rigid, rugged stator structure. In such a configuration, an insulating material is also formed along the blades to prevent the blades from shorting to the back iron. | {
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A coaster is well-known device for supporting a vessel such as a beverage glass on a table to protect the table surface. | {
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Semiconductor integrated circuit devices typically comprise multiple layers of vertically stacked metal interconnect layers with dielectric materials disposed between them. As microelectronic circuits become increasingly integrated, the surface area for the circuits is being reduced with an increase in the number of vertically stacked metal interconnect layers. It is anticipated, for example, that chips having an area of one square centimeter could potentially have tens to hundreds of dense interconnect layers to effectively use all elements on the die. Thus, there is an increased need for improved methods of coupling interconnect layers.
Electrical connections between interconnect layers are achieved with contact holes and via holes placed in the dielectric layers as they are fabricated. A contact hole is a conduit for electrically connecting the metal layers to the semiconductor substrate, and a via hole is a conduit for electrically connecting two metal interconnect layers, which may be adjacent or distal layers. Typically, the contact and via holes are formed with etching techniques that require use of high temperatures and reactive solvents to strip the photoresist and remove other residues and mobile ion contaminants. There are drawbacks, however, with these processes.
For example, FIGS. 1A through 1G are diagrammatic cross-sectional views depicting exemplary processing steps involved in constructing an integrated circuit device with post contact and via holes. In FIG. 1A, there is shown a semiconductor substrate 10, having disposed thereon a plurality of transistors or diodes, shown generally as active regions 12. A first dielectric layer 14 is deposited over the substrate, which may be comprised of a thin film of silicon-dioxide, SiO.sub.2, or other dielectric materials such as a-Ta.sub.2 O.sub.5, a-TiO.sub.x, or x-(Ba,Sr)TiO.sub.3. An etch stop layer 16 comprised, for example, of silicon nitride, may be deposited over the dielectric layer. Contact holes 18 (shown in FIGS. 1C-1D) are formed in the device of FIG. 1A to provide contact with the active regions 12 of the substrate 10.
The etching of the device to form the contact holes 18 often is performed with a photoresist mask and dry etching process involving use of a plasma RIE process and a reactive gas, such as CHF.sub.3 or SF.sub.6. Referring to FIG. 1B, a photosensitive mask may be used to deposit a photoresist layer 20, over selected regions of the etch stop layer 16. The exposed portions of the etch stop layer 16 and dielectric layer 14 are controllably etched with the reactive etchant to expose the active regions 12 and provide contact holes 18 (FIG. 1C). However, referring to FIG. 1C, the photoresist layer 20 needs to be removed, that is, to provide the structure of FIG. 1D. The stripping of this layer 20 is generally performed at high temperature using an O.sub.2 -containing plasma, e.g., at about 250.degree. C.
The high temperatures used to strip the photoresist introduces complications to the process, as the high temperatures may cause oxidation of the materials at the bottom of the contact or via holes (i.e. these materials may comprise silicon, titanium nitride, or aluminum). The photoresist process may cause mobile ion contaminants (i.e., Na+, Cl-, fluoride species, or other ionic organic compounds), to become embedded in the wafer surface (which usually is comprised of silicon dioxide [SiO.sub.2 ]). These contaminants should be removed as they may cause electrical device or crystal defects, lower oxide breakdown fields, and overall degrade the performance and yield of the device. To remove the contaminants, often an isotropic oxide etch is performed (e.g., using a dry plasma process and gas mixtures of CF.sub.4 /O.sub.2 or NF.sub.3 /He). Other methods may be used, such as cleaning with an HF acid solution. In any case, the high temperatures associated with the photoresist strip process introduce oxidation or mobile ion contamination problems which adversely impact upon product yield and reliability and require the use of additional processing steps.
Additionally, after the photoresist 20 is stripped, photoresist residues may remain, (e.g., on the surface of the etch stop layer 16), and the surface and sidewalls of the substrate at the contact or via holes 18 may contain etchant residues. These residues are often comprised of titanium and aluminum-containing films (non-volatile etch products) which frequently will adhere to the sidewalls of the contact or via holes. Thus, once the photoresist is stripped, the structure needs to be cleansed. This is typically done with a solution such as H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 /H.sub.2 O.sub.2 or solutions commonly known in the trade as EKC-265 (a solution comprising hydroxyl amine, 2-(2-aminoethoxy)ethanol, cathechol, and an alkaline buffer), and ACT-CMI (a solution of dimethylacetamide and diethanol amine). A further oxide etch or cleansing step may then be performed to remove the mobile ion contamination and oxidized layers.
This photoresist and etching process may be continued to provide further via holes as the fabrication of the integrated circuit device is continued, and as each group of via holes are formed, the cleaning process is repeated. For example, FIG. 1E shows the contact holes 18 of FIG. 1D filled with a metal interconnect structure 26, providing an electrical connection to the active regions 12. On the interconnect structures 26 there is disposed a protective layer 28 and a dielectric layer 30. A photoresist layer 31 is shown deposited over selected regions of the dielectric layer 30, and the plasma etching process is performed to provide via holes 32 at the exposed regions, as shown in FIG. 1F. The photoresist layer 31 of FIG. 1F may then be removed to provide the structure of FIG. 1G. As previously discussed, the photoresist 31 is stripped at high temperatures, creating mobile ion contamination. A cleansing solution is applied to remove etchant or photoresist residue from the etched surface 30, and from the sidewall or top surface of the vias 32. A further oxide etch or cleansing step is then applied to address the mobile ion contamination. These processes may be continued as additional layers are applied, resulting in multiple interconnect regions provided through many via holes etched during fabrication, followed by many cleaning steps.
Although the etching process described above is advantageous for producing a multi-layered integrated circuit device with a plurality of interconnects, there are drawbacks associated with the photoresist strip and residue removal process. The use of high temperatures in the photoresist strip process is disadvantageous as it creates the potential for mobile ions being embedded in the substrate, requiring additional etching or cleaning steps. The solvents used in removing the residues create potential for solvent build-up and corrosion of the circuit device. As circuit devices are integrated and the surface area of the devices is reduced, the diameter of the vias is likewise reduced, which increases the likelihood that solvents will become trapped in the vias and increases the potential for corrosion. Each cleansing step increases the process time, and especially when a multi-tiered structure is being fabricated, each additional step can significantly increase the overall processing time. The use of reactive solvents also creates disposal issues and health concerns.
Accordingly, there is a need for improved methods of stripping photoresist layers and removing residues and contaminants involved in fabricating post vias in integrated circuits. This invention addresses these needs. Further advantages may appear more fully upon consideration description below. | {
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In a conventional case that inventory of articles, e.g., clothes, is carried out in a shop, a handy type RFID tag reader/writer may be used to collectively read out data of RFID tags which are respectively attached to clothes packed in a box or on a shelf.
In such a case, it is an ideal that data of all of the RFID tags attached to clothes can be read out from the outside of the box or shelf. However, it may be difficult in practice due to overlap of antennas of a plurality of RFID tags or an antenna of RFID tag touching a metal. It may also adversely affect the reading accuracy of the RFID tag reader/writer.
According to the above-described circumstances, there is a desire that an antenna of the RFID tag reader/writer is inserted into the box in which clothes are packed and data of RFID tags attached to clothes are collectively read out by the inserted antenna as much as possible. To achieve the above desire, it is required to minimize the antenna of the RFID tag reader/writer and to control the radiation direction of the antenna.
However, the RFID reader/writer generally uses a patch antenna which radiates radio wave in a single direction. Therefore, data of RFID tags only located at a side in a radio wave radiation direction of such a patch antenna can be read out even if the antenna is inserted into the packed cloths in the box. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a synthetic resin-made cosmetic container of the type in which a cover part is joined to a container part by means of a hinge mechanism.
2. Description of the Related Art
A portable cosmetic container, commonly called a "compact," is generally employed by people as means of conveniently carrying cosmetic substances. An existing type of a widely used compact is generally comprised of a structure in which the rear extremity of the cover part is rotatably joined to the rear extremity of the container part by means of a hinge, thus allowing the cover part to movably rotate as means of exposing or sealing the cosmetic substance held in the container part. This type of cosmetic container further employs a clasp mechanism installed at the front extremities of the aforesaid cover and container parts, said clasp mechanism serving as means of securing the cover to the container.
In many cases both the container and cover part of the compact are fabricated from synthetic resin for various reasons which include the desire to simplify the manufacturing process, reduce the weight of the compact, and provide convenient means of altering the appearance of the compact to attain various decorative effects.
In cases where the aforesaid container and cover parts are fabricated from synthetic resin, the hinge is normally fabricated from a metallic material. As recycling is becoming an increasingly desirable and prevalent method of conserving natural resources through reprocessing discarded items, the presence of metallic hinge pins in an otherwise all synthetic resin cosmetic container makes it difficult, time consuming, and inconvenient to recycle the compact as a synthetic resin product. Specifically, the metal hinge pins, which are often pressed into the container and cover parts through interference fit, must be removed before the compact can be recycled. Considering the difficulty of recycling a compact made from both synthetic resin and metal components, it would be advantageous to fabricate all of the compact's components, including the hinge pins, from a synthetic resin as means of making the compact completely recyclable. | {
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Computer Aided Design (“CAD”) software has been widely used to create virtual models of buildings and products for decades. In addition, Computer Generated Images (CGI) have been used to create virtual images from video games to movies and virtual worlds. The existing processes are cumbersome, creating large files which are problematic to share and move from user to user and require a tremendous amount of storage and computer power to process into photo realistic renderings. In addition, the CAD files and CGI files have competing needs, which makes it difficult for users to efficiently create photo realistic images without tremendous computing power. The CAD files, ideally, need to be small to be efficient for users to save and share; while the CGI files need rich data to be able to create photo realistic images. Attempts have been made to address the file size issue by introducing Proxy Objects into the CAD model. Proxy Objects are light weight objects with limited detail and smaller file size as compared to large weight HD Objects with maximum detail and larger file size.
Current solutions link a single Proxy Object to a single HD Object which are memory intensive as they have all the details required to create a photo realistic image once rendered. Advancements in computer hardware are decreasing the time to produce photo realistic images. While the current solutions help address the file size issue, they require individual users to manually create a Proxy Object for each HD Object. If a user wants to change the HD Object, the user is required to change the Proxy Object manually within the CAD model and then re-render the scene which requires the user to have specific software, hardware and specific technical skills.
Many manufacturers have made their HD CAD Objects available publicly to help CAD users include their products in CAD Models. However, once a user has the manufacturer's HD Object, they have all the details of how the product is designed. However, in doing so, the manufacturers are giving their intellectual property to users without regard to how the public may use their information. This is very similar to the early days of music being made available online where users were able to copy and share music with little or no control by the music's owner. Users copied and shared music freely, creating a major problem for music owners.
The current solutions are not practical for many applications. For example, a user who wants to create a CAD model of a single-family home and show alternative appliances, cabinets, countertops, backsplashes, light fixtures, flooring and paint colors could easily have more than 400 million combinations. This is not practical and is the main reason that home builders have not been able to virtually model alternative selections for consumers with photo quality rendering. Similar scalability issues exist for commercial designers and architects who need to model multiple combinations of selections and retailers who must rely on actual photography to represent their products on line.
While Proxy Objects have existed for years and make the CAD models more efficient, all Proxy Objects have been associated only with a single HD Object in a one-to-one relationship. This limits the ability to scale and requires a CAD user to modify the CAD model each time they want to modify the output of the CAD file. What is lacking in the industry is a method of managing light weight Proxy Objects and connecting a generic proxy object to one or more HD Objects using Meta Data.
Currently the 3D objects in CAD Models are disconnected from the product information. Users construct buildings using 2D paper plans with 2D specifications. Matching the details on the plans with the specifications details is cumbersome and time consuming. BIM models offered the promise of solving much of these issues by creating 3D Models of buildings with content information. However, this shifted the burden from the contractors matching manual information to the architects building this information within BIM models and most architects don't take the time to add the product information within a BIM. In addition, a BIM requires specialized software, hardware and training to use. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a navigation apparatus for a moving object. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a navigation apparatus for a moving object capable of setting an optimum scale of a map displayed on a display unit of the moving object, depending upon moving conditions of the moving object, e.g., moving vehicles or the like. These moving conditions involve, for instance, a distance between a present position of a moving vehicle and a place to which a moving vehicle is directed; a moving velocity of a moving object; and a variation in a steering angle of a moving object and the like.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A great attention is given to a GPS navigation apparatus that is useful to confirm and/or decide a present position and a moving velocity of various types of moving objects such as ships, aircrafts, automobiles by transmitting electromagnetic waves toward these moving objects from a plurality of artificial satellites. It should be understood that the above-described GPS navigation apparatus implies the Global Positioning System where the present position of the moving object can be recognized by receiving the electromagnetic wave transmitted from a plurality of artificial satellites belonging to the GPS navigation system.
As is known in the art, the navigation operation utilizing such a GPS navigation apparatus is normally carried out by receiving the electromagnetic waves transmitted from more than three artificial satellites These electromagnetic waves transmitted from a plurality of artificial satellites are simultaneously received at the side of the moving object, a predetermined correction is performed for a time shift based upon a difference in time precision between a timer device employed in the moving object and timer devices employed in a plurality of artificial satellites, and thereafter the present position of the moving object is displayed by the proper display means In this case, the required map information is displayed on the above-described display means being superimposed on the information of the above-described present position.
As the above-described navigation apparatuses for the various types of the moving objects, a so-called "self-contained" type navigation apparatus is known. Such a sort of the self-contained type navigation apparatus is different from the above-described GPS navigation apparatus, and is characterized in that the present position of the moving object can be confirmed based upon only the data which have been acquired by the moving object itself independent upon the external data such as the navigating electromagnetic waves from the artificial satellites.
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the above-described conventional navigation apparatus. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 3 denotes an antenna for receiving the electromagnetic waves transmitted from the satellites. An output side of the antenna 3 is connected to a receiver unit 4. Reference numeral 1 indicates a sensor for a drive distance, and reference numeral 2 represents an azimuth sensor, which are connected to the output side of the receiver unit 4, and also to a position detecting unit 5. An output side of the position detecting unit 5 is connected to a data processing unit 8. Also a key input unit 6, a map data memory unit 7 and a display unit 9 are connected to the above-described data processing unit 8.
An operation of this navigation apparatus will now be described. An operator for a moving object such as a vehicle depresses, for example, a starting key mounted on the key input unit 6 so as to initialize the above-described navigation apparatus for the moving object. Subsequently, a function key such as a selection key is depressed, so that either GPS type navigation function, or self-contained type navigation function is selected. Assuming now that the former navigation function is selected, both the drive distance sensor 1 and azimuth sensor 2 are electrically separated from the position detecting unit 5 by actuating a mechanical switch or the like (not shown), with the result that the present position and moving direction of the moving object are recognized or decided based upon only the electromagnetic waves received via the antenna 3 from the artificial satellites. When, on the other hand, the GPS navigation function cannot be selected due to existence of various interfering objects, the self-contained type navigation function is selected. Accordingly, the present position and moving direction of the moving object are confirmed and decided based upon only the data acquired from the drive distance sensor 1 and azimuth sensor, 2.
In such a conventional navigation apparatus, only the map illustrating the present position of the moving object is merely displayed on the display unit 9, and since the display scale is fixed on this display unit 9, the following drawback may be provided. That is, as the destination place to which the moving object is directed is located far from the present position, for instance, both positions cannot be observed at one time by utilizing a single display screen of the display unit 9. In such a case, an operation is required to properly change the map illustrating the present position of the moving object and the map illustrating the destination place to which the moving object is directed. Moreover, such a map changing operation is required in conjunction with the moving operation of the moving object. As a result, there is a risk that the safety driving operation of the moving object may not be expected.
In addition, since the display scale is fixed regardless the moving velocity of the moving object in the conventional navigation apparatus, the fine moving paths are simply displayed on the display unit 9 even if, for instance, the moving object is moving at the higher velocity. As a consequence, it is difficult that the operator of the moving object can surely observe the display screen under the high-speed movement. Furthermore, since such a map observation must be performed in conjunction with the driving operation of the moving object, the satisfactory drive operation of the moving object may not be achieved.
Also in the conventional navigation apparatus, since the display scale is fixed regardless of the variations in the steering angle occurring in the movement of the moving object, it is difficult for the operator of the moving object to observe the display screen on which the fine moving paths are merely displayed under the following conditions. That is, even when, for example, the moving object is required to be quickly turned at the crossing on the moving path during which the precise driving operation of the moving object must be required, the operator is required to observe such a fine moving path displayed on the display screen. As a consequence, the above-explained risks may be induced in such a conventional navigation apparatus | {
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The use of manifolds in injection molding systems to transfer a melt stream from a melt source to one or more nozzles for delivering melt to one or more mold cavities is well known in the art. Furthermore, it is well known that in many hot runner injection molding applications it is important that a manifold melt channel layout, which is also known in the art as a runner system, be provided such that each mold cavity receives the same flow of melt having the same temperature and the same shear history. Such systems can be described as “balanced.” Balancing of the manifold runner system is important in order to achieve a greater consistency, or homogeneity, of the melt stream as it is divided from a single melt stream at the manifold inlet to a plurality of manifold outlets, which correspond with a plurality of mold cavities in a multi-cavity application or family molding applications. The result of balancing the melt stream is an overall increase in quality and uniformity of molded parts being formed, when compared to parts formed in systems that are not balanced as such.
Conventional balancing of the melt stream includes designing the manifold to have geometrically matching runner layouts; that is, matching diameters, equal runner lengths, number of turns, and melt channel level changes in each melt path from the manifold inlet to a respective mold cavity. However, at times, despite having matched runner layouts, the melt stream may be different from cavity to cavity due to shear heating of the melt stream as it is forced along the melt path through the runners. More specifically, when the melt stream is forced under pressure through a bore, that is, a runner or manifold channel as is done in a hot runner manifold, the melt stream experiences shear, in the area adjacent to the bore or channel wall with a corresponding localized elevation of the temperature. The result is a temperature differential across the bore or melt channel, with the center of the melt stream being cooler than the melt material closer to the bore or channel wall. This phenomenon is repeated at every split and/or turn of the melt stream along the melt path and may lead to an imbalance of shear-heated material between runners and subsequently between cavities of the injection molding apparatus.
Although a variety of devices and methods exist or have been proposed for addressing the need for balancing the melt delivered between cavities of a hot runner injection molding system, a need still exists for balancing or improving properties of a melt stream of moldable material flowing through a hot runner manifold so that each cavity of the system receives a consistent or homogenous melt to thereby produce improved part to part consistency. | {
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Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
One or more virtual machines may be executed by a processor. A virtual machine may be a software instantiation of a computing environment or operating system. Virtual machines may emulate the architecture and or the functions of a physical machine. A request for execution of certain instructions by a virtual machine may result in the processor stopping execution of the virtual machine, or a virtual machine exit. | {
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1. Field
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus to reduce dielectric discharge in liquid crystal cells or devices driven with high voltages.
2. Related Art
As shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, the prior art uses a photolithography process to deposit a gold layer 12 on conventional conductor films 44 inside a large conventional liquid crystal cell 58. Generally, conventional liquid crystal cell 58 comprise a pair of substrates 2 facing each other. Each substrate 2 has a conventional conductive film 44 on top of it on a side of the substrate 2 facing the other substrate 2. Conventional conductive films 44 are connected by a drive signal supply 20 (e.g., a voltage signal generator). On top of each conventional conductive film 44 are polymer-dispersed or cholesteric liquid crystals (not shown), which would require high operation voltage. Drive signal supply voltage 20 is an AC signal generator that supplies the necessary high voltage to drive conventional liquid crystal cell 58.
In liquid crystal devices that contain polymer-dispersed or cholesteric liquid crystal materials, high voltages are necessary to overcome the polymer network elasticity or helical twisting power on the molecular level to tune or switch the device for a desired electro-optical effect. In these liquid crystal cells, electric fields higher than 15 V/μm or voltages higher than 100 volts need to be applied.
However, due to the use of high voltages, conventional liquid crystal cells 58 created through the photolithography process are prone to unwanted dielectric discharges. Dielectric discharges usually trigger a dramatic cascading effect and evaporates a certain amount of liquid crystal material inside a liquid crystal cell. Such dielectric discharges can severely damage the liquid crystal cells and render it inoperable.
In FIG. 1A, a photoresist 10 is etched to create a gap 8. Gold 6 is deposited over photoresist 10 and gold 6 is deposited in gap 8 to form gold layer 12.
In FIG. 1B, after gold 6 and photoresist 10 are removed, gold layer 12 remains on top of conductive film 44. However, when photoresist 10 is removed, “dog ears” or gold sharp tips 14 are left on the edge of gold layer 12. This is problematic, because as shown in FIG. 1C, gold sharp tips 14 can cause a dielectric discharge 18 of conventional liquid crystal cell 58.
As shown in FIG. 2, dielectric discharges 18 can also occur when gold sharp tips 14 break off from gold layer 12 creating conductive particles 16 on top of conventional conductive film 44.
Dielectric discharges 18, however, are not limited to liquid crystal cells with gold layer 12 created through the photolithography process. As shown in FIG. 3, a conventional liquid crystal cell 60 comprises conventional conductive films 44 connected by the drive signal supply voltage 20. Each of the conductive films 44 are positioned on top of the substrate 2. One portion of the substrate 2 is enclosed by a peripheral seal 32. In FIG. 3, dielectric discharges 18 can also occur around the sharp edges of ends 50 of the conductive layer 44.
Furthermore, conventional manufacturing processes for photolithography are also inefficient. FIG. 14 demonstrates a conventional process fabricating single-pixel liquid crystal cells for a pop-up filter with a very high contrast ratio. As shown in FIG. 14, the substrate 2 is manually cleaned one-by-one in step S1400. Then, the conventional conductive film 44 is deposited in step S1402 at the rate of 6 liquid crystal cells being completed per batch. In step S1404, the substrate 2 is manually cleaned one-by-one again. In step S1406, the conductive film 44 is patterned through the photolithography process one-by-one. In step 1408, the substrate 2 is again cleaned manually one-by-one. Then, in step S1410, a gold ring such as gold layer 12 is deposited with approximately 24 liquid crystal cells being completed per batch. Then, the substrate 2 is cleaned manually one-by-one in step S1412. Anti-reflective coating is then performed at approximately 36 liquid crystal cells per batch in step S1414. As shown in FIG. 14, the conventional manufacturing process can be inefficient. Furthermore, such a process is also unclean.
Thus, there is a need for a liquid crystal cell which is more resistant to dielectric discharges. There is also a need for a manufacturing process of liquid crystal cells which is more efficient. | {
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The present invention relates generally to techniques for connecting the optical and electrical device components. More particularly, the invention relates to LTCC (low temperature co-fired ceramic) structures for use in optical subassemblies.
Many computer and communication networks being built today, including the Internet, are using fiber optic cabling instead of copper wire. With fiber optic cabling, data is transmitted using light signals, not electrical signals. For example, a logical one may be represented by a light pulse of a specific duration and frequency, a logical zero may be represented by the absence of a light pulse for the same duration. Optical fiber has the advantage of having a much greater bandwidth than copper wire.
While fiber optic cabling is very efficient for transferring data, the use of light signals to process data is still very difficult. For instance, currently there is no efficient way to xe2x80x9cstorexe2x80x9d light signals representative of data. Networks therefore use fiber optics for transmitting data between nodes and silicon chips to process the data within computer nodes. This is accomplished by using fiber optic transceivers, which convert light signals from a fiber optic cable into electrical signals, and vice versa. FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary optoelectronic module 100 that can be used to form an optical transceiver.
Optoelectronic module 100 includes a semiconductor chip subassembly (CSA) 102 and an optical subassembly (OSA) 104. CSA 102 is a packaged semiconductor device. As shown in FIG. 1, CSA 102 is a rectangular block of molding material 106 that has electrical contacts 108 exposed through its bottom and side surfaces. Within the block of molding material 106 is a semiconductor die that is electrically connected to contacts 108. For instance, wire bonds can be used for such connections. Another aspect of CSA 102 that cannot be seen is the up-linking contacts on the top surface of CSA 102. These up-linking contacts are also electrically connected to the encapsulated semiconductor die and therefore provide the electrical communication between the semiconductor die and OSA 104. The specific CSA 102 that is shown is a leadless leadframe semiconductor package (LLP). However, it should be understood that CSA 102 can be formed of various types of molded packages.
A conventional OSA 104 includes a conventional backing block 110, a circuitry substrate 112, and photonic devices 114. Backing block 110 has a front surface 116 that supports circuitry substrate 112 and photonic devices 114, which are attached to circuitry substrate 112. A conventional backing block 110 can be formed of a variety of materials such as a ceramic material, polyethylene ether ketone (PEEK), or liquid crystal polymer (LCP). Examples of such conventional OSA""s 104 and backing blocks 104 are known to persons having ordinary skill in the art. One typical example of such a conventional backing block is described, for example, in the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/165/711, entitled xe2x80x9cCERAMIC OPTICAL SUB-ASSEMBLY FOR OPTO-ELECTRONIC MODULES,xe2x80x9d filed on Jun. 6, 2002.
In conventional implementation, a circuitry substrate 112 is attached to a front surface 116 of backing block 110, wraps around the bottom-front corner of backing block 110, and covers most of the bottom surface of backing block 110. Traces of the circuitry substrate 112 run from photonic devices 114 on the front surface to the bottom surface of backing block 110 where they make contact with the up-linking contacts of CSA 102. In an effort to maximize the number of electrical connections possible, size dimensions of the foregoing devices are small. However, even though the size dimensions are made small, the fact that the circuitry substrate 112 is formed only at the surface (or in some implementations two layers deep) of the backing block 110 limits the overall number of electrical connections that can be made from the photonic devices 114 to contacts of the CSA 102.
Additionally, such surface mounted circuitry substrates 112 can suffer from xe2x80x9ccross-talkxe2x80x9d. In typical implementation, size dimensions involved with circuitry substrate 112 are small and cause the circuit traces to be positioned very close to each other. The small size is advantageous in the same way that small sizes for most electronic devices are advantageous. However, the close proximity of the traces can cause xe2x80x9ccross-talk,xe2x80x9d especially at high operational frequencies. Cross-talk is the electrical interference between two or more electrically conducting elements. Such cross-talk can drastically reduce the performance of optoelectronic device 100.
FIG. 2 is a schematic depiction of a conventional backing block 204 (depicted upside down) showing a bottom side 201 and a facing side 202. Commonly, the photonic devices 214 are formed on the facing side 202 of the block 204 and electrically connected to contact pads 215 on the bottom side 201. The photonic devices 214 are electrically connected to contact pads 215 using surface metallization techniques. Typically, the photonic devices 214 are electrically connected to contact pads 215 using electric traces (or leads) 216 formed on a special contact tape that adheres to the block 204. A problem with this implementation is that the electric traces 216 have a tendency to fail in the region where the tape bends over the edge 217 of the block 204.
In view of the foregoing, what is needed is an efficient technique for forming high density electrical connections from the photonic devices of an optical device to an associated semiconductor chip device such that the connections exhibit high circuit density and low levels of cross-talk.
The present invention is directed to a high performance and small-scale circuitry substrate and supporting block used in optical sub-assemblies. In one embodiment an optical sub-assembly (OSA) suitable for optical interconnection with optical fibers and electrical interconnection with a chip sub-assembly (CSA) is formed. The OSA includes a ceramic block having a first surface and a second surface, the ceramic block being formed using one of low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) and high temperature co-fired ceramic (HTCC) techniques. Photonic devices are formed on the first surface of the ceramic block and electrical contacts are formed on a second surface of the block. The electrical contacts being suitable for electrical communication with a chip sub-assembly. Moreover, the electrical connections being formed so that they pass internally through the ceramic block to electrically interconnect the photonic devices on the first face of the block with the electrical contacts on the second face of the block.
Another embodiment includes a ceramic block having a first face and a second face. The block being formed using one of low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) and high temperature co-fired ceramic (HTCC) techniques. The first face of the ceramic block has at least one photonic device formed thereon. Contact pads are formed on the second face of the ceramic block. The block also includes electrical connections that are electrically connected to the photonic devices and pass through internal portions of the ceramic block to so that the electrical connections can electrically the photonic devices to a chip sub-assembly (CSA). The electrical connections can include both signal connections and ground connections. Moreover, embodiments can include internal shielding layers. The configuration of the block can be designed so that cross-talk is reduced, low levels of ground-bounce and electrical parasitics are exhibited, and optimal impedance levels can be obtained. The circuitry substrate can be advantageously used to form an optical sub-assembly (OSA) used in an optoelectronic module.
In another embodiment, the ceramic block includes a plurality of ceramic layers formed using one of low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) techniques and high temperature co-fired ceramic (HTCC) techniques. The ceramic block includes a front surface and a bottom surface. The front surface of the block includes a plurality of contact pads with a plurality of photonic devices. The bottom surface includes a plurality of solder pads. The block further includes internal electric contact planes having at least one electric contact line formed thereon such that the at least one electric contact line passes internally through the ceramic block and is in electrical communication with the contact pads and associated solder pads. The contact pads having wire bonds for electrically connecting the contact pads with the photonic devices. The block also includes at least one internal ground plane having at least one ground contact line formed thereon such that the at least one ground contact line passes internally through the ceramic block and is in electrical communication with selected solder pads. The module further including a semiconductor chip sub assembly (CSA) having a top surface that has exposed up-linking contacts that are in electrical contact with the solder pads formed on the bottom surface of the ceramic block when the ceramic block is placed onto the top surface of the CSA.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be presented in more detail in the following specification of the invention and the accompanying figures, which illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention. | {
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Webpages can contain many different types of content that can be useful for a user. A typical webpage can make use of scripting language to provide client-side functionality, such as functions, plug-ins, applets, and so forth. For example, a merchant webpage can be configured with embedded JavaScript code, which is code programmed using a programming language under the trademark JavaScript™, that performs validation of purchase data (e.g., address, zip code, payment info, and so forth) that is input by a consumer via fields in the merchant webpage.
One traditional technique for employing script in a webpage involves statically developing the webpage and the script for the webpage. For example, a human programmer may hand-code both the webpage and the script offline in a development environment. The statically developed webpage and script may then be posted to a web server where they may be accessed and viewed by users. In order to make subsequent modifications to the script, a human programmer using the traditional techniques makes modifications statically and posts updated files to the web server. Such static development of script can be time consuming and costly. Moreover, static development of script can make it difficult or impossible to incorporate dynamic information in the script, such as dynamically configuring the script to reflect user interaction with a corresponding webpage. | {
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The invention relates to an actuating mechanism for axial setting purposes, comprising three discs which are supported co-axially relative to an axis and of which a central disc is rotatable relative to the two outer discs. Between the central disc and each of the outer discs, there are arranged sets of balls. The balls each run in pairs of circumferential grooves in the faces of the central disc and of one of the outer discs facing one another. The circumferential grooves comprise a circumferentially variable depth.
Furthermore, the invention relates to an intermediate axle drive for vehicles driven by several axles.
Actuating mechanisms of the foregoing type are known from DE 39 28 816 C2 and DE 40 07 506 C1 and from DE 41 06 503 C1 wherein the two outer discs are provided for alternately opening and closing two friction couplings in a manual gearbox whose gear-wheels can be coupled in a force-locking way to an associated shaft by means of the friction couplings.
From the publication xe2x80x9cIntegrated Transfer Casexe2x80x9d by K. Lippitsch, submitted at the conference xe2x80x9cTagung Allradtechnikxe2x80x9d (Conference Four-wheel Technology) taking place from Feb. 10, 11, 2000 in xe2x80x9cHaus der Technik e.V.xe2x80x9d, there is known an intermediate axle drive concerning a two-stage gearbox and a central differential with one locking coupling. The locking coupling is actuated by a ball ramp mechanism with two co-axially supported discs, whereas the two stage drive is switched by a switching claw which can be actuated via an electromagnetic axial setting device.
It is an object of the invention to provide a setting mechanism of the initially named type which can be used for setting processes of different kinds, such as in intermediate axle drives.
The present invention provides an actuating mechanism of the foregoing type wherein, over the entire relative angle of rotation, the first outer disc moves axially from a first end position via a central position into a second end position which deviates from the first end position, and the second outer disc moves axially from a first end position via a second end position deviating therefrom back into the first end position.
Furthermore, the present invention provides an intermediate axle drive for a vehicle driven by several axles, comprising a two-stage gearbox and a follow-up central differential with a locking coupling. The intermediate axle gearbox comprises an actuating mechanism for axial setting purposes comprising three discs which are supported co-axially relative to an axis and of which a central disc is rotatable relative to the two outer discs. Between the central disc and each of the outer discs, there are arranged sets of balls, the balls each run in pairs of circumferential grooves iii the faces of the central disc and of one of the outer discs facing one another. The circumferential grooves comprise a circumferentially variable depth whose extension is such that, over of the entire relative angle of rotation, the first outer disc moves axially from a first end position via a central position into a second end position which deviates from the first end position. The second outer disc moves axially from a first end position via a second end position deviating therefrom back into the first end position. The first outer disc is connected by means of a shift fork to a gearshift sleeve for the two-stage gearbox and the second outer disc acts on a pressure plate of the locking coupling of the central differential.
In this way, it is possible to provide a device which, by means of standard rotary driving means, can achieve two different setting functions.
The central disc can be driven by a rotary drive and the outer discs can be held in a rotationally fast way in a housing, or the central disc can be held in a rotationally fast way in a housing and the outer discs can be driven synchronously by the rotary drive. Finally, by making use of a stage which reverses the direction of rotation, it is not impossible for the central disc and the outer discs to be driven simultaneously in opposite directions of rotation by the rotary drive.
With regard to a preferred use as an actuating mechanism for a two-stage gearbox and a locking coupling in an intermediate axle differential, the first outer disc, for example, over a first range of the angle of rotation, holds, without changing, its first end position; and over a second range of the angle of rotation, is axially transferred into the second end position; and, over a third range of the angle of rotation, holds, without changing, the second end position. The second outer disc, over the first range of the angle of rotation, changes from its first end position into the second end position; over the second range of the angle of rotation, holds, without changing, the second end position; and, over the third range of the angle of rotation, axially changes back from the second end position into the first end position.
In this way, the available relative range of rotation is divided into three. Thus, in a central range of rotation, the locking coupling of the differential drive is opened, with the two-stage gearbox being shifted from the first stage into the second stage, whereas in the two end ranges of the range of rotation, the gear stage as shifted is retained, and the locking coupling of the central differential is going to be progressively closed.
The central range for shifting between the two gear stages is divided up in such a way that within the axial shifting movement, there is additionally provided a central range in which a neutral position between the two gear stages is retained, without being changed, over a certain range of the angle of rotation of the discs. The respective position as set or the coupling condition can be recorded by a sensor at the central disc or at an element of the rotary drive of the disc.
The differential drive can, for example, be a planetary drive whose input shaft carries the web with the planetary gears, whose sun gear is connected to a first output shaft and whose hollow gear is positioned on a hollow shaft which rotates with the first output shaft and which, via an intermediate gear, drives a second output shaft. The locking device can be a multi-plate clutch which is effective between the web and hollow gear and which can be loaded via a pressure plate and an axial bearing by the second disc.
Other advantages and features of the invention will also become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and appended claims, and upon reference to the accompanying drawings. | {
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CGRP (Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide) is a naturally occurring 37-amino acid peptide that is generated by tissue-specific alternate processing of calcitonin messenger RNA and is widely distributed in the central and peripheral nervous system. CGRP is localized predominantly in sensory afferent and central neurons and mediates several biological actions, including vasodilation. CGRP is expressed in alpha- and beta-forms that vary by one and three amino acids in the rat and human, respectively. CGRP-alpha and CGRP-beta display similar biological properties. When released from the cell, CGRP initiates its biological responses by binding to specific cell surface receptors that are predominantly coupled to the activation of adenylyl cyclase. CGRP receptors have been identified and pharmacologically evaluated in several tissues and cells, including those of brain, cardiovascular, endothelial, and smooth muscle origin.
Based on pharmacological properties, these receptors are divided into at least two subtypes, denoted CGRP1 and CGRP2. Human α-CGRP-(8-37), a fragment of CGRP that lacks seven N-terminal amino acid residues, is a selective antagonist of CGRP1, whereas the linear analogue of CGRP, diacetoamido methyl cysteine CGRP ([Cys(ACM)2,7]CGRP), is a selective agonist of CGRP2. CGRP is a potent neuromodulator that has been implicated in the pathology of cerebrovascular disorders such as migraine and cluster headache. In clinical studies, elevated levels of CGRP in the jugular vein were found to occur during migraine attacks (Goadsby et al., Ann. Neurol., 1990, 28, 183-187), salivary levels of CGRP are elevated in migraine subjects between attacks (Bellamy et al., Headache, 2006, 46, 24-33), and CGRP itself has been shown to trigger migrainous headache (Lassen et al., Cephalalgia, 2002, 22, 54-61). In clinical trials, the CGRP antagonist BIBN4096BS has been shown to be effective in treating acute attacks of migraine (Olesen et al., New Engl. J. Med., 2004, 350, 1104-1110) and was able to prevent headache induced by CGRP infusion in a control group (Petersen et al., Clin. Pharmacol. Ther., 2005, 77, 202-213).
CGRP-mediated activation of the trigeminovascular system may play a key role in migraine pathogenesis. Additionally, CGRP activates receptors on the smooth muscle of intracranial vessels, leading to increased vasodilation, which is thought to contribute to headache pain during migraine attacks (Lance, Headache Pathogenesis: Monoamines, Neuropeptides, Purines and Nitric Oxide, Lippincott-Raven Publishers, 1997, 3-9). The middle meningeal artery, the principle artery in the dura mater, is innervated by sensory fibers from the trigeminal ganglion which contain several neuropeptides, including CGRP. Trigeminal ganglion stimulation in the cat resulted in increased levels of CGRP, and in humans, activation of the trigeminal system caused facial flushing and increased levels of CGRP in the external jugular vein (Goadsby et al., Ann. Neurol., 1988, 23, 193-196). Electrical stimulation of the dura mater in rats increased the diameter of the middle meningeal artery, an effect that was blocked by prior administration of CGRP(8-37), a peptide CGRP antagonist (Williamson et al., Cephalalgia, 1997, 17, 525-531). Trigeminal ganglion stimulation increased facial blood flow in the rat, which was inhibited by CGRP(8-37) (Escott et al., Brain Res. 1995, 669, 93-99). Electrical stimulation of the trigeminal ganglion in marmoset produced an increase in facial blood flow that could be blocked by the non-peptide CGRP antagonist BIBN4096BS (Doods et al., Br. J. Pharmacol., 2000, 129, 420-423). Thus the vascular effects of CGRP may be attenuated, prevented or reversed by a CGRP antagonist.
CGRP-mediated vasodilation of rat middle meningeal artery was shown to sensitize neurons of the trigeminal nucleus caudalis (Williamson et al., The CGRP Family: Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP), Amylin, and Adrenomedullin, Landes Bioscience, 2000, 245-247). Similarly, distention of dural blood vessels during migraine headache may sensitize trigeminal neurons. Some of the associated symptoms of migraine, including extra-cranial pain and facial allodynia, may be the result of sensitized trigeminal neurons (Burstein et al., Ann. Neurol. 2000, 47, 614-624). A CGRP antagonist may be beneficial in attenuating, preventing or reversing the effects of neuronal sensitization.
The ability of the compounds of the present invention to act as CGRP antagonists makes them useful pharmacological agents for disorders that involve CGRP in humans and animals, but particularly in humans. Such disorders include migraine and cluster headache (Doods, Curr Opin Inves Drugs, 2001, 2 (9), 1261-1268; Edvinsson et al., Cephalalgia, 1994, 14, 320-327); chronic tension type headache (Ashina et al., Neurology, 2000, 14, 1335-1340); pain (Yu et al., Eur. J. Pharm., 1998, 347, 275-282); chronic pain (Hulsebosch et al., Pain, 2000, 86, 163-175); neurogenic inflammation and inflammatory pain (Holzer, Neurosci., 1988, 24, 739-768; Delay-Goyet et al., Acta Physiol. Scanda. 1992, 146, 537-538; Salmon et al., Nature Neurosci., 2001, 4(4), 357-358); eye pain (May et al. Cephalalgia, 2002, 22, 195496), tooth pain (Awawdeh et al., Int. Endocrin. J., 2002, 35, 30-36), non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (Molina et al., Diabetes, 1990, 39, 260-265); vascular disorders; inflammation (Zhang et al., Pain, 2001, 89, 265), arthritis, bronchial hyperreactivity, asthma, (Foster et al., Ann. NY Acad. Sci., 1992, 657, 397-404; Schini et al., Am. J. Physiol., 1994, 267, H2483-H2490; Zheng et al., J. Virol., 1993, 67, 5786-5791); shock, sepsis (Beer et al., Crit. Care Med., 2002, 30 (8), 1794-1798); opiate withdrawal syndrome (Salmon et al., Nature Neurosci., 2001, 4(4), 357-358); morphine tolerance (Menard et al., J. Neurosci., 1996, 16 (7), 2342-2351); hot flashes in men and women (Chen et al., Lancet, 1993, 342, 49; Spetz et al., J. Urology, 2001, 166, 1720-1723); allergic dermatitis (Wallengren, Contact Dermatitis, 2000, 43 (3), 137-143); psoriasis; encephalitis, brain trauma, ischaemia, stroke, epilepsy, and neurodegenerative diseases (Rohrenbeck et al., Neurobiol. of Disease 1999, 6, 15-34); skin diseases (Geppetti and Holzer, Eds., Neurogenic Inflammation, 1996, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Fla.), neurogenic cutaneous redness, skin rosaceousness and erythema; tinnitus (Herzog et al., J. Membrane Biology, 2002, 189(3), 225); inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, (Hoffman et al. Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology, 2002, 37(4) 414-422) and cystitis. Of particular importance is the acute or prophylactic treatment of headache, including migraine and cluster headache.
The present invention relates to novel non-amidic linkers with branched termini derivatives that are useful as ligands for CGRP receptors, in particular antagonists for CGRP receptors, their use in therapy, pharmaceutical compositions comprising them and methods of therapy using them. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electrical power supply from a variable fuel cell power supply system for reliably generating ac and dc power as a stand alone unit.
2. Background Art
The availability, defined as percentage of run time over total time; the reliability, determined as the number of occurrences of failure per unit time of operation; and the durability, defined as service life, of previously known fuel cell generators are not sufficient for a free-standing, continuously operating, dynamic load-following, local fuel cell application using currently available manufactured components or even improved components.
Previous claims to fuel cell availability, reliability and durability, as reported in newspapers, magazines, and technical journals, are specific to a particular existing or envisioned application. For instance, the durability needs of a fuel cell automobile engine (e.g., 5,000-10,000 hrs) with its intermittent operation may not be acceptable in a residential application with continuous operation (e.g., 45,000-90,000 hrs) requirements. In addition, a fully acceptable 85-90% operating availability for a manned, grid backed, utility site would not be accepted by the general public for a local, unmanned, residential unit (where expectations are more likely to be one loss every 5-10 years). A NASA space fuel cell application using pure stored liquid hydrogen and oxygen cannot be relied upon by skilled artisans to establish how to improve reliability to required levels for a free-standing, re-formed fuel, ambient-air terrestrial application, particularly under dynamic and transient operation.
Improvement efforts focus on components rather than systems to solve availability, reliability, durability, and excessive cost problems. A non-exhaustive list of specific Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell problems currently under attack include: carbon monoxide/dioxide catalyst poisoning from reformed hydrocarbon fuels, membrane hydration control for dimensional stability and ionic conductivity, membrane physical integrity for pressure differential and expansion or contraction stress failures, membrane dehydration and electronic failures caused by hot spots from poor heat dissipation, and fuel cell contamination caused by incomplete fuel reforming and/or cleanup. Most fuel cell problems are accentuated by operational dynamics and/or transients. Conventional wisdom demands that systems must shutdown processes in the event of hydrogen leakage. In addition, manufacturing process variability for membranes, electrodes, and Membrane Electrode Assemblies (MEA's) result in a lack of consistency or repeatability in performance (or operation) for assembled fuel cell stacks.
In an attempt to solve these problems, previous research and development efforts have focused on components. New materials for membranes, bipolar plates, catalysts, composites, and electrodes have been developed. Geometry changes, including stacked plates, round, hexagonal, and others have been tried with varying success. Improvements by studying the chemistry of contamination, chemical process stability, chemical degradation, chemical depletion, and alternative chemistries, have been sought. New processes for manufacturing components have focused on cost reduction, tolerances, and uniformity. Improvements in operational safety and the effectiveness of system monitoring and control have been sought through the development of controllers and sensors that possess integrity during variations in pressure, temperature, and humidification. The need to use fossil fuels, because of the lack of a hydrogen distribution infrastructure, has caused development of storage, distribution, reformer, multi-fuel reformer, and contaminant clean-up equipment. Finally, improvements in ancillary fuel cell generator components such as energy storage units, electrical converters, compressors, pumps, and manifolds have been tried with varying success.
There are also conflicting issues that require different trade-offs for different applications. Previously known improvements, such as thinning membranes to increase conductivity and fuel cell power density, reduces reliability by compromising physical integrity. Membranes expand and contract as much as 20% between their dehydrated and fully hydrated states, creating opportunities for physical failure due to stress, strain, creep and tear. In addition, gas pressure differentials across the membrane are more likely to cause membrane punctures. When reducing membrane dimension, membrane thickness and uniformity becomes more difficult to control. Lightened catalyst loading decreases cost and reduces durability due to increased susceptibility to catalyst poisoning from fuel or oxidant impurities.
In addition to the fuel cell stack issues, the remaining plant devices also contribute to the operational, reliability, and durability problems. For example, inverter failures have significantly reduced the availability and durability of prototype fuel cell generators and commercial Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) installations. Both single fuel and multi-fuel reformers, using commonly available fuels, are still in the R&D stage for attaining hydrogen-rich and contaminate-free operation, particularly under transient conditions. Batteries have well known duty cycle and durability issues that have led researchers in the field toward storage alternatives such as ultra capacitors and fly wheels.
Virtually all major automotive manufacturers are targeting 2004 for the introduction of commercial Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cell engines of a size that outputs approximately 50 kW. Fuel cells become cost-competitive with the internal combustion engine at approximately $35-$50 per kW. A large scale phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC) stationary commercial supply system is produced by ONSI, the PC25; and Ballard Power Systems has demonstrated a 250 kW PEM prototype. The target market for these products are utilities, industries, hospitals, and commercial establishments because of their size. A small scale stationary/residential system has not yet been commercialized, although Plug Power has set a residential PEM fuel cell commercialization target of 2001 for a supply output size of approximately 7 kW, while APC, Avista, Energy Partners, H-Power, and NPS have all stated intentions to enter this market. Fuel cell generators become cost-competitive at approximately $500-$900 per kW in this market.
Fuel cell developers are looking for synergy between the transportation/automotive and stationary product markets. However, the previous developments do not establish that improvements and cost reductions will always be directly transferable between products/markets. Auto manufacturers, suppliers and their strategic partners are addressing problems through research and development at the component level and through the simplification of systems by component reduction, however, transportation application requirements allow tradeoffs that are detrimental to stationary applications.
Large stationary fuel cell system developers are accepting the low reliability specifications of existing utility generating equipment. The exception is a developer (SurePower) who is targeting high-value power quality with the application of ONSI Corporation's 200 kW PC25 units. However, the SurePower approach relies upon rotary equipment as well as grid connection and generators to compensate for fuel cell production inconsistencies during dynamic and transient load changes. Some small Stationary/Residential system developers including some fuel cell suppliers and their strategic partners appear to be addressing reliability and durability problems with a grid interface for alternate supply where the grid becomes an energy storage buffer and backup for the fuel cell.
Fuel cell technology is generally touted for reliability because there are no moving parts and availability exceeds that experienced for the most reliable utility generators. However, the current state-of-the-art fuel cell generator falls short of the needs for stationary free-standing and/or high power quality markets. The ancillary equipment needed to support the fuel cell in an environment with no hydrogen fuel distribution infrastructure, and a need to convert the dc output to ac for most applications, adds complexity and additional failure modes that reduce availability significantly. Most components are not market mature (reformers, sensors, controls, membranes, etc.) and their reliability is unproven. Where ancillary equipment is mature (inverters, batteries) the devices are not known for their reliability and durability and do not provide for secure, unattended operation.
Much of the current research and development effort is targeted at improved fuel cell materials, catalysts, and fuel cleanup all driven by reduced cost targets. However, many of the cost reduction efforts have potentially degrading effects on the fuel cell reliability, availability, and durability experienced to date. The use of thinner fuel cell membranes reduces cost and weight while sacrificing physical strength and integrity. Lower catalytic loadings reduce costs while increasing the risk of catalyst poisoning and perhaps reducing durability. New materials in bi-polar plates reduce costs but may degrade operating characteristics and conductivity. New materials and the processes producing them could introduce impurities that would detrimentally affect the long term stability of the fuel cell's chemical reactions. Even the strongest supporters of fuel cells acknowledge the performance risks associated with taking this technology to market at a competitive price.
In a commercial utility grid, the interconnected grid is divided into control areas and each area is the assigned responsibility of a specific utility. The control strategy uses the mechanical inertia of rotating electrical equipment, generator governors set at 60 cycles, and supplemental generator control (using unloaded spinning reserve), to maintain the area control error (ACE) and grid frequency within specified ranges under normal dynamic loading conditions. In simplified form, ACE equals the difference between the area's load and the sum of the area's generation plus purchase power contracts minus its sales contracts. A non-zero ACE indicates an unbalance in the load and supply. For supply deficiency, a signal derived from ACE is used to load spinning reserve, and for supply excess, the ACE signal is used to unload generation. The inertia of rotating equipment is used to buffer the system with rotational frequency rising above 60 cycles when supply exceeds demand and frequency declining below 60 cycles when demand exceeds supply—thereby achieving a new energy balance between supply and load at the new frequency. An uncontrolled unbalance in grid supply and demand (an unstable condition) would cause widespread physical damage when rotating equipment is forced to operate outside the rotational speed design parameters (typically 57-62 cycles). These controls are not readily applicable to a fuel cell stand alone power supply. | {
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The present invention pertains to a method for operating an electromechanical brake system of a motor vehicle that contains the following components:
brake actuators, one assigned to each wheel of the motor vehicle, PA1 a control unit for controlling or regulating the brake system, and PA1 two brake circuits that operate independently of one another and are supplied with power by an on-board network of the motor vehicle in the normal mode. PA1 monitoring the voltage of the on-board network in a control unit, wherein the electromechanical brake system operates in the normal mode if the voltage of the on-board network exceeds a predetermined value, and wherein the brake system operates in the emergency mode if the voltage of the on-board network voltage falls below a predetermined value, and following the features listed below: PA1 brake actuators one assigned to each wheel of the motor vehicle, PA1 a control unit for controlling or regulating the brake system, and PA1 two brake circuits that operate independently of one another and are supplied with power by an on-board network of the motor vehicle in the normal mode, wherein PA1 one emergency power storage mechanism, which supplies the respective brake circuits with power in the emergency mode, is assigned to each brake circuit, and PA1 a differentiation between the normal mode and the emergency mode can be made in the control unit, and PA1 both brake circuits are operated by the control unit in the normnal mode of the brake system, and PA1 in the emergency mode of the brake system, only one of the two brake circuits is operated by the control unit until the emergency power storage mechanism assigned to this brake circuit has reached a residual power value that is sufficient for locking the wheels of this brake circuit while the motor vehicle is at a standstill.
Brake systems of the Brake-By-Wire type were recently developed for motor vehicles, in particular, for passenger cars. In brake systems of this type, the driver decelerates the motor vehicle by exerting a force upon the brake pedal with the foot, wherein the effect of this force exerted upon the pedal is detected by a sensor and converted into an electric signal. The signal is forwarded to individual brake actuators that are assigned to each wheel of the motor vehicle and each brake actuator exerts a braking force upon the wheel of the motor vehicle, among other things with the aid of an electric motor. In contrast to conventional brake systems, the brake actuating power required for a braking maneuver is not made available in mechanical form, but rather in electrical form. Consequently, electric brake power storage mechanisms need to be provided that can supply the brake system with the required electric power during a braking maneuver. In the normal mode, an electromechanical brake system is usually powered by the on-board network of the motor vehicle.
It is no longer possible to power the brake system via the on-board network if this on-board network becomes defective or fails. For these cases, according to one legal requirement, it must also be possible to bring the motor vehicle to a standstill reliably after a certain number of brake actuations. In addition, it should also be possible to park the motor vehicle reliably, i.e., to secure the motor vehicle by actuating a parking brake that acts upon the brakes of the brake system.
An electromechanical brake system of the initially mentioned type that is supplied with electric power by the on-board network in the normal mode of the motor vehicle is known from DE 34 10 006 A1. The brake system described in this publication contains another brake circuit that is either provided in the form of a hydraulic or a mechanical brake circuit and functionally connected to the brake pedal of the brake system in addition to an electric brake circuit. Preferably, the additional brake circuit acts exclusively upon the wheels of the front axle of the motor vehicle. The mechanical brake system that is embodied with the aid of bowden cables may also be connected functionally to a manually actuated parking brake lever. If a malfunction occurs in the brake system or if there is a failure in the on-board network that leads to a failure of the electric circuit of the brake system, the brake pedal can be actuated beyond a pressure point such that the vehicle is decelerated with the aid of the hydraulic brake circuit or the mechanical brake circuit. A reliable deceleration of the motor vehicle consequently is also possible if the on-board network malfunctions or fails. In addition, the safe parking of the motor vehicle can be realized if the second brake circuit of the brake system is provided in the form of a mechanical brake circuit. In this case, the wheels of the front axle of the motor vehicle can be locked by actuating the parking brake lever while the motor vehicle is at a standstill.
The previous explanations indicate that the brake system known from DE 34 10 006 A1 fulfills the initially mentioned requirements. However, this electromechanical brake system has a complicated design because it contains a hydraulic or mechanical brake circuit in addition to an electric brake circuit. Consequently, this brake system is not able to obtain the objective of the invention, namely the creation of a reliable and exclusively electromechanical brake system (i.e., a brake system that does not contain an additional hydraulic or exclusively mechanical brake circuit).
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to be able to operate an exclusively electromechanical brake system that makes it possible to reliably decelerate and safely park a motor vehicle even if the on-board network malfunctions or fails.
A further object of the invention is to have a mechanical brake system for carrying out the aforementioned method. | {
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It is well known that certain particulate materials have been used to extinguish a class A, B and C fire. These materials are generally used in a fire extinguisher that projects the particulate material onto the fire through the use of an inert gas carrier, such as nitrogen. When the material is sufficiently heated by the fire, it reacts to produce a gas component that snuff the flames. | {
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The invention is in the field of Semiconductor-On-Insulator (SOI) devices, and relates more particularly to Lateral Insulated Gate Bipolar Transition (LIGBT) SOI devices suitable for high-voltage applications.
In fabricating high-voltage power devices, tradeoffs and compromises must typically be made in areas such as breakdown voltage, size, "on" resistance, saturation current and manufacturing simplicity and reliability. Frequently, improving one parameter, such as breakdown voltage, will result in the degradation of another parameter, such as "on" resistance. Ideally, such devices would feature superior characteristics in all areas, with a minimum of operational and fabrication drawbacks. One particularly advantageous form of lateral thin-film SOI device includes a semiconductor substrate, a buried insulating layer on the substrate, and a lateral transistor device in an SOI layer on the buried insulating layer, the device, such as a MOSFET, including a semiconductor surface layer on the buried insulating layer and having a source region of a first conductivity type formed in a body region of a second conductivity type opposite to that of the first, an insulated gate electrode over a channel region of the body region and insulated therefrom by a surface insulation region, a lightly-doped lateral region such as a linearly-graded lateral drift region of the first conductivity type, and a drain region of the first conductivity type laterally spaced apart from the channel region by the drift region.
However, SOI MOSFET devices such as those described above still suffer from certain drawbacks, such as requiring a relatively large area for a given current carrying capacity and high "on" resistance in smaller-area devices. In order to overcome these disadvantages, various types of Lateral Insulated-Gate Bipolar Transistor (LIGBT) designs have been developed, as illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,963,951, 5,654,561 and 5,869,850. Although these prior-art LIGBT designs generally offer the advantages of improved current capacity and have various features to improve immunity to latch-up, further improvement in on-state performance (saturation current) would be desirable in order to further increase current capacity and/or reduce device area for a given saturation current value.
Thus, it will be apparent that numerous techniques and approaches have been used in order to enhance the performance of power semiconductor devices, in an ongoing effort to attain a more nearly optimum combination of such parameters as breakdown voltage, size, saturation current and manufacturing ease. While the foregoing structures provide varying levels of improvement in device performance, no one device or structure fully optimizes all of the design requirements for high-voltage, high-current operation.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to have an LIGBT SOI device structure capable of high performance in a high-voltage, high-current environment, in which operating and fabrication parameters, and in particular on-state performance (saturation current) and/or reduced area are further optimized. | {
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Within a conventional authentication system, a hardware authenticator (sometimes called a token) and an authentication server work together to grant the token holder with login access using one-time use passwords (OTPs) which are often referred to as OTP codes, one-time passcodes, and pseudo-random numbers, among other terms. To this end, both the token and the authentication server share a symmetric key (i.e., a secret which is not otherwise known). The token uses this key to produce a series of one-time use passwords. Concurrently, the authentication server carries out the same operations on its end to produce the same series of one-time use passwords. Accordingly, at any time, the token holder is capable of providing a matching one-time use password from the token to the authentication server to prove that the token holder possesses the token. An authentication-based arrangement which carries out authentication in a manner which is similar to that explained above is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,985,583, the teachings of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
For the initially-described conventional authentication system, it is possible for each of the token and the server to generate a set of keys where keys are derived from precursor keys; and where each key may be involved in the derivation of one or more subordinate keys over time, as shown in FIG. 1. Examples of the relationship between the keys in such a structure are often shown as chains of key, a tree of keys, a branch of a tree of key, or some other representation. That is, these authentication devices carry out a first key derivation function to derive a first derived key from a master key. Next, these devices carry out a second key derivation function to derive a second derived key from the first derived key, and so on. Each key derivation function may include, as additional input, extra information (e.g., a nonce value, a predefined value, a group password, etc.) as an additional security measure. The devices then use the lowest-level derived key at the time of authentication to produce a one-time use password.
It should be understood that, if the keys of the token are corrupted (e.g., due to a gamma ray burst, thermal noise, a power glitch, radio frequency interference, etc.), such corruption typically is detected when the token holder tries to authenticate with the authentication server. In particular, the token holder tries to submit a password based on a corrupted key and the authentication server refuses to authenticate the token holder. After several futile authentication attempts, the token holder typically contacts an administrator of the authentication server who eventually determines that the token is defective and no longer useful. The administrator then provides the token holder with a new token to replace the defective token. | {
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1. Field of the Invention:
The present invention relates to an insecticidal resin coating film which is formed mainly on a substrate so as to continuously and effectively kill and exterminate insects such as cockroaches, flies and termites which crawl thereon.
2. Prior Art:
Compositions comprising an insecticidal component and a high molecular resin used heretofore can be classified into those in the form of an emulsion to be sprayed on the soil to kill insects therein (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-93738) and those in the form of a sheet or coating film to be used for killing insects in institutions and houses.
The products comprising latter composition include, for example, a paper or fibrous material coated or impregnated with an insecticidal component or insect repellent (Japanese Patent Publication No. 3761/1986), a mixture of latex and an insectproofing agent (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-238376) and a high molecular resin containing an insecticidal component (GB No. 2142239 A). However, they are yet insufficient in the application range, insecticidal effect, effect-lasting time and safety. Under these conditions, an improvement of them has been demanded. | {
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This invention relates generally to a voltage clamp circuit and, more particularly, to a circuit for limiting the voltage which appears across the gate and source terminals of a power MOS field effect transistor (MOSFET).
It is well known that automobile manufacturers are tending towards the use of a multiplexed wiring scheme as opposed to the more traditional discrete wiring arrangement. This not only reduces the amount of wiring and connections necessary, but also reduces the labor of troubleshooting and improves long-term reliability (e.g. avoids shorts due to vibrations).
In addition, the automobile industry recognizes the need for diagnostics; i.e., the ability of an onboard computer to sense, for example, when a lamp is burned out or shorted, which lamp is burned out, and immediately inform the driver of the vehicle. Therefore, the multiplexed wiring system must include circuits which are capable of sensing intelligence at each element (e.g. lamp) and distribute this intelligence.
While mechanical switches are used to drive lamps in a discrete wiring system, a multiplexed wiring system requires low current switching such as dash-mounted keyboard or a dusk-on dusk-off sensor, and an electronic power switch such as a TMOS power MOSFET to drive the lamp. Of course, the MOSFET is power dissipation limited; i.e., it can handle a certain amount of power and no more. If the load (lamp) were to become shorted, the entire battery potential would be placed across the terminals of the MOSFET absent certain precautions. Thus, in the case of a load fault, the gate-to-source voltage must be fixed to inherently current limit the MOSFET to prevent it from becoming damaged. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a novel method and system for optimizing integrated circuit layouts, generally, and particularly, a system and method for modeling performance of a semiconductor device structure for achieving modified ground rules for lithographic feature distances that optimize semiconductor device performance.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Lithographic constraints are important factors in determining the efficiency of a circuit layout. In essence, lithographic constraints are conventionally determined by the generally limited capability of a lithographic process to successfully print line features at specified positions within tolerances. A lithographic process involves using a lithographic exposure tool to illuminate a lithographic mask from a range of directions, and focusing a projected image of the mask onto a photosensitive film that coats a partially fabricated integrated circuit on a wafer, such as a silicon wafer. Lithographic process window represents the range of delivered light energy (dose) and image plane defocus within which the projected image adequately represents the desired circuit shapes. After the image is formed, the photosensitive film is developed, and the printed pattern is transferred into a functional process layer in the circuit. The final circuit then consists of many such patterned levels stacked atop one another.
FIG. 1A shows an example portion of a semiconductor device structure 10, e.g., including a FET device such as a pFET, suitable for characterizing a lithographic process impact on device performance. This device structure 10 includes an active device area (alternately referred to as “RX”) 15 having an L shape, where the narrower width dimension “W” is formed on a semiconductor substrate and comprises, for example, a polysilicon gate or gate stack 25 (not shown) that separates source and drain regions each represented by contacts 29 and 29′. As shown in FIG. 1A, the active device area is characterized as having a “flare” region 12. This “flared” region, in the example depiction of FIG. 1A, is caused by the need for joining two devices that have different widths W and W2 and a common source or drain 29. The second device comprises a second gate 25′ with device width W2 with contacts 29 and 29″ to the source and drain regions. The contact 29 is common to both devices with gates 25 and 25′. Upon lithographic processing of the active area 15, the corner 30 rounds and the device width W of gate 25 is changed. This is considered a width expansion and the impact of the process on device characteristics needs to be assessed.
In an alternate example, as depicted in FIG. 1B, a semiconductor device structure 10′ includes two flared regions 12 and 12′ are exemplified. The flared regions 12 and 12′ have two corners 30 and 30′ in FIG. 1B which round upon lithographic processing and change the device width W.
In each embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1A, 1B, the conductive wire or line layer 25 and 25′ (alternately referred to as “PC”) comprising a conductive material, for example, polysilicon, is electrically coupled to the gate (not shown) and extends at either side of the active device area 15. Further as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B are formed source and drain contact metallurgy such as 29, 29′, and 29″ formed at either side of the conductive line layer 25 for providing electrical contact to the active devices as known in the art.
Moreover, as the width flaring resulting from the lithographic processes may impact the “true” device width, the Ion current data (transistor data) for that device will accordingly vary. That is, for the structures shown in the example flaring of circuitry 10 in FIGS. 1A, 1B, significant current variation will be evident in dependence upon the RX width. Therefore, it is the case that any compact modeling used needs to account for the device performance effect in the model. That is, in the migration to 45 nm CMOS fabrication processes, the compact model for devices needs device performance effect in model.
Acceptable tolerances for the printed shapes must yield successful circuit performance, and must also be readily maintained under typical process variations. However, lithographic capability for printing a given feature edge is dependent on other features in the same local region of the circuit layout, as is circuit functionality. Consequently, lithographic constraints should ideally be very dynamic, and potentially incorporate and take advantage of the particular configurational details of large numbers of different local circuit cases.
Generally, however, due to general and practical design reasons, lithographic constraints are usually provided in a highly simplified form, known in the technology as design rules or ground rules, with these rules determining a lithographic capability, in effect, an achievable lithographic process window, which is at least acceptable in the technology, and these rules are normally employed for the entire circuit layout.
Thus, in the migration to 45 nm CMOS fabrication processes, e.g., of the device structures shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, there is a need for a ground rules at a point where device performance is negatively affected.
Moreover, it would be highly desirable to provide a method and system for more accurately modeling semiconductor device performance by taking into account the impact of lithographic corner rounding effects, such as those effects that impact the RX area of a semiconductor device. | {
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A gas turbine engine generally includes a fan and a core arranged in flow communication with one another. Additionally, the core of the gas turbine engine generally includes, in serial flow order, a compressor section, a combustion section, a turbine section, and an exhaust section. In operation, air is provided from the fan to an inlet of the compressor section where one or more axial compressors progressively compress the air until it reaches the combustion section. Fuel is mixed with the compressed air and burned within the combustion section to provide combustion gases. The combustion gases are routed from the combustion section to the turbine section. The flow of combustion gases through the turbine section drives the turbine section and is then routed through the exhaust section, e.g., to atmosphere.
Typically, the combustion section includes a combustor having a combustion chamber defined by a combustor liner. Downstream of the combustor, the turbine section includes one or more stages, for example, each stage may contain a plurality of stationary nozzle airfoils as well as a plurality of blade airfoils attached to a rotor that is driven by the flow of combustion gases against the blade airfoils. The turbine section may have other configurations as well. In any event, a flow path is defined by an inner boundary and an outer boundary, which both extend from the combustor through the stages of the turbine section.
Conventionally, the inner and outer boundary structures defining the flow path have been formed of separate components. For example, an outer liner of the combustor, a separate outer band of a nozzle portion of a turbine stage, and a separate shroud of a blade portion of the turbine stage usually define at least a portion of the outer boundary of the flow path. However, utilizing separate components to form each of the outer boundary and inner boundary requires a greater number of parts. By reducing the number of components and corresponding gaps between components, the parasitic leakages are reduced and the engine efficiency is improved. Therefore, flow path assemblies may be utilized that have a unitary construction, e.g., a unitary outer boundary structure, where two or more components of the outer boundary are integrated into a single piece, and/or a unitary inner boundary structure, where two or more components of the inner boundary are integrated into a single piece.
A unitary construction of such flow path components can be furthered by assembling turbine nozzle airfoils, which also may be referred to as stator vanes, with the outer boundary structure and the inner boundary structure. In some instances, the nozzle airfoils can be inserted and secured to one or both of the outer and inner boundary structures. Conventionally, inserting a turbine nozzle airfoil into a boundary structure has been challenging. In particular, conventional methods for securing nozzle airfoils to a boundary structure and sealing the nozzle airfoil with the structure to prevent flow path leakages have been unsatisfactory.
Accordingly, improved methods for assembling flow path assemblies would be desirable. More particularly, improved methods for assembling airfoils with a boundary structure would be beneficial. Additionally, a flow path assembly formed by such methods would be useful. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to echo cancellation circuitry and, more particularly, to impedance compensation circuitry utilizing active, directional couplers.
2. Description of the Prior Art
With the impending availability of digital subscriber telephone loops, the potential exists for virtually echo-free transmission over the loops. The main source of echo-generating reflections will then be found on the analog portion of a completed connection, that is, on customer premises, and will occur primarily because of numerous terminations being simultaneously operative. For example, business customers oftentimes utilize a conference call arrangement wherein two or more transmission paths are bridged or paralleled with minimal compensation for the impedance mismatch caused by bridging. Such mismatches are wideband as well as frequency sensitive and may cause particularly deleterious effects on the overall quality of an all digital plant. Also, residential customers often communicate in a mode wherein two telephones are simultaneously off-hook at one location and the only compensation is provided by termination dependent DC current flowing to the telephone instruments.
Echo or reflection characteristics of a network or a loop transmission facility may be expressed in terms of a quantity called return loss, which is a measure of the impedance mismatch at any point in the network or facility and is proportional to the energy reflected at the irregularity whenever an incident wave impinges on the irregularity. Return loss, in decibels, is expressed by 20 log .vertline.(Z+Z.sub.T)/(Z-Z.sub.T).vertline., where Z is the impedance at the point under consideration and Z.sub.T is a reference impedance. A high return loss indicates Z is closely matched to Z.sub.T and reflections due to this mismatch are minimal; return losses of 20 dB or more are typical of well-matched loops or terminations.
As an example of these return loss principles applied to the specific case of bridged telephone extensions, it is supposed that the reference impedance Z.sub.T equals the characteristic impedance Z.sub.o of the transmission facility. If each telephone path has an off-hook impedance Z.sub.o then, to first order, the bridged impedance is Z.sub.o /2 and a substantial mismatch occurs; the return loss is only about 10 dB.
An echo canceler compensates for the impedance mismatch, typically by sensing the source signal and reinjecting a portion of the source signal into the path traversed by the echo or mismatch signal. When the reinjected signal is the negative of the signal returned from the source of reflection, the effect of the reflection is canceled and the signal source operates into a fully matched network.
Prior art echo cancelers are exemplified by those types of cancelers utilized on long-haul analog facilities. In such systems, bidirectional signals carried over two-wire subscriber loops are split into separate transmit and receive unidirectional signals for long distance transmission. Hybrid circuits are standard and well-known arrangements for achieving this separation, and perfect separation is possible when the hybrid balancing network equals the impedance of the two-wire line. However, since subscriber loops present a wide range of impedances, mismatches, and consequently echoes, do occur.
A reference representative of the prior art two-to-four wire echo cancelers is U.S. Pat. No. 3,500,000 issued Mar. 10, 1970 to Kelly and Logan. The patent discloses an adaptive echo canceler, implemented with transversal filters, operating on analog facilities. In this echo canceler, a portion of the analog signal incoming to the hybrid junction on the four-wire side is passed through a transversal filter with adjustable tap gain controls to synthesize a cancellation signal for subtraction from the signal outgoing on the other four-wire path. The resultant outgoing signal is clipped and correlated with the sequence of samples of the incoming signal appearing at the taps of the transversal filter to form control signals for the tap gains of the filter. Because of the variability of subscriber loop impedances, the echo circuitry can become extremely complex and the number of taps required is prohibitively large. Moreover, the circuitry as disclosed only operates in a two-to-four wire environment. | {
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An articulated road vehicle comprises a tractor unit to which can be coupled a trailer. The tractor unit is generally fitted with a rear view mirror on each side of the driver's cab. When driving in a straight path, these mirrors provide adequate visibility to the rear corners of the trailer. However, when the tractor unit is rotated relative to the trailer, either when reversing or whilst negotiating a tight turn in the forward direction, the rear corners of the trailer are outside the field of view of the mirrors. In order to combat this problem, an angle sensing apparatus may be arranged on the tractor to vary the position of the rear view mirrors according to the angle between the tractor and the trailer so that the driver can always see, using the mirror, along the length of the trailer. Such apparatus is disclosed in EP-A-094817, U.S. Pat. No. 3,950,080, U.S. Pat. No. 4,609,265, U.S. Pat. No. 4,679,158; WO88/04619.
One type of angle sensing device is described and claimed in our GB patent 2259064B and includes a lever connected to a potentiometer mounted on the tractor, the potentiometer acting as a sensor, adjacent to the coupling of the tractor and trailer, and an elastic member extending from the lever which can be detachably connected to a mounting point on the trailer. Information about the angle of rotation of the trailer relative to the tractor is provided to a control unit in the cab of the tractor unit which in turn actuates drive means to rotate the mirror accordingly about a generally vertical axis. In many cases it is preferable to mount the sensor to the rear of the coupling point and detachably mount the elastic member on a convenient point under the trailer. It has been discovered that in different sensor mounting positions there is a risk of damage to the sensor as the trailer is coupled or decoupled. It is accordingly one object of the invention to provide means for mounting an angle sensor on the tractor unit of an articulated road vehicle which reduces the risk of damage to the sensor at least during the coupling and decoupling of the trailer unit. | {
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Individual containers of various sizes and made of e.g. cartonboard or plastics materials, so-called primary packs, are commonly grouped together in a fibreboard case, or secondary packing, for distribution purposes. A fibreboard case provides compression strength additional to that of the plurality of individual containers in the case as well as giving added protection by way of puncture resistance. Fibreboard cases are also readily conveyed and handled by mechanical handling equipment and offer the maximum surface area for displaying printed matter. Nevertheless fibreboard cases can represent a significant additional packaging cost over the cost of the individual container cost and many proposals have been made for reducing the area of fibreboard required in a case in order to reduce the total packaging cost. For example, where the individual containers such as cans or bottles have adequate compression strength it can be more economical to provide a multiple package comprising a shallow fibreboard tray enveloped with a plastics film to retain the containers in place. On the other hand, particularly where the individual containers have little or insufficient compression strength or a shallow tray is otherwise inadequate, various skeletal case designs have been proposed such as in U.S. Pat. No. 3,425,544 and U.S. Pat. No. 2,868,429 having two upstanding walls the full height of the package but these approach a full case again in concept.
Skeleton packs have also been proposed where compression strength is not important, for example in French No. 79 02523 (publication No. 2 416 625), where packages are held in a two sided pack of a bottom member and rear member by one or more straps formed out of the material of the pack itself. These packs have a sloping top flange on to the rear member shaped to the primary packs, which take the load in any stacking.
We have sought to maximise the material saving in skeleton packs that are designed for compression loading and have seen that where such packs are themselves to be grouped, as in pallet loads, a base to receive the primary packages and a rear member to take vertical load are in essentials all that is needed. If the packs are placed with the front of one adjacent to the back of the next, the rear member in effect acts as part of both packs as far as taking vertical loads goes. | {
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It has been found useful in agriculture, construction, road building, and other related fields of civil engineering to create a reference plane of light, usually coherent light from a laser source, in a region where work is to be done. The plane is received by an electro-optical receiver to determine the height of the blade of a bulldozer or ditching machine, for example, to enable precise construction work to be done by relatively unskilled operators.
Prior art receivers for these applications have consisted of rows of photocells directed outwardly at different levels around the surface of a cylinder having a vertical axis, or rows of fiber-optics bundles similarly arranged. These arrangements are provided to avoid the necessity of re-orienting the receiver in azimuth as the direction of movement of a bulldozer changes, for example, and to enable determination of the direction of any vertical movement of the receiver.
Such arrangements are complex and require much assembly labor, and hence are expensive. They also are sensitive to ambient light in a wide vertical acceptance angle, as well as to the light of the referenced plane. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Accurate recording keeping of medical records by medical “providers” (hospitals, physicians, clinics, labs, HMO's, PPO's, etc.), is a requirement of both federal and state laws in the U.S., and is considered a “standard of care” in the medical industry. Such medical records would be of significant benefit to treating patients in the event of a medical emergency or other medical scenario, with rapid, timely and secure access to said records. Providers must maintain records for a given number of years on a patient even after the patient has ceased using the services of the provider. Therefore, providers have a very large burden of maintaining accurate records, which include but are not limited to hand written physician charts, drug prescriptions, x-rays, CAT scans, lab tests, blood and urine tests, eye glass prescriptions, etc. As one could imagine a hospital which handles patients with serious conditions would have a tremendous amount of records on hand in paper and x-ray film format which would have to be maintained for some years. Due to the variable and unpredictable nature of medical emergencies Hospital Emergency rooms have particularly poor access to patient medical records in a medical emergency, whether the person was a prior patient or not. Most patients who are treated in an ER have never been a patient in the hospital before and therefore no medical records are available and there is no central system for ER staff to access and reference any patient records, whether they are former patients or not. Therefore, approximately 95% of the 110 million ER visits in the U.S. are performed with no access to prior patient medical records, clinical tests and history. This lack of ER access to patient medical records, during emergency medical treatment is a source of large amounts of medical errors, including errors due to Adverse Drug Interactions, misdiagnosis, and mistreatment based on a poor knowledge of a patient's medical history, pre-existing conditions, implants, allergies and medication allergies. It is one of the intents of this invention to provide a system for condensed patient medical data, which is organized into digital pages, which can be rapidly accessed via the Internet or other electronic means to provide medical benefit at point of care in a medical emergency or other medical scenario. Generalists as well as specialists such and cardiologist, Neurologists, dermatologists, etc., are also under the same laws to keep and maintain medical records for some reasonable period of time on each and every patient. Therefore, within the last several years many large hospitals and clinics have begun to use custom software packages for directly inputting patient charts into computer format to eliminate paper records. Other facilities have also chosen to put many medical records on microfilm or microfiche which is a more convenient and less bulky method of preserving paper medical records by photographing and reducing the documents onto film. Coupled with this record keeping burden are state and federal laws which restrict the amount a provider can charge for copies of medical records which are given at the request of patients. In most instances the charge for such copies of records in approximately $0.40-$0.60 per page. Therefore, it is not hard to imagine that this record keeping burden is a very large administrative cost for a large provider and one which actually drains revenues from a provider, as opposed to creating revenues for a provider. In contrast to the medical providers are the patients (consumers) who are entitled by law to have access to their medical records within a reasonable time period upon written request to the provider. As one could imagine the average individual and family has to order to try and maintain an individual set of medical records above and beyond what a provider keeps. This would entail the individual and family keeping track of drug prescriptions, eye glass prescriptions, x-rays, dental records, yearly physical examinations, etc., for an entire family. This would be a cumbersome and large set of records assuming the average citizen took the time to compile such records at all (most do not bother). As more and more individuals and families travel both domestically and internationally on vacations, for business and for re-locations and second homes, having rapid access to medical records is all the more important in the event of medical emergency. If one was in a foreign country and had a medical emergency and did not have access to medical records this could either result in many unnecessary and expensive additional medical tests being performed for a new physician to access the individuals condition, and also could result in either the wrong treatment or substandard treat, which could result in adverse medical complications and/or death in the most extreme cases.
One of the intents of the invention disclosed herein is to create a low cost, stream lined system which specifically meets the needs of the medical industry as well as the general public as the medical consumer to make the digitization, computer storage, retrieval, management, and electronic mailing of medical records efficient and low cost so as to fit into the present managed care environment in the U.S., and in particular to address the lack of access of medical records and data during treatment in the emergency room, trauma center or other acute care centers by allowing ER personnel to rapidly and confidentially access patient data stored and organized in easy to read digital pages. The invention disclosed herein would also have benefits on a global scale for aiding in the transfer of medical records and data intra-country and intra-continent, particularly in the case of patient who travel and experience a medical emergency or medical condition. The invention consists of a novel means of optically scanning ORIGINAL medical records into digitized binary format (original is emphasized because it is critical to the integrity of this system to have original patient medical charts and records which have a physicians original signature for authenticity), with unique software organizing the digitized medical records into a condensed digital page format and to prioritize the data by clinical utility and pre-existing condition severity order so as to prioritize and lessen the need for duplicate tests, and with assigning a unique alpha numerical identifier to each patient and individual's medical records (separate from Social Security # and Birth date), with unique software positively identify the validity of “electronic signatures” of physicians and providers, through a stored electronic signature library, which are using computer software packages to generate medical charts and records, a means of rapid access and retrieval of medical records via the Internet, website and other means, and the ability to electronically mail large amounts of medical records simultaneously to multiple individuals at multiple locations who require their medical records either for routine reasons or in the event of a medical emergency. This art includes another means of linking patients to their medical records via a PIN, or unique patient identifier which would be carried or worn on the body on a piece of jewelry or other appropriate means. In the event of a medical emergency, particularly if the user was unconscious, authorized medical personnel could access the patient's records via the said central website, Internet, voice system or telephone exchange using their unique identifier on the jewelry and other appropriate security measures.
There has been a great deal of prior art in the general area of medical records and using computers to organize and lessen clerical burdens. Many of the prior art patents focused mainly on ways to create software to do away with the traditional physician medical charts and to computerized medical charts whereby medical data would be inputted directly into a computer. One such patent is Doue U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,202 which teaches a computer system for managing the length of stay in a hospital of many patients simultaneously. The invention disclosed herein does not overlap or compete with the art that Doue teaches and the only thing they have in common is a computer system and medical data. The same holds true for Whalen U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,341 in which Whalen teaches a computer system and software for organizing patient charts. The main focus of Whalen is the format of the software which teaches the organization of computer medical charts with discrete fields and sections which aid in organizing the medical data. Whalen also claims the use of computer generated narrative reports which would be part of the physicians charts. Again, the inventions disclosed herein do not overlap or compete with the Whalen patent and the only thing the inventions have in common is a computer and medical data. In Lavin U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,585 a computer system is described again to facilitate and organize a physicians office which includes software for scheduling appointments, entering patient medical chart data onto a computerized chart, using a common graphic interface and creating data tables for the information. In Silvio U.S. Pat. No. 5,659,741 a computer system is taught to input large amounts of medical information onto computerized medical charts, transferring the data onto Hand Carried Storage devices, and for computerized searching of the files for character strings to compile health statistics and data. In Perry U.S. Pat. No. 5,241,466 a computer system is taught for storing living will documents presumably so they can be retrieved in the event of a person's death. Neither Lavin, Silvio or Perry teach the art and system disclosed herein in this invention and this invention does not over lap or compete in any way with the inventions taught of Lavin, Silvio or Perry. None of the above patents or other prior art patents teach the art herein for organizing digital, condensed medical data, in order of priority based on clinical utility and pre-existing condition severity, and providing rapid access to said records and data via Internet, wesbite, voice, or other electronic means in a medical emergency at a remote location anywhere in the world. Therefore, this invention is unique and novel and different from all prior art described. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Field of the Disclosure
The present invention relates generally to methods for using a mobile computing device to purchase a product being offered for sale by a retailer. In particular, examples of the present invention are related to techniques for displaying an operational input and item information related to a selected item in a graphical user interface of the mobile computing device and performing one or more operations in response to a prescribed number of actions input by a user to the object input.
Background
Modern technology offers today's consumers a wide range of tools for interacting in the marketplace. Using mobile computing devices, e.g., smart phones or tablets, consumers have access to a wide range of information and a broad array of shopping tools for purchasing anything from electronic devices to simple groceries from retailers. The consumer may select various items intended to be purchased using the mobile computing device.
It is known, for example, to display a graphical element comprising an operational input upon the mobile computing device that allows the consumer to add the item to an electronic shopping cart corresponding to the user. One drawback of adding the item to the electronic shopping cart is that the consumer must undertake a navigation process of selecting additional graphical elements leading to additional screens displayed upon the mobile computing device to view the electronic shopping cart. Then, the consumer may be prompted for additional information to complete the ordering of the items from the retailer. Hence, despite the wide range of tools and information available, the consumer must navigate through multiple screens through various operational inputs to purchase an item.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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As examples of conventional microneedle arrays, those as described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are known.
A percutaneous absorption formulation holding sheet (microneedle array) described in Patent Document 1 has a structure as illustrated in FIG. 33. There is a support body 1001, and percutaneous absorption formulations (microneedles) 1003, each of which is substantially in a conical fine needle shape, are firmly fixed on the support body 1001. The percutaneous absorption formulations 1003 are punctured into the skin.
Moreover, Patent Document 1 also discloses a percutaneous absorption formulation holding tool. The percutaneous absorption formulation holding tool is composed of a main body having penetration holes, and percutaneous absorption formulations, each of which is in a needle shape and held inside the respective penetration hole.
Moreover, a percutaneous administration formulation (a microneedle array) described in Patent Document 2 has a structure as illustrated in FIG. 34. There is a support body 1005, and a plurality of fine needles (microneedles) 1007 is firmly fixed on the support body 1005. The fine needle 1007 is substantially in a conical shape, composed of a first portion 1009 on the top end side (the upper side of FIG. 34) and a second portion 1011 on the base end side (the lower side of FIG. 34). The first portion 1009 was prepared, for example, by mixing a base, which is comprising a high-molecular substance having an in vivo solubility and a thread-forming property, with an objective substance such as a local anesthetic medicine and water, and thereafter, by drying and solidifying thereof. Moreover, the second portion 1011 was prepared, for example, by mixing a base, comprising a high-molecular substance having an in vivo solubility and a thread-forming property, with water, and thereafter, by drying and solidifying thereof.
On the other hand, by using a metallic base part, there is also a development of a microneedle medical formulation, having a biodegradable substance containing an objective substance at the tip part thereof (Non-Patent Document 1).
Further, there are various developments of safe medical formulations by which a desired volume of the objective substance can be administrated more surely. | {
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This application claims priority of International application number PCT/DE00/03262, filed Sep. 14, 2000, which in turn claims priority of German application number 199 44 915.5, filed Sep. 14, 1999.
The invention relates to a drive for adjustment devices in motor vehicles, more particularly for a window lifter.
From DE OS 22 10 243 an electric drive device is known for adjusting the window in motor vehicles wherein a set of revolving gear wheels having a sun wheel and an internally toothed hollow wheel as well as several planetary wheels are coupled to an electric motor. The planetary wheels are fitted in the axial direction with two ring gears with different pitch diameters wherein the ring gears with the greater pitch diameter mesh with the sun wheel and the fixed internally toothed hollow wheel. The ring gears with the smaller pitch diameter on the other hand only mesh with the internal teeth of an output element formed as a cable drum.
From DE 40 30 489 A1 a further planetary gearing is known wherein the output element formed as the hollow wheel is driven through planetary wheels which revolve on support wheels fixed on the housing and drive the hollow wheel. The hollow wheel is provided axially on each side with circular disc-shaped guide pieces, which are guided radially along their inner circumference through rolling bearings on bearing attachments of the support wheels and support the planetary wheels against moving axially outwards.
Designs of this kind occupy a relatively large amount of structural space as a result of the axially successive arrangement of the gear elements as well as the radial overhang of the planetary wheels with the larger pitch diameter or the guide pieces over the output element. Furthermore, as a result of the central bearing on the king pin, large tilting moments occur and it is necessary to provide an expensive bearing for the output element.
From DE 44 12 898A1 a drive is known which has a motor and a toothed gearing coupled to the motor and set in a multi-part housing. In order to transfer and reduce the torque produced by the motor, the gearing has a fixed hollow wheel and a rotatable output element formed as a hollow wheel with internal teeth, in which a gearing element engages. This output element is fixedly connected to the hollow shaft which acts as the output shaft. This hollow shaft is mounted in the housing on two sections through rolling bearings wherein the rolling bearings are arranged between the external radius of the hollow shaft and the housing.
The object of the invention is to provide a drive for adjustment devices in motor vehicles that occupies little structural space, is simple to fit and enables a compact construction that can be achieved with few structural parts.
By forming a bearing device directly on at least one of the housing parts or housing halves of a divisible (multi-part) housing and supporting the output element on one such bearing area formed by the housing halves it is no longer necessary to support the output element on the motor output shaft so that this can be made shorter. Furthermore the parts required for the bearing on the shaft are omitted since the bearing for the output element, preferably a slide bearing, is produced through fitting together the housing parts. It is proposed to either coat the slide bearing regions or to provide suitable materials in order to produce an optimum sliding friction.
The bearing device is thereby preferably designed so that both axial and radial forces are absorbed and then diverted over the most direct route possible into the housing. For this the bearing device can be designed in a ring shape whereby the outer circumference of the ring-shaped bearing device corresponds to the inner circumference of the output element which is formed as a hollow wheel so that the hollow wheel need only be placed on the ring-shaped bearing device in order to produce a corresponding bearing for the output element. A bearing of this kind can be produced through a guide element projecting into the output element whereby the guide element can consist of a ring or ring sections protruding from the housing in the direction of the output element. It is likewise possible that individual guide elements, for example in the form of cylindrical pins or suitable shaped protrusions, arranged corresponding to the inner circumference of the hollow wheel of the output element, form the bearing.
As an alternative to the bearing, where guide elements project into the drive element, it is proposed that a groove be worked into the housing part or housing half in which a corresponding shaped area of the output element can engage, similar to a slide block in a slide guide.
In order to increase the degree of integration and reduce the assembly costs, it is proposed that the bearing device be formed on a part of the housing. The guide element or guide elements, already formed on the housing or the groove, are provided in the housing during its original shaping. As an alternative however, it is possible to produce the groove by subsequently fixing elements on the housing, in the same way that the guide element can be attached later, for example by adhesive, screws, welding or the like.
For technical production reasons, it is advantageous if the bearing of the output element on the housing part is formed as a slide bearing since this would save on component parts, materials and assembly costs. However, it is basically possible also to provide needle, ball or rolling bearings.
In order to achieve a compact drive which is simple to handle, it is proposed that the gearbox and motor be mounted inside the housing. Advantageously, a carrier module or door inside panel is formed as a part of the housing so that on the one hand the stability of the overall drive is increased since in this way the drive becomes an integral constituent part of the carrier module whereby expensive fixing devices can be omitted and on the other hand the production and assembly costs are reduced since overall fewer component parts are required.
A further possibility for the functional integration exists where a carrier module or door inside panel is a constituent part of the magnetic reflux, whereby a separate component part for the magnetic reflux of the motor is then unnecessary. A suitable design can be, for example where the carrier module or the door inside panel consists, at least in the region provided therefor, of a ferro-magnetic material or is coated with a material of this kind.
In a further development of the invention at least one of the housing parts has a fixed internal gear formed as a hollow wheel, whereby there is an increase in the variation for the width of the gears which can be used. Gear elements for transferring force to the output element can thereby mesh with both the internal gear of the output element and with at least one of the internal gears of the housing parts. In the case of two fixed internal gears, there is the advantage that the tilting moments which appear are taken up uniformly. The teeth of the fixed internal gears must in any case be aligned flush with each other when the force-transferring gear elements engage in the two sets of teeth. The output element in its design as an internally toothed hollow wheel is indeed also an element of the gearbox, but for reasons of clarity the output element is detailed separately.
As an alternative to an internal gear molded on the housing parts, the internal gear can also be formed by one or two separate ring gears which are made as hollow wheels whereby each ring gear is rotationally secured in the housing parts or fixed accordingly.
The gear elements, formed as gearwheels, thereby mesh with both the internal teeth of the output element and with the fixed internal teeth which are formed either in the housing parts alone or in conjunction with a separate ring gear. For this it is obviously necessary for the pitch diameter of the internal teeth of the output element to coincide substantially with the pitch diameter of the fixed internal gear. The number of teeth in the internal gear of the output element differs by at least one tooth from the number of teeth of the fixed internal gear so that when the gear elements run down on the fixed internal teeth with simultaneous engagement in the internal teeth of the output element, the output element is moved further on by the difference in the number of teeth during one complete revolution of the gear elements. In this way, a very high transmission ratio is achieved and at the same time a very compact gearbox is produced with fewer structural parts.
In order to reduce the overall weight of the gearbox, the output element which is formed as a hollow wheel can be designed ring-shaped and has the internal gear provided on the inside of the ring, preferably over the entire axial width of the inside of the ring. The outside of the ring-shaped hollow wheel is thereby preferably designed as a cable drum or as a gear wheel. The bearing of the ring-shaped hollow wheel, which advantageously has a T-shaped cross-section, is formed by a groove which is produced as the two-part housing is fitted together. Through this type of bearing, it is possible to reduce the amount of material required for the output element and to provide space for mounting the gear elements inside the hollow wheel. Furthermore, the production of the output element is facilitated and the axial structural depth is reduced.
By designing the output element as a cable drum or with external teeth, it is possible to use the gearbox in many ways. In addition to the special use as a drive for a cable window lifter, it is also possible to use this compact gearbox for arm window lifters or in other places, e.g. for seat adjustment where only a small structural space is available.
It is proposed to form the toothed gearbox in combination with a set of revolving gear wheels as a result of the high transmission ratios which can be achieved, with a Wolfrom or planetary gearbox being particularly advantageous here.
As an alternative, the toothed gearbox can also be formed in combination with a wobble gearbox, wherein to avoid the tilting movements of the bearing and to achieve dynamic balancing the wobble gearbox has two wobble wheels which are off-set by 180 degrees relative to each other. As an alternative to the wobble gearbox, it is also possible to use a harmonic-drive gearbox.
In an advantageous development of the invention, the axial extension of the gear elements is less than or equal to the maximum axial extension of the output element which has the result that the dimensions of the toothed gears are fixed substantially by the axial and radial dimensions of the output element. The maximum axial extension is thereby, as a rule, determined by the width of the cable drum or the external teeth. Furthermore, an additional protection of the gear elements is reached by mounting the gear elements inside the output element, without any extension over the output element. Furthermore, the corresponding gear housing can be kept very small and have a simple geometric shape since no projections or ledges have to be taken into consideration.
By arranging all the gear elements inside the radius of the internal gear of the hollow wheel, the maximum radial extension is determined through the external diameter of the output element which leads to a compact construction for the entire gear unit of the output element.
In another design of the invention the toothed regions of the gear elements or output element are provided with a plastic coating in order to achieve a low noise level and to ensure a smooth running of the gear wheels on each other. A plastic coating on the toothed regions furthermore has the advantage that manufacturing tolerances can be very well compensated.
In order to make the drive overall in a very compact form, the motor is preferably designed as a flat motor, wherein in particular disc rotors and flat armature motors are provided.
In an advantageous development of the invention all the components of the drive, namely the motor, the gearbox, the housing parts and the electronics unit, are configured so that during assembly they need only be supplied in one direction. Thus, for example, a housing part forms the base part which is fixed on an assembly holder and all the other component parts such as planetary support together with planetary wheels, wobble wheels, axles, armature disc and the second housing part are supplied from one and the same direction, preferably from above. This design in particular facilitates a faster assembly of the drive.
The means for supplying current to the motor are provided in the electronics unit and are contestable with the motor through openings in the housing. Thus, a mainly closed housing is produced and the external connections to the current supply of the vehicle are through the electronics unit.
Similarly, sensor elements are provided in the electronics unit and are coupled to the motor or gearbox through openings in the housing to send to the electronics unit data relating to the speed, position or power capacity of the motor. Basically it is also possible to align the sensors, e.g. optical sensors, with the gearbox in order to obtain data therefrom. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Advancement in IC technology continues to allow reduced die sizes with increased numbers of input/output connections to the die. Dies are often housed in a package in order to electrically connect a die with outside circuitry, physically protect the die, and/or dissipate heat from the die, as well as serve other purposes. Corresponding to the reduced die sizes, IC packages containing dies may also be reduced in size, requiring smaller package substrates, whereon dies may be mounted and input/output connections made from the die to the package substrate. Given the scaling down of package substrates coupled with increased numbers of die input/output connections, a significant challenge arises for designers of package substrates. The scaling down of substrate size reduces the available area on a substrate where conductive connection may be made from the die to the substrate. Accordingly, a desire exists to allow decreased substrate sizes without decreasing as significantly the available area for conductive connections between dies and the substrate. | {
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Various synthetic fibres are known and used in the field of non-wovens for the preparation of non-woven fabrics for a variety of purposes, in particular various polyolefins and polyolefin derivatives, e.g. polypropylene and polyethylene. However, for the purpose of non-woven materials for use in the medical industry both polypropylene fibres and polyethylene fibres suffer from disadvantages which until now have limited the extent of their use. It has furthermore proved difficult to produce non-wovens which have a soft feel resembling that of natural materials, e.g. for use in baby diapers and feminine hygiene products.
GB 2 121 423 A discloses hot-melt adhesive fibres comprising a polyethylene resin composition alone, consisting of 50-100% by weight of polyethylene with a density of 0.910-0.940 g/cm.sup.3 and a Q value (Q=M.sub.w /M.sub.n) of 4.0 or less and up to 50% by weight of a polyethylene with a density of 0.910-0.930 g/cm.sup.3 and a Q value of 7.0 or more, and composite fibres in which the above composition is one of the composite components and forms at least a part of the fibre surface. U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,868 discloses neutron shielding sheath-and-core type composite fibres in which the sheath and core components may be composed of polyethylene or polyethylene copolymers, the core component comprising at least 5% by weight of neutron shielding particles. The fibres are designed for use in neutron shielding fabrics due to the presence of a large amount (preferably 10-60% by weight in the core component) of the neutron shielding particles. The fibres of the present invention, on the other hand, which are adapted for use in various thermally bonded non-woven medical and hygienic products, and not specially adapted for neutron shielding fabrics, need not contain such neutron shielding particles.
It is necessary that non-woven materials which are to be used for medical purposes can be sterilized, this sterilization typically being carried out using radiation, e.g. in the form of .gamma.-radiation or .beta.-radiation. However, polypropylene materials are damaged by such radiation treatments. Even fibres prepared from polypropylene materials which have been stabilized --so-called "radiation resistent" polypropylene --will be damaged at high dosages, because of the very large specific surface area of the fibres (typically about 50-100 m.sup.2 /kg). Polypropylene's lack of ability to withstand radiation is also seen in bicomponent fibres with a polypropylene core and a sheath of e.g. polyethylene. The effect of radiation on polypropylene is due to the fact that the radiation produces chain scission at the tertiary carbon atoms of the polypropylene molecules. Polyethylene, on the other hand, does not have these tertiary carbon atoms, and is therefore not nearly as susceptible to such radiation. In addition, polyethylene has the ability to form cross-linkages, a property which polypropylene does not have.
Polyethylene is thus able to tolerate the radiation treatments used to sterilize medical products, but known polyethylene fibres also suffer disadvantages which until now have limited the extent of their use. Thus, the use of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) has been limited by the fact that it has not been possible to use a high stretch ratio during the preparation of LLDPE fibres, and, more importantly, by the fact that it has not been possible to provide LLDPE fibres with a permanent texturization. As a result, such fibres are unsuitable for the preparation of most types of non-wovens, as the carding processes used for the preparation on non-wovens require that the fibres have a certain texturization. Only non-wovens produced by processes other than carding and thermal bonding can be made with LLDPE fibres. Fibres of high density polyethylene (HDPE), on the other hand, may be provided with a permanent texturization and may be stretched during processing using a high stretch ratio, but HDPE fibres are stiff and therefore unsuitable for non-woven materials in which a soft feel is necessary.
In addition, monocomponent fibres of either LLDPE and HDPE alone are generally unsuitable for thermobonding due to the fact that they have a very narrow "bonding window" (i.e. a narrow temperature range in which they may be thermobonded), thereby making it difficult to adequately control the thermobonding process within the required temperature range. This narrow bonding window is due to the fact that such monocomponent fibres must be softened during thermobonding, but must not melt if they are to contribute to the structure of the article in which they are used.
It has now been found that these problems may be avoided by preparing non-woven fabrics, e.g. for medical use, using thermobondable bicomponent synthetic fibres comprising two different types of polyethylene. It is thus possible according to the present invention to prepare non-woven fabrics using novel fibres which maintain their texturization during processing and therefore are suitable for carding, which have a broad bonding window and therefore are suitable for thermobonding, and which are able to tolerate the .gamma.- and .beta.-radiation used to sterilize medical products. The fibres furthermore have a soft feel and are therefore suitable for the preparation of non-woven materials in which softness is required or desired, e.g. various hygienic products such as coverstock for baby diapers, feminine hygiene products, etc., as well as non-woven materials for medical use. | {
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RNA interference (RNAi) is a process by which double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is used to silence gene expression. RNAi is induced by short (i.e. <30 nucleotide) double stranded RNA (“dsRNA”) molecules which are present in the cell (Fire et al., 1998, Nature 391:806-811). These short dsRNA molecules called “short interfering RNA” or “siRNA,” cause the destruction of messenger RNAs (“mRNAs”) which share sequence homology with the siRNA (Elbashir et al., 2001, Genes Dev, 15:188-200). It is believed that one strand of the siRNA is incorporated into a ribonucleoprotein complex known as the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). RISC uses this siRNA strand to identify mRNA molecules that are at least partially complementary to the incorporated siRNA strand, and then cleaves these target mRNAs or inhibits their translation. The siRNA is apparently recycled much like a multiple-turnover enzyme, with 1 siRNA molecule capable of inducing cleavage of approximately 1000 mRNA molecules. siRNA-mediated RNAi degradation of an mRNA is therefore more effective than currently available technologies for inhibiting expression of a target gene.
RNAi provides a very exciting approach to treating and/or preventing diseases. Some major benefits of RNAi compared with various traditional therapeutic approaches include: the ability of RNAi to target a very particular gene involved in the disease process with high specificity, thereby reducing or eliminating off target effects; RNAi is a normal cellular process leading to a highly specific RNA degradation; and RNAi does not trigger a host immune response as in many antibody based therapies.
Several interfering RNA delivery methods are being tested/developed for in vivo use. For example, siRNAs can be delivered “naked” in saline solution; complexed with polycations, cationic lipids/lipid transfection reagents, or cationic peptides; as components of defined molecular conjugates (e.g., cholesterol-modified siRNA, TAT-DRBD/siRNA complexes); as components of liposomes; and as components of nanoparticles. These approaches have shown varying degrees of success. Thus, there is a need for new and improved methods for delivering siRNA molecules in vivo to achieve and enhance the therapeutic potential of RNAi. | {
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The invention relates to a device for the variable braking of traveling threads, wires or the like, particularly for use in connection with the introduction of the filling thread in looms, and to a method for the operating of such a thread brake.
A thread brake is known from French Patent Application 23 75 366. In that case, the thread is passed between two brake parts which can be brought under spring action towards each other. One of the two brake parts is stationary and not under spring action, while the other brake part is under spring action and is movable with respect to the stationary brake part so that the braking of the thread can be varied by a change in the intensity of the tension of the spring obtained as a result of its movement. The spring-actuated brake part can also be spaced away from the stationary brake part by a push rod, as the result of a cam rocker drive, so that unbraked travel of the thread can be obtained. Such a thread brake has the disadvantage that the force of the spring must be relatively great in order effectively to brake the thread. On the other hand, in order to obtain free travel of the thread, the spring-actuated brake part must be lifted completely away from the stationary brake part. In this connection, the spring of the spring-actuated brake part must be at least partially relaxed. This results in relatively large displacement paths of the push rod which drives the spring-actuated element. Furthermore, limits are set for such an arrangement with regard to the cycle time between the braking and release of the thread since the relaxation of the spring can no longer follow along with high cyclic frequencies.
From European Patent Application 0 384 502 a thread brake is furthermore known in which a rotatable, non-spring-actuated brake part acts on a prestressed spring blade. With this arrangement, however, no cyclic change of the braking of the thread is provided. The rotating cylindrical body which forms the non-spring-actuated brake part serves merely to remove, by rubbing, particles of dust present on the thread.
Another example for the invention was the device for the differential braking of traveling threads proposed in Utility Model 91 13 430 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,966 issued Apr. 26, 1994) which does not constitute a prior publication or prior art. The device described therein already has a stationary leaf spring which is acted on by a cylindrical brake part. This brake part is driven by an electric motor and has a cylindrical first section the circumferential surface of which holds the spring under pretension in the position of release for the travel of the thread. A second partial section of the body has a circumferential section which is reduced in cross section. The thread passes between this second partial section and the leaf spring. If the cylindrical body is aligned with the window towards the leaf spring, the thread is unbraked. After a further rotation of the rotatable body by a given angular amount, the thread is acted on by the circumferential section of unreduced cross section of the second partial sections so that the thread-braking position is reached, the thread being then clamped between the leaf spring and the cylinder surface. This device operates in fixed-cycle operation, the drive motor traveling back and forth between two stops. In order to obtain a high cyclic frequency, the motor must be strongly accelerated as well as strongly decelerated. The use for instance of mechanical stops for the braking of the motor is not optimal. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Electrical connectors of the quick-disconnect or separable type are commonly used for connecting the wires of one cable to the corresponding wires of a similar cable. Typically, the connector comprises a plug member and a receptacle member with a set of pins serving as terminations for the wires of the cable on one member and a set of sockets for the pins serving as terminations for the wires of the cable on the other member. Connectors of this type must be not only easy to manipulate for quick connection and disconnection of the plug and receptacle members but also they must be extremely reliable in operation. Such connectors are typically provided with a coupling nut rotatably mounted on one of the members and adapted for threaded engagement with the other member whereby the plug and receptacle members may be drawn together by rotation of the coupling nut. to prevent unwanted separation of the connector members which might result from vibration or other extraneous causes, the coupling nut may be provided with locking means to hold it into position. In such connectors, it is desirable to maintain the connector members in close fitting engagement.
In the prior art, electrical connectors are known which utilize a coupling nut for drawing the connector members together with locking means for holding the coupling nut in place to prevent unwanted separation of the connector members. An exemplary device of this kind is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,984,811 granted to Hennessey, Jr., et al. and assigned to the same assignee as this application. In the connector shown in the Hennessey, Jr., et al. patent, a coupling nut on the first connector member is threadedly engaged with the second connector member by a bayonet coupling i.e. pin and groove type of threaded engagement. Locking means for the coupling nut comprises a resilient wave washer which operates in conjunction with a detent in the bayonet coupling. When the coupling nut is tightened to draw the connector members together, the wave washer is compressed and the reaction force thereof urges the bayonet pins against the respective bayonet grooves and when the fully mated condition is reached the pins drop into detents or pockets in the respective grooves. This arrangement locks the coupling nut against unwanted rotation in the reverse direction.
Prior art connectors are also provided with other locking devices for the coupling nuts. U.S. Pat. No. 3,587,032, granted to Normann and assigned to the same assignee as this application, discloses a ball detent locking means for holding the coupling nut in its rotative position. In this patent, a coupling nut carries plural ball elements in the sleeve thereof in opposed relation to a toothed ring on the outside of the connector member which carries the coupling nut. A locking sleeve on the coupling nut has a cam element disposed adjacent the balls for camming the balls into engagement with the toothed ring to prevent retrograde movement when the nut is tightened. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,601,764 granted to Cameron, a connector is disclosed in which the coupling nut carries a detent finger in opposed relationship with a serrated ring on the connector member and a lock ring with cam means is provided to displace the finger into engagement with the serrated ring when the coupling nut is tightened. U.S. Pat. No. 2,946,035 granted to Tuchel discloses a connector having a coupling nut of the bayonet type and including a resilient wave washer which is compressed upon tightening of the nut for providing a reaction force to maintain the coupling nut in its advanced position.
A general object of this invention is to provide an improved locking means for electrical connectors which will overcome disadvantages of the prior art devices. | {
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In data processing systems, magnetic disc memory systems are frequently used because they have large storage capacity and require a relatively short time for a magnetic read/write head to access data contained anywhere on discs of the memory from the moment the head receives an instruction to access the data. The magnetic discs are driven at constant rotational velocity by an electric motor.
A magnetic disc carries data, usually in binary form, on both faces of the disc in concentric circular recording tracks having a width that does not exceed a few hundredths of a millimeter. The tracks are identified by allotting them an address or serial number j (j being a whole number) from 0 to (N-1), where N is the total number of recording tracks. The tracks having addresses (j-1) and (j+1) are adjacent tracks j.
Memories having a small storage capacity contain a limited number of discs (normally only one or two). In small memories, data are stored, i.e., recorded, on each of the disc faces by setting a large amount of space aside for the data intended to be processed by the data processing system of which the memories are a part. A small amount of space is set aside for data that enables the tracks to be located; these data indicate the track addresses and enable the magnetic head to be servo-controlled to a position above the tracks. In the small area are also stored data which indicate whether or not the tracks contain faults.
For the sake of simplicity, a memory is considered which contains only a single disc. Preferably, each face of the disc is associated with a single magnetic read/write head, i.e., a magnetic read/write transducer. Current practice, as described in commonly assigned U.S. patent applicaton Ser. No. 76,332, filed on Sept. 17, 1979, entitled "Method Of Writing Information On A Magnetic Recording Medium", now U.S. Pat. No. 4,354,208, issued Oct. 12, 1982, is for the data contained on each face of the disc to be distributed over equal adjacent circular sectors S.sub.0, S.sub.1 . . . S.sub.i . . . S.sub.n. Generally, one face of a disc is divided into several tens of sectors (usually forty to fifty).
When the magnetic disc face associated with the magnetic head passes in front of the head, sectors S.sub.0, S.sub.1, S.sub.2, etcetera, are read by the head in sequence. It is therefore said that sector S.sub.0 precedes sector S.sub.1, that sector S.sub.1 precedes sector S.sub.2, that sector S.sub.i precedes sector S.sub.i+1 and so on. In more general terms, if two items of information I.sub.k-1 and I.sub.k which follow one another along the same track j on the face are considered, item I.sub.k-1 precedes item I.sub.k if item I.sub.k-1 is read by the head before I.sub.k, or that item I.sub.k follows item I.sub.k-1. The same reasoning is applied to groups of information items G.sub.k and G.sub.k-1 in a track (j+1) adjacent and abutting with track j.
Each sector S.sub.i is divided into two unequal areas. The larger area contains the data to be processed by the data processing system of which the disc memory is a part, while the smaller area contains data for locating the tracks and indicating faults. For the sake of simplicity, the data contained in the larger area are referred to as "data to be processed". In each sector, the smaller area is divided into a plurality of reference zones, one for each track, so each track is associated with a single reference zone.
It is recalled that a bit is a binary one or zero digit. The one or zero may be expressed on a magnetic medium or as an analog or logic electrical signal. A logic signal is capable of assuming only two values called "logic or binary zero" and "logic or binary one"; an analog signal is a signal having a voltage that may vary continuously between two positive and/or negative extreme values. Any item of data or information recorded on the disc is referred to herein as a "bit".
A magnetic head for writing information into and reading information from a magnetic disc includes a magnetic circuit comprising a high magnetic permeability material on which is mounted a winding and in which is formed an air gap. The air gap is substantially rectangular in shape, having a length much greater than its width. The gap is of the same order of magnitude as the radial width of the tracks and reference zones, which are of the same width. Thereby, the gap is responsive to magnetic flux variations representing data to be processed from a disc track have serial number j, as well as track identifying data contained in reference zones ZRP.sub.ij and ZRP.sub.i(j+1) associated with the data track having serial number j. The air gap of the head is disposed perpendicularly to magnetic axis Ax.sub.j of track j, i.e., the air gap is disposed parallel to the radial width of track j. To enable the data of track j to be read from the disc or written into the disc with maximum accuracy, the head remains stationary facing the track during the time necessary for reading or writing all or part of the data which the track contains while the disc rotates at constant velocity. The head air gap is perfectly centered on magnetic axis Ax.sub.j, the boundary between reference zones ZRP.sub.ij and ZRP.sub.i(j+1). The magnetic read/write head reads or writes track identifying data in reference zones ZRP.sub.ij and ZRP.sub.i(j+1) by being disposed astride the magnetic axis separating the two reference zones.
One known method of recording data on the face of a magnetic disc involves providing a succession of elementary areas of variable length over the entire length of each track and each zone by applying magnetic fluxes to the zones by the magnetic head. Alternate areas have magnetic inductions of the same amplitude, but of opposite polarity, whereby, for example, a first area has a magnetization of +.phi. and the adjacent area has a magnetization of -.phi.. The boundary between two adjacent magnetic areas which follow one another along a track or zone defines a magnetization sense change or a "magnetic transition".
There are two different types of magnetic transitions, namely: when the magnetic head passes successive magnetic areas having negative and positive induction on the disc, the magnetization sense change is positive; and, when, on the other hand, the head passes successive areas having positive and negative induction, the magnetization sense change is negative.
A preferred configuration for magnetic induction values of track identification data contained in the reference zones is described and claimed in previously mentioned U.S. Application Ser. No. 76,332. In the disc disclosed in said application, track identifying data in a reference zone is defined by the presence or absence of a pair of magnetic transitions along the length of the cell. If two such transitions occur within the cell, the first transition is of opposite polarity to the second transition to represent a first binary value. The second binary value is represented by no magnetic transitions along the length of the cell. The position data for each reference zone is contained in a part of the reference zone designated as PPOS. The nomenclature is such that a particular reference zone ZRP.sub.ij contains position data in part PPOS.sub.ij. Part PPOS.sub.ij is preceded by another part of the reference zone that contains the address of track j.
Part PPOS contains plural (m) successive cells, each having the same length, such that alternate cells contain a double magnetic transition and intermediate cells contain no such transitions. The positional data are written identically into even and odd numbered reference zones whereby the positional data is shifted from one cell to another. Thus, for any even numbered reference zone, the cells of odd rank, i.e., the odd numbered cells, do not include a double transition while the even numbered cells do contain such a transition. In all odd numbered reference zones, the odd numbered cells contain a double transition, but the even numbered cells do not contain any transitions.
Because the even and odd numbered cells of part PPOS of any reference zone have the same length, the time that the head is over each cell in a reference zone is identical, and designated by T. In response to the head traversing part PPOS of an even numbered reference zone such that the head air gap is perfectly centered on part PPOS, the head derives a periodic output signal S.sub.p having a period P equal to 2T. During each period of the head output, the head output signal has a zero voltage during a first half-period, which occurs as the head moves past the odd numbered cells. During the second half-period, as the head moves past even numbered cells, the head output is composed of two opposite polarity pulses having substantially the same absolute magnitude AMP. In response to the air gap of the head being completely centered on part PPOS of an odd numbered reference zone, the head derives a periodic output signal S.sub.imp having a period P equal to 2T. During each period, signal S.sub.imp is composed of two analog pulses of opposite sign but of equal absolute magnitude AMP during the first half-period, i.e., as the head moves past the odd cells. During the second half-period of S.sub.imp, while the head moves past even numbered cells within the odd numbered reference zone, the head derives a zero output signal. Thus, signals S.sub.p and S.sub.imp are respectively referred to as even and odd signals. Signals S.sub.p and S.sub. imp are thus periodic, having the same period P, and shifted in time by a half-period.
The following nomenclature is employed in the present specification: if two adjacent reference zones ZRP.sub.ij and ZRP.sub.i(j-1) are considered, either one of which may be even and the other odd, reference zone ZRP.sub.ij is considered to be closest to the center of the disc and to have a track number j larger than reference zone ZRP.sub.i(j-1) ; POS.sub.1 designates the position of a magnetic read/write head such that the air gap is situated entirely over part PPOS.sub.ij of zone ZRP.sub.ij, i.e., the air gap is perfectly centered on part PPOS.sub.ij of zone ZRP.sub.ij ; POS.sub.3 designates the position of the magnetic head such that the head air gap is situated entirely over part PPOS.sub.i(j+1) of zone ZRP.sub.i(j-1), i.e., the head air gap is perfectly centered on part PPOS.sub.i(j+1) ; an axis between zones ZRP.sub.ij and ZRP.sub.i(j-1) is defined as Ax.sub.j ; when the head air gap occupies any location between the extreme positions POS.sub.1 and POS.sub.3, portion X.sub.1 of the air gap faces the even reference zone, while portion X.sub.2 of the air gap faces the odd reference zone; thus X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 are fractions between zero and one and X.sub.1 +X.sub.2 =1.
Because the head air gap is of substantially rectangular shape, the value of X.sub.1 and X.sub.2 is proportional to the air gap length L, in turn substantially equal to the radial width of a track. Thus, if three-quarters of the air gap length is situated above an even reference zone, X.sub.1 =3/4=0.75 and X.sub.2 =(13/4)=0.25. Signal S.sub.p derived from the head as it traverses an even numbered reference zone can be considered as the algebraic sum of an even part S.sub.1 and an odd part S.sub.2. Even part S.sub.1 corresponds to the signals resulting from reading the positional data of the even zone which the head is traversing, while odd part S.sub.2 corresponds to the signals read from the positional data of the odd zone as the head moves past portion X.sub.2. For a given data item, the voltage derived from the read head varies linearly as a function of the value of X. Therefore, S.sub.1 =X.sub.1 (S.sub.p) and S.sub.2 =X.sub.2 (S.sub.imp). Consequently, S.sub.T =S.sub.1 +S.sub.2 =X.sub.1 (S.sub.p)+X.sub.2 (S.sub.imp), where S.sub.T =the total output signal of the head. Thus, signals S.sub.1 and S.sub.2 are the same shape and have the same period P, but are shifted by one half-period (P/2) in time relative to each other.
Each period P of signal S.sub.T thus comprises:
(1) a half-period signal S.sub.1 including two analog pulses of opposite polarity and equal absolute amplitude value, X.sub.1 (AMP); and
(2) a half-period odd signal part S.sub.2 composed of two opposite polarity analog pulses having equal absolute values equal to X.sub.2.
Because the average of signal S.sub.T over a complete period, as well as over an integral number of periods, is zero, the calculated integral over one period of over an integral number of periods is zero. Therefore, the location of the magnetic head from position POS.sub.1 to POS.sub.3 cannot be deduced by calculating the integral of signal S.sub.T or the average value of the voltage resulting from signal S.sub.T.
A prior art device, disclosed in copending application, Ser. No. 186,294, filed Sept. 11, 1980, entitled "Apparatus And Method For Displacing A Movable System With Respect To A Data Carrier", and commonly assigned with the present application, enables a head of a disc memory to be displaced in a minimum possible time between a departure track and an arrival track of serial number j from which it is desired to read data to be processed. In the system disclosed in said application, when the head has been positioned with respect to axis Ax.sub.j of track j, it is necessary to keep the head astride or centered on axis Ax.sub.j so that the data read by the head from the track can be performed with maximum accuracy. By maintaining the head centered on the axis, the amplitude of signals derived from the head is maximum during the entire time while data are read from the track. Therefore, the air gap is perfectly centered on the axis, whereby X.sub.1 =X.sub.2 =0.5, a position designated as POS.sub.2. Separations of the air gap from position POS.sub. 2 toward position POS.sub.1 or position POS.sub.3 result in greater risks of error in reading or writing data to be processed from the disc.
It is therefore extremely important to be able to precisely determine the position the head occupies, i.e., the head air gap position, from position POS.sub.1 to position POS.sub.3 as the head is being positioned by the displacement device on track j. When a boundary between two parts PPOS.sub.ij and PPOS.sub.i(j-1) of adjacent even and odd zones moves past the head air gap, while the head occupies any position from POS.sub.1 to POS.sub.3, the head or its air gap is considered as being disposed "in the neighborhood of the boundary".
It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved method of and apparatus for measuring the position of a transducer head for reading and/or writing data on a carrier with respect to a reference position of the carrier.
Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved method of and apparatus for deriving an analog signal defining the actual position occupied by an air gap of a magnetic head reading data from a magnetic memory element wherein the head position is determined with respect to a reference position defined by a boundary between adjacent even and odd zones of the memory element.
An additional object of the invention is to provide a new and improved apparatus for and method of deriving analog data indicative of the position of a magnetic head relative to an axis between a pair of reference zones of a magnetic disc wherein the analog signal is adapted to be transmitted to a servo-control device that maintains the head astride the axis during the entire time while data to be processed are read from a data sector associated with the axis. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a molded plastic mounting part formed as a base for function parts on a metal supporting plate, which mounting part, in order to be mounted on this plate, has a bridge element traversing a hole in the metal supporting plate, and retaining elements which bear against both plate surfaces of the metal supporting plate.
2. Description of Related Art
Mounting parts molded onto metal supporting plates are known, for example, from "Feinwerktechnik und Me.beta.technik", Volume 87, No. 6, September 1979, pp. 253 to 259. The technique of manufacturing such mounting parts in combination with metal supporting plates is known by the name of outsert-molding technique. The mounting parts molded onto the metal supporting plate are intended for a variety of purposes, such as retaining, supporting or guiding the function parts. The function parts can be, for example, bearings, gear wheels, sliders, levers or spindles. The molded-on mounting parts and the supporting plate are always joined in that plastic retaining elements overlap edge portions of holes in the plates at the upper side and the underside of the plate and in that the plastic retaining elements are interconnected by a plastic bridge element traversing the hole. The plastic bridge element can be solid but it can also be internally hollow, taking the form of a sleeve.
Moreover, it is known that the cooling process, which begins after the plastic has been molded on, is accompanied by shrinkage of the plastic. This shrinkage takes place in all directions, i.e. in the longitudinal direction of the bridge element and in a direction perpendicular thereto. The shrinkage in the longitudinal direction of the bridge element results in a tighter fit of the retaining elements on the plate surfaces. The shrinkage in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction results in an undesirable clearance between the wall of the hole in the metal mounting plate and the outer wall of the bridge element traversing the hole. As a result of this clearance, the accurate fit of a mounting part with respect to the hole is no longer exactly predetermined. The axis of the mounting part and the axis of the hole no longer coincide in a reliable manner and may become displaced with respect to one another. | {
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The invention relates generally to welding and, more particularly, to a welding system that may be used for training.
Welding is a process that has increasingly become utilized in various industries and applications. Such processes may be automated in certain contexts, although a large number of applications continue to exist for manual welding operations. In both cases, such welding operations rely on a variety of types of equipment to ensure the supply of welding consumables (e.g., wire feed, shielding gas, etc.) is provided to the weld in appropriate amounts at the desired time.
In preparation for performing manual welding operations, welding operators may be trained using a welding system (e.g., a welding training system). The welding system may be designed to train welding operators with the proper techniques for performing various welding operations. Certain welding systems may use various training methods. As may be appreciated, these training systems may be expensive to acquire and operate. Accordingly, welding training institutions may only acquire a limited number of such training systems. Furthermore, certain welding systems may not adequately train welding operators to perform high quality welds. | {
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This application is the national stage of International Application No. PCT/DE98/01599, filed Jun. 12, 1998.
The invention concerns an ionization filter for purifying air that is enriched with dust particles and other organic and inorganic pollutants, with at least one electrically charged emission electrode that is used to produce electrically conductive parts, and at least one passive electrode that is used to collect the pollutant particles which circulate between the emission electrode and the passive electrode.
In situations of high dust precipitation, such ionization filters, which so far are being utilized especially for the precipitation of dust from the smoke gas of fossil-fired plants, distinguish themselves by their low flow resistance towards smoke gas, which passes the electrodes and is purified. Beyond that, such electrostatic filters undergo very little wear and tear, and therefore need repairs only to a limited extent due their simple design, excluding movable parts.
Within buildings, such as residences, hospitals, public administration buildings, etc., an air purification process occurs, for example, within the circulation system of the air conditioning equipment, usually by means of regular filters that are commonly made of fleece-like materials. These filters present an extensive drop in pressure, and the purification effect decreases the greater the load becomes. Bacteria, fungi, spores or other microorganisms can pass through the filter, or can be released through leaks in the line system due to the increased fan pressure caused by the load, which can lead to considerable health problems for people who should be supplied with fresh air.
The invention is based on the task of developing a filter system, in particular one suitable for buildings, which effects a high purification efficiency, even towards harmful microorganisms, at a low drop in pressure.
According to the invention, this task is achieved by means of equipping an ionization filter of the kind described above with an additional layer of denaturing properties, and arranging it in the flow path of any pollutants that are generated.
In connection to the invention, the denaturing layer may be comprised of a material that has a free mass transfer area for microorganisms, its area being prepared in such a way that microorganisms die shortly after contact. Materials of denaturing effects can include appropriate copper compounds or other known toxic materials, with which the respective layer has been saturated, or otherwise prepared.
The invention thus ensures that not only customary dust particles and other microorganisms are precipitated on the passive electrode of the ionization filter, but also that additional microorganisms are simultaneously killed by the denaturing layer that is employed hereupon.
Another feature of the invention that proves particularly beneficial is the use of a material for the denaturing layer that is either strongly acidic or strongly alkaline or appropriately pre-treated. A strongly acidic material would mean a pH value between 1 and 3, and strongly alkaline would mean a pH value between 11 and 14.
It has been shown that nearly all microorganisms die in such an extreme environment.
It proves especially effective to arrange the denaturing layer in several sub-layers, with alternating strongly acidic and strongly alkaline layers, or vice versa, and with a neutral intermediate layer between two layers of different pH values. This additional and extreme change in environmental conditions creates a particularly high microorganism-extermination rate. The shift from strongly acidic to strongly alkaline environmental conditions, and vice versa, can be obtained by preparation with appropriate salts or lye.
It is best to arrange the denaturing layer directly in front of the surface of the passive electrode, or to design the surface of the passive electrode additionally as a denaturing area.
If the denaturing material is electrically conductive or becomes electrically conductive by integrating appropriate materials, such as wire mesh or wire screens, then the denaturing layer itself can even be utilized directly as a passive electrode.
On ionization filters that use a metal wire as the emission electrode, it proves useful to additionally equip the wire-shaped emission electrode with extra-fine wire tips across its entire length in order to increase efficiency. At the end of such extra-fine wire tips, which are best arranged around the emission electrode at an angle between 60xc2x0 and 90xc2x0, very strong electric fields are known to develop, which cause an appropriately intense ionization of the particles that pass this area. This in turn leads to a high precipitation rate on the oppositely charged passive electrode.
In smaller air-conditioning systems, such as in residential buildings or especially in automobiles, the emission electrode of the ionization filter is a metal wire arranged in the middle of an electrically conductive tube pipe, while the denaturing layer is located on the interior surface of the flow channel that surrounds the emission electrode. Such filters can easily be flanged into existing flow paths and be taken out and replaced with other units when they have become loaded.
When the ionization filter is operating, it has proven useful to adjust the electric tension between the emission electrode and the passive electrode to a value above 5,000 V (preferably above 7,000 V). Such high tension generally forms ozone, which additionally contributes to killing microorganisms.
The loaded ionization filters in accordance with the invention can be disposed of particularly easily and thermally ifxe2x80x94according to another feature of the inventionxe2x80x94the passive electrode consists of a thermally recoverable organic base material, which is reinforced with an electrically conductive organic material. The organic base material, which should not be sensitive towards acid and/or alkali, can include stiffened paper, cardboard, plastic fleece or similar materials. For the electrically conductive material in place for reinforcement purposes, graphite should be used.
If the denaturing layer consists of alternate sub-layers of different pH values and is simultaneously being used as the passive electrode, then another feature of the invention calls for all denaturing layers to be reinforced with graphite and made appropriately electrically conductive.
Especially in the case of ionization filters which are used for the purification of larger air volumes, further optimization can be effected by equipping the passive electrode with a mesh design on every side that faces an emission electrode, each mesh area preferably being covered with acidic, neutral and alkaline layers that are arranged behind each other and with an acidic or alkaline layer alternately forming the surface that faces the emission electrode. This type of bevel-like design for the denaturing layer is similar to a chessboard, and ensures that microorganisms are exposed to constantly changing environmental conditions which kill them quickly, both when passing the layer that is parallel to the surface and when flowing through the layer that is vertical to the surface.
The planned mesh design as such can be shaped randomly, but should preferably be of rectangular, square or also hexagonal shape in honeycomb form.
For further optimization of the ionization filter""s precipitation effect it has also proven useful to arrange several passive electrodes of denaturing effect in rows. This way, any particles that still manage to pass the main passive electrode are precipitated in one of these subsequent additional passive electrodes. This precipitation effect can even be increased if, in accordance with another feature of the invention, an ion surplus with regard to the absorption capability of the main passive electrode is generated on the emission electrode.
Since air that is to be purified generally does not have consistent humidity, it has proven useful, according to another feature of the invention, to impregnate the denaturing layers additionally with hygroscopic substances, such as potassium salts and/or sodium salts. Hygroscopic substances absorb moisture from the air and thus ensure that the humidity level which is required to maintain the strongly acidic and/or strongly alkaline properties is always guaranteed within the denaturing layer. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
This application concerns a mileage recording odometer device with a plurality of digit wheels mounted in close side by side relationship on a shaft. Each digit wheel has a hub portion encircling the shaft and an outer rim portion bearing mileage indica thereon. Several spokes connect the hub and the rim portions and are formed integrally with the hub and rim. The improvement resides in the configuration of the spokes whose cross section of a spoke progressively decreases toward the midportion so that it the spoke is frangible in resonse to a significant axially directed prying force on the rim portion of the wheel.
2. Description of Related Art
There have been earlier attempts to prevent odometer tampering. The U.S. Pat. No. 3,949,201 utilizes an obliterating means to destroy the mileage indica on the outer surface of the wheels whenever the a wheel is rotated in a reverse direction to decrease mileage indication. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,636,320, a drive or input mechanism operates only to advance the indica wheels and resists reverse rotation of the wheels. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 3,785,551 provides a transfer mechanism between the wheels to prevents their reverse rotation.
The U.S. Pat. No. 3,482,773 discloses a transfer mechanism between each wheel including a strap member secured in one position during normal odometer operation. The strap is designed to break or become unsecured when an attempt is made to rotate the wheel in a reverse direction by "picking."
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,284,882 discloses an odometer having a transfer mechanism between odomeeeter wheels mounted on a shaft having a weakened portion adapted to break when an attempt is made to rotate the wheels in a reverse direction. Likewise, the U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,438 discloses an odometer with wheels mounted on a shaft having notches therein to weaken the shaft so that the shaft breaks if significant prying is attempted. Also, the wheels include radially extending grooves designed to cause the wheel to break in the radial direction or into sectors upon application of a prying force. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The present invention relates to a system for monitoring the flow of water through a pipe and more particularly to a battery operated flowmeter which can transmit flow related data (volume and/or temperature) to a remote receiver.
It is becoming more and more important to conserve our resources. While it has long been appreciated that monitoring and billing for resource use will cause a decrease in the use of the monitored resource, many situations, such as water use by a tenant in an apartment complex, do not lend themselves to monitoring.
To monitor such very local water use, a number of monitors is often required and accordingly for such monitors to be economically viable they have to be very inexpensive to install and have a low cost. Such a monitor must be battery powered and since batteries will only power a system for a definite period of time, the batteries will have to be periodically replaced. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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WLAN devices periodically or aperiodically perform received signal strength indicator (RSSI) scans in an attempt to maintain communicative coupling with at least one access point. RSSI scans are often used by a WLAN device in an enterprise environment to locate and/or identify the access point that provides preferable communication conditions for the WLAN device. Additionally or alternatively, RSSI scanning is performed to determine the location of a WLAN device. For example, the RSSI values associated with one or more nearby access points may be used to determine and/or estimate the location of a WLAN device. An example WLAN device is implemented in accordance with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11x family of standards (a.k.a. WiFi). | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The field of this invention relates to systems for deploying payloads from vessels, e.g. submarines, and in particular, systems for launching stores (e.g. torpedoes) from submarines.
2. Summary of the Prior Art
Conventional torpedo launch systems utilise fluid pressure to force a torpedo from a torpedo launch tube.
An example of a known torpedo launch system is described in European Patent No. EP 0526831 B. The system includes a torpedo launch tube, in which a torpedo is located prior to launch. A piston tube is provided adjacent the torpedo launch tube, the piston tube having a piston therein which is arranged to slide along the piston tube upon the application of fluid pressure (from compressed air). The piston tube includes a slot through which a projection of the piston extends. The piston projection is arranged to engage the torpedo such that, when the piston slides along the piston tube, the piston projection pushes the torpedo out of the torpedo tube.
However, problems arise with leakage of compressed air from the piston tube, through the slot. Leakage of compressed air reduces the fluid pressure in the piston tube, and thus the force at which the piston is slid along the piston tube. In an attempt to overcome this problem, a tongue seal is provided along the slot. However, providing a perfect seal along the entire length of the slot, whilst still permitting the piston projection to travel along the slot, is virtually impossible.
European Patent No. EP 0295600 B describes a conveyor device for loading and unloading torpedoes in a torpedo tube. The device includes a piston fixed through a piston rod to the torpedo tube, and a cylinder displaceable relative to the piston. A slide, on which a loading platform for an object is attachable, is mounted on the exterior of the cylinder and is driven, during movement of the cylinder relative to the piston, via a cable line. The cable line is located outside the cylinder, has ends securely connected to the torpedo tube, and runs over deflecting rollers in such a way that, during a cylinder stroke, the slide also moves along the cylinder. With this arrangement, the slide covers a greater distance than the cylinder relative to the piston, during a cylinder stroke. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to generating random numbers and, in particular, to a concept for generating a quantity of statistically independent bits in which the bit values 0 and 1 occur with the same frequency.
2. Description of Prior Art
There are various applications in which random numbers have to be generated. When for example transmitting data in an encrypted manner, the keys may be generated based on random numbers. A reliable generation of random numbers is an indispensable prerequisite for safe data transmission. Implementing a random generator in a chipcard is of interest for mobile applications to enable a safe digital signature, wherein this application has gained in importance in the recent past.
Here, it is of particular importance that the frequency with which the values 0 and 1 are generated is, on average, identical for a random number generator which is to generate a sequence of random bits of the values 0 and 1. If this was not the case, it would be made easy for a potential attacker to compromise the system by utilizing, for his attack, the fact that one of the values 0 or 1 is generated more frequently. Experience has shown that physical random number generators, however, exhibit a certain deviation from the mathematical ideal case of the statistically independent random bits with a 1 and a 0 probability of ½, regardless of their operating principle. A number of random bits, for example, are frequently generated by observing a physically generated noise voltage, wherein the noise voltage is digitalized (sampled) in discrete periods of time and a bit of the value 1 will be output if a reference voltage value is exceeded at the time of sampling, whereas a bit of the value 0 will be output if the result is below the reference voltage. Often, a semiconductor pattern is used for generating the noise voltage. An addition of a constant voltage offset to the noise voltage, as is exemplarily caused by a change in temperature, obviously changes the probability with which the values 0 or 1 are generated. Deviations from the desired ideal behavior of a random number generator result in this way.
If the probability of 1 bits occurring deviates from the ideal value of ½, we talk of skewness of the random bits generated. In order to prevent this, there is a way of intervening in the source by controlling, which, for the above example, would mean adding an additional controlled offset voltage of the noise voltage. If too many ones have resulted, the parameters of the generator will be changed such that more zeros will be formed, and vice versa. Frequently, the difference between the number of 1 bits formed since the start of the generator and the 0 bits formed since the start is used as a measure of the 1 excess. (This may be achieved in an, as far as technology is concerned, easy manner by and up/down counter incrementing its value in the case of 1 bits and decrementing for 0 bits.) Depending on the count, the operating point of the generator is then shifted such that the bit value with a lack of frequency will be generated more frequently.
A problem of the skewness control just described is that statistical dependences result between the bits. Obviously, with this skewness control, the occurrence of many subsequent zeros, for example, will increase the probability of a 1-bit occurring. Here, this dependence is not only present over a few neighboring bits, but in principle over any distances and times. Such a dependence contradicts the principle of an ideal random number generator where it is the very aim to generate any number generated with always the same probability, i.e. independently of the numbers generated in the past. The random numbers generated one after the other thus are to be statistically independent.
Frequently, the deviations from the mathematical ideal case are reduced by algorithmic post-processing of the bits generated by a random bit generator. A precondition for this is that the random bits generated by the generator are statistically independent and that, additionally, the probabilities with which the values 0 or 1 are generated are constant over time, wherein these need not necessarily be exactly ½.
A statistical measure of the information content of a certain piece of information I (such as, for example, a number of random number bits) over an alphabet Z (in the case of random bits, the alphabet consists of the values 0 and 1) is the entropy H defined as follows:
H ( I ) = - ∑ j = 1 z pj · log 2 pj
Thus, pj is the probability with which the jth symbol (0 or 1) of the alphabet Z occurs in the information text I. Although the calculation of the entropy H may also be transferred to different number systems (such as, for example, octal numbering system, hexadecimal system) than the binary system, only the application of the above definition to the binary system is of importance for the following discussion. The maximum value of the entropy obtainable for a sequence of random numbers is 1, wherein the entropy H will take the value 1 precisely if the number of the values 0 and 1 in the sequence of the random bits generated (the information text) is identical.
A skewness when generating random numbers thus corresponds to an entropy smaller than 1. An increase in entropy by algorithmic post-processing procedures can only be achieved by means of compression, i.e. more than one input bit of a random number generator is required to generate a final output bit. A well-known example of algorithmic post-processing of this kind is the method by John von Neumann, which is described in the publication “Various Techniques Used In Connection With Random Digits”, John von Neumann, Collected Works, Volume V, Pergamon Press, 1963. Here, a sequence of statistically independent output bits having the same probability z1, z2, . . . zm is generated from an input bit sequence x1, x2, . . . xn. It is a precondition here that the input bits of the input bit sequence are statistically independent of one another and that the probability of the input bits xi having the value 0 or 1 is constant over time. This is to say:P(xi=1)=p, and P(xi=0)=q=1−pis true for all n. Von Neumann thus summarizes two each of the input bits xi and uses the following mapping:(1) 00→Λ 01→0, 10 →1, 11→Λ,wherein Λ means that no output bit will be output. If the bit sequence 01 is generated, a 0 will be output by the Von Neumann mapping, if the bit sequence 10 is generated, a 1 will be output, wherein both cases each occur with the same probability pq. Using the above assumptions for the input bits xi, a bit sequence of statistically independent bits is generated by the algorithmic post-processing suggested by Von Neumann, wherein the different bit valencies occur with the same constant probability of ½.
Further procedures based on the principle of increasing the entropy by compression are described in “Iterating Von Neumann's Procedure For Extracting Random Bits” by Yuval Peres, The Annals of Statistics, 1992, Vol. 20, No. 1, 590-597, and in “The Efficient Construction of an Unbiased Random Sequence” by Peter Elias, The Annals of Mathematical Statistics, 1972, Vol. 43, No. 3, 65-870. A widely used form of compression is XOR operating several input bits to form one output bit.
There is also demand for algorithmic post-processing of the bits generated for random number generators where skewness is eliminated by means of control. Here, it may be an aim of such a post-processing to eliminate or reduce the dependences caused by the control, wherein no post-processing functions achieving this aim are known from the prior art. It is generally required for an algorithmic post-processing of a random number source comprising skewness correction by means of control that the entropy must not be reduced by the algorithmic post-processing. At present, there is no proof that the post-processing methods known so far do not reduce entropy, wherein in particular the difficulties are that the dependences occur over any period of time and that the probabilities corresponding to the individual counts are not known.
In general, the problem with a combination of a random number generator based on skewness control and algorithmic post-processing is that statistical dependences between the bits generated are caused by the skewness control, wherein a precondition for applying a post-processing algorithm, however, is statistical independence of the input bits and a temporally constant probability of generating the values 0 and 1. While the requirement for time stability of the generation probability can be met by the control, this control, however, provides an undesired statistical dependence between the bits provided as input bits for the algorithmic post-processing. | {
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Fluid pipeline transportation systems or distribution systems can be used to transport fluids, such as liquids or gases. The fluids may be transported for long distances or short distances, through pipes that can be buried underground, or may be above ground. One example of a fluid that can be transported through a pipeline is natural gas. For example, an energy company may use a fluid pipeline transportation system to transport natural gas within a city, across a state, or across several states.
Fluid pipeline transportation systems may be susceptible to natural incidents such as earthquakes, floods, landslides, land collapses, and the like, especially because the systems may be dispersed across a wide geographic area. Additionally, the systems may be subject to accidents, such as a pipeline breach caused by an encounter with construction equipment. In some cases, acts of vandalism or terrorism may also threaten pipeline systems. Moreover, long-term degradation caused by corrosion, stress, or deformation accumulation can cause problems for pipeline systems. These natural incidents, accidents, destructive acts, or degradation can cause fluid leaks from the pipeline, which can lead to serious problems. For example, a natural gas leak or breach, when combined with a spark under certain situations, can produce an explosion that may injure or kill people, damage property, or pollute the environment. | {
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The disclosures, including the claims, figures and/or drawings, of each and every patent, patent application, and publication cited herein are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
The following description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed inventions, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
There are numerous steps in the development of any novel, desirable plant germplasm. Plant breeding begins with the analysis and definition of problems and weaknesses of the current germplasm, the establishment of program goals, and the definition of specific breeding objectives. The next step is selection of germplasm that possess the traits to meet the program goals. The goal is to combine in a single variety or hybrid an improved combination of desirable traits from the parental germplasm. These important traits may include higher yield, resistance to diseases and insects, better stalks and roots, tolerance to drought and heat, reduction of grain moisture at harvest as well as better agronomic quality. With mechanical harvesting of many crops, uniformity of plant characteristics such as germination and stand establishment, growth rate, maturity and plant and ear height is important.
Choice of breeding or selection methods depends on the mode of plant reproduction, the heritability of the trait(s) being improved, and the type of cultivar used commercially (e.g., F1 hybrid cultivar, pureline cultivar, etc.). For highly heritable traits, a choice of superior individual plants evaluated at a single location will be effective, whereas for traits with low heritability, selection should be based on mean values obtained from replicated evaluations of families of related plants. Popular selection methods commonly include pedigree selection, modified pedigree selection, mass selection, recurrent selection, and backcross breeding.
The complexity of inheritance influences choice of breeding method. Backcross breeding is used to transfer one or a few favorable genes for a heritable trait into a desirable cultivar. This approach has been used extensively for breeding disease-resistant cultivars; nevertheless, it is also suitable for the adjustment and selection of morphological characters, color characteristics and simply inherited quantitative characters such as earliness, plant height or seed size and shape. Various recurrent selection techniques are used to improve quantitatively inherited traits controlled by numerous genes. The use of recurrent selection in self-pollinating crops depends on the ease of pollination, the frequency of successful hybrids from each pollination, and the number of hybrid offspring from each successful cross.
Each breeding program should include a periodic, objective evaluation of the efficiency of the breeding procedure. Evaluation criteria vary depending on the goal and objectives, but should include gain from selection per year based on comparisons to an appropriate standard, overall value of the advanced breeding lines, and number of successful cultivars produced per unit of input (e.g., per year, per dollar expended, etc.).
Promising advanced breeding lines are thoroughly tested per se and in hybrid combination and compared to appropriate standards in environments representative of the commercial target area(s) for three or more years. The best lines are candidates for use as parents in new commercial cultivars; those still deficient in a few traits may be used as parents to produce new populations for further selection.
These processes, which lead to the final step of marketing and distribution, usually take from eight to twelve years from the time the first cross is made. Therefore, development of new cultivars is a time-consuming process that requires precise forward planning, efficient use of resources, and a focus on clear objectives.
A most difficult task is the identification of individuals that are genetically superior, because for most traits the true genotypic value is masked by other confounding plant traits or environmental factors. One method of identifying a superior plant is to observe its performance relative to other experimental plants and to a widely grown standard cultivar. If a single observation is inconclusive, replicated observations provide a better estimate of its genetic worth.
The goal of corn breeding is to develop new, unique and superior corn inbred lines and hybrids. The breeder initially selects and crosses two or more parental lines, followed by repeated self pollination or selfing and selection, producing many new genetic combinations. Another method used to develop new, unique and superior corn inbred lines and hybrids occurs when the breeder selects and crosses two or more parental lines, followed by haploid induction and chromosome doubling that results in the development of dihaploid inbred lines. The breeder can theoretically generate billions of different genetic combinations via crossing, selfing and mutations and the same is true for the utilization of the dihaploid breeding method.
Each year, the plant breeder selects the germplasm to advance to the next generation. This germplasm is grown under unique and different geographical, climatic and soil conditions, and further selections are then made, during and at the end of the growing season. The inbred lines which are developed are unpredictable. This unpredictability is because the breeder's selection occurs in unique environments, with no control at the DNA level (using conventional breeding procedures or dihaploid breeding procedures), and with millions of different possible genetic combinations being generated. A breeder of ordinary skill in the art cannot predict the final resulting lines he develops, except possibly in a very gross and general fashion. This unpredictability results in the expenditure of large research funds to develop several superior new corn inbred lines.
The development of commercial corn hybrids requires the development of homozygous inbred lines, the crossing of these lines, and the evaluation of the crosses. Pedigree breeding and recurrent selection breeding methods are used to develop inbred lines from breeding populations. Breeding programs combine desirable traits from two or more inbred lines or various broad-based sources into breeding pools from which inbred lines are developed by selfing and selection of desired phenotypes or through the dihaploid breeding method followed by the selection of desired phenotypes. The new inbreds are crossed with other inbred lines and the hybrids from these crosses are evaluated to determine which have commercial potential.
Pedigree breeding is used commonly for the improvement of self-pollinating crops or inbred lines of cross-pollinating crops. Two parents which possess favorable, complementary traits are crossed to produce an F1. An F2 population is produced by selfing one or several F1S or by intercrossing two F1S (sib mating). Selection of the best individuals is usually begun in the F2 population; then, beginning in the F3, the best individuals in the best families are selected. Replicated testing of families, or hybrid combinations involving individuals of these families, often follows in the F4 generation to improve the effectiveness of selection for traits with low heritability. At an advanced stage of inbreeding (i.e., F6 and F7), the best lines or mixtures of phenotypically similar lines are tested for potential release as new cultivars. Similarly, the development of new inbred lines through the dihaploid system requires the selection of the best inbreds followed by four to five years of testing in hybrid combinations in replicated plots.
Mass and recurrent selections can be used to improve populations of either self- or cross-pollinating crops. A genetically variable population of heterozygous individuals is either identified or created by intercrossing several different parents. The best plants are selected based on individual superiority, outstanding progeny, or excellent combining ability. The selected plants are intercrossed to produce a new population in which further cycles of selection are continued.
Backcross breeding has been used to transfer genes for a simply inherited, highly heritable trait into a desirable cultivar or inbred line which is the recurrent parent. The source of the trait to be transferred is called the donor parent. The resulting plant is expected to have the attributes of the recurrent parent (e.g., cultivar) and the desirable trait transferred from the donor parent. After the initial cross, individuals possessing the phenotype of the donor parent are selected and repeatedly crossed (backcrossed) to the recurrent parent. The resulting plant is expected to have the attributes of the recurrent parent (e.g., cultivar) and the desirable trait transferred from the donor parent.
Descriptions of other breeding methods that are commonly used for different traits and crops can be found in one of several reference books (e.g., R. W. Allard, 1960, Principles of Plant Breeding, John Wiley and Son; Briggs, F. N. and Knowles, P. F. 1967. Introduction to Plant Breeding. Reinhold Publishing Corporation; N. W. Simmonds, 1979, Principles of Crop Improvement, Longman Group Limited; W. R. Fehr, 1987, Principles of Crop Development, Macmillan Publishing Co.; N. F. Jensen, 1988, Plant Breeding Methodology, John Wiley & Sons).
Proper testing should detect any major faults and establish the level of superiority or improvement over current cultivars. In addition to showing superior performance, there must be a demand for a new cultivar that is compatible with industry standards or which creates a new market. The introduction of a new cultivar will incur additional costs to the seed producer, the grower, processor and consumer for special advertising and marketing, altered seed and commercial production practices, and new product utilization. The testing preceding release of a new cultivar should take into consideration research and development costs as well as technical superiority of the final cultivar. For seed-propagated cultivars, it must be feasible to produce seed easily and economically.
Once the inbreds that give the best hybrid performance have been identified, the hybrid seed can be reproduced indefinitely as long as the homogeneity of the inbred parent is maintained. A single-cross hybrid is produced when two inbred lines are crossed to produce the F1 progeny. A double-cross hybrid is produced from four inbred lines crossed in pairs (A×B and C×D) and then the two F1 hybrids are crossed again (A×B)×(C×D). Much of the hybrid vigor exhibited by F1 hybrids is lost in the next generation (F2). Consequently, seed from hybrid varieties is not used for planting stock.
Hybrid corn seed is typically produced by a male sterility system or by incorporating manual or mechanical detasseling. Alternate strips of two corn inbreds are planted in a field, and the pollen-bearing tassels are removed from one of the inbreds (female). Providing that there is sufficient isolation from sources of foreign corn pollen, the ears of the detasseled inbred will be fertilized only from the other inbred (male), and the resulting seed is therefore hybrid and will form hybrid plants.
The laborious, and occasionally unreliable, detasseling process can be avoided by using cytoplasmic male-sterile (CMS) inbreds. Plants of a CMS inbred are male sterile as a result of factors resulting from the cytoplasmic, as opposed to the nuclear, genome. Thus, this characteristic is inherited exclusively through the female parent in corn plants, since only the female provides cytoplasm to the fertilized seed. CMS plants are fertilized with pollen from another inbred that is not male-sterile. Pollen from the second inbred may or may not contribute genes that make the hybrid plants male-fertile. Seed from detasseled fertile corn and CMS produced seed of the same hybrid can be blended to insure that adequate pollen loads are available for fertilization when the hybrid plants are grown.
There are several methods of conferring genetic male sterility available, such as multiple mutant genes at separate locations within the genome that confer male sterility, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,654,465 and 4,727,219 to Brar et al. These and all patents referred to are incorporated by reference. In addition to these methods, Albertsen et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,432,068, have developed a system of nuclear male sterility which includes: identifying a gene which is critical to male fertility, silencing this native gene which is critical to male fertility; removing the native promoter from the essential male fertility gene and replacing it with an inducible promoter; inserting this genetically engineered gene back into the plant; and thus creating a plant that is male sterile because the inducible promoter is not “on” resulting in the male fertility gene not being transcribed. Fertility is restored by inducing, or turning “on,” the promoter, which in turn allows the gene that confers male fertility to be transcribed.
There are many other methods of conferring genetic male sterility in the art, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. These methods use a variety of approaches such as delivering into the plant a gene encoding a cytotoxic substance associated with a male tissue specific promoter or an anti-sense system in which a gene critical to fertility is identified and an antisense to that gene is inserted in the plant (see, Fabinjanski, et al. EPO 89/0301053.8 publication number 329,308 and PCT application PCT/CA90/00037 published as WO 90/08828).
Another version useful in controlling male sterility makes use of gametocides. Gametocides are not a genetic system, but rather a topical application of chemicals. These chemicals affect cells that are critical to male fertility. The application of these chemicals affects fertility in the plants only for the growing season in which the gametocide is applied (see Carlson, G. R., U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,904). Application of the gametocide, timing of the application, and genotype often limit the usefulness of the approach.
Corn is an important and valuable field crop. Thus, a continuing goal of plant breeders is to develop stable, high yielding corn hybrids that are agronomically sound. The reasons for this goal are obviously to maximize the amount of ears or kernels produced on the land used and to supply food for both humans and animals. To accomplish this goal, the corn breeder must select and develop corn plants that have the traits that result in superior parental lines for producing hybrids.
The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification. | {
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1. Technical Field
The present application relates to a device, a method, and a storage medium storing therein a program. More particularly, the present application relates to a device including a display, a method of controlling the device, and a storage medium storing therein a program for controlling the device.
2. Description of the Related Art
A touch screen device having a touch screen display has been known. Examples of the touch screen devices include, but are not limited to, a smartphone and a tablet. The touch screen device detects a gesture of a finger, a pen, or a stylus pen through the touch screen display. Then, the touch screen device operates according to the detected gesture. An example of the operation according to the detected gesture is described in, for example, International Publication Pamphlet No. 2008/086302.
The basic operation of the touch screen device is implemented by an operating system (OS) built into the device. Examples of the OS built into the touch screen device include, but are not limited to, Android, BlackBerry OS, iOS, Symbian OS, and Windows Phone.
Many of the touch screen devices display a screen called “home screen” on a display. Arranged on the home screen are objects called “icons”. When detecting a gesture performed for an icon, the touch screen device executes an application corresponding to the icon for which the gesture is performed.
The more the number of applications installed into the touch screen device increases, the more the number of icons arranged on the home screen increases. If many icons are arranged on the home screen, an icon corresponding to an application desired to be executed may be difficult to find out. Such a problem may occur in not only the touch screen devices but also various devices capable of arranging a plurality of icons on the display.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a device, a method, and a program capable of improving the operability of icons. | {
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The present invention relates to a technology which improves a spatial resolution in radiation tomography.
It is known that it is possible to improve a spatial resolution in radiation tomography by partially covering an aperture portion formed by collimators provided in a radiation detector with a shield etc. to narrow the aperture. Specifically, in order to achieve it, there is proposed a method to so dispose a “diaphragm” on a surface of the radiation detector as to cover edge portions of detecting elements (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-526967, Abstract). This “diaphragm” is constituted by combining strip-like pieces extending in a spreading direction of radiation emitted from a radiation source and in a rotary axis direction (z direction) of the radiation source.
If detection surfaces of detecting elements which constitute a radiation detector are covered partially, a spatial resolution will improve, but the use efficiency of radiation falls that much. Therefore, in radiation tomography, it is not desirable in terms of exposure to radiation to maintain a high spatial resolution using this technique. Therefore, in reality, the spatial resolution may be improved by this method only when a higher spatial resolution is necessary even if it sacrifices radiation use efficiency and, in other cases, radiographs may be taken in a normal state. That is, a method of attaching and detaching a “diaphragm” as required is conceivable.
However, in order to attach and detach the “diaphragm” constituted by combining the above strip-like pieces, it requires a large-scale and complicated attach/detach mechanism, being disadvantageous in terms of cost and space. Further, it is not easy to perform precise alignment. Therefore, the method of attaching and detaching the “diaphragm” is not suitable for changing the spatial resolution in radiation tomography.
Under these circumstances, there is called for a technology which makes it possible to switch a spatial resolution in radiation tomography with a simple structure. | {
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1. Field of the Invention. The present invention relates to monolithic solid-state lasers. More specifically, the present invention relates to monolithic nonplanar ring oscillators, also known as MISERs, in which the use of a nonplanar ring light path comprising six or eight reflections makes possible optimal unidirectional operation in optically isotropic laser media including low-index-of-refraction materials such as laser glasses as well as high-index-of-refraction laser crystals.
2. Summary of the Prior Art. The prior art has presented the advantages of end-pumped monolithic nonplanar ring oscillators (NPROs). In general, monolithic nonplanar ring oscillators can operate as unidirectional, single-frequency lasers in the presence of a sufficiently strong magnetic field. End-pumping of the monolithic NPRO provides an efficient means of exciting only the TE.sub.00 mode of the laser, and end-pumping greatly reduces the thermal load on the laser. End-pumping with diode laser sources is particularly efficient. A monolithic laser has a rugged, mechanically stable resonator. Unidirectional oscillation in a ring laser overcomes the problem of spatial hole burning and allows the laser to operate in a single longitudinal mode, even at high output powers. Unidirectional operation of a ring laser also leads to improved resistance to optical feedback. An end-pumped, unidirectional, monolithic NPRO is thus an efficient source of narrow linewidth laser radiation with improved immunity to the deleterious effects of back-reflected radiation.
All devices of the prior art have used Nd:YAG or Nd:GGG as the laser medium. It is desirable to extend the concept of the monolithic NPRO to other media, especially laser glasses. There are several strong motivations for doing so, including improved injection locking of high-power pulsed glass laser systems, the engineering of laser resonators with extremely low quantum linewidth limits, and the potential of developing monolithic resonators with small thermo-optic coefficients. Any glass-based system requiring a narrow linewidth stable oscillator would benefit from the development of a monolithic NPRO in laser glass.
There are also considerable practical advantages to using laser glass for making monolithic NPROs. First, the optical quality of laser glass is superior to that of most crystalline materials. Second, the cost of high quality laser glass is small compared to that of high quality laser crystals. Third, the manufacturing techniques developed for use with glass cannot usually be applied to crystalline media. These practical and physical considerations make the development of a design algorithm for monolithic NPROs constructed from media of widely varying indices of refraction extremely important.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,578,793, issued Mar. 25, 1986 to Kane and Bver, entitled Solid-State Non-Planar Internally Reflecting Ring Laser, describes the requirements for unidirectional oscillation in a monolithic nonplanar ring oscillator. The fundamental requirement is an adequate loss difference between the two possible directions of propagation around the ring. The laser will operate unidirectionally in the direction of lower loss when the loss difference is sufficiently large. To produce a difference between the round trip losses of the two directions of propagation requires an optical diode. The three essential elements required to form an optical diode are: 1) a reciprocal (propagation-direction-independent) polarization effect, 2) a nonreciprocal (propagation-direction-dependent) polarization effect, and 3) a partial polarizer.
Discrete-element Faraday effect optical diodes have long been used to enforce stable unidirectional operation of solid-state, He-Ne, and ring dye lasers. The optical diode creates a polarization-dependent difference in loss for the eigenmodes of the two directions of propagation around a ring. The loss difference is produced by a combination of a reciprocal polarization rotator such as c-axis quartz, a nonreciprocal rotator such as a Faraday rotator, and a polarizer. Ideally, one arranges the reciprocal and nonreciprocal rotations to cancel for one direction of propagation and to add for the other. In the direction in which the rotations cancel, the eigenpolarizations are the low and high loss linear polarization states aligned with the principal axes of the partial polarizer. For the direction in which the rotations add, the eigenpolarizations are in general linear or elliptical polarization states with losses intermediate between the maximum and minimum possible values. An optical diode having these properties is said to be optimal.
Kane and Bver describe a means of producing an optical diode in a monolithic nonplanar ring oscillator. The elements of the optical diode are as follows. The reciprocal polarization-influencing effect is provided by a nonplanar ring light path defined by three total internal reflections (TIRs) and one reflection from a multilayer dielectric coated output coupler. The nonreciprocal effect is provided by Faraday rotation in the laser medium when tha laser resonator is immersed in an applied magnetic field. Oblique reflection from the output coupler implies that the s and p reflection coefficients for the output coupler are different, so the output coupler functions as a partial polarizer.
Referring to FIG. 1a-c, a schematic of the nonplanar ring light path for a prior art four-reflection NPRO 10 is shown. The light path is the perimeter of a three-dimensional geometric figure formed by joining two isosceles triangles (ABD and BCD) along a common base (BD). The dihedral angle between the two planes of the triangles is denoted by .beta. (FIG. 1b) For any value of .beta. other than 0 or 180 degrees, the light path is nonplanar. The light path has a plane of reflection symmetry (ACE). A uniform magnetic field B is applied, preferably parallel to AE.
The preferred embodiment of Kane and Bver involved a nonplanar ring light path in Nd:YAG in which the two planes of propagation (planes ABD and BCD in FIG. 1) of the light meet at right angles (.beta.=90 degrees). Trutna et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,747,111 for a Quasi-Planar Monolithic Unidirectional Ring Laser has shown that a significant advantage accrues from a change in the geometry of the light path. In the preferred embodiment of Trutna et al. the two planes of propagation of the light in Nd:YAG meet at an angle of .beta.=1.25 degrees instead of 90 degrees. The advantage of this geometry is that the associated optical diode is more closely analogous to the ideal discrete-element optical diode described previously. The loss associated with the low-loss direction of propagation can be made as small as is permitted by the choice of the output coupler 12. Moreover, the loss difference between the two directions of propagation for similar-sized Nd:YAG NPROs in the presence of a given applied magnetic field is much larger for the quasi-planar case than for the right-angle case. In other words, the quasi planar design permits unidirectional oscillation to be induced by a much smaller magnetic field than for the right-angle geometry.
As noted earlier, prior art devices have used high-index-of-refraction, crystalline laser materials such as Nd:YAG (n=1.82) or Nd:GGG (n=1.94) as the medium for their monolithic resonator. All devices of the prior art have used four-reflection nonplanar ring light paths comprising three TIRs and the reflection from the output coupler. Some of the relative advantages of different geometries for the nonplanar ring light path in Nd:YAG NPROs have been considered. It has been shown that significant advantages accrue to devices in which the combination of the geometry of the light path and the applied magnetic field lead to an optical diode that best emulates the ideal discrete-element optical diode in producing a low loss for the oscillating direction and a high loss for the non-oscillating direction.
The prior art descriptions of diode-laser-pumped monolithic glass lasers have, additionally, envisioned a four-reflection monolithic Nd:Glass NPRO with right-angle light path geometry. It is illustrated by implication of the analysis herein that such an NPRO cannot operate optimally as envisioned. Moreover, it has been experimentally shown that four-reflection, monolithic Nd:glass NPROs fail to run unidirectionally, even using stronger magnetic fields than those employed successfully with Nd:YAG NPROs. These experimental results underscore the importance of paying careful attention to the optical diode properties of the monolithic NPRO. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
When spending a day at the beach, a family or group generally has many items that they wish to take with them to the beach. Such items may include towels, chairs, umbrellas, games, lotions and sun screen products, food and beverages, and the like.
It is often the situation that transporting the desired items to the beach is inconvenient and cumbersome. Indeed, it often requires many trips back and forth from a car or hotel room to a particular spot on the beach.
Various mobile devices are known that can aid in such transport. However, such known devices generally comprise either a wheeled cart for transporting non-perishable items, such as towels, chairs, etc., or a wheeled cooler for transporting perishable items, such as food and beverages. Such known devices do not generally include a mobile device that is capable of transporting both non-perishable items as well as perishable items, and such known devices generally do not include a sufficient capacity to transport all, or even most, of the items that a family or group will need for a day-long outing at the beach in a single trip. Rather, a person generally still has to make multiple trips from the originating location, e.g., car or hotel room, to the destination location, e.g., spot at the beach.
An additional drawback to known devices is that such devices generally require a large amount of storage space when not used. Such mobile devices are typically stored in a garage, storage shed or closet when not in use because of the bulk of the devices. Further, these mobile devices take up relatively large amounts of space whenever they are transported for use. This is particularly disadvantageous when the mobile devices are packed into the family car when going on the family vacation at the beach. Because they are so large and bulky, they tend to consume a large portion of the available space in the car, thereby limiting the other items that can be taken on the vacation. In addition to being disadvantageous for consumers, such devices also are less desirable to retailers, who have limited shelf space on which to display goods for sale.
One of the known devices is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,474,097 to Treppedi et al., which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The mobile carrying device of Treppedi comprises a cooler that includes ski runners and wheels in combination to aid in mobility of the cooler. It also includes an extendable, pivoting handle that may be retracted and stored adjacent the cooler. Cargo nets are attached to the top and side of the cooler for storage of supplies such as towels, plates and cups. The mobile cooler also includes a retainer attached to a side of the cooler for holding an umbrella.
Another known device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,176,499 to Conrado, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The mobile carrying device of Conrado is a mobile cooler that includes a cooler body with wheels and a pivoted towing handle having two grips for users of varying heights. The underside of the cooler lid has a recess with a cover panel for storing items separately from other items in the cooler. The cooler includes a table assembly operable independently of the cooler lid so that the table may be utilized whether the lid is open or closed. The cooler also includes retractable bungee cords for securing items to the cooler.
The devices of Treppedi and Conrado are exemplary of the shortcomings of the known devices previously discussed herein. Specifically, these devices do not provide sufficient capacity for transporting the number of items to be used for a family or group during a day at the beach. Furthermore, these devices do not have a storage configuration that is smaller in volume than their use configuration.
Collapsible insulated containers also are known which may be utilized for storage of perishable items and that have a storage configuration that is smaller in volume than their use configuration. Such known devices are disclosed, for example, by U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,347,060; 4,085,785; 4,091,852; and 4,612,781, each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. However, such known devices do not include design features that aid in mobility of the devices, let alone design features that aid in the transport of non perishable items such as towels, chairs, umbrellas, games, lotions and sun screen products.
Accordingly, a need exists for a mobile device that can be used to transport both non-perishable and perishable items and that has enough capacity to transport a sufficient amount of such items for a day at the beach. Moreover, a need exists for a mobile device that is capable of transporting a relatively large number of both perishable and non-perishable items and that has a storage configuration that is substantially smaller in dimensions than its use configuration.
One or more such needs are met by one or more travel coolers in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Website builders, Content Management Systems, and E-mail Marketing Systems have become highly popular as a means of creating websites and e-mails from a selection of customizable pre-defined designs, often referred to as themes or templates.
There are certain recognized principles of designing attractive, easy-to-navigate websites that provide a clear message to viewers. These principles include consistency of theme, clear organization, attractive color scheme and layout, and distinctive branding. In order to uphold these principles, users of such software must carefully select design elements that are consistent with an organization's brand throughout the site, and avoid elements that distract from the brand and intended message. Further, users should ensure that color or other visual elements match well with every other color and/or visual element utilized in the design. The entire process can be complex and the matching and mating process of color and design elements can be difficult to effect perfectly. Inexperienced users can easily overlook design principles and mate inappropriate design elements and colors, resulting in visual disharmony and distraction for a visitor to the website.
There is therefore a need in the art for a system and method that streamlines automated design template generation, allowing for users to create customized designs and design templates for websites based on sound design principles. Improved designs, reduced implementation time, reduced costs and other features and advantages of the present invention will be explained and will become obvious to one skilled in the art through the summary of the invention that follows. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
The present invention relates generally to the heat treatment of metals and alloys, including aluminum alloy castings. More particularly, the invention relates to systems, methods, and articles of manufacture to predict the heat transfer coefficient in air and/or gas quenched castings after solution treatment.
The increasing demand of reducing weight and improving fuel efficiency has lead to the use of cast aluminum alloys in critical automotive components such as engine blocks, cylinder heads, and suspension parts. To improve mechanical properties, the aluminum castings are usually subject to a full T6/T7 heat treatment, which includes a solution treatment at a relatively high temperature, quench in a cold medium such as water or forced air, then age hardening at an intermediate temperature. A significant amount of residual stresses can be developed in aluminum castings during the quenching process. The existence of residual stresses, in particular tensile residual stresses, can have a significant detrimental influence on the performance of a structural component. In many cases, the high tensile residual stresses can result in a severe distortion of the component, and they can even cause cracking during quenching or subsequent manufacturing processes.
The amount of residual stresses produced in cast aluminum components during quenching depends on the quenching rate and the extent of non-uniformity of the temperature distribution in the entire casting. A rapid quenching, such as water quenching, can produce a significant amount of tensile residual stresses, particularly in a complex aluminum component with different wall thicknesses. Consequently, air quenching has been used increasingly in the heat treatment of cast aluminum components. Compared to water quenching, air quenching can control the quenching rate more uniformly so that the residual stresses and distortion can be minimized.
Heat transfer of a hot metal work piece during air and/or gas quenching is dependent on the heat transfer coefficient (HTC) at the interface between the hot metal object and the quenching air and/or gases. The use of accurate HTC boundary conditions during the computational simulation is needed for reliable prediction of the material behavior during quenching. However, experimental determination of the HTC boundary condition during quenching is not only costly, but also difficult, particularly for a work piece with a complex geometry. As a result, a uniform and constant HTC boundary condition is often assumed in the quenching simulation. This can result in a significant error between the simulation and the actual measurements.
Therefore, there is a need for a method of predicting the distribution of heat transfer coefficients of the entire heat transfer interfaces between the hot metal object and the quenching media. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Plasma kallikrein (EC.3.4.21.34) is a serine protease that is normally synthesized in the liver and circulates in the plasma by binding to high molecular weight kininogen (HMWK) or as prekallikrein, an inactive precursor (zymogen) of kallikrein. It is activated by proteolytic cleavage by Factor XIIa and contains an endopeptidase activity for cleaving peptide bonds after Arg or Lys residues.
Plasma kallikrein plays an important role in a variety of physiologic progesses, including, but not limited to, blood pressure regulation, the contact activation pathway of blood coagulation, fibrinolysis, inflammation, and pain.
The main physiologic regulator of kallikrein is C1 esterase inhibitor, or C1 INH. C1 INH is a potent inhibitor of Factor XIIa, and under normal conditions the inhibition of Factor XIIa prevents the conversion of prekallikrein to kallikrein and the subsequent generation of bradykinin from HMWK by activated kallikrein. Of note, patients with mutations that reduce C1 INH activity have inappropriately high plasma kallikrein activity that leads to elevated levels of bradykinin, a potent vasodilator and pain mediator. Thus, inherited C1 INH deficiency is the cause of hereditary angioedema (HAE), a debilitating and life-threatening condition characterized by severe swelling, edema, and pain.
Bradykinin is normally degraded by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), and patients treated with ACE inhibitors for blood pressure reduction may display elevated bradykinin levels and suffer from a syndrome termed acquired angioedema.
While HAE can be effectively controlled by administration of purified or recombinant C1 INH, it has been demonstrated that both plasma kallikrein inhibitors and bradykinin receptor antagonists are also effective in the treatment of HAE.
Elevated bradykinin levels are also associated with pain, inflammation, neutrophil recruitment, hypotension and septic shock. Furthermore, the inhibition of the kallikrein-bradykinin system may be useful in a variety of clinical situations, including, but not limited to, edemas (including diabetic macular edema, cerebral edema, and radiation-induced edema), diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, intracerebral hemorrhage, stroke, systemic lupus, allergic rhinitis, controlling vascular leakage and blood loss during surgery, disseminated intravascular coagulation, inflammatory bowel disease, inflammation resulting from cardiopulmonary bypass, ischemia-reperfusion injury, and inflammatory or rheumatoid arthritis.
Given the many functional roles played by kallikrein, there remains a need for kallikrein inhibitors having pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties suitable for therapeutic application. The properties include, but are not limited to, high potency, high specificity for plasma kallikrein as compared to related protease, chemical and physical stability, ease of formulation, metabolic stability, appropriate pharmacokinetics, low toxicity, and good absorption from the intestinal tract (i.e. oral bioavailability). | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
The invention concerns a fishing reel of the type including a spool for receiving the fishing line, the spool being moved to and fro in the direction of its winding axis (spool travel) by means of a cam drive, the cam drive including a gear, a cam stud eccentrically mounted on the gear, a guide plate mounted to the spool via a spindle, shaft, or the like, and a guide slot in the guide plate for engagement with the rotating cam stud to drive the spindle or shaft to and fro in its longitudinal direction.
2. Description of Related Art
A straight guide slot was offered in previously known designs for the above type of fishing reel. While such a design has been found practical for narrow spools, if the width of the spool must be made larger to permit more fishing line to be wound onto the same diameter of spool core, outwardly projecting bulges may form at the two end zones of the line winding because of changes in spool speed caused as the spool approaches the reversing positions of the spool travel path. The width must be further enlarged if the spool core diameter is to be made larger without thereby enlarging the spool diameter, i.e., the diameter of the outer line winding, because otherwise the line capacity would be decreased. The bulge formation takes place as the travel or stroke speed drops down to zero at the cam stud reversing positions, i.e., at the end positions of the reciprocating spool stroke, because the amount of line wound per unit time by the winding flange of the fishing line onto the spool will not decrease but remain constant, regardless of which position the spool assumes in the travel direction. When the fishing line plus bait is cast, the bulge causes the problem of “clinging”, i.e., the line cast from the spool drags along adjacent line turns. This leads to the so-called wig formation as the excess line dragged along by clinging hangs loose and tangles. In turn, this leads to delicate casting, subject to interference.
To avert the above drawbacks, a fishing line was proposed in FIG. 4 of the German Gebrauchsmuster 70 06 743, in which the reciprocating spool assembly includes a cam drive guide slot curved in such a way that the stroke speed of the guide part increases at the reversing positions of the stroke path and at least partly drops at the side positions approximately half-way between the two reversing positions along the circular path of the cam stud so that the backward and forward stroke speeds of the guide part are nearly equal at the half-way positions. According to the description of the Gebrauchsmuster 70 06 743, a uniformly oscillating stroke, and thereby the desired rectilinear contour of the fishing line, is achieved. The guide slot provided for this purpose has a figure-8 curve, but the insides of the 8 do not touch and are spaced apart.
The figure-8 design suffers from a large axial play of the cam stud in the guide slot when at the end positions. Self-locking of the cam stud in the guide slot arises at these side positions or points. As a result, the cam stud jams and warps in the guide slot, and the force exerted by the drive gear on the cam stud when it is in the side positions cannot be converted into a corresponding motion of the guide slot and hence of the travel. In other words, at the guide slot side positions, axial play prevents continuity of the motion sequence for the cam stud in the slot. Accordingly, this previously known device is not practical. Other drawbacks are bulk and a comparatively slight travel.
The German Gebrauchsmuster 70 07 657 discloses a fishing reel as initially discussed herein in relation to the state of the art, with a rectilinear guide slot. In the illustrative embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4 of this document 70 07 657, a drive gear with an eccentric stud engages a rectilinear guide slot of an intermediate part in the form of a travel or stroke converter. This stroke converter in turn consists of a guide slot in the shape of a slight S and is entered by a pin of the spool spindle. Accordingly, the controlling force from the drive gear must be converted by means of two guide slots into a corresponding stroke of the spool spindle.
Drawbacks of this arrangement include friction along the two guide slots, which may lead to jamming and locking the system, high device complexity resulting in increased cost, and bulkiness resulting from use of an intermediate part. Therefore, the design of FIGS. 3 and 4 of the German Gebrauchsmuster 70 07 657 is disadvantageous in comparison with a device wherein a single guide slot is provided in a single guide part affixed to the spool spindle. While a fishing-line reel with the line-drum remaining fixed is known from the German patent 917,528, the reel does not include an angled slot guide and only serves the specific function of allowing rotation the drive crank in one direction. Disadvantageously, the speed of the forward and backward spool strokes are different. This device precludes achieving neat and uniform winding contours. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to control systems and methods in general and, more particularly, to control systems and methods for controlling feed gases.
2. Summary of the Invention
A hot feed gas is controlled by utilizing a nuclear magnetic resonance analyzer to analyze the composition of the gas and to provide at least one corresponding composition signal. A valve controls the flow of the gas in accordance with a control signal. A network connected to the analyzer and to the valve provides the control signal to the values in accordance with the composition signal so as to control the flow of the gas as a function of the composition of the gas.
The objectives and advantages of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the detailed description which follows, taken together with the accompanying drawing wherein one embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of Example. It is to be especially understood, however, that the drawing is for illustration purposes only and is not to be construed as defining the limits of the invention. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The present invention relates generally to an improved data processing system and method. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a system and method for differentiation of traffic types across root complexes in a multi-root PCI Express environment. The differentiation will prevent one traffic class from blocking the flow of another traffic class across multi-root systems.
Most modern computing devices make use of input/output (I/O) adapters and buses that utilize some version or implementation of the Peripheral Component Interconnect standard, which was originally created by Intel in the 1990s. The Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) standard specifies a computer bus for attaching peripheral devices to a computer motherboard. PCI Express, or PCIe, is an implementation of the PCI computer bus that uses existing PCI programming concepts, but bases the computer bus on a completely different and much faster serial physical-layer communications protocol. The physical layer consists, not of a bi-directional bus which can be shared among a plurality of devices, but of single uni-directional links, which are connected to exactly two devices. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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When partial painting is performed on an automobile brought in for repair, it is necessary to perform matching of a color (color-matching) of a repair paint in accordance with a paint color of a painting object portion of a repair vehicle.
Automobile manufacturers specify color codes for each automobile and provide information regarding mixed paints and mixing values of paints used for painting. Paint manufacturers provide, for each of the specified color codes, information (master color data) regarding paints to be mixed (paint codes), a mixing value (mixing ratio) of each mixed paint, and the like for preparation of the repair paint by use of paints manufactured and sold by each paint manufacturer.
Meanwhile, there are various methods of storing and using a vehicle by vehicle purchasers, and aged deterioration of painting of the repair vehicle differs for each vehicle and each portion thereof. In addition, in some cases, there is a difference in painting of the vehicle from a manufacturing stage due to differences in a painting method, a painting environment, and the like at an automobile manufacturing line (so-called lot-to-lot variation). As described above, since a paint color on the repair vehicle varies, even if the color code of the automobile is the same, it is not possible to prepare a repair paint conforming to the painting object portion of the repair vehicle merely by blending the paints in accordance with the master color data provided by the paint manufacturer.
Accordingly, even if it is possible to prepare a repair paint which is approximate to the paint color of the repair vehicle to a certain extent by performing blending in accordance with the master color data, it is generally necessary to perform a color-matching operation for each painting object portion of the repair vehicle. Conventionally, this color-matching operation has been performed depending on experience and intuition of an operator while using a color sample book. In recent years, however, there are cases where a colorimeter is introduced to perform the color-matching operation. Several paint manufacturers have provided color-matching support systems with a computer color searching (CCS) function or a computer color matching (CCM) function.
In a presently provided color-matching support system, a large number of pieces of master color data is put into a database, and master color data for which a color difference from colorimetric data (for example, L*a*b* value) of the repair vehicle measured by the colorimeter is the smallest is retrieved and displayed (for example, see paragraph [0038] of Patent Literature 1). In many cases, however, painting cannot be performed without color-matching, merely by retrieving and displaying the master color data for which the color difference is the smallest. To address such a problem, the paint manufacturers are trying to enrich the database by creating a plurality of color variations made by slightly changing the color of one color code, and registering these variations in the database as variations that can be used for painting on the repair vehicle, such that a candidate for a color that minimizes the color difference is selected as much as possible. As long as a search target is limited to information registered in the database, however, the problem that the paint conforming to the painting object portion of the repair vehicle is not always retrieved and displayed cannot be solved. For this reason, the operator's color-matching operation has not been sufficiently supported, and at a painting site, the operator often had to find a paint and a color-matching amount to be added from among many paints, depending on his/her experience and intuition.
In addition, a painting state changes according to a painting method such as a distance between a spray gun used for painting and the painting object portion, and speed at which the spray gun is moved, a painting tool used for painting, and painting skill, a habit, and the like of the operator. Accordingly, even if exactly the same paint is used, there will be a difference in a shade and a color tone after painting is performed. It is practically impossible to prepare a repair paint that can deal with all of the above-mentioned matters and put such a repair paint in a database. In the color sample book used at the painting site, painting plates prepared by the paint manufacturer on the basis of the mixed paints and the mixing values of the color codes. Since, however, the painting method by the paint manufacturer and the painting environment are not the same as those at each painting site, it is not always possible to reproduce the same shade and color tone expressed in the color sample book. For this reason, the operators' color-matching operation has not been sufficiently supported, and at the painting site, the operator often had to find a paint and a color-matching amount to be added from among many paints, depending on their experience and intuition.
Currently applicable colorimeters irradiate the painting object portion with light at constant luminance to measure its reflected light. Since, however, reflectance or absorptance of light varies depending on an object color, if the luminance is kept constant, an original color of the painting object portion cannot be measured accurately. In particular, a luster pigment (luster material) such as an aluminum flake pigment (metallic painting) and a pearl pigment (pearl painting, mica painting) is often added to a paint for an automobile, and these additives produce multiple reflection gloss due to difference in refractive index. Accordingly, the original color of the painting object portion cannot be measured accurately if the color is measured always at a constant luminance. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The amount of data that needs to be managed by enterprises is growing at an extremely high rate. Management of storage environments may need to be performed with as few errors as possible. Diagnostic information associated with an error event may be gathered. The diagnostic information may be utilized in an attempt to determine a cause of the error event. For example, a user may examine diagnostic information such as system records for data related to the error event. Error events may lead to integrity problems, application outages, or expend resources. As such, significant costs may be associated with error events. As data needing to be managed increases, the need for management efficiency may increase. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
This invention relates to continuously variable transmissions.
Continuously variable transmissions transmit movement between an input and an output motion using a control system for determining the ratio of speed or torque. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
Braking systems are used in a large variety of machines and vehicles to control, slow and stop the machine. Exemplary machines include passenger vehicles, trains, dump trucks, and mining vehicles. Machines increasingly use electric drive systems to provide propulsion for the machine. For example, passenger vehicles may use a hybrid drive system whereby a traditional gasoline powered engine and an electric motor are both used to provide propulsion for the vehicle. Machines, such as a railway engines and off-road vehicles may use a diesel-powered engine to drive a generator, which provides electric power to a motor. The motor then provides propulsion for the machine.
Braking systems may take advantage of components in electric drive systems to provide braking for machines. For example, a hybrid passenger vehicle may include a regenerative braking system whereby the vehicle is slowed by the electric drive system while at the same time a battery in the vehicle is recharged. Railway engines use dynamic retarding to slow the train. Although brake systems utilizing electric drive systems have been used, these systems cannot stop a machine traveling at high speed quickly, nor can these systems consistently slow a heavily loaded machine traveling downhill or in slippery conditions.
Some prior systems include a manual retarder lever that enables the operator to control ground speed by manually selecting the level of retarding or automatic retarder control that automatically controls machine speed based the operator's machine speed setting. The manual or automatic retarder may control an electric retarding system. Additionally, the operator may control a traditional braking pedal to actuate hydraulic brakes. In this way, the operator can manually control both dynamic retarding and hydraulic brakes. However, this configuration may be difficult for an operator to control effectively. For example, if the speed setting lever is set to high, the operator may have to rely more on the service brakes. In a large, heavily loaded machine, this may lead to the service brakes overheating. In addition, excess service brake wear may occur on a machine if the service brakes are used for continuous retarding.
U.S. Pat. No. 20090,179,486 to Ikeda et al., issued Jul. 16, 2009, entitled “BRAKE SYSTEM IN ELECTRIC DRIVE DUMP TRUCK,” discloses a brake system in an electric drive dump truck having a hydraulic brake and a generator-type retarder operated by a brake pedal. However, the Ikeda reference does not disclose how to provide feedback to the truck's operator when the brake system transitions between hydraulic function and retarder function. Nor does the Ikeda reference discuss how the brake system manages the transition between hydraulic braking and retarder operation when the retarder is not available. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to semiconductor manufacturing. More specifically, the present invention relates to chemical mechanical planarization.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the fabrication of semiconductor devices, planarization operations are often performed on a semiconductor wafer (“wafer”) to provide polishing, buffing, and cleaning effects. Typically, the wafer includes integrated circuit devices in the form of multi-level structures defined on a silicon substrate. At a substrate level, transistor devices with diffusion regions are formed. In subsequent levels, interconnect metallization lines are patterned and electrically connected to the transistor devices to define a desired integrated circuit device. Patterned conductive layers are insulated from other conductive layers by a dielectric material. As more metallization levels and associated dielectric layers are formed, the need to planarize the dielectric material increases. Without planarization, fabrication of additional metallization layers becomes substantially more difficult due to increased variations in a surface topography of the wafer. In other applications, metallization line patterns are formed into the dielectric material, and then metal planarization operations are performed to remove excess metallization.
The CMP process is one method for performing wafer planarization. In general, the CMP process involves holding and contacting a rotating wafer against a moving polishing pad under a controlled pressure. CMP systems typically configure the polishing pad on a rotary table or a linear belt.
FIG. 1 is an illustration showing a linear CMP apparatus, in accordance with the prior art. The linear CMP apparatus includes a polishing pad 101 configured to rotate in a direction 105 around rollers 103. A platen 107 is disposed opposite a working surface of the polishing pad 101 to provide backing support to the polishing pad 101 during a CMP operation. A wafer carrier 109 is configured to hold and apply a wafer 111 to the working surface of the polishing pad 101 during the CMP operation. The wafer carrier 109 is attached to a spindle 123 that is capable of rotating in a direction 113 while simultaneously applying the wafer 111 to the polishing pad 101 with an appropriate force as indicated by an arrow 115. An air bearing 117 is utilized between the platen 107 and the polishing pad 101 to facilitate traversal of the polishing pad 101 across the platen 107. A slurry 119 is introduced onto and distributed over the working surface of the polishing pad 101 to facilitate and enhance the CMP operation. Additionally, a conditioner 121 is used to condition the working surface of the polishing pad 101 as it travels in the direction 105.
During the CMP operation, a coefficient of friction between the wafer 111 and the polishing pad 101 can significantly influence the CMP process results. However, a relationship between the coefficient of friction and other parameters affecting the CMP operation has not been sufficiently developed and utilized.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a method of determining and utilizing the relationship between the coefficient of friction and other parameters affecting the CMP operation. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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A technology to blend a polyamide/polyphenylene ether resin composition with a hydrogenated block copolymer prepared by hydrogenating a block copolymer comprising at least one polymer block mainly composed of an aromatic vinyl compound and at least one polymer block mainly composed of a conjugated diene compound includes, for example, those disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 4 as described below.
The hydrogenated block copolymers suitably used in the polyamide/polyphenylene ether resin compositions are often in the form of a bulky amorphous powder which is called “crumb-shaped” among those skilled in the art. However, the block copolymers have a low bulk density, and it is often difficult to feed them in abundance into an extruder in terms of feeder capacity. Consequently, the feed rate of the hydrogenated block copolymers is restricted to within a certain limit, which in turn had to limit the productivity (production volume per unit time) of the polyamide/polyphenylene ether resin compositions.
In particular, remarkable improvement in the performance of a twin-screw extruder (the emergence of a megacompound type extruder) in recent times enables production at high-revolution and high-discharge rate, which in turn requires further increase in productivity per unit time of a resin composition. In spite of the requirement, the problem that productivity cannot be improved as expected gradually manifests itself due to the drawback of the hydrogenated block copolymer regarding the bulk density thereof as described above. In order to eliminate the problem, a technique is adopted in which the hydrogenated block copolymer is preblended with other resin components to reduce the overall bulk density for feeding the copolymer. However, the technique largely restricts the degree of freedom of the process. Thus, it is desired to significantly increase the productivity in terms of the technology for blending a polyamide/polyphenylene ether resin composition with a hydrogenated block copolymer.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-151456
Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 64-79258
Patent Document 3: International Publication WO 2002/94936
Patent Document 4: National Publication of International Patent Application No. 2004-518774 | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
Oscillators operative to generate clock signals are inherently inaccurate due to manufacturing limitations and sensitivity to temperature variations. Oscillators inaccuracy is typically measured in parts per million (PPM). An oscillator's accuracy measures the possible range of error between the frequency generated by the oscillator and the manufacturer listed frequency, typically expressed in PPM. According to one example, an oscillator has a manufacturer listed frequency of 1 MHz and an accuracy of 10 PPM. The actual frequency generated by the oscillator may range from 999,990 Hz to 1,000,010 Hz. According to another example, an oscillator produces a clock frequency of 1,000,005 Hz at 10 degrees Celsius and 1,000,010 at 20 degrees Celsius. For this and other reasons, two oscillators located in a transmitter and a receiver of a communication system are unlikely to generate the same frequency even if their manufacturer listed frequencies are identical.
Two methods deployed for clock distribution in packet networks are synchronous-Ethernet (ITU-T G.8262) and IEEE 1588V.2. The synchronous-Ethernet method can distribute clock frequency information through locking of the Ethernet clock, but cannot distribute phase and TOD information. The IEEE 1588V.2 can distribute any type of clock information, but is much more sensitive to issues such as packet delay variation, packet loss and network behavior. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a heart therapy device. More specifically, the invention relates to an automatically implantable cardioverter/defibrillator (AICD) or a combined demand pacemaker/AICD.
2. Related Art
Automatic heart therapy devices are generally known and of daily medical usexe2x80x94particularly and for a longer period of time as implantable heart pacemakers for the treatment of bradycardiac and/or tachycardiac arrythmiae, but also increasingly as automatic defibrillators or cardioverters, combined pacemakers/defibrillators or as implantable drug dosing pumps, and the like.
Generic devices are also particularly known, which are equipped with one or more sensor(s) for sensing the cardiac rhythm in the patient""s body, associated signal processing and editing means, and an evaluation and control unit. The latter calculates in each case an actual parameter or set of parameters in accordance with an algorithm stored in the device, depending on the value or the values of the heart rate from the amount of programmed operational parameters or therapy values. Therapy devices of said kind are known, which are configured for an automatic actuation orxe2x80x94a pre-programmedxe2x80x94switch-over from one operational mode into another depending upon the cardiac rhythm sensed in the patient""s body. Such devices include the known demand heart pacemakers or automatic defibrillators, and the combination devices developed in recent times.
As early as the development and clinical application of so-called demand pacemakers, it has been known to specifically control heart pacemakers such that spontaneous cardiac actions are sensed, and the value of the heart rate or of the time intervals between determined heart actions (e.g. the RR intervals between successive ventricle actions) are assessed and compared with a predetermined nominal value, and that the pacemaker outputs stimulation pulses exactly at the moment, when the measured value is not within the range defined by the nominal value.
More modem devices of this type are microprocessor-controlled and offer the possibility of an individual, tailor-made programming for specific clinical symptoms from a plurality of pre-installed operational modes, by means of which and of associated operational parameters (in the following also called therapy values, as far as these are therapeutically relevant), a predetermined therapy is realized.
Within this framework, essential further developments of the concept of the demand pacemaker to the universal demand heart rhythm correction device have taken place, some of them starting from an increasingly refined subdivision of ranges of the heart rate continuum or RR interval continuum and which, depending upon which of the plurality of predetermined ranges the actual measured value lies, one of a plurality of defined therapies in each case definitely allocated to one range, is realized. By means of such a device, classical demand pacemaker operation in the case of bradycardia can be realized as well as conventional therapies of various tachycardiae (cf. for example U.S. Pat. No. 4,181,133) or, if necessary, even a defibrillation shock therapy (cf. U.S. Pat. No. 4,300,567).
Because the sole allocation of the heart rate to a predetermined range does not always reliably allow for a determination of the adequate therapy, additional classification criteria have been increasingly tested in the developments of the past years, and have been taken into account with the control algorithms; Such an example can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,379,776 (including the therein quoted sources).
Devices of the aforementioned kind are programmed on the occasion of implantation according to the clinical symptoms and, in some cases, to the living conditions (e.g. the average physical activities) of the patient, whereby the algorithm to be applied is also fixed for determining the therapy or the therapy value(s) in dependence of t he value(s) sensed in the body. At the time of regular aftercare examinations taking place at determined intervals, the set of operational modes and parameters, as well asxe2x80x94in case the therapy device disposes of several stored algorithmsxe2x80x94the control algorithm to be applied can be modified by reprogramming.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,354,316 discloses a method and an apparatus for detecting and treating tachycardiae and fibrillations of a heart by means of specifically selected therapies of a combined pacemaker-cardioverter-defibrillator (PCD) apparatus of the generic kind. U.S. Pat. No 5,354,316, uses mutually overlapping range limits between tachycardia and fibrillation heart rate ranges. The assessment of the actually detected heart rhythmxe2x80x94in case of elevated heart ratesxe2x80x94in the area of the ventricular tachycardia or of the ventricular fibrillation, ensues in the overlapping ranges by means of additional assessment criteria. It is specifically examined how many of the preceding intervals between successive ventricle actions fall into the overlapping range.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,447,519 discloses a similar method, whereby as a differentiation criterion between a ventricular tachycardia and ventricular fibrillation, the variability of the heart signal morphology (ECG curve profile) is referred to.
Another generic device is described in the Applicant""s DE 196 09 362 C1. This heart therapy device likewise defines an overlapping region between two adjacent value ranges of a value measured in a patient""s body. For controlling a selected, predetermined therapy, this device generally takes an evaluation of the history of the measurable variable (specifically the range allocation of the respective preceding value) or even of the therapy control value itself as the basis, in case the value is within the overlapping range.
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved therapy device of the generic kind, having a relatively simple and cost-efficient structure and yet being able to provide for an utmost careful but simultaneously efficient therapy of tachycardiac arrythmiae bordering on fibrillationsxe2x80x94in particular in case of an atrial tachycardia.
The above and other objects of the invention can be solved by a heart therapy device. The heart therapy device includes a heart rate detection means for detecting a heart rate, an evaluation and control means coupled to the output of the heart rate detection means, the evaluation and control means having an output and being adaptable to evaluate a measured heart rate, including allocating the measured heart rate to one of a first, second and third heart rate value ranges, and output a therapy control signal in accordance with said allocation. The evaluation and control means includes a three-area memory for storing the first, second, and third heart rate value ranges, the heart rate value ranges ascending incrementally in value; a heart rate discriminator coupled to the heart rate detection means and the three-area memory for allocating a measured heart rate to the first, second or third heart rate value range, and for outputting a corresponding first, second or third discriminator output signal; a stability evaluation means for outputting a stability output signal and evaluating heart rate stability over a predetermined period of time in response to the output of the second heart rate discriminator output signal; and a logical processing unit for processing the second discriminator output signal and the stability output signal and for generating a second or third therapy control signal, while the first and third discriminator output signal are directly outputted as first and third therapy control signal, respectively. The heart therapy device also includes a therapy means coupled to the output of said evaluation and control means for realizing at least one therapy having a predetermined therapy parameter in response to the therapy control signal, in accordance with the measured heart rate lying within one of the predetermined value ranges, the therapy means being adaptable to output at least two different, uniquely pre-defined therapies in response to said second and third therapy control signal.
The invention embraces the essential idea of effecting an evaluation of high heart rates for deriving an adequate therapy by classifying the corresponding (high frequency) heart rate ranges into three adjacent ranges with fixed range limits. The invention thereby turns away from previous solutions according to the above-mentioned printed publications, in which the overlappings were in particular defined without rigidly predetermined limits. Moreover, the invention embraces the idea of using in the mid-range of the three value ranges apart from the heart rate itself, the result of a statistical evaluation of samexe2x80x94and namely specifically its stability in a preceding predetermined period of timexe2x80x94for deriving an appropriate therapy. By means of this approach, a simplification of the hardware and software configuration of the heart therapy device and an increase of the predictability and reliability of the therapy is achieved.
According to the an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it is provided that upon detection of a heart rate within the first value range (tachycardia zone 1), a first, uniquely pre-defined therapy control signal, and upon detection of a heart rate within the third value range (fibrillation zone), a third, likewise uniquely pre-defined therapy control signal is outputted. If, however, a heart rate is detected within the second value range (tachycardia zone 2), one of two different therapy control signals is outputted depending upon the stability of the heart rate. The stability criterion serves for distinguishing between xe2x80x9crapidxe2x80x9d tachycardia (xe2x80x9cflutterxe2x80x9d) and fibrillations of axe2x80x94stillxe2x80x94relatively low frequency. In particular, it is provided to output a second, specific therapy control signal in case of high stability for initiating a correction measure suitable for rapid tachycardia, whereas in the case of low stability, the third therapy control signal is outputted just as with a heart rate lying within the third value range.
This third therapy control signal, as a rule, will cause a shock therapy to be initiated, hence will trigger a cardioverter stage or defibrillator stage of the heart therapy device. As compared thereto, under certain circumstances, stimulation is not yet actually initiated at all by the first therapy control signal, rather, if necessary, the therapy device is first set into an operational state. However, the output of pacemaker pulse sequences to the heart may already be controlled by the first therapy signalxe2x80x94for example for an early control of the so-called re-entry tachycardia. By means of the second therapy control signal, a therapy is controlled, which lies in between the therapies with respect to its xe2x80x9caggressivenessxe2x80x9d, and which is used in tachycardia zone 1, for one, and in the fibrillation zone, for another. On the one hand, pacemaker pulse sequences can thereby be still concerned, e.g. the high frequency burst or ramp sequences (known per se), but also, on the other hand, a shock therapy (cardioversion) with one or more shock pulse(s) of relatively low energy. (The concept of low-energy cardioversion is also known per se and therefore does not require any further explanation here.)
The function of the therapy device outlined above hence resides in the finding thatxe2x80x94with particular respect to atrial rhythmxe2x80x94there is a rate range of high-frequency tachycardia between the range of not life-endangering (xe2x80x9cphysiologicalxe2x80x9d) tachycardia and the range of life-endangering fibrillations, in which the stability criterion is referred to for distinguishing between tachycardia and fibrillations and for correspondingly differentiating the therapy. A stable atrial rhythm is treated as atrial flutter by a pacemaker stage of the therapy device, thereby allowing avoidance of cardioversion shocks, which are unnecessary for this stage and painful to the patient. Comparable heart rates with low stability, however, are a sign of menacing atrial fibrillation, and require activation of a cardiaversion or defibrillator stage.
It can already be seen from the statements made above that in an exemplary embodiment of the device, the heart rate detection means for detecting the atrial rate is connected with the patient""s atriumxe2x80x94and namely in the practically most significant realization as an implantable device, as a rule via a detection electrode placed within the atrium and via a thereto connected measurement signal line. For special cases, other realizations are likewise possible, e.g. as an extracorporal device in clinical application and having extra-atrially arranged detection means. The use of the proposed device is further possible in high-frequency atrium arrythmiaexe2x80x94ventricular tachycardia/ventricular fibrillations.
One component of the proposed heart therapy device for realizing said therapy concept, is a three-area memory for storing the first, second and third value range of reference heart rates covering the total frequency range from relatively low-frequency, physiological tachycardia up to extremely high-frequency fibrillations. The limits between these ranges are fixedly determined for the ongoing operationxe2x80x94if necessary, however, adjustable by programmingxe2x80x94and namely according to the specific indication adapted to the specific conditions of the respective patient. Said three-area memory co-operates with a multistage heart rate discriminator, which effects the allocation of a measured heart rate to one of the value ranges, and delivers an output signal characterizing the allocation result. Said output signal in particular is at the same time the first or third therapy control signal, respectively, as far as the actually detected heart rate lies within the first or third value range.
Moreover, a stability evaluation means for evaluating heart rate stability over a predetermined period of time (or a predetermined number of preceding heart actions) co-operates with said heart rate discriminator. Said stability evaluation means is activated insofar as a corresponding output signal of the heart rate discriminator indicates a value measured in the second value range. The stability evaluation means delivers an output signal characterizing the stability of the heart rate, which output signal is processed in a logical processing unit together with the discriminator output signal, so as to obtain the heart rate value as well as the therapy control signal reflecting the stability thereof. Hence, by means of the stability evaluation unit and the logical processing unit, a so to speak xe2x80x9ctherapy commutatorxe2x80x9d between a less aggressive and a more aggressive heart rhythm correction measure between atrium (or ventricle) flutter, for one, and atrium (or ventricle) fibrillation, for another, is realized.
The stability evaluation means comprises the functional components necessary for the statistical evaluation of the heart rate values detected within a determined period of time, and namely in particular a heart rate measured value memory, a thereto connected statistical processing unit for determining a stability value, and a thereto connected stability discriminator stage, in which the actual stability value obtained with the statistical evaluation is compared with the predetermined (programmed) threshold value.
The therapy means of the device comprises at least one defibrillator, however, in the preferred embodiment, it further comprises a pacemaker means, and in particular also a therapy memory, by which, in response to the therapy control signals, in each case a predetermined therapy by the defibrillator or, optionally, the pacemaker, is activated. The therapy memory is connected to the output of the evaluation and control means in such a manner that the therapy control signals address in each case a predetermined memory area, where therapy data of a specific therapy is stored. Addressing of the first and third memory area ensues directly from the heart rate discriminator stage, whereas for addressing the second memory area the output signal of the stability evaluation means is necessarily used, and it is used in addition for addressing the third memory area. Hence, corresponding AND gates are provided here.
With respect to the specific therapies and hence also the therapy data stored in the therapy memory, there exist wide variation possibilities within the framework of the present invention, depending on the specific use of the device for a therapy of atrium or ventricle arrhythmiae, and on the configuration simply as a cardioverter/defibrillator or as a combined demand pacemaker/defibrillator. Thus, with a simple defibrillator, the first therapy control signal may cause the initiation of the operational state, whereas the second and third therapy control signal trigger shock therapies with different pulse energies. With a combined pacemaker/defibrillator, however, the first and second therapy control signals will preferably trigger a first and second stimulation pulse sequence, whereas the third therapy control signal triggers a shock pulse. For the remainder, reference is made to the basic explanations made above.
A reliable function of the proposed device requires permanent or periodical sampling of the heart rate, whereby at least with detection of a heart rate lying within the total value range of increased heart rates, the mentioned value range discrimination and, if necessary, stability evaluation, are triggered. For this purpose, a suitable controller is present in the evaluation and control means. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to devices for controlling the flow of fluid. In particular, it pertains to check valves, i.e., valves permitting fluid flow in one direction but blocking flow in the reverse direction.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Check valves have been in existence for many years. They are used where flow is desired in one direction but not in the opposite. For example, check valves are normally installed at the discharge of pumps and compressors, in elevated piping, and in many other applications.
The most common type of check valve is the swing check valve which employs a pivoting flapper or disc which is normally biased by its own weight or a spring to the closed position. Flow in the desired direction swings the disc away from its seat permitting fluid to flow thereby. This type of check valve is noisy, particularly in pulsating flow and at low rates of flow has inherently poor pressure drop characteristics.
There are also check valves which employ ball type closure members. However, in most of these ball check valves, the ball member is always in the path of flow, increasing pressure drop through the valve and preventing passage of tools therethrough. Thus, they are not acceptable for oil and gas wells where it is desired to pass well tools or other equipment through the pipestring. Neither are they desirable in oil and gas pipelines, since it is not possible to pass pipeline pigs through such check valves. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
Brugada syndrome is a distinct form of genetically-determined idiopathic cardiac arrhythmia syndrome that can lead to syncope, cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death (SCD). The syndrome is a genetic form of cardiac rhythm disorder caused by an inherited ion channelopathy. Brugada syndrome has been observed in the electrocardiograms of otherwise healthy young individuals without evidence of structural heart disease who are of Southeast Asian descent. Men are eight to ten times more likely to suffer Brugada syndrome. The syndrome has an autosomal-dominant pattern of transmission in about half of the familial cases observed and primarily affects Southeast Asian men, especially Thai and Laotian, in the 30-50 year age range, with a median age of 41 years.
The prognosis in Brugada syndrome is poor. Although the exact incidence of SCD due to Brugada syndrome is unknown, the magnitude of the problem has been estimated to range from 180,000 to 450,000 deaths annually in the United States alone. Further, about 2.5% of all cardiac arrest cases in which the patient showed no clinically identifiable cardiac abnormalities have been attributed to Brugada syndrome. The syndrome also accounts for 4% to 12% of all SCDs in genetically pre-disposed individuals, and a 40% mortality rate has been observed in symptomatic patients at two to three years follow up, with a 2% to 4% mortality rate in asymptomatic patients. During electrophysiologic studies (EPS), asymptomatic patients with induced ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF) exhibited four times more SCD than non-inducible patients.
The cause of death in Brugada syndrome is due to VF, yet the precise mechanism underlying the electrocardiographic changes observed in symptomatic patients having Brugada syndrome is unknown. Pathologically, in 20% of observed cases, the syndrome has been associated with mutations in SCN5A gene expression, located in chromosome 3, which encodes for sodium ion channel transport to cell membranes of cardiac myocytes. Loss-of-function mutations in this gene have been theorized to lead to a failure of the action potential dome to develop, that in turn causes persistent ST segment elevation. The clinical events observed coincident to the electrocardiographic markers of Brugada syndrome, from syncope to VT to VF to SCD, are triggered by polymorphic ventricular arrhythmias, whose mechanism could be a Phase 2 reentry in the area around the right ventricular outflow tract.
Conventional approaches to treating Brugada syndrome focus on preventing or ameliorating VT and VF. For instance, implantable cardiac rhythm management devices, particularly automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICDs), and, to a lesser extent, transiently-introduced electrophysiology catheters, apply a therapy based on the reversion of already-established polymorphic arrhythmias, such as described in Lee et al., “Prevention of Ventricular Fibrillation by Pacing in a Man with Brugada Syndrome,” J. Cardiovasc. Electrophysiol, Vol. 11, pp. 935-937 (August 2000), the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. Similarly, Quinidine-based pharmaceutical therapies have also been used to effectively prevent VF induction and suppress spontaneous arrhythmias. Finally, surgical interventions through ablation at the right ventricular outflow tract level have been explored. Notwithstanding, these approaches constitute aggressive interventions and are impracticable to use on the large population that is theorized to have the Brugada syndrome, as only a small percentage will develop VT or VF, or experience cardiac arrest or SCD.
Therefore, a need remains for an approach to proactively treating the conduction and activation problems underlying the Brugada syndrome, rather than focusing on only avoiding or alleviating the deleterious sequelae of the syndrome. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
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