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Rotary compressors are widely used in electrical appliances such as air conditioners, heaters, and hot water dispensers. As one approach to improve the efficiency of rotary compressors, there has been proposed a technique for suppressing so-called heat loss, i.e., a decrease in efficiency caused by the fact that a refrigerant drawn into a compression chamber (a drawn refrigerant) receives heat from the environment.
A rotary compressor of Patent Literature 1 has a closed space provided in a suction-side portion of a cylinder as a means for suppressing heat reception by a drawn refrigerant. The closed space suppresses heat transfer from a high-temperature refrigerant in a closed casing to the inner wall of the cylinder. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optimal high-speed multi-resolution retrieval method on a large capacity database, and more particularly to a technique for inducing an inequality capable of allowing an accurate and rapid retrieval of desired information from a database, and implementing an optimal high-speed information retrieval using the induced inequality.
2. Description of the Related Art
In order to search for the best match to a query based on a similarity measure, an exhaustive search should be performed literally for all data contained in a database. However, straightforward exhaustive search algorithms require a large quantity of calculation. Thus, a variety of high-speed search algorithms have recently been proposed.
Berman and Shapiro have proposed introduction of a triangular inequality so as to remove candidates having no possibility to be determined as the best match(es), from a retrieval procedure. For a reduction of additional calculation quantity, they have also proposed to simultaneously use diverse distance measures and representative data called “key data”. However, this method involves a considerable variation in retrieval speed depending on “key data”, and exhibits an insufficient speed performance in association with large capacity databases.
Recently, Berman and Shapiro has also proposed the application of a data structure called a “Triangle Trie” to achieve an improvement in performance. In this method, however, there is still a problem in that the retrieval speed is considerably influenced by the tree depth and threshold value of “key data”.
Meanwhile, Krishnamachari and Mottaleb have proposed a cluster-based indexing algorithm in which diverse data contained in a database are partitioned into clusters in such a fashion that each cluster contains data having similar features, in accordance with an architectural clustering scheme.
In accordance with the cluster-based indexing algorithm, it is possible to remarkably reduce the quantity of calculation because query data is not compared with all data contained in a database, but compared with a part of the data in a retrieval procedure in accordance with the clustering scheme.
In particular, the cluster-based indexing algorithm is suitable for large capacity databases in that the number of comparisons to obtain a desired retrieval accuracy is not linearly proportional to the capacity of the database.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating problems involved in conventional cluster-based search algorithms.
Referring to FIG. 1, the second cluster is selected as a candidate because its center C2 is nearest to the query Q. In accordance with the illustrated search algorithm, an element X2 in the second cluster is selected as the best match, based on the distance of each element belonging to the second cluster from the query Q. However, the actual best match is the element X8 of the fist cluster.
The reason why such a problem occurs is that the center of the cluster, to which the actual best match belongs, is not always nearest to the query Q. To this end, a method for simultaneously searching for several near clusters has been proposed. However, this method cannot ensure an optimal retrieval inherently.
Also, the conventional cluster-based search algorithms, which cannot ensure an optimal retrieval, have a drawback in that they cannot provide a retrieval speed sufficiently rapid to obtain a satisfactory retrieval accuracy. | {
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This invention relates to telecommunications, and in particular, to the provision of information to a home wireless communications system with respect to a wireless unit that is roaming in a visited wireless communications system.
A distinguishing feature of humans as a species is our ability to communicate with each other. Our methods of communication have become ever more sophisticated and have led to the development of wireless communications. Generally, wireless communications are communications that are transmitted through the use of radio frequency (RF) technology. Wireless communications include communications that are transmitted through the use of wireless units such as cellular telephones, mobile telephones, car phones, personal communication service (PCS) units, pagers, and the like, and also may include appropriately equipped computers, computer peripherals, and the like.
A wireless unit is particularly useful to a person on the move. For example, a person may use his or her wireless unit while driving a car. The wireless communications service to the person""s wireless unit is provided typically by a service provider that may also be referred to herein as a carrier. Typically, a person who obtains wireless communications service from a service provider is generally referred to herein as a subscriber or a user. A subscriber may make or receive communications with his or her wireless unit. The term xe2x80x9ccommunicationxe2x80x9d is used herein to refer to any call, message, announcement, or other exchange of data or information, whether analog or digital, that may be received on a wireless unit or transmitted from a wireless unit, and/or may be received or transmitted from a wireless unit that is operating as part of any other device such as a computer.
When a user initiates a communication on his or her wireless unit, a base station in or serving a predetermined geographic area wherein the subscriber is located receives the communication. The geographic area that is served with wireless communications service by the carrier is referred to herein as the service area of the service provider. The service provider typically operates a wireless communications network or system to provide wireless communications service to the geographic area. The wireless communications network or system includes the referenced base station, and other elements such as mobile switching centers (MSCs). The wireless communications network also includes elements that interface with the public switched telephone network (PSTN), and other networks and systems so as to provide for communications between and among parties using wireless units or using wireline units.
Upon receipt of a communication from a wireless unit of a user, the base station transmits the communication to a mobile switching center (MSC) (sometimes referred to as a mobile-service switching center or mobile telecommunications switching office (MTSO), or switch). In response to the receipt of the communication, the MSC further routes the communication as appropriate. This routing may take the communication to and through the PSTN, to and through the same wireless communications system, to and through another wireless communications system, or combinations thereof.
In addition to making a call, a subscriber may receive a communication on his or her wireless unit from a caller. The caller directs his or her communication to the number associated with the subscriber""s wireless unit, which is referred to herein as the mobile number of the wireless unit. The mobile number may be the mobile identification number (MIN) of the wireless unit. The communication is routed through the PSTN, through other networks, and/or wireless communications systems until the communication reaches the MSC serving the subscriber""s wireless unit. This MSC may be referred to as the serving MSC or the serving switch. The serving MSC then further routes the communication to the wireless unit.
As noted, a wireless unit is particularly useful when a subscriber is on the move such as when the subscriber is driving a car. The subscriber""s mobility may take the subscriber out of the service area served by the service provider from whom the subscriber subscribes. In other words, the subscriber""s mobility may take the subscriber out of his or her home service area served by his or her home service provider or home carrier. The subscriber may move so as to be located in another service area that is served by a different service provider with whom the subscriber has no direct business relationship. The subscriber is said to be xe2x80x9croamingxe2x80x9d out of his or her home service area and may be referred to as a xe2x80x9croamerxe2x80x9d, or xe2x80x9croaming subscriberxe2x80x9d in a visited service area that is served by a visited system. To provide a roaming subscriber with communications service, service providers have agreed to follow certain procedures in the processing of communications with respect to each other""s subscribers. Generally, a roaming subscriber is validated and may be authenticated by the visited system, which also may be referred to as the visited service provider. Both of these processes (validation and authentication) are used to prevent fraudulent use of wireless units and for other reasons. General descriptions of these processes and other information about wireless communications systems may be found in the book entitled Cellular and PCSxe2x80x94The Big Picture by Lawrence Harte, Steve Prokup and Richard Levine (McGraw-Hill 1997).
Generally, in validation, when a wireless unit initiates a communication in a service area other than its home service area, the visited system serving that visited service area attempts to find the wireless unit""s identification (also referred to as registration information) in the visitor location register (VLR) of an appropriate MSC in the visited system (MSC-V). If the visited system does not find the identification, then the wireless unit is determined to be not registered with the visited system. Prior to being provided with communications service in the visited system, a wireless unit typically needs to be registered in the visited system.
To register the wireless unit in the visited system, the MSC-V takes certain steps. Using the wireless unit""s identification (which generally may include its mobile number, and electronic serial number (ESN), and/or mobile identification number (MIN), if different from the mobile number), the visited system sends a message to the wireless communications system (xe2x80x9chome systemxe2x80x9d) which generally provides wireless communications service to the subscriber. Alternatively, or in addition, the visited system may send a message to a clearing house or other entity other than the home system. The message from the visited system requests validation of the visiting wireless unit. The home system checks a home location register (HLR) in an appropriate MSC (MSC-H) of its system. The clearing house or other entity may check a database, table, or other storage medium of its system. A comparison is made with respect to the identification regarding the wireless unit to determine if the wireless unit is valid. If the wireless unit is valid, then the HLR of the MSC-H and/or the clearing house or other entity responds to the serving MSC in the visited system that the validation was successful. The HLR in the home system and/or clearing house or other entity generally keeps track of the information about the location of the subscriber in a visited system for use in the future routing of calls, etc.
After the serving MSC in the visited system receives confirmation that the visiting wireless unit is valid, the communication initiated by the visiting wireless unit is processed. The VLR of the serving MSC may then temporarily store the visiting wireless unit""s information to validate the identity of the wireless unit itself rather than requesting validation again for the next call.
Validation generally is the mechanism for providing information to the subscriber""s home system with respect to the subscriber""s location in a visited system. With this location information, the home system then may process calls that are received for the roaming subscriber. In particular, when a home system receives a call for its subscriber, the MSC in that home system (MSC-H) checks its HLR to determine if the wireless unit is operating in the geographic area of the home system. The MSC-H may find that the wireless unit is not located in the geographic area of the home system, but rather, is roaming in a visited system. The MSC-H may have location information with respect to the wireless unit. If so, the MSC-H sends a request to the visited MSC (MSC-V) for information that will help the MSC-H in routing the call to the subscriber.
The above processes of validation and call processing are carried out generally with respect to communications that occur within the United States. However, wireless communications between the United States and foreign countries or wireless communications between foreign countries have been problematic. Problems arise because the processes described above may not be carried out with respect to communications between the United States and a foreign country or between foreign countries because of the differences in the wireless systems in the respective countries. A wireless system and its related wireline system in a particular country may not be networked with the wireless system and its related wireline system in a foreign country. Thus, in some cases, information regarding a wireless unit""s roaming location in a visited system is not reported properly to the home system. The lack of reporting is especially problematic between countries having differences between their respective wireless systems. Without location information regarding a wireless unit, the home system is unable to route calls to the wireless unit.
In addition, the problems associated with the fraudulent use of wireless units are prevalent in the United States and abroad. Once a wireless unit is registered in a visited system, the wireless unit may be especially vulnerable to being cloned or otherwise fraudulently used.
Accordingly, there is a need for methods and systems that provide location information regarding a wireless unit that is roaming in a visited system to a home system of the wireless unit. Further, there is a need for methods and systems that provides safeguards so as to prevent fraudulent use of wireless units as they roam between and among countries or systems.
The present invention includes methods, systems, and apparatus that relate to the provision of information to a home wireless communications system regarding a wireless unit that is roaming in a visited wireless communications system. This information may include an identification of the serving mobile switching center (MSC) serving the wireless unit in the visited system. The serving MSC may be identified by its mobile switching center identification (MSCID) information being included as a parameter in a message that is provided to the home system. Advantageously, the receipt of this information by a home system allows the home system to properly route communications to the wireless unit roaming in the visited system, or for other purposes such as delivery of services, repair, record keeping, marketing records, etc.
In addition, the methods, systems, and apparatus of the present invention provide safeguards so as to prevent fraudulent use of wireless units as they roam between and among countries or systems. These anti-fraud features include the limitation that only terminating services be provided as communications services to a wireless unit roaming in a visited system, and/or the limitation that communications services be provided to a wireless unit roaming in a visited system only for an authorization period.
Generally stated, a wireless unit that is roaming in a visited system provides information to a mobile switching center (MSC-V) of the visited system. In response to receipt of the information, the MSC-V routes a message to an international gateway. The international gateway creates a new message or alters the original message, and transmits the new or altered message to a mobile switching center (MSC-H) of the home system. The new or altered message may include an identification of the MSC-V, and in particular, may include an identification of the MSC-V by its MSCID information in a parameter of the new or altered message.
In response to receipt of the new or altered message, the MSC-H may validate the wireless unit (if valid), create a response to the new or altered message, and route the response to the international gateway. The response may include information related to anti-fraud features. For example, the response may include originating and/or terminating service (OCOS/TCOS) information, and in particular, may include an instruction that the wireless unit be provided with only terminating service as the communications service provided in the visited system. As another example, the response may include an authorization period such that the wireless unit is registered and/or is provided with communications service in the visited system only for the authorization period.
In response to receipt of the response, the international gateway may create a new response or alter the response, and transmit the new or altered response to the MSC-V. In response to receipt of the new or altered response, the MSC-V may register the wireless unit, and/or provide the wireless unit with communication services in the visited system, and/or otherwise follows instructions in the new or altered response.
Further, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention advantageously eliminates the need for an exchange of message and response with the home system when the wireless unit moves from a first visited system to a second visited system during an authorization period. For example, the wireless unit may be provided with communications services in a first visited system during an authorization period. The wireless unit may move to a second visited system during the authorization period. The serving MSC in the second visited system checks with the international gateway, which in turn, checks whether the authorization period with respect to the wireless unit has expired. If it has not expired, then the international gateway provides the serving MSC in the second visited system with a validation relating to the wireless unit. The second visited system provides the wireless unit with communications services at least for the remainder of the authorization. It is an advantage that the communications service is continued to the wireless unit in the second visited system without the second visited system having to check with the home system of the wireless unit.
Advantageously, the use of an international gateway in the exchange of messages between the MSC-V of the visited system and the MSC-H of the home system facilitates the exchange of the messages between the appropriate mobile switching centers. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a circuit and method for controlling inversion of a Delay Locked Loop (DLL), and a synchronous semiconductor memory device incorporating such a DLL.
A claim of priority is made to Korean Patent Application No. 2003-96385 filed on Dec. 24, 2003, the subject matter of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
2. Description of the Related Art
In many applications involving the transmission of various signals, it is critical to accurately reproduce signal timing characteristics upon reception of, or prior to transmission of the signals. That is, the signals must typically be synchronized in their transmission and reception to a standard timing signal (e.g., a clock). A Phase Locked Loop (PLL) or a DLL is commonly used to synchronize the timing characteristics of one or more signals.
The conventional PLL generates a voltage control signal corresponding to a phase difference between an external clock signal and a reproduction clock signal. The phase of the reproduction clock signal is adjusted in relation to the voltage control signal to follow the phase of the external clock signal by means of varying the frequency of the reproduction clock signal.
The conventional DLL similarly generates a voltage control signal corresponding to a phase difference between the external clock signal and the reproduction clock signal, but adjusts a delay period for the reproduction clock signal in response to the voltage control signal to thereby control the phase of the reproduction clock signal such that it follows the phase of the external clock signal.
A DLL is commonly used in digital signal processing systems and synchronous memory devices, such as Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM). Common DLL configurations use an inversion scheme that provides a fast locking of signals at the beginning of a phase locking operation.
Referring to FIG. 1, a typical inversion scheme implemented in a DLL circuit compares the phase of a received external clock signal (EXCLK) with the phase of a reproduction clock signal (RCLK) in order to generate (i.e., “output”) the reproduction clock signal RCLK without inversion when the phase difference, τ 1, between the clock signals EXCLK and RCLK is greater than one half of a cycle, (i.e., T/2(τ 1<T/2)). (See, timing relationship (iii) in FIG. 1). In contrast, an inverted reproduction clock signal (RCLKB) is output when the phase difference, τ 2, is less than one half of a cycle (i.e., T/2 (τ 2<T/2)). (See, timing relationship (ii) in FIG. 1). Within the foregoing timing relationships, the “following time”(i.e., a delay time) required to lock the rising edge of RCLK to the rising edge of EXCLK can be reduced to no more than half a clock cycle.
However, this is not the case where the duty cycle ratio of RCLK falls below 50%. (See, timing relationship (i) in FIG. 1). In such cases, the reproduction clock signal ERCLK must be delayed by more than half a cycle when inversion is performed because otherwise the phase difference during the next cycle would be mistakenly seen as being less than a half cycle despite the phase difference actually being more than a half cycle.
Thus, DLLs using the inversion scheme experience a problem in that the initial locking time is additionally delayed by as much as the change of the duty cycle ratio for the reproduction clock signal RCLK. Operating speed suffers accordingly when one cycle of the clock signal is larger than a predetermined maximum delay period, and phase unlocking may occur because the locking delay adjustment cannot be performed for such delay periods. | {
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1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a backlight module, and more particularly to a backlight module which can reduce manufacturing cost.
2. Description of Related Art
With advancements in semiconductor industry and relevant electronic industries, digital devices such as mobile phones, digital cameras, digital video cameras, notebooks, and desktop computers have made progress to meet requirements for easy operation, multiple functionality, and attractive exterior design. However, using IT products as described above demands a suitable display screen acting as a man-machine interface, and the display screens of the products aforementioned facilitate various operations. Recently, liquid crystal displays (LCDs) have become a main stream of the display screens. However, the LCD is not self-luminescent, so that a backlight module must be employed and placed under the LCD to serve as a light source so as to make display possible. FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional backlight module. Referring to FIG. 1, a side type backlight module 100 includes a back plate 110, a frame 120, a light guide plate 130, and a light source 140. The frame 120 is leaned against the back plate 110 and the light guide plate 130 is disposed on the back plate 110. The light source 140 is disposed on a side of the back plate 110 and located by a light incident surface 132 of the light guide plate 130. A light emitted by the light source 140 enters the light guide plate 130, where a light path thereof is corrected and then the light emitted by the light source 140 is emitted.
Generally, the light source 140 incorporated in the backlight module 100 is mostly cold cathode fluorescence lamp (CCFL). In recent years, as the light emitting efficiency of light-emitting diode (LED) has continuously increased, the LED has gradually replaced the CCFL as the light source 140 of the backlight module 100. Compared with the CCFL, the LED has absolute advantages. For example, an LED is physically compact, long lasting, low voltage/current driven, durable, mercury free (pollution free), and with high emission efficiency (power saving), etc. FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of using conventional LEDs as the light source. Referring to FIG. 2A, generally, each of LEDs 142 is a package structure, the LED 142 is thus disposed on a flexible substrate 144 to be manufactured into a light bar and then adopted as the light source 140 of the backlight module 100.
Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2A simultaneously, since gaps are present between the LEDs 142 and the light incident surface 132 of the light guide plate 130, lights with large emitting angles are leaked through the gaps, such that the LCD has partial hot spots affecting a display effect of the LCD as illustrated in a schematic top view of the backlight module having partial hot spots in FIG. 2B. When viewing the backlight module 100 of FIG. 1 from the top, some of elements such as a reflector 150, the back plate 110, and the frame 120 canopy the light source 140 in the diagram. Therefore, the reflector 150, the back plate 110, and the frame 120 are omitted in FIG. 2B.
Referring to FIG. 1, in a conventional method for solving the problem of partial hot spots, an upper reflector 150 is disposed between the light guide plate 130 and a top portion of the back plate 110 located on the light guide plate 130. Although the disposition of the upper reflector 150 prevents the problem of partial hot spots caused by the light emitted from the gap between the LED 142 and the light incident surface 132 of the light guide plate 130, a double-sided tape is required to adherently fix the reflector 150 to the back plate 110. Hence, a material cost of the double-sided tape and a manual assembling time have to be consumed. | {
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EP 1 172 301 discloses a sealed package for pourable food products. The package is made from a sheet packaging material and has a top wall crossed by a transverse sealing band forming a flat projecting tab folded coplanar with and onto the top wall along a fold line. An opening device is fitted to a portion of the top wall. The tab has a strip-like auxiliary portion interposed between the sealing band and the fold line, so that the area of the portion of the top wall available for the opening device is increased by the width of the auxiliary portion. It may however be noted that on the inside of the package the fold line will interfere with the available free pouring area of the opening device. The auxiliary area will only give an enlarged fastening area on the outside of the package.
Thus, there is no satisfactory solution to form a package adapted to receive a large opening device which may have a large available pouring area. | {
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This invention generally relates to rivet feed sliders for feeding rivets to a rivet transport tube or similar structure, and more specifically relates to a rivet feed slider which improves the consistency and reliability of the delivery of rivets along a rivet transport tube to a carrier head of a rivet driving machine.
There are a variety of riveting machines for automatically or manually controlling the feeding of rivets to a carrier head. In such a riveting machine, rivets are transported, served, or otherwise moved from a bulk source of rivets to the carrier head of a rivet driving machine. One such transport system is an air feed system, while another is a tape feed system. Of these two systems, it is advantageous to deliver rivets using an air feed system because such a system is usually less costly and requires less processing steps.
In a prior art air feed system, a vibratory bowl feeder is used to sequence or otherwise deliver rivets in a sequential order. The vibratory bowl feeder delivers the sequentially-aligned rivets to a rivet delivery path whereafter the rivets are removed from the path, sequentially one by one, by a sliding mechanism. Such sliding mechanisms are useful to control the flow of rivets to a rivet delivery tube and sequence the rivets so that only one rivet is served to the carrier head at a time. The sliding mechanisms are positioned in the air flow path so that they can effectively use the air supply to serve rivets to the rivet transport tube.
A problem associated with prior art sliding mechanisms is that they tend to interrupt or reduce the air flow to the rivet delivery tube, specifically when the sliding mechanism is in the process of receiving another rivet to transport. Disrupting the flow to the rivet delivery tube, which ultimately communicates with the carrier head, is not desirable. Disruption of the air flow after a rivet has been delivered to the rivet transport tube can cause feeding errors. For example, the disruption may cause a rivet to bounce back out of the carrier head after it has been received by the carrier head. Such a situation indicates an empty carrier head and may result in the rivet not being properly positioned in the carrier head. This bouncing back of rivets out of the carrier head as a result of the disruption in air flow caused by the sliding mechanism also increases the wear on the components during use.
A general object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a rivet feed slider which improves the consistency and reliability of the delivery of rivets along a rivet transport tube to a carrier head of a rivet driving machine.
Another object of an embodiment of the present invention is to provide a rivet feed slider which does not substantially disrupt air flow from an air supply to a rivet transport tube.
Briefly, and in accordance with at least one of the foregoing objects, an embodiment of the present invention provides a rivet feed slider for use in association with an air supply and a rivet transport tube in communication with a rivet driving machine. The rivet feed slider is configured to sequentially receive rivets from a rivet delivery path and feed the rivets to the rivet transport tube using the air supply. The rivet feed slider includes a body which has a rivet receiving chamber formed therein which is configured to sequentially receive the rivets, and an aperture is in communication with the rivet receiving chamber. The aperture allows air to flow from the air supply through the rivet receiving chamber to the rivet transport tube such that a rivet which is disposed in the rivet receiving chamber is moved into the rivet transport tube. The rivet feed slider also includes at least one additional aperture which allows air to flow from the air supply to the rivet transport tube when the rivet receiving chamber is not aligned with the air supply. Hence, the air flow from the air supply to the rivet transport tube is not substantially disrupted, and the consistency and reliability of the delivery of rivets along the rivet transport tube to the rivet driving machine is improved.
Preferably, the rivet feed slider includes a plurality of apertures besides the aperture which communicates with the rivet receiving chamber, and the apertures are configured such that the volume of air flowing into the rivet transport tube is increased and the pressure is reduced. The apertures may be elongated and may have a larger width (i.e. an increased cross-sectional area) than the aperture which communicates with the rivet receiving chamber, thereby providing the increased air flow volume and decreased pressure.
The external surface of the rivet feed slider may provide a channel which communicates with the rivet receiving chamber. The channel is configured to receive a tip or end of a rivet as the rivet feed slider slides, such that the channel facilitates the transport of the rivet into the rivet receiving chamber as the rivet feed slider slides into position relative to the rivet delivery path. | {
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It is well known to utilize a bailer pump for oil wells. Such systems utilize a reversible electric motor for lowering a bailer on a cable into a well where it is filled, raised, emptied, and recycled. Such systems are useful for recovering oil from shallow low-yield wells.
However, such systems generally use a mechanical type of sensor for determining when the bailer is lowered and contacts the surface of the oil in the well for controlling part of the sequence of operation. Such sensors are subject to wear, and are subject to inadvertent actuation due to the irregularities in the motion of the bailer such as when the bailer moves down the well and encounters the sides of the well.
The present invention is directed to various improvements in an electrical control system for oil well bailer pumps (1) in which the weight of the bailer drives the motor in reverse rotation to generate a voltage for recharging a battery to recover energy to drive the motor to lift the bailer as well as limiting the down speed of the bailer, (2) an electrical sensing circuit monitors the generated voltage and determines the oil level in the well as a drop in voltage corresponds to a decrease in velocity as the bailer hits the surface of the oil, and (3) a dynamic brake reduces the fall velocity of the bailer prior to impacting the oil to decrease the down speed to a safe range. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for removing harmful components in an exhaust gas derived during manufacturing an electronic circuit element such as a semiconductor device or a liquid crystal device, particularly during a cleaning or etching process. Further, the present invention relates to an apparatus that is applicable to remove harmful components in a gas generated during the process of smelting aluminum.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus such as a CVD apparatus, a gas for deposition (such as SiH4, Si2H6, SiH2Cl2, TEOS, PH3, B2H6, NH3, N2O, or the like) is used in forming various thin films, and a cleaning gas (such as NF3, C2F6, CF4, SF6, or the like) is usually used for cleaning the inside of the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus after completing the deposition process.
These gases inherently have various dangerous factors such as flammability, explosiveness, corrosiveness, poisonousness, and the like. Therefore, it is required to remove (detoxify) harmful components in these gases using a harm-removing apparatus equipped, for example, with a means for oxidizing and heating the gases before they are released into atmospheric air.
In the semiconductor manufacturing apparatus such as a CVD apparatus, complex decomposition reactions occur in the gases that are being used, so that new decomposition products (such as F2, HF, and SiOx) are generated as a result and these decomposition products are discharged together with the undecomposed deposit gas and the cleaning gas.
In the semiconductor manufacturing process, a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus such as a CVD apparatus generally operates as follows: deposition using a deposition gas such as SiH4 (toxic to a human body and explosive)→purging of residual SiH4 gas from the CVD chamber using nitrogen→cleaning the CVD chamber using a cleaning gas such as C2F6 (harmless to a human body though exhibiting a greenhouse effect)→purging of the cleaning gas from the CVD chamber using nitrogen→repeating this cycle.
Here, one group of said gases to be used for cleaning of a CVD chamber is what is known as PFC gases. PFC is an abbreviation for “perfluorocarbon” or “perfluoride compound”. Representative examples of PFC are CF4, CHF3, and said C2F6. If the term “compound” is used instead of “carbon”, PFC will further include fluorine compounds that do not contain carbon, such as NF3, SF6, and SF4.
The purpose of the present invention is to establish a technique for removal of the former PFC gases, which technique has not yet reached an applicable level for use in a removal device or a removal method. Naturally, however, the technique of the present invention is also applicable for removal of all the PFC gases including the latter PFC gases.
The PFC gases as represented by CF4 and C2F6 are non-flammable and toxicity of the gases themselves on human beings is unknown. At least, acute and subacute toxicities are not known. However, since the compounds themselves are stable, they remain unchanged and stay for a long period of time if they are released to an ambient atmosphere. It is reported that the life span until consumption in the atmosphere is 50,000 years in the case of CF4, and 10,000 years in the case of C2F6.
Further, the global warming factor (relative to CO2) is 4,400 in the case of CF4 and 6,200 in the case of C2F6 (after 20 years have passed), which involves a problem that cannot be left aside in considering the earth environment. Therefore, it is eagerly desired to establish a means for removing the PFC gases as represented by CF4 and C2F6.
However, the former PFC gases, i.e. the compounds as represented by CF4, CHF3, and C2F6, have a stable C—F bond (having a bonding energy as large as 130 kcal/mol) and are not easily decomposed, so that it is extremely difficult to remove them by simple thermal oxidation decomposition.
For example, in the case of C2F6, the decomposition proceeds by a cut in the C—C bond, so that C2F6 can be removed by limiting the processing flow rate to be less than 250 liters/min at a processing temperature of 1000° C. However, in the case of CF4, it is necessary to cut the C—F bond that has the largest bonding energy, so that a temperature of 1400° C. is required even with the above-mentioned flow rate. In addition, even by the above method, it is difficult to remove more than 80% of the total gas.
Further, if an electric heater is to be used, attainment of a high temperature atmosphere of more than 1400° C. is an upper limit also from the view point of materials for the heater, so that a long-term usage is almost impossible. Moreover, maintaining the temperature of the entire apparatus is also difficult and, in combination with a thermal insulating material, the total volume of the apparatus will be large and it will not be a compact apparatus. What is more important is that the thermal energy cost will be excessively high.
Here, in this field, the following new method has been proposed. International Publication Number WO94/05399 #Method of Decomposing Gaseous Halocarbon# reports that coexistence of O2 makes it possible to decompose and remove, for example, CF4 at a temperature of 600 to 700° C. However, a detailed follow-up experiment of the contents of the publication turned out to be a complete failure in removal under this condition.
Also, an attempt is made to positively introduce H2 gas to pyrolyze PFC. However, it requires a high processing temperature and, besides, it may not be suitable for use from the view point of safety, since the H2 gas is flammable and explosive. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a tilt angle maintaining apparatus for maintaining a tilt angle of a tilt section which is provided on a device body in a tilting manner, and to a recording apparatus such as a facsimile or a printer on which the tilt angle maintaining apparatus is provided.
2. Related Art
In an electronic device, an information display section (for example, which is configured to include a liquid crystal display unit and the like) for displaying a variety of information and an operation setting section provided with operation buttons and a power button for performing various operation settings are provided on a tilt panel. The tilt panel can be maintained to form an arbitrary angle so that a user can easily visually identify information or set the operations via a tilt angle maintaining mechanism.
In this tilt angle maintaining mechanism, for example, a ratchet mechanism as described in JP-A-2001-111245 and in JP-A-11-339125, that is, saw-shaped teeth are provided on a main body, and an engaging end for engaging with the saw-shaped teeth is provided on the tilt section. The tilt angle maintaining mechanism is configured to stepwise maintain a predetermined tilt angle by engaging the saw-shaped teeth and the engaging end.
In the known tilt angle maintaining mechanism as described above, even when external force is applied to the tilt section, the tilt angle is reliably maintained at a predetermined angle without any change. However, on the other hand, when the tilt angle maintaining mechanism is returned to its original position from the state of being maintained at an arbitrary angle, it is necessary to maintain the state in which the engaging end is separated from the saw-shaped teeth. Since the engaging end is provided on a rear surface side of the tilt section, operability for returning the tilt section to the original angle is bad, and the operations become complicated. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
Nano-optics is the study of optical interactions with matter structured into units of subwavelength (for visible light) dimensions. Nano-optics has numerous applications in optical technologies such as nanolithography, high-density optical data storage, photochemistry on a nanometer scale, solar cells, materials imaging and surface modification with subwavelength lateral resolution, local linear and nonlinear spectroscopy of biological and solid-state structures, quantum computing and quantum communication.
Solar cells using nano-optics are known in the art. At present, high efficiency can be achieved only in p-n junction photovoltaic (PV) cells with average aperture-area efficiency (AAE) of about 20-28%, and modules with average AAE of about 17%. In research-grade multijunction concentrators, efficiencies as high as about 39% have been reported. These are based on crystalline semiconductors, which are expensive. For standard crystalline silicon (c-Si) PV technology, not only is the material cost some 50% higher than that of thin film forms, but the cost for installation is high compared to flexible substrate PVs such as those made from amorphous silicon (a-Si). Inexpensive PV cells based on non-crystalline semiconductors have the following AAE's: a-Si about 12%; CdTe (cadmium telluride) about 16%; and CIS (copper indium diselenide) about 19%. See B. von Roedern, K. Zweibel, and H. S. Ullal, “The role of polycrystalline thin-film PV technologies for achieving mid-term market competitive PV modules,” 31st IEEE Photovoltaics Specialists Conference and Exhibition, Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Jan. 3-7, 2005.
The fundamental physics behind low efficiency of inexpensive cells is directly related to the difficulty in assuring simultaneously high photon absorption and charge collection efficiencies. Furthermore, for a-Si-based solar cells, the stabilized efficiency is typically about 15% lower than the initial value due to light-induced metastable defect creation, known as the Staebler-Wronski effect (SWE). D. L. Staebler and C. R. Wronski, “Reversible conductivity changes in discharge-produced amorphous Si,” Appl. Phys. Lett. 31, 292-294 (1977). Reducing the thickness and corrugating the surface of the active PV layer can improve efficiency significantly, but the low carrier mobility and lifetime product and the SWE are controlled by the band tails of the localized electronic states in the semiconductors, due to structural disorder. The structural disorder is a fundamental problem for all non-crystalline materials that reduces dramatically the diffusion length of the generated carriers.
Prior art attempts to manufacture solar cells using optical rectennas have had major difficulties in achieving large-scale metallic nanostructures at low cost. Recently, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were reported to behave like optical antennas that receive and transmit visible light incident upon them. These nanostructures were shown to be highly metallic with well aligned growth orientation. MWCNTs can also be fabricated at low cost in large scale on most conductive or semiconductive substrates by the well-established plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) method without using expensive and time-consuming state-of-the-art technologies, such as electron-beam lithography, which are unscalable but still inevitably being used by most other experimental approaches in this field. Thus, there is a need in the art to create a new class of very efficient, and low cost solar cells using nanocoax structures. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
In automotive vehicles, it is common to have a climate control system located within an instrument panel which provides heated or cooled air to occupants through dash panel defrost air outlets, instrument panel venting air outlets and floor directed air outlets. These traditional climate control systems often include a heater core that performs heat exchange between the engine coolant, which is heated by the engine, and the cool air in the cabin/outside environment, in order to provide warm air to the passenger compartment. Some vehicles include an air conditioning system that cooperates with an evaporator for absorbing heat from the air in the vehicle. The heater core and evaporator are typically provided in an HVAC case located in the passenger compartment of the vehicle.
In some instances, vehicles are manufactured for both a left hand drive version and a right hand drive version to accommodate global markets. As a result, a number of vehicle modules such as instrument clusters, steering columns and other components must be configured to adapt for use on each side of the vehicle or alternatively be designed entirely or partly as unique components. In general it is expensive for tooling, production, assembly and inventory to provide a first set of components for use on a left hand drive vehicle and a second set of components for use on a right hand drive vehicle. Therefore it is desirable to provide vehicle modules that may be easily adapted for use in a right or left hand drive vehicle. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
Jaw crushers are utilized in many applications for crushing hard material, such as pieces of rock, ore, etc. A jaw crusher has a movable jaw that cooperates with a stationary jaw. Between the jaws a crushing gap is formed. The size of the crushing gap may be adjusted by means of a hydraulic ram which is connected to the movable jaw via a toggle plate and a toggle beam. In order to set a desired closed side setting of such a jaw crusher shims of various widths may be used. Such shims are known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,783,013 and enables an operator to select a suitable combination of shims for a particular position of the toggle beam, and thereby the movable jaw, relative the stationary jaw.
In a crusher operation shims are exposed to high forces which may cause them to stick to each other making it difficult to separate them from each other. Furthermore, removing a shim from a jaw crusher may involve a risk of injuries to an operator. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
This application is filed pursuant to 35 U.S.C. xc2xa7371 of international application No. PCT/EP98/02768, filed May 12, 1998, which in turn claims priority to German application 197 19 822.8, filed May 13, 1997.
1. Field of the Invention
The term xe2x80x9cchip cardxe2x80x9d is generally taken to mean a plastic card, for example in conventional credit card format, provided with an integrated circuit containing electronically stored information.
Chip cards usually consist of PCV or ABS and, in addition to the integrated circuit, additionally contain an xe2x80x9cantennaxe2x80x9d in the form of a flat coil or electroconductive contacts.
Chip cards are already in widespread use, for example as telephone cards, credit cards, xe2x80x9cmedicardsxe2x80x9d, cash cards, etc.
In the future, it is expected that this technology will penetrate further into new areas, such as electronic money, replacement of cash, travel tickets and pay TV.
A smart card is a chip card whose integrated circuit controls who uses the stored information and for what purpose.
A desirable feature for chip cards is an electronic display on the card, for example showing the amount stored. Such a display facilitates, for example, display of the amount remaining on a telephone card.
Such a display should be visible even without application of an electric voltage, since neither the thickness nor the production costs of a card allow the installation of a battery. The display must thus be capable of optical storage.
2. Description of the Related Art
For reasons of optical bistability, ferroelectric liquid-crystal displays (FLCDs) and also bistable nematic displays have been proposed (see R. Bxc3xcrkle, R. Klette, E. Lxc3xcder, R. Bunz, T. Kallfass, 1997 International Symposium, Seminar and Exhibition, Society of Information Display, Boston, Mass., Abstract 9.4, page 34).
The use of FLCDs would have the advantage of a low operating voltage, which can easily be in the range below 5 volts. This technology has the disadvantages of high sensitivity to shock, pressure and deformation, and the difficulty in aligning the smectic layers, which tend to form contrast-reducing deformations and defects in the crystal structure.
Besides likewise having high mechanical sensitivity, bistable nematic displays have the additional disadvantage of relatively high switching voltages, which are above 20 V.
The object of finding a mechanically and thermally stable, optically bistable chip card display which can be operated at voltages below 15 volts, preferably below five volts and has high contrast and high brightness or reflectivity is, surprisingly, achieved by using mixtures of low-molecular weight and polymeric or oligomeric FLCs.
The invention therefore relates to a chip card having a ferroelectric liquid-crystal display, wherein the liquid-crystal layer consists of a mixture of a low-molecular weight liquid crystal and a polymeric or oligomeric liquid crystal.
The display according to the invention can be switched at voltages greater than 15 V, generally greater than 5V, can be written in a broad temperature range and is robust to everyday loads, such as pressure, flexing or thermal deformation.
The display according to the invention has a high switching angle, a low switching voltage and low temperature dependence. Defect lines can be suppressed.
The low-molecular-weight, tilted smectic, optically active (ferroelectric) liquid-crystal (FLC) preferably consists of a mixture of low-molecular-weight compounds. The operating phase is preferably the SC* phase. The mixtures preferably comprise a non-optically active base mixture, preferably in a proportion of greater than 50%, and one or more optically active compounds (dopants). The low-molecular-weight FLCD generally has a spontaneous polarization of from 2 to 40 nCcmxe2x88x922.
Suitable compounds for the low-molecular-weight FLC are known to the person skilled in the art.
Generally suitable compounds can be described, for example, by the general formula (I),
R1(xe2x80x94A1xe2x80x94M1)a(xe2x80x94A2xe2x80x94M2)bxe2x80x94(xe2x80x94A3xe2x80x94M3)c(xe2x80x94A4)xe2x80x94R2xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(I)
where the symbols and indices are defined as follows:
R1 and R2 are identical or different and are
a) hydrogen,
b) a straight-chain or branched alkyl radical (with or without an asymmetrical carbon atom) having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, where
b1) one or more non-adjacent and non-terminal xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 groups may be replaced by xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94Si(CH3)2xe2x80x94, and/or
b2) one or more xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 groups may be replaced by xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94C/Cxe2x80x94, cyclopropane-1,2-diyl, 1,4-phenylene, 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,3-cyclopentylene, and/or
b3) one or more H atoms may be replaced by F and/or Cl, and/or
b4) the terminal CH3 group may be replaced by one of the following chiral groups (optically active or racemic):
with the proviso that at most one of the radicals R1 and R2 is hydrogen;
R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 are identical or different and are
a) hydrogen
b) a straight-chain or branched alkyl radical (with or without an asymmetrical carbon atom) having 1 to 16 carbon atoms, where
b1) one or more non-adjacent and nonxe2x80x94terminal xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 groups may be replaced by xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, and/or
b2) one or two CH2 groups may be replaced by xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94,
c) R4 and R5 together may alternatively be xe2x80x94(CH2)4xe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94(CH2)5xe2x80x94 if they are bonded to an oxirane, dioxolane, tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydropyran, butyrolactone or valerolactone system;
M1, M2 and M3 are identical or different and are xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CSxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CSxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Cxe2x89xa1Cxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 or a single bond;
A1, A2, A3 and A4 are identical or different and are 1,4-phenylene, in which one or more H atoms may be replaced by F, Cl and/or CN, pyrazine-2,5-diyl, in which one or two H atoms may be replaced by F, Cl and/or CN, pyridazine-3,6-diyl, in which one or two H atoms may be replaced by F, Cl and/or CN, pyridine-2,5-diyl, in which one or more H atoms may be replaced by F, Cl and/or CN, pyrimidine-2,5-diyl, in which one or two H atoms may be replaced by F, Cl and/or CN, 1,4-cyclohexylene, in which one or two H atoms may be replaced by CN and/or CH3 and/or F, 1,3,4-thiadiazole-2,5-diyl, 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl, 1,3-dithiane-2,5-diyl, 1,3-thiazole-2,4-diyl, in which one H atom may be replaced by F, Cl and/or CN, 1,3-thiazole-2,5-diyl, in which one H atom may be replaced by F, Cl and/or CN, thiophene-2,4-diyl, in which one H atom may be replaced by F, Cl and/or CN, thiophene-2,5-diyl, in which one or two H atoms may be replaced by F, Cl and/or CN, naphthalene-2,6-diyl, in which one or more H atoms may be replaced by F, Cl and/or CN, phenanthrene-2,7-diyl or 5,10-dihydrophenanthrene-2,7-diyl, in each of which one, two or more H atoms may be replaced by F and one or two CH groups may be replaced by N, or 1,3-dioxaborinane-2,5-diyl;
a, b and c are 0 or 1; and the sum of a, b and c is 1, 2 or 3.
The low-molecular-weight liquid crystal generally comprises from 2 to 35, preferably from 2 to 25, particularly preferably from 2 to 20 components.
The components of the low-molecular weight liquid crystal are preferably selected from known compounds having smectic and/or nematic and/or cholesteric phases, for example of the formula (I). These include, for example:
derivatives of phenylpyrimidine, as described, for example, in WO 86/06401 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,874,542,
meta-substituted six-membered-ring aromatic compounds, as described, for example, in EP-A 0 578 054,
silicon compounds, as described, for example, in EP-A 0 355 008,
mesogenic compounds having only one side chain, as described, for example, in EP-A 0 541 081,
hydroquinonone derivatives, as described, for example, in EP-A 0 603 786,
phenylbenzoates, as described, for example, in P. Keller, Ferroelectrics 1984, 58, 3, and J. W. Goodby et al., Liquid Crystals and Ordered Fluids, Vol. 4, New York, 1984, and
thiadiazoles, as described, for example, in EP-A 0 309 514.
Examples of suitable chiral, non-racemic dopants are the following:
optically active phenylbenzoates, as described, for example, in P. Keller, Ferroelectrics 1984, 58, 3, and J. W. Goodby et al., Liquid Crystals and Ordered Fluids, Vol. 4, New York, 1984,
optically active oxirane ethers, as described, for example, in EP-A 0 263 437 and WO-A 93/13093,
optically active oxirane esters, as described, for example, in EP-A 0 292 954,
optically active dioxolane ethers, as described, for example, in EP-A 0 351 746,
optically active dioxolane esters, as described, for example, in EP-A 0 361 272,
optically active tetrahydrofuran-2-carboxylic esters, as described, for example, in EP-A 0 355 561, and
optically active 2-fluoroalkyl ethers, as described, for example, in EP-A 0 237 007 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,051,506.
Particularly preferred components of the low-molecular-weight liquid crystal are those in Groups A to M:
A. Phenylpyrimidine Derivatives of the Formula (II)
R1xe2x80x94A1xe2x80x94A2xe2x80x94R2xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(II)
in which
R1 and R2 are each alkyl having 1-15 carbon atoms, in which, in addition, one or two non-adjacent xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 groups may be replaced by xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CHHalogen, xe2x80x94CHCNxe2x80x94 and/or xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94 and in which one, more than one or all H atoms may be replaced by F,
A1 is 1,4-phenylene, trans-1,4-cyclohexylene or a single bond, and
A2 is
where Z is xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CH2Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94OCH2xe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94CH2CH2xe2x80x94.
B. Compounds Having Only one Side Chain, of the Formula (III)
R1(xe2x80x94A1)a(xe2x80x94M1)b(xe2x80x94A2)c(xe2x80x94M2)d(xe2x80x94A3)e(xe2x80x94M3)f(xe2x80x94A4)xe2x80x94Hxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(III)
in which:
R1 is a straight-chain or branched alkyl radical having 1 to 22 or 3 to 22 carbon atoms respectively, in which one or two non-adjacent xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 groups may also be replaced by xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94Si(CH3)2xe2x80x94,
A1, A2, A3 and A4 are identical or different and are 1,4-phenylene, in which one or two H atoms may be replaced by F or CN, pyridine-2,5-diyl, in which one or two H atoms may be replaced by F, pyrimidine-2,5-diyl, in which one or two H atoms may be replaced by F, trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, 1,3,4-thiadiazole-2,5-diyl or naphthalene-2,6-diyl,
M1, M2 and M3 are identical or different and are xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94,
a, b, c, d, e and f are zero or one, with the proviso that the sum a+c+e is 0, 1, 2 or 3.
C. Meta-substituted Compounds of the Formula (IV)
in which
R and R are identical or different and are a straight-chain or branched alkyl radical having 1 to 22 or 3 to 22 carbon atoms respectively, in which, in addition, one or two non-adjacent xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 groups may be replaced by xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94Si(CH3)2xe2x80x94,
A1, A2 and A3 are identical or different and are 1,4-phenylene, in which one or two H atoms may be replaced by F, pyridine-2,5-diyl, in which one or two H atoms may be replaced by F, pyrimidine-2,5-diyl, in which one or two H atoms may be replaced by F, trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, in which one or two H atoms may be replaced by xe2x80x94CN and/or xe2x80x94CH3, or 1,3,4-thiadiazole-2,5-diyl,
and A1 is alternatively
M1, M2 and M3 are identical or different and are xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94,
X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7 and X8 are CH or N, the number of N atoms per six-membered ring being 0, 1 or 2,
a, b, c, d, e and f are zero or one, with the proviso that the sum of a+c+e is 0, 1, 2or 3.
D. Silicon Compounds of the Formula (V)
R1(xe2x80x94A1)i(xe2x80x94M1)k(xe2x80x94A2)l(xe2x80x94M2)m(xe2x80x94A3)nxe2x80x94R2xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(V)
in which
R1 is straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1 to 22 or 3 to 22 carbon atoms respectively, in which, in addition, one or two non-adjacent xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 groups may be replaced by xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94,
R2 is straight-chain or branched alkyl having 1 to 22 or 3 to 22 carbon atoms respectively, in which, in addition, one or two non-adjacent xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 groups may be replaced by xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, with the proviso that one xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 group not bonded to oxygen is replaced by xe2x80x94Si(CH3)2xe2x80x94,
A1, A2 and A3 are identical or different and are 1,4-phenylene, in which one or two H atoms may be replaced by F, trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, pyridine-2,5-diyl, in which one or two H atoms may be replaced by F, pyrimidine-215-diyl, in which one or two H atoms may be replaced by F, or 1,3,4-thiadiazole-2,5-diyl,
M1and M2 are identical or different and are xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94,
i, k, l, m and n are zero or 1, with the proviso that i+l+n=2or 3.
E. Hydroquinone Derivatives of the Formula (VI)
in which
R1 and R2 are identical or different and are a straight-chain or branched alkyl radical having 1 or 3 to 16 carbon atoms, preferably 1 or 3 to 10 carbon atoms respectively, in which, in addition, one or two non-adjacent xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 groups may be replaced by xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, preferably xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94,
R3 is xe2x80x94CH3, xe2x80x94CF3 or xe2x80x94C2H5, preferably xe2x80x94CH3 or xe2x80x94CF3,
A1 and A2 are identical or different and are
or
preferably
F. Pyridylpyrimidines of the Formula (VII)
in which
A is N and B is CH or A is CH and B is N, C is N and D is CH or C is CH and D is N,
where one or two CH groups may be replaced by CF groups,
R1 and R2 are identical or different and are a straight-chain or branched alkyl radical having 1 to 22 or 3 to 22 carbon atoms respectively, in which, in addition, one or two non-adjacent xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 groups may be replaced by xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94.
G. Phenylbenzoates of the Formula (VIII)
in which
R1 and R2 are identical or different and are a straight-chain or branched alkyl radical having 1 to 22 or 3 to 22 carbon atoms respectively, in which, in addition, one or two non-adjacent xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 groups may be replaced by xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94,
M1 and M2 are identical or different and are xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, a, b, c, d and e are zero or one, with the proviso that a+c+e=2 or 3 and b+d=1 or 2.
H. Optically Active Phenylbenzoates of the Formula (IX)
in which
R1 and R2 are identical or different and are a straight-chain or branched alkyl radical having 1 to 22 or 3 to 22 carbon atoms respectively, in which, in addition, one or two non-adjacent xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 groups may be replaced by xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, and in which at least one of the radicals R1 and R2 is a branched, optically active alkyl group,
M1 and M2 are identical or different and are xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94 or a single bond, and
a, b, c, d and e are zero or one, with the proviso that a+c+e2 or 3 and b+d=1or 2.
I. Optically active oxirane ethers of the formula (X)
in which the symbols and indices are as defined below:
is a center of chirality,
R1 is a straight-chain or branched alkyl radical having 1 to 22 or 3 to 22 carbon atoms respectively, in which, in addition, one or two non-adjacent xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 groups may be replaced by xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94Si(CH3)2xe2x80x94, or the following optically active group,
R2, R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7are identical or different and are H or a straight-chain or branched alkyl radical having 1 to 16 carbon atoms,
P is xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94,
A1, A2 and A3 are identical or different and are 1,4-phenylene, in which one or two H atoms may be replaced by F, pyridine-2,5-diyl, in which one or two H atoms in each case may be replaced by F, pyrimidine-2,5-diyl, in which one or two H atoms may be replaced by F, trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, in which one or two H atoms may be replaced by xe2x80x94CN and/or xe2x80x94CH3, or 1 ,3,4-thiadiazole-2,5-diyl,
M1and M2 are identical or different and are xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, and
a, b, c, d and e are zero or one.
The asymmetrical carbon atoms in the oxirane ring or rings can have identical or different R or S configurations.
J. Optically active oxirane esters of the formula (XI)
in which the symbols and indices are as defined below:
is a center of chirality,
R1 is a straight-chain or branched alkyl radical having 1 to 22 or 3 to 22 carbon atoms respectively, in which, in addition, one or two non-adjacent xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 groups may be replaced by xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94Si(CH3)2xe2x80x94,
R2 R3 and R4 are identical or different and are H or a straight-chain or branched alkyl radical having 1 to 16 carbon atoms,
A1, A2 and A3 are identical or different and are 1,4-phenylene, in which one or two H atoms may be replaced by F, pyridine-2,5-diyl, in which one or two H atoms in each case may be replaced by F, pyrimidine-2,5-diyl, in which one or two H atoms may be replaced by F, trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, in which one or two H atoms may be replaced by xe2x80x94CN and/or xe2x80x94CH3, or 1,3,4-thiadiazole-2,5-diyl,
M1 and M2 are identical or different and are xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, and a, b, c, d and e are zero or one.
The asymmetrical carbon atoms in the oxirane ring can have identical or different R or S configurations.
K. Optically active dioxolane ethers of the formula (XII)
in which the symbols and indices are as defined below:
is a center of chirality,
R1 is a straight-chain or branched alkyl radical having 1 to 22 or 3 to 22 carbon atoms respectively, in which, in addition, one or two non-adjacent xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 groups may be replaced by xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94Si(CH3)2xe2x80x94,
R2 R3 and R4 are identical or different and are H, a straight-chain or branched alkyl radical having 1 to 16 or 3 to 10 carbon atoms respectively or an alkenyl radical having 2 to 16 carbon atoms, where R2 and R3 together may also be xe2x80x94(CH2)5xe2x80x94,
A1 A2 and A3 are identical or different and are 1,4-phenylene, in which one or two H atoms may be replaced by F, pyridine-2,5-diyl, in which one or two H atoms may be replaced by F, pyrimidine-2,5-diyl, in which one or two H atoms may be replaced by F, trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, in which one or two H atoms may be replaced by xe2x80x94CN and/or xe2x80x94CH3, or 1,3,4-thiadiazole-2,5-diyl,
M1 and M2 are identical or different and are xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, and
a, b, c, d and e are zero or one.
The asymmetrical carbon atoms in the dioxolane ring can have identical or different R or S configurations.
L. Optically active dioxolane esters of the formula (XIII)
in which the symbols and indices are as defined below:
is a center of chirality,
R1 is a straight-chain or branched alkyl radical having 1 to 16 or 3 to 16 carbon atoms respectively, in which, in addition, one or two non-adjacent xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 groups may be replaced by xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94,
R2, R3 and R4 are identical or different and are H or an alkyl or alkenyl radical having 1 to 10 or 2 to 10 carbon atoms respectively, where R2 and R3 together may also be xe2x80x94(CH2)5xe2x80x94,
A1, A2 and A3 are identical or different and are 1,4-phenylene, in which one or two H atoms may be replaced by F, pyridine-2,5-diyl, in which one or two H atoms may be replaced by F, pyrimidine-2,5-diyl, in which one or two H atoms may be replaced by F, trans-1,4-cyclohexylene, in which one or two H atoms may be replaced by xe2x80x94CN and/or xe2x80x94CH3, or 1,3,4-thiadiazole-2,5-diyl,
M1 and M2 are identical or different and are xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, and
a, b, c, d and e are zero or one.
The asymmetrical carbon atoms in the dioxolane ring can have identical or different R or S configurations.
M. Macrocyclic Compounds of the Formula (XIV)
in which
n is 0 or, and
Y is xe2x80x94CO-(t-butyl) or xe2x80x94CO-(adamantyl).
Such mixtures of low-molecular-weight and polymeric or oligomeric ferroelectric liquid crystals facilitate bistable displays which, owing to the content of low-molecular-weight compounds of, preferably, at least 50% by weight, but in particular between 60 and 95% by weight, can be operated at a sufficiently low switching voltage. The content of polymers or oligomers is selected so that defect lines are suppressed and a high switching angle is established. On the other hand, the polymer content is sufficiently low to facilitate a low switching voltage and low temperature dependence. Suitable low-molecular-weight FLC mixtures are also commercially available, for example (copyright)FELIX 13, 14, 15 and 17 (Hoechst AG, Frankfurt/Main, Germany), in particular (copyright)FELIX 17.
The polymeric or oligomeric liquid crystal consists of one or more ferroelectric polymers and/or oligomers. According to Rxc3x6mpps Chemie Lexikon [Rxc3x6mpp""s Lexicon of Chemistry], 9th Edn., Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart, 1989-92, oligomers are compounds in whose molecule only a few constitutional units of the same or different types are linked to one another and whose physical properties change significantly when the size of the molecule is changed by addition or removal of one or more of the constitutional unitsxe2x80x94in contrast to the polymer.
In general, the ferroelectric polymers are side-chain polymers. Suitable classes of compound are, for example, polyacrylates, polyethers, polysiloxanes and polyesters.
The polymers can be homopolymers or copolymers, where the term copolymers is not restricted merely to two different constitutional units.
Preferred polymers are those of the general formula (XV),
in which
is a polymer chain,
D is a spacer group,
M is a mesogenic group, and
b canalsobe 0.
Copolymers (b≈0) can be alternating (ordered), random or block copolymers.
The main polymer chain is preferably a polyacrylate, polymethacrylate, polyether, polysiloxane or polyester.
Various spacer groups D known to the person skilled in the art can be employed; for example, D is a group of the formula
(Y)f(Z)
in which the symbols and indices are as defined below:
Y is xe2x80x94COOxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94;
Z is a branched or unbranched alkyl group having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, in which one or more xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 groups may be replaced by xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94 and in which one or more H atoms may be replaced by F, and
f is 0 or 1.
The mesogenic group M is preferably a group of the formula (XVI),
(xe2x80x94A1xe2x80x94M1)a(xe2x80x94A2xe2x80x94M2)bxe2x80x94(xe2x80x94A3xe2x80x94M3)c(xe2x80x94A4)xe2x80x94R1
in which the symbols and indices are defined as follows:
R1 is optically active and is
a) a straight-chain or branched alkyl radical (with or without an asymmetrical carbon atom) having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, where
a1) one or more non-adjacent and non-terminal xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 groups may be replaced by xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94Si(CH3)2xe2x80x94, and/or
a2) one or more xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 groups may be replaced by xe2x80x94CH=CHxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Cxe2x89xa1Cxe2x80x94, cyclopropane-1,2-diyl, 1,4-phenylene, 1,4-cyclohexylene or 1,3-cyclopentylene, and/or
a3) one or more H atoms may be replaced by F and/or Cl, and/or
a4) the terminal xe2x80x94CH3 group may be replaced by one of the following chiral groups (optically active or racemic):
R3, R4, R5, R6 and R7 are identical or different and are
a) hydrogen
b) a straight-chain or branched alkyl radical (with or without an asymmetrical carbon atom) having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, where
b1) one or more non-adjacent and non-terminal xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 groups may be replaced by xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, and/or
b2) one or two xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 groups may be replaced by xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94,
c) R and R together may alternatively be xe2x80x94(CH2)4xe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94(CH2)5xe2x80x94 if they are bonded to an oxirane, dioxolane, tetrahydropyran, butyrolactone or valerolactone system;
M1, M2 and M3 are identical or different and are xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CSxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CSxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Cxe2x80x94Cxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94COxe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94CH2xe2x80x94 or a single bond;
A1, A2, A3 and A4 are identical or different and are 1,4-phenylene, in which one or more H atoms may be replaced by F, Cl and/or CN, pyrazine-2,5-diyl, in which one or two H atoms may be replaced by F, Cl and/or CN, pyridazine-3,6-diyl, in which one or two H atoms may be replaced by F, Cl and/or CN, pyridine-2,5-diyl, in which one or more H atoms may be replaced by F, Cl and/or CN, pyrimidine-2,5-diyl, in which one or two H atoms may be replaced by F, Cl and/or CN, 1,4-cyclohexylene, in which one or two H atoms may be replaced by CN and/or CH3 and/or F, 1,3,4-thiadiazole-2,5-diyl, 1,3-dioxane-2,5-diyl, 1,3-dithiane-2,5-diyl, 1,3-thiazole-2,4-diyl, in which one H atom may be replaced by F, Cl and/or CN, 1,3-thiazole-2,5-diyl, in which one H atom may be replaced by F, Cl and/or CN, thiophene-2,4-diyl, in which one H atom may be replaced by F, Cl and/or CN, thiophene-2,5-diyl, in which one or two H atoms may be replaced by F, Cl and/or CN, naphthalene-2,6-diyl, in which one or more H atoms may be replaced by F, Cl and/or CN, or 1,3-dioxaborinane-2,5-diyl;
a, b and c are 0 or 1; and the sum of a, b and c is 1, 2 or 3.
Preferred mesogenic groups are those of the formula Zxe2x80x94R1
in which Z is from the group consisting of
and
R1 is as defined above.
Particularly preferred main-chain structures are the following:
Q=(CH2)n, in which n=1 to 20, or 1,4-phenylene or naphthalene-2,6-diyl.
Very particular preference is given to polyacrylates.
Particularly preferred polymeric liquid crystals are the polymers disclosed in the following specifications:
These specifications are expressly incorporated herein by way of reference and through quoting thereof are regarded as part of the description.
The polymeric liquid crystal is very particularly preferably the following polyacrylate:
The polymeric, oligomeric and low-molecular-weight liquid-crystal components are prepared by methods known per se which are familiar to the person skilled in the art, as described, for example, in Houben-Wehl, Methoden der organischen Chemie [Methods of Organic Chemistry], Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart, or the publications cited therein.
The mixtures employed in accordance with the invention preferably comprise xe2x89xa750% by weight, particularly preferably from 60 to 95% by weight, very particularly preferably from 65 to 80% by weight, of the low-molecular-weight component. The mixture is prepared by methods known per se.
The display according to the invention is generally addressed directly or in multiplex mode (see, for example, Jean Dijon in Liquid Crystals, Application and Uses (Ed. B. Bahadur), Vol. 1, 1990, Chapter 13, pp. 305-360, or T. Harada, M. Taguchi, K. Iwasa, M. Kai, SID Digest, page 131 (1985)).
The plastic edges used are known and the majority are commercially available (for example Gemplus, http://www.gemplus.fr). They consist, for example, of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or ABS (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer).
The chip card according to the invention is suitable, for example, as a check card, electronic travel ticket or for pay TV. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
This invention relates to a vaccine and serum for immunization against, and treatment for, gram negative bacteria diseases. More specifically, this invention relates to a bacterial mutant of Salmonella enteritidis and its use in a combination vaccine to immunize mammals and birds against diseases caused by endotoxin producing gram negative bacteria in the taxonomic family Enterobacteriaceae. This invention also relates to a detoxified endotoxin immune modulator useful in the treatment of animals and men in combination with other antigens.
In the field of animal husbandry, endotoxin associated diseases pose serious animal health problems and consequently, represent an economic influence of significant proportion.
In horses, endotoxin-associated diseases include founder (i.e., laminitis), colic (i.e., abdominal crisis associated with dietary engorgement and other stressful phenomena such as abdominal obstruction, intestinal ischemia, Gram negative bacterial enteritis/diarrhea, intestinal malabsorption, transport stress, parturition, etc.) septic arthritis, and Gram negative intrautrine infections. Endotoxin-associated diseases in cattle include laminitis in both dairy and feedlot cattle, sudden death syndrome in feedlot cattle, mastitis in dairy cattle, and dysentery, white scours or colibacillosis, and Salmonella diarrhea in baby calves. Endotoxin-associated disease in swine include parturition dysagalactia (i.e., mammary gland failure related to Gram negative endometritis), intestinal edema disease, and baby pig Salmonella diarrhea. Salmonella diarrhea, hemorrhagic septicemia, infection of the air sacs and sinuses; and fowl cholera and other Pasteurelloses are examples of endotoxin-associated diseases of birds.
Previous treatment for endotoxin mediated and/or associated diseases has been retrospective (i.e., after development of clinical illness) and has been limited to cbemotherapeutic intervention. Prevention measures were not achieved with such treatment. Prior limited, definitive, vaccinal protection from Gram negative septicemia and/or endotoxemia has been accomplished only via (a) individualized vaccines comprised of autogenous bacterial isolates expressing various antigenic epitopes (K-antigens or O-carbohydrate side chains) or (b) live vaccines comprised of attenuated or deletion-modified, live bacterial isolates.
The major disadvantage of the current methodologies for treating endotoxin mediated and/or associated diseases is that such treatments are initiated only after clinical illness has developed, which frequently is after the disease has attained an irreversible state. The prior vaccinal protection for Gram negative septicemia and/or endotoxemia that has been reported for individualized vaccines comprised of autogenous bacterial isolates is not time, cost or production efficient because such vaccines are produced retrospectively, after disease has developed.
The primary disadvantages of the polyvalent vaccines comprised of multiple bacterial isolates expressing various antigenic epitopes (K-antigens or O-carbohydrate side chains) are that the bacterial isolates causing disease at any given time are subject to epidemiological shifts and/or drifts in antigenic epitopes causing a change in antigenic specificity and thus loss of protective efficacy. The K-antigens or O-carbohydrate side chains also are potent stimulators of immunoglobulin IgE which is responsible for undesirable anaphylactoid reactions in many animal species, especially the horse.
The primary disadvantages of live vaccines comprised of attenuated or deletion-modified bacterial isolates is that they have the potential for reversion to the wild-type parential strains and thus resumption of pathogenicity for vaccinated animals.
Accordingly, a long felt need exists for a vaccine and serum to immunize and treat against diseases caused by Gram negative bacteria and to overcome the deficiencies found in the prior art. One principal object of this invention is to meet this need. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an air-tool, and more particularly to a tool that is driven by a pneumatic actuator.
2. Description of Prior Art
In accordance with the conventional pneumatic actuator that takes compressed air as a power source, by means of a pneumatic rotary vane motor, output a twisting moment, as shown on FIG. 6, which comprises a main holder 40 having a container 41 holding a pneumatic cylinder 50, said pneumatic cylinder 50 has a chamber 52 with a rotor 60 mounted slightly off-centre, said rotor 60 is mounted on a bearing of a back cover-plate with one end, and a drive unit 70 with a spline shaft 61 to drive an output shaft drive rod 71 for connecting with variety socket heads or other tools to screw down or off bolt or to do other purposes.
Said rotor 60 of the air-tool has a symmetrical number of radial slots 62 fitted with sliding vanes 63, referring to FIG. 7, the compressed air in the main holder 40 enters the chamber 52 inside of the pneumatic cylinder 50 via inlets to push the sliding vanes 63 further to bring the rotor 60 into spinning with high-speed, by the high-speed spinning, the centrifugal force throws the vanes outward against the chamber wall so that the front face area is increased to generate the twisting power, the twisting moment is output through the spline shaft 61 to drive the drive rod 71 of the drive unit 70 output. But there are some shortcomings existing in above-mentioned conventional air-tool as follows:
1. As we know, the force of torsion on the rotor 60 has a direct relationship to the pressure of the compressed air P and the area of front face of the vanes 63, as F=P.times.A, obviously the force of the torsional force depends directly on the front face area as the area of the vane 63 extending out from the slot 62; in the still time, most of the vane 63 is hidden into the slot 62, just only a small area faces to the compressed air as primary time of starting, so the force of the twisting on the rotor 60 is not enough strong to drive the rotor rotating, hence a lag phase is often kept till the compressed air pushes almost all the vanes 63 to increase the force on the rotor 60; PA1 2. Due to the round surface of the rotor master shaft, the front face area just only is the area of the vane 63 extending out from the slot 62, so the rotor master shaft is only to increase the weight further to increase the resistance moment as starting; PA1 3. Because some viscous lubricating-oil is coated between the slots 62 and the sliding vanes 63, in the starting time, the rotor 60 rotates under a lower-speed, the centrifugal force is not enough to throw the vanes 63 outward, adding the viscosity resistance of the lubricating-oil, the sliding vanes 63 can not rapidly slide out to increase the front face area, this is a sake of causing the lag phase of running; PA1 4. For increasing the front face area to improve the outputting torsional force, some designers believe that increasing the number of the vanes 63 on the rotor 60 can solve the problem, but when the number increases over a proper amount, it not only can not obtain more twisting force, but also the vanes are unable to stand under a high torsion moment, because along with increasing the number, the width of the slot 62 and the thickness of the vane 63 are decreasing so that the intensities of the vanes 63 and the rotor 60 are reduced; PA1 5. Due to above-described increasing the number of the vanes 63, the space length between the vanes 63 is so small that the effective front face area of the vanes 63 is reduced, the output twisting moment is reduced too; PA1 6. As above-described, when the rotor 60 spins under a high-speed, the ends of the sliding vanes 63 are thrown against the chamber 52 wall by the centrifugal force, and sliding on it to wear the chamber wall under the friction; along with increasing the number of the vanes 63, the friction are increasing too, therefore the service life of the chamber 52 and the vanes 63 will be shorted relatively; PA1 7. A bit of moistness and dirty dust will be carried into the compressed air entering into the chamber 52 to heap upon the joint gap between the vanes 63 and the slot 62 over a long time so that the vanes 63 will be blocked in the slots 62. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
The present invention relates to a method of controlling an internal combustion engine and more particularly to a method of controlling rapid combustion and/or knock (hereafter called `knock`) in such an engine.
The difference between normal and knocking combustion in an internal combustion engine may be described as the difference between the air/fuel mixture burning and it exploding. The consequences of severe or prolonged knocking in an engine are potential piston, valve or combustion chamber damage, and a reduced engine life. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
A variety of techniques exist to map the geometry of an environment and objects within the environment and/or to determine the location of objects of interest within the environment. These methods can include applying one or more patterns of illumination to the environment (e.g., an array of vertical and/or horizontal lines of illumination) and imaging the environment, using one or more cameras, when exposed to such illumination. Additionally or alternatively, a particular object within the environment could include a tag configured to detect the emitted illumination and the location of the tag could be determined based on the detected illumination. In a further example, a particular object within the environment could include a tag configured to emit illumination and/or to reflect illumination, and the location of the tag could be determined by imaging the environment with one or more cameras. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to a lawn mower having at least one rotary cutting blade and an internal combustion engine for operating the at least one cutting blade. A typical lawn mower is generally designed for operation on a substantially horizontal surface, while inclination of the mower on various surface slopes is also possible. Thus, in what could be considered to be a normal position of the mower, or a horizontal position, the internal combustion engine would generally be considered to be vertical. In this normal position, the engine could essentially be considered to have a vertical crankshaft, at least one overhead camshaft and a transmission disposed between the crankshaft and the at least one camshaft to operate the crankshaft and camshaft in a predetermined synchronization with respect to one another. The transmission can essentially be considered to define a plane of movement, inside a transmission chamber, and perpendicular to the crankshaft axis.
2. Background Information
In general, a lawn mower, such as a walk behind lawn mower, is powered by what could be considered to be a small drive motor, such as a motor having only a single cylinder. Such small drive motors can also be used for operating various other devices, such as, for example, motorized bicycles (mopeds), portable generators, etc. For such small drive motors, a precise control of the valve timings is needed to activate the intake and exhaust valves. For this purpose, overhead camshafts, i.e. camshafts which are mounted so that they can rotate in the cylinder head, are being used to an increasing extent to directly or indirectly activate the intake and exhaust valves located in the cylinder head. A transmission between the camshaft and the crankshaft provides the required drive energy, and also provides the required synchronization of the rotation of the camshaft with the rotation of the crankshaft.
In many applications of an internal combustion engines, the drive shaft driven by the engine is oriented vertically. As discussed above, one example of such an application is a rotary lawn mower. But in this case, the vertical orientation is not always maintained, and there can be a corresponding inclination of the drive shaft as a function of the slope of the ground. With regard to the simplest possible construction and high efficiency, and to eliminate losses due to friction, a direct coupling of the crankshaft of the drive engine to the drive shaft, with the interposition of a simple spur gear, is of great advantage. The crankshaft then also assumes a vertical orientation, or an orientation more or less oriented toward the vertical, depending on the slope of the ground.
The at least one "overhead" camshaft in such a configuration can extend laterally and axially parallel to the axis of the crankshaft. To guarantee reliable operation, in particular at high operating temperatures and high engine speeds, provision must be made for continuous lubrication of the camshaft.
German Patent No. DE 40 15 610 A1 discloses an internal combustion engine of the type described above, on which there is an oil pump in the vicinity of the bottom bearing point of the crankshaft. The oil pump can thus provide positive lubrication, both of the crankshaft connecting rod bearing which is subjected to a particularly severe load, and also of the top bearing point of the overhead camshaft mounted in the cylinder head. For this purpose, the oil pump is connected to a passage in the crankshaft which has both a discharge hole to the connecting rod bearing, and also, in the vicinity of the upper end of the crankshaft, makes a transition into cooling passages of a hollow disk flywheel connected to the crankshaft. The cooling passages in turn empty into a cooling passage which runs parallel to the cylinder axis, inside the hollow cylinder wall which surrounds the piston. This cooling passage has both a discharge point which empties into the crankshaft chamber, and also a discharge point which leads to the upper camshaft bearing. The oil which is discharged from this bearing can flow downward along the camshaft, thereby also lubricating the cam surfaces, as well as the transmission formed by a belt drive between the camshaft and the crankshaft. In this manner, the bottom camshaft bearing can also receive sufficient lubricating oil. The lubricating oil flowing back is collected in a separate, obviously lower-lying oil pan, and is returned to the oil pump.
The positive lubrication of this internal combustion engine requires a complex and expensive construction.
European Patent EP-0 487 960 A1 discloses an engine with an overhead camshaft and a vertically-oriented crankshaft, in which the transmission, consisting of a belt transmission, lies at the upper end of the crankshaft and camshaft. Such a configuration essentially also requires a forced lubrication system for the upper crankshaft bearing and for the upper camshaft bearing. The oil which is transported to the upper bearings can then drip from the upper bearings to lubricate both the cam surfaces and the lower camshaft bearing, and then flow back to an oil reservoir annulus surrounding the crankshaft and housing the oil pump. Because of the upper position of the transmission, the transmission itself does not come into contact with the lubricating oil.
Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,126 discloses an internal combustion engine for a lawn mower which does not use an overhead camshaft, but instead uses a camshaft mounted in the crankshaft chamber. | {
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1. Field
Embodiments relate to timing alignment of remote radio heads (RRH) with macro base stations in overlaid macro cell heterogeneous wireless networks.
2. Related Art
Heterogeneous wireless networks (HetNets) are deployments of cells with differing coverage radii within a single geographic area. A typical configuration is one where macro (e.g., large) cells provide contiguous coverage over the area while pico, femto or metro (e.g., small) cells cover smaller areas that are associated with either traffic hot spots or coverage holes. When both the macro cells and metro cells share the same carrier frequency, the deployment is called a co-channel or shared-carrier deployment.
For example, a HetNet may include macro base stations (BSs) and metro BSs. Macro BSs provide wireless coverage for user equipment (UEs) within the macro cells which may cover large geographical areas, while metro BSs may provide wireless coverage for UEs located in the metro cells which may cover smaller geographical areas within the coverage area of a macro BS. Parameters needed to configure BSs within HetNets include patterns for and allocation of an almost blank subframe (ABS). | {
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The present invention relates generally to electrical switching and control, and, more particularly, to apparatus enabling an electrically switched load, including a load operated using a dimmer function, to be relocated to another location where power is available.
The rooms in many homes are illuminated with ceiling lights, which are efficient in terms of coverage, but often cast harsh shadows or make the room seem small. Often times rooms can be made more appealing with floor or table lamps used to create particular functional areas or moods. Accordingly, some homes are built in such a way than when one enters a room and turns on the lightswitch, a wall outlet is powered at the same time or instead of a ceiling fixture, enabling the lightswitch to control a floor or table lamp for a higher degree of ambiance.
Unless the structure is already wired to switch a wall outlet upon entry into a particular room, the options for utilizing floor or table lamps instead of overhead fixtures are limited or difficult to implement. Often the resident simply turns on the overhead lamp, and uses the light produced to switch on one or more floor or table lamps, then, using the light which they provide, go back and turn off the overhead lamp. Although this is inconvenient, it produces the desired effect. Alternatively, the homeowner can have particular rooms rewired for switched wall outlets, but this necessitates a great degree of inconvenience and expense. Thus, an economical, easily implemented mechanism for relocating a switched electrical connection, such as a ceiling outlet, to a wall outlet, would therefore be welcomed by numerous homeowners, home builders, architects, interior decorators, and others.
The present invention provides a wireless transmitter associated with a switched electrical connection, and a receiver adapted for connection in an electrical path between the source of power and a load, enabling the load to be controlled by the switch originally used to control the switched electrical connection. The communication between the transmitter and receiver may be realized only when power is applied or removed from the switched connection, or, alternatively, this communication may be carried out on a per-cycle basis, enabling a phase-delay type of control over the relocated load, including dimming of the relocated load without requiring modification to a previously installed dimmer switch.
Electrical switched-load relocation apparatus according to the invention includes a transmitter module in electrical communication with the switched electrical connection, the transmitter module being operative to radiate a signal when electrical power is applied to tile connection, and a receive module disposed in an electrical path between a source of electrical power and an electrical load, the receiver being operative to route power from the source to the load in response to the signal radiated by the transmitter. The signal radiated by the transmitter may be of acoustic or electro-magnetic origin.
More particularly, the transmitter module includes means for making electrical contact to a switched electrical connection, and means for transmitting a wireless signal in response to the application of electrical power to the switched electrical connection, and the receiver module includes means for making electrical contact to a source of electrical power, means for making contact to an electrical load, and means for routing electrical power from the source to the load in response to the signal transmitted by the transmitter module. The means for making electrical contact to the switched electrical connection may take on many forms, including a set of exposed wires, a plug to be inserted into a switched electrical outlet, or a threaded base to be inserted into a switched electrical socket. The means for making electrical contact to a source of electrical power may adopt many forms as well, including a see of exposed wires, a plug to be inserted into an electrical outlet, a threaded base to be inserted into an electrical socket. The means for making contact to an electrical load may includes an electrical outlet into which a load having a plug may be inserted or an electrical socket into which a load having a threaded base may be installed. | {
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The present inventions pertains to a paper stop or abutment for the edge of an inclined table or similar surface for preventing papers and similar materials from sliding off the surface and, in particular, to a repositionable paper stop which may be manually inverted to move from an active to an inactive position.
It is well known to provide inclined planar working surfaces, such as desks, tables, lecterns and the like with a raised lower edge portion to retain papers, books, writing implements and the like from sliding or rolling off the inclined surface. Many such paper stops or similar abutments are permanently attached to the edge of the planar surface and, as a result, sometimes interfere with the effective use of the surface, as for drawing or writing, by presenting an obstruction to the flush placement of the user's arms on the surface. As a result, it is known to provide the inclined or tiltable surface of a table, desk or the like with a movable or repositionable paper stop which can be moved between a paper retaining position and an inactive position where the stop does not extend above the inclined or tiltable surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,986,193 discloses a paper stop which is slidably mounted in a slot in the table top against the bias of compression springs which normally bias the stop bar upwardly into an active position above the surface of the table, but which may be manually depressed downwardly into the slot under the weight of the user's arm. An alternate embodiment provides a continuous elastically yieldable strip which is compressible under the weight of the user's arm.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,437,411 shows a paper stop which is movable vertically between flush and raised positions with respect to the table surface and in which the stop is held in either position by horizontal pins extending from the edge of the table through slots in the stop bar.
U.S. Patent No. 1,314,060 shows a stop bar in the form of a strip which is rotatably attached to the front edge of a drawing board or table for rotation about a center pivot to present either a top edge raised above the table surface or a top edge flush with the table surface.
The first above-identified patent requires the active engagement by the arms of the user to depress the paper stop, and the other two patents require special pinned connections to facilitate movement of the stop bar between its active and inactive positions. Further, the two last mentioned patents include stop bars which are attached to the front edge face of the table and, in their inactive positions, extend below the undersurface of the table. | {
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Microbial outgrowth is a primary concern in the food processing industry and amongst consumers. The presence of pathogenic microorganisms on food products can potentially lead to food-borne outbreaks of disease.
Chlorine-based chemicals such as sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, sodium dichloroisocyanurate and quaternary ammonium compounds have been employed for disinfecting food products in the past. However, chlorine is most effective at a pH of 6 to 8, and becomes less effective outside of this pH range. Also, chlorine can produce toxic byproducts that are harmful to human health, such as chloramines and trihalomethanes.
As a result of this, the European Union has imposed a bar against the use of chlorine compounds for disinfecting food produce, as specified by the EU Directive 2092/91. There has consequently been a concerted effort to improve technology employing non-chlorine based products for the treatment of food products to disinfect them. This has resulted in an increased interest in the disinfecting properties of ozone. The use of ozone for disinfecting food has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
It is noted that ozone is reported to have about 1.5 times the oxidizing potential of chlorine with contact times for the anti-microbial action of ozone being typically four to five times less than that of chlorine.
Ozone has been shown to be a highly reactive oxidant that is capable of killing microorganisms such as bacteria as well as reacting with other chemicals such as pesticides and herbicides. Of course, a major advantage of ozone is its natural decomposition into oxygen and thus its use in disinfecting food products is highly beneficial as it decomposes into a non-toxic gas. It therefore does not impart odour to, or taint, food products and no residual compounds or toxic residue remain. Rinse water can be discharged to the environment or used for other applications without additional treatment or decontamination.
In prior art disinfecting processes known to applicant to use ozone, venturi injection systems and bubble diffusers have been used to mix ozone into water. In the case of venturi injectors, water is forced through a convergent conical body, initiating a pressure differential between the inlet and the outlet of the system. This creates a vacuum inside the body of the injector, thereby initiating a flow of ozone rich air through a suction port.
As regards bubble diffusers, ozone rich air is emitted in bubbles beneath the surface of the water. Irrespective of the problems further identified below, bubble diffusers suffer from an inherent disadvantage in that diffuser holes frequently become fouled over time thereby decreasing the efficiency of the system.
In both instances, ozone is dissolved into the water, typically from an ozone rich air, and an appreciable proportion of the sterilizing ability of the ozone may be spent in sterilizing the water itself. This leaves a reduced amount of ozone available for effective disinfecting of the ultimate target that may be fresh produce, for example.
Furthermore, these prior art systems appear to allow free gaseous ozone to be released into the atmosphere in higher concentrations than is permitted by regulatory standards. It is to be noted that free ozone in the air is harmful when it exceeds predetermined concentrations.
In this regard it is to be noted that in the European Union, the current target value for ozone concentrations is reported to be 120 μg/m3 which is about 60 nmol/mol. This target applies to all member states in accordance with Directive 2008/50/EC although there is no date set for formalizing this as a requirement and it is treated as a long-term objective. In the USA, in May 2008, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lowered its ozone standard from 80 nmol/mol to 75 nmol/mol. This was done in spite of the fact that the Agency's own scientists and advisory board had recommended lowering the standard to 60 nmol/mol. The EPA has developed an Air Quality Index to help explain air pollution levels to the general public and presently the current standards describe an eight-hour average ozone mole fraction of 85 to 104 nmol/mol as “unhealthy for sensitive groups”; 105 nmol/mol to 124 nmol/mol as “unhealthy”; and 125 nmol/mol to 404 nmol/mol as “very unhealthy”. The World Health Organization recommends 51 nmol/mol.
Excess ozone in the air is therefore quite undesirable and it is important that any disinfecting device using ozone as its active disinfecting medium should not release any appreciable quantities of ozone into the atmosphere, whilst providing an effective concentration to destroy target bacteria etc.
In our earlier international patent application identified above, the proposal for sensing water flow through a mixer was to monitor the increase in pressure in the mixer when water was applied under pressure to the mixer. This expedient did not operate effectively and alternative controls needed to be investigated. | {
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Contact-less tags, such as radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, are becoming increasingly commonplace in various commercial applications, two non-limiting examples of which include access control and inventory management.
An RFID tag affixed to an item stores a code (e.g., a bit pattern) that is output in contact-less fashion to a reader, either in response to a request from the reader or autonomously by the tag. The reader captures the bit pattern and then an action may be taken, depending on the commercial application at hand. For example, in an access control scenario, the captured bit pattern may reveal that the person presumed to be carrying the tag (by virtue of an association with the bit pattern) is—or is not—authorized to enter a building or operate a vehicle. In an inventory management scenario, the bit pattern may give an indication of items contained on a pallet, for example, which may result in certain decisions being taken regarding shipping or storage of these items.
In both cases, the ease with which an RFID tag may be read by a reader enables rapid processing but also may lead to problems. In the access control scenario, for example, an RFID tag of an individual authorized to access certain property may be interrogated and then the bit pattern cloned for use by an impostor to gain what is in fact unauthorized access to such property. Similarly, in the inventory management scenario, an acquired knowledge of the bit pattern associated with a certain item may allow a malicious party to gain intelligence about inventory locations that the item's rightful owner (which may include the manufacturer all the way down to the retail customer) may wish to keep secret.
In both of the above scenarios, it is apparent that what is relevant to a malicious party is the knowledge that a certain bit pattern output by a certain RFID tag will either give access to property or indicate the presence of a specific inventory item. Whether the bit pattern is itself an encrypted version of some original data is actually of no relevance to the malicious party. Thus, schemes based on straightforward encryption of the bit pattern do not mitigate the problems mentioned above.
Against this background, there is clearly a need in the industry for a contact-less tag having improved properties. | {
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Most individuals buy and use a hair shampoo for its cleansing properties. In addition to clean hair, the consumer also desires sufficiently-conditioned hair that holds a preset configuration. However, present-day hair shampoos generally are formulated with highly-effective synthetic surfactants, like anionic surfactants, that primary clean, as opposed to conditioning, the hair. Therefore, it is not surprising that hair shampoos usually neither help detangle wet hair nor impart any residual hair conditioning benefits to dry hair, such as the manageability or styleability of hair sets.
Consequently, after shampooing, the hair normally is left in a cosmetically-unsatisfactory state because an anionic surfactant-based hair shampoo composition not only removes all of the dirt and soil from the hair, but also removes essentially all of the sebum that is naturally present on the surface of the hair fibers. Therefore, the properties of anionic surfactants that effectively cleanse the hair also serve to leave the hair in a cosmetically-unsatisfactory condition. In general therefore, shampooing the hair with a hair shampoo composition including anionic surfactants, leaves the hair, after rinsing with water, with an undesirable harsh, dull and dry touch or feel, usually called "creak".
As a result, thoroughly cleansed hair is extremely difficult to comb, in either the wet or dry stage, because the individual hair fibers tend to snarl, kink and interlock with each other. In addition, incompletely dried hair, such as hair dried with a towel, has poor brushing properties. Then, after complete drying, the hair does not set well, and the combing or brushing property of the dried hair remains poor. The dried hair also has undesirable electrostatic properties in a low humidity atmosphere that cause the hair to "fly away", thereby further reducing the brushing property of the hair. The unsatisfactory combing or brushing property of freshly-shampooed hair also causes hair damage, such as split ends or hair breakage. In addition, the natural luster and resiliency of the hair is reduced.
Accordingly, freshly-shampooed hair usually requires a post-shampoo hair treatment with a conditioning composition to improve the unsatisfactory physical and cosmetic condition of the hair. A conditioning composition normally is applied separately from the hair shampoo, and usually is a rinse or a cream-like lotion containing a cationic compound. Therefore, investigators have sought hair shampoo compositions that both cleanse the hair and leave the hair in a cosmetically-satisfactory state, such that the subsequent treatment with a conditioner composition can be avoided.
Consequently, investigations were directed at providing a composition that behaves both as a shampoo and as a hair conditioner. However, the resulting shampoo-conditioner compositions possessed several disadvantages. For example, it is known in the art that anionic surfactants are suitable hair cleansers, and that, in many instances, cationic surfactants and cationic polymers are suitable hair conditioners. However, the major difficulty encountered by investigators is the inherent incompatibility between an anionic surfactant and a cationic surfactant or cationic polymer. Consequently, contact between the anionic surfactant and the cationic surfactant or cationic polymer either produces an intractable precipitate that forms immediately, or causes an interaction between the anionic and cationic components that significantly reduces their respective cleansing and conditioning properties. The reduction in cleansing and conditioning effectiveness also is observed in compositions wherein the anionic and cationic components do not precipitate from the composition but remain in solution or in a suspended state. This incompatibility between an anionic compound and a cationic compound is well recognized by workers skilled in the art. For example, Sagarin in Cosmetics, Interscience Publishers, Inc., New York, p. 538, 1956, states that anionic and cationic compound cannot be used in combination because they react to form insoluble salts. Thus, in practice, consumer needs traditionally have been met by applying a nonsubstantive, anionic surfactant-based shampoo to the hair to cleanse the hair, then rinsing the hair, followed by applying a conditioner composition including a substantive cationic compound to the hair to condition the hair.
While numerous shampoos including a substantive cationic hair conditioner have been disclosed, such shampoos have not been totally satisfactory because of the compatibility problems between anionic cleansing surfactants and cationic conditioning compounds. This compatibility problem has caused workers in the field to examine other surfactants such as nonionics, amphoterics and zwitterionics as a total or partial replacement for the anionic cleansing surfactant. However, the nonionic, amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants are inferior cleansing surfactants compared to the anionic surfactants.
To avoid the anionic-cationic compatibility problems inherent in a conditioning shampoo that includes an anionic cleansing surfactant and a substantive cationic conditioning compound, to increase the degree of conditioning imparted to the hair, and to maintain the cleansing efficiency of the hair shampoo, investigators sought other classes of compounds that were substantive to the hair and that imparted improved conditioning properties to the hair. These compounds usually are water-insoluble compounds and are nonionic in character. Exemplary compounds include the silicone conditioning agents, the hydrocarbon conditioning agents, the fatty esters and the fatty alcohols including about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms. However, although these compounds avoided the anionic-cationic compatibility problems, these compounds presented the problems of formulating a stable composition that resisted phase separation over the normal life of the product, that effectively delivered the conditioning agent to shampooed hair, and that generated a sufficient foam level for consumer acceptance.
Shampoo-conditioner compositions including silicones have been disclosed in several patents, including U.S. Pat. No. 2,826,551 to Green; U.S. Pat. No. 3,964,500 to Drakoff; U.S. Pat. No. 4,364,837 to Pader; British Pat. No. 849,433 to Woolston; U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,855 to Grote, et al.; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,788,006 and 4,902,499 to Bolich, Jr. et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,272 to Oh et al.
A particularly difficult problem encountered in silicone-containing conditioning shampoos is maintaining a dispersed, insoluble silicone material suspended in stable form, while retaining the cleansing and conditioning performance of the conditioning shampoo product. A variety of materials have been proposed for inclusion in silicone-containing conditioning shampoos for purposes of thickening and stabilization such as xanthan gum, long chain acyl derivatives, long chain amide oxides, and long chain alkanolamides, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,788,006; 4,704,272; and 4,741,855.
Therefore, because hair shampoo compositions are predominantly anionic in character, the incorporation of a substantive cationic compound into an anionic shampoo composition is difficult because of the inherent incompatibility between anionic and cationic surfactants. Similarly, the incorporation of a water-insoluble conditioning agent into an anionic shampoo composition is difficult because of the inherent phase instability between the aqueous-based shampoo and the water-insoluble conditioning agent. Nevertheless, a conditioning shampoo composition is desirable because of the convenience such a combination product offers to the consumer. In such a conditioning shampoo composition, the anionic surfactant acts to rid the hair and scalp of dirt, surface film, debris, and the like, while the water-insoluble conditioning compound deposits on the hair to provide conditioning benefits, such as manageability, shine and texture.
Until the composition and method of the present invention, it has proven very difficult to provide a stable hair conditioning shampoo composition because of the inherent chemical incompatibility between cationic and anionic surfactants, and because of the phase instability of an aqueous composition including a water-insoluble conditioning agent. In accordance with an important feature of the present invention, a particular class of anionic emulsifying surfactants and a water-insoluble conditioning agent are incorporated into a conditioning shampoo composition wherein the composition effectively resists phase separation, and wherein the water-insoluble conditioning agent is effectively deposited on the shampooed hair. The conditioning shampoo, including both an anionic cleansing surfactant and a water-insoluble nonionic conditioning agent, therefore, is utilized to clean the hair and, essentially simultaneously, to impart conditioning properties to the hair.
In accordance with an important feature of the present invention, an anionic emulsifying surfactant depicted by general structural formula (I), e.g., a carboxylated surfactant, is present not only to help cleanse the hair, but also to act, in conjunction with the polyhydric compound, as an emulsifying composition to emulsify the water-insoluble conditioning agent. Furthermore, it has been found that a phase stable conditioning shampoo is provided by the method of preparing the conditioning shampoo of the present invention. In particular, by first preparing a gel including the anionic emulsifying surfactant depicted by general structural formula (I), the polyhydric compound and the water-insoluble conditioning agent, followed by admixing the gel with an aqueous solution of the anionic cleansing surfactant and the suspending agent, a stable emulsion that resists phase separation and that effectively cleanses and conditions the hair, essentially simultaneously, is provided.
Other investigators have disclosed using a preblended gel to incorporate a water-insoluble compound into an aqueous emulsion. For example, Yamada et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,379,755, disclose a gel composition including a hydrophilic sucrose fatty acid ester, a polyhydric alcohol and an oil, that provides a phase stable emulsion after dilution with water. Yamada et al. teach the emulsification of a water-insoluble compound utilizing a blend of a nonionic sucrose fatty acid ester and a polyhydric alcohol. Yamada et al. do not teach or suggest solubilizing a water-insoluble compound in a blend of an anionic emulsifying surfactant depicted by general structural formula (I) and a polyhydric alcohol, then diluting the preblended gel with an aqueous solution of a suspending agent and anionic cleansing surfactant to provide an emulsified composition that effectively resists phase separation and that essentially simultaneously cleanses and conditions the hair.
The need for an effective and stable conditioning shampoo composition that cleanses the hair and conditions the hair, i.e., renders the hair more manageable, in a single hair treatment has long been recognized in the art. Accordingly, although conditioning compositions for application to previously-shampooed hair are well known, only recently have conditioning shampoo compositions become available. For example, some conditioning shampoo compositions are specially formulated for mildness, and accordingly low detergency, in order to leave a portion of the natural oils on the hair shaft. However, hair treated with this type of composition becomes greasy, dirty looking and dirty feeling relatively quickly.
Another difficulty encountered in preparing this type of conditioning shampoo composition has been achieving a stable composition without destroying the delicate balance of conditioning, cleansing, consumer appeal, esthetic properties and other functional properties. Surprisingly and unexpectedly, although a composition of the present invention includes both an anionic cleansing surfactant and a nonionic water-insoluble conditioning agent compound, e.g., a silicone or hydrocarbon, the composition is sufficiently phase stable, lathers sufficiently, cleanses the hair and imparts conditioning properties to the hair without a greasy feeling, while maintaining excellent physical and esthetic properties for consumer appeal.
Therefore, the present invention relates to a conditioning shampoo composition for cleansing the hair and for imparting improved physical and cosmetic properties to the hair, such as improved combing properties, luster and manageability. It is known that anionic surfactants are suitable for shampooing the hair, and that certain water-insoluble nonionic compounds are useful for conditioning the hair. In addition, combining an anionic cleansing surfactant and a nonionic water-insoluble conditioning agent in a conditioning composition has proven difficult because of the phase instability resulting from the water-insoluble conditioning compound. In accordance with an important feature of the present invention, anionic surfactants can be combined with a water-insoluble nonionic conditioning agent, like a silicone or a hydrocarbon conditioning compound, to provide a stable and effective conditioning shampoo composition. As manufactured, the composition is metastable, wherein the term "metastable composition" is defined as a composition that is sufficiently stable to resist phase separation during storage; but, upon application to the hair, deposits a sufficient amount of water-insoluble conditioning components onto the hair shaft to withstand rinsing from the hair during the shampooing and rinsing process, and thereby impart conditioning properties to the hair.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a conditioning shampoo composition, including a nonsubstantive and high-foaming anionic cleansing surfactant and a combination of an anionic emulsifying surfactant and a nonionic water-insoluble hair conditioning component, that simultaneously cleanses the hair and imparts desirable physical and cosmetic properties to the hair. After shampooing the hair with the conditioning shampoo composition of the present invention, the hair is combed easily when wet and the hair possesses satisfactory cosmetic properties when dry, including, in particular, elasticity, body, sheen and manageability. In contrast to prior compositions, wherein cationic conditioning compounds were blended primarily with amphoteric surfactants, the conditioning shampoo composition of the present invention includes a nonionic, water-insoluble conditioning agent; an anionic emulsifying surfactant; and an anionic cleansing surfactant to cleanse the hair. Surprisingly, the particular class of anionic emulsifying surfactant utilized in the present invention, in conjunction with the polyhydric compound, effectively emulsifies the water-insoluble conditioning agent, thereby precluding phase separation, and in addition, assists the anionic cleansing surfactant cleanse the hair. Therefore, the stability and incompatibility problems normally encountered when a water-insoluble conditioning agent and anionic surfactant are present in the same aqueous composition have been overcome.
The need for stable shampoo compositions that also condition the hair, e.g., renders the hair more manageable, has long been recognized in the art. The present invention is directed to such a stable conditioning shampoo composition, wherein the aqueous composition includes an anionic cleansing surfactant; a water-insoluble hair conditioning agent, like a silicone compound or a hydrocarbon compound; an emulsifying composition comprising a polyhydric compound and an anionic emulsifying surfactant depicted by the general structural formula (I): EQU R.sub.1 --O--(A).sub.x --CH.sub.2 --Y.sup.- M.sup.+, (I)
wherein R.sub.1 is an alkyl or an aralkyl group including about 6 to about 22 carbon atoms, A is an alkylene oxide moiety wherein the alkylene group includes one to about four carbon atoms, x is a number in the range of 4 to about 50, Y is sulfate, sulfonate, carbonate or carboxylate, and M is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, ammonium, an alkylammonium or a hydroxyalkylammonium, wherein the alkyl group includes one to about four carbon atoms; and a suspending agent, wherein the conditioning shampoo composition effectively resists phase separation and effectively delivers the water-insoluble conditioning agent to the hair.
A composition of the present invention is sufficiently stable to resist phase separation, yet is able to impart conditioning properties to shampooed hair, even though a water-insoluble conditioning agent is present in the aqueous composition. The composition demonstrates an excellent ability to deposit the water-insoluble conditioning agent on the hair because the emulsified water-insoluble conditioning agent is present in the composition in a particle size that is sufficiently large to deposit on the hair, yet is sufficiently small to resist phase separation. Therefore, and in accordance with the present invention, the hair is cleansed and, essentially simultaneously, hair conditioning properties are imparted to the hair by a method of contacting the hair with an aqueous composition comprising an anionic cleansing surfactant, a water-insoluble conditioning agent, an emulsifying composition including a polyhydric compound and an anionic emulsifying surfactant depicted by general structural formula (I), and a suspending agent. The stable composition results from both the particular ingredients included in the composition and the method of preparing the composition. The composition of the present invention both cleanses the hair and conditions the hair to provide more manageable and esthetically-pleasing hair in a single application of the shampoo-conditioner composition to the hair. | {
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The present invention concerns modular molds for making containers, and more particularly to modular molds for making a hot fill bottle which allows height and volume adjustments without requiring metal modifications of the mold sections.
A container, such as a biaxially-oriented PET beverage bottle, may be adapted to receive a hot-fill product with a minimum of thermal shrinkage and distortion. However, the bottle making and filling processes include many parameters which affect the product volume in the finished container. Thus, the final fill volume can be a function of: the metal dimensions of the blow mold, the mold process time, the mold operating temperature, the preform/bottle material distribution, the bottle age and storage conditions prior to filling (e.g., time, temperature, etc.), the filling line speed, the product fill temperature, the product fill pressure, and the time spent between the filler, capper and spray cooler. Changing any one of these parameters may have a significant effect on the final product volume, which is strictly controlled on the minimum side in order to comply with government labeling requirements and on the maximum side to avoid the undue expense of overfilling with excess product.
It would be desirable, everytime a bottle making or filling process parameter is changed, to avoid machining new mold pieces in order to achieve the desired fill volume. In addition, it would be desirable to make custom bottles for different product lines without having to completely redesign the mold.
It is known to split a bottle making mold above and below the vacuum panel section for making a bottle of the type described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,863,046 entitled "Hot Fill Container," which issued Sep. 5, 1989 to Collette et al. In the known mold, a removable shoulder section provides custom flexibility above the label panel, and a shim is provided for varying the height (and thus the volume of the bottle) of the lower glue land----a cylindrical section located below the vacuum panels and above the base and to which adhesive is applied for attaching the label. However, this creates a glue land imbalance (since the upper glue land is not similarly extended) which may hinder a smooth attachment of the label, and the allowable height of the shim is severely limited by this glue land imbalance as well as by the required height of the vacuum panels. Increasing the bottle height without a similar increase to the height of the vacuum panel results in excess bottle vacuum as the product cools (and contracts) and the risk of vacuum collapse. Thus, the volume and height adjustability with this known modular mold is quite limited.
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved modular mold which solves the foregoing problems. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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In molecular diagnosis, the target DNA or RNA sequences in a sample are frequently at very low concentrations, which can be around or below the detection limit of available clinical diagnostic methods. This renders the analysis of these samples unreliable, or impossible. Currently, the detection limit of available methods is at the level about 105 copies of the target sequence in a sample. However, a concentration of certain DNA and RNA sequences in a sample substantially below this level can be clinically significant.
The well-known PCR method was developed for solving this specific problem. In general, PCR based assays increase the concentration of a target sequence from its original concentration in the sample, and subsequently measure the target sequence after the amplification. However, PCR based assays have complicated and lengthy sample preparation process, and require highly trained laboratory personals. The PCR based assays typically require up to 24 hours to obtain the analysis results.
It is desirable to be able to enhance the detectable signals of low concentration nucleic acids and to reduce the current detection limits without amplifying the concentration of the target sequence. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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For producing building-material coatings, frequently building-material coating agents are used which contain mineral binders such as cement or hydrated lime, fillers, such as sand or gravel, and optionally other additives. In order to improve the mechanical properties of the building-material coatings, fibers can be introduced, for example in the form of woven fabrics. For instance, in DE-A 2516916 or in DE-A 4216204, the production of building-material coatings is described in which, first, cement-based mortar mixtures are applied to a substrate and, in a separate step, woven fiber fabrics or nonwoven fiber fabrics, such as, for example, glass fiber fabrics or fiberglass gratings, are embedded in the mortar layer. This procedure requires, however, conceptually many working steps for applying the mortar layer and the fibers and is therefore complex.
In contrast, it is less complex to use fibers as a component of the building-material coating agent for producing fiber-reinforced building-material coatings. However, this procedure is limited, since building-material coating agents having relatively high contents of fibers or having relatively long fibers, for example longer than 10 mm, are not processable by the previously known methods, i.e. are not transportable, for example are not pumpable, or have an inhomogeneous distribution of the fibers in the building-material coating agents (what is termed “formation pockets”), which has disadvantageous effects on the properties of the building-material coatings. In order to be able to process building-material coating agents having a content of fibers of greater than five percent, according to Thomas Friedrich, BetonWerk International, No. 1, 2001, pages 126 to 134, it is necessary to use a spraying technique in which the building-material coating agent and fibers are conducted separately to a spray head in order to be applied into a formwork under pressure within a shared jet. However, even when this method is used, the processable amount of fibers in coating agents is still limited. Even in the case of this method, on application of building-material coating agents having relatively high fiber contents, pocket formation of occurs and, in association therewith, an impairment of the mechanical properties corresponding to obtainable building-material coatings. The abovementioned spray technique is also known, for example, from DE-A 5190217 for the application of asphalt, or from GB 1493547 or GB 910674 for producing glass fiber mats for composite components made of plastics material. A technical embodiment of the spray technique and a corresponding spray nozzle are described in DE-A 3336053.
A further problem in carrying out spray methods is the rebound occurring therein. Rebound designates the amount of building-material coating agent which, on application to a substrate, does not remain adhering to the substrate, but falls off and therefore must be disposed of as waste. The rebound in conventional methods is usually greater than 30% of the application. This is in particular a considerable economic disadvantage therefore for the use of fiber-modified building-material coating agents, since fibers such as, for example glass fibers, compared to the other components of the coating agents, are relatively expensive. In DE-A 2751661, a mechanical spray technique method is described in which chopped fiberglass is sprayed into a building-material coating agent stream and is then applied to a substrate. DE-A 2751661 does not contain any statements either, as to how the rebound could be reduced, or how fiber-reinforced building-material coatings with relatively high fiber contents could be processed. A further problem is that, in this manner, usually many fibers project out of the surface of the building-material coatings. The building-material coatings therefore do not have a uniform surface. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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A variety of techniques exist to combine multiple exposures of a scene into a single image. One technique is High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging, which requires utilizing a high dynamic range of a digital image capture device. HDR images typically have a higher range of expanded intensities than any display device, include a great deal of information, and require a special format for storage in comparison to normal (non-HDR) images. Another technique is exposure fusion. Exposure fusion fuses together bracketed exposures of different images that are all within the normal dynamic range of a digital image capture device. During fusion, different exposures of a scene are fused together to combine the best parts of each of the different exposures in a single fused image. Exposure fusion is a very computationally intensive operation. Conventionally, exposure fusion is performed by central processing units and may, because of the computational intensity, take several minutes to fuse two or three exposures into a single fused image. Fusing together more images takes even longer. Because of this, exposure fusion is not conventionally viewed as a real-time or near-real time process. Instead, exposure fusion is typically performed post-processing.
There are some drawbacks to performing exposure fusion in a post-processing environment. First, since numerous images are captured to be fused together later, a large amount of storage may be required on the electronic device that captures the images. This can drive up the cost of the electronic device. Alternatively, a communicative coupling from an image capture device to a remote storage may be used to alleviate the need for large amounts of onboard storage. However, in some locales, a reliable (or any) communicative coupling to a remote storage may be unavailable. Additionally, since the ultimate results of a fused image are not available in real-time, it will either take a long time to capture and fuse images on location, or a risk must be taken that the captured exposures of a scene are sufficient to successfully post-process a fused image of the desired quality. In the case of post-processing, lack of sufficient exposures may cause expensive and time-consuming re-work to acquire the needed exposures of the scene. | {
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The present invention relates to machines for the rotational molding of plastics and in particular to spindle arms used therein. Attention is diverted to my copending application, Ser. No. 822,800 filed Jan. 27, 1986 of which this invention forms a part and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Rotational molding machines are particularly well adapted for the manufacture of large parts from vinyl plastisols. The specific materials which work well in conjunction with rotational molding machines include thermoplastic polyethylene powders and in particular low density polyethylene. Other forms of thermoplastic powders which have been commercially used with rotational molding machines include low and high density polyethylene, polyethylene copolymers, cellulose acetate-butyrate, vinyl dry blends, impact styrenes and high-modulate thermoplastics. These materials are introduced into a mold as either a heat convertible liquid or as a powder, wherein the rotational molding process changes the physical form of the material to a continuous solid. This change occurs while the mold is heated and simultaneously rotated about two perpendicular axes within the machine.
A rotational molding machine may be adapted to hold one or a plurality of molds during the rotational molding process, the molds being held within the machine on a framework called a spider. The spider is attached to a spindle arm, which spindle arm imparts the necessary two-axis drive to the spider during the molding process. After the heated rotation the molds are cooled, unloaded from the spider and the finished parts are then removed or "stripped" from the molds. The molds can then be recharged with fresh plastic and loaded onto the spider to repeat the process.
Rotational molding machines are generally classified as batch-type machines or continuous machines. Continuous rotational molding machines typically are semi-automatic or fully automated, having a plurality of driven spindles upon which the spiders are attached with the path of travel of the spiders passing through various processing stations which permit loading, heating, cooling and stripping of the molds so that the machine operates more or less continuously. The batch-type rotational molding machine, to which type of machine the present invention is directed, is generally less expensive than a continuous machine and typically utilizes a rotatable spindle permanently mounted within an oven, wherein the loading, heating, cooling and stripping process steps are performed. With some machines the spiders can be removed from the spindle and moved manually from the oven to a cooling, unloading and stripping station, so that some of these operational process steps may be performed outside of the oven. However, as temperatures of up to 1200.degree. F. can be required during the rotational heating process, considerable time can be required for the spiders to cool sufficiently to permit their detachment from the spindle. This cooling time represents time during which the oven and spindle cannot be used to process other parts and therefore batch-type machines generally have a lower production rate than do continuous machines.
In batch-type rotational molding machines it is desirable to handle and process molds of widely varying dimensional configurations, in order to facilitate the manufacture of plastic parts of different sizes and shapes. In accomplishing this purpose it is frequently desirable to remove the entire rotational arm assembly from the machine and substitute therefore an offset rotational arm, capable of handling different and larger mold configurations. Accordingly, there is a need for a rotational arm and spindle that can be readily removed from a batch-type rotational molding machine so that a different configuration rotational arm and spindle assembly can be quickly installed. It is desirable that this removal operation be performed even while the molds are still attached to the rotational arm assembly so as to reduce equipment downtime between batch manufacturing steps. | {
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Television broadcasting technology has improved tremendously since its inception. Today, television signals are broadcasted on the airwaves, through cables, and via satellite. The number of stations accessible today has increased to hundreds of stations. To select a program to view, many viewers simply "channel surf" until they find a channel that has a desirable program. Channel surfing refers to the process of using the channel "+" or "-" key to sequentially view each channel. Although some viewers find channel surfing among hundreds of stations enjoyable, most viewers prefer a more direct method for selecting a program to view.
Some prior art television channel selection guides provide a television channel selection guide which displays a listing of the channels typically in numeric order and the titles of the programs broadcasted or to be broadcasted on the channels. A simplified block diagram of such a guide is illustrated in FIG. 1. The viewer or user of the system may then select the channel by entering in the channel number or selecting a program. The system responds by removing the guide displayed and tuning to the station selected and displaying the broadcast signals of the station.
This system has a number of drawbacks. First, the guide provides only the title of the program. To get additional information, such as a written description of the program, the user must select an information button which responds by bringing up a second layer of the menu having the program description. Thus, as the number of stations increase, the efficiency of reviewing programs and program descriptions decreases.
Furthermore, many viewers prefer to preview an actual broadcast on a station before selecting that station for viewing. In the prior art systems, the user has to select each station to view, and subsequently go back to the channel guide in order to view program titles on other channels. While other prior art systems may provide a program listing having a transparent background superimposed over a program broadcast, it is still difficult to view the program broadcast through the program listing.
Moreover, in any television system a user can channel surf by skipping from channel to channel in sequence using the channel "up" or "down" buttons. However, when channel surfing in the prior art systems, the user is unable to take advantage of the channel listing and program description information. While some prior art television channel selection guides allow for channel surfing while the guide is displayed, these systems change the channel as the user moves a selection device or pointer to each new channel. Again this prevents taking full advantage of the broadcast system guide because, while the system guide provides program descriptions, a user might like to view a particular channel while surfing among the program descriptions of other channels.
Another shortcoming of prior art television channel selection guides is that, while providing the current time on the guide display, they do not provide a clear representation of the current time in relation to the channel program listings. Consequently, it is difficult for a user to ascertain the amount of time elapsed since a particular program began.
In the current generation of broadcasting technology, a viewer is provided with many options regarding programs that are available for broadcast. These options include, but are not limited to, on-demand selection of pay-per-view broadcasts, selection of a broadcast for automatic recording, and programming a broadcast system to tune to a preselected station at a designated time. As the number of options increases, so to does the need for a user-friendly system interface. The prior art channel selection guides do not provide a ready status indication as part of the channel selection guide. In addition, as the channel selection guides become more interactive and provide the viewer with more selections, the lack of status displays for system pointers and tuners can lead to a great deal of viewer frustration. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Recommendation systems apply one or more models and analyze results to make recommendations. These can be static models for simpler systems, or machine learning models for dynamic and/or complex systems. Examples of recommendation systems in use today include ones used in online shopping, which display products that others have viewed, or other products in a similar classification or from other manufacturers. Such systems are efficient for employing a small number of models, but experience ever-increasing computation time when the number of models is large or growing. Consider a recommendation system where there are N users and a corresponding number of models, and M items to consider. Applying each of the N user models on one item X of the M items requires N times as much computation time as applying a single model on the item, and applying each of the N user models on all M items requires N times M as much computation time as applying a single model on the item. For large numbers of models, and also for large numbers of items, the total computation time can be extremely large and can render certain techniques infeasible.
It is within this context that the embodiments arise. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The invention relates to a transmission system comprising a transmitter which includes an encoder for deriving an encoded signal from a quasi-periodic signal, transmitting means for transmitting the encoded signal to a receiver, which receiver includes a decoder for deriving a reconstructed signal from the encoded signal.
The invention additionally relates to a transmitter, a receiver, an encoder, a decoder and a codec to be used in such a transmission system. A transmission system as defined in the opening paragraph is known from the journal article "Methods for Waveform Interpolation in Speech Coding" by W. B. Kleijn in Digital Signal Processing, vol. 1, no. 4, October 1991, pages 215-230.
Transmission systems of this type are used, for example, for transferring speech or music signals by channels that have a limited transmission capacity.
A first example of such a channel is a radio channel between a mobile station and a fixed base station. The available transmission capacity of this channel is limited because this channel is used by a great many users.
A second example is a recording channel which utilizes a magnetic, optical or a different recording medium such as, for example, semiconductor storage. Examples of systems utilizing such recording channels are dictating systems and machines utilizing a voice-supported user interface. In such systems it is usually desirable to provide maximum reduction of the necessary storage capacity. Prior-art systems utilize linear prediction or sub-band coding for this purpose.
In the transmission system known from said journal article, no more than a single period from a total number of periods of the quasi-periodic signal is encoded in the encoder. The transmitting means transmit the encoded signal thus obtained to the receiver through the channel. The decoder in the receiver decodes the encoded signal into a reconstructed signal. This is effected by determining the untransmitted periods of the quasi-periodic signal by means of interpolation with the periods of the quasi-periodic signal that have indeed been transmitted. It is noted that the quasi-periodic signal may be a voiced part of a speech signal. Alternatively, however, the quasi-periodic signal may be a residual signal that has been derived from a voiced part of a speech signal with a linear-prediction-based technique.
For determining the signal periods to be transmitted, it is necessary in the transmission system known from said journal article that the quasi-periodic signal be sampled at a rate that is considerably higher than is necessary according to the sampling theorem. For obtaining a reasonable quality of the reconstructed signal, it is necessary to utilize a complex algorithm for the selection of the quasi-periodic signal periods to be transmitted. Said properties of the prior-art transmission system have led to a considerable complexity of the prior-art transmission system. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Some businesses, particularly banks and casinos, are regularly faced with large amounts of currency which must be organized, counted, authenticated and recorded. To hand count and record large amounts of currency of mixed denominations requires diligent care and effort, and demands significant manpower and time that might otherwise be available for more profitable and less tedious activity. To make counting of bills and coins less laborious, machines have been developed which automatically sort, by denomination, mixed assortments of currency, and transfer the processed currency into receptacles specific to the corresponding denominations. For example, coin processing machines for processing large quantities of coins from either the public at large or private institutions, such as banks, casinos, supermarkets, and cash-in-transit (CIT) companies, have the ability to receive bulk coins from users of the machine, count and sort the coins, and store the received coins in one or more coin receptacles, such as coin bins, coin cassettes, or coin bags. One type of currency processing machine is a redemption-type processing machine wherein, after the deposited coins and/or bank notes are counted, funds are returned to the user in a pre-selected manner, such as a payment ticket or voucher, a smartcard, a cash card, a gift card, and the like. Another variation is the deposit-type processing machine where funds which have been deposited by the user are credited to a personal account. Hybrid variations of these machines are also known and available.
A well-known device for processing coins is the disk-type coin sorter. In one exemplary configuration, the coin sorter, which is designed to process a batch of mixed coins by denomination, includes a rotatable disk that is driven by an electric motor. The lower surface of a stationary, annular sorting head (or “sort disk”) is parallel to and spaced slightly from the upper surface of the rotatable disk. A mixed batch of coins may be progressively deposited onto the top surface of the rotatable disk. As the disk is rotated, the coins deposited on the top surface thereof tend to slide outwardly due to centrifugal force. As the coins move outwardly, those coins which are lying flat on the top surface of the rotatable disk enter a gap between the disk and the sorting head. The lower surface of the sorting head is formed with an array of exit channels which guide coins of different denominations to different exit locations around the periphery of the disk. The exiting coins, having been sorted by denomination for separate storage, are counted by sensors located, for example, along the exit channel. A representative disk-type coin sorting mechanism is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,627, to James M. Rasmussen, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.
It is oftentimes desirable in the sorting of coins to discriminate between valid coins and invalid coins. Use of the term “valid coin” can refer to genuine coins of the type to be sorted. Conversely, use of the term “invalid coin” can refer to items in the coin processing unit that are not one of the coins to be sorted. For example, it is common that foreign (or “stranger”) coins and counterfeit coins enter a coin processing system for sorting domestic coin currency. So that such items are not sorted and counted as valid coins, it is helpful to detect and discard these “invalid coins” from the coin processing system. In another application wherein it is desired to process only U.S. quarters, nickels and dimes, all other U.S. coins, including dollar coins, half-dollar coins, pennies, etc., are considered “invalid.” Additionally, coins from all other coins sets including Canadian coins and European coins, for example, would be considered “invalid” when processing U.S. coins. In another application it may be desirable to separate coins of one country (e.g., Canadian coins) from coins of another country (e.g., U.S. coins). Finally, any truly counterfeit coins (also referred to in the art as “slugs”) are always considered “invalid” regardless of application.
Self-service coin redemption machines are used in banking environments (e.g., in patron-accessible areas), business environments (e.g., armored transport services, telephone companies, etc.), and retail environments, (e.g., convenience stores, grocery stores, etc.). In operation, a user deposits a mixed batch of coins into a coin tray of the coin redemption machine. Coins are progressively fed into a coin processing unit whereby the machine discriminates items that are invalid, determines the value of the valid coins, and outputs a receipt indicative of the determined amount. In some systems, the receipt also indicates a second, lesser amount, which reflects a commission charged for use of the machine. In one example, a coin redemption and voucher dispensing machine disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,976,570, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, receives bunches of unsorted coins, counts the total value of the coins, and outputs a voucher or store coupon related to the total amount, less a commission charge for the use of the machine. Customers take the voucher/coupon to a cashier or clerk for redemption, following verification of the authenticity of the voucher by the cashier or clerk.
Coin recycling historically required user-deposited coins be pulled from circulation, shipped to a separate site for sorting and authentication, then repackaged and distributed for recirculation. Typically, coin recycling is performed by privately owned and operated armored car services (“armored carriers”). Generally, an armored car carrier sends out an armored vehicle to a number of different businesses, some of which provide customers with one or more self-service coin redemption machines having coin receptacles requiring pickup and processing. Once the armored car has picked up all of the redemption machines coins and dropped off packaged coins according to the requirements of the businesses, the armored car returns to the armored car carrier where the collected coins are processed and repackaged for delivery on subsequent routes. The armored carrier charges a “Deposit Pick Up Charge” for picking up the store's deposit each day, including excess notes, coin and checks, and a “Change Order Delivery Charge” for dropping off cash (coin/notes) needed by the store to fund daily activities. There are further fees, for example, for the “Currency Furnished” (e.g., $1.25 per $1000), “Rolled Coin Provided (per roll)” (e.g., $0.10 per roll) and a “Deposit Processing Charge” charged by the deposit processor (armored carrier or bank) to count and verify each deposit. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-085257, filed Mar. 24, 2000, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to an electron source device for use in field-emission displays (hereinafter referred to as xe2x80x9cFEDsxe2x80x9d) or the like, a method of manufacturing the same, and a flat display apparatus comprising the electron source device.
In recent years, FEDs have been developed for use as flat displays. An FED has a face plate and a rear plate that are arranged, opposing each other and spaced apart by a predetermined distance. The plates are jointed at their peripheral edges by a side wall shaped like a rectangular frame, thus forming a vacuum envelope. Phosphor layers of three colors are formed on the inner surface of the face plate. An electron-emitting source for exciting the phosphors is provided on the inner surface of the rear plate.
Hitherto, a structure called xe2x80x9cspindle typexe2x80x9d has been proposed as an electron-emitting source for use in FEDs. This electron-emitting source is configured to concentrate an electric field at the sharp tip of an electron-emitting section made of Mo and emit electrons from the electron-emitting section by virtue of the voltage applied between it and the phosphor layers, thereby causing the phosphor layers to emit light. Thus, a thin flat display apparatus is provided.
The electron-emitting source has a very fine structure, however. It is very difficult to form many electron-emitting sources in uniformity and in a simple method. It is therefore hard to manufacture large flat display apparatuses by using the electron-emitting sources. The manufacturing cost of even a flat display apparatus with a small screen will be inevitably high. Moreover, the apparatus can hardly display stable images, because the electron-emitting sources differ in electron-emitting ability even if the sources differ in shape only a little.
The present invention has been made to solve the problem described above, and its object is to provide an electron source device which is uniform, large and inexpensive and which has a high electron-emitting ability, a method of manufacturing the device, and a flat display apparatus comprising the electron source device.
To achieve the object described above, an electron source device according to an aspect of the invention comprises; an oxide substrate having a number of small through holes; electron-emitting material buried in the through holes; a first electrode formed on one surface of the oxide substrate and contacting the electron-emitting material; and a second electrode provided on another surface of the oxide substrate, insulated from the electron-emitting material and configured to generate a concentration of an electric field of the electron-emitting material by virtue of an voltage applied between the first electrode and the second electrode, thereby to cause the electron-emitting material to emit electrons.
In the electron source device according to another aspect of the invention, the oxide substrate may be made of alumina and the electron-emitting material may preferably be a carbon-based material.
In the electron source device according to another aspect of the invention, the through holes may have a diameter of 500 xcexcm to 0.1 nm, preferably 10 xcexcm to 1 nm and the oxide substrate may have a thickness of 0.1 xcexcm to 10 mm.
A method of manufacturing an electron source device, according to an aspect of the invention, comprises: subjecting a metal substrate to electric-field oxidation, thereby forming an oxide substrate having a number of small through holes; burying an electron-emitting material in the through holes of the oxide substrate; forming a first electrode on one surface of the oxide substrate so as to contact the electron-emitting material; and forming a second electrode on another surface of the oxide substrate, the second electrode insulated from the electron-emitting material.
In the method of manufacturing an electron source device, according to another aspect of the invention, an electrolysis voltage may be controlled in the electrolytic oxidation so as to control the diameter of the small through holes, and an electrolysis time may be controlled in the electrolytic oxidation so as to control the diameter of the small through holes.
A flat display apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention comprises: a first substrate and a second substrate arranged, opposing to each other; phosphor layers provided on an inner surface of the first substrate; and an electron source device provided on an inner surface of the second substrate and configured to excite the phosphor layers. The electron source device comprises an oxide substrate having a number of small through holes and provided on an inner surface of the second substrate, electron-emitting material buried in the through holes, a first electrode formed on that surface of the oxide substrate, which faces the second substrate, and contacting the electron-emitting material, and a second electrode provided on other surface of the oxide substrate, insulated from the electron-emitting material and configured to generate an electron field concentration of the electron-emitting material by virtue of an voltage applied between the first electrode and the second electrode, thereby to cause the electron-emitting material to emit electrons toward the phosphor layers.
As has been described above, an oxide substrate having numerous small through holes is used in the present invention. A mass of electron-emitting material is provided in one end of each through hole, and an electrode is formed at the other side of the oxide substrate. A voltage is applied between the mass and the electrode. Hence, the invention can provide an electron source device that is uniform, has high electron-emitting ability and is inexpensive. It can provide a method of manufacturing the device and a flat display apparatus comprising the device.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The epidermis is a stratified epithelium consisting of numerous cell layers. The principal cell type of the epidermis is the keratinocyte. Keratinocytes are responsible for the resistance of the skin to physical and chemical injury and for its impermeability to water. These functions are carried out primarily by the outermost layer of keratinocytes, termed "corneocytes," which have undergone programmed cell death. Corneocytes consist of a skeletal framework of keratin filaments surrounded by a special envelope that is found in no other cells within the body. This envelope consists of proteins ("corneocyte proteins") stabilized by inter-molecular isopeptide bonds (Rice and Green (1977), Cell, 11:417-422). The bonds are introduced by an enzyme, calcium-activated keratinocyte transglutaminase (Rice and Green (1979), Cell, 18:681-694). As skin ages, the epidermis atrophies with accompanying diminution of its physical resistance.
The basal layer of the epidermis contains proliferating keratinocytes. When keratinocytes leave the basal layer, they begin to undergo terminal differentiation. When they reach the granular layer, the concentration of calcium ions inside the keratinocytes rises, resulting in activation of transglutaminase. The envelope precursor proteins, which at this stage are located just beneath the plasma membrane, are crosslinked by transglutaminase (Rice and Green (1979), ibid.; Greenberg et al. (1991) FASEB, 5:3071-3077) and the resulting envelope becomes thoroughly insoluble, even in the presence of detergents and reducing agents (Green (1977), Cell, 11:405-416; Hohl (1990), Dermatologica, 180:201-211). This envelope is the most resistant structure of the skin since keratin filaments, even though they are stabilized by disulfide bonds, can be dissolved by a combination of detergent and reducing agent. Transglutaminase and its crosslinked products are also present in hair and nails (Rice et al., Keratinocyte Handbook, (in press)). | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display interface, and more particularly, to a device and its method of controlling a display of a screen through various hand movements.
Description of the Related Art
Recently, portable terminals have become a necessity in modern life. With a widespread usage, user interface technologies for controlling the portable terminals have been continuously improved.
Although user interfaces were implemented through a keypad in the past, touch screens have become a popular choice of portable terminals. Portable terminals that are currently available in the market employ a capacitive touch sensor or a pressure-sensitive touch sensor. Recently, efforts to apply an optical touch sensor, such as photo sensor, to a touch screen have been made. The photo sensor senses light in recognizing user's touch and manipulation.
The present invention relates to a display method which can be employed in a portable terminal or a display device provided with a photo sensor for controlling a display according to a user's input type. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
This invention relates to novel benzimidazole derivatives that are useful in the treatment of abnormal cell growth, such as cancer, in mammals. This invention also relates to a method of using such compounds in the treatment of abnormal cell growth in mammals, especially humans, and to pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds.
It is known that a cell may become cancerous by virtue of the transformation of a portion of its DNA into an oncogene (i.e., a gene which, on activation, leads to the formation of malignant tumor cells). Many oncogenes encode proteins that are aberrant tyrosine kinases capable of causing cell transformation. Alternatively, the overexpression of a normal proto-oncogenic tyrosine kinase may also result in proliferative disorders, sometimes resulting in a malignant phenotype.
Receptor tyrosine kinases are enzymes which span the cell membrane and possess an extracellular binding domain for growth factors such as epidermal growth factor, a transmembrane domain, and an intracellular portion which functions as a kinase to phosphorylate specific tyrosine residues in proteins and hence to influence cell proliferation. Other receptor tyrosine kinases include c-erbB-2, c-met, tie-2, PDGFr, FGFr, and VEGFR. It is known that such kinases are frequently aberrantly expressed in common human cancers such as breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancer such as colon, rectal or stomach cancer, leukemia, and ovarian, bronchial or pancreatic cancer. It has also been shown that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), which possesses tyrosine kinase activity, is mutated andor overexpressed in many human cancers such as brain, lung, squamous cell, bladder, gastric, breast, head and neck, oesophageal, gynecological and thyroid tumors.
Accordingly, it has been recognized that inhibitors of receptor tyrosine kinases are useful as selective inhibitors of the growth of mammalian cancer cells. For example, erbstatin, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, selectively attenuates the growth in athymic nude mice of a transplanted human mammary carcinoma that expresses epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase (EGFR) but is without effect on the growth of another carcinoma that does not express the EGF receptor. Thus, the compounds of the present invention, which are selective inhibitors of certain receptor tyrosine kinases, in particular PDGFr, are useful in the treatment of abnormal cell growth, in particular cancer, in mammals.
Various other compounds, such as styrene derivatives, have also been shown to possess tyrosine kinase inhibitory properties. More recently, five European patent publications, namely EP 0 566 226 A1 (published Oct. 20, 1993), EP 0 602 851 A1 (published Jun. 22, (1994), EP 0 635 507 A1 (published Jan. 25, 1995), EP 0 635 498 A1 (published Jan. 25, 1995), and EP 0 520 722 A1 (published Dec. 30, 1992), refer to certain bicyclic derivatives, in particular quinazoline derivatives, as possessing anti-cancer properties that result from their tyrosine kinase-inhibitory properties. Also, World Patent Application WO 92/20642 (published Nov. 26, 1992), refers to certain bis-mono and bicyclic aryl and heteroaryl compounds as tyrosine kinase inhibitors that are useful in inhibiting abnormal cell proliferation. World Patent Applications WO96/16960 (published Jun. 6, 1996). WO 96/09294 (published Mar. 6, 1996), WO 97/30034 (published Aug. 21, 1997). WO 98/102434 (published Jan. 22, 1998). WO 98/02437 (published Jan. 22, 1998), and WO 98/02438 (published Jan. 22, 1998), also refer to substituted bicyclic heteroaromatic derivatives as tyrosine kinase Inhibitors that are useful for the same purpose. Also see WO 99/16755, J. Med. Chem. 1998, 41, 5457–5465 and J. Med. Chem. 1999, 42, 2373–2382. | {
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The present invention relates to sanitary napkins or menstruation pads for absorption and containment of body exudates.
Japanese Patent Application (PCT) Disclosure Gazette No. Hei6-502336 discloses a sanitary napkin comprising a liquid-pervious topsheet, a liquid-impervious backsheet, a liquid-absorbent core and spacer means functioning to maintain the topsheet spaced from the core. The napkin of such arrangement is maintained at a predetermined position relative to a wearer""s body even when an undergarment worn by the wearer of the napkin can not properly follow a movement of the weaver.
The spacer means of the above mentioned napkin is provided between the topsheet and the core and comprises tube or roll means through which body exudates should pass before absorbed by the core. Such manner of absorption is disadvantageous from the viewpoint of a rapidity and not suitable for the case in which a large amount of body exudates occurs at once.
In view of the problem as has been described above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a sanitary napkin improved so that the napkin can properly follow a movement of the wearer and rapidly absorb menstrual discharge.
According to the present invention, there is provided a sanitary napkin having a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction being orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, the napkin comprising a liquid-pervious topsheet, a back side member at least including a liquid-impervious sheet and a liquid-absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the back side member, wherein:
the core presents, at a middle region of the longitudinal direction, an inverted V-shaped cross-section; the topsheet is placed upon an upper surface of the core while the core is lined by a shape-retaining panel having, in the transverse direction, a rigidity higher than that of the core and presenting an inverted V-shaped cross-section of a V-angle substantially identical to that of the core; the back side member extends outwards horizontally beyond transversely opposite side edges of the inverted V-shaped cross-section presented by the core; the topsheet is bonded to the upper surface of the back side member in regions thereof extending outwards beyond the side edges of the core; and the cross-section defines a substantially triangular space.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the back side member comprises a liquid-impervious plastic film.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the back side member comprises a liquid-pervious sheet, a liquid-impervious sheet and a liquid-absorbent core disposed therebetween so that the liquid-pervious sheet and the liquid-impervious sheet define upper and lower surfaces of the back side member, respectively.
According to still another embodiment of the present invention, in the transverse direction of the napkin, the topsheet forms a pair of side flaps obliquely outwards and upwards extending beyond regions along which the topsheet is bonded to the back side member and the side flaps are provided in the vicinity of their ridges with elastic members extending in the longitudinal direction and bonded under tension to the respective side flaps so that the sanitary napkin presents a substantially W-shaped cross-section.
According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, the back side member is provided on its lower surface with adhesive fastener means used to fasten the napkin to an undergarment worn by the wearer of the napkin.
According to further additional embodiment of the present invention, the shape-retaining panel is made of a resilient material. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Communication equipment is often tested in large laboratories in various places often around the world. Each time software and/or hardware features are modified, these features are tested rigorously prior to being delivered to a customer. These test procedures often involve use of a lab technician to dial a telephone number and/or pick up the called phone when it rings. It is often desirable to perform such testing during off-peak hours, when traffic on telephone lines is typically least, e.g., about 1:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. During this time period, however, it may be very expensive, if not difficult, to obtain laboratory assistance during such hours. In addition, operators introduce human error into the testing process, such as misdialing a number, failing to hang up a phone correctly, or other errors that may otherwise increase testing time.
Remote testing capabilities exist today. Nevertheless, these capabilities are limited to applications in the same room as the device under test and do not have the capability to test, for example, hardware that connects to phone lines and the software that controls the lines.
Accordingly, there is a need for a method to remotely test and generally to test telecommunication equipment without need for an operator to be present. | {
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One type of known humidity sensor comprises a capacitor having a dielectric constant which changes as a function of humidity. Such capacitance humidity sensors have been in the form of a dielectric layer composed of a polymer such as polyimide and a thin metal electrode conducting layer, often made of gold. See Chen U.S. Pat. No. 4,761,710 issued Aug. 2, 1988, Abadie et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,603,372 issued July 29, 1986, Kuisma et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,500,940 issued Feb. 19, 1985, Chambaz et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,438,480 issued Mar. 20, 1984, Heywang et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,305,112 issued Dec. 8, 1981, Nelson U.S. Pat. No. 4,345,301, issued Aug. 17, 1982, Mills U.S. Pat. No. 4,337,658, issued July 6, 1982, and Suntola U.S. Pat. No. 4,164,868 issued Aug. 21, 1979. If such devices are to function well, at least one electrode must be permeable to water, have a low electrical resistance, and be relatively insensitive to corrosion. When an ultra thin gold electrode is used, good electrical conductivity and good permeability can be achieved. However, such capacitors have poor corrosion resistance. The thin gold electrode can be rapidly destroyed by sulfur-based pollutants or chlorine in the air surrounding a swimming pool.
Polyimide is a particularly useful dielectric for such sensors because its dielectric constant is linearly proportional to its moisture content. Furthermore, the excellent thermal resistance of polyimide makes it useful in capacitance humidity sensing devices. However, the bonding between the polyimide and metal electrode layers is difficult to obtain without the use of adhesives because of the dissimilarity between the metal and plastic.
Conductive compositions comprising conductive particles, such as particles of silver or carbon black, dispersed in resins such as polyimide, are generally known. See, for example, Takenaka U.S. Pat. No. 3,697,450, issued Oct. 10, 1972, describing resistance films. Other known humidity sensors have employed successive layers of cross-linked polymeric resin materials such as cellulose acetate butyrate cross-linked with urea formaldehyde resin. In one such sensor, a crosslinked cellulose acetate butyrate core containing conductive particles such as carbon is sandwiched between a pair of outer resin layers free of carbon particles. See Thoma U.S. Pat. No. 3,458,845, issued July 29, 1969. In other capacitive humidity sensors, the outer resin layers contain the conductive particles, and the inner resin layer does not; see Thoma U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,582,728, issued June 1, 1971, 3,802,268, issued Apr. 9, 1974, and IEEE Transactions on Components, Hybrids, and Manufacturing Technology, Vol. CHMT-2, No. 3, 1979, pages 321-323. Baxter et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,564,882, issued Jan. 14, 1986, describes a humidity sensing element wherein the dielectric layer can be made from either cellulose acetate butyrate or polyimide.
Polyparabanic acids are known polymers used in a variety of applications. These polymers are generally defined as: ##STR1## wherein R is an organic moiety which may be aromatic, aliphatic or alicyclic. See Henderson et al., "Poly(parabanic) Acids-A New Family of Thermoplastics" pp. 660-674. Poly(iminoimidazolidinediones) and other heterocyclic polymers related to PBA in structure are also known, and have been used to make films. See, for example, Patton U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,547,897, issued Dec. 15, 1970 and 4,105,616, issued Aug. 8, 1978, Johnson et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,939,116, issued Feb. 17, 1976, and Polymer Preprints, Vol. 12, No. 1, Mar. 1971, pp. 162-169. Hawkins U.S. Pat. No. 4,332,976, issued June 1, 1982, describes PBA tape used in coaxial cables.
Screen printing has been suggested as a method for forming certain types of layers in humidity sensors. Mills U.S. Pat. No. 4,298,855, issued Nov. 3, 1981, which describes forming electrical resistors comprising carbon particles dispersed in a polymer film by such a process. Djorup U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,182, issued Dec. 27, 1988, describes a constant temperature hygrometer wherein resistive conductors are formed by silk screen printing.
The present invention addresses the various drawbacks with known capacitance humidity sensors discussed above, and provides a humidity sensor having a number of unexpected superior characteristics. | {
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The invention relates to a telecommunications conference server, a telecommunications terminal, a method of generating a telecommunications conference control message, a method of controlling a telecommunications conference, computer-readable storage media and computer program elements. | {
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Cathodic protection of steel elements at least partly embedded in a surrounding layer is well known and one method for this purpose is described in PCT Application CA00/00101 filed 2 Feb. 2000 and published as WO 00/46422 by the present inventor.
In PCT Published Application WO94/29496 of Aston Material Services Limited is provided a method for cathodically protecting reinforcing members in concrete using a sacrificial anode such as zinc or zinc alloy. In this published application and in the commercially available product arising from the application, there is provided a puck-shaped anode body which has a coupling wire attached thereto. In the commercially available product there are in fact two such wires arranged diametrically opposed on the puck and extending outwardly therefrom as a flexible connection wire for attachment to an exposed steel reinforcement member.
The puck is surrounded by an encapsulating material such as mortar which holds an electrolyte that will sustain the activity of the anode. The mortar is compatible with the concrete so that electrolytic action can occur through the mortar into and through the concrete between the anode and the steel reinforcing member.
The main feature of the published application relates to the incorporation into the mortar of a component which will maintain the pH of the electrolyte in the area surrounding the anode at a high level of the order of 12 to 14.
In use of the device, a series of the anodes is provided with the anodes connected at spaced locations to the reinforcing members. The attachment by the coupling wire is a simple wrapping of the wire around the reinforcing bar. The anodes are placed in locations adjacent to the reinforcing bars and re-covered with concrete to the required amount.
Generally this protection system is used for concrete structures which have been in place for some years sufficient for corrosion to start. In general, areas of damage where restoration is required are excavated to expose the reinforcing bars whereupon the protection devices in the form of the mortar-covered pucks are inserted into the concrete as described above and the concrete refilled.
These devices are beginning to achieve some commercial success and are presently being used in restoration processes. However improvements in operation and ergonomics are required to improve success of this product in the field.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,193,857 (Davison) assigned to Foseco discloses an anode body in the form of a puck coated with a mortar in which the puck is attached by ductile wires to the rebar within an excavation in the concrete.
During cathodic protection using a sacrificial anode material, it is well known that the anode must corrode in order to provide the protection thus generating corrosion products. Many potentially suitable anode materials such as magnesium are difficult to use in view of the significant increase in volume which occurs as the material corrodes which thus applies significant forces to the surrounding material generally concrete with the tendency to cause cracking. Even zinc which is the most common material increases in volume and the corrosion products must be accommodated within a mortar material surrounding the anode in order to prevent cracking. As shown in the above Aston application, this mortar can be attached to the anode and is inserted therewith into the concrete as the anode is embedded. Alternatively, the anode can be embedded in a filler material which has characteristics designed to absorb the expansion. It has not been possible however up to date to directly locate or embed the anode body into the concrete so that the surface of the anode material is directly in contact with the conventional concrete, or arranged so that expansion forces from the expansion of the anode during corrosion are applied to the concrete directly or through an incompressible intermediate material, since the concrete material will not accept a significant level of expansion leading to unacceptable cracking.
This significantly increases the cost and complexity of the anode members and reduces the acceptability of the method. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the technical field of herbicides and fungicides, especially that of herbicides for selective control of broad-leaved weeds and weed grasses in crops of useful plants.
2. Description of Related Art
Specifically, it relates to substituted 3-phenylisoxazoline-5-carboxamides and 3-phenylisoxazoline-5-thioamides, to processes for their preparation and to their use as herbicides and fungicides.
WO1995/014681 A1, WO1995/014680 A1, WO 2008/035315 A1, WO2005/051931 A1 and WO2005/021515 A1 each describe, inter alia, 3-phenylisoxazoline-5-carboxamides which are substituted at the phenyl ring in the 3- and 4-positions by alkoxy radicals. WO1998/057937 A1 describes, inter alia, compounds which are substituted at the phenyl ring in the 4-position by an alkoxy radical. WO2006/016237 A1 describes, inter alia, compounds which are substituted at the phenyl ring by an amido radical. The compounds described in the documents mentioned above are disclosed in these documents as being pharmacologically active. WO2005/021516 A1 discloses the compounds 3-({[3-(3-tert-butylphenyl)-5-ethyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-5-yl]carbonyl}amino)-5-fluoro-4-oxopentanoic acid and 3-({[3-(3-tert-butylphenyl)-5-isopropyl-4,5-dihydro-1,2-oxazol-5-yl]carbonyl}amino)-5-fluoro-4-oxopentanoic acid as being pharmacologically active.
DE 4026018 A1 and EP 520371 A2 and DE 4017665 disclose 3-phenylisoxazoline-5-carboxamides which carry a hydrogen atom in position 5 of the isoxazoline ring. In these documents, these compounds are described as agrochemically active safeners, that is to say as compounds which eliminate the unwanted herbicidal effect of herbicides on crop plants. A herbicidal action of these compounds is not disclosed.
Monatshefte Chemie (2010) 141, 461 and Letters in Organic Chemistry (2010), 7, 502 also disclose 3-phenylisoxazoline-5-carboxamides carrying a hydrogen atom in position 5 of the isoxazoline ring. Some of the compounds mentioned have fungicidal action. None of the publications mentioned above discloses a herbicidal action of such 3-phenylisoxazoline-5-carboxamides. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of video conferencing, and pertains particularly to systems and methods for augmenting user perspective in multi-perspective multi-point tele-immersive environments.
2. Discussion of the State of the Art
In the field of video conferencing and more particularly, E learning tele-immersive environments involving a local educational source and a classroom that may incorporate remote classrooms of students geographically distant from the local classroom, by establishing a classroom specific architecture of video capture devices or cameras and video display devices supported on a local area network (LAN) that has access to a carrier wide area network (WAN).
The inventors are aware of a system described in this specification, wherein software running on at least one LAN-connected server in each connected classroom manages multiple perspective views of the education source (teacher, whiteboard, media presentation) and multiple perspective views of the local students and the students of each of the connected remote classrooms. The system known to the inventor maps the appropriate camera feeds of the remote students to display for the teacher or lecturer, and the appropriate camera feeds of the teacher or lecturer to the remote students, based on algorithmic computation of the best gaze/feed angle based on positions of the teacher and students dependent upon gesture recognition of gestures by the teacher and recognition of gestures by the students as to one of several modes of state activity defined for the environment.
Symmetrical arrangement of video cameras and video displays and arranged and oriented student areas for the remote classrooms, provide the base angles for viewing and views afforded to the teacher and students are optimized in real time by making corrections in gaze. More particularly, gaze alignment correction as described utilizes a unique observer-dependent vector (ODV) system to calculate the gaze correction factor before transforming the 3D objects (teacher and students) into 2D projection space.
The afore-mentioned method of the system includes using a coordinate system for locating and defining the objects in a 3D environment, a set of vector definitions and the behavior of vectors in response to changes in environment. The method is used to model human gaze in order to calculate the gaze correction factor that will enable the local and remote participants to view each other as if they were physically present in the same physical location.
The head movements (and other gestures) of all the participants are tracked and analyzed utilizing the unique ODV system to calculate the gaze correction factor, which is then used to find the exact 2D projection of the 3D object that is projected on any given display device. In practice of the invention, each participant sees a different perspective of other participants which preserves the 3D behavior of objects on a 2D display device.
The system as previously known is somewhat limited in upwards scalability where larger numbers of remote classrooms may be involved. To maintain efficiency and granularity of imagery, more video capture devices and more display devices are required, inflating equipment costs. Furthermore, having more cameras and perspectives cause more processing in real time and require greater bandwidth in transmission over a carrier network.
Therefore, what is clearly needed is a network-based multi-point, multi-perspective, tele-immersive video conferencing system that incorporates augmented reality (AR) and three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction techniques to reduce the complexity of required equipment and to save networking resources. | {
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Maintenance of inventory has long been a costly and unfortunate reality of providing products to downstream users such as resellers or customers. In order to have products on hand for use, a supplier must either maintain a large enough inventory of products to meet any use requirements, or be able to very accurately predict use requirements and control supplies at the predicted use rate. A key variable, and one often disputed among buyers and sellers in a supply chain, is who will maintain ownership of a product at different points along the supply chain. The owner of a product bears the obvious cost of the time value of money of the product for as long as the product is owned.
A product supplier sometimes uses offers to maintain ownership of a product until actual time of purchase by an end user as an incentive to convince end sellers to carry the products of the product supplier. Traditionally, this is well known as consignment sales. Consignment sales and highly accurate inventory management, e.g. just-in-time inventory management, are illustrated in the prior art with regard to product distribution in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,912,818, 5,712,989, and 5,671,362. As the economy has moved from a physical product distribution system to a system that includes distribution of information and information products, inventory issues have also changed.
Many products of the modern economy are in fact information or digital data products. Examples include computer applications software, computer data files, analog and digital artistic and informational recordings, and the like. A distinct advantage enjoyed by information products over physical products is that information products can be stored with a minimal physical presence. For instance, the product may be stored on a recording media. However, under traditional models of distribution, information products are copied onto multiple physical media and subsequently distributed just like any other physical product. Another option for information products is to transfer or download an electronic copy of the information over a network such as a local or wide area network, or the Internet. Such transfers, especially with regard to transfer over the Internet, are typically slower than is convenient because of the relatively low bandwidth of the network. Long transfer time is a negative factor that potentially discourages an end user from using an information product.
One recent product that was introduced on a pay-as-you-use basis was Digital Video Express (DIVX). However, with DIVX a customer had to both buy digital media and pay a license fee each time the content of the media was accessed. This model did not prove commercially viable and new DIVX disks are no longer being sold. A significant problem with DIVX was the need to both buy the media and pay for its use.
ADOBE SYSTEMS, INC. has sold a product entitled “Type on Call.” Type on Call stores many fonts on a CD-ROM. The CD-ROM is distributed to users who then must contact and pay ADOBE in order to receive an access code needed to activate one or more of the fonts. This art is disadvantageous because traditional distribution channels must still be used, and because a user must intervene and request an access code rather than having the computer system automatically control access.
The email, network, and Internet service provider AMERICA ONLINE, INC. (AOL) has used various methods to distribute its access software. AOL sometimes directly distributes free media containing its access software, and subsequently charges consumers for access to its connections and network. However, the software itself is not the value provided to the customer. The associated service is the value. The software is provided free of change and “as is.” A downside of the AOL model is that it still requires traditional distribution of media or a relatively slow download. Additionally, because there is no value assigned to the software itself, access to the software is not controlled. The access control is with regard to the associated service.
An improved system would conveniently provide digital data to an end user quickly and with little effort so that the user would be encouraged to use the data. Supply of the data in an improved system would avoid traditional distribution channels as well as physical inventory, thereby reducing costs to all parties. An improved system would also activate automatically in response to access to the digital data and would verify access rights of a user or provide the user with options to activate access rights. Improved systems could also take advantage of unused space in a computer system's nonvolatile memory space to cost effectively record data for subsequent transfer. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to the field of digital signal processing and, in particular, to the matrix multiplication of a plurality of digital signals by a coefficient matrix of the type used in color video signal processing.
2. Background Art
Correction matrices are useful in a variety of color video applications. For instance, a conversion matrix is used to convert red, green, and blue video signals into Y (luminance) and I, Q (chrominance) signals. A color correction matrix is used to correct the spectral sensitivities of a video camera for the chromaticities of the phosphor set of the particular display in use. Another use is with film-to-video conversion, a process in which a color correction matrix operates on the film scanning signals to correct the film colorimetry for video display.
It is desirable for reasons of space and efficiency to implement the matrix in one, or a few, integrated circuits. A conventional approach is to use an array of multipliers, say nine multipliers, to implement a 3.times.3 matrix. This uses a prohibitive amount of circuit area (on an integrated circuit). The multipliers can be replaced with ROM (read only memory) look-up tables. This still takes too much area. Another approach approximates the matrix coefficients by simple shifting operations, which can be implemented digitally by "hardwired" right (or left) shift connections between registers that provide a "binary" matrix coefficient series, such as 1/32, 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2, etc. Such poor coefficient accuracy can be improved by summing selected coefficients, but this requires many adders and many shifts. Once again, too much area is required.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,507,676, a compromise solution is disclosed in which each coefficient is broken into two parts: a binary part and a remainder. The binary part is implemented by a "hardwired" right shift and the remainder is implemented by a ROM look-up table. While such an approach provides additional accuracy, it would be desirable to eliminate the ROM look-up tables altogether. Moreover, in view of the disparate applications for video matrices, it would be greatly preferred to have a universal matrix chip that could be used for a variety of applications with a minimum of redesign. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to an on-off controller for a parameter, such as current, of an electrical load.
2. Description of Related Art
There are various methods of on-off control of parameters, such as current, in an electrical load. For example, the current output of a switched mode power supply or the torque output of a switched reluctance motor can be controlled by fixed off-time control or hysteresis control. These are examples of on-off or "bang-bang" controllers in which the control regime involves actuation of a switching mechanism between only the two basic states of on and off.
A switched reluctance motor is often controlled by regulating the phase current in the or each phase winding at low speed. This is referred to as current-fed control. As a practical matter, a voltage regulated supply is normally available so an intermediate current controller is used. The controller actuates power switches to apply the voltage across the or each phase winding of the machine to establish and maintain the desired phase current.
A description of switched reluctance machines and their control can be found in the article `The Characteristics, Design and Applications of Switched Reluctance Motors and Drives` by Stephenson and Blake, presented at the PCIM '93 Conference and Exhibition at Nurnberg, Germany, Jun. 21-24, 1993.
Both the transient and steady-state responses of the controller will be affected by the characteristics of the electrical load that the phase winding represents. For example, the phase circuit of a switched reluctance motor has neither a constant inductance nor a simple `motional EMF` effect. A simplified mathematical expression for the voltage across a phase circuit of a switched reluctance motor is: ##EQU1## where: v is the phase voltage
R is the phase resistance PA1 i is the phase current PA1 L is the phase inductance PA1 1 is the incremental phase inductance PA1 .omega. is the rotational speed PA1 .theta. is the rotor angle relative to the stator PA1 t is time PA1 the first term (iR) is that due to the resistive voltage drop in the phase winding; PA1 the second term (l(i,.theta.)di/dt) is proportional to the rate of change of phase current and is due to the effective inductance of the phase, i.e. the incremental inductance. This term can be seen to be non-linear in nature as the incremental inductance is a function of both current and angle. A plot showing the variation in the incremental inductance of a sample switched reluctance machine is shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings which is a graph of incremental inductance against rotor angle for various values of phase current. This shows that incremental inductance can vary by over 10 to 1 for a machine operated over a wide range of currents, for example a servo-drive; PA1 the last term of Equation 1 (i.omega..differential.L(i,.theta.)/.differential..theta.) can be seen to be proportional to the rotational speed (.omega.) and is therefore sometimes called the `motional EMF`. It arises because the phase inductance is a function of rotor angle and therefore varies with time as the machine rotates. It is also non-linear in nature and depends on how the phase inductance varies with rotor angle at a particular phase current and rotor angle. By way of illustration, FIG. 2 shows the motional EMF for a switched reluctance machine for a given speed and various values of phase current. PA1 i.sub.d is the demanded phase current PA1 .DELTA.i is the current excursion during the off time PA1 V is the DC link voltage PA1 R is the phase resistance PA1 .epsilon. is the `motional EMF` PA1 1 is the incremental inductance
The three different terms in Equation 1 may be explained as follows:
Many different types of current control schemes are used with switched reluctance machines. For example, fixed off-time current control is often used because it is capable of high bandwidth control and simple implementation. The simplicity is based on the fact that only the switch current need be monitored for feedback, as opposed to the phase winding current. Fixed off-time control functions by switching off the voltage for a prescribed period whenever the current reaches a predetermined demand level. After the off-time interval, the voltage is reapplied by actuating the switches of the converter. While the switches of the converter are non-conducting, knowledge of the phase current is not available, but in many applications this is not a disadvantage.
FIG. 3 shows the basic elements of a conventional off-time controller using a fixed off-time. The current to be monitored is fed to a current transducer 14, which can be of any known type. The output from the current transducer is passed through a noise filter 30 to remove spurious signals which may be present in the current transducer output, due to, for example, the switching action of the converter. In some commercial implementations, current transducers will have an integral noise filter. In either case, the amount of filtering is chosen so that the noise is suppressed without introducing any significant delay into the feedback signal. The output of the noise filter is a signal i.sub.f, representative of the current to be controlled. This signal is fed to a comparator 10 which also receives a signal i.sub.d representative of the demanded current. The comparator is arranged to output a signal i.sub.t which changes state when the feedback signal i.sub.f exceeds the demand signal i.sub.d.
The output of the comparator i.sub.t is applied both to the reset input of a set-reset flip-flop 22 and to a pulse generator 20 which applies a pulse to the set input of the flip-flop a fixed time, t.sub.off, after the output of the comparator 10 indicates that the load current has reached the demanded level. The output of the flip-flop is, therefore, a signal which can be used to enable a power converter or other device (not shown) so that it applies current to a load. When the current in the load reaches the demanded current, the output of the comparator changes state.
Where the load is linear, this switching strategy results in a current waveform like that shown in FIG. 4.
The rise and fall of current is depicted as linear and subject to voltages across the winding of the same magnitude but opposite polarity. With these assumptions an expression for the average current can be derived as: ##EQU2## where: i.sub.av is the average phase current over the switching cycle
The rise and fall of the current is, of course, not generally linear in practice. However, provided that the switching period is short compared with the time constant of the phase circuit, the error due to this approximation is often acceptably small.
It should be noted that, in this context, there may be a difference between the average current calculated over many switching cycles and the average current calculated over a few switching cycles. This can arise because of the nonlinearities referred to earlier or because of the demanded current changing over the phase cycle of the machine. In the description which follows, the term "average current" refers to the average over a few switching cycles.
From Equation 2 it can be deduced that the difference between the average phase current and the demanded current will vary according to the particular circuit characteristics. In many cases, the discrepancy is acceptable. When the phase current excursion from the demanded level is small, and/or an outer control loop governs the final motor output, the discrepancy can be compensated for. However, in other situations the discrepancy cannot be tolerated, for example, in applications where the phase current is required to be accurately profiled over a complete conduction cycle.
In fixed off-time current control of a non-linear electrical load, such as a phase of a switched reluctance motor, a variable error occurs in the average current. While this may be acceptable in some applications, higher performance applications will involve increasingly rapid changes in current that cannot be addressed adequately by an outer control loop because it is likely to introduce an output ripple in attempting to eradicate the error in the average current.
The same is generally true of other forms of control, such as hysteresis current control. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
IMDs regularly provide functions for physiological health that are of critical importance in maintaining life as well as quality of life. For example, implantable pacemakers can deliver electrical pulses to the heart of the wearer of the IMD to maintain the heart beat at a normal rate. As another example, an implantable defibrillator can deliver electrical energy to the heart of the wearer of the IMD upon detection of ventricular fibrillation, cardiac dysrhythmia or pulseless ventricular tachycardia to increase likelihood of the heart returning to a normal sinus rhythm. As another example, an implantable neurostimulator can deliver electrical energy to the nervous system to reduce pain of the wearer of the IMD. As another example, an implantable deep brain stimulation device can deliver electrical energy to the brain upon detection of symptoms of neurological movement disorders to increase likelihood of return to greater physiological muscle control.
Medical care providers can monitor the IMD and assess patient current and historical physiological state to monitor the patient's condition. Providers can also initiate and modify treatment plans from time to time and/or evaluate patient compliance with nutrition, exercise and general care regiments based on data recorded in the IMD. Additionally, personnel can perform IMD diagnostics to improve function efficiencies and detection of low remaining battery life or other device or lead conditions.
Typically, patients visit a medical facility for IMD monitoring and/or retrieval of data from an IMD. Monitoring and testing of IMD data and/or modification of parameters for IMD functionality can also be facilitated remotely using one or more computer networks. For example, patient-related data can be retrieved wirelessly in some cases. In any case, the communication of information to and from the device is typically facilitated via telemetry.
Advances in technology (e.g., materials processes and integrated circuit technology) have facilitated an onslaught of the development of IMDs. However, while antennas can facilitate wireless telemetry, and thereby improve patient convenience and compliance, antenna design for IMDs presents numerous difficulties. Size and packaging constraints are particularly stringent and challenging. As such, systems, methods and apparatus associated with IMDs that employ CCSs suited to telemetry functions are desired. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
This application is the national phase under 35 U.S.C. xc2xa7371 of PCT International Application No. PCT/JP 00/07239 which has an-International filing date of Oct. 18, 2000, which designated the United States of America and was not published in English.
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an acoustic wave apparatus for propagating acoustic waves, used for the circuit of a communication equipment, an electronic device or the like.
2. Background Art
Heretofore, in such an acoustic wave apparatus in which a piezoelectric substrate containing lithium tantalate (LiTaO3, referred to as LT hereinafter) has been used, the cut angle xcex8 of the LT substrate has been set equal to 36xc2x0. This setting was a result of the calculation that if an electrode was formed on the surface of such a substrate, and the substrate surface was electrically short-circuited, the amount of propagation loss would be reduced to nearly a value of zero.
However, such calculation was made by assuming the establishment of an ideal state where the electrode had no thickness. Consequently, in the actual acoustic wave apparatus comprising an electrode having thickness, there was a possibility that a condition for reducing the amount of propagation loss to a minimum may be different. In addition, the calculation was made by examining the case where the entire surface of the substrate was covered with the electrode. Consequently, in the acoustic wave apparatus comprising electrode fingers cyclically arrayed as in the case of an SAW filter, there was a possibility that a condition for reducing the amount of propagation loss to a minimum might be different.
Thus, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1997-167936 (referred to as a document 1, hereinafter), a condition for reducing the amount of propagation loss to a minimum is examined by taking into consideration the thickness of a grating electrode formed on the surface of the LT substrate. FIG. 1 shows the result of calculating the amount of propagation loss in a ladder surface acoustic wave filter of the document 1 shown in FIG. 7. In the drawing, an ordinate indicates the amount of loss made when a surface acoustic wave (referred to as SAW, hereinafter) is propagated per wavelength (xcex), i.e., the amount of loss per wavelength (dB/xcex). An abscissa indicates a standardized electrode thickness (h/xcex), where the thickness h of the electrode is standardized based on the wavelength xcex of SAW.
FIG. 1 shows the case where an LT crystal X-axis direction is set as a SAW propagation direction, a surface perpendicular to a xe2x80x9cxcex8-rotated Yxe2x80x9d axis obtained by rotating a crystal Y axis by xcex8 around the crystal X axis, is set as a substrate surface, and a cut angle xcex8 is set in the range of 36xc2x0 to 46xc2x0. The LT substrate having the surface perpendicular to the xe2x80x9cxcex8-rotated Yxe2x80x9d axis set as its surface and the crystal X-axis direction set as the SAW propagation direction is represented by xcex8-rotated Y-cut X-propagation lithium tantalate, abbreviated to xcex8YX-LT, or xcex8YX-LiTaO3. In many cases, the electrode is made of aluminum (Al) or an alloy mainly containing Al.
As shown in FIG. 1, if a standardized electrode thickness (h/xcex) is xcex8, the amount of loss per wavelength (dB/xcex) is minimum when a cut angle xcex8 is about 36xc2x0. This result coincides with that of the conventional calculation, i.e., if the ideal state of the electrode having no thickness is established, the amount of propagation loss is reduced to nearly a value of zero when a cut angle xcex8 is 36xc2x0.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, if a cut angle xcex8 is 40xc2x0, the amount of loss per wavelength (dB/xcex) is minimum when a standardized electrode thickness (h/xcex) is about 0.05. If a cut angle xcex8 is 42xc2x0, the amount of loss per wavelength (dB/xcex) is minimum when a standardized electrode thickness (h/xcex) is about 0.075. Accordingly, in the SAW device realized by setting the standardized electrode thickness (h/xcex) in a range above 0.05, a cut angle xcex8 for reducing the amount of propagation loss to a minimum resides in a range above 40xc2x0.
As apparent from the foregoing discussion made with reference to FIG. 1, it is possible to reduce the amount of propagation loss to a minimum by selecting the proper combination of a standardized electrode thickness (h/xcex) with a cut angle xcex8. As a result, the insertion loss of the SAW device can be reduced. Therefore, in recent years, the LT substrate having a cut angle xcex8 set equal to 42xc2x0 has been employed.
There are several kinds of acoustic waves. If a cut angle xcex8 is set in the range of about 36xc2x0 to 46xc2x0, and the direction of propagation is a crystal X axis, for example, a surface skimming bulk wave (SSBW), which is a bulk wave propagated along the surface of an LT substrate described in a document: pp. 158-165, xe2x80x9cJournal of Institute of Electronics and Communication Engineers of Japanxe2x80x9d, Vo 1. J67-C, No. 1, January 1984 (referred to as a document 2, hereinafter), and a leaky surface acoustic wave (LSAW) are propagated. In the present application, these waves are generically termed as SAW, except when the waves are distinguished from each other.
FIG. 2 is an upper surface view showing the constitution of the SAW filter, which is one type of an acoustic wave apparatus. In the drawing, a reference numeral 1 denotes an LT substrate made of a piezoelectric material; 3 an electrode finger; 4 a bonding pad; 5 an input side interdigital transducer (IDT) for performing electricxe2x80x94surface acoustic wave energy conversion; 6 an output side IDT for performing surface acoustic wavexe2x80x94electric energy conversion; 7 an input terminal; and an 8 an output terminal. W 0 represents a maximum value of the length of a portion intersected by the electrode finger 3.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the SAW filter shown in FIG. 2. In the drawing, a code w represents a width of the electrode finger 3; p an arraying cycle of electrode fingers 3; and h a thickness of the electrode finger 3.
Next, the operation of the SAW filter will be described.
An electric signal applied to the input terminal 7 forms an electric field at the intersection of each electrode finger 3 of the input side IDT 5. In this case, as the LT substrate 1 is made of the piezoelectric material, the electric field causes distortion. If the input signal has a frequency f, the strain that has been generated is vibrated at the frequency f, converting the signal into SAW. This SAW is then transmitted in a direction perpendicular to the electrode finger 3. At the output side IDT 6, the SAW is converted back into the electric signal. The conversion of the electric signal into the SAW, and the conversion of the SAW into the electric signal are reversible to each other.
If a cut angle xcex8 is about 36xc2x0, and the propagation direction of the SAW is in a crystal X-axis direction, as described in the document 2, the displacement component of the SAW has a direction parallel to the electrode finger 3, and the surface of the LT substrate 1. Such a displacement component depends on the cut angle xcex8 of the cut surface of the LT substrate 1 and the propagation direction of the SAW.
The SAW excited by the input side IDT 5 is propagated toward the output side IDT 6. However, if there is propagation loss in the LT substrate 1, the power of the SAW having reached the output side IDT 6 is smaller than that of the SAW immediately after its excitation by the input side IDT 5. The amount of the loss is approximately equal to a value obtained by multiplying a distance between the centers of the input side IDT 5 and the output side IDT 6 standardized based on the wavelength xcex of the SAW by an attenuation constant xcex1.
Thus, assuming that the distances of the input side IDT 5 and the output side IDT 6 are equal to each other, as the amount of propagation loss in the LT substrate 1 is increased, the amount of insertion loss for the SAW filter is larger. As described in a document: pp. 56 to 81, xe2x80x9cSurface Acoustic Wave Engineeringxe2x80x9d, Institute of Electronics and Communication Engineers of Japan, issued by Corona Inc., November 1983, since the wavelength xcex of the SAW is double the arraying cycle p of the electrode fingers 3, the amount of loss generated following propagation is approximately equal to a value, which is obtained by multiplying a numerical value half an average value of the numbers of electrode fingers 3 constituting the input side IDT 5 and the output side IDT 6 by an attenuation constant xcex1.
For example, as shown in FIG. 2, assuming that each of the input side IDT 5 and the output side IDT 6 has 7 electrode fingers 3, and the input side IDT 5 and the output side IDT 6 are disposed close to each other, the amount of loss generated following propagation is equal to a value, which is about 3 to 4 times larger than the attenuation constant xcex1. As an example, if an attenuation constant xcex1 is 0.02 (dB/xcex), then the amount of loss following propagation takes a value set in the range of 0.06 to 0.08 dB.
As apparent from the foregoing, in order to realize a low-loss SAW device, it is important to use an LT substrate 1 having a small amount of propagation loss. Heretofore, in the acoustic wave apparatus of the foregoing type, a cut angle xcex8 set in a range above 36xc2x0 has been employed.
As described above, the propagation loss greatly affects the insertion loss of the SAW filter. However, the propagation loss is not the only factor that affects the insertion loss of the SAW filter. As material constants for representing the characteristics of the LT substrate 1, in addition to the propagation loss, there are an electromechanical coupling coefficient k2 regarding conversion efficiency between the electric signal and the SAW, a capacitance C0 regarding the impedance of the input or output side IDT 5 or 6, the propagation velocity Vs of the SAW, and so on. Among these constants, the electromechanical coupling coefficient k2 is particularly important, because it decides the insertion loss or the pass band width of the SAW filter.
For the acoustic wave apparatus using a pure surface acoustic wave bringing about no propagation loss in principle, such as a Rayleigh wave, Bleustein-Gulyaev-Shimizu (BGS) wave or the like, optimal designing conditions were known. However, for the acoustic wave apparatus using LSAW or SSBW, no specific conditions were known.
As described above, the conventional acoustic wave apparatus of the foregoing type has been used under the condition for minimizing the propagation loss. However, since the electromechanical coupling coefficient k2 for greatly affecting the characteristics of the acoustic wave apparatus has not been used under any optimal conditions, deterioration has inevitably occurred in the insertion loss or the band width of the acoustic wave apparatus.
The present invention was made to solve the foregoing problems, and it is an object of the invention to provide an acoustic wave apparatus with lower loss characteristics and wider band than the conventional acoustic wave apparatus of the foregoing type.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an acoustic wave apparatus, comprising: a piezoelectric substrate mainly containing lithium tantalate; and an interdigital transducer including a conductor formed on the substrate. In this case, a surface rotated in the range of 34xc2x0 to 41xc2x0 from a crystal Y axis around a crystal X axis of the lithium tantalate is set as the surface of the substrate, a standardized electrode thickness (h/xcex) obtained by standardizing a thickness h of an electrode finger constituting the interdigital transducer by a wavelength xcex of a surface acoustic wave is set in the range of 0.01 to 0.05, and a duty ratio (w/p) of the electrode finger decided based on a width w and an arraying cycle p of the electrode finger is set to the value ranging from 0.6 to just below 1.0.
Thus, an acoustic wave apparatus with lower loss characteristics and wider band characteristics than the conventional apparatus can be realized.
In accordance with the invention, there is provided an acoustic wave apparatus, comprising: a piezoelectric substrate mainly containing lithium tantalate; and an interdigital transducer including a conductor formed on the substrate. In this case, a surface rotated in the range of 35xc2x0 to 42xc2x0 from a crystal Y axis around a crystal X axis of the lithium tantalate is set as the surface of the substrate, a standardized electrode thickness (h/xcex) obtained by standardizing a thickness h of an electrode finger constituting the interdigital transducer by a wavelength xcex of a surface acoustic wave is set in the range of 0.05 to 0.075, and a duty ratio (w/p) of the electrode finger decided based on a width w and an arraying cycle p of the electrode finger is set to the value ranging from 0.6 to just below 1.0.
Thus, an acoustic wave apparatus with lower loss characteristics and wider band characteristics than the conventional apparatus can be realized.
In accordance with the invention, there is provided an acoustic wave apparatus, comprising: a piezoelectric substrate mainly containing lithium tantalate; and an interdigital transducer including a conductor formed on the substrate. In this case, a surface rotated in the range of 36xc2x0 to 43xc2x0 from a crystal Y axis around a crystal X axis of the lithium tantalate is set as a surface of the substrate, a standardized electrode thickness (h/xcex) obtained by standardizing a thickness h of an electrode finger constituting the interdigital transducer by a wavelength xcex of a surface acoustic wave is set in the range of 0.075 to 0.1, and a duty ratio (w/p) of the electrode finger decided based on a width w and an arraying cycle p of the electrode finger is set to the value ranging from 0.6 to just below 1.0.
Thus, an acoustic wave apparatus with lower loss characteristics and wider band than the conventional apparatus can be realized.
In accordance with the invention, there is provided an acoustic wave apparatus, comprising: a piezoelectric substrate mainly containing lithium tantalate; an interdigital transducer including a conductor formed on the substrate; and a reflector including a conductor formed on the substrate. In this case, a surface rotated in the range of 34xc2x0 to 41xc2x0 from a crystal Y axis around a crystal X axis of the lithium tantalate is set as a surface of the substrate, a standardized electrode thickness (h/xcex) obtained by standardizing a thickness h of an electrode finger constituting at least a part of the reflector by a wavelength xcex of a surface acoustic wave is set in the range of 0.01 to 0.05, and a duty ratio (w/p) of the electrode finger decided based on a width w and an arraying cycle p of the electrode finger is set to the value ranging from 0.6 to just below 1.0.
Thus, an acoustic wave apparatus with lower loss characteristics and wider band characteristics than the conventional apparatus can be realized.
In accordance with the invention, there is provided an acoustic wave apparatus, comprising: a piezoelectric substrate mainly containing lithium tantalate; an interdigital transducer including a conductor formed on the substrate; and a reflector including a conductor formed on the substrate. In this case, a surface rotated in the range of 35xc2x0 to 42xc2x0 from a crystal Y axis around a crystal X axis of the lithium tantalate is set as a surface of the substrate, a standardized electrode thickness (h/xcex) obtained by standardizing a thickness h of an electrode finger constituting at least a part of said reflector by a wavelength xcex of a surface acoustic wave is set in the range of 0.05 to 0.075, and a duty ratio (w/p) of the electrode finger decided based on a width w and an arraying cycle p of the electrode finger is set to the value ranging from 0.6 to just below 1.0.
Thus, an acoustic wave apparatus with lower loss characteristics and wider band characteristics than the conventional apparatus can be realized.
In accordance with the invention, there is provided an acoustic wave apparatus, comprising: a piezoelectric substrate mainly containing lithium tantalate; an interdigital transducer including a conductor formed on the substrate; and a reflector including a conductor formed on the substrate. In this case, a surface rotated in the range of 36xc2x0 to 43xc2x0 from a crystal Y axis around a crystal X axis of the lithium tantalate is set as a surface of the substrate, a standardized electrode thickness (h/xcex) obtained by standardizing a thickness h of an electrode finger constituting at least a part of the reflector by a wavelength xcex of a surface acoustic wave is set in the range of 0.075 to 0.1, and a duty ratio (w/p) of the electrode finger decided based on a width w and an arraying cycle p of the electrode finger is set to the value ranging from 0.6 to just below 1.0.
Thus, an acoustic wave apparatus with lower loss characteristics and wider band characteristics than the conventional apparatus can be realized.
In accordance with the invention, there is provided an acoustic wave apparatus, comprising: a piezoelectric substrate mainly containing lithium tantalate; and an interdigital transducer including a conductor formed on the substrate. In this case, a surface rotated in the range of 34xc2x0 to 41xc2x0 from a crystal Y axis around a crystal X axis of the lithium tantalate is set as a surface of the substrate, a standardized electrode thickness (h/xcex) obtained by standardizing a thickness h of an electrode finger constituting a part of the interdigital transducer by a wavelength xcex of a surface acoustic wave is set in the range of 0.01 to 0.05, and a duty ratio (w/p) of the electrode finger decided based on a width w and an arraying cycle p of the electrode finger is set to the value ranging from 0.6 to just below 1.0.
Thus, an acoustic wave apparatus with lower loss characteristics and wider band characteristics than the conventional apparatus can be realized.
In accordance with the invention, there is provided an acoustic wave apparatus, comprising: a piezoelectric substrate mainly containing lithium tantalate; and an interdigital transducer including a conductor formed on the substrate. In this case, a surface rotated in the range of 35xc2x0 to 42xc2x0 from a crystal Y axis around a crystal X axis of the lithium tantalate is set as a surface of the substrate, a standardized electrode thickness (h/xcex) obtained by standardizing a thickness h of an electrode finger constituting a part of the interdigital transducer by a wavelength xcex of a surface acoustic wave is set in the range of 0.05 to 0.75, and a duty ratio (w/p) of the electrode finger decided based on a width w and an arraying cycle p of the electrode finger is set to the value ranging from 0.6 to just below 1.0.
Thus, an acoustic wave apparatus with lower loss characteristics and wider band characteristics than the conventional apparatus can be realized.
In accordance with the invention, there is provided an acoustic wave apparatus, comprising: a piezoelectric substrate mainly containing lithium tantalate; and an interdigital transducer including a conductor formed on the substrate. In this case, a surface rotated in the range of 36xc2x0 to 43xc2x0 from a crystal Y axis around a crystal X axis of the lithium tantalate is set as a surface of the substrate, a standardized electrode thickness (h/xcex) obtained by standardizing a thickness h of an electrode finger constituting a part of the interdigital transducer by a wavelength xcex of a surface acoustic wave is set in the range of 0.075 to 0.1, and a duty ratio (w/p) of the electrode finger decided based on a width w and an arraying cycle p of the electrode finger is set to the value ranging from 0.6 to just below 1.0.
Thus, an acoustic wave apparatus with lower loss characteristics and wider band characteristics than the conventional apparatus can be realized.
In accordance with the invention, there is provided an acoustic wave apparatus, comprising: a piezoelectric substrate mainly containing lithium tantalate; an interdigital transducer including a conductor formed on the substrate; and a reflector including a conductor formed on the substrate. In this case, a surface rotated in the range of 34xc2x0 to 41xc2x0 from a crystal Y axis around a crystal X axis of the lithium tantalate is set as a surface of the substrate, a standardized electrode thickness (h/xcex) obtained by standardizing a thickness h of a part of an electrode finger constituting a part of the reflector by a wavelength xcex of a surface acoustic wave is set in the range of 0.01 to 0.05, and a duty ratio (w/p) of a part of the electrode finger decided based on a width w and an arraying cycle p of a part of the electrode finger is set to the value ranging from 0.6 to just below 1.0.
Thus, an acoustic wave apparatus with lower loss characteristics and wider band characteristics than the conventional apparatus can be realized.
In accordance with the invention, there is provided an acoustic wave apparatus, comprising: a piezoelectric substrate mainly containing lithium tantalate; an interdigital transducer including a conductor formed on the substrate; and a reflector including a conductor formed on the substrate. In this case, a surface rotated in the range of 35xc2x0 to 42xc2x0 from a crystal Y axis around a crystal X axis of the lithium tantalate is set as a surface of the substrate, a standardized electrode thickness (h/xcex) obtained by standardizing a thickness h of a part of an electrode finger constituting a part of the reflector by a wavelength xcex of a surface acoustic wave is set in the range of 0.05 to 0.075, and a duty ratio (w/p) of a part of the electrode finger decided based on a width w and an arranging cycle of a part of the electrode finger is set to the value ranging from 0.6 to just below 1.0.
Thus, an acoustic wave apparatus with lower loss characteristics and wider band characteristics than the conventional apparatus can be realized.
In accordance with the invention, there is provided an acoustic wave apparatus, comprising: a piezoelectric substrate mainly containing lithium tantalate; an interdigital transducer including a conductor formed on the substrate; and a reflector including a conductor formed on the substrate. In this case, a surface rotated in the range of 36xc2x0 to 43xc2x0 from a crystal Y axis around a crystal X axis of the lithium tantalate is set as a surface of the substrate, a standardized electrode thickness (h/xcex) obtained by standardizing a thickness h of a part of an electrode finger constituting a part of the reflector by a wavelength xcex of a surface acoustic wave is set in the range of 0.075 to 0.1, and a duty ratio (w/p) of a part of the electrode finger decided based on a width w and an arraying cycle p of a part of the electrode finger is set to the value ranging from 0.6 to just below 1.0.
Thus, an acoustic wave apparatus with lower loss characteristics and wider band characteristics than the conventional apparatus can be realized. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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There have long been known in the prior art money responsive automatic phonographs commonly known as "jukeboxes". These devices of the prior art normally play selections from 45 rpm records which, in response to the deposit of money and to making of a selection by use of a keyboard or the like, extract the record carrying the desired selection from a magazine and place it with the proper side up on the player turntable.
Control systems for automatic phonographs of the type described hereinabove incorporate a number of auxiliary features. They include various accounting features which record the amount of money which has been deposited in the machine, the number of times each selection has been made and the like. By use of this information, arrangements have been provided whereby the customer may operate a particular button to play the most popular selection, for example.
In addition to the most popular selection feature, some jukeboxes of the prior art incorporate a feature by virtue of which a selection is automatically played after a predetermined idle period. A manually operable switch may be provided to permit the machine to be set for a period of free play during which no money need be depsited in order to make a selection.
There have recently come into widespread use phonographs which incorporate lasers for reading music coded on a disc in digital form. While these compact discs are very rugged devices, sometimes they develop problems similar to those which may be encountered in vinyl records. Skips and dropouts are not uncommon CD faults. Sometimes the CD player may not be able to read the disc at all. Control systems of the type discussed hereinabove make no provision for cancelling a selection in the event that the record incorporates a major defect. Neither do they provide any means for recording such defects for later review to permit defective records or discs to be replaced. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Convenient means for locking a vehicle sliding door are desirable.
A door arrester for blocking a sliding door with a latching pawl is disclosed in DE 103 47 324 B4. Said sliding door is mounted in a guide rail on a vehicle and movable between a closed position and an open position. The latching pawl is able to be attached in a region of the guide rail such that it may be brought into engagement with a latching element which is arranged on the sliding door and is displaceable in the guide rail and in the process blocks the sliding door in the region of its open position. The latching pawl is pretensioned by a spring element in the direction of the contact region with the latching element. The spring element is arranged for adjusting the spring force in the contact region with a latching pawl carrier, by the interposition of a support element configured in a torsionally resistant manner on the latching pawl carrier, preferably as a sheet-metal nut, on an adjusting screw for altering the spacing between the ends of the spring element. The adjusting screw may be screwed into the support element and is supported by means of a collar on the side of the latching pawl carrier facing the support element.
Also disclosed in DE 101 33 938 A1 is a door arrester for sliding doors of motor vehicles with a retaining arm that is fastened via a holder to the bodywork that can be pivoted counter to a pretensioned spring. A retaining arm is latched via a latching member to a counter latching member arranged on the sliding door in the open position of the sliding door. A lug is arranged as a latching member on the retaining arm and a latching cam is arranged as a counter latching member that acts transversely to the direction of travel of the sliding door.
There is a problem, however, when a vehicle with an open sliding door starts to move forward and then brakes with the use of the known arresters. The sliding door may be released and closed and/or slammed shut on its own accord in an unrestrained manner.
A device for hooking a door into an opening of a vehicle with a closing bolt and a receiver is disclosed in DE 100 42 282 B4. In this reference the receiver is pivotably mounted and comprises a receiver portion for the closing bolt spaced apart from its pivot axis and at least one closing portion for the closing bolt and a mass. A mass that is spaced apart from a pivot axis after pivoting is brought into a positive connection with the closing bolt. The receiver is fixedly connected to the further mass which is arranged spaced apart from the pivot axis, and the further mass pivots the receiver due to its inertial force. Thus the pivotable vehicle door is hooked onto the bodywork via the normal door lock in the event of an accident or side impact and the forces are introduced into the bodywork.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide a sliding door arrester which prevents automatic closure of the sliding door during braking. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a flame-retardant copolyester polymer dyeable with a cationic dye, a method of producing the same, and a copolyester fiber using the same. The copolyester polymer includes terephthalic acid (hereinafter, referred to as “TPA”) as a raw material, and thus, it has excellent dyeability due to the cationic dye under atmospheric pressure while assuring excellent intrinsic physical properties of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (hereinafter, referred to as “PET”), has an increase of pack pressure, considered as a cause of reduction in spinnability during a spinning process, that is similar to that of conventional polyester, and has excellent flame retardancy.
More particularly, the present invention pertains to a method of producing a copolyester, which is capable of being dyed using a cationic dye under atmospheric pressure, assures a slow increasing speed of pack pressure because contents of foreign materials, such as unreacted materials, increasing the pack pressure in a polymer, are very low, resulting in excellent processability, and has a limited oxygen index (hereinafter, referred to as “LOI”) of 26 or more as a standard of flame retardancy in the course of producing a fiber. Additionally, unlike conventional PET, the polymer of the present invention can be dyed by cationic dye, can have vivid colors, and can assure a two tone effect after the dyeing when it is used in conjunction with a typical flame-retardant copolyester fiber, and thus, the polymer of the present invention having excellent flame retardancy and dyeability can be used in various applications.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A PET fiber is a polymer material, which has excellent mechanical properties and resistances to chemicals and environments, thereby being usually applied to fibers for clothes, industrial fibers, and films. However, even though it has some advantages, in the case of employing it as the fibers for clothes, since it has no functional groups affecting the dyeing, it can be dyed using only a disperse dye at high temperature and pressure. Accordingly, many studies have been conducted to improve dyeability by copolymerization using ionic materials.
Additionally, since the PET fiber having the LOI of 20-22 combusts in atmospheric air, it is problematic in terms of stability. With respect to this, studies have been conducted to improve flame retardancy according to a growing demand for flame retardancy in advanced countries, such as Europe and America.
The above studies are as follows.
1. The Improvement in the Dyeability by Copolymerization Using the Ionic Materials
WO 99/09238 discloses a method of producing a copolyester dyeable by a cationic dye, in which an ester-forming sulfonate compound is copolymerized in a copolymerizing ratio of 0.5-5 mol %, and which adopts a DMT process. However, the DMT process is disadvantageous in terms of productivity and production costs in comparison with a TPA process, and in practice, when it is applied to TPA polymerization devices usually used in most polyester enterprises, spinning efficiency is reduced because of the large amount of unreacted materials.
2. The Improvement in the Flame Retardancy
A method of giving the flame retardancy to a polyester fiber is classified into a first method, in which a surface of a fiber is treated with a flame retardant, a second method, in which a flame retardant material is used during a spinning process, and a third method, in which copolymerization is conducted with the use of a flame retardant material. The first method has a disadvantage of poor durability even though it is advantageous in terms of production costs. The second method includes a blend-spinning method employing a flame retardant material (flame retardant) and another blend-spinning method employing a flame-retardant master batch, which contains an excess amount of flame retardant, but the former is problematic in that spinnability and physical properties of a grey yarn are reduced, and the latter has disadvantages in that it is difficult to produce the flame-retardant master batch so that it has desired physical properties, such as viscosity and color. The third method relates to the production of flame-retardant polyester through copolymerization, and has advantages in that flame-retardant polyester has desired durability and the third method is similar to a typical method of producing polyester. A halogen-based flame retardant (mostly consisting of bromine(Br)-based flame retardant) and a phosphorus(P)-based flame retardant are usually used in the course of producing flame-retardant polyester.
Use of the bromine-based flame retardant is disclosed in Japanese Pat. Laid-Open Publication Nos. Sho.62-6912, Sho.53-46398, and Sho.51-28894, in which, since bromine-based compounds are easily decomposed by heat at high temperatures, a great amount of flame retardant must be used to obtain desired flame retardancy, and thus, the above patents are problematic in that colors of polymers deteriorate, resistance to light is reduced, and toxic gases are generated during combustion.
Furthermore, use of the phosphorus-based flame retardant is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,941,752, 5,399,428, and 5,180,793, and Japanese Pat. Laid-Open Publication No. Sho.50-56488, in which, in the case of the reactive flame retardant, since a phosphorus atom having a flame-retardant function is bonded to a main chain of a polymer, physical properties are reduced due to hydrolysis in the course of post-processing a polyester fiber, particularly dyeing it. Additionally, Japanese Pat. Laid-Open Publication No. Sho.52-47891 discloses the production of flame-retardant polyester, in which a phosphorus-based flame retardant is used in a predetermined stage of an ester interchange reaction and a polycondensation reaction. However, in the case of employing dimethyl terephthalate (hereinafter, referred to as “DMT”) as a raw material, there are some problems that production costs are high in comparison with that of a terephthalic acid (hereinafter, referred to as “TPA”) process and a polymer produced through this Japanese patent is degraded by UV.
As described above, conventionally, studies have been conducted to improve the dyeability and to provide flame retardancy by copolymerization of the ionic materials. Recently, there is a growing need to add flame retardancy to intrinsic physical properties according to a growing demand for bedclothes, interior fiber products, and clothes having flame retardancy in advanced countries.
A method of physically blending a flame-retardant polyester polymer and a polyester polymer dyeable with a cationic dye during a spinning process may be suggested to produce a flame-retardant fiber dyeable with a cationic dye, to be provided by the present invention. However, this method is problematic in that since a copolyester fiber produced according to the method includes two polymers simply blended with each other, a content of phosphorus, acting as the flame retardant, is reduced, and thus, the desired flame retardancy is not assured, and that since a content of the ionic materials, which provide dyeability by the cationic dye, is reduced, the dyeability by the cationic dye is reduced due to a reduction in spaces to be dyed by the cationic dye. Additionally, it is difficult to precisely regulate contents of the flame retardant and ionic materials, and to uniformly disperse them, resulting in nonuniform physical properties of a grey yarn. | {
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Emulsions may be formed when two or more immiscible liquids, usually water or a water-based solution and a hydrophobic organic liquid (e.g., an oil), are mixed so that one liquid forms droplets in the other liquid. Either of the liquids can be dispersed in the other liquid. When, for example, oil is dispersed in water, the emulsion may be referred to as an oil-in-water (o/w) emulsion. The reverse case is a water-in-oil (w/o) emulsion. More complex emulsions such as double emulsions may be formed when, for example, water droplets in a continuous oil phase themselves contain dispersed oil droplets. These oil-in-water-in-oil emulsions may be identified as o/w/o emulsions. In the same manner a w/o/w emulsion may be formed.
A problem with many emulsions is that if they are not stabilized, for example, by adding surfactants or emulsifiers, they tend to agglomerate, form a creaming layer, coalesce, and finally separate into two phases. If a surfactant or emulsifier (sometimes referred to as a surface-active agent) is added to one or both of the immiscible liquids, one of the liquids may form a continuous phase and the other liquid may remain in droplet form (“dispersed or discontinuous phase”), the droplets being dispersed in the continuous phase. The degree of stability of the emulsion may be increased when droplet size is decreased below certain values. For example, a typical o/w emulsion of a droplet size of 20 microns may be only temporally stable (hours) while that of one micron may be considered as “quasi-permanently” stable (weeks or longer). However, the energy consumption and the power requirement for the emulsification system and process may be significantly increased for smaller droplet sizes when using conventional processing techniques, especially for highly viscous emulsions with very small droplet sizes and large outputs. For example, the doubling of energy dissipation (energy consumption) may cause a reduction of average droplet size of only about 25% when using conventional processing techniques. Shear force may be applied to overcome the interfacial tension force and in turn to break larger droplets into smaller ones. However, as the droplet size decreases, the interfacial tension required to keep the droplet shape tends to increase. Energy consumption may take place in various forms, for example, it can be the energy needed by the stirrer to overcome shear force of the emulsion in a batch process, the energy for heating and cooling, and/or the power to overcome pressure drop in a continuous process such as in a homogenizer. Heating is often needed for emulsification when one of the phases does not flow or flows too slowly at room temperature. A heated emulsion typically has lower stability, however, due to lower viscosity of the continuous phase and in turn less drag. Drag may be necessary to stop or resist the motion of the droplets and in turn the coalescence into larger and often undesired droplets or aggregates of droplets as well as phase separation into layers. After emulsification, droplets tend to rise by buoyancy. As such, an immediate cooling down may be needed, which also consumes energy.
A problem with many of the processes that are currently available for making emulsions is that the range of compositions that are feasible for formulating product are constrained. For example, a problem with many of the emulsions that are currently available relates to the presence of surfactants or emulsifiers in their formulations. These surfactants or emulsifiers may be required to stabilize the emulsions, but may be undesirable for many applications. For example, heating without bubbling or boiling is often desired in emulsification processes, however in some instances the onset temperature of nucleate boiling or air bubble formation from dissolved air in the continuous phase may lower when surfactants or emulsifiers are present. Boiling may cause unwanted property changes. Air bubbles may cause creaming and other undesired features.
Emulsions that have low surfactant or emulsifier concentrations or are free of such surfactants or emulsifiers are often desirable for skin care products in the cosmetic industry. A disadvantage with some surfactants or emulsifiers is their tendency to interact with preservatives, such as the esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid, used in skin care products. Skin irritation is another problem often associated with the use of surfactants or emulsifiers. Many adverse skin reactions experienced by consumers from the use of cosmetics may be related to the presence of the surfactants or emulsifiers. Another example relates to the problem with using surfactants or emulsifiers wherein water proofing is desired. For example, in water-based skin care products such as sunscreen, the active ingredient may not be waterproof due to the presence of water-soluble surfactants or emulsifiers.
A problem relating to the use of many pharmaceutical compounds relates to the fact that they are insoluble or poorly soluble in water and there are limitations as to the surfactants or emulsifiers that can be used. This has resulted in the discovery of drugs that are not clinically acceptable due to problems relating to transporting the drugs into the body. Emulsion formulation problems may be problematic with drugs for intravenous injection and the administration of chemotherapeutic or anti-cancer agents. | {
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Computing systems having multiple components, such as computer clusters or Internet data centers (IDCs), may be housed in a computer room. The computer room provides a controlled environment for the computing system's operation. The computer room may also include fire suppression mechanisms or security systems for protection from natural or man-made attacks. Colloquially, computer rooms may be also be referred to as data centers. | {
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1. Field of Invention
The invention relates generally to a carbonation system for use with beverage mixing and dispensing systems.
2. Description of Related Art
The dispensing of fountain beverages is generally done by either pre-mix systems or post-mix systems. In pre-mix systems, a finished carbonated product is delivered to the customer or merchant from a manufacturer. In post-mix systems, concentrate, such as fountain syrup, is delivered to a merchant and then mixed with carbonated water at the point of sale.
In both pre-mix and post-mix systems, the carbonation process is critical for creating a finished product of high quality. It is the carbonation process that causes carbon dioxide (CO2) to be absorbed into the product, thereby imparting the unique flavor and taste of a carbonated beverage.
A goal of post-mix systems is to achieve the same carbonation content that is present in pre-mixed bottles and cans, which typically have a CO2 content of about 3.6 to 4.2 volumes. However, in post-mix systems there is a substantial amount of loss of CO2 from the carbonated water during mixing and dispensing. Therefore, in order to obtain the same CO2 levels as are present in pre-mixed bottles and cans, it is desired to increase the CO2 content in the post-mix carbonated water to about 4.7 to 5.5 volumes.
Carbonation systems are used in both pre-mix and post-mix systems. In both systems, the product is usually carbonated by injecting water into a CO2 environment in order for the water to absorb the CO2. There are many types of such carbonation systems in existence. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,588,677 (Welty, et al.), incorporated herein by reference, describes a liquid carbonator in which a nozzle injects water at a downward angle into a horizontal tank. However, because the water is ejected downwardly, it quickly mixes with accumulating water and does not spend sufficient time in the CO2 atmosphere, where carbonation is most effective.
Another carbonation system called Paramix is available from Klöckner KHS of New Berlin, Wis. The Paramix system is a pre-mix beverage processing system that is used for beverage can and bottle filling equipment. In this system, water is first deaerated in a two-stage deaeration vessel. Proportioned syrup and deaerated water enter a common line at a mix reservoir and are pumped to a carbonation tank. The mixed water and syrup product is diffused into the carbonation tank under pressure and the diffused product absorbs CO2 from the ambient CO2 atmosphere. The mixed product is diffused by being sprayed through an inlet diffuser. The holes in the Paramix diffuser, however, are arranged so that the product is ejected perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vessel. In addition, because the Paramix system is used for can and bottle filling equipment, it is not suitable for adaptation to post-mix systems. For example, it uses a much greater carbonator tank volume and flow rate.
Because it is important that the finished product be sufficiently carbonated, there is a constant need for systems that are able produce carbonated product with a higher carbonating efficiency. Moreover, increasing the efficiency of the carbonation system allows for greater design flexibility. For example, by maximizing the carbonation efficiency, a carbonation system can operate at lower liquid supply pressures. Such a reduction in the required liquid supply pressure allows for greater flexibility in the selection of a liquid supply pump. Since pumps that operate at lower liquid supply pressures tend to be longer lasting and require fewer service calls, the reliability of the carbonation system can also be increased.
In addition to the demand for an increase in carbonation efficiency, there is a constant industry need to increase the carbonated product flow rate. Increasing the product flow rate, for example, allows a merchant using a post-mix carbonation system to dispense a greater volume of carbonated beverages during peak hours of business. In addition, for a beverage fountain that includes multiple dispensing nozzles, an increased supply of carbonated water can allow more than one nozzle to be used at the same time.
None of the systems discussed above provide for a high carbonation efficiency with maximum product flow. In addition, none of the systems discussed above provide for the benefits of high carbonation efficiency while being easily adaptable to existing designs of post-mix systems. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a mining machine, and more particularly, to a mining machine that includes a mining machine frame having a plurality of pivots for a boom assembly and for piston cylinder assemblies with the piston cylinder assemblies being positioned selectively at the respective pivot points to provide mining machine boom assemblies having different cutting heights which may be utilized with the same continuous mining machine.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is well known in underground mining to provide mining machines with adjustable cutting means and pivotally secured boom assemblies movable by means of pivotally secured piston cylinder assemblies.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,282,704 discloses a vehicle for gathering and carrying mined material and having a detachable loading head. The detachable loading head is laterally movable on the main frame of the vehicle, and is secured to the vehicle by upwardly projecting apertured brackets on a platform supporting the gathering head to which apertured arms are pivotally connected to the loading head by pins.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,866,626 discloses a mining machine having two rows of cutter heads hydraulically movable on a vertical axis away from each other and inclinable relative to the axis of the frame carrying the cutting heads, and being supported on a boom assembly which is vertically movable relative to the axis of the mining machine frame.
U.S Pat. No. 2,868,531 discloses a cutter head for a mining machine having an adjustable cusp cutter.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,013,784 discloses a mining machine having an adjustable head mechanism movable in the vertical and horizontal planes. Gearing allows for movement of the cutter head around the axis of the drive shaft while the cutter head rotates.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,208,797 discloses a continuous mining machine having a cutter frame structure supported on three points, two of which points are cylinders mounted on either side of the cutter frame with pistons having balls fitting into sockets, and the third point being an universal joint. The cutter frame structure is adjustable with respect to the vertical and transverse longitudinal axes of the mining machine frame.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,730,593 and 3,774,969 as well as 3,848,930 and 4,056,189 disclose a boom member pivotally connected to the frame of a continuous mining machine by means of rearwardly extending parallel arm members. The arm members are pivotally connected to a piston rod of a piston cylinder assembly which is pivotally connected at its other end to the mining machine frame. Retraction of the piston rod of the piston cylinder assembly pivots the boom member vertically about the pivot point of the arms connected to the boom member.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,076,316 discloses a boom member pivotally connected to the frame of the mining machine by means of arm members. A pair of parallel support members are positioned laterally of the boom arm members and extend forwardly therefrom. The support members are supported on cylindrical members which extend laterally from the ar members and whose rearward end portions have a cylindrical recess arranged to receive the cylindrical members to allow the support members to move laterally toward and away from the arm members.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,088,371 discloses a continuous mining machine with a forwardly extending boom member having parallel rearwardly extending arm members which are pivotally connected to the mining machine frame. A piston rod of a piston cylinder assembly is pivotally connected to the arm members and the other end of the piston cylinder assembly is pivotally connected to the mining machine frame. Extension and retraction of the piston rod effects vertical movement of the boom member around the pivot point of the boom member.
There are other examples in the prior art of a boom member pivotally secured to the mining machine frame of a continuous mining machine, and movable relative to the mining machine frame around the pivot point of the boom assembly by means of a piston cylinder assembly pivotally connected to the boom member and also pivotally connected to the mining machine. Recent examples of this type of boom assembly for a continuous mining machine may be seen in U.S. Pat. No 4,641,888 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,582,363.
Although the prior art discloses adjustable cutter frame assemblies, and pivotally secured boom assemblies movable about a vertical plane by means of pivotally secured piston cylinder assemblies, there remains a need for a boom assembly having interchangeably functional dual pivot points for receiving either the boom assembly structure pivotally thereon, or a piston cylinder assembly pivotally thereon to enable the continuous mining machine frame assembly to accomodate either a relatively low cutting height boom assembly or a relatively higher cutting height boom assembly. | {
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The invention generally relates to an apparatus to make appropriately shaped masonry or foam building blocks for arranging and setting in courses or layers--masonry style--to build a blockwork domed structure therefrom, as well as relating to, a method of making or cutting an individual block from a billet of masonry or foam raw stock material (e.g., foam such as polystyrene and the like), and also, the resultant domed structure.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,155,967 and 4,324,074--South et al., disclose a domed building structures and a method of making them. More particularly, those patent references disclose a dome building constructed by a process deploying spray-gun applied urethane and concrete (available at least under one brand name as SHOTCRETE.TM.). The process involves pouring a ring foundation. If the dome is small the ring foundation and the circular base floor can be poured at once. Otherwise the circular base floor can be poured later. Steel hooks are embedded in the ring portion of the foundation. A fabric-walled bubble or membrane is attached to the ring foundation and inflated by fans. The fabric-walled membrane is scaled to and given the shape that is ultimately desired for the completed building. Hence the fabric-walled membrane serves as the form for the building during construction.
Next a coating of polyurethane foam is applied to the inside surface of the fabric-walled membrane via use of pressurized-spray equipment. The polyurethane-foam coating is built to a thickness of approximately three inches (8 cm) thick, and allowed to dry. The fans and a double-door airlock maintain pressure inside while the foam dries. Following that, steel reinforcing bar is hung on the foam and anchored to the hooks in the ring foundation. And after that, another coating is applied from the inside, this time it being the SHOTCRETE.TM. or the like. The concrete is allowed to set. The dome is thus complete. The fabric-walled membrane is left in place for forming a single-ply water-proofing membrane on the roof of the structure.
Domes constructed as described have proved popular in various applications including foremost among the applications as residential dwellings. One of the more attractive utilitarian features of these dome homes is their energy efficiency. The foam layer that extends three inches (8 cm) thick provides an effective R-value in excess of a whopping value of 60. There are anecdotal reports that a foam-dome residence in Texas was sufficiently heated during the winter by the equivalent of two hair dryers. Regardless, foam-dome building sites have ranged from the Equator to the Arctic Circle and northward particularly because of the economy they provide for cooling and/or heating. Also, the concrete inner layer acts as a heat sink for the inside temperature of the home, receiving and releasing the ambient temperature over time and hence smoothing out fluctuations.
Additionally, the stream-lined low profile of many of the dome homes has caused them more likely to survive a direct coastal hurricane assault than other home styles. Utilitarian features aside, homeowners of dome residences simply prefer its aesthetic qualities too, including how a dome profile attractively graces the natural environment.
There are shortcomings with the prior art method of producing a dome building. The profile of the building is limited to whatever shape can be inflated via an inflatable membrane. The thickness of the foam coating has a practical limit of whatever will adhere to and harden on the membrane without unduly flowing. Also, the uniformity of the thickness of the foam coating is susceptible to the same problems. What is needed is an improvement which overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art.
It is an object of the invention to provide an appropriately shaped masonry or foam building block for arranging and setting in courses or layers--masonry style--to build a blockwork domed structure therefrom.
It is an alternate object of the invention to provide a method of making or cutting an individual block from a billet of masonry or foam raw stock material.
It is another object of the invention to produce the resultant blockwork domed structure from the foregoing blocks.
A number of additional features and objects will be apparent in connection with the following discussion of preferred embodiments and examples. | {
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The number of various services and additional functions provided by an electronic device are gradually increasing. In order to increase the effective value of the electronic device and meet various demands of users, various applications that are executable by the electronic device have been developed.
The electronic device may photograph an object through a camera installed in the electronic device, and the camera may include an image sensor that detects the object. The electronic device may detect an object or an image through, for example, the image sensor. The image sensor may be configured, for example, in the unit of a plurality of pixels, and each pixel unit may consist of, for example, a plurality of subpixels. The image sensor may include an array of small photodiodes called, for example, pixels or photosites. For example, the pixel does not extract a color from light and may convert a photon of a wide spectrum band into an electron. Accordingly, the pixel of the image sensor may receive, for example, only the light of a band required for acquiring the color among lights of the wide spectrum band.
The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the present disclosure. | {
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Over the years there has been an evolution of protective garments. In the distant past there were protective armor garments that were both solid and jointed to permit some flexibility for movement. Such garments were relatively effective against missiles such as knives, spears, arrows and the like. However, these types of protective garments were disrcarded with the advent of firearms. These garments when constructed to be able to protect against firearms became too heavy, cumbersome and unwieldy.
In the past, strong aramid fibers and other similar fibers were developed which could be woven into a ballistic resistant cloth used to make protective garments capable of stopping various ballistic missiles such as bullets, shot, shell fragments, trauma and cutting instruments. Such garments are worn by police force personnel, military personnel and others who are potentially subjected to this type of deadly force. However, there has historically been heavy resistance in wearing these garments since they are relatively heavy, unwieldy and often times difficult to conceal.
In recent history, ballistic resistant garments have been developed which have enhanced characteristics of wearability and concealability. Such garments generally must contain improved balances of light weight, thin-ness, and flexibility to improve wearability and concealability, thereby improving end-user safety by increasing the likelihood that the protective garment will be worn.
However, improving wearability by reducing weight and improving thin-ness and flexibility without loss in needed ballistic performance has not been easy for the armor industry. Although much progress has been made on the performance side, that progress has been severely hampered by certain conditions of the controversial voluntary National Institute of Justice STD 0101.03 ("03"). This "03" standard specifies conditions for laboratory testing that cause lighter, thinner and more flexible designs to experience what are known as "bunching and balling" and/or "shifting". These problems in the laboratory test frequently lead to unpredictable and unrealistic "failures" in the laboratory which are not indicative of armor field performance on a dynamic, elastic human torso.
The repetitive multi-hit, multi-angle protocol of "03" which is shot on inelastic modeling clay can disadvantageously cause severe uncontrolled "bunching and balling" of the anti-ballistic pac, with resultant disorientation and separation of the ballistic layers. This can lead to uncontrolled and unrealistic loss of ballistic integrity and "penetration failure" in the laboratory.
The repetitive multi-hit, multi-angle protocol of "03" which is shot on inelastic modeling clay can also disadvantageously cause "shifting" of the anti-ballistic pac inside its removable carrier in a way that results in a "fair hit" shot striking the carrier in the correct place but missing, or barely grazing, the anti-ballistic pac. This too can result in a "penetration failure" even though the bullet may have never struck the anti-ballistic part.
Indeed "03" testing ballisticians are taught to do their best to create either "bunching or balling" or "shifting" failures during NIJ "03" certification testing.
Because of these problems thick, heavy, stiff and less wearable designs are much easier to pass through certification testing than light, thin, soft, flexible more wearable designs. This is true even though the lighter, thinner, softer and more wearable design might have equivalent or even higher actual ballistic stopping power as evidenced by scientifically reproducible V-50 Ballistic Limit tests (such as those used for research, development, old used vest studies and the world's military specifications).
In 1993, a revolutionary new ballistic resistant garment was developed that is now known as the MONARCH.RTM. (trademark of Second Chance Body Armor, Inc., Central Lake, Mich.). MONARCH.RTM. technology successfully reduced weight by 12-18% and improved thin-ness by about 20% while maintaining so much flexibility that the vest could literally be balled up in the end-user's hands. This so-called "fourth generation" technology involves revolutionary self-reinforcing fabrication techniques that resist "bunching and balling" and "shifting" in the laboratory during NIJ "03" certification testing without sacrificing softness and flexibility--i.e. improved wearability. These techniques are taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,479,659 issued Jan. 2, 1996 to Bachner Jr.
Since 1993, the MONARCH.RTM. vest has become the "wearability standard". However, it has been learned that further improvements in wearability to fifth, sixth and/or seventh generations are required to off-set the problems in the flawed NIJ "03" laboratory test methods. Therefore, there is a need in the art for new and improved securement techniques which improve ballistic materials and produce further improvements in wearability while still successfully completing the NIJ "03" test protocol. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system on chip (SoC) structure, a duplexer, and a duplexer fabrication method thereof and, more particularly, to a SoC structure including an air cavity for isolating elements, a duplexer, and a duplexer fabrication method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
The demands for compact, multifunction electronic devices have been suddenly increased with the development of electronic technology. Thus, SoC technology has been introduced. SoC means technology for integrating a plurality of elements into one chip so as to realize one system. Chips fabricated using SoC technology are called SoC structures. In particular, efforts to fabricate various types of chips in the form of SoC have been made with the introduction of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology.
However, if a plurality of elements are integrated on one substrate, the possibility of interferences among the elements occurring is great. Also, if an element is driven, heat generated from the element may be transmitted through the substrate to another element so that the heat affects another element. Thus, SoC structures may malfunction during driving.
Various types of cellular phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), note books, and the like have been developed and popularized with the development of radio communication technology. Such portable communication devices necessarily use duplexers. Such a duplexer as a kind of representative element complexly using a filter appropriately splits signals transmitted and received through an antenna in a communication system realized using a frequency division duplex (FDD) method so as to efficiently share the antenna. The duplexer basically includes a transmitter filter and a receiver filter. The transmitter filter is a band pass filter (BPF) passing only a frequency to be transmitted, and the receiver filter is a BPF passing only a frequency to be received. The transmitter and receiver filters pass only predetermined frequency band signals so as to efficiently share one antenna.
Efforts to fabricate such a duplexer in the form of a SoC structure have been made. As general technology for fabricating the duplexer in the form of SoC structure, a transmitter filter, a receiver filter, and a phase shifter are fabricated on a single substrate. The phase shifter generally includes a capacitor and an inductor to allow a frequency phase difference between the transmitted and received signals to be 90° so as to prevent the transmitted and received signals from being affected by each other.
However, the phase shifter isolates phases of the transmitted and received signals from each other but does not effectively intercept a physical effect such as heat or noise transmitted through a substrate. In particular, the substrate must have a very small area to fabricate the duplexer in the form of an SoC structure, and thus heat or noise is easily transmitted to another element. As a result, the whole system may make an error. | {
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Abrasive wheels for cutting, grinding and performing other finishing operations on material surfaces are known in the art. Such abrasive wheels are generally attached to different types of power tools that provide rotational motion to the abrasive wheel. More specifically, the abrasive wheels are able to be attached to a rotating arbor of a power tool, such that the power tool is able to provide rotation to the abrasive wheel. As such, when the rotating abrasive wheel contacts the surface of a work piece, the rotation of the abrasive wheel is sufficient to cut, grind or otherwise remove material from the work piece.
Many abrasive wheels are suitable for use with hand-held power tools, such as angle grinders. In addition, in many cases, the abrasive wheels are disposable components that are thrown-away once they have become worn out. A deficiency with many existing abrasive wheels is that they are time consuming and cumbersome to attach to the arbor of the power tools. The attachment and removal processes often requires multiple pieces, such as nuts and clamping discs in order to secure the abrasive wheel to the arbor of the power tool. In addition, tools such as wrenches are often needed in order to both attach a new abrasive wheel to the power tool and remove a worn abrasive wheel from the power tool.
As such, when replacing an abrasive wheel, an operator has to be careful not to lose or otherwise misplace the small pieces, such as the nuts, that are required for attaching a new abrasive wheel. The operators must also be certain to have the necessary tools on hand that are needed to remove a worn abrasive wheel and attach a new abrasive wheels. Obviously, this can result in situations where the operator will have to go out of his or her way in order to replace a worn-out grinding wheel.
In addition, during a grinding, cutting or polishing operation, the relatively high rotation speed of the abrasive wheel can cause the work piece to increase in temperature at the location where the abrasive wheel is in contact with the surface of the work piece. This increase in temperature can result in premature wear of the abrasive wheel, deformation of the work piece as well as potential inefficiency in material removal.
Against this background, it can be seen that there is a need in the industry to improve at least some of the deficiencies presented by existing abrasive wheels used with power tools. | {
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Wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) optical communication systems (referred to as “WDM systems”) are systems in which multiple optical signals, each having a different wavelength, are combined onto a single optical fiber using an optical multiplexer circuit (referred to as a “multiplexer”). Such systems may include a transmitter circuit, such as a transmitter (Tx) photonic integrated circuit (PIC) having a transmitter component to provide a laser associated with each wavelength, a modulator configured to modulate the output of the laser, and a multiplexer to combine each of the modulated outputs (e.g., to form a combined output or WDM signal).
A WDM system may also include a receiver circuit, such as a receiver (Rx) PIC having an optical demultiplexer circuit (referred to as a “demultiplexer”) configured to receive the combined output and demultiplex the combined output into individual optical signals, and receiver components to convert the optical signals into electrical signals, and output the data carried by those electrical signals. Digital optical transmission systems may employ coherent detection to compensate for chromatic dispersion (CD) and polarization mode dispersion (PMD) distortions native in an optical fiber, allowing the use of more complex modulations to increase spectral efficiency and fiber capacity. | {
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Double Data Rate (DDR and DDRII) and Quad Data Rate (QDR and QDRII) are industry standard architectures for high-speed networking Static Random Access Memory (SRAM). The DDR architecture doubles the data rate of standard SRAM by performing two memory accesses per clock cycle. In the QDR architecture, the input port and the output port are separate and operate independently allowing two memory reads and two memory writes per clock cycle. With two memory reads and writes per clock cycle, the QDR architecture quadruples the data rate of standard SRAM by allowing four memory accesses per clock cycle.
The QDR architecture was originally designed for high speed SRAM interfaces. However, the QDR architecture has been adopted for other high frequency applications, for example, as a standard interface to memory based co-processors.
The QDR architecture defines a master clock pair that is used to control read and write accesses to the SRAM. For example, all data read from SRAM is aligned to the rising edges of the master clock pair.
When operating at a low operating frequency, for example, below 133 MHz, there is sufficient time for a bus master such as, an ASIC or a microprocessor coupled to the QDR device to use the rising edges of the master clock pair to capture the data synchronized to the master clock pair. However, as the operating frequency of the QDR device is increased, data valid windows and hold times decrease accordingly. Data synchronized to the master clock pair by the memory based co-processor may not be valid when captured by the bus master using the master clock pair. In order to allow the bus master to capture valid data when operating at higher frequencies, the QDR architecture also defines a data clock pair. The data clock pair is a phase-shifted version of the master clock pair.
The QDR architecture permits the bus master to use the data clock pair to capture the data instead of the master clock pair in order to meet data setup and hold times at the bus master. Thus, the memory-based co-processor must synchronize the data to the data clock pair after it has been read from data storage. There can be a significant phase difference (skew) between the master clock pair and the data clock pair. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of Art
The present invention generally relates to the field of signal detection and more specifically to using data from both directions of a bi-directional communication channel to enhance signal quality.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recent technological advancements have increased the use of speech communication applications, such as speech recognition, hands-free telephony and speech coding. These advancements have lead to increased use of voice activity detection (VAD) algorithms and processes. VAD processes detect the presence or absence of human speech from audio samples.
In particular, in hands-free telephone applications, VAD is used to control and reduce average bit rate and to enhance overall coding quality. Further, VAD processes are used to implement discontinuous transmission (DTX) in portable devices, which enhances system capacity and/or signal quality by reducing co-channel interference and power consumption. However, conventional VAD techniques separately process transmitted data and received data. Commonly, two independent VAD processes are used, one for the transmitted data and one for the received data.
However, because system parameters are constantly varying, conventional VAD techniques can erroneously classify speech and noise, and vice versa. In particular, in mobile environments, background noise is diverse and highly variable, and can lead to low signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). In low SNR environments, existing VAD methods cannot distinguish between speech and noise when parts of the speech are below the noise threshold. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to catalyst means for the catalytic treatment of exhaust gas. Such catalyst means intended for installation in a housing of a catalytic converter are frequently also referred to as the substrate of the catalytic converter.
The catalyst means have passages for the exhaust gas and are intended in particular for purifying and/or detoxifying exhaust gas produced by a petrol combustion engine or possibly by other internal combustion engine and flowing through the passages by a catalytic treatment, i.e. for freeing said exhaust gas from pollutants, by converting the latter chemical reaction. The internal combustion engine may belong, for example, to an automobile or to another motor vehicle or serve for stationary operation--for example for driving an emergency power generator.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Known catalyst means or substrates have a packet of sheet metal members which rest against one another at certain points and together bound passages. Said sheet metal members are provided with coatings which contain alumina and catalytically active material which is applied to the alumina and consists of at least one noble metal. The sheet metal members are held together by retaining means.
European Patent Disclosure 0 514 326 discloses inter alia, for exude, catalyst means having disk-like sheet metal members. The successive sheet metal members have intersecting waves, are arranged between flat end members and are held together by these and by bolts which pass through them, one of the end members being formed by a housing wall.
When a catalytic converter is installed in an automobile, vibrations, accelerations and hard, abrupt impacts acting on the catalyst means during the use of the automobile are produced. In addition, the catalyst means are heated by the exhaust gas during operation and then cooled again, local temperature differences being produced and the dimensions of the various parts changing as a function of the local temperature. In known catalyst means of the type described, the vibrations, accelerations, impacts and thermally produced dimensional changes result in the sheet metal members moving along the bolts and the compressive forces exerted by the sheet metal members and end members on one another changing as a function of time and place. Very large and, in some cases, abrupt changing compressive forces may occur temporarily from place to place and cause the alumina and the catalytically active material to split off.
In order to obtain a large number of passages per unit area and to keep the weight, the heat capacity and the material costs low, it is desirable to produce the catalyst means from sheet metal members which are as thin as possible. However, during use of a catalytic converter, forces which are also directed transversely to the bolts are exerted at the edges of the holes in the sheet metal members through which the bolts pass and may damage the stated edges, in particular in the case of thin sheet metal members. In addition, movements of the sheet metal members in a direction transverse to the bolts may occur and may rub off catalytically active material.
A catalytic converter disclosed in French Patent Disclosure 2 617 903 has a housing which contains catalyst means having a packet of annular sheet metal members which have coatings containing catalytically active material. The sheet metal members are in general conical, but at least one sheet metal member of each pair of adjacent sheet metal members is provided with waves or bulges. The sheet metal men, bets are arranged in a cage which has an annular flange at one end of the packet, a plate at the other end and some rods connected to said plate and to the annular flange and distributed around the packet. According to the last-cited publication, the sheet metal members may be connected to one another or to the annular flange or to the plate by spot welding. Since the sheet metal members touch one another at least partly only in the case of linear wave summits or point-like bulge peaks and have coatings, it would however be very difficult and expensive to weld all sheet metal members to one another in pairs. Moreover, in spite of such spot welds from point to point, which are practically inevitably staggered relative to one another in the axial direction of view, the sheet metal members could still experience relatively strong deformation and movement relative to one another. Since the sheet metal members are subjected to vibrations, other accelerations, temperature change and temperature gradients during the use of the catalytic converter, there is a great danger in this catalytic converter too that the sheet metal members and especially their coatings will be damaged.
International Patent Disclosure 93/21 431 furthermore discloses catalyst means having a cylindrical winding and passages parallel to its axis. The winding is formed from two pairs of adjacent strips, a strip having waves parallel to the axis and a waveless, originally flat strip alternating with one another. The strips originally consist of aluminum foils and are then converted by anodic oxidation into alumina and coated with catalytically active material. The catalyst means have two strip-like, electrically heatable heating elements, each of which is arranged between two adjacent strips of the winding. The two heating elements are present on one and the same lateral surface of the winding, at one end of the passages. The heating elements are preferably provided with coatings of alumina and catalytically active material.
When an internal combustion engine supplying exhaust gas to the catalyst means is started, the heating elements serve to heat the exhaust gas flowing into the passages of the catalyst means and to heat the catalyst means. Since the heating elements are at right angles to the waves and passages, they touch the strip adjacent to them and having waves at most in very small, more or less linear sections of the wave summits and are scarcely firmly connected to the strips. Since the strips of the prepared catalyst means consist mainly of alumina and since the heating elements preferably have coatings of alumina, it would in particular also be practically impossible to connect the strips of the winding and the strip-like heating elements to one another by welding or hard soldering. Since furthermore heating elements are present only on one lateral surface of the winding, they scarcely contribute towards holding together the strips of the winding and connecting them to one another. The last-cited publication also discloses no other retaining means for holding together the winding. It therefore appears probable that the strips of the winding can move relative to one another and may damage one another if the winding is subjected to vibrations, other accelerations, temperature gradients and temperature changes during use. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and an image processing program for processing an image of a document read by an image reading apparatus (for example, a scanner, a copier, a facsimile).
2. Description of the Related Art
JP-A-2005-260387 discloses a technique related to an image processing apparatus and the like which correctly reads a document having a size larger than a readable document size by using a carrier sheet and obtains a combined image without setting processing of a read mode.
However, when A3 combining is performed by an image reading apparatus that can read one side of a document (specifically, when the A3 combining is performed by using the technique described in JP-A-2005-260387), there is a problem that how the image reading apparatus reads the document is difficult to understand for a user. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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This application claims priority to International Application No. PCT/GB99/04077 which was published on Jun. 29, 2000.
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a vacuum cleaner particularly, but not exclusively, to an autonomous or robotic vacuum cleaner.
2. Background of the Invention
Various proposals have been made in respect of autonomous or robotic vacuum cleaners, which are driven automatically and do not require to be propelled by a user across a surface to be cleaned. Essentially, such a vacuum cleaner comprises a body or chassis supported on wheels which are driven by a self-contained power pack and guided by a control system which navigates the vacuum cleaner around a room so that the floor or floor covering can be cleaned. For this purpose, the cleaner will also incorporate a cleaner head having a suction opening communicating with a dirt or dust collection device so that dirt and dust can be sucked up from the surface to be cleaned, separated from the airflow and stored in a container for disposal. Devices of this nature are shown and described in WO 97/40734 and WO 97/41451.
One of the disadvantages associated with devices of this type is that, in order for the machine to be able to manoeuvre into and out of small spaces, the device preferably has an essentially circular shape when seen in plan view. This allows the device to rotate about its own vertical axis when it has entered a restricted area so that it can turn around and locate a way out. Since any protrusion beyond the circular shape of the body will restrict the manoeuvreability of the device, the suction opening of the cleaner head is inevitably spaced away from the lateral extremity of the cleaner. This means that, when the cleaner is vacuuming along a wall or other edge of the area to be cleaned, the brush housed within the cleaner head cannot get as close to the wall or edge as existing vacuum cleaners which are manoeuvred by a user.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaner of the type described above which can operate in close proximity to a wall or other edge. It is another object of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaner of the type described above which can operate in close proximity to a wall or other edge without restricting the manoeuvrability of the vacuum cleaner. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaner of the type described above which is capable of manoeuvring past small obstacles without becoming lodged. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a vacuum cleaner of the type described above which is capable of cleaning a larger proportion of the surface to be cleaned than known vacuum cleaners of this type.
The invention provides a vacuum cleaner comprising a body having supporting wheels, drive means for driving the wheels so as to propel the vacuum cleaner in a direction across a surface to be cleaned, dust and dirt separating apparatus and a fan for drawing air into the dust and dirt separating apparatus, the vacuum cleaner also having a cleaner head mounted beneath the body, transversely to said direction, and incorporating a dirty air inlet facing the surface to be cleaned, characterised in that the cleaner head protrudes transversely beyond the body on at least one side of the vacuum cleaner.
Providing a cleaner head which protrudes transversely beyond the body on at least one side of the vacuum cleaner means that, at least on the side on which the cleaner head protrudes, the vacuum cleaner is able to clean closer to a wall or other obstacle than previously known vacuum cleaners of the type described above. This arrangement provides a higher standard of cleaning than known vacuum cleaners and increases the product satisfaction of consumers.
In a preferred embodiment, the cleaner head is movable transversely with respect to the body so as to reduce or eliminate the protrusion thereof beyond the body. This arrangement allows the cleaner head to be retracted beneath the body of the vacuum cleaner so that, if the vacuum cleaner is required to manoeuvre within a confined area, the protruding cleaner head does not restrict the manoeuvreability of the vacuum cleaner. The transverse moveability of the cleaner head also allows the cleaner head to retract when small obstacles are located within the path of the cleaner head and this avoids the need to divert the whole vacuum cleaner from its previous direction of travel.
This arrangement is particularly advantageous for cleaners which have a body that is substantially circular in plan view. However, it can also be used on cleaners having bodies which are not circular. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a cache system for effecting a cache operation for an external storage device such as a magnetic disk device, an opto-magnetic disk device or a floppy disk device capable of exchanging a storage medium (recording medium). More particularly, the present invention relates to a cache system which prevents transfer of wrong cache data to a CPU (Central Processing Unit) even when a storage medium is exchanged, and which updates automatically and sequentially the content of a data block, etc., stored in the cache memory to the content of the storage medium after the exchange.
2. Description of the Related Art
First of all, a structural example of a cache system according to the prior art will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) of the accompanying drawings in order to have the conventional cache system more easily understood.
FIG. 1(a) is a block diagram useful for explaining the principle of a cache system for a conventional external storage device. A host 1 includes a CPU 2, a main memory 3, a cache memory 4, a cache control unit 5 and a cache management table 6.
FIG. 1(b) conceptually shows an example of the content of the cache management table 6. This cache management table 6 stores a storage position of a data block, which is stored in the cache memory 4, in the external storage device, that is, a device number allocated to the external storage device, a storage position represented by a logical address comprising a cylinder number, a head number and a sector number in the external storage device, and an area number of the cache memory 4 storing this data block in the corresponding way.
When the CPU 2 sends a read instruction for reading out data and a program (hereinafter called merely the "data") stored in the external storage device 9 to the cache control unit 5, this cache control unit 5 looks up the cache management table 6 on the basis of the logical address such as the cylinder number, the sector number, the head number, etc., of the external storage device, for example, and retrieves whether or not the data block containing the data requested by the CPU 2 is stored in the cache memory 4.
If the storage of the required data in the cache memory 4 is identified (or is "hit"), the cache control unit 5 reads out this data by the logical address read out from the cache management table 6 of the cache memory 4, and returns it to the CPU 2. Accordingly, the data stored in the external storage device 9 can be supplied within a short time to the CPU 2 without causing a read delay such as a waiting time (latency time) for positioning of the read head of the external storage device or for the start of revolution of the head. As a result, the processing time can be remarkably reduced as a whole.
When the data block containing the required data is not stored (is not "hit") as a result of retrieval of the cache management table 6 by the cache control unit 5 described above, the data block containing the required data is read out from the external storage device 9 and is supplied to the CPU 2.
Incidentally, the data thus read out is also stored in the cache memory 4 and at the same time, the logical address of the external storage device, from which the data is read out, is registered in the cache management table 6 in such a manner as to correspond to the area number of the cache memory storing this data block, as shown in FIG. 1(b), so that the cache function can be utilized at the time of the next read request.
In this case, if an empty memory area capable of storing the data read out from the external storage device does not exist in the cache memory, a purging process is executed for the data of the cache blocks first written into the cache memory in order to secure a space for writing a new data block, and the data block which is read out afresh and is to be cached is written into this space. This purging process is usually referred to as an LRU (least recently used) process in a computer system.
However, the conventional cache system described above uses the device number of the external storage device and the logical address on the storage medium of this external storage device as the data for designating the data block stored in the cache memory. Accordingly, when the storage medium of the external storage devices is exchanged, the data stored in the memory area corresponding to the area number of the cache memory obtained by the logical address is the data read out from the storage medium before the exchange even if the result of retrieval of the cache management table by the read instruction for the memory medium after the exchange hits and consequently, the data which is different from the data instructed by the read instruction for the storage medium after the exchange is transferred to the CPU. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is an analysis method in which incident X-rays irradiate a sample, causing sample atoms to emit fluorescent radiation at characteristic wavelengths. By analysing the intensity spectrum of the received fluorescent radiation it is possible to deduce the material composition of the sample.
The X-ray source used in an XRF analyzer device is typically an X-ray tube. Due to the structure of an X-ray tube, it usually emits X-rays into a half-spherical (2*pi steradians) spatial angle from an area of the anode referred to as the focal spot. If the sample is small and/or if only a small part of the sample is to be investigated, a need arises for collimating the incident X-rays so that they only fall upon the desired target area.
Conventional X-ray collimators were made by stacking metal plates parallel to each other, leaving narrow slits between them for only radiation propagating in the desired direction to pass through. The stack of parallel metal plates must have a certain length, for example in the order of 5 cm, in the propagation direction of the X-rays in order to achieve the desired angular selectivity. This makes them ill suited for portable XRF analyzer units, where space is scarce. It is also difficult to use the metal plate stack principle for reconfigurable applications, where the angular selectivity, irradiation spot size or some similar parameter should be changed quickly and easily. | {
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There has been so far expected an image sensor which is capable of obtaining a range image of an object. It is also expected that an actual image of an object to be measured and a range image are obtained by the same chip. The above-described range image sensor is expected to be applied to various technologies. For example, where the range image sensor is loaded on a movable body such as a ship, an automobile or aircraft, it is possible to obtain a range image of an object around the movable body. It is, thus, possible to control the behavior of the movable body on the basis of the obtained range image of the object. In factory automation (FA), when a range image of an object is obtained, the range image can be used to inspect and control the object.
A method for measuring a distance includes a TOF (time-of-flight) method. This method requires a light source (such as a pulse laser or a light emitting diode (LED)) and a light receiving element. In a range image sensor which uses a charge distributing structure, a distance is calculated by referring to a ratio of accumulated charges distributed in a certain cycle to accumulated charges different in phase therefrom. In other words, deviation of a phase of reflected return light from a phase of radiated light is taken as a distance up to an object, and charges generated in response to the return light are distributed in synchronization with a modulation cycle of the radiated light. And, a deviation amount of the phase is calculated by using a ratio of the distributed charge quantity.
The above-described method requires accumulation of charges. Therefore, where the method is employed under conditions of strong background light, accumulated capacity is saturated prior to reading a signal, resulting in deterioration of a calculated distance. It is, therefore, necessary to accumulate charges, with influences of the background light (disturbance light) being reduced.
In Patent Literature 1, charges are distributed by two light receiving portions and two accumulated capacities. At an overall imaging region, a plurality of pixels are two-dimensionally arrayed and distance information up to an object which is obtained for each of the pixels is output in a two-dimensional manner. In a structure disclosed in the document, at least two capacitors are provided within one pixel, and these two capacitors are used to cancel charges derived from background light.
A time-domain correlation image sensor disclosed in Patent Literature 2 is provided with one capacitor within one pixel, imparting a distributed signal only via a pair of switches to both electrode terminals of each capacitor to integrate electric current at different times, thereby controlling charges flowing into the capacitor and canceling electric current derived from background light. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The present invention relates to a carburetor for use in internal combustion engines which operate with alcoholic fuel.
Since the alcoholic fuel is less volatile than gasoline, it is difficult to start an internal combustion engine with the alcoholic fuel particularly when the ambient temperature is low. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an automatic transmission control system having a fail-safe function, and specifically to hydraulic technologies for a hydraulic control system of an electronically-controlled automatic transmission capable of electronically controlling an engaging pressure of each of engaging elements or controlling elements such as clutches and brake bands directly by means of a transmission ECU (electronic control unit), and of providing simplified hydraulic circuits, reduced hydraulic component parts, small-sized valve bodies, and expanded design flexibility, and lighter hydraulic packages.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In recent years, there have been proposed and developed various electronically-controlled automatic transmissions of simplified hydraulic circuits, reduced hydraulic component parts, and small-sized valve bodies. One such electronically-controlled transmission (which will be hereinafter abbreviated to an xe2x80x9cECT transmissionxe2x80x9d) has been disclosed in Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 8-121586. The ECT transmission disclosed in the Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 8-121586, has a low-and-reverse brake (LandR/B) pressure control device through which a low-and-reverse brake (LandR/B) is applied or engaged in a drive range and first gear, and released or disengaged in a drive range and either of second, third and fourth (overdrive) gears. In more detail, as shown in FIG. 9, the above-mentioned low-and-reverse brake (LandR/B) pressure control device uses two different hydraulic pressures, namely one being a second brake pressure P2ND which is applied to a second brake for the purpose of applying the second brake in a drive range and second gear or in a drive range (D range) and fourth gear (OD gear), and the other being an overdrive clutch pressure POD which is applied to an overdrive clutch for the purpose of engaging the overdrive clutch in a drive range and third gear or in a drive range and fourth gear. The low-and-reverse brake (LandR/B) pressure control device functions to forcibly drain the pressure supply line of the low-and-reverse brake in the D range and 2nd gear, in the D range and 3rd gear, or in the D range and 4th gear, in which at least one of the second brake pressure P2ND and the overdrive clutch pressure POD are created or produced.
In the hydraulic control device of the electronically-controlled automatic transmission disclosed in the Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 8-121586, however, there is no means for detecting as to whether a first spool 51 is sticking in its valve housing. Assuming that a failure in a hydraulic system for the low-and-reverse brake (LandR/B) occurs under a particular condition where the first spool 51 is sticking in the left-hand side position (viewing FIG. 9), the low-and-reverse brake pressure may be created and often held at a high pressure level in the hydraulic system for the low-and-reverse brake (LandR/B). As a result of this, the automatic transmission will fall into a so-called interlocking state in which the low-and-reverse brake and the second brake are both applied or engaged.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an automatic transmission control system having a fail-safe function, which avoids the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art.
It is another object of the invention to provide an automatic transmission control system for an electronically-controlled automatic transmission, which has a fail-safe function capable of providing an optimal timing of a forcible pressure-release of an engaging-element pressure (simply, an engaging pressure) applied to an engaging element or an optimal timing of a forcible oil drain from the engaging element, without exerting a bad influence upon an automatic shifting control and without providing an undesired automatic transmission interlock in presence of a hydraulic system failure.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide a transmission control system for an electronically-controlled automatic transmission, which ensures a reliable hydraulic system failure detection.
In order to accomplish the aforementioned and other objects of the present invention, an automatic transmission control system having a fail-safe function for an automatic transmission, comprises sensor means for detecting at least a throttle opening and a vehicle speed, a gear mode determination means for determining a current gear mode based on the throttle opening and the vehicle speed, an engagement-disengagement command means for outputting a command based on the current gear mode determined by the gear mode determination means and corresponding to engagements and disengagements for a plurality of engaging elements to an actuator which operates the engaging elements, a transmission gear train which performs a multi-step speed-change by a combination of engagements and disengagements of the engaging elements, a set ON-OFF state storage means for estimating a normal state of engagements and disengagements of the engaging elements based on the current gear mode, and for storing the normal state of engagements and disengagements of the engaging elements, an actual ON-OFF state detection means for detecting an actual state of engagements and disengagements of the engaging elements, an actual ON-OFF state storage means for storing the actual state of engagements and disengagements of the engaging elements, a comparison-and-determination means for comparing the normal state of engagements and disengagements of the engaging elements, stored in the set ON-OFF state storage means, with the actual state of engagements and disengagements of the engaging elements, stored in the actual ON-OFF state storage means, and for determining that a hydraulic system failure occurs when the actual state detected and the normal state estimated disagree with each other, and a fail-safe mode engagement-disengagement command means for selecting a specified gear mode based on the actual state of engagements and disengagements of the engaging elements, stored in the actual ON-OFF state storage means, and for outputting a command corresponding to engagements and disengagements of the engaging elements to the actuator so that the automatic transmission is shifted to the specified gear mode which is preprogrammed to be suitable for the actual state, only when the comparison-and-determination means determines that the hydraulic system failure occurs. It is preferable that the comparison-and-determination means has a hydraulic system failure counter whose counted value is incremented once each time a state that the actual state detected disagrees with the normal state estimated occurs continuously for a predetermined time period. The comparison-and-determination means determines that the hydraulic system failure occurs only when the counted value of the hydraulic system failure counter reaches a predetermined value. More preferably, the specified gear mode selected by the fail-safe mode engagement-disengagement command means may be preprogrammed to remain at a gear mode determined by the gear mode determination means just before detecting the hydraulic system failure, or to be up-shifted with respect to the gear mode determined by the gear mode determination means just before detecting the hydraulic system failure, or to shift the automatic transmission to neutral. It is preferable that the output of the command corresponding to the specified gear mode selected by the fail-safe mode engagement-disengagement command means may be limited to only a time period from a time when the hydraulic system failure is detected to a time when the vehicle speed becomes less than a predetermined low speed value. More preferably, the actual ON-OFF state detection means may comprise an oil pressure switch provided for detecting a hydraulic pressure in a hydraulic system containing each of the engaging elements. Furthermore, the comparison-and-determination means may comprise an inhibition means inhibiting a diagnosis upon a hydraulic system failure during shifting or during transmission range gear selection during which there is a transition of at least one of the engaging elements from one of engaged and disengaged states to the other. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Personal luggage such as a brief case or hand bag usually used to store money and treasuries and thus are frequently the subject of robbery and burglary. In addition they can be inadvertently left behind. Any of these would result not only in the loss of property, but also could sometimes jeopardize the owner's life. Therefore the main object of the present invention is to provide a warning device against those offenses so as to protect the safety of the owner's life and property. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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An automotive automatic transmission generally has planetary gears including power transmitting elements such as sun gears and planetary carriers, and a speed change mechanism including hydraulic friction-engaging elements such as hydraulic wet-type multiple disc clutches and hydraulic band brakes. In the automotive automatic transmission, a line pressure created by a hydraulic pump driven by a crankshaft of an engine is used as a drive source for hydraulic friction-engaging elements. The automatic transmission of this type controls the operating conditions of the engaging elements by controlling the oil pressure supply to respective engaging elements, by which the engine torque transmission path on the planetary gear is changed to obtain a desired speed (gear ratio).
An electronic control type automatic transmission uses an electromagnetic oil pressure control valves (hereinafter called solenoid valves) to control the operating conditions of the hydraulic friction-engaging elements. By controlling the on/off or the on/off duty ratio of a solenoid valve, the oil pressure supply to a hydraulic friction-engaging element is allowed or inhibited, or the oil pressure supplied to the friction-engaging element is increased or decreased, by which the friction-engaging element is engaged or disengaged. The hydraulic friction-engaging element to be engaged is changed, that is to say, one of the hydraulic friction-engaging elements relating to speed change is engaged while the other of the hydraulic friction-engaging elements is disengaged, so that a speed change is carried out while the speed change shock in engagement and disengagement of the friction-engaging elements is reduced.
For example, when downshifting is carried out from the fourth speed to the third speed, the hydraulic clutch for establishing the fourth speed (hereinafter called the disengagement-side clutch) is disengaged, and the hydraulic clutch for establishing the third speed (hereinafter called the engagement-side clutch) is engaged simultaneously. By switching the operation of the hydraulic clutches, the engine torque transmission path is changed, so that the downshifting operation is completed.
In the above-described electronic control type automatic transmission, a shift map as shown in FIG. 5, in which the vehicle speed and the throttle valve opening degree are used as parameters, is generally used to select a gear position. From this map, an optimum gear position (target gear position) for the detected value of the vehicle speed and the detected value of the throttle valve opening degree is selected. In the case of kickdown to obtain a quick acceleration, the target gear position is usually determined by the throttle valve opening degree. Specifically, when the throttle valve opening degree crosses a 4-3 shift line or a 3-2 shift line in FIG. 5, a downshifting command is outputted. For example, when the throttle valve opening degree reaches point B from point A in FIG. 5 by the driver's depression of an accelerator pedal, a command for downshifting from the fourth speed to the third speed is outputted. When the throttle valve opening degree reaches point C from point A, a command for a skip downshifting from the fourth speed to the second speed is outputted.
If the driver depresses the accelerator pedal slowly in spite of the fact that the driver has an intention of finally depressing the accelerator pedal to the second speed zone from the fourth speed zone, the shift of the throttle valve opening degree from point A to point C is implemented slowly. In this case, when the throttle valve opening degree crosses the 4-3 shift line (point B), a command for downshifting from the fourth speed to the third speed is outputted. When the throttle valve opening degree crosses the 3-2 shift line, the downshifting from the fourth speed to the third speed may have already been started. In such a case, since the disengagement or engagement of the clutch relating to the downshifting to the third speed is being executed, it is impossible to carry out the skip downshifting to the second speed. Therefore, the downshifting to the second speed must be carried out after the downshifting to the third speed has been completed. As a result, two shift shocks are caused by two downshifting operations, and it takes much time to establish the second speed, thereby degrading the shift response. | {
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In splitting a log, it is common practice to introduce a conventional wedge into the grain of the log by driving it with a sledge hammer. In order to accomplish this effectively, it is necessary to use a hammer having a substantial weight, sometimes as much as 12 pounds. Before the hammer can be used effectively with a full stroke, however, it is necessary that the wedge be started, i.e., driven into the log far enough to be self-supporting, so that the man performing the operation can use both hands on the hammer. In order to "start" conventional wedges, therefore, it is necessary to hold the wedge in one hand, while tapping it with the sledge hammer in the other. This ia a difficult operation to perform, since the hammer (being as heavy as its is) is difficult to handle with one hand. An alternative method is to start the wedge by using a small sledge weighing about two pounds; then, once the wedge has been firmly imbedded, one switches to the heavier sledge hammer. This means changing the hammers, of course, which is troublesome and lends a complexity to the operation which is undesirable. In both of the old methods of starting the wedge, it is necessary to hold the log between one's knees while starting the wedge. The shape of the conventional wedge has always been a compromise between a narrow-angle edge which is necessary to start the wedge into the grain and a wide-angle edge which produces the best splitting action once the wedge is self-supporting. These and other difficulties experienced with the prior art devices have been obviated in a novel manner by the present invention.
It is, therefore, an outstanding object of the invention to provide a wedge having a self-starting feature for introducing it into the grain of the log.
Another object of this invention is the provision of a wedge which can be introduced into the log with one hand, after which it can be driven with a heavy sledge hammer.
A further object of the present invention is the provision of a wedge having a narrow angle portion for starting it in the log and a wide angle portion for optimum splitting action.
It is another object of the instant invention to provide a wedge which requires no auxiliary tool for starting, so that the only tool necessary besides the wedge is a large sledge hammer for the splitting action.
A still further object of the invention is the provision of a wedge having a point which permits it to be used in the manner of a dart or a spear to introduce it into the grain of the wood for self-support therein.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a wedge of integral construction which is simple in nature, which is inexpensive to manufacture, and which is capable of a long life of useful service with a minimum of maintenance.
With these and other objects in view, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention resides in the combination of parts set forth in the specification and covered by the claims appended hereto. | {
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Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for determining an area-related cell density of a cell structure of a honeycomb body having a plurality of passages which are open-ended at an end of the honeycomb body. Such honeycomb bodies are used in particular as carrier bodies for exhaust gas catalysts which permit catalytic conversion of exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine. The area-related cell density is an essential parameter of such honeycomb bodies. The cell density is usually related to the cross-sectional area or a part thereof, that is to say it is transverse relative to a flow direction that is predetermined by the passages. The usual unit is cells per square inch, cpsi. The area-related cell density is established in the mass production of the honeycomb bodies. In the case of extruded honeycomb bodies, it is possible for the area-related cell density to be definitively established through the use of a negative mould with which the honeycomb bodies are produced in series manufacture. However, especially in the production of honeycomb bodies being formed of sheet metal layers, the area-related cell density changes during the manufacturing procedure, with its final value depending on the management of the manufacturing procedure. For that reason, continuous monitoring and possibly regulation of the manufacturing procedure by checking the area-related cell density is required, at least on a random sample basis. One way is to select individual finished honeycomb bodies and to determine the number of cells thereof by counting them out by hand. The area-related cell density is obtained by relating the number of cells to a previously known or measured reference area, for example a cross-sectional area of a tubular casing of a honeycomb body. The operation of counting the number of cells by hand is time-consuming and susceptible to error. The person who is carrying out the checking operation can easily miscount and the reference area is under some circumstances not precisely known or is incorrectly measured. With a cell density of 600 cpsi, for example, it is only possible for a substantially smaller cross-sectional area than 1 square inch to be counted out, at reasonable cost.
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a method and an apparatus for determining an area-related cell density of a honeycomb body, in particular for an exhaust gas catalytic converter, which overcome the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known methods and apparatuses of this general type and which permit automatable, rapid, inexpensive and precise determination.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a method of automatically determining an area-related cell density of a cell structure of a honeycomb body including a multiplicity of passages having open ends at an end of the honeycomb body at which the cell structure is visible, the method which comprises recording an image having a known or ascertainable image scale of at least a portion of the cell structure, with an optical instrument; and processing the image by establishing a number of cells by counting cells and calculating the cell density by relating the number of cells to a reference area established with the aid of the image scale.
The number of cells is counted and the cell density is calculated by relating the number of cells to a reference area, as in the case of the above-described manual method, but according to the invention it is done automatically. Use is made of the image scale, in the operation of establishing the reference area. The automatic determination procedure can be carried out quickly and reliably and saves on labor costs. It is also possible to increase the percentage of random samples or to check all honeycomb bodies produced in a manufacturing procedure, in regard to their area-related cell density, at a low level of additional expenditure. The method can be integrated directly into the manufacturing procedure or it can be performed in a separate method step. Due to its rapidity, it is possible in both cases to correct the manufacturing procedure without delay in order to abide by the predetermined parameters, in the event of an area-related cell density that deviates from predetermined parameters. It is therefore possible to avoid whole series of honeycomb bodies from failing to correspond to the predetermined parameters.
If it is not the entire cell structure of a honeycomb body but only a part of such a structure that is evaluated, it is possible for incomplete images of cells to be produced. Therefore, in accordance with another mode of the invention, only cells with respect to which complete images are produced are counted and cell cross-sectional areas of the individual cells are established through the use of the image scale. The sum of the individual cell cross-sectional areas is equal to the reference area. That procedure makes it possible to achieve a high degree of precision in determining the area-related cell density since estimating errors when estimating the size of a cell with respect to which an incomplete image has been produced are not involved.
In accordance with a further mode of the invention, the counted cells form a coherent region of the cell structure. An advantage of this is that the optical instrument and the honeycomb body can be put into a fixed position relative to each other which then no longer needs to be altered.
In accordance with an added mode of the invention, an area average of the cell cross-sectional areas is calculated, an area tolerance range is ascertained and, if the cell cross-sectional area of a cell falls below the area tolerance range, the cell is not included in the count when calculating the number of cells. In that way errors can be corrected, in terms of recognition of cells. It can be assumed in many cases that the cell cross-sectional areas are almost all approximately equal. If the cell cross-sectional area of a cell falls below the area tolerance range, it is then assumed that a cell wall which was not present was wrongly involved when processing the image and/or when recording the image.
In accordance with an additional mode of the invention, an area average of the cell cross-sectional areas is calculated, an area tolerance range is ascertained and, if the cell cross-sectional area of a cell exceeds the area tolerance range, the cell is counted two or more times in the operation of counting the number of cells. The determination as to how many times it contributes to the number of cells depends on how many times larger the cell cross-sectional area of the cell is than the area average. In that way errors due to non-recognized cell walls can be corrected. Particularly in the case of honeycomb bodies with mutually adjoining smooth and corrugated sheet layers, there may be individual, incompletely bordered cells which can be treated as completely bordered cells, with this development of the method. That is desirable since a narrow communicating opening between two cells is of only slight practical significance. Checks concerning the method have shown that, with a suitable selection with respect to the area tolerance range, the area-related cell density can be determined with a relative error of 0.5%.
As mentioned above, the image has a known or ascertainable image scale. In accordance with yet another mode of the invention, it is desirable if a scale object which is of known dimensions is immovably mounted, preferably glued, to the end of the honeycomb body, and if the scale object is at least partially also recorded in the image, so that there exists a scale which is the image scale or with which the image scale is formed. When forming the image scale, it is possible to use additional items of information, for example a possibly known spacing from the optical instrument to the end of the honeycomb body. A scale object which is at least partially also recorded with the image and which is of known dimensions affords the advantage that distortion phenomena of the image, which can occur, for example, in the processing operation, can be corrected. It is particularly advantageous to use two mutually independent image scales for two orthogonal image axes of the image.
In accordance with yet a further mode of the invention, an extent of the scale object along the extent of the cell structure is substantially larger than its extent perpendicularly to the extent of the cell structure. On one hand, it is desirable if the extent of the scale object along the cell structure is great in order to achieve a scale error which is as slight as possible. On the other hand, parts of the cell structure which are beside the scale object should not be partially masked by large extents of the scale object perpendicularly to the extent of the cell structure since otherwise under some circumstances the image is defectively recorded and/or defectively processed.
In accordance with yet an added mode of the invention, the scale object is a frame, preferably a circular ring, which frames a region of cells. In that case, the framed region and at least the inner frame edge and preferably also the outer frame edge are completely recorded in the image and only cells out of the framed region are counted. The use of that procedure presupposes that the framed cells are of a size which is representative of all cells or that especially the framed cells are to be evaluated. It is desirable if the frame clearly stands out optically from the cell structure, for example by it having a surface which provides good light reflection. The inner and/or the outer frame edge serve to establish the image scale.
In accordance with yet an additional mode of the invention, the end of the honeycomb body is illuminated so that light is reflected from the cell edges in the direction of the optical instrument. The end, or the part thereof of which an image is to be produced, should be uniformly illuminated so as to ensure reliable recognition of the cell edges.
In accordance with again another mode of the invention, a brightness average is formed over at least a part of the image, a brightness threshold value which is above the brightness average is ascertained, and the position of the cell edges is inferred from the position of image regions having a brightness that is above the brightness threshold value. The brightness threshold value affords a reliable criterion in terms of recognizing the cell edges, provided that less light passes out of the cavities of the cells in the direction of the optical instrument than is reflected by the cell edges in that direction.
In accordance with again a further mode of the invention, the image is processed through the use of a computer program which acquires predeterminable parameter values, in particular a scale value, by virtue of suitable value allocations. That permits inexpensive and particularly rapid processing of the image.
Further useful developments of the invention are opened up by virtue of the use of a computer. Therefore, in accordance with again an added mode of the invention, a configuration of counted cells is represented in two-dimensional form, preferably on a display screen, as a result of image processing. A variant of this kind of representation is a representation by printing out on paper through the use of a computer-controlled printer. However, representation on a display screen is generally faster. It permits results of the image processing operation to be the subject of a visual display in clear form and enables the mode of operation of the method to be followed.
In accordance with again an additional mode of the invention, the configuration also includes uncounted cells and the counted cells are emphasized optically, preferably in color, relative to the uncounted cells. That considerably increases the degree of clarity.
With the objects of the invention in view, there is also provided an apparatus for automatically determining an area-related cell density of a cell structure of a honeycomb body, comprising a scale object having a known or ascertainable image scale for establishing a reference area, the scale object framing a region of cells at an end of a honeycomb body; an optical instrument having a matrix camera for recording an image of a honeycomb body; and a data processing installation for ascertaining a number of cells by counting cells and for determining a cell density by relating the ascertained number of cells to the reference area.
A system of digital pixels is associated with the cell structure, or a part thereof, through the use of the matrix camera. That affords all options in terms of computer-aided digital image processing.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, the image recording apparatus has an internal lamp, preferably a circular slit lamp, for illuminating the end of the honeycomb body, and a peripherally closed external light shielding device with an object opening. The internal lamp is disposed in such a way that when the internal lamp is switched on the light thereof passes outwardly out of the external light shielding device through the object opening. The object opening is preferably an opening with a flat edge. The cell structure, of which the image is to be produced, or a part thereof, can be entirely or partially shielded from external light through the use of the external light shielding device. That considerably facilitates image processing, with a known intensity of illumination of the internal lamp. Thus the image can be processed, for example, by using a previously ascertained brightness threshold value or grey threshold value.
In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the edge of the object opening, preferably in peripheral relationship, bears against the end of the honeycomb body.
In accordance with a concomitant feature of the invention, a computer-readable data carrier is provided with a computer program which is used to process the image in accordance with the described embodiments of the method of the invention. Such a data carrier includes essential features of one or more embodiments of the method and is at the same time a key for practical implementation of the method.
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a method and an apparatus for determining a cell density of a honeycomb body, in particular for an exhaust gas catalytic converter, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. | {
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1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to cotton harvesters and, more specifically, to grid bar structure located between the spindle drums and the row receiving area of a cotton picker row unit.
2) Related Art
Cotton harvesters of the spindle type such as the John Deere model 9960 Cotton Picker include row units with upright picker drums having spindles which project into a row receiving area through a plurality of grid bars which are supported from the unit by forward and aft support structures in vertically spaced and parallel relationship. The grid bars help move the cotton plants into proper picking relationship with the spindles and help prevent plant stalks and other debris from being pulled around into the picker drums and doffer area of the row unit. Heretofore, many of the grid bars were fabricated from a steel sheet metal blank with various bends and flanges being formed in the blank to provide strength and rigidity. The bars are relatively heavy, difficult to form and expensive. Since the bars are constantly brushing against the cotton plants, they are subject to damage and require frequent replacement.
Other types of grid bars are available on the market, including solid and relatively massive aluminum bars. However, these bars are usually heavy and expensive to manufacture.
The support structures to which the ends of the bars are fastened reduce crop clearance and provide opportunity for trash build-up. Sharp edges on the supports can also cause hairpinning of trash, and areas where there is clearance between bars and supports can catch stalks or other debris. Providing a tight, reliable fit between the supports and the grid bars while retaining fast, easy replaceability of the bars has been a continuing problem. Over- or under-tightening of the bolts securing the bars to the supports can result in bar damage or loss. | {
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The present invention relates to a cooling device, more particularly to a condenser that rejects heat of a refrigerant to the heat absorption portion of an exterior refrigerator and liquefies it, an evaporator that absorbs heat from an object to be cooled and vaporizes the refrigerant, and a cooling device including the condenser and the evaporator. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a humidified gases delivery apparatus and methods for controlling same.
2. Description of the Related Art
A number of methods and systems are known in the art for assisting a patient's breathing. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) involves administration of air under pressure to a patient, usually by a patient interface like a mask. CPAP is usually used to treat snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). More complete breathing support is provided by a ventilator.
There are problems associated with air delivery to the airways of patient's. Mucosal drying is one such problem. Mucosal drying is uncomfortable and may awaken patients during the night. Rebound nasal congestion commonly occurs during the following day, simulating a viral infection.
Such symptoms can also occur in a hospital environment when patients are on a respirator. Typically patients in this situation are intubated but alternatively air may be delivered to the patient via other patient interfaces like masks or nasal cannula. Patients in the hospital environment can also suffer from mucosal drying, rebound nasal congestion and also from dryness, irritation and inflammation of the throat due to intubation. These problems all cause distress to the patient and may lead to further respiratory problems.
A number of methods have been employed to combat the symptoms and conditions described earlier. Some of the methods involve pharmacologic agents to reduce nasal disease or heating the patient's room. The most commonly employed method is humidification of the gases delivered to the patient. The humidified gases go some way to reducing or minimising the problems caused by air or gases delivery to a patient. Humidifiers and methods of humidifying breathing gases are known in the art. Most common humidification methods employ a humidification chamber including a reservoir of water and heater plate. The water is heated to create water vapour and gases are passed through the humidification chamber. The gases collect and hold the water vapour and are hence humidified. The humidification chamber can only hold a finite amount of water and needs to be refilled by the user or by a hospital worker in a hospital environment. Accordingly the user or health professional needs to monitor the water level within the chamber and add more water when required. This can be a tedious task and can be overlooked. A level sensor connected within the chamber is one way to measure the level of water within the humidification chamber. This is too difficult to implement and can be cumbersome. The level sensor is difficult to implement because it requires electrical connections within the humidification chamber, the sensor requires calibration and the sensor can interfere with the humidification of gases.
US 2008/0142019 discloses a high flow therapy system including a non sealing respiratory interface with a sensor disposed near it. The system also includes a humidification chamber to humidify gases and a heater plate to heat the contents of the humidification chamber. The system includes a microprocessor to control the heater plate and measure the pressure of gases delivered. The document discloses monitoring temperature and power data of the heater plate to determine the status of the water level in the humidity chamber and can trigger automatic refill of the chamber.
US 2002/0112725 discloses a breathing assistance apparatus for delivering humidified gases to a patient. The system includes a humidification chamber with a heater plate and a microprocessor to control the heating of the heater plate. The document discloses a method of determining the amount of power required to heat the contents of the humidifier to the appropriate temperature such that the gases are humidified to their correct level.
US 2004/0079370 discloses a flow probe for use in a humidification system. The probe provides temperature and flow rate sensing. The document discloses a “water out alarm” that warns a user when the level of water within the humidification chamber is too low. The system calculates thermal conductivity based on the heater plate power requirement, heater plate temperature and chamber temperature. The controller compares this calculated thermal conductivity with a threshold value. If the threshold value is greater than the thermal conductivity then the level of water is too low.
In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents is not to be construed as an admission that such documents, or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art, or form part of the common general knowledge in the art. | {
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Heretofore various sorts of communication systems have been investigated and developed. Among them the SSC system is well known.
By this SSC system, on the transmitter side, a signal such as data, sound, etc. having a narrow band is spread in spectrum into a wide band to be transmitted by using a pseudo-noise code (PN code) and, on the receiver side, this wide band signal is spread inversely into the original narrow band by means of a correlator to reproduce the signal. Recently attention is paid to this communication system, because it has always a very high reliability from the point of view that it is strong against external interference and noise, it has a high secrecy, etc.
However the greatest problematical point in the SSC system is the correlator used on the receiver side. At present, for the wireless SSC, a correlator, which is thought to be the most simple and convenient and to have a high reliability, is a device using surface acoustic wave (hereinbelow abbreviated to SAW).
In the SAW correlator there are, in general, those of correlator type (tapped delay line type) and those of convolver type. Here, although those of correlator type has a simple construction and generally a high efficiency, the temperature coefficient of the substrate has remarkable influences thereon. On the other hand, although those of convolver type are hardly influenced by variations in the temperature, they have, in general, a low efficiency. In addition, concerning the PN code described above, the code is fixed for those of correlator type, while it can be freely changed for those of convolver type.
Consequently correlators of convolver type are more easily used, provided that the efficiency is at a practically usable level.
FIGS. 14a and 14b show an example of the construction of the prior art SSC device using an SAW convolver. In the transmitter section indicated in FIG. 14a, a carrier coming from an oscillator 2 is two-phase-modulated by a signal to be transmitted (in this case digital data) in a mixer 1 to effect at first a primary modulation with a narrow band. Thereafter the output of the mixer 1 is further two-phase-modulated e.g. in another mixer 3 by using a PN code (PN) generated by a PN code generator 4 having a band substantially wider than the information signal to be transmitted and a high bit rate to spread the spectrum and then the signal is transmitted through an antenna 7 after having passed through a band pass filter 5 and an amplifier 6.
In the receiver section indicated in FIG. 14b, the spread spectrum signal received by an antenna 7' is applied to an SAW convolver 13 after having been RF amplified by an amplifier 9 and band pass filters 8 and 10.
Further, to the SAW convolver 13 is applied a reference signal obtained by two-phase-modulating a carrier coming from an oscillator generating the same carrier frequency as the received signal inputted by the SAW convolver in a mixer 12 by means of a PN code generator 19 generating a PN code (PN), which is inverted in time with respect to the PN code on the transmitter side.
The PN code for the reference signal described above is sent from the transmitter side by means of a PN code synchronizing circuit 18 to be kept in a synchronized state with the received PN code. At this time, the output of the convolver (the frequency thereof is twice as high as the inputted carrier frequency, i.e. 2fc) is led to an envelope detector 16 after having passed through a mixer 21 through a band pass filter 14 and an amplifier 15 for the PN code synchronization described above, while keeping the synchronism with the carrier of the received signal owing to a synchronizing circuit 20 (the central frequency is 2fc). The information data can be obtained by demodulation by means of a data demodulator 22, when the PN code and the carrier are in the synchronized state.
However, in the construction of the prior art SSC device described above, since it is necessary to synchronize the PN code with the carrier, it is difficult to simplify the construction of the receiver, which causes a problem in practice. | {
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A position, speed, and torque of a servo motor used in FA (Factory Automation) are controlled to follow a drive command (position command) from a host device (host controller), and digital control is broadly adopted, using a microprocessor as its control operation device. In a general PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) control system for controlling motor torque, there is a method of detecting and using a value of current flowing to a winding of the motor (hereafter referred to as “motor current”). In digital control of this method, a motor current value is periodically detected and the motor current is controlled to match a current command value, typically using PID control (proportional+integral+differential control). Torque output from a surface permanent magnet synchronous motor used in the servo motor is proportional to motor current, and thus the torque output from the motor can be freely controlled by matching the motor current value with the current command value by using the PWM control.
FIG. 8 is a configuration of conventional motor control device 90 including an inverter. In this conventional motor control device 90, current detecting resistance 91 for detecting a motor current value is provided between power converter 98, which is an inverter, and a winding of motor 30. AD (analog-digital) conversion unit 95 applies digital conversion to a voltage generated between both terminals of current detecting resistance 91 as the motor current flows, and supplies its digital data Di to digital controller 97. Conventionally, the motor current is generally detected with this configuration. Recently, however, the use of ΔΣ (delta sigma) AD converter 92, as shown in FIG. 8, in AD conversion unit 95 has been proposed with respect to less occurrence of gain error and offset (e.g., PTL1). This type of AD conversion unit 95 includes, for example, a photo coupler and digital filter, in addition to ΔΣ AD converter 92.
However, in the configuration of driving the motor using the PWM control, this ΔΣ AD converter is likely affected by leak current due to the PWM control.
More specifically, in the PWM control system, voltage applied to the motor is controlled by switching a switching element. Therefore, a leak current occurs at a moment of switching. Normally, the leak current flows to a grounded part typically through a casing and wiring. However, the leak current also flows via shunt resistance, and voltage at both ends of the shunt resistance changes by this leak current. The ΔΣ AD converter then converts this voltage to a 1-bit digital signal. Accordingly, a detected current value after an AD conversion decimating filter includes unwanted current component that is not originally flowing in the motor.
In the digital control, the unwanted current component is processed as disturbance, and voltage that cancels the disturbance is applied to the motor, causing undesired torque in the motor. In particular, at the time of servo lock and low-speed rotation in which the current flowing in the motor is small and switching timings of phases tend to overlap, an influence of the leak current becomes relatively large. Accordingly, a minute vibration of the motor output shaft occurs due to undesired torque even in the servo-lock state in which the motor output shaft should be still under normal conditions. | {
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The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for three-dimensional mapping and reconstruction, and specifically to mapping and reconstruction of the interior of body organs, such as the heart.
Various methods of diagnostic imaging are known in the art. Methods used for imaging the heart, for example, include fluoroscopy, angiography, echocardiography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission tomography (SPECT). Many of these methods produce three-dimensional (3D) image information, which can then be rendered for viewing in the form of parallel slices through the heart, or as a pseudo-3D display on a video monitor. In order to administer treatment, the treating physician must build a 3D picture in his or her mind based on the two-dimensional pictures that are displayed. The transposition is particularly tricky when therapy is to be administered inside the heart, such as local electrical ablation of aberrant electrical pathways, or laser myocardial revascularization.
It is also known in the art to map the heart using a mapping probe, typically a catheter, inside the heart chambers. Exemplary methods and devices for this purpose are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,471,982 and 5,391,199 and in PCT patent publications WO94/06349, WO96/05768 and WO97/24981, whose disclosures are incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 5,391,199, for example, describes a catheter that includes both electrodes for sensing cardiac electrical activity and miniature coils for determining the position of the catheter relative to an externally-applied magnetic field. Using this catheter a cardiologist can collect data from a set of sampled points in the heart within a short period of time, by measuring the electrical activity at a plurality of locations and determining the spatial coordinates of the locations. Locations of the mapping catheter within the heart can be superimposed on a 3D reconstruction of an image of the heart, such as an ultrasound image, acquired prior to or during the catheter study. Color codes are used to represent electrical activity sensed by the catheter.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,096, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference, describes methods for geometrical mapping of the endocardium based on bringing a probe into contact with multiple locations on a wall of the heart, and determining position coordinates of the probe at each of the locations. The position coordinates are combined to form a map of at least a portion of the heart. Once the position of the catheter is known, external sensors can be used to provide local physiological values of heart tissue adjacent to the tip of the catheter. For example, if the catheter incorporates a radioactive marker suitable for SPECT, local functional information can be gleaned from a SPECT image. Yet another example is determining local perfusion from Doppler-ultrasound images of the coronaries, from nuclear medicine images or from X-ray or CT angiography, and overlaying the perfusion map on the geometrical map. The image of the catheter in the perfusion map can be used to align the perfusion map and the geometrical map. Alternatively, the alignment may be carried out using fiducial marks or anatomical reference locations, either automatically or manually.
Further methods for creating a three-dimensional map of the heart based on these data are disclosed, for example, in European patent application EP 0 974 936 and in a corresponding U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/122,137 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,226,542 issued May 1, 2001, which is assigned to the assignee of the present patent application, and whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference. As indicated in these applications, position coordinates (and optionally electrical activity, as well) are initially measured at about 10 to 20 points on the interior surface of the heart. These data points are generally sufficient to generate a preliminary reconstruction or map of the cardiac surface to a satisfactory quality. The preliminary map is preferably combined with data taken at additional points in order to generate a more comprehensive map.
It is an object of some aspects of the present invention to provide improved methods and apparatus for mapping and visualization of internal body structures, and particularly of the heart.
It is a further object of some aspects of the present invention to provide improved methods and apparatus for administering local treatment of pathological conditions within the heart.
In preferred embodiments of the present invention, a position-sensing catheter is used to generate a 3D geometrical map of the internal surface of a heart chamber of a subject. A 3D diagnostic image of the heart is captured in conjunction with generating the 3D map, typically either before or concurrently with the mapping. The image and map are brought into mutual registration, and diagnostic information from the image, such as perfusion information, is then marked on the 3D map, preferably in the form of color coding. Based on the combined diagnostic and geometrical information, a physician operating the catheter is able to identify and visualize areas of the heart that are in need of treatment, due to low perfusion, for example. The physician preferably uses the catheter to apply a local invasive therapy, such as laser revascularization, to specific points that are located using the color-coded 3D map. Alternatively, a local diagnostic technique, such as a biopsy, may be performed at such specific points.
There is therefore provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a method for mapping a structure in a body of a subject, including:
capturing a three-dimensional (3D) image of the structure including diagnostic information;
generating a 3D geometrical map of the structure using a probe inserted into the structure;
registering the image with the map, such that each of a plurality of image points in the image is identified with a corresponding map point in the map; and
displaying the map, such that the diagnostic information associated with each of the image points is displayed at the corresponding map point.
In a preferred embodiment, the diagnostic information is related to blood flow in the structure, wherein the diagnostic information includes local perfusion data. In other preferred embodiments, the diagnostic information includes metabolic data, or is related to uptake of a substance in tissue of the structure, or is related to motion of the structure.
Preferably, generating the geometrical map includes bringing the probe into contact with the structure at a multiplicity of locations on the structure, and recording position coordinates of the probe at the locations, wherein recording the position coordinates includes determining the coordinates using a position sensor in the probe.
Preferably, registering the image with the map includes applying a transformation to at least one of the image and the map so that following the transformation, the image and the map have a common axis and a common scale. Further preferably, registering the image with the map includes dividing the image into a plurality of parallel planar slices, perpendicular to the axis and mutually spaced along the axis, wherein the plurality of image points are located in the slices. More preferably, registering the image with the map includes finding an axial coordinate of each of the slices and an angular coordinate of each of the image points located in each of the slices, and identifying each of the image points with the map point having the same axial and angular coordinates. Most preferably, the structure includes a wall defining a cavity, and identifying each of the image points with the map point includes finding, at the axial and the angular coordinate, the image point that is within a section of the wall.
Preferably, displaying the map includes coloring the map to reflect the diagnostic information.
In a preferred embodiment, the method includes performing a medical procedure on the structure guided by the diagnostic information displayed on the map. Preferably, performing the medical procedure includes using the probe to perform the procedure locally at locations selected on the geometrical map, and the method includes marking on the geometrical map the locations at which the procedure was performed. Additionally or alternatively, performing the medical procedure includes performing a therapeutic procedure, wherein the diagnostic information relates to local blood flow in the structure, and wherein performing the therapeutic procedure includes performing a procedure for improving the local blood flow. Alternatively, performing the medical procedure includes performing a diagnostic procedure.
Preferably, the structure includes a heart of the subject, and generating the geometrical map includes mapping an endocardial surface in a ventricle of the heart.
There is also provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, apparatus for mapping a structure in a body of a subject, including:
an imaging device, adapted to capture a three-dimensional (3D) image of the structure including diagnostic information;
a probe, adapted to be inserted into the structure, so as to generate a 3D geometrical map of the structure;
a processor, coupled to the probe and to the imaging device, and adapted to register the image with the map, such that each of a plurality of image points in the image is identified with a corresponding map point in the map; and
a display, coupled to be driven by the processor to display the map, such that the diagnostic information associated with each of the image points is displayed at the corresponding map point. | {
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Rivers, canals, estuaries and other water bodies which are used as sources of clean water in developing countries have become polluted by indiscriminate discharge of industrial and animal waste products and by natural processes such as geochemical processes which have introduced dangerous elements including arsenic into the groundwater. Wastewater generated by increasing population, industry and other sources has become problematic in developed countries as well.
Coagulation is an important reaction for water treatment. Ions from heavy metals, as an example, and colloids generally remain in solution as a result of their electric charge. By adding ions having opposite charges to the colloids, the ions and colloids can be destabilized and coagulation can be achieved by chemical or electrical methods. In the case of chemical coagulation, a coagulant, such as Alum [Al2(SO4)3.18H2O] or ferric chloride, as examples, may be employed. However, chemical coagulation tends to generate large volumes of sludge with significant bound water content.
In electrocoagulation, reactive ions may be generated in situ by oxidation of an effective anode material, or reactive metallic hydroxides may be generated within the effluent, and offers an alternative to the addition of metal salts, polymers or polyelectrolytes. Treatment of wastewater by electrocoagulation has been practiced for about 100 years and currently used in many industries. Metals, colloidal solids and suspended particles and oil droplets may be removed from wastewater by agglomeration or coagulation and resultant separation from the aqueous phase. An electrocoagulated floc tends to contain less water, and is more readily filterable.
Basically, an electrocoagulation reactor includes pairs of parallel conductive metal plates, known as sacrificial electrodes which may be of the same or of different materials. When connected to an external source of electrical power, the anode material will electrochemically corrode, while the cathode will be subject to passivation. Metals such as aluminum and iron are commonly used to generate ions in the water which, as stated hereinabove, remove the contaminants by chemical reaction and precipitation, or by causing colloidal materials to coalesce making these species less soluble.
It is known that electrodes in electrocoagulation reactors often experience scaling or other metal coating processes over time which diminish their effectiveness as electrodes, thereby necessitating the use of readily removable and resurfaceable structures.
A Tesla pump includes a plurality of parallel, flat rigid disks having a suitable diameter and keyed to a shaft driven by a motor such that the disks may rotate together as the shaft is rotated. Fluid is caused to enter the pump in the vicinity of the shaft, and liquid adhesion and viscosity directs the fluid toward the periphery as the disks are rotated, thereby imparting energy thereto as the fluid exits the apparatus. | {
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Water treatment apparatuses for treating raw water to generate purified water like water purifiers are being variously disclosed. Recently, water treatment apparatuses using electrical deionization, such as electro deionization (EDI), continuous electro deionization (CEDI) or capacitive deionization (CDI), have attracted attention. Among these, the CDI type water treatment apparatus has attracted the most attention.
The CDI method means a method for removing ions (contaminants) by using a principle that ions are adsorbed and desorbed on the surfaces of electrodes by an electrical force. This will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. When brine water (or raw water) including ions with a voltage applied to electrodes is made to pass between electrodes, negative ions move to a positive electrode, and positive ions move to a negative electrode as illustrated in FIG. 12. That is, adsorption occurs. Ions contained in the brine water may be removed by such adsorption. However, when the adsorption continues, the electrodes will no longer be able to adsorb ions. In this case, it is necessary to recycle the electrodes by desorbing ions adsorbed to the electrode, as illustrated in FIG. 13. (At this time, recycle water is generated and discharged.
Calcium ions and magnesium ions contained in the brine water are deposited on the electrode to generate scale. Such scale is referred to as inorganic fouling. Also, the fouling may be formed by general bacteria or organics, and this fouling is referred to as organic fouling. However, when the fouling is formed as such, a filter hardly exhibits the performance thereof properly. Thus, the CDI type water treatment apparatuses need to adopt a method for removing the scale formed on electrodes. | {
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Fluid overload can be caused by many things including metabolic disease, renal failure and, especially, congestive heart failure (CHF), which has become a disease of epidemic proportions all over the globe. CHF is a progressive deterioration of the heart muscle that leads to an inability to pump enough blood to support the vital organs. Deterioration of the heart muscle leads to decreased pumping capacity and increased fluid retention caused by the lack of perfusion pressure of the kidneys due to the failure of the heart to pump enough blood at the proper pressure. Fluid overload can cause leg swelling, shortness of breath and water accumulation in the lungs, impairing the ability to properly breathe.
The incidence of class III and IV congestive heart failure (CHF) continues to grow along with the growing incidence of diabetes, obesity, coronary heart disease, Diastolic Dysfunction and other related ailments. In addition, the medically improved outcomes from Ischemic Heart Disease and Myocardial Infarction are generating an increased population of people suffering from varying degrees of CHF.
Treating patients with CHF is presently one of the major expenses in the healthcare bill of any westernized nation. Furthermore, treating patients with CHF is one of the most significant causes of financial loss in the U.S. hospital industry.
Removal of excess fluids from the body can be accomplished with diuretics and other drugs that improve the performance of the heart muscle.
Thanks to numerous pharmacological agents such as ACE inhibitors, diuretics and beta blockers, the morbidity and mortality of CHF has become somewhat improved. Pacemakers and implantable defibrillators have aided in this regarding also.
Regardless of the advancements in medical technology some of the major patient problems associated with CHF are fluid overload and sodium retention. Both fluid overload and sodium retention are associated with various endocrine derangements and release noxious cytokines that may further aggravate the CHF condition. These drugs become gradually ineffective over time and may also cause undesirable effects such as kidney failure.
There is a growing body of literature supporting the conclusion that the physical removal of fluid by convection (i.e., ultrafiltration) of blood can significantly improve patient outcomes and shorten hospital stays and intensive care unit utilization. Fluid removal may be superior to the administration of very large losses of diuretic drugs.
Advantages of ultrafiltration over diuretic drugs include: (1) efficient fluid removal without side effects such as kidney failure and blood pressure drops; (2) prompt relief from shortness of breath and swelling; and (3) improvement regarding certain adverse hormonal effects that are associated with CHF.
Ultrafiltration is performed by pumping blood from a catheter in an artery or a large vein, though a blood filter or a dialyzer while creating a gradient of pressure through the filter membrane. The pressure gradient forces the passage of fluid out of the blood by convection and the fluid is drained out.
Conventional ultrafiltration devices suffer from several drawbacks. Usually, these devices are cumbersome, heavy and must be hooked to electrical outlets for power. Since ultrafiltration patients must remain connected to these devices for many hours, their ability to perform normal every day activities is severely limited. In addition, typical ultrafiltration treatments are geared for fast removal of several liters of excess fluid. However, the fluid removal is only temporary and the excess fluid usually reaccumulates in the patient's body after a short period of time. The reaccumulation of fluid is harmful to the patients, as the kidneys are further injured by the progress of CHF and the side effects of the diuretic drugs used to treat the heart.
Presently ultrafiltration devices are not designed to economically provide a single patient prolonged or continuous ultrafiltration. In addition, acute treatments performed over 4 to 6 hours of hemofiltration on a patient, can be efficient and capable of removing up to around 23 liters of excess fluid from a patient in one session, but are not physiologically good for the patient and can be conducive of blunt shifts in fluid content in various compartments of a patient's body. Such large amounts of fluid removal may also create hypotension and hemodynamic instability. Furthermore, the present ultrafiltration methods do not provide for a steady removal of excess fluids and sodium from the patient's body.
A further problem with ultrafiltration devices is that repeated reconnection to an ultrafiltration device requires accessing blood flow by puncturing a large blood vessel and forming an arteriovenous shunt. These shunts only last for limited periods of time and are subject to infection, clotting and other complications that result in numerous hospitalizations and repeated surgical interventions. Similar problems also exist when a patient's blood stream is accessed by alternative methods, such as by inserting large catheters into large veins and arteries.
In view of the above disadvantages, there is a substantial need for a portable ultrafiltration device that provides continual, steady and smooth removal of excess fluid from the body. | {
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The present invention relates generally to management of information or datasets stored on electronic devices and, more particularly, to a system implementing methods for maintaining synchronization of disparate datasets among a variety of such devices.
With each passing day, there is ever increasing interest in providing synchronization solutions for connected information appliances. Here, the general environment includes “appliances” in the form of electronic devices such as cellular phones, pagers, hand-held devices (e.g., Palm Pilot™ and Windows™ CE devices), as well as desktop computers and the emerging “NC” device (i.e., a “network computer” running, for example, a Java virtual machine or a browser).
A problem facing such an environment today is that these devices do not communicate well with desktop computers, let alone with each other. In particular, a problem exists as to how one integrates disparate information—such as calendaring, scheduling, and contact information—among disparate devices. Consider, for instance, a user who has his or her appointments on a desktop PC but also has a battery-powered, hand-held device for use in the field. What the user really wants is for the information of each device to remain synchronized with all other devices in a convenient, transparent manner. Still further, the desktop PC is typically connected to a server computer, which stores information for the user. The user would of course like the information on the server computer to participate in the synchronization, so that the server also remains synchronized.
There have been various attempts to solve this problem. An earlier approach to maintaining consistency between datasets was to import or copy one dataset on top of another. This simple approach, one which overwrites a target dataset without any attempt at reconciling any differences, is inadequate for all but the simplest of applications. Expectedly, more sophisticated “synchronization” techniques were developed.
Perhaps the most common synchronization approach is one employing a “star” topology—that is, a topology where each one of the dataset writes to a common universal dataset which encompasses all of the other datasets. FIG. 1 summarizes the basic approach. In a star topology, when writing to the universal dataset or “unirecord,” the only device-dependent functionality that needs to be written is that for converting information to and from the unirecord. By employing the abstraction of a unirecord, support for a new platform is typically easier to implement.
This approach of supporting the least common denominator has its disadvantages, however. Consider the task of storing menu information for every restaurant in the San Francisco Bay Area using a gigantic “universal” menu that covers every restaurant. The advantage to this approach is that one need only to develop or implement a mechanism that writes to this universal schema. The disadvantage to this, however, is that the approach can compromise the dataset. Here, if a particular item of a record cannot be represented or mapped to the universal schema, information might be lost. For instance, “rich data” (e.g., formatted or “rich” text) on one particular device mapped down to a universal representation employing simple (ASCII) text will result in loss of some content.
Another attempt is to employ synchronization using a “mesh” topology, which is illustrated in FIG. 2. Instead of using a common universal schema, the approach is to implement device-dependent drivers for mapping a dataset from one device to another, basically making sure that data is appropriately mapped between any two devices. For instance, if a user wishes to synchronize a dataset residing on a desktop PC using Starfish Sidekick® PIM (Personal Information Manager) with a dataset residing on a Palm Pilot™, the system designer must provide a specific driver supporting the Sidekick-to-Palm Pilot transfer. If a Palm Pilot™ device needs to “talk” with (i.e., reconcile its dataset with) another third party PIM, yet another driver must be provided. Thus, for n possible conduits (i.e., one-way connection between two devices), the system vendor must supply n number of drivers—one for each conduit that needs to be supported. The advantage of the approach is that any two devices can communicate natively, without relying on a universal abstraction. Since there are two conduits for every device which must communicate bidirectionally, however, the approach quickly becomes burdensome if any significant number of conduits need to be supported.
What is needed is a solution which handles all the different types of data from a variety of different devices, that is, providing support for different datasets. At the same time, the approach should be automated so that the user is provided with “one-click” convenience. The present invention fulfills this and other needs. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to positioning devices and, particularly, to a positioning device which can position workpieces in multiple positions.
2. Description of Related Art
A positioning device is usually used to position a workpiece to be machined to a desired position. To position a number of workpieces in their respective positions, usually they need to be manually adjusted to different positions, which is time-consuming. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for polishing a workpiece, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for polishing a planar workpiece such as a semiconductor wafer to a flat mirror finish.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recent rapid progress in semiconductor device integration demands smaller and smaller wiring patterns or interconnections and also narrower spaces between interconnections which connect active areas. One of the processes available for forming such interconnection is photolithography. Though the photolithographic process can form interconnections that are at most 0.5 .mu.m wide, it requires that surfaces on which pattern images are to be focused by a stepper be as flat as possible because the depth of focus of the optical system is relatively small. Conventionally, as apparatuses for planarizing semiconductor wafers, there have been used a self-planarizing CVD apparatus, an etching apparatus or the like, however, these apparatuses fail to fully planarize semiconductor wafers. Recently, attempts have been made to use a polishing apparatus for planarizing semiconductor wafers to a flatter finish with more ease than those conventional planarizing apparatus.
Conventionally, a polishing apparatus has a turntable and a top ring which rotate at respective individual speeds. A polishing cloth is attached to the upper surface of the turntable. A semiconductor wafer to be polished is placed on the polishing cloth and clamped between the top ring and the turntable. An abrasive liquid containing abrasive grains is supplied onto the polishing cloth and retained on the polishing cloth. During operation, the top ring exerts a certain pressure on the turntable, and the surface of the semiconductor wafer held against the polishing cloth is therefore polished by a combination of chemical polishing and mechanical polishing to a flat mirror finish while the top ring and the turntable are rotated. This process is called Chemical Mechanical polishing.
After the semiconductor wafer is polished, it is detached from the top ring, and transferred to a next process such as a cleaning process.
While a workpiece such as a semiconductor wafer is being polished, it occasionally is broken into pieces which are scattered on the polishing cloth. Each time the workpiece being polished is broken, the polishing cloth has to be replaced with a new one because fragments of the workpiece on the polishing cloth would otherwise cause damage to the surface of another workpiece to be polished. Another problem is that a workpiece such as a semiconductor wafer which is being polished is sometimes disengaged from the top ring due to lack of secure attachment of the workpiece to the top ring. If the workpiece is a fragile object such as a semiconductor silicon wafer, then an outer circumferential edge of the workpiece may suffer same damage such as chipping upon collision with a wall surface that covers the turntable. When the damaged workpiece is polished again, it can easily be broken apart under small forces which are applied to the damaged area or thereabouts of the workpiece.
There have been made various efforts to prevent a workpiece from being broken and also from being disengaged from the top ring. For example, a cushioning member such as an elastic mat is interposed between the top ring and the workpiece to reduce cracking or chipping of the workpiece while the workpiece is being polished. A retainer ring is provided on the outer periphery of the top ring to retain the outer circumferential edge of the workpiece and to firmly hold the workpiece on the top ring for thereby preventing the workpiece from being disengaged from the top ring while the workpiece is being polished.
However, the above attempts fail to completely prevent the workpiece from being broken or being disengaged from the top ring while the work piece is being polished. Since the polishing process is continued even when the workpiece is broken or disengaged from the top ring, various resultant problems have not been eliminated. | {
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The present invention relates to rotors for use in blood pumps and to blood pumps having such rotors.
Implantable blood pumps are employed as ventricular assist devices to aid the functioning of a diseased heart in a human patient or non-human animal subject. When a blood pump is employed as a left ventricular assist device or “LVAD,” an inlet of the pump communicates with the left ventricle of the patient's heart, whereas the outlet of the pump communicates with the aorta downstream of the aortic valve. Thus, the pump acts in parallel with the patient's left ventricle to impel blood from the ventricle into the aorta. A pump used as an LVAD in a typical human subject should be capable of providing substantial blood flow as, for example, a few liters per minute or more, against a pressure head corresponding to the blood pressure of the subject. For example, in one typical operating condition, an LVAD may pump 5 liters of blood per minute at 75 mmHg pressure head, i.e., a pressure at the outlet of the pump 75 mmHg higher than the pressure at the inlet.
Other blood pumps are applied as right ventricular assist devices. In this application, the inlet of the pump is connected to the right ventricle of the subject's heart, whereas the outlet of the pump is connected to a pulmonary artery. Dual pumps can be used to provide both left and right ventricular assistance, or even as complete artificial hearts.
Implantable blood pumps should be compact so as to facilitate mounting the pump within the patient's body. They should also provide high reliability in prolonged use within a patient, most typically years, or even decades of service. An implantable blood pump also should be efficient so as to minimize the power required to operate the pump. This is particularly significant where, as in most applications, the pump is powered by a portable battery or other portable power source carried on or in the patient's body. Moreover, the pump should be designed to minimize damage to the patient's blood. It should limit the amount of blood subjected to relatively high sheer stresses as, for example, 150 Pa or more, so as to minimize the damage to components of the blood.
One particularly desirable form of blood pump is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,699,508; 7,972,122; 8,007,254; and 8,419,609, all assigned to the present assignee. The disclosure of the foregoing patents is incorporated by reference herein. This type of blood pump is commonly referred to as a wide-blade axial flow blood pump. The pump includes a housing having a bore and a rotor disposed within the bore. The rotor has a hub extending along an axis and blades projecting outwardly away from the hub. The blades are spaced apart from one another around the axis so that the blades cooperatively define channels extending between adjacent blades. The channels are generally helical and extend along the axis while also wrapping partially around the axis. The outer ends of the blades have tip surfaces facing in the outward direction, away from the axis. These tip surfaces have substantial area. The tip surfaces include hydrodynamic bearing surfaces. Typically, the rotor is magnetic and includes two or more magnetic poles. Electrical coils are arrayed around the housing. These coils are energized by an electrical power source so as to provide a rotating magnetic field, which spins the rotor. As the rotor spins, it impels blood axially in the housing, in a downstream direction along the axis. The hydrodynamic bearing surfaces support the rotor on a film of blood disposed between the bearing surfaces and the inner wall of the housing. Stated another way, the hydrodynamic bearings maintain the rotor coaxial with the bore and resist loads transverse to the axis of the rotor as, for example, loads imposed by gravity or gyroscopic forces that can be created when movement of the patient tilts the pump. Magnetic interaction between the rotor and the magnetic field applied by the coils resists axial movement of the rotor. In other variants, additional elements such as additional magnets or additional hydrodynamic bearings can be provided to resist axial movement of the rotor relative to the housing.
Preferred wide-blade axial flow pumps according to the aforementioned patents can be extraordinarily compact. For example, a pump suitable for use as a left ventricular assist device may have a rotor on the order of 0.379 inches (9.63 mm) in diameter and blades with an axial extent of about 0.5 inches (12.7 mm). The overall length of the rotor, including hubs projecting upstream and downstream from the blades is about 0.86 inches (21.8 mm). The housing has an inside diameter only slightly larger than the diameter of the rotor. The electrical coils, housing, and rotor may be contained within an outer shell about 0.7 inches (18 mm) in diameter and on the order of 1 inch (25 mm) long. In one arrangement, the outlet or downstream end of the housing is connected to a volute, which serves to connect the outlet end to an outflow cannula, whereas the inlet or upstream of the housing is inserted into the patient's left ventricle through a small hole in the heart wall. In still other arrangements, the entire pump may be positioned within the left ventricle, and the outlet end of the housing may be connected to an outflow cannula that projects through the aortic valve. See, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 20090203957 A1, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein.
The wide-blade axial flow blood pumps according to the aforementioned patents and publication operate without wear. In operation, the rotor—the only moving part of the pump—is suspended by the hydrodynamic bearings and magnetic fields and does not touch the housing. Such a pump has theoretically infinite life. Moreover, preferred pumps according to the aforementioned patents can operate for many years without thrombus formation.
Despite the significant progress in the art, still further improvements would be desirable. In particular, it would be desirable to provide greater efficiency, improved pump performance, and reduced shear on the blood while still maintaining the advantages of the wide-blade axial flow blood pump. Such improvement poses a formidable engineering challenge. In a wide-blade axial flow pump of this type, the tip surfaces of the rotor blades must provide sufficient area for effective hydrodynamic bearings. The blades of the rotor must also have the volume needed to contain enough magnetic material to provide magnetic poles with sufficient strength on the rotor. These constraints have limited the possible improvements in design of the rotor heretofore. | {
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Networked rendering devices can interact with an assemblage of other rendering devices, client devices, servers, and other components that are connected to and communicate over a network. One example of a rendering device is a MFD (Multi-Function Device), which includes the functionality of multiple rendering devices such as printers, scanners, faxes, copy machines, and so forth. Such networked rendering devices can be communicatively linked with a client device in order to provide various operations such as, for example, printing, scanning, and other operations within the network.
With the proliferation of color rendering devices, a managed rendering service provider deploys an output management solution for governing the use of rendering documents with respect to a customer. Such output management solutions must be managed correctly when deployed as part of a managed services agreement in order to ensure cost effective print governance. A print governance application typically monitors a print request and enforces a business rule in order to maximize the rendering efficiency by reducing consumables such as, for example, toner and paper and redirects the rendering job to more cost effective rendering device. Majority of prior art output management solutions generally utilize a set of rules to control rendering operations and meet the cost savings promised in the services agreement. Such prior art approaches however lack the ability to track and measure the print activity that bypasses the print governance policy and/or rule with respect to the print governance application.
Based on the foregoing, it is believed that a need exists for an improved system and method for tracking bypass of a print governance policy within a network, as described in greater detail herein. | {
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This invention pertains generally to crystal regulated oscillators, and more specifically to crystal oscillator packaging.
Quartz crystal based oscillators are used for generating frequency reference signals in radio telephones and pagers. The reference oscillator signal is typically used by other frequency synthesizers within the mobile radio device with phase locking.
Quartz crystal resonators offer several comparative advantages; they are inert, relatively power efficient, frequency stable and size scalable. However advantageous, crystal resonators present some practical problems. When quartz crystal is manufactured in an economical manner, its resonant frequencies cannot be predicted (or controlled) with an accuracy sufficient for many applications. Furthermore, the oscillating frequency of known quartz crystals is temperature dependantxe2x80x94the sensitivity varying according to crystal cut and crystal quality generally.
Accordingly, crystal oscillator circuits are both factory tuned to account for manufacturing variances and also equipped with features for temperature compensation. In the basic circuit design, an inverter and biasing resistor are each connected in parallel with the crystal resonator. The inverter and biasing resistor serve to start and then maintain the oscillation. An adjustable capacitance element such as a varactor is connected to the quartz crystal to allow frequency adjustment for factory tuning and temperature compensation. A voltage responsive temperature-sensing element is scaled and operably connected to the adjustable capacitance element to provide temperature compensation of the oscillator frequency. This frequency adjustment is conventionally called xe2x80x9cwarpingxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9cpulling.xe2x80x9d
Radio handsets, pagers and related mobile communicating devices are produced in automated factories in mass volumes. The associated market favors smaller designs and consumer-level pricing. Towards these objectives rigorous attention is applied to electronic component costs and sizes. Therefore, cost and size constraints are important factors in crystal oscillator design.
Because even dust-sized contamination of crystal resonators affects crystal resonance frequencies, packaging and handling for crystal oscillator components is critical. Higher quality crystal based oscillators are assembled in clean room environments, where the crystal resonator is set in a sealed chamber of the overall oscillator package. Inert, dust-free atmospheres are created in the sealed crystal resonator chamber. These special packaging and handling requirements not only contribute to the cost of manufacturing oscillator components but also limit efforts at reducing the overall package size.
There remains a need for lower cost crystal oscillator manufacturing methods and resulting component.
The invention is a crystal-controlled oscillator packaging system. The oscillator has a crystal resonator, and a housing enclosing the resonator. Electrical connectors extend from the crystal resonator through the housing. A wiring substrate has a cavity enclosed by the crystal resonator housing. Electrical oscillator components located within the cavity are electrically coupled to the crystal resonator electrical connectors and form a frequency controlled oscillator circuit therewith. Electrical terminations couple the frequency controlled oscillator circuit with an external electrical circuit.
Another aspect of the invention is a printed wiring board supporting at least one oscillator component. The wiring board has an electrically insulating base layer, and also has an electrically insulating top layer with an opening (or aperture). The oscillator component is supported upon the base and is accessible through the top layer aperture. Electrical wiring electrically couples the oscillator component to the top layer, and resonator package electrical coupling and mounting pads formed on the top layer are capable of operatively electrically connecting a resonator package to the oscillator component.
A preferred embodiment of the invention includes an array of at least two frequency controlled oscillators that is tested as a single unit. A circuit board electrically connects the array of frequency controlled oscillators to a test connector that is operative to couple to a testing computer. Individual ones of the frequency controlled oscillators each have: a cavity within the multi-layer circuit board; a component mounting pad located within the cavity between circuit board top and bottom; a frequency control component adjacent the cavity and forming an enclosure therewith; and an electronic oscillator component with the enclosure.
The invention also includes a printed circuit oscillator wiring array for use in the production of frequency controlled oscillators. A circuit board has electrical connections for connecting an array of at least two frequency controlled oscillators to a test connector that is operative to couple to a testing computer. Individual oscillator wiring circuits within the printed circuit oscillator wiring array each have a cavity within the circuit board; a component mounting pad located within the cavity between circuit board top and bottom; and an electronic oscillator component mounted adjacent the component mounting pad.
In a method aspect of the present invention a multi-layer wiring board substrate is formed with a plurality of cavities. A base-layer wiring substrate having a top and a bottom surface is provided and patterned with electrically conductive traces. A cavity-layer substrate is provided having a plurality of openings defined therein. The cavity-layer substrate is also patterned with electrically conductive traces. The conductive traces include test connectors on the cavity-substrate. The cavity-layer substrate and the base-layer substrate are laminated together to form a laminated, electrically interconnected wiring substrate such that the cavity-layer and the base-layer together define a plurality of cavities. The cavities of the laminated, electrically interconnected wiring substrate are populated with electronic components. A plurality of packaged frequency control components is provided and used to enclose the cavities to produce a plurality of crystal regulated oscillators. The plurality of crystal regulated oscillators is singulated from a balance of the laminated substrate. | {
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Geodesic Tires are those tires whose ply cord paths are geodesic lines on the tire surface. John F Purdy, the author of Mathematics Underlying the Design of Pneumatic Tires, copyrighted in 1963, was the Chief Mathematician of the Development Department of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and for 45 years he devoted his life to the mathematics underlying tire design. In Chapter IV of Mr Purdy's book, the entire subject matter discloses the principles of Geodesic tires. The author notes his interest in the geodesic cord path first occurred in 1917 as a student of mathematics. Experiments with geodesic tires first began about 1924.
Purdy discloses that a geodesic tire has many desirable features. Quoting Purdy at page 85 of the book "Its durability is excellent due to the absence of shear forces that in conventional tires result in a separation of rubber from fabric and that contribute to fabric fatigue through the torsion of the cords about their own axis during the shear cycle as the tire flexes. The absence of these same shear forces lower the operating temperature of a geodesic tire from the temperature of conventional tires. Improved durability in the vicinity of the tire bead results from the relatively small angle .alpha. at which the cords approach the bead. In many types of tire subject to large driving torque or to severe brake action, damaging torque buckles appear in the tire sidewalls. These are virtually absent in geodesic tires.
Due principally to the large cord angle over the crown, the geodesic tires provide a very soft ride at inflation pressures common to conventional tires of the same size. The same large cord angle over the crown reduces the lateral stability of the tire somewhat, and its ability to develop lateral thrust against the road when rounding a curve. This in itself might be a serious score against the geodesic tire if it were not for the fact that if inflation pressure is raised to the point where softness of ride approaches that of a conventional tire, lateral stability and cornering ability are as good or better than those of a conventional tire.
The geodesic path represents a long step forward in providing desirable properties in a tire that are possible for design alone to provide.
Geodesic tires have not become commonly known to users of tires largely because they require different procedures in the building of the tire than are required for the easily built conventional tires, and because of the fact that for normal purposes conventional tires are highly satisfactory products. The increasing range of conditions under which tires now operate demands new thinking in the art of design and tires of nonconventional cord path is one of the most important forward steps in meeting unusual requirements. Unfortunately the term geodesic has been flaunted in public in recent time with reference to tires that have no semblance whatever to geodesics. For the term geodesic is a mathematically precise term and a path or a curved surface departing only a little from a geodesic path easily loses the merits of geodesics. The failure to obtain a geodesic path in a tire is often the failure to understand some of the simple mechanics of tire construction.
Therefore, to obtain a given geodesic path in a tire, conventional building practice could be followed if the cord path in the flat ply were that path which pantographic action together with the effect of a prescribed tension would transform to a geodesic path on shaping from building form to mold.
The results of this reasoning have invariably been tires with perfect geodesic paths, conforming perfectly to the requirements that .rho.. cos .alpha.=a constant, .rho.o cos .alpha.o, that cord tension be uniform over the entire cord path, and that shear stresses due to inflation pressure be zero".
Purdy then goes on to describe numerous attempts to build experimental geodesic tires a brief excerpt of this background art is given starting at page 91.
"The earliest geodesic tires, and some for later experiment, were built by laying cords or groups of cords along a template whose shape was that of the necessary cord path in the flat ply.
The resulting tires were highly satisfactory for experiment. A number of machines have been subject to patent and operate to wind a continuous cord on a core not far different in shape from the finished tire. The same machines could wind a continuous cord in a geodesic path on a building drum. The simultaneous motion of the guide that feeds the cord onto the core and the turning of the core make it possible for the cord to be laid to any prescribed path. The difficulty in this process arises from two principal reasons. To wind a continuous cord back and forth over a building form requires either that the cord path approach the bead along a line tangent to the bead circle or else a sharp reversal of direction of the winding mechanism if the angle of the cord at the bead circle is greater than zero. In either case, the tension in the cords necessary for a satisfactory shaping and curing the tire is very difficult to attain. The continuous winding of a cord also involves an overlapping of successive winds in the region of the bead. This also involves poor tension control and the added problem of an unreasonably large bead bulk. An alternative is to continue the winding to some circle of radius less than that of the bead circle and then cut the cords at some P that will allow a turn of the ply around the bead. This last is not an economical procedure however.
Next in the line of planning non-conventional cord paths was the type of machine in which plies of fabric were used that had been prepared in the conventional manner, the cords of each ply lying in straight and parallel paths, the angle .beta. being the required .beta. at the center line of the ply that was to become a geodesic path ply in the tire. The edges of the ply were seized by rings rotating on the same axis as that of the building form, and that held the ply at first just off the drum. As rollers pressed the ply onto the building form beginning at the center-line of the ply and moved from center-line toward the edges of the ply, the rings in which the ply-edges were held rotated independently of the rotation of the drum and of each other and in a manner prescribed to alter the cord angle continuously as the roller pressed the plies onto the building form, with the result that the cords of the ply lay in paths on the drum surface that would become geodesic plies in the shaped tire. Such a procedure was, of course, not confined to geodesic path tires but could, by prescribed rotation of the building drum and the side rings lay any desired path on the drum."
A cord is limited in its effort to adjust its position to make its tension uniform due to the modulus of rigidity of the rubber around it; and a tension appropriate to move the cord to its shortest path is not the same tension for all increments. There is, therefore, at best, a very large difference between the irregular path assumed by the cord and a geodesic path between its terminal points. Repeated experiments over a long period of years have always been with the same unsatisfactory results.
Now suppose the plies of a tire were lubricated with some compound that would remain a very slippery medium between plies during the shaping process but would be absorbed during cure to permit a satisfactory adhesion between plies of the finished tire. After computing the conditions of cord angle, cord length, and radial angle .psi. most favorable to the formation of a geodesic path by adjustment of the tire cords over the slippery ply surfaces, several attempts were made to form geodesic paths. The lubricants used were first zinc stearate or stearic acid in liberal quantities. For still more slippery surfaces castor oil was used. Both rayon and nylon cords were used in the several experiments.
The most favorable conditions for success were the following. A geodesic path was selected for the tire and the length of the path and the radial angles subtended by the cord path were computed. To subtend the same radial angle .psi. on the building drum and the length of cord path differing from that in the tire only by an amount that would permit a reasonably large tension on shaping from core to mold, the width of the building drum and the bias angle of the ply were determined.
Purdy goes on to say at page 95 these ideal conditions for compelling a cord in a ply to seek a geodesic path in the tire, not one of numerous experiments came anywhere near the geodesic path. At tread center a difference of the order of 20.degree. existed between the path obtained and the geodesic. At the bead, the difference was of the order of 15.degree.. Furthermore the paths obtained were irregular and uncontrollable from time to time and from ply to ply. Not only are there sound theoretical reasons why the cords act as they do; the compelling fact is that experiment after experiment proves it to be true."
Rarely do the inventors of a new concept have such a wealth of background information regarding their invention. Purdy both explains the practical and theoretical value of geodesic tires. He goes on to explain that simple methods to achieve such a geodesic tire have reportedly met with failure primarily due to the inability to replicate the product.
Luigi Maiocchi, an Italian inventor, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,062,258 a tire having a central geodetic disposition of ply cords and two lateral portions including the bead and sidewall in which the cords form a substantially crossed structure.
To Purdy this hybrid tire would have been one of many misuses of the term "geodetical".
Nevertheless, Maiocchi did contribute an insight into the complexity of fabricating such a theoretically pure tire as a geodesic tire.
The present invention described hereinafter can be repeatedly built and tests indicated that the tire has achieved a consistent mimic of the geodesic plycord path from near the bead cores through the sidewall across the crown to the opposite bead cores. In one embodiment of the invention experimental race tires were built that survived durability testing over two hours at 239 mph, the tire being lighter in weight and substantially more durable than the prior art control tire. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to solid-state image-sensing devices, and particularly to a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) or complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) solid-state image-sensing device and a method for producing the device.
2. Description of the Related Art
As a type of solid-state image-sensing device, an MOS or CMOS solid-state image-sensing device is known that includes unit pixels each including a photodiode sensor and a switching device and that reads signal charge accumulated in the sensor by photoelectric conversion, converts the charge into a voltage or current, and outputs it. In the MOS or CMOS solid-state image-sensing device, MOS transistors or CMOS transistors are used as, for example, switching devices for pixel selection and switching devices for reading signal charge. Also in peripheral circuits such as a horizontal scanning circuit and a vertical scanning circuit, MOS transistors or CMOS transistors are used, so that there is an advantage in that the transistors can be produced together with the switching devices.
Hitherto, in a MOS or CMOS solid-state image-sensing device using pn-junction transistors as sensors, the sensors of pixels are formed so that the pixels are isolated in the form of an X-Y matrix by a device isolation layer resulting from local oxidation, i.e., a so-called xe2x80x9cLOCOS (local oxidation of silicon) layerxe2x80x9d.
As shown in FIG. 21, a photodiode 1 to be used as a sensor is formed by forming a p-type semiconductor well region 3 on, for example, an n-type silicon substrate 2, forming a device isolation layer (LOCOS layer) 4 resulting from local oxidation, and performing ion implantation of an n-type impurity 6 such as arsenic (As) or phosphorus (P) in the surface of the p-type semiconductor well region 3 through a thin insulating film (e.g., an SiO2 film) so that an n-type semiconductor layer 7 is formed.
In the sensor (photodiode) 1, it is necessary that a depletion layer be enlarged for increasing the photoelectric conversion efficiency so that even signal charge photoelectrically converted at a deeper position can be used.
In order to dope the n-type impurity 6 in the formation of the photodiode 1 to be used as a sensor, ion implantation is performed using a photoresist layer 8 aligned on the device isolation layer 4 to protect other regions, as shown in FIG. 21. Thus, a pn-junction j appears at an end A of the device isolation layer 4. It is known that a stress generates crystal defects such as dislocation at the end A of the device isolation layer 4. Accordingly, when the depletion layer, generated by reverse biasing the pn-junction j, occurs in the region of at the end of the device isolation layer, which has the crystal defects, a leakage current is increased by the electric field. When the leakage current is increased in the sensor (photodiode) 1, a signal charge is generated and forms a dark current, even if no light is incident. Since the dark current is generated by the crystal defects, each sensor 1 has a different amount of generated dark current, which appears as nonuniformity of the image quality.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a solid-state image-sensing device designed so that photoelectric conversion efficiency in sensor parts can be increased.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a solid-state image-sensing device designed so that a dark current resulting from leakage current can be reduced, and to provide a method for producing the device.
To these ends, according to an aspect of the present invention, the foregoing objects are achieved through provision of a solid-state image-sensing device having pn-junction sensor parts isolated corresponding to pixels by a device isolation layer. The solid-state image-sensing device includes a first-conductivity-type second semiconductor well region formed between a first-conductivity-type first semiconductor well region and the device isolation layer. In the device, when the device is operating, a depletion layer of each of the sensor parts spreads to the first semiconductor well region, which is beneath each of the sensor parts.
Preferably, the second semiconductor well region is simultaneously formed with the semiconductor well regions formed after the formation of the device isolation layer in a CMOS transistor.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the foregoing objects are achieved through provision of a solid-state image-sensing device having pn-junction sensor parts isolated corresponding to pixels by a device isolation layer resulting from local oxidation. The solid-state image-sensing device includes a semiconductor region of a conductivity type opposite to the conductivity type of a charge accumulating region of each of the sensor parts, and the semiconductor region is formed between the charge accumulating region of each sensor part and the device isolation layer.
Preferably, the solid-state image-sensing device further includes a second semiconductor well region formed between the device isolation layer and a first semiconductor well region beneath the device isolation layer, and when the device is operating, the depletion layer of each of the sensor parts spreads to the first semiconductor well region, which is beneath each of the sensor parts.
The semiconductor region may be formed by extending a portion of a second semiconductor well region formed between the device isolation layer and a first semiconductor well region beneath the device isolation layer.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, the foregoing objects are achieved through provision of a solid-state image-sensing device including pn-junction sensor parts isolated corresponding to pixels by a device isolation layer resulting from trench isolation. The solid-state image-sensing device includes a semiconductor region of a conductivity type opposite to the conductivity type of the charge accumulating region of each of the sensor parts, and the semiconductor region is formed to extend from the device isolation layer to a pixel region.
Preferably, the opposite-conductivity-type semiconductor region is formed by extending a portion of a semiconductor well region.
According to a still further aspect of the present invention, the foregoing objects are achieved through provision of a method for producing a solid-state image-sensing device which includes the step of forming, by performing ion implantation, a semiconductor region after forming a device isolation layer resulting from local oxidation, wherein the device isolation layer isolates pn-junction sensor parts in correspondence with pixels; the conductivity type of the semiconductor region is opposite to the conductivity type of a charge accumulating region of each of the sensor parts; and an end of the semiconductor region is positioned at the side of the parts except for an end of the device isolation layer.
Preferably, the semiconductor region is formed by a second semiconductor well region formed between a first semiconductor well region and the device isolation layer.
In the method, after forming the device isolation layer, the semiconductor region may be formed by forming, beneath the device isolation layer, a second semiconductor well region leading to a first semiconductor well region.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the foregoing objects are achieved through provision of a method for producing a solid-state image-sensing device which includes the steps of: forming a device isolation layer resulting from local oxidation, the device isolation-layer isolating pn-junction sensor parts corresponding to pixels, and for forming a gate electrode of a read transistor connected to each of the sensor parts; and forming, by performing ion implantation, a semiconductor region of a conductivity type opposite to the conductivity type of the charge accumulating region of each of the sensor parts so that an end of the semiconductor region is positioned at the side of the sensor parts except for an end of the device isolation layer, with the gate electrode being used as a reference position.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, the foregoing objects are achieved through provision of a method for producing a solid-state image-sensing device which includes the step of forming a semiconductor region of a conductivity type opposite to the conductivity type of a charge accumulating region in each of pn-junction sensor parts so as to surround a device isolation layer resulting from trench isolation, wherein the device isolation layer isolates the pn-junction sensor parts corresponding to pixels.
According to a more aspect of the present invention, the foregoing objects are achieved through provision of a method for producing a solid-state image-sensing device which includes the step of forming, after forming, on a semiconductor substrate, trenches for isolating pn-junction sensor parts corresponding to pixels, and after forming a semiconductor region of a conductivity type opposite to the conductivity type of a charge accumulating region of each of the sensor parts so as to surround each trench, a device isolation layer by embedding an insulating material in each trench.
According to the present invention, photoelectric conversion efficiency in sensor parts in a solid-state image-sensing device can be increased, which makes it possible to provide a solid-state image-sensing device with high sensitivity.
According to the present invention, sensor parts having high photoelectric conversion efficiency and a low dark current can be formed without increasing production steps. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a magnetic sensor, a magnetic field sensing method, a magnetic recording head, and a magnetic memory device such as a magnetic random access memory.
2. Description of the Related Art
Since the advent of a GMR head utilizing the giant magnetoresistive effect (GMR effect) as a magnetic read head, the recording density of magnetic recording has increased at an annual rate of about 100%. The GMR head includes a composite film, i.e., a magnetic multilayer, of a sandwich structure of ferromagnetic layer/nonmagnetic layer/ferromagnetic layer. With the GMR head, one ferromagnetic layer is subjected to an exchange bias to pin its magnetization, and the other ferromagnetic layer is subjected to an external magnetic field to change the direction of its magnetization. A change in the relative angle between the magnetization directions of the two ferromagnetic layers is detected as a change in resistance. So far, a CIP (Current-In-Plane)-GMR element and a CPP (Current-Perpendicular-to-Plane)-GMR element have been developed. With the CIP-GMR element, a current is caused to flow in the magnetic multilayer plane to detect a change in resistance. With the CPP-GMR element, a current is caused to flow perpendicularly to the magnetic multilayer plane to detect a change in resistance. These GMR elements exhibit a magnetoresistance effect of about 10% and are expected to allow for a recording density of up to about 200 Gbit/inch2 (Gbpsi).
To allow for magnetic recording at higher recording densities, a TMR element has been under development which utilizes the tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) effect. The TMR element includes a composite film of ferromagnetic layer/insulator layer/ferromagnetic layer. A voltage is applied between the ferromagnetic layers to cause a tunnel current to flow. The TMR element utilizes the fact that the magnitude of the tunnel current changes with the magnetization directions of the upper and lower ferromagnetic layers and detects a change in the relative angle between the magnetization directions of the ferromagnetic layers as a change in tunnel resistance. The TMR element, being larger in MR ratio than the GMR element (about 50% at maximum) and high in signal voltage, is expected to allow for a recording density of about 300 Gbpsi.
With magnetic recording at more than some hundreds of Gbpsi, the bit size ranges from tens of nm to 100 nm. To avoid thermal fluctuation of magnetization, therefore, it is required to use a magnetic material which is large in coercivity for the magnetic recording layer. It has been proposed to perform thermally assisted recording on such a medium. With thermally assisted recording, the medium is heated to lower its coercivity and then subjected to a recording magnetic field. More specifically, to realize high-speed and localized recording, laser-based thermally assisted recording has been proposed which irradiates a medium with a laser beam having a large power density to heat it (T. Rausch, Jpn. J. Appln. Phys., 42 (2003) pp. 989-994). With this laser-based thermally assisted recording, however, it is difficult to control successfully heating of the medium and application of a magnetic field to the medium.
In addition, the TMR element has a problem that a shot noise component in an output signal is large and hence the S/N ratio (signal-to-noise ratio) cannot be improved. The shot noise is attributed to current fluctuation produced by electrons passing through the tunnel barrier irregularly. In order to suppress the shot noise and obtain a desired signal voltage, it is required to reduce the thickness of the tunnel insulating layer and thereby lower the tunnel resistance. When the thickness of the tunnel insulating layer is reduced, however, short-circuiting of the upper and lower ferromagnetic layers is liable to occur, lowering the magnetoresistance ratio (MR ratio). For this reason, it is difficult to fabricate a TMR element which exhibits good characteristics even at high recording densities.
Furthermore, with a magnetic random access memory (MRAM) in which the recorded magnetization of the ferromagnetic layers of each TMR element is used as recorded data, it is pointed out that, when its packing density is increased, the current magnetic field for writing increases.
In recent years, magnetic white noise has become a problem in common with the GMR and TMR elements. Unlike electrical noise such as the aforementioned shot noise, the white noise is caused by thermal fluctuation of micro-magnetization. For this reason, the white noise becomes more dominant as the elements become smaller in size. With elements adapted for 200-300 Gbpsi, therefore, it is supposed that the magnetic white noise will be greater in influence than the electrical noise. For example, a study is known by which high-frequency noise of a magnetic multilayer element is measured as a function of applied magnetic field and the magnetic resonance frequency of the ferromagnetic layer is examined (N. Stutzke et al., Applied Physics Letters, vol. 82, No. 1, (Jan. 6, 2003) pp. 91-93). | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field
Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses for determining the attachment position of a motion sensing apparatus. More particularly, various embodiments of the invention provide methods and apparatuses operable to determine the attachment position of a motion sensing apparatus using acceleration measurements sensed by the motion sensing apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
Motion sensing apparatuses are often used to sense the motion of an object, animal, or person. For example, sensed and calculated motion parameters, such as acceleration, average velocity, stride distance, total distance, gait efficiency, and the like, may be utilized in the training and evaluation of athletes and animals, the rehabilitation of the injured and disabled, and in various recreational activities.
Motion sensing apparatuses must often be attached to specific location, such as a user's shoe, arm, or wrist, to correctly sense and calculate motion parameters. Thus, if a motion sensing apparatus is attached to an incorrect location, it may function incorrectly. Further, differently configured motion sensing apparatuses must be employed for different attachment positions, thereby preventing users from using the same motion sensing apparatus in more than one attachment configuration. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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This invention relates generally to motor operation, and more specifically to methods and systems for operating motors, including one or more of an electronically commutated motor (ECM), which is sometimes referred to as a brushless DC motor, a variable speed induction motor (VSIM), and a switched reluctance motor (SRM).
Using the ECM as an example, such motors operate using a DC voltage. However, due to the availability of AC voltage outlets, ECMs are typically equipped for operation using an AC voltage. More specifically, ECMs are typically fabricated with a rectification circuit therein which rectifies the readily available AC voltage to a DC voltage that can be utilized by the operation components of the ECM (brushless DC motor). VSIMs and SRMs also operate utilizing a DC voltage.
Solar panels, when impinged by light, output a DC voltage. Based on the construction of the solar panel, the voltage is typically in the 12-36 volt range. While some devices are fabricated to utilize such a range of DC voltage, in other applications, an inverter is utilized to transform the DC voltage to the more typical 110 VAC or 230 VAC. This “inversion” to an AC voltage allows solar panels to be utilized to provide power to many conventional devices. However, the component cost of the inverter circuit may take away from the benefit of using solar power to operate electrical equipment, especially when the electrical equipment to be powered has a cost that is less than that of the inverter circuit. With regard to providing power for ECM operation, it has also been considered inefficient to invert the DC voltage from solar panels to an AC voltage (for application to a connector of an ECM) then rectify that AC voltage back to DC (using the internal rectifier circuit) for motor operation.
To provide an amount of power to operate such equipment, the 12-36 volts DC solar panels have been traditionally connected in parallel in order to provide an increased amount of current. However, it is known that connecting solar panels in series will increase the DC voltage output. However, such a configuration has heretofore been considered unconventional, since a relatively small percentage of electrical power consuming devices are configured to utilize high voltage DC as a power source. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Transducers of the above type are generally described in an article entitled "New Developments in Force Measurement" by Joseph H. Antkowiak et al., published by Hottinger Baldwin Measurements, Inc., Marlboro, Mass., 01752. This type of transducer, due to its structure and function, has many advantages, for example, it is highly accurate, structurally it has a relatively low profile and permits practical load introduction techniques, while not requiring large moment supporting foundations. However, there is room for improvement, especially with regard to eliminating undesirable mounting effects, and effects caused by off-center load applications, and improved manufacturing costs.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,610 (Gassmann) describes a weighing cell quite similar to the transducer or load cell described in the above mentioned article. Gassmann wants to improve such transducers, especially with regard to their sensitivity to off-center load applications, and to mounting effects. In other words, Gassmann wants to make his load cells less sensitive to these phenomena. This aim is presumably achieved in the Gassman transducer by an especially small web thickness (t) relative to the axial heigh (h) of the sensing ring or deformation body which is connected by the webs on the radially inner side, to the force application body, and on the radially outer side to the ring housing of the transducer, and by the requirement of a narrow deep radial groove width (b) between the sensing ring and the ring housing. The groove width (b) is considered relative to the radial width (l) of the deformation body or sensing ring. The groove (b) must be deep to satisfy the requirement that the web thickness (t) is not more than one sixth of the height (h) of the sensing ring and the groove width (b) is not more than one third of the radial sensing ring width (l).
These limitations imposed by Gassmann are undesirable because even modern machine tools have difficulties in cutting such deep and narrow grooves due to required cutting tool dimensions, which normally do not permit boring such narrow deep axial grooves without special precautions and at economical cutting speeds.
Although Gassmann intended to virtually eliminate the effects of disturbing variables occurring during load introduction and in the mounting of the weighing cell, achieving such goals has been difficult in practice due to the limitations imposed by trying to solve the problem exclusively at the webs which mount the sensing ring to the housing. The invention is based on the recognition that modifications in the web and groove dimensions are limited in their isolating abilities due to the above mentioned machining problems.
Mounting effects or "variables" are influences that affect the measuring result so that consistently repeatable results are hard to obtain, if the same transducer model is mounted to different types of foundations or even if in the same type of mounting the several mounting screws are not tightened to the same extent, or if the mounting surfaces have different surface characteristics, e.g., different roughnesses and flatness. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Utility companies (electric utility now, natural gas utility in the future) would like to regulate a water heater's load to avoid peak draws in power by spreading over time the energy required to heat the water. There are several commands that the utilities would like to use. Commands like shed (or reduce) load, add load, relative pricing (static or dynamic), or grid guidance. The invention relates to using these commands to mange water temperature and user satisfaction while at the same time shifting the energy to heat the tank to off-peak hours. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for producing an n-type Group III nitride semiconductor product doped with Si at a high concentration and exhibiting favorable crystallinity.
2. Background Art
In a conventional method for producing an n-type Group III nitride semiconductor product by MOCVD, a Group III nitride semiconductor is doped with Si by using silane (SiH4) as a dopant gas (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (kokai) No. 2001-185499).
However, in such a method for producing an n-type Group III nitride semiconductor product by use of silane dopant gas, the Si doping concentration is limited to a level on the order of 1×1018 cm−3, and Si doping at a higher concentration may cause impairment of crystallinity. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
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