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Renewable energy power systems, such as wind energy power systems and solar energy power systems, often include a power converter with a regulated DC bus. For example, wind power systems, such as wind driven doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG) systems or full power conversion systems, can include a power converter with an AC-DC-AC topology. Solar power systems can include a power converter that has a DC-DC-AC topology or simply a DC-AC topology.
In a typical configuration, an energy storage system can be coupled to the DC bus of a power converter in a renewable energy power system. The energy storage system can be used, for instance, to apply power to the DC bus of the power converter during transient conditions or to store energy generated by a generator. For example, a switching power supply, such as a DC to DC converter, can be provided to transfer energy back and forth between the DC bus of the power converter and the energy storage device. A bi-directional DC to DC switching power supply can allow for power flow from the energy storage device to the DC bus during transient conditions but also to allow power flow from the DC bus to the energy storage device, for instance, to charge the energy storage device.
However, in such a configuration, large cabinet filters are often needed to filter out heavy ripple, including common mode noise and differential mode noise, before energy is provided to one or more energy storage devices in the energy storage system. These filters can be very expensive, with the cost increasing as the size of the filter increases. Further, in such a configuration, the one or more energy storage devices in the energy storage system, such as one or more batteries, are not electrically isolated from the power converter in the renewable energy system, and thus are susceptible to damage from fault currents. Moreover, integrating an energy storage system into the DC bus of a power converter typically requires a purpose-built power converter, and such an energy storage system is not typically suitable to be retrofitted to an existing renewable energy power system. | {
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In general, mobile communication systems have been developed to provide communication services to users in motion. Thanks to rapid technological advancement, mobile communication systems are capable of providing not only voice communication services but also high-speed data communication services.
Recently, 3GPP has been working to standardize specifications for the Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, which is regarded as a next generation mobile communication system. The LTE system is expected to be commercially available in 2010, and aims to realize high-speed packet based communication supporting a data rate of 100 Mbps exceeding existing data rates. With completion of LTE system standardization, to achieve higher data rates, 3GPP started to develop the LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) system by introducing various new communication schemes to the LTE system.
Carrier aggregation (CA) is a representative one of the communication schemes to be newly introduced. Unlike an existing user equipment that uses one downlink carrier and one uplink carrier for data transmission and reception, a user equipment supporting carrier aggregation may use multiple downlink carriers and multiple uplink carriers. To support carrier aggregation involving multiple downlink carriers and multiple uplink carriers, some functions of the user equipment (UE) and the base station (Node B) must be changed. The HARQ (hybrid automatic repeat request) scheme is one of such functions. In HARQ, when data is received from a base station, a user equipment may perform error correction operation on the received data and detect errors using a simple scheme like cyclic redundancy check (CRC) to determine necessity of retransmission. If retransmission is necessary, the user equipment sends a retransmission request to the base station through the uplink channel. However, in the event that carrier aggregation involving multiple carriers is employed, it is necessary to determine, in response to traffic having received through one carrier, another carrier through which HARQ feedback is to be sent. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The present invention relates to tunnelling apparatus, i.e., with apparatus for driving a tunnel in the ground.
Tunnelling apparatus of the general type here in question is already known from German Pat. No. 2,431,512. This type of equipment has a generally annular tunnelling element at the front end of which there is provided a working chamber the forward end of which is open and which is formed by providing a transversely extending wall which subdivides the tunnelling element into the forward or leading working chamber and a rearward or trailing chamber. Mounted in the working chamber is a material-removing device which extends through the front open end of the tunnelling element and removes material from the soil face just ahead of the tunnelling element. A pressurizable flowable medium can be introduced into the working chamber in order to support the soil face against collapse. In the type of equipment disclosed in the aforementioned German patent, it has been found that from time to time it may become necessary to gain access to the working chamber, either by the admission of a worker into the chamber or by the introduction of tools into the chamber, because obstacles may be encountered in the soil by the material-removing device which the device itself cannot remove or reduce to smaller manageable portions, respectively. This may, for example, be large rocks, buried tree trunks, tree roots or the like. In order to gain access to the working chamber, it is necessary to withdraw the supporting medium which may be thixotropic fluid. After this is done, an operator may gain access to the chamber through an appropriate port. This presents no particular problems if the tunnels are of large diameters, for example, the type of tunnel required for the contruction of subways. In the case of small tunnels having a diameter of only about 0.8-1.5 meters, such as is for example required for large waste-water mains, the relatively large space requirements of the material removal device within the working chamber make it impossible for a worker to enter the chamber, for lack of space. Nevertheless, the problems which occasionally make it necessary to gain access to the working chamber are just as acute in the case of small-diameter tunnels as in the case of large-diameter tunnels. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Information handling devices (“devices”), for example smart phones, tablet devices, laptop computers, personal computers, and the like, may be capable of receiving and processing user command inputs, for example, input via an audio capture device, manual input device, and the like. Generally, for a voice command, a user interacts with a voice input module, for example, embodied in a personal assistant, through use of natural language. The personal assistant allows a device to receive voice inputs (e.g., voice commands, etc.), process those requests, and perform the user's desired actions by carrying out the requested action itself or delegating user requests to a desired application. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Solid state image sensors, also known as imaging devices, have commonly been used in various photo-imaging applications. Current applications of imaging devices include cameras, mobile telephones, scanners, machine vision systems, vehicle navigation systems, video telephones, computer input devices, surveillance systems, auto focus systems, star trackers, motion detector systems, and image stabilization systems among other uses.
Imaging devices, when used with appropriate imaging circuits, capture, process, store, and display images for various purposes. For example, imaging devices are typically formed with an array of pixels containing photosensors, such as photogates, phototransistors, photoconductors, or photodiodes. The photosensors each absorb incident radiation of a particular wavelength (e.g., optical photons or x-rays) and produce a signal corresponding to the intensity of light impinging on that element when an image is focused on the pixel array. The signal is then processed and used for storage, printing, display, or other purposes.
There are a number of different types of semiconductor-based imaging devices, including charge coupled devices (CCDs), photodiode arrays, charge injection devices (CIDs), hybrid focal plane arrays, and complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) imaging devices. Examples of CMOS imaging devices, processing steps thereof, and detailed descriptions of the functions of various CMOS elements of a CMOS imaging device are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,140,630, U.S. Pat. No. 6,376,868, U.S. Pat. No. 6,310,366, U.S. Pat. No. 6,326,652, U.S. Pat. No. 6,204,524, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,333,205, each of which is assigned to Micron Technology, Inc. The disclosures of each of the forgoing patents are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
During operation of imaging devices, photons of incident radiation impinging on the imaging devices may not all reach the photosensors to be converted into electrons. Also, the converted electrons may be lost in the various layers of the device or in adjacent pixel cells, or be mixed with dark current electrons in the various layers. It is thus desirable to provide an imaging device and/or system that mitigates the effects of the above discussed deficiencies. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved method for the electrical attachment of a semiconductor die to the leads of a lead frame and the apparatus formed therefrom. More particularly, the present invention relates to the use of multi-layered or laterally segmented metal/elastomer strips to achieve electrical contact between the bond pads of a semiconductor die and the leads of a lead frame or other conductor pattern in order to eliminate the necessity for wirebonding or direct lead bonding (TAB) to the semiconductor die.
2. Background Art
The most common die-connection technology in the microelectronics industry is wirebonding. As illustrated in FIG. 6, wirebonding generally starts with a semiconductor die 30 bonded by a die-attach adhesive, such as a solder or an epoxy, to a lead frame paddle or to a discrete substrate 29. A plurality of bond wires 32 is then placed, one at a time, to electrically connect the bond pads 34 to their corresponding leads 36. One end of each bond wire is attached to a bond pad 34 of the semiconductor die 30, and the other bond wire end is attached to a lead 36.
The bond wires 32 are attached through one of three industry standard wirebonding techniques: ultrasonic bonding—using a combination of pressure and ultrasonic vibration bursts to form a metallurgical cold weld, resulting in a so-called wedge-wedge wire bond; thermocompression bonding—using a combination of pressure and elevated temperature to form a weld, resulting in a so-called ball-wedge wire bond; and thermosonic bonding—using a combination of pressure, elevated temperature, and ultrasonic vibration bursts, resulting in a ball-wedge bond similar to that achieved by thermocompression bonding. Although these wirebonding techniques accomplish the goal of forming electrical contact between the semiconductor die 30 (i.e., through the bond pads 34) and each lead 36, all of these techniques have the drawback of requiring very expensive, high-precision, high-speed machinery to attach the individual bond wires 32 between the individual bond pads 34 and the leads 36. Moreover, the preferred bond wire material is gold, which becomes extremely expensive for the vast quantities employed in commercial semiconductor fabrication. Other materials employed in the art, such as silver, aluminum/silicon, aluminum/magnesium, and palladium, while less expensive than gold, still contribute significantly to the cost of achieving die/lead frame electrical connections.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,245 (“the '245 patent”), issued Aug. 29, 1989, to Pashby et al., illustrates an alternate lead arrangement on the semiconductor die (see FIG. 7). The leads 46 are extended over a semiconductor die 40 (“leads-over-chip” or LOC) toward a central or axial line of bond pads 44, wherein bond wires 42 make the electrical connection between the inner ends of leads 46 and the bond pads 44. Film-type alpha barriers 48 are provided between the semiconductor die 40 and the leads 46, and are adhered to both, thus eliminating the need for a separate die paddle or other die support aside from the leads 46 themselves. The configuration of the '245 patent assists in limiting the ingress of corrosive environmental contaminants to the active surface of the die, achieves a larger portion of the circuit path length encapsulated in the packaging material applied after wire bonding, and reduces electrical resistance caused by the bond wires 42 by placing the lead ends in closer proximity to the bond pads (i.e., the longer the bond wire, the higher the resistance). Although this configuration offers certain advantages, it still requires that bond wires 42 be individually attached between the bond pads 44 and the leads 46.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,252,853, issued Oct. 12, 1993, to Michii, illustrates a configuration similar to U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,245 discussed above. However, the lead is further extended to a position over the bond pad wherein the lead is bonded directly to the bond pad (TAB). Although this direct bonding of the lead to the bond pad eliminates the need for wirebonding, it still requires expensive, highly precise equipment to secure the bond between each lead and its corresponding bond pad.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,140,405 (“the '405 patent”), issued Aug. 18, 1992, to King et al., addresses the problem of connecting dice to leads by placing a plurality of semiconductor dice in a housing which is clamped to a plate having conductive pads and leads which are precisely aligned with the terminals of the semiconductor dice. A sheet of anisotropically conductive elastomeric material is interposed between the housing and the plate to make electrical contact. The anisotropically conductive elastomeric material is electrically conductive in a direction across its thickness, but non-conductive across its length and width, such as material generally known as an “elastomeric single axis conductive interconnect,” or ECPI.
Although the technique of achieving electrical contact between the semiconductor dice and the leads in U.S. Pat. No. 5,140,405 is effective for a plurality of chips, the scheme as taught by the '405 patent is ill-suited for the production of single chips in commercial quantities. The requirement for a housing and the use of a conductive sheet which covers both the housing surface and the semiconductor dice is simply not cost effective when translated to mass production, single-chip conductor attachment or conductor attachment on less than a substantially wafer-scale assembly.
A further industry problem relates to burn-in testing of semiconductor dice. Burn-in is a reliability test of semiconductor dice to identify dice that are demonstrably defective as fabricated or which would fail prematurely after a short period of proper function. Thus, the die is subjected to an initial heavy duty cycle which elicits latent silicon defects. The typical burn-in process consists of biasing the device against a circuit board or burn-in die, wherein the device is subject to an elevated voltage load while in an oven at temperatures of between about 125-150° C. for approximately 24-48 hours.
A burn-in die generally comprises a sheet of polyimide film laminated to copper foil leads with electrolytically plated metal bumps which extend from the surface of the polyimide film through vias to the copper foil leads. However, the industry standard process for electrolytically plating bumps generally results in different circuit intensities to each copper foil lead on the burn-in die due to the use of individual tie bars as electrical paths between a bus bar and the bump ends of the leads disposed in the plating bath. The differences in circuit intensities caused by the variable cross-sections of the tie bars extending to each copper foil lead result in the plated bumps being non-uniform in diameter and height. The differences in bump diameter and height consequently make uniform contact with the terminals on the semiconductor dice to be tested much more difficult. In general, the connection between the semiconductor die and the burn-in die is non-permanent, wherein the semiconductor die is biased with a spring, or the like, in the burn-in die such that the bond pads on the semiconductor die contact the plated bumps. Thus, even minor variations between the plated bump heights may result in one or more die terminals failing to make contact with one or more plated bumps. This lack of contact will result in a portion of the semiconductor device not being under a voltage load during the burn-in process. Thus, if a latent silicon defect exists in this portion of the semiconductor device, the burn-in process will not be effective and the die cannot be effectively electrically tested in the region where the open circuit exists.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,408,190, issued Apr. 18, 1995, to Wood et al., discloses the use of a Z-axis anisotropic conductive sheet of material to electrically connect the bond pads of a die to an intermediate substrate employed in a burn-in assembly for a bare die. However, it appears that a sheet of the anisotropically conductive material is disposed over the entire die and, in some instances, the anisotropically conductive sheet is used in combination with wire bonds extending from the intermediate substrate to the carrier.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to develop a technique for efficiently attaching dice to leads which eliminates the wirebonding process step or any other equivalent procedure requiring precise alignment of a lead end and bond pad or other die terminal. Further, it would also be advantageous to develop a technique for quickly and efficiently making non-permanent contact between semiconductor dice and burn-in dice, which would alleviate the need for close dimensional control of burn-in die contacts and for continuous, precise biased contact of the die under test (DUT) and the burn-in die. | {
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Films or sheets of polymeric barrier materials are formed into a finished package or "film package" such as a pouch by various techniques. For instance, by forming heat or adhesive seals about the periphery of the shape to be formed into a pouch. For example, if a square pouch is desired, a rectangular film twice the desired length of the pouch is folded, the two parallel sides of the periphery (perpendicular to the fold) heat or adhesive sealed, or, the two parallel sides and the fold are heat or adhesive sealed, the food or other material to be packaged inserted therein, and then the remaining open side of the periphery is heat or adhesive sealed. Another method for making a pouch is by sealing on three sides face-to-face films, filling the thus formed open pouch with food or whatever material is to be packaged therein, and then sealing the fourth side. For background on pouches or bags and their production, reference is made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,190,477, 4,311,742, 4,360,550, 4,424,256 and 4,557,377, each of which being hereby incorporated herein by reference.
With respect to means for opening pouches or packages, or to laser scoring, or to laminate structures, reference is made to the following:
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,313,642, 3,404,988, 3,608,815, 3,626,143, 3,693,785, 3,790,744, 3,909,582, 3,925,591, 3,986,640, 4,172,915, 4,217,327, 4,236,652, 4,356,375, 4,407,873, 4,543,279, 4,549,063, 4,557,377, 4,571,340, 4,656,094, 4,698,246, 4,762,514, 4,765,999, 4,778,058, 4,784,885, 4,785,937, 4,788,105, 4,808,421, 4,834,245, 4,880,701, 4,894,115, 4,934,245; and, Japanese Utility Model Publications Nos. 54-22484 and 51-48775. Reference is also made to U.S. Pat. No. 4,681,781, German Patent Document 2803074, UK 973,109 and EPA 0357841, of record in predecessor application Ser. No. 07/550,738.
The problem encountered by the end user of the food or material within the pouch is how to open the pouch. The pouches are usually formed from tough or strong polymeric barrier materials so the pouches do not open easily. One method for opening such pouches is to manually rip at the pouch which usually results in its contents spilling all about. Another method is simply cutting open the pouch with a scissor, knife or other sharp object. It is desirable to be able to neatly open a pouch without the need to use a cutting instrument. Furthermore, the problem of how to open a pouch is really two-fold: The first problem is how to initiate the opening. The second problem is providing control of the opening across the entire pouch.
To meet this desire of being able to open a pouch without a cutting instrument, some have proposed packages having an opening notch such V - or I - shaped notch or notches, or a tearing zone, see e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,934,245, 3,404,988. U.S. Pat. No. 3,693,785 relates to a wrapping material containing regenerated cellulose which has a portion thereof which is more frangible than the remainder thereof. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 3,986,640 deals with a flexible package having a cut pattern, which when bent along the cut pattern, causes the package to open and the flowable contents therein to dispense. U.S. Pat. No. 4,217,327 relates to forming a score line along a predetermined line in the surface of a plastic film to form a tear line. And, U.S. Pat. No. 4,236,652 relates to a package having a cut score area to rupture open the package upon bending.
These previous proposals have not overcome the problem. Notches, cut patterns or tear lines can produce an opening which is easily propagated without any control. Further, notches, cut patterns or tear lines produce areas of weakness in the package, which, when stressed accidentally, e.g., during handling or shipping, can become an unintended opening which is easily propagated. That is, these proposals have not adequately resolved the problem of initiating an opening only when desired and of controlling the opening across the entire package.
Furthermore, these proposals have presented manufacturing problems. For instance, the problem of properly locating the notch, cut pattern or tear line in a position where the consumer desires to open the package. If not properly positioned, the resulting package can be worse than if no such notch, cut pattern or tear line had been provided: The consumer must still resort to a sharp object to open the package, but it is weakened at some point (due to the mispositioned notch, cut pattern, or tear line). In addition, opening features such as those on cigarette packs require a separate opening tape which means that it is more costly to manufacture the package because it requires a separate material (the tape) and a complicated process.
Roughening an area of the package is another type of proposal to open a package without the need for a cutting instrument. U.S. Pat. No. 3,313,642 relates to a process of modifying the surface properties and polyolefin film.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,778,058 provides a pouch from a film of two plastic layers. A discreet area of the first layer, corresponding to a folded portion of the resultant pouch, is surface roughened prior to lamination to the second layer. The irregularities from roughening are filled with the plastic material of the second plastic layer. The film of the two layered film is heat-sealed into a pouch. The surface roughening is at a position on the first layer of the film other than the portion thereof to be heat sealed. While U.S. Pat. No. 4,778,058 may provide for tear initiation, it still fails to provide for control of the tear as is desired by the end user.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,543,279 relates to a film product, such as a sealed bag, wound film or adhesive tape, having a plurality of random scratches or cuts formed along the edges and oriented toward the other side of the film. In a bag of U.S. Pat. No. 4,543,279, the scratches are formed on the longitudinal edge portion of the bag, outside of the seals thereof, or on the longitudinal edge portion outside of the seal and a central line inside the seal. While placing scratches on a central line inside the seal may provide for tear initiation, the placement of the scratches outside of the seals may not adequately provide for tear initiation as the user must still rip through the seals. And, no provision is made for tear control.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,608,815 relates to an opening aid for packages made from at least one oriented material. The opening aid consists of minutely expanding the oriented material at a plurality of points within an area pattern which will be a fold of the package. U.S. Pat. No. 3,608,815 simply provides tear initiation like the previously discussed notch or cut techniques. However, U.S. Pat. No. 3,608,815 chalks up tear control to the nature of the materials of the package, stating that oriented materials "tear in an essentially straight line" while cellophane will tear without directional control. Thus, U.S. Pat. No. 3,608,815 does not adequately provide tear control.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 54-22484, published Aug. 6, 1979 (Application No. 50,68727 dated May 23, 1975; Early Disclosure No. 51-150915, dated Dec. 2, 1976), relates to a bag having seals with tear-initiating lines. The tear initiating lines consist of ordered, successively smaller pinholes or notches extending from the outer edge of the seal and terminating at the center of the seal so that the inner half of the seal is the same as an ordinary seal. It is stated in this publication that the holes or notches are not to extend all the way into the enclosed part of the bag, i.e., across the entire width of the seal, because to do so will impair the strength and the airtightness of the seal. Further, this publication poses manufacturing problems which it leaves unaddressed. To effect the tear-initiating line, the films of the bag must be selectively cut or notched: The cuts or notches are organized along lines and are of varying size and extend only through one-half of the seal. Thus, this publication calls for a very complicated manufacturing process.
Japanese Pat. Publication No. 51,48775, published Dec. 22, 1976 (Application No. 49-49804 dated May 7, 1974; Early Disclosure No. 51-16346, dated Feb. 9, 1976), deals with placing minute scars, embossment or scratches along the center line of a laminate plastic film which is then slit lengthwise along the center line to make two adhesive tapes. The problems of tear initiation and tear control in the opening of packages are not addressed in this publication.
Bowen, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,909,502 and 3,790,744, Fry, U.S. Pat. No. 3,626,143, Ang, U.S. Pat. No. 4,549,063, Josephy, U.S. Pat. No. 4,356,375 and Yoshida, U.S. Pat. No. 4,762,514 all relate to laser scoring and each of these U.S. Patents is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Bowen, U.S. Pat. No. 3,790,744 relates to forming one line of weakness in at least one but not all layers of a multilayer structure by preferentially vaporizing with a beam of radiant energy a line in at least one layer which is not the most proximate layer in relation to the source of radiant energy. Bowen, U.S. Pat. No. 3,909,582, deals with forming a line of weakness defining a tear path in a multilayer laminate by scoring with a beam of radiant energy the most proximate layer in relation to the source of radiant energy. While these patents may speak of forming one or more lines of weakness or at least one line of weakness, neither of these patents indeed teaches or suggests forming a plurality, e.g., two or three, parallel, laser scores to provide the easy-open feature of the present invention. Further, neither of these Bowen patents teaches or suggests the multilayer laminates of the present invention, or the manufacturing advantages of the present invention.
Fry, U.S. Pat. No. 3,626,143, similarly relates to focusing a single beam of laser light upon a thermoplastic substrate so as to form a single score. Fry fails to teach or suggest forming a plurality of parallel scores, or the laminates or advantages of the present invention.
Ang, U.S. Pat. No. 4,549,063 deals with forming a crack and peel feature on the backing of an adhesive laminate by providing the backing with one or more non-linear, discontinuous, preferably sine-wave geometric pattern, lines, preferably by a laser. Ang fails to teach or suggest forming a plurality of parallel, linear or substantially straight, and preferably continuous scores as herein to provide an easy-open feature to a package; and, Ang fails to teach or suggest the laminates and advantages of the present invention. Josephy, U.S. Pat. No. 4,356,375, also relates to forming a line of weakness in the protective backing of an adhesive laminate, and suffers from the same deficiencies of Ang, Fry and Bowen.
Yoshida, U.S. Pat. No. 4,762,514 deals with laser scoring a beverage pouch in a particular pattern to facilitate rupture to introduce straw, e.g., scores in an "X" shape, on a "Y" or a star shape or a series of parallel cuts. However, this patent fails to teach or suggest a package such a pouch having a plurality of parallel, linear or substantially straight scores which extend across the entire width of the package, near or adjacent to a seal thereof, to provide an easy-open tear feature on said package as provided for herein; and, Yoshida fails to teach or suggest the laminates and advantages of the present invention.
Eichelberger, U.S. Pat. No. 4,894,115, incorporated herein by reference, is concerned with the fabrication of integrated chip assemblies having a dielectric polymer layer thereover which is laser-scored to access the chip for electrical connections. This patent is disclosed and incorporated herein because it deals with a use of a laser, but, it is not considered pertinent and is considered non-analogous to the present invention.
The remaining patents disclosed herein deal with diverse multilayer packaging laminates, and, either individually or in any combination fail to teach or suggest the laminates or advantages of the present invention. Certain of these patents, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,407,873, 4,785,937, 4,808,421 or 4,571,340 may mention retortable, microwaveable or ovenable containers, but do not disclose or suggest the mix and bake pouch of the present invention.
Thus, heretofore, a package, preferably a pouch, having an easy-open tear feature comprising a plurality of linear, or substantially straight, e.g., two or three preferably continuous laser scores extending across the entire width of said pouch and preferably disposed near or adjacent to a seal thereof, has not been disclosed or suggested. Nor has such a scored pouch from a multilayer structure, e.g., a laminate, comprising from outer layer to inner layer, Polyester/Polyethylene/Polyester/Polyethylene, e.g. white block polyethylene/coextrusion sealant film, e.g., at least one layer high density polyethylene, e.g., white colored/linear low density polyethylene wherein the scores can extend through the first two layers of polyester and polyethylene, but not through the third, or internal, polyester layer, been disclosed or suggested.
Nor has a structure comprising (outer) polyester/polyethylene/high density polyethylene/linear low density polyethylene (inner) been disclosed or suggested. Nor has such a structure in the form of a pouch having a plurality of linear, or substantially straight, preferably continuous laser scores extending across the entire width of said pouch and disposed near or adjacent to a seal thereof, been disclosed or suggested.
Further, a large pouch, having an easy-open tear feature of a plurality of parallel, linear or substantially straight, preferably continuous scores extending across the entire width of said pouch, wherein one can mix ingredients, e.g., cake mix, such as with a mixer; and, once mixed, rip away the top portion of the pouch using the score lines and then employ the remainder of the pouch as a pan to bake in, has not been disclosed or suggested.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide the pouches and multilayer structures or laminates which have heretofore not been disclosed or suggested. It is also an object of this invention to provide manufacturing advantages from the application of a plurality of parallel, linear or substantially straight scores across the entire width of a pouch. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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This invention relates to new complexing agents suitable for complexing metal ions useful in pharmacological diagnosis, and to the resultant complexes and salts thereof and to the use thereof. Aminopolycarboxylic acids, their metal complexes and metal complex salts and processes for their production are known: cf, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,407,645; 2,387,735; 3,061,628; 2,130,505 and 3,780,099; DE-OS 29 18 842 and DE-OS 31 29 906. The use of complexing agents or complexes or their salts in medicine has also been known for a long time. For example, complexing agents have been used as stabilizers of pharmaceutical preparations; complexes and their salts have been used as adjuvants for administering slightly soluble ions (e.g., iron); complexing agents and complexes (preferably calcium or zinc), optionally, as salts with inorganic and/or organic bases, have been used as antidotes to poisoning in the case of inadvertent incorporation of heavy metals or their radioactive isotopes; and complexing agents have been used as adjuvants in nuclear medicine during use of radioactive isotopes such as .sup.99m Tc for scintigraphy. Recently, paramagnetic complex salts were proposed as NMR diagnostic media in DE-OS 31 29 906. See the corresponding U.S. applications 573,184 of Jan. 23, 1984 and its parent 401,594 of Jul. 26, 1982 as well as U.S. Pat. No. 4,719,098 of May 4, 1984, all of which disclosures are incorporated by reference herein.
All the complexing agents, complexes and their salts known so far cause problems when they are used clinically in regard to tolerance, selectivity of the intended bond and hence intended action and stability. These problems are the more pronounced the higher the molecular weight of the complexing agents, and the products derived from them must be dosed. For example, the insufficient renal tolerance of complexing agents available today and their tendency to bond ions essential for the organism, limit their use in metal poisoning therapy. The use, advantageous in itself, of heavy elements as constituents of X-ray contrast media to be administered parenterally has so far been thwarted by the insufficient tolerances of compounds of this type. For the paramagnetic, contrast-enhancing substances proposed so far for nuclear spin tomography, the differential between the effective and toxic doses in animal experiments is relatively narrow.
There is a need, therefore, for improvement for many purposes, above all, for better tolerated substances, but also for stable, easily soluble and sufficiently selective complexing agents, inter alia. | {
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The present invention while having many uses, is particularly well suited for use in sealing cable connections of the type used in the power distribution industry and is described for convenience herein as directed to such use.
In known core/sleeve assemblies, an insulating elastic sleeve is adapted to be supported on the core, and the core itself comprises a one-piece plastic ribbon which is spirally formed in the shape of a cylinder. This type of assembly is typically referred to by those skilled in the art, as "cold shrink" tubing to differentiate it from polymeric tubing that may be shrunk by the application of heat. In a typical cable splice to be sealed using the core/sleeve assembly described above, two cable ends are connected and the cold shrink tube assembly is slid into position over the cable splice area. The core is then removed, thereby permitting the sleeve to contract, and form a tight fit around the cable splice. In an alternate embodiment, the core itself is generally of a tubular configuration and has a helical groove cut along its entire length. This helical groove permits the core to be spirally unwound from under the sleeve in a continuous strip which is removed through an annular interior area formed between the core and the cable. The sleeve which had initially been radially extended or stretched over the core, returns to the unstretched position as the strip is progressively withdrawn, thereby causing the core to contract around the cable to form a closely conforming, frictionally retained protective covering.
Although, this prior art construction has been used effectively for many years, substantial savings could be realized if the amount of material used for the core can be reduced without compromising its strength, that is, its ability to withstand the compressive forces imposed on it by the elasticity of the sleeve. Further savings results from one-step manufacturing operation, e.g. molding. Accordingly, it is the general object of the present invention to provide a core assembly for supporting a sleeve, that is both light weight and has sufficient structural integrity to retain the sleeve in a stretched configuration. Another object is to provide for such a core to be progressively withdrawable in its axial direction. These objects can be achieved while avoiding the disadvantages of the spiral cores, which are subject to unraveling when accidentally impacted. Another advantage of the present invention is that disposal problems with spirally unwound cores are reduced and potentially eliminated when the present invention is designed to be reusable. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
Typical numerically controlled oscillators generate a digitally represented sine wave output signal in response to a delta phase input signal and a sample clock signal. A delta phase input signal is usually added to an output of a phase accumulator and the resulting sum is transferred to the output of the phase accumulator on each sample clock edge. By this process, the phase accumulator output increases uniformly each sample clock cycle until the adder overflows beginning a new cycle.
The phase accumulator output value can be seen as representing the instantaneous phase of the output signal. Through appropriate selection of the delta phase input signal, the output frequency of the phase accumulator can be controlled over a wide range in a manner completely synchronous with the sample clock. By selecting the phase accumulator bit width, the frequency and phase resolution of the numerically controlled oscillator can be determined. In this manner, the output frequency has a binary relationship to the sample clock signal, ranging from zero Hertz to one-half the sample clock frequency in steps dictated by the bit width of the delta phase accumulator.
Numerically controlled oscillators may also be designed such that the output signals have a decimal fraction relationship to the sample clock signal by using binary coded decimal arithmetic in the phase adder. However, these binary and binary coded decimal numerically controlled oscillators are limited to use certain frequency relationships. In order to attempt other fractional relationships, typical numerically controlled oscillators use a sufficient number of bits in the phase accumulator width to produce a frequency error that is acceptably small for a desired application. In certain applications, however, any frequency error will eventually cause improper system operation. Therefore, it is desirable to have a numerically controlled oscillator that can generate a precise frequency relationship when required.
From the foregoing, it may be appreciated that a need has arisen for a numerically controlled oscillator that can generate a desired fractional relationship between an output and a sample clock input. A need has also arisen for a numerically controlled oscillator that is less dependent on bit width in order to obtain the desired fractional relationship. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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This invention relates generally to case erecting machines, and particularly to machines, apparatuses and methods for erecting cases stored in flattened positions within one or more storage magazines.
Machines have heretofore been devised for erecting cases stored in flattened position for subsequent packing of goods. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,626,661, 3,637,129 and 3,763,750, which patents are assigned to the assignee of the present invention, exemplify such machines. In general, these machines serve to open the flattened cases and to fold in and secure together the bottom case flaps. Subsequently, the cases are packed with goods and the top panels folded and sealed.
Though case erecting machines of the prior art have been successfully employed in automatically erecting flattened cases for packaging, they have not been free of problems. For example, where the cases are stored in upright positions for one at a time dispensing, it is continuously necessary to present an end member case at an extraction station at one end of the storage magazine where it may be gripped by extracting mechanisms. Some machines have employed continuously rotating drive shafts or augers upon which the case blanks are supported and rotated for continuously urging them towards the magazine end extraction stations. This constant rotation of augers beneath the cases, however, often deforms the bottom edges of the cases through constant rubbing action. The continuous rotation of the shafts also consumes power needlessly when case movement is not required. A dilemma is also presented here in providing positive stop means against which end member cases may be urged where an extraction exit must also be located.
In addtion to the just mentioned difficulties encountered in extracting end member cases one at a time from storage magazines, the box erecting mechanisms of prior art machines have met with relatively limited success in squaring the corners of the cases during the erecting process. For example, in initially opening the flattened, usually cardboard cases the wall hinges tend to "remember" their former orientations. This memory causes the walls to tend to return somewhat toward their previous orientation after having been physically opened. Thus, where the sides of the cases are brought into right angle corner hinged positions means must ordinarily be provided for maintaining this angle or else the box sides will self-assume an acute or obtuse angle in their tendency to return to their previous flattened position.
Another squaring problem is presented in the process of glueing together bottom panel members of the cases during erection. As the cases proceed through the various operative stations within the machine they typically move in a generally horizontal direction. At one point in their travel at least one of their bottom panels is passed over apparatus for applying an adhesive coating to the bottom thereof. Once the case is urged out of this station another bottom panel member is folded in upon the glue bearing surface of the other bottom panel. As the two panel members come together one panel member will tend to slip over the surface of the other panel member due to the frictional drag imparted thereto by the overall movement of the case in a traverse direction with respect to that of the closing panels. This drag tends to throw the sides of the cases out of square.
Yet anotehr squaring problem is presented in the panel compression station where the glued bottom panels are compressed to form a firm seal. Typically, in compressing the bottom panels the cases are positioned upon an anvil and a mandrel is then passed into the container through the open top thereof and onto the upper surface of the upper case bottom panel and end flaps whereby the two case bottom panels are compressed between the anvil and mandrel. At this station the movement of the case through the machine has typically been arrested in order to avoid having to mount the mandrel and anvil thereunder for horizontal movement in company with the cases. In accomplishing this the cases are typically urged by flight bars or the like up against a stop whereupon the flight bars break contact with the cases. However, once this positive contact is broken the cases placed against the stops are free to move out of square since there is no continuing force being applied to press the cases firmly against the stops. Should the mandrel then descend towards the interior of the case it may contact the top thereof and crush the case rather than passing into the interior thereof. Where the width of the mandrel is reduced in order to insure that clean passage will be achieved all portions of the bottom panels will not be encountered by the descending mandrel and thus not subjected to uniform compression.
Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved case erecting machine.
More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide improved methods and apparatuses for dispensing case blanks one at a time from a stack of flattened cases juxtaposed in upright positions in one or more case magazines.
Another object of the invention is to provide improved apparatus for simultaneously dispensing pairs of cases stored in flattened positions in a plurality of magazines.
Another object of the invention is to provide improved methods and apparatuses for opening flattened cases having one side and one end disposed along a first plane and an opposite side and end disposed along a second plane closely parallelling the first plane.
Another object of the invention is to provide improved methods and apparatuses for securing bottom panel members of cases together.
Another object of the invention is to provide improved apparatuses for squaring the sides of cases being moved along a preselected path within a case erecting machine.
Another object of the invention is to provide a case erecting machine whose moving components generally move at uniform velocities thereby minimizing or completely avoiding intermittent motions.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide case erecting machine requiring minimal use of hydraulic or air cylinders and timing controls for such cylinders. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
An embodiment of the present invention relates to a thin film transistor and a manufacturing method thereof, and further relates to a display device and an electronic device.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, thin film transistors (hereinafter, referred to as TFTs) each including a thin semiconductor film (with a thickness of approximately several nanometers to several hundreds of nanometers) over a substrate having an insulating surface (e.g., a glass substrate) have been attracting attention. TFTs are widely used for ICs (integrated circuits) and electronic devices such as electro-optical devices. The development of TFTs especially as switching elements of image display devices typified by liquid crystal display devices and the like has been accelerated. In image display devices such as liquid crystal display devices, TFTs each using an amorphous semiconductor film or a polycrystalline semiconductor film are mainly used as a switching element.
The mobility of a TFT using an amorphous semiconductor film is low. In other words, the current driving capability is low. Thus, when a protection circuit is provided with a TFT using an amorphous semiconductor film, a large-sized TFT needs to be provided for adequate measure against electrostatic breakdown, which causes inhibition of a narrower frame. In addition, when the large-sized TFT is provided, parasitic capacitance between a scan line electrically connected to a gate electrode and a signal line electrically connected to a source electrode or a drain electrode is increased, which causes an increase in power consumption.
On the other hand, a TFT using a polycrystalline semiconductor film has higher mobility than a thin film transistor using an amorphous semiconductor film by two or more digits and a pixel portion of a liquid crystal display device and a driver circuit in the periphery thereof can be provided over the same substrate. However, a process of the TFT using a polycrystalline semiconductor film is more complicated than that of the TFT using an amorphous semiconductor film due to crystallization of a semiconductor film, introduction of an impurity element (doping), and the like. Therefore, there are problems of low yield and high cost. As a formation method of a polycrystalline semiconductor film, a technique is widely known in which the shape of a pulsed excimer laser beam is processed into a linear beam by an optical system and an amorphous semiconductor film is irradiated with the linear laser beam while being scanned by the linear laser beam to be crystallized.
As a switching element of an image display device, a TFT using a microcrystalline semiconductor film are known as well as the TFT using an amorphous semiconductor film and the TFT using a polycrystalline semiconductor film (see Patent Document 1).
[Reference]
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Published Patent Application No. 2009-044134 | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the structive of a truck to be used for an attraction type magnetically levitated vehicle.
2. Description of the Prior Art
An attraction type magnetically levitated vehicle is levitated by the action of the attraction between electromagnets (or a group of electromagnets assigned different functions) and armature rails; and, while being guided laterally, is caused to travel by a thrusting power obtained from propelling means separately provided.
In an example of the conventional construction of such a vehicle, which is illustrated in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b) of the accompanying drawings, electromagnets 2 having iron cores of a U-shaped cross-section are disposed on the lower part of the vehicle in such a way as to confront a pair of left and right armature rails 1 having also a U-shaped cross-section. The vehicle 3 is levitated when the electromagnets 2 are attracted by the magnetic power toward the armature rails which are made of a ferromagnetic material.
An example in which control means for the exciting power is employed to maintain a preset gap between the armature rails and the electromagnets for stable levitating of the vehicle is as illustrated in FIG. 2. This means for maintaining the preset gap comprises a gap detector 4 which detects the amount of the gap between each confronting pair of an armature rail 1 and an electromagnet 2, and an amplifier 5 which causes a controlled exciting current to flow to the magnet 2 according to variation in the output signal of the gap detector 4. In order to stably levitate a vehicle 3 that has a given length and a given width, four electromagnets 2, each subjected to such exciting power control by the means for maintaining a preset gap, must be disposed at the vertexes of a rectangular plane figure formed by the bottom of the vehicle 3.
The foregoing is the basic constructional arrangement of an attraction type magnetically levitated vehicle. In cases where such a vehicle is to be propelled by a linear motor or the like, the following must be taken into consideration:
The left and right armature rails on the ground preferably have no local uneven surfaces and are laid in parallel with each other in smooth straight lines or curved lines.
Practically speaking, however, it is hardly possible to have the flatness or parallelism of such armature rails above a certain level of precision because of various problems encountered in terms of laying technique and maintenance work. Hence, for running such a vehicle 3, the fact that these armature rails have more or less unevenness must be taken into account. Assuming that four electromagnets 2 provided for levitation are secured directly to a vehicle which is a rigid body, as illustrated in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), there arises two problems. One problem is that if the left and right armature rails 1 and 1 are not perfectly parallel with each other as shown in FIG. 3(b), when the vehicle passes the point A shown in FIG. 3a, a large electric controlling current for reducing the large gaps flows to each of the electromagnets 2a and 2d while the electric controlling current flowing to each of the other electromagnets 2b and 2c decreases to widen the gaps; and this results in the weight of the vehicle being supported chiefly by the electromagnets 2a and 2d. Then, if the vehicle is stationary at the point A, this tends to bring about overheating of the electromagnets 2a and 2d. Further, the rotational movement of the vehicle on the electromagnets 2a and 2d becomes less controllable and, accordingly, the electromagnets 2b and 2c come closer to the armature rails. Therefore, under such a condition, the electromagnets tend to come into contact with the armature rails due to the shaking of the vehicle that takes place while it is on the run. The other problem relates to the following capability of the electromagnets. Namely, when the vehicle is travelling along uneven rails, the electromagnets must be capable of quickly following vertical displacement of the rails to control and prevent the gaps between the electromagnets and the armature rails from excessively deviating from the preset value. This is very important, particularly in high speed travel, for preventing the electromagnets from coming into contact with the armature rails.
In the case where electromagnets are secured directly to a vehicle as shown in FIG. 1, however, inertia that resists quick movement of the electromagnets is present due to the large mass of the vehicle. In order to enhance the following capability of the electromagnets, therefore, a large amount of controlling power is required. Furthermore, with this configuration, the movement of one electromagnet (or a group of magnets) induces the movement of other electromagnets (or groups of magnets) through the great mass of the vehicle which is a rigid body. In other words, these four electromagnets are dynamically linked with each other. For ideal control over such a system, it is necessary to control the electric current of each electromagnet by a signal which is obtained by mixing signals representing displacements of all electromagnets instead of controlling each electromagnet independently. However, such a control system inevitably becomes complex.
As one method of solving the above stated problems, it is most desirable to have the electromagnets (or groups of electromagnets) connected to the vehicle through shock absorbers which are independently suspended (hereinafter called an "independent suspension system"). Such an arrangement improves the riding quality of the vehicle to a great extent. However, the use of such an independent suspension system in general results in a complex structure with considerable increase in weight. An alternative form of this connection is one in which the four electromagnets (electromagnet groups) are rigidly attached to the truck and the truck is then connected to a vehicle through a shock absorber. Such a method, however, is not only incapable of solving the above stated first problem but also inferior to the independent suspension system which is provided for solving the second problem in terms of controllability and its following capability because of the mass of the rigid truck.
However, if were possible to replace such a rigid truck with a truck having a construction that does not restrict torsion relative to a longitudinal or transverse axis of the truck, the position of the four electromagnets (or electromagnet groups) would no longer be restricted to the same plane. Then, with such an arrangement, almost the same effect as that of the independent suspension system can be achieved. For example, a system can be conceived of which is illustrated in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) wherein a pair of left and right electromagnets 2 in the front part of a vehicle 3 are secured to a rigid body a while another pair of electromagnets 2 in the rear part of the vehicle are also secured to another rigid body b. These rigid bodies a and b are arranged to be rotatable on a longitudinal axis. Then the truck which is arranged in this manner is connected to a vehicle through shock absorbers 7.
In the structural arrangement as illustrated in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), when the position of one electromagnet changes, such a change brings about only a slight pitching movement of the other electromagnets disposed ahead of or after it and only a slight rolling movement of other electromagnets disposed on the left or right side thereof while no vertical positional movement is caused by such a change.
When such arrangement is employed, a preset gap can be easily maintained between the electromagnets and the armature rails even when these rails are not perfectly parallel with each other, thus overcoming the above stated first problem. As for the following cability, since the mass that is involved in the required movement is limited to the electromagnets and the associated structural arrangement, the characteristic can be considerably improved. Furthermore, with this arrangement, the dynamic linkage among these electromagnets is reduced to a great degree, enabling stable control over the levitation of the vehicle.
For this reason, a system having four electromagnets (or groups of electromagnets) disposed on a truck that permits torsional deformation has many advantages as a truck for an attraction type magnetically levitated vehicle. In such a case, however, it is important to note that an electromagnet has an intrinsic property which tends to cause unstable rolling movement in relation to an opposed armature rail. Further, where one electromagnet or even a group of electromagnets is controlled by a gap detector, such an electromagnet or electromagnets also tend to bring about unstable pitching movement in relation to the opposed armature rail. In view of this tendency, such a twistable truck must be designed not to cause such rolling or pitching. The structural arrangement of the truck shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) satisfies such conditions.
However, such a design does not permit sufficient reduction in weight because of the mechanical moving parts involved. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a camera arranged to be capable of driving a flash device to move to protruded and stowed positions and to vary the illuminating angle of the falsh device.
2. Description of Related Art
Cameras having built-in flash devices have been variously developed. Meanwhile, efforts to reduce the size of cameras have advanced during recent years. The reduction in size of a camera shortens a distance between the optical axis of a photo-taking lens and the optical axis of a flash device. In addition, the zoom ratio of the photo-taking lens has increased. The increase in zoom ratio tends to cause an increase of a distance between the camera and an object of shooting (such as a person of the like), i.e., the so-called photo-taking distance.
Under the above-stated condition, the reflection of illumination light of the flash device is apt to be made incident on the pupil of a person who is the object of shooting and to be reflected by the retina of the person, thereby causing the so-called red-eye phenomenon. It has become important to suppress the red-eye phenomenon.
To suppress the red-eye phenomenon, some of known cameras are arranged to have a flash device preliminarily emit light or some light source (lamp) other than a flash device emit light in such a way as to contract the pupil of the object (person) immediately before taking a shot.
According to another known method, a camera is provided with the so-called pop-up flash device which is arranged to move its light emitting part away from the optical axis of a photo-taking lens in using the flash device. The flash device is arranged to be stowed inside of the camera body when the camera is not used for photo-taking. Therefore, this method not only effectively suppresses the red-eye phenomenon but also enhances the portability of the camera.
Meanwhile, some of known cameras are arranged to vary the illuminating angle of a flash device according to changes taking place in focal length of a photo-taking lens (the variation of magnification), for efficient use of the light energy of the flash device.
Generally, the illuminating angle of a flash device is considered to be sufficient if it covers the angle-of-view range of the camera. In the case of a camera in which the illuminating angle of a flash device is not variable from one angle to another, the illuminating angle is set to cover an angle of view obtained at the focal length of the wide-angle end position of a photo-taking lens having variable focal lengths. Therefore, in such a case, the illuminating angle of the flash device remains at the angle covering the angle of view of the wide-angle end position even when the focal length of the photo-taking lens is shifted to a telephoto position. Further, the guide number of a flash device is fixed irrespective of the focal length of the photo-taking lens in general. Therefore, the guide number of a flash device is determined by a shootable distance at a telephoto end position where a photo-taking lens generally has a large F-number. As a result, the flash device is allowed to emit light at the illuminating angle covering the photo-taking angle of view obtained at the wide-angle end even in a case where a shot is to be taken at the telephoto end position. In such a case, a portion of the light energy emitted to the outside of the range of the photo-taking angle of view is not used and is thus wasted.
In the case of such a camera that is incapable of varying the illuminating angle of a flash device while the focal length of a photo-taking lens is variable, the flash device must be arranged to have the illuminating angle required on the side of the wide-angle end position and also to meet the requirement for the shootable distance on the side of the telephoto end position of the photo-taking lens. In a case where the zoom ratio of the photo-taking lens is large and the photo-taking lens has a large F-number, the flash device must be arranged to have a large guide number accordingly.
However, a larger guide number requires a larger amount of electric energy. Therefore, the sizes of parts of the flash device such as a charging capacitor, a flash tube, etc., become larger to eventually cause an increase in size of the camera. Besides, when the size of the charging capacitor becomes larger, the length of charging time also increases. Then, in continuously taking shots by using the flash device, the length of time of waiting for completion of charging becomes too long, thereby impairing the quick shooting.
To solve this problem, the illuminating angle of a flash device is arranged to be variable according to the focal length of the photo-taking lens as mentioned above. This method permits efficient use of the light energy for taking a shot at a telephoto position without increasing the size of the camera and without necessitating a long period of time for waiting completion of a charging action.
Further, some of known cameras have a flash device arranged by combining the pop-up type and the type having a variable illuminating angle. However, according to this arrangement, the flash device is arranged in most cases to be manually popped up. For stowing the flash device, a light emitting part which is under an urging force of a spring urging the light emitting part to move in the direction of protruding is held at a stowed position by a lock means. In using the flash device, the user of the camera is required to cause the light emitting part to pop up by unlocking the lock means. The flash device is, therefore, not so good in operability.
Another known camera has a cam arranged to be driven by a gear train provided for driving a photo-taking lens barrel and is arranged to protrude a flash device outward from a camera body by means of the cam and a cam follower. The camera is further arranged to have a light emitting part to be movable back and forth within the casing of the flash device in such a way as to vary an illuminating angle by varying a distance between the light emitting part and a convex lens disposed in front of the light emitting part.
The camera which is thus arranged to protrude the flash device outward from the camera body is provided with a cam plate which is arranged to move along with the movement of the photo-taking lens barrel in the direction of an optical axis. The cam plate is arranged to be used for driving a viewfinder and the light emitting part of the flash device to move together.
In the camera of this kind, however, the moving cam plate and the light emitting part must be arranged to reliably engage each other. This requirement imposes some limitation on the protrudable extent of the flash device and also necessitates the cam plate to be large in size. The arrangement of the camera of this kind thus does not permit efficient space utilization.
Further, the arrangement for driving the viewfinder and the light emitting part by means of a common member imposes some restriction in allocating them. Besides, since the action of moving the flash device between its stowed position and its protruded position and the action of varying the illuminating angle of the flash device necessitate use of interlocking members arranged separately from each other. The arrangement, therefore, increases the number of parts and thus causes an increase in cost.
As regards a mechanism for moving a flash device from its stowed position in the upper part of a camera to the external side of the camera, it is conceivable to connect the flash device to the upper part of a lever member which vertically extends within the body of the camera. The lever member is arranged to be swingable on its lower part, i.e., on an axis extending in parallel with the direction of an optical axis. The flash device is thus arranged to be slidingly driven by swinging the lever member.
However, such a flash-device driving mechanism necessitates a large space within the camera body and thus hinders efforts to reduce the size of the camera.
Another known camera disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. Hei 10-104696 is arranged to move a flash device between a protruded position and a stowed position in association with the movement of a photo-taking lens barrel in the direction of an optical axis and to vary the illuminating angle of the flash device by moving a flash discharge tube in association with a zooming action of the photo-taking lens barrel.
According to that arrangement, with a driving gear train arranged to move the photo-taking lens barrel in the direction of the optical axis, the photo-taking lens barrel and the flash device are caused to make interlocked motions by distributing a driving force at an intermediate part of the gear train to a cam member which is provided for moving the flash device between the protruded and stowed positions and for moving the flash discharge tube.
However, the cam member is a rotating cam which has a protruded/stowed position driving area and a flash-discharge-tube driving area continuously formed on a cam surface on its periphery to be used according to rotation angles. Therefore, the arrangement is such that the cam member is allowed to make approximately only one turn for a cam follower. Thus, the arrangement imposes a severe restriction on design work in respect of a driving force and a space.
Further, according to that arrangement, power is transmitted to interlocked parts provided for the flash-device protruding and stowing actions even when the position of the cam member is within the flash-discharge-tube driving area. Such power transmission increases a load caused by a spring which is provided for position restriction. Besides, it is difficult to move the flash discharge tube to a sufficient extent. The illuminating angle is, therefore, not sufficiently variable. The guide number is also not sufficiently variable. Therefore, according to that arrangement, it has been hardly possible to obtain an adequate guide number when the photo-taking lens is at a telephoto position.
Meanwhile, in a case where a photo-taking lens barrel is arranged to be driven with a motor and a gear train, gears which are normally in mesh with each other might slip due to deformation or the like when an excessive load is imposed on the photo-taking lens barrel.
Particularly in a case where a worm gear is used at an intermediate point in a reduction gear train, if the photo-taking lens barrel is pushed or pulled in the direction of its optical axis while a motor is at rest, an excessive load is imposed on intermeshing gears with the worm gear in a state of being unable to rotate.
To prevent such an excessive load from being imposed on gears, some of known cameras are provided with a slip mechanism which is arranged to make a slip when an excessive load greater than a predetermined amount of load is imposed on a part of a gear train.
When this slip mechanism works, a gear train from a motor to the slip mechanism and another gear train from the slip mechanism to a photo-taking lens barrel come to deviate from an initial phase relation. With a camera provided with such a slip mechanism, in moving the light emitting part of a flash device or in varying the illuminating angle of a flash device by using a gear train which branches from a photo-taking-lens-barrel driving gear train at an intermediate point of the gear train, the phase of the protruded or stowed position of the light emitting part or that of an illuminating angle of the flash device must be adjusted to the phase of the position in the direction of an optical axis or that of the focal length of a photo-taking lens.
If the above-stated phase deviation takes place while the camera is in operation, there would arise such a problem that the flash device fails to be at the protruded position despite the photo-taking lens barrel being at a photo-taking position, or fails to be not completely set at the stowed position despite the photo-taking lens barrel being at its stowed position.
Further, if a deviation of phase takes place between the focal length position of the photo-taking lens and the illuminating angle of the flash device, either the angle of view of the photo-taking lens cannot be covered by the illuminating angle of the flash device or light of the flash device cannot be completely converged over the whole illuminating angle with the focal length of the photo-taking lens at a telephoto position and thus a prescribed guide number cannot be fulfilled. An under-exposure state tends to result from such a condition.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a camera, comprising a flash light emitting part arranged to be movable between a stowed position and a usage position, a first lever member arranged to swing in such a way as to cause the flash light emitting part to move from the stowed position to the usage position and from the usage position to the stowed position, a second lever member arranged to swing in such a way as to vary an illuminating angle of the flash light emitting part by moving a part of the flash light emitting part, when the flash light emitting part is in the usage position, and a rotating member arranged to rotate according to movement of a lens barrel, wherein a first engaging part arranged to engage the first lever member and a second engaging part arranged to engage the second lever member are formed at the rotating member, so that the size of the camera can be reduced.
The above and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description thereof taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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A multimode mobile station, such as a radiotelephone or personal communicator, is capable of operating in more than one system. By example, and for a dual mode mobile station, the modes may be a digital cellular mode (e.g., GSM or DCS1900) and an analog (FM) cellular mode (e.g., IS-41 (AMPS)).
One such modern cellular system is referred to as IS-136, which is described in IS-136.1 and IS-136.2, Rev. A, February 1996, and subsequent updated releases. This system employs both Digital Control Channels (DCCHs) and Analog Control Channels (ACCS) that enable a mobile station to gain access to the system. When a mobile station scans for and subsequently monitors a DCCH or a ACC, it is said to be "camped" on that particular DCCH or ACC. Page messages and other information are received from the DCCH or ACC.
When a currently registered mobile station is performing a Registration on a new system (DCCH to ACC, Public System Identification (SID), Private System Identification (PSID), Residential System Identification (RSID), etc), IS-136 currently has a deficiency that may result in the mobile station being "cutoff" from any system. The nature of this deficiency is best understood with the following example.
A mobile station that is camped on a DCCH transmits a Registration message to the new system, for example a system having an ACC. The new system receives and processes the Registration message, and executes VLR/HLR updates, if necessary. The new system then transmits an Order Confirmation message to the mobile station over the ACC.
However, due to some RF coverage problem (e.g., the user enters an elevator or a tunnel), the mobile station does not successfully receive the Order Confirmation message. In this case it may happen (depending on circumstances) that after the RF reception conditions improve the mobile station may revert back to the original DCCH of the first system (DCCH). It may also occur that the mobile station may again find the same or a different ACC, and would again attempt to register on the ACC since the previous attempt failed. In the most common case, the mobile station will locate and access another control channel (DCCH) of the first system. Reference can be had to, by example, IS-136.2, Section 2.6.3.10, Action on Registration Failure.
However, the mobile station will consider itself to be still registered with the original system (the attempted registration on the second system did not succeed from the mobile stations's perspective, and the last successful registration was with the original system). In this case the mobile station resumes camping on the DCCH of the original (first) system.
The problem that results is that the mobile station does not receive any pages, as they are sent by the new system (ACC) to which the mobile station (unknowingly) successfully registered. As presently specified, corrective action can take anywhere from 1 minute to 8.5 hours (in one minute increments), with a typical time being between 10 minutes and one hour. During this time the mobile station is effectively cut-off from service, and may miss an important incoming call. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The present invention relates to hermetic terminal assemblies and more particularly to an improved terminal block arrangement for a hermetic terminal assembly.
It is known in the art of hermetic terminal assemblies to employ a current carrying electrically connected terminal pin, which pin incorporates a reduced fuse-like area generally located on the inner segment of the pin on the inner dish side face of a cup-shaped body of the terminal assembly. The cup-shaped body, in turn, is mounted in sealed relation on a housing wall with the inner segment of the pin being confined therein. It also is known in the art, to include a stop flange between the extremity of the inner segment of the pin and such fuse-like area within the cup-shaped body in the event such fuse-like area should melt because of abnormally excessive current conditions. In this regard, attention is directed to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,584,433 issued to Benjamin Bowsky et al. on Apr. 22, 1986; No. 4,609,774 issued to David M. LeMieux et al. on Sept. 2, 1986; and, to No. 4,739,551, issued to Benjamin Bowsky et al. on Apr. 26, 1988, each of which patents broadly teaches the utilization of a fuse-like area incorporated as part of an inner segment of a pin and a flange member associated therewith. In addition, attention is directed to U.S. Pat. No. 4,461,925, issued to Benjamin Bowsky et al. on July 24, 1984, which patent teaches a terminal pin having a stop flange associated therewith and which further includes a reduced area positioned immediately adjacent the outside area of the seal and cup-shaped body with no mention being made in this patent of a fuse guard and lead wire securing arrangement. Finally, attention is directed to U.S. Pat. No. 3,160,460, issued to A. Wyzenbeek on Dec. 8, 1964 which broadly suggests a terminal block arrangement for a terminal assembly which guards an outer pin segment but which does not include or suggest a fuse incorporation remote from the outer pin segment, protection against terminal assembly leakage or sealing of the terminal block to the housing wall.
In accordance with the present invention, it is recognized that, as suggested in the earlier Bowsky et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,461,925, it is desirable to locate the fuse-like area adjacent the outer face of the cup-shaped body of a terminal assembly to keep abnormally excessive currents from reaching and melting the glass which serves to form a seal between the pin and cup-shaped body of the terminal assembly. It further is recognized by the present invention that, if the glass seal between pin and cup-shaped body reaches an elevated temperature before softened or molten state, it offers a path for a trickle current and eventually this could allow the terminal assembly to vent to ambient. Such a desirable relative location of the fuse-like area of the pin of the terminal assembly outside the cup-shaped body not only has not been utilized in the more recent past, but, as is reflected in the structure disclosed in the aforementioned later issued patents to Bowsky et al., namely U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,584,433 and 4,739,551, the fuse-like area incorporated in the pin has been located on the inner segment of the terminal assembly pin, usually between a comparatively costly to manufacture stop-flange and the extremity of the inner segment of the pin, notwithstanding such glass melting problems. The present invention, recognizing the desirability of the location for the fuse-like area on the outer face or outside of the terminal assembly and further recognizing the reason for avoiding such selection in the recent past, provides a novel structure which obviates these now recognized problems, the present invention including the utilization of a novel, terminal block arrangement for covering the exposed outer segment of a pin such means functioning like a terminal block and further serving as a pin restraint during normal operations to avoid usage of the comparatively costly and more difficult to assemble stop-flange on the inner segment of the terminal pin and the cumbersome and comparatively difficult to assemble outer pin segment guard assemblies mounted on outer housing walls in past arrangements. In addition, the present novel terminal block arrangement provides a unique current resistive guard and wire securing arrangement for the outer segment of the pin means and wire connections of a terminal assembly which includes a protected fuse area therein, which in the event of fuse melt, serves to hold the lead wire ends in position to help prevent free floating of electrically alive wires. Further, the present invention, not only provides a novel, comparatively inexpensive to manufacture and assemble current resistive, integral guard assembly for the external segments of otherwise exposed outer pin segments of a terminal assembly, but also provides a novel means for readily mounting such integral guard assembly allowing the same to be bonded or fastened firmly in place to restrict ready access thereto, thus helping to minimize some of the safety problems which can arise through amateur repair attempts.
Various other features of the present invention will become obvious to one skilled in the art upon reading the disclosure set forth herein. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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A light control glass containing a light control suspension was first invented by Edwin Land, and the light control glass is in the form of a structure in which a liquid-state light control suspension is inserted between two of transparent conductive substrates having a narrow gap therebetween (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). According to the invention by Edwin land, the liquid-state light control suspension inserted between the two transparent conductive substrates is such that when an electric field is not applied, as a result of the Brownian motion of light control particles that are dispersed in the suspension, most of the incident light rays are reflected, scattered or absorbed by the light control particles, and only a very small portion is transmitted.
That is, the extent of transmission, reflection, scattering or absorption can be determined on the basis of the shape, nature and concentration of the light control particles dispersed in the light control suspension, and the amount of light energy irradiated. When an electric field is applied to a light control window which uses a light control glass having the above-described structure, an electric field is formed in the light control suspension through the transparent conductive substrates, and the light control particles that exhibit a light control function cause polarization and are arranged in parallel to the electric field. Then, light is transmitted between light control particles, and eventually, the light control glass becomes transparent. However, such an initial light control apparatus had problems in practical use, such as the aggregation of the light control particles inside the light control suspension, sedimentation due to their own weights, color phase change due to heat, changes in the optical density, deterioration caused by ultraviolet ray irradiation, difficulties in keeping up the gap between the substrates and in the injection of the light control suspension into the gap, and others. Accordingly, it was difficult to put the light control apparatus to practical use.
Robert L. Saxe, F. C. Lowell, and R. I. Thompson have respectively disclosed light control windows making use of light control glasses for which the initial problems of light control windows, namely, the aggregation and sedimentation of light control particles, changes in the optical density, and the like have been compensated (see, for example, Patent Documents 3 to 9). In these patented inventions, those initial problems are solved by using a liquid-state light control suspension, which includes needle-shaped light control crystal particles, a suspending agent for dispersing crystal particles, a dispersion control agent, a stabilizer and the like, and preventing the sedimentation of light control particles by matching the densities of the light control particles and the suspending agent to be almost equal, while preventing the aggregation of the light control particles by adding a dispersion control agent to increase the dispersibility of the light control particles.
However, since even these light control glasses also have a structure in which a liquid light control suspension is encapsulated in a gap between two transparent conductive substrates as in the case of conventional light control glasses, there is a problem that, in the case of the manufacture of large-sized products, uniform encapsulation of the suspension in the gap between the two transparent conductive substrates is difficult, and a swelling phenomenon in the lower part is likely to occur due to the difference in the hydraulic pressure between the upper part and the lower part of the product. Furthermore, when the gap between the substrates is changed due to the external environment, for example, the pressure of wind, the optical density is changed as a result, so that the color phase becomes inhomogeneous. Further, there is a problem that the sealing material in the peripheral area for holding a liquid between the transparent conductive substrates is destroyed, and the light control material leaks out. In addition, unevenness occurs in the response time as a result of deterioration by ultraviolet ray, and a decrease in the voltage between the peripheral areas and the center of the transparent conductive substrates.
As a method of improving this, there has been suggested a method of mixing a liquid light control suspension with a solution of a curable polymer resin, and producing a film by using a phase separation method based on polymerization, a phase separation method based on solvent volatilization, a phase separation method based on temperature, or the like (see, for example, Patent Document 10).
Furthermore, in a space surrounded by the light control glasses used heretofore, since the transparent conductive resin substrates used in the glasses have small surface resistivity and low radio wave transparency, there is a problem that television sets, mobile telephones, remote control devices utilizing radio waves, and the like may not function adequately. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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In the case of conventional memory devices, in particular conventional semiconductor memory devices, it is sometimes common to differentiate between functional memory devices (e.g., PLAs, PALs, etc.) and table memory devices. For example, some table memory devices include ROM devices (Read Only Memory) such as PROMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, flash memories, etc., and RAM devices (Random Access Memory or read-write memory) such as DRAMs and SRAMs.
In the case of SRAMs (Static Random Access Memory), individual memory cells consist of several, for example, six, transistors configured as a cross-coupled latch. In the case of DRAMs (Dynamic Random Access Memory), generally only one single, correspondingly controlled capacitive element (e.g., the gate-source capacitance of a MOSFET) is employed, wherein charge may be stored in the capacitance. The charge in a DRAM, however, remains for only a short time, and a periodic refresh must be performed, to maintain a data state. In contrast to the DRAM, the SRAM requires no refresh, and the data stored in the memory cell remains stored as long as an appropriate supply voltage is fed to the SRAM. Both SRAMs and DRAMs are considered volatile memories, wherein a data state is only retained as long as power is supplied thereto.
In contrast to volatile memory, non-volatile memory devices (NVMs), e.g., EPROMs, EEPROMs, and flash memories, exhibit a different property, wherein the stored data is retained even when the supply voltage associated therewith is switched off. This type of memory has several advantages for various types of mobile communications devices such as, for example, in an electronic rolodex on cell phones, wherein the data therein is retained even when the cell phone is turned off.
One type of non-volatile memory that has recently been developed is called resistive or resistively switched memory devices. In such a resistive memory, a memory material positioned between two appropriate electrodes (i.e., an anode and a cathode) is placed, by appropriate switching processes, in a more or less conductive state, wherein the more conductive state corresponds to a logic “1”, and the less conductive state corresponds to a logic “0”, for example (or vice versa). Suitable resistive memories can be, for example, perovskite memory, as described in W. W. Zhuamg et al, “Novell Colossal Magnetoresistive Thin Film Nonvolatile Resistance Random Access Memory (RRAM)”, IEDM 2002, resistive switching in binary oxides (OxRAM), as, for example, described in I. G. Baek et.al., “Multi-layer crosspoint binary oxide resistive memory (OxRAM) for post-NAND storage application”, IEDM 2005, or phase change memory.
In the case of phase change memory, an appropriate chalcogenide compound (e.g., a GeSbTe or an AgInSbTe compound) may, for instance, be used as the active material that is positioned between the two corresponding electrodes. The chalcogenide compound material can be placed in an amorphous, i.e., relatively weakly conductive, or a crystalline, i.e., relatively strongly conductive state by means of appropriate switching processes, and thus behaves like a variable resistance element, which as highlighted above, may be exploited as differing data states.
In order to achieve a change in the phase change material from an amorphous state to a crystalline state, an appropriate heating current can be applied to the electrodes, wherein the current heats the phase change material beyond the crystallization temperature thereof. This operation is sometimes called a SET operation. Similarly, a change of state from a crystalline state to an amorphous state may be achieved by application of an appropriate heating current pulse, wherein the phase change material is heated beyond the melting temperature thereof, and the amorphous state is obtained during the rapid cooling process thereof. This operation is sometimes called a RESET operation. The combination of SET and RESET operations is one means by which data can be written to a phase change memory cell.
Conventionally, phase change memory devices were organized in one or more arrays of phase change cells in a core area of the device, wherein each phase change memory cell was composed of a phase change memory element coupled to a selection switching device. One conventional arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 1, wherein a phase change element 10 is coupled between a bit line 12 and a bipolar select transistor 14. A word line 16 is coupled to the base terminal of the transistor 14. By properly addressing the bit line 12 and word line 16 associated therewith, data may be written thereto and read therefrom. An array of phase change memory cells configured in the manner described above is sometimes called a NOR type memory array.
It is often desirable to increase the density in a memory, that is, to increase the amount of data that can be stored within a given area. In some instances, attempts have been made to increase memory density by storing multiple bits of data within a single memory cell. Such a solution in phase change memory cells, however, disadvantageously results in an increase in power consumption when reading data from or writing data to the cell. Consequently, another solution to increase the memory density is to reduce the physical size of an individual memory cell.
One attempt to reduce the size of an individual phase change memory cell employed a cross-point array-like structure, where a bit line and a word line are used to select a phase change cell using an additional two-port element that was similar to a diode. This solution, however, suffers from a variety of disadvantages such a signal integrity, and difficulties arise in the integration of the diode-like structure into a standard process flow. Therefore there is a need in the art for improved memory cell architectures for phase change memory devices. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improvement in a package for containing a semiconductor element.
(2) Description of the Related Art
A conventional package for containing a semiconductor element, especially a glass-sealed semiconductor container package sealed by fusion bonding of a glass, comprises an insulating vessel having in the interior thereof a space for containing a semiconductor element, which comprises an insulating vessel and a lid member, and an external lead terminal for electrically connecting the semiconductor element contained in the vessel to an external electric circuit. In this package, a sealing glass material member is attached to each of confronting main surfaces of the insulating substrate and lid member, the external lead terminal is fixed to the main surface of the insulating substrate, respective electrodes of the semiconductor element are wire-bonded and connected to the external lead terminal, and the glass material members fusion-bonded to the insulating substrate and lid member are melted and integrated to seal the semiconductor element in the interior air-tightly.
In the conventional glass-sealed semiconductor element container package, the external lead terminal is composed of an electroconductive material such as Kovar (an alloy comprising 29% by weight of Ni, 16% by weight of Co and 55% by weight of Fe) or 42 Alloy (an alloy comprising 42% by weight of Ni and 58% by weight of Fe), but since Kovar or 42 Alloy has a low electroconductivity, Kovar or 42 Alloy has defects as described below.
(1) Kovar or 42 Alloy has such a low electroconductivity as 3.0 to 3.5% (IACS). Accordingly, when a signal is transmitted through the external terminal composed of Kovar or 42 Alloy, the signal-transmitting speed is extremely low and a semiconductor element of the high-speed driving type cannot be contained.
(2) With increase of the density and integration degree of the semiconductor element to be contained in the semiconductor container package, the number of electrodes of the semiconductor elements increases drastically, and the width of the external lead terminal for connecting respective electrodes of the semiconductor element to the external electric circuit is much reduced. Because of this reduction of the width of the external lead terminal as well as the low electroconductivity of Kovar or 42 Alloy described in (1) above, the electric resistance becomes very large. When a signal is transmitted through the external lead terminal, because of this large electric resistance of the external lead terminal, the signal is greatly attenuated, and it is impossible to put the signal precisely into the semiconductor element contained in the interior and a malfunction is caused in the semiconductor element. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of medical device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device that employs palpography technology to characterize vulnerable plaque and other biological tissue such as cancer tissue.
2. Description of the Related Art
Atherosclerosis, a process underlying coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular disease, is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in industrialized countries. The atherosclerotic plaque is often indolent and progressive and may destabilize without warning. This is defined as progressing from a pre-plaque to a vulnerable plaque. Cellular and molecular characteristics and the structure of the atherosclerotic plaque determine its vulnerability to rupture. Imaging techniques currently available utilize invasive and non-invasive methods to characterize coronary artery stenosis.
Current technique for vulnerable plaque detection may include combinations of thermography, NIR (near infrared) spectrum imaging, IVUS (intravascular ultrasound) imaging, nuclear labeling, chemical coding, micro-coil MRI, focal ELISA, and measurement of C-reactive protein, oxidized chemicals, lactate or pH. Detection, however, usually occurs late in the course of disease after symptoms have presented. Through early detection and a targeted treatment strategy, it is hoped that the burden of ischemic heart disease can be reduced. (Fischer et al., 2000; Naghavi et al. 2001).
Vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques are known to be inflamed and have higher temperature than the adjacent areas. A thermography catheter with an expandable basket having 4 to 8 expandable basket members, each of which was equipped with two thermocouples have been developed. It was reported that temperature heterogeneity was detected in five in-bred atherosclerotic dogs and ten Watanabe rabbits. A thermo-elastography system provides thermal, structure and elasticity data for detection of plaques and determination of their functional status (Gul et al., 2001).
Hence, inflamed vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques can be detected based on their increased temperature. An infrared angio-thermography catheter for imaging the thermal characteristics of arterial walls has been reported. The system has a thermal resolution of 0.01° C. and spatial resolution of 100 microns. It was reported that a side-viewing thermography using a 4 French infrared fiber optic bundle catheter is feasible. A realtime imaging reconstruction software continuously records the linear images obtained through the 1 mm window and processes them into two-dimensional and virtual longitudinal color-coded thermographic images of the lumen (Naghavi et al., 2001).
Plaque hypoxia and ischemia have been identified and correlated for a long time. Activated macrophages, in particular those incubated with Ox-LDL, produce enormous amounts of lactate and reduce their environmental pH to acidic levels. Near infrared spectroscopy is one of the few available non-destructive techniques for in vivo measurement of tissue pH. A near-infrared fiber optic catheter with the capability to measure reflectance spectra from the vessel wall has been developed to study the spectroscopic characteristics of lactate and pH in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques. The catheter has the capability to image lactate and pH distribution in the plaque with the help of a specialized software program (Khan et al., 2001).
Human carotid endarterectomized plaque, atherosclerotic rabbit aorta, and ApoE-deficient mice aorta show marked temperature heterogeneity due to inflammation in contrast to normal arterial wall. Plaque temperature and pH are inversely correlated, suggesting that hot plaques are acidic. Plaques with a large lipid core, macrophage infiltration, and no calcification (vulnerable plaques) have lower pH than calcified and fibrotic (stable) plaques (Naghavi et al., 2002).
There are currently several feasible and accurate methods to study the arterial wall morphology like angiography and intravascular ultrasounds. Diamantopoulos et al. developed a 3F intracoronary catheter that can slide over a conventional angioplasty guidewire. This catheter is equipped with an array of electrically isolated ultra-thin metallic film rings using the capacitometry principles. It was reported that the plaque morphology is well correlated with the images acquired by IVUS. The method can distinguish calcified areas, areas with fatty content and other tissues for in vivo assessment of a vulnerable plaque (Diamantopoulos et al., 2001).
Simultaneous thermal and morphology mapping of the coronary arteries in vivo have been reported by using a catheter system combining intravascular ultrasound and multi-point thermography at the same time and position. The system includes a 3.5F catheter using 4 thermisters to study the temperature at 360° of the arterial wall, and an ultrasound scanning system for the simultaneous acquisition of intravascular images. The 2D plots and 3D re-constructions are automatically provided from a study of 10 non-atherosclerotic rabbits (Diamantopoulos et al., 2001).
Plaque temperature has been associated with plaque vulnerability. A new insight into plaque vulnerability by means of thermography and advanced computer algorithms has been reported. A new catheter-based system that has the capability of simultaneous intravascular echogram and temperature sampling at the same location is used in 5 atherosclerotic rabbits. A 3-D color-coded thermal mapping of the atherosclerotic plaque verified the existence of temperature heterogeneity inside the individual plaques (Diamantopoulos et al., 2001).
Known vulnerable plaques are more likely to be soft plaques. In contrast, stable plaques are likely to be fibrotic and calcified (hard plaque). The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for screening hot and soft plaques to identify vulnerable plaques. This system is designated as thermo-elastography catheter and may be superior and more cost-effective compared to an intravascular sono-elastography described by Cespedes and de Korte (de Korte et al., 2002 Mar; de Korte et al., 2002 April) or a combination of thermosensors and IVUS elastography currently investigated by Serruys and Diamontapolos.
The prior art offers means to characterize arterial walls and atherosclerotic plaques including the use of thermo-elastography, sono-elastography and near infrared spectroscopy techniques. The present invention provides a diagnostic device for studying tissue environments, including tissue environments enclosing a body lumen. In particular, the present invention further provides a device that enhances the technology of prior art to detect and diagnose atherosclerotic plaques; thereby, fulfulling a long standing need and desire in the art. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a multiplex transmission system for carrying out a data transmission among a plurality of multiplex nodes connected to a common multiplex transmission line, and more particularly, to a multiplex transmission system using CSMA/CD (carrier sense multiple access/collision detection).
2.Description of the Related Art
In conventional multiplex transmission systems of this type, a plurality of terminals (multiplex nodes) are connected to a common multiplex transmission line (multiplex bus) formed of, e.g., a paired cable. One of the multiplex nodes sends a predetermined data frame to the multiplex bus in accordance with the CSMA/CD method, to thereby transmit data simultaneously to the other multiplex nodes. The data frame includes an acknowledge signal (ACK signal) area at an end thereof.
In such systems, it is known that each of the multiplex nodes that received the data frame returns an ACK signal to a bit position of the ACK signal area preassigned thereto.
The multiplex nodes each include a computer for communication, and these computers operate independently of one another and are able to send a data frame to the multiplex bus at desired timings. Therefore, a collision of transmitted messages can occur on the multiplex bus, and conventionally this is prevented by setting a priority sequence for the transmission of individual messages.
In accordance with the priority sequence thus set, each computer carries out a priority control to send a message without destroying same. Specifically, each computer carries out a data transmission in accordance with a nondestructive arbitration type CSMA/CD access method in which the transmission of a message with a lower priority is automatically interrupted and only the higher-priority message is continuously transmitted. When the data is properly received, each multiplex node returns an ACK signal to a location of address uniquely assigned thereto (respective bit area in the ACK signal area).
If a local error occurs in the network and the data received by a multiplex node is erroneous, then no ACK signal is returned from this multiplex node, and therefore, the sending multiplex node determines that an abnormal situation occurred, and retransmits the data. The sending multiplex node repeats the transmission of the data, e.g., three times at the maximum, until all of the registered multiplex nodes return the ACK signals. In prior art systems, all nodes have the function of determining whether or not ACK signals have been returned from the nodes and retransmitting data.
A sending multiplex node uses an ACK management function, i.e., if a node fails to return the ACK signal even though the data transmission has been repeated three times, such a node is regarded as being in trouble and is excluded from the registered nodes, and when an extra ACK signal is received, the node corresponding to this ACK signal is registered.
In this multiplex transmission system, since all of the nodes connected to the network return ACK signals, the ACK signal area occupies a large portion of the data frame if the number of nodes connected to the network is increased, and thus a problem arises in that the transmission efficiency is lowered during a data frame transmission. In other words, to ensure a certain transmission efficiency, the number of nodes connectable to the network is limited. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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To establish manufacturing technology for the single electron transistor, the inventors have focused on a gold nanoparticle as Coulomb island in single-electron device, and used STM (Scanning Tunneling Microscope) and clarified that the gold nanoparticle with particle diameter of 1.8 nm functioned as Coulomb island at ambient temperature. In addition, to construct an electronic device on solid substrate, the inventors used electroless plating and established the method for manufacturing nanogap electrodes with a gap separation of 5 nm at a high yield rate at a time. Furthermore, the inventors reported on function of the single electron transistor, in which the gold nanoparticle was placed between the nanogap electrodes by chemical adsorption (Non-Patent Literatures 1 to 6). | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Remote upload of media content is known in the art. Such uploads are typically used to provide real time, or near real time, coverage of news/sports events occurring outside of a prepared television studio. Camera crews are often sent to film live events in a variety of locations and the video/audio feed is transmitted back to the studio where it is broadcast.
News/sports organizations use wireless broadband connections to transmit live media content back to the studio. FIGS. 1A and 1B, to which reference is now made, illustrate technologies currently used to provide real time remote broadcasts.
FIG. 1A shows a video camera 5 that is used to film a news event at a remote location. Camera 5 is connected by a cable 10 to a satellite news gathering (SNG) van 15. SNG van 15 has an antenna 20 on its roof that transmits broadcast data to a relay satellite 25 in orbit around the earth. Relay satellite 25 then transmits the data to a receiving dish 30 at television studio 35.
SNG van 15 typically contains a variety of equipment (not shown), for example, a video encoder, satellite modem and an editing station. This equipment is used to process and transmit the data to relay satellite 25. SNG van 15 then uses a broadband connection to upload the data to satellite 25 via antenna 20. The data is then downloaded to studio 35, where it is typically edited and broadcasted.
FIG. 1B illustrates how microwave technology is used for live remote broadcasts. Functionally analogous to SNG 15 in FIG. 1A, electronic news gathering (ENG) van 16 processes data from camera 5 before transmission. However, antenna 40 uploads the data using microwave transmissions, and instead of relay satellite 25, the data is uploaded to relatively local microwave relay station 45. The data is then relayed to studio 35 via interne 46 or a wire line connection 48.
Satellite and microwave technologies have similar operating constraints. For example, both technologies require “line of sight” connections. There must be an unobstructed line between antenna 20 and relay satellite 25 in order to upload the broadcast data. Similarly, there must be an unobstructed line between antenna 40 and microwave relay station 45 in order to use microwave technology. Accordingly, these technologies are inappropriate for use from some locations. For example, neither technology can be used from within an underground parking garage. Tall buildings and/or other topographic features impact on the usability of microwave technology, and to a lesser extent, that of satellite technology as well.
Another constraint is that both technologies require the prior agreement of the operator responsible for the relay installation. Neither technology can be used without the provision of dedicated resources by the operator.
Furthermore, SNG and ENG vans 15 and 16 require serviceable roads to access remote broadcast locations. There are smaller, “luggable” units available, known as “flyaways” which may be used as an alternative to SNG and ENG vans 15 and 16. Flyaways may be brought to the remote location using other modes of transportation, including, for example, airplane, helicopter or all terrain vehicles. They are, however, still bulky and difficult to carry far by hand. A flyaway is typically split into two separate units, each weighing approximately 40 kg.
Inmarsat, a United Kingdom company, markets a line of Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) products which are considerably lighter and more compact than flyaways. Such products, however, are limited to an upload bandwidth of only 256 Kbps-512 Kbps. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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In-Car Communication (ICC) systems strive to enhance communication among passengers within a vehicle by compensating for acoustic loss between two dialog partners. There are several reasons for such an acoustic loss. For example, typically, the driver cannot turn around to listeners sitting on the rear seats of the vehicle, and therefore he speaks towards the wind shield. This may result in 10-15 dB attenuation of his speech signal.
To improve the intelligibility and sound quality in the communication path from front passengers to rear passengers, the speech signal is recorded by one or several microphones, processed by the ICC system and played back at the rear loudspeakers. Bidirectional ICC systems enhancing also the speech signals of rear passengers for front passengers may be realized by using two unidirectional ICC instances.
FIG. 1 shows an exemplary system for two acoustic zones which are represented by driver/front passenger and rear passengers. The signal processing modules used in each of the two zones of such a system usually include beamforming (BF), noise reduction (NR), signal mixing (e.g. for driver and front passenger), Automatic Gain Control (AGC), feedback suppression (notch), Noise Dependent Gain Control (NDGC) and equalization (EQ) as shown in FIG. 2. Beamforming steers the beam of a microphone array to dedicated speaker locations such as the driver's or co-driver's seat. Noise reduction is employed to avoid or at least to moderate background noise transmitted over the ICC system. In addition, sibilant sounds may be reduced by a so-called deesser. Since speakers generally differ in their speaking habits, especially their speech volume, an AGC may be used to obtain an invariant audio impression for rear passengers irrespective of the actual speaker. Feedback suppression is generally needed to ensure stability of the closed-loop comprising loudspeaker, vehicle interior and microphone. The NDGC is used to optimize the sound quality for the listener, especially the volume of the playback signal. Additionally, the playback volume may be controlled by a limiter. Equalizing is required to adapt the system to a specific vehicle and to optimize the speech quality for the rear passengers.
These standard approaches are generally sufficient for unidirectional and some bidirectional systems. In state-of-the-art systems, typically only one noise-dependent module (NDGC) is used in each ICC instance to adapt the system to different acoustic scenarios. However, optimal performance of such a system is often not obtained when the number of acoustic zones/scenarios associated with the ICC instance is increased. Furthermore, particularly challenging is obtaining a consistent audio impression for each listener irrespective of the driving situation. Depending on the acoustic environment several psychoacoustic effects occur. Due to the Lombard effect, the speaker will change his voice characteristics to remain intelligible for the listener. On the other hand the speech signal played back from the loudspeaker will be masked by background noise at the listener's location. When speaker and listener are located in two different acoustic zones, the background noise may differ significantly so that these two effects may diverge. For example, the driver may increase the level of a fan in front of him, while a listener's fan remains switched off. A similar situation is given when the driver opens his window. In both cases the driver might speak louder than necessary so that the combination of direct sound and loudspeaker is inconvenient for the listener. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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5-nitro-3,4-dihydro-1(2H)-naphthalinone is an intermediate for the production of 1,5-naphthalenediamine, which can be obtained from 5-nitro-3,4-dihydro-1(2H)-naphthalinone by amination, aromatization and subsequent hydrogenation. 1,5-naphthalenediamine can be further reacted with phosgene to form 1,5-naphthalene diisocyanate.
Various processes for producing 1,5-naphthalenediamine are already known in the literature. In general, the preparation of 1,5-naphthalenediamine starts from naphthalene, which is suitably substituted. Thus, in JP-A2-07 278 066, the synthesis of 1,5-naphthalenediamine via an amine-bromine exchange in 1,5-bromoaminonaphthalene is described. In this process, the required educt is produced by bromination of 1-nitronaphthalene.
In JP-A2-04 154 745, JP-A2-56 059 738 and DE-A1-2 523 351, the synthesis of 1,5-naphthalenediamine in combination with 1,8-naphthalenediamine by reduction of a mixture of 1,5- and 1,8-dinitronaphthalene is described. The synthesis of 1,5-bromoaminonaphthalene by alkaline hydrolysis of disodium naphthalene-1,5-disulfonate and subsequent reaction with ammonia is described in DE-C1-3 840 618.
All the above-described processes have the disadvantage that the product, or an intermediate product produced in the course of the process, is obtained in the form of a mixture of isomers which in addition to the 1,5-isomers contains further isomers which have to be separated off. Moreover, the process described in DE-C1-3 840 618, in particular, proceeds under very drastic and corrosive reaction conditions. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
With the development of Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) technology, flexible OLED display devices have been extensively studied due to their advantages such as flexibility and portability, and have become main in the field of display technology. Among the various flexible OLED display technology, the separation of the flexible substrate from the carrier substrate without destroying the display elements is a key technology in the preparation of flexible OLED display devices. | {
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A content management system can store a user's content library remotely from the user and provide access to the content library from a variety of client devices. Some content management systems may synchronize the content library across multiple client devices, such as when the user is associated with multiple devices or multiple users share at least a portion of the content library. A conventional content management system may treat synchronization passively and require a user to manually designate a content item for synchronization before the system synchronizes the content item across the user's devices and other users' devices sharing the content item. This can be onerous for the user and can lead to inconsistencies for her content library. For example, to synchronize the content item between two client devices, the user must upload changes made to the content item on a first client device to replace a previous version of the content item stored by the conventional content management system and download the changed content item to the second client device to replace the previous version of the content item stored on the second client device. If the user makes revisions to the content item stored on the second client device without first downloading the changed content item, the revisions made to the content item on the first client device may not be reflected in a version of the content item stored on the second client device, and vice versa. These difficulties can be exacerbated when the user is associated with additional client devices.
Another implementation of a content management system can use an active approach to synchronization and automatically update a content library across all client devices authorized by a user account. This design improves upon the passive, conventional content management system by alleviating the user of the burden of having to manually designate her content library for synchronization and separately manage synchronization for her multiple devices. A potential drawback to active or automatic synchronization techniques, however, can be less customization for apportioning the user account's content library across authorized client devices. One known approach for supporting “selective” synchronization (e.g., the capability of designating the exact content items of a content library to be synchronized within an automated synchronization scheme) relies entirely on the client device. Although client-side selective synchronization is viable in certain respects, it is an incomplete solution because synchronization is still limited to customization on a per device basis. | {
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Recently, enterprises have experienced a substantial increase in their productivity when providing their employees with access to enterprise resources via client devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets, laptops). As the cost of client devices continues to decrease and the computing power of client devices continues to increase, it has become more feasible for employees to utilize client devices to complete most (if not all) of their work duties. Consequently, information technology departments (“I.T. Dept”) struggle with striking a balance between providing employees with access to enterprise resources (e.g., data) and ensuring the security and integrity of enterprise resources. A common solution for this problem is having an I.T. Dept. remotely manage client devices with access to enterprise data. However, I.T. Depts. continue to be challenged in ensuring that restricted actions are not performed via unauthorized applications on client devices.
A web conferencing service is one type of enterprise resource employees would like to access using their client devices. A web conferencing service allows a host to provide content to one or more recipients through a network, such as an enterprise intranet, public Internet, or combination thereof. The content can include text-based messages, voice, video, images, and the like. I.T. Depts. face the challenge of providing web conferencing services that integrate seamlessly with employee client devices, while providing efficient and secure access to enterprise resources.
One or more embodiments provide a cloud-based conferencing system on a mobile device. In an embodiment, as method of attending a scheduled web conference includes: receiving a notification at a recipient client device authorized by a management server to attend the scheduled web conference; joining the scheduled we conference through a conferencing client application on the recipient client device in response to the notification; receiving a content stream provisioned by the management server at the recipient client device; displaying a live portion of the content stream in a graphical user interface (GUI) of the conferencing client application; and displaying a prior portion of the content stream in the GUI of the conferencing client application in response to user input received through the GUI.
Further embodiments include a computer system and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions that cause a computer system to carry out the above method above.
To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used were possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements disclosed in one embodiment may be beneficially utilized on other embodiments without specific recitation. | {
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An important point of attention in design and test of semiconductor devices is given to the timing behaviour of the semiconductor device and its components. A semiconductor device typically has a functional circuit formed from a plurality of functional components which are connected to form a plurality of signal paths. A plurality of appropriately designed buffers and other timing components is usually required on these signal paths to hold, delay or otherwise synchronize the signals on these signal paths, and thereby improve the performance of the functional circuit. Design and test hereto involves iterations of design cycles and test cycles, involving device simulation and testing of a manufactured semiconductor device. Different methods exist to identify the critical timing paths, but these methods run into their limits, especially with increasing operating frequencies of functional circuits on semiconductor devices and with modern semiconductor device designs wherein it may be difficult to access some of the components of the functional circuit. Analysis of the performance limiting factors of the functional circuit and especially the critical paths thereon, and/or the design of an improved functional circuit may thereby be hampered when using known methods. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to integrated circuit (IC) fabrication and, more particularly, to an electroluminescence (EL) device with a silicon-rich oxide (SRO) film having a refractive index of about 1.72, to optimize photoluminescence (PL).
2. Description of the Related Art
The generation of light from semiconductor devices is possible, regardless of whether the semiconductor material forms a direct or indirect bandgap. High field reverse biased p-n junctions create large hot carrier populations that recombine with the release of photons. For silicon devices, the light generation efficiency is known to be poor and the photon energy is predominantly around 2 eV. The conversion of electrical energy to optical photonic energy is called electroluminescence (EL). Efficient EL devices have been made that can operate with small electrical signals, at room temperature. However, these devices are fabricated on materials that are typically not compatible with silicon, for example type III-V materials such as InGaN, AlGaAs, GaAsP, GaN, and GaP. An EL device built on one of these substrates can efficiently emit light in a narrow bandwidth within the visible region, depending on the specific material used. Additionally, type II-VI materials such as ZnSe have been used. Other type II-VI materials such as ZnS and ZnO are known to exhibit electroluminescence under ac bias conditions. These devices can be deposited onto silicon for use in light generating devices if special (non-conventional) CMOS processes are performed. Other classes of light emitting devices are organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si), and polymer LEDs.
Silicon has conventionally been considered unsuitable for optoelectronic applications, due to the indirect nature of its energy band gap. Bulk silicon is indeed a highly inefficient light emitter. Among the different approaches developed to overcome this problem, quantum confinement in Si nanostructures and rare earth doping of crystalline silicon have received a great deal of attention. In particular, Si nanoclusters (nc) embedded in SiO2 have in recent years attracted the interest of the scientific community as a promising new material for the fabrication of a visible Si-based light source. Alternatively, Er-doped crystalline Si has been extensively studied to take advantage of the radiative intra-4f shell Er transition. Room-temperature operating devices with efficiencies of around 0.05% have been achieved. The device efficiency is very low and the process temperature is very high, normally over 1100° C.
However, these pioneering efforts in creating visible luminescence emanating from porous room-temperature silicon (Si), have spurred a tremendous amount of research into using nano-sized Si to develop a Si-based light source. One widely-used method of fabricating nanocluster Si (nc-Si) is to precipitate the nc-Si out of SiOx (where x<2), producing a film using chemical vapor deposition (CVD), radio frequency (RF)-sputtering, or Si implantation. This film is often called silicon-rich silicon oxide (SRSO) or silicon-rich oxide (SRO). Using the CVD or RF-sputtering processes, with a high-temperature annealing, a photoluminescence (PL) peak in the SRSO can typically be obtained in the wavelength range of 590 nanometers (nm) to 750 nm. However, these SRSO materials exhibit low quantum efficiency and have a stability problem, which reduces the PL intensity height over time, and limits their application to EL devices.
Er implantation, creating Er-doped nanocrystal Si, is also used in Si-based light sources. However, state-of-the-art implantation processes have not been able to distribute the dopant uniformly, which lowers the light emitting efficiency and increases costs. At the same time, there has been no interface engineering sufficient to support the use of such a dopant. Using the Si/SiO2 superlattice structure to control crystal size results in a slow, high-temperature deposition process that cannot simultaneously control both the Si particle size and the quality Si nanocrystal/SiO2 interface. The device efficiency is very low, which limits the device applications. In order to improve the device efficiency, a large interface area must be created between nanocrystal Si and SiO2.
A simple and efficient light-emitting device compatible with silicon, and powered by a dc voltage would be desirable in applications where photonic devices (light emitting and light detecting) are necessary. Efficient silicon substrate EL devices would enable a faster and more reliable means of signal coupling, as compared with conventional metallization processes. Further, for intra-chip connections on large system-on-chip type of devices, the routing of signals by optical means is also desirable. For inter-chip communications, waveguides or direct optical coupling between separate silicon pieces would enable packaging without electrical contacts between chips. For miniature displays, a method for generating small point sources of visible light would enable simple, inexpensive displays to be formed.
It would be advantageous if a Si-based EL device could be fabricated that emitted PL with a high intensity.
It would be advantageous if a simple, easy to measure characteristic of SRO films existed, that could be used as guide to fabricate a Si EL device with optimized PL intensity. | {
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This invention relates to communications systems, particularly cable systems which are capable of providing a broad range of services to users. Cable systems include community antennae television, [CATV], closed circuit television, [CCTV], and broad band cable systems in general.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,326,289 "Expandable Communications Systems" filed Feb. 28, 1980 discloses a broad band communications system employing a central station, a plurality of subordinate systems stations that can be selectively addressed by the central station, and a bilateral transmission medium, for example a coaxial cable. The cable links the subordinate stations of the system to the central station where a central controller is capable of addressing a specific subordinate station and an exchanging control and message information with any addressed station.
Each subordinate systems station has a main unit with a local input port and a local output port. Each systems station may be connected over a parallel bus to a number of expansion modules. These provide additional input and output ports to accomodate different communication services. Illustrative services include selective security surveilance, energy control, meter reading, text reading, data viewing, and the like.
Because the typical subordinate station is physically located on the premises of a customer, the station may be vulnerable to unauthorized tampering. Resistance against tampering is particularly desirable in the case of CATV where it is common practice to include security functions or payment per channel. The possibility of tampering may be deterred by locating the systems station beyond the customer's premises, for example on a utility pole or within a cable vault. It is advantageous, however, to provide a communications system that is able to accomodate a plurality of special communications services for various CATV customers, and is secure against unauthorized tampering. For that purpose U.S. Pat. No. 4,450,481 "Tamper-Resistant, Expandable Communications Systems" can be employed. Each subordinate systems station is formed by two main components. One component is a remote interrogator which is mounted in a secure location outside the customer's premises, for example on a utility pole, or within a cable vault. The remote interrogator contains authorization for various services and periodically polls the other component, which is the expansion transponder module. The transponder automatically transmits signals when activated by the interrogator. A transponder module can be located securely, but other modules can be located on the customer's premises to interface any of the specific service features desired by a customer. A securely located transponder module permits any associated subscriber drop to have duration-controlled access to other channels. For less stringent applications, where the transponder module is located on premises, periodic polling of the module by the remote interrogator assumes integrity of the system for such functions as meter reading.
Each remote interrogator, using a main communications channel, exchanges control and information signals with a central control computer located at the "headend" of the CATV system. This is preferably in a serial synchronous protocol in order to reduce signalling overhead. The control and information signals are carried in radio frequency channels which are passed by the CATV components. Any of the wide variety of modulation techniques may be employed to apply the signals to the radio frequency channels. Frequency shift or phase shift keying are preferred choices.
The remote interrogator unit, using a subcombination channel, also exchanges control and information signals with many expansion transponder modules, for example several thousand, over subscriber drop cables of over parts of the CATV trunk. The mode of signal control between the remote interrogator and the expansion modules is by serial, binary, or asynchronous transmission over a radio frequency channel and is passed by the intervening system components. Although there is a broad choice of modulation techniques, frequency shift keying is the preferred choice for subcommunications channels.
In particular, the communications system is expandable and provides multipurpose digital and analog communications by having a plurality of remote interrogator units connected in a branch of the system and isolated by band-stop filters to permit simultaneous polling without interference with other operations. In addition a frequency agile oscillator is used to provide premium service control.
When there are problems in the broad-band local area network, they become apparent by malfunctions or complete failure in individual data circuits. In many situations a number of individual data circuits fail simultaneously. The problem then becomes that of locating the specific problem or fault. In order to assure high data availability on data circuits, the faults must be located as quickly as possible | {
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In wireless networks, such as wireless local area networks, the transmit power assigned to wireless access point devices (or base stations) determines the coverage areas of the respective access point devices. To ensure proper operation of client devices that operate in these coverage areas and which may roam from one coverage area to another, the transmit powers used by the access point devices need to be properly selected. | {
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1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates in general to valves associated with hydrocarbon recovery wells, and in particular to actuators to actuate valves. Yet more particularly, the present disclosure relates to an adapter for coupling together actuators of varying designs to valve stems.
2. Description of Related Art
Valves typically have a valve member attached to a linearly translating member, such as a stem, for moving the valve member between the open and closed positions. Some valves, such as gate valves, have an aperture that aligns with the bore to allow flow through the valve. The valve can be normally open, and thus the valve is closed when it is moved linearly to push the aperture out of alignment with the bore. Alternatively, a valve can be normally closed, and thus the valve is opened when it is moved linearly to position the aperture into alignment with the bore. Regardless of whether the valve is normally open or normally closed, the valve can be actuated, or moved between the open and closed position by a valve actuator.
Certain valve actuators have threaded downstops for connecting to the valve stem. If the valve stem is a nub stem instead of a threaded stem, an actuator with a threaded downstop would not be able to connect to the valve stem. Often valve actuators that have downstops with profiles, instead of threads, for mating with nub stems have to be assembled in a shop in order to compress the biasing member and insert a snap ring, to maintain the biasing member in a compressed position and trap the biasing member within the valve body. Having to use a press in a shop to disassemble or reassemble an actuator assembly requires moving the actuator assembly from the valve assembly location to a shop. Therefore certain operations, such as replacing parts, performing maintenance operations, or retrofitting a new actuator onto an existing valve cannot be undertaken in the field. Performing such operations in a shop with a press can be costly and time consuming and can lead to excess downtime of the systems to which the valve assembly is attached. | {
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The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for a learning styled keyboard which enhances a user's education.
Computer systems, and specifically personal computer (PC) systems, usually include a visual display device or monitor, a central processing unit (normally mounted on a motherboard), various types of memory (including read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), hard drives and removable memory devices such as floppy disc drives for 51/4" and 31/2" disks), various input/output peripheral interface boards (normally one interface for the monitor, another for a telecommunications device such as a modem, and another for standard computer keyboard), a computer keyboard and, in some cases, a sound generator board. The standard computer system :keyboard is sometimes identified as a QWERTY keyboard which includes a key layout with alphabetic keys in a somewhat random fashion (hence the term QWERTY which is the alphabetic key layout along the top left hand row of the alpha key set), numeric keys located above the alphabetic keys and function keys F1-F12 located above the numeric keys. An example ofthe standard computer keyboard can be found in the product specification for the Z8602 keyboard microcontroller manufactured by Zilog of Campbell, Calif. The Z8602 microcontroller is utilized in conjunction with a 101/102 PC keyboard. The product brochure issued by Zilog has a publication date of February, 1990. The Z8602 microcontroller is designed for a PC keyboard and controls all scan codes, line status modes, scan timing and communications between the keyboard and the PC and particularly the motherboard and the central processing unit in the personal computer system. The product brochure describes and depicts a typical method of interfacing a standard keyboard to an XT/AT personal computer.
Other keyboards and key layouts are found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,903 to Herzog; U.S. Pat. No. 4,963,044 to Warner; U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,279 to Morgan; U.S. Pat. No. 4,536,160 to Hatfield; U.S. Pat. No. 5,073,054 to McDowell; U.S. Pat. No. 4,519,721 to Gardner; U.S. Pat. No. 4,615,619 to Power and U.S. Pat. No. 2,040,248 to Dvorak.
These patent disclosures illustrate various key layouts for keyboards. For example, the Herzog '903 patent disclosure generally illustrates the QWERTY key layout. The patent disclosures to Warner '044, Morgan '279, McDowell '054, Gardner '721 and Power '629 all illustrate different key layouts for the keyboard. Dvorak '248 discloses a further keyboard layout. Hatfield '160 illustrates a standard QWERTY keyboard layout.
None of these keyboard layouts specifically address the difficulties a child or a young adult encounters when learning to use an electronic, computer-based keyboard. The specific layout of the keys is only one barrier to learning the operation and interaction between the keys, the keyboard and the balance of the computer system. Other items not addressed by these prior art disclosures include tactile effects of the keyboard, providing electronic barriers to multiple key strikes and continual depression of a single key and further generating positive feedback during the educational session with the child or young adult. The present invention corrects these defects and overcomes these problems with the prior art keyboards. | {
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It is known to equip firearm holsters with locking devices that help prevent unwanted and/or unauthorized withdrawal of the firearm. One locking device includes a saddle with engagement protrusions that is automatically biased into engagement with suitable surfaces of the firearm to inhibit withdrawal. The locking device includes an operating lever that extends out the holster and is operable to disengage the protrusions and allow firearm withdrawal. An example of this locking device can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 7,694,860, dated Apr. 13, 2010, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. This type of locking device has proven very serviceable. However, additional developments and improvements are possible. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Broadly, the type of dog harness that is the subject of the present invention is known but it is the object of the present invention to improve on the fastener assembly that interconnects the side portions of the harness over the dog's withers in order to accommodate dogs of varying shoulder breadth and to provide a greater range of tightness of fit depending on the pulling force exerted by the dog on the leash. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a light modulation device that has a resonator structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, as a recording method for large volumes, digital information recording systems that use the principle of holograms have become known (for example, Patent Document 1).
As a material for a spatial light modulator of a hologram recording device, a material having electro-optical effects such as, for example, lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (referred to below as PLZT) or the like, can be used. PLZT is a transparent ceramic having a composition of (Pb1-yLay) (Zr1-xTix)O3. An electro-optical effect is a phenomenon in which, if an electrical field is applied to a material, polarization is produced in the material so that the refractive index changes. If an electro-optical effect is used, by switching an applied voltage on and off, it is possible to switch the phase of the light. As a result, it is possible to apply a light modulating material, which has an electro-optical effect, to an optical shutter of the spatial light modulator or the like.
Conventionally, bulk PLZT has been widely used for application to devices such as the optical shutter or the like (Patent Document 2). However, with the optical shutter using the bulk PLZT, it is difficult to respond to demand for miniaturization and integration, and to demand for reduction in operating voltage and lowering of costs. Furthermore, since the bulk method includes processing at a high temperature of 1000° C. or more, after mixing metal-oxide that is raw material, when applied to a device formation process, many constraints on selection of material, device structure, and the like, are added.
From this situation, instead of the bulk PLZT, tests are being considered in which thin film PLZT formed on a substrate is applied to an optical control element. Patent Document 3 describes a display device in which a PLZT film is formed on a transparent substrate, such as glass or the like, and a comb-shaped electrode is provided thereon. This display device has a configuration in which a polarizing plate is provided on both faces of a display board on which the PLZT film is formed. Here, by electrode terminals of each pixel being connected to an external drive circuit, a desired pixel can be driven, and a desired display can be made by transmitted light from a light source provided on one face of the display board.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application, Laid Open No. 2002-297008
Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application, Laid Open No. Hei5-257103
Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application, Laid Open No. Hei7-146657
The inventors of the present invention carried out investigation concerning a light modulation device using PLZT film as a light modulating film, as an example of applying a thin film of PLZT to an optical control device. This light modulation device is provided with a Fabry-Perot type of resonator in which the light modulating film is formed on a first reflective layer, and a second reflective layer is formed on the light modulating film. Reflected light from the resonator is controlled by applying an electrical field to the light modulating film to change its refractive index, so as to shift resonance wavelength of the resonator.
However, the inventors of the present invention found that in cases in which the formed light modulating film is used as it is, the intensity of the reflected light decreases with respect to the intensity of incident light in the light modulation device, that is, that the utilization efficiency of the light cannot easily be raised. In particular, it was found that when a light source of short-wavelength blue light (approximately 450 nm) or violet-blue (approximately 400 nm) is used, the utilization efficiency of the light deteriorates significantly. | {
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Various textiles used in the clothing, furnishings and industrial fabrics industries are fire-unstable, i.e., they burn or melt or otherwise heat-degrade when in contact with flame or heat. For example, woven, knitted, and non-woven constructions of cotton, viscose, rayon, synthetics such as polyester, natural/synthetic blends and wool may burn or melt in the presence of flame or heat.
The application of flame retardant treatments to textiles, nonwovens, papers, and the like, is well known. Flame retardant fabrics may be treated in such a way that they do not ignite, or support combustion, or they may be treated to provide “flame blocking” properties. Flame blocking materials not only do not support combustion, but also can function to protect objects that are flammable or that can be damaged by fire.
Flame blocking materials can have many forms. For example, flame blocking materials may be composed of non-combustible materials like asbestos, glass, metal, or may be composed of organic materials like para-aramid, melamine, polybenzimidazole, or other materials that have resistance to flame and heat, or may be composed of combustible materials that are treated chemically to resist fire and heat. An intumescent material will tend to char, swell, and form a barrier to flame, hot gases, and conductive heat transfer. Exemplary intumescent materials include, but are not limited to, melamine, pentaerythritol, fluorocarbon, graphite, bentonite, clay, phosphated or borated melamine, ammonium polyphosphate polyols and the like.
Intumescent coatings are described in Intumescent Coating Systems, Their Development and Chemistry by H. L. Vandersall, J. Fire & Flammability, Vol. 2 (April 1971), pp. 97-140, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The application of an intumescent material to textiles is usually carried out by conventional techniques, such as knife coating, roll coating, spray coating, calendering, transfer coating or screen printing.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,645,926 to Horrocks et al. describes a flexible fire and heat resistant material comprising an intimate mixture of organic intumescent filler and organic fibres adapted to char intensely within the temperature range of 200° C. to 500° C.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,923,729 to Porter et al. describes a method for increasing heat dissipation from the smolder or open flame site of an upholstered article by interposing a fire barrier material between the outer upholstery fabric and the filler or padding materials. The fire barrier material is formed by coating a fibrous substance, such as glass fibers, carbon fibers, and the like with a latex containing a finely divided heat conductive metal.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,319 to Landin describes a flexible fire barrier felt and a method of producing the fire barrier felt. The felt includes: at least about 10 weight percent (wt-%) of an organic polymeric binder; at least about 5 wt-% of organic fibers having pendant hydroxyl groups (preferably cellulosic fibers); and at least about 10 wt-% of a heat absorbing compound; wherein the felt contains at least about 0.3 wt-% of phosphorus, as provided by a phosphorus-containing compound.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,070,119 to Nugent, Jr. et al. describes an intumescent curable composition which contains as a resinous binder a flexible polyepoxide resin. The intumescent curable composition is usually in the form of a thick material such as a mastic and is spray applied to a substrate.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,153,668 to Gestner et al. describes a method of making a fire barrier material comprising the steps of (a) providing components comprising at least about 25 wt-% binder, at least about 10 wt-% intumescent compound, and at least about 5 wt-% organic fibers comprising an organic material having pendant hydroxyl groups, based on a total dry weight of the fire barrier material; (b) combining the components to form a mixture; (c) foaming the mixture; (d) placing the foamed mixture onto a substrate; and (e) drying the foamed mixture for a time sufficient to form the fire barrier material, wherein the fire barrier material has a density ranging from greater than zero to about 0.35 g/cm3. Once the mixture has been formed into a foam-like material, it is placed or applied onto a substrate, for example, by casting, pouring, or spreading. Placing or applying the mixture onto a substrate can be accomplished by casting the mixture onto a substrate and then pressing it to a desired thickness by means of a platen press, or it can be poured or cast into a mold lined with a release liner.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,265,082 to Dunham et al. describes a fire retardant composition consisting of a cured film, wherein the film is formed from a film-forming composition comprising a curable resin and at least one fire retardant, the fire retardant being included in an amount from about 5 to about 95 percent by weight based on the weight of the cured film, and wherein, when the film is adhered to a flexible substrate, the film substantially does not alter the hand of the flexible substrate.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,806,185 to Porter et al. describes a method for increasing heat dissipation from the smolder or open flame site of an upholstered article. The upholstered article comprises an outer fabric that houses and contains filler materials such as padding. The method involves interposing a fire barrier material between the decorative outer upholstery fabric and the filler materials. The barrier material completely envelops the filler material and can be woven or nonwoven and is made of coated fibrous substances, such as glass fibers, carbon fibers, polyaramid, polybenzimidazole, polymeta-phenylene diamine isophthalate, and combinations thereof. The coating consists of a latex of enhanced thermal conductivity containing a finely divided heat conductive metal such as aluminum, copper, nickel, and mixtures thereof, with the proviso that the outer upholstered fabric has a porosity rating of less than 10 cubic feet of air per minute per square foot, measured at a pressure of one-half inch of water. The amount of heat conductive metal can vary from about 4 to 20%, and preferably about 8 to 10% by weight of the coating composition. The fire barrier fabric can also function as an effective fire barrier with for example, bedspreads, quilts or mattress ticking, and the like. The outer face fabric and the fire barrier fabric can be attached sequentially to a cushion or furniture frame. Alternatively, a prelaminated fabric consisting of the face fabric can be adhesively laminated to the fire barrier fabric. The fire barrier fabric can also be sewn to an outer face fabric.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,824,709 to Tschirch describes a textile product having a textile material and a backcoating comprised of a polymer matrix and inorganic smoke suppressant and/or flame retardant intumescent particles. The backcoating may also contain an inorganic filler that further enhances the flame retardancy and low smoke properties of the textile product. The methods of forming the textile product include mixing the smoke suppressant and/or flame retardant intumescent particles with the backcoating prior to its application to the textile material or the simultaneous spreading of the particles on the textile material with the polymer backcoating in order to form a layer of the particles directly adjacent to the textile material.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,216,261 to Dias describes a process for imparting an intumescent, water repellent, fire retardant finish that is applied by conventional coating techniques to one side of a fabric. The treated material is then dried at temperatures in the range 222° F. to 260° F.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,889,022 to Whittaker et al. describes a flame-retardant composite article having a core of one or more combustible materials, at least partly covered by a combination of one or more flexible intumescent char-forming materials, and one or more textile fibrous layers.
Expandable graphite is a particularly effective intumescent material. Graphite to be used as an intumescent material is conventionally treated with an acid (e.g., sulfuric, nitric, acetic acid, etc.) which permeates the layers of the graphite structure and causes the graphite to become expandable and form a thick insulative layer of carbon char when exposed to flame. When a substrate, such as a nonwoven, knit, or woven fabric, is coated with a layer of material containing expandable graphite, the coating will expand and form a thick char when exposed to fire, heat, hot gases, or molten materials, and effectively block the progress of a flame. Unfortunately, when fabrics having graphite-containing coatings are processed into composite upholstery articles (e.g., panels for use in mattress construction) via sewing and/or quilting, the graphite tends to stain the surfaces of the composite articles.
FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate a conventional composite upholstery panel 10 having a ticking layer 12, a layer of resilient cushioning material 14, and a backing layer 16 with a coating 18 of material containing expandable graphite. The ticking layer 12, cushioning material 14 and backing layer 16 are quilted together in a pattern via thread 20. Graphite particles from the coating 18 work their way through the cushioning material 14 and the ticking layer 12 for example, via a quilting needle, and stain the ticking layer surface 12a adjacent to the quilting thread 20, as illustrated. The staining is indicated generally as 22.
Graphite staining is particularly troublesome when upholstery panels have white and other light-colored outer layers (e.g., ticking layers). Unfortunately, light-colored ticking layers and covers are preferred in many upholstery industries including the bedding industry. As such, graphite is typically not used as an intumescent material in the bedding industry.
However, because graphite is an effective intumescent material, it would be desirable to be able to utilize graphite in the various upholstery industries where white and other light-colored fabrics are utilized. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Capillary-based analysis schemes, biochemical analysis, basic research in the biological sciences such as localized pH determinations in tissues and studies in protein folding, detection and study of microorganisms, and the miniaturization of instrumentation down to the size of a chip all require small volume detection. With the advent of lasers, light sources possessing unique properties including high spatial coherence, monochromaticity and high photon flux, unparalleled sensitivity and selectivity in chemical analysis has become possible; these technologies, however, can be both expensive and difficult to implement. In contrast, refractive index (RI) detection has been successfully applied to several small volume analytical separation schemes. For various reasons, RI detection represents an attractive alternative to fluorescence and absorbance: it is relatively simple, it can be used with a wide range of buffer systems, and it is universal, theoretically allowing detection of any solute, making it particularly applicable to solutes with poor absorption or fluorescence properties.
Conventional methods of probing intermolecular interactions typically require the use of one or more surface immobilized analytes in the interaction as well as the use of chemical labels on one or both analytes. Surface immobilized methods are cumbersome due to the extraordinary effort required to optimize immobilization protocols as well as their inherently high false positive and false negative binding detection rates, due to unwanted forces contributed by the supporting substrate. Moreover, these conventional methods typically fail to achieve detection at low detection limits or with low sample volume requirements.
However, there remains a need in the art for systems and methods for free-solution, label-free detection of intermolecular interactions between analytes, preferably with low detection limits and/or low sample volume requirements. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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A conventional storage container top-loading box has one or more vertical sides and a bottom formed into an enclosure with an opening at the top. The container is typically fitted with a lid configured to close the opening at the top. The lid may be hinged to the top of one or more of the vertical sides. Alternatively the lid may be a separate removable piece. Often the container is provided with dividers or inserts that divide up the interior of the box into separate compartments for protection and organization of the articles stored in the container. Although such containers have been used from time immemorial to store articles, they suffer drawbacks. Most notably, if, as is often the case, it is desirable to stack a plurality of such containers for storage, the containers must be un-stacked to gain access to the contents of the containers below the top of the stack. To overcome this, side-loading containers have been developed.
Side-loading boxes have been known in the art of box making for over 100 years. The basic construction of such a side-loading box is similar to that of the more conventional top-loading box laid upon one of its vertical sides such that the opening is at the side rather than the top. However, slightly different construction is necessary for the side opening box in order to provide satisfactory means of closing the open side.
One solution simply provides a conventional top-loading box with one side that folds down. The folding side is often secured in place by a conventional lid. Although side-loading boxes of this type provide satisfactory loading, they suffer from drawbacks. First, the folding side panel weakens the structure of the box limiting the maximum load that can be stored before the box begins to bulge. Second, the weakening of the box limits the maximum height to which such boxes can be stacked. Third, if the lid is of the conventional type, it must be either displaced or removed in order to open the side panel. If the lid is integrally incorporated into the top of the box, it is often necessary to open the box by wedging the fingers of the hand in between the side-opening panel and the top of the box to pry the box open. In addition to the associated discomfort. this method of opening the box eventually weakens either the top or the side-opening panel or both. In some cases a string-and-button type latch secures the side-opening panel. Alternatively, a metal or plastic turn-knob type latch is provided. Unfortunately, both of these latching mechanisms complicate construction and add to the cost of the box.
An additional disadvantage of prior art side-loading and top-loading boxes occurs when the box is constructed of material such as corrugated cardboard. For example, single-wall corrugated boxes require braces, sidewall stiffeners or other structural reinforcement to withstand the weight of multiple stacked loaded boxes. Such stiffeners are typically made from metal, wood, wire or plastic and provide the necessary mechanical strength to withstand heavy loads. For example, conventional side-loading boxes, loaded with 15 to 20 pounds of articles in each box, can be stacked two boxes high without bracing. Beyond that, either the boxes must be less heavily laden or sidewall stiffeners are necessary for at least the lowermost boxes in the stack.
A further disadvantage of prior art boxes of both types lies in the fact that they are often of multi-piece construction. Such boxes are often delivered in pallet loads requiring up to four separate pallets for the boxes, the lids, the stiffeners, and the inserts. The multiple pallet loads necessitate additional manufacturing, warehousing and transportation expenses.
Thus, there is a need in the art, for a side-loading box that can be easily opened and stacked without requiring stiffeners or braces. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The present invention relates generally to management, analysis and reporting of data across various data sources and more specifically to a system and method for providing customer analytics solution integrated with statistical models and business reports to an enterprise for efficient management of customers.
With advancements in technology and increase in diversity and complexities of enterprises, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) has become a vital tool for gaining both operational and financial advantage in any enterprise. CRM generally involves various aspects of interaction between an enterprise and its customers relating to sales and/or services. Complete understanding of customer need is one of the important aspects of effective CRM implementations. Acquisition of data related to customers and analyzing customer behavior is an important factor for understanding customer needs. Further, efficient analysis leads to development and retention of customers which in turn facilitates improving business of any enterprise.
Conventionally, various enterprises adopt business intelligence tools, as part of CRM, for analyzing customer relationships with enterprises. Business intelligence tools refer to software tools employed for improving business decisions related to any enterprise. For example, various customer analytics tools exist for analyzing specific data related to customers. Further, various report generation tools exist for generating reports related to specific customer data. Typically, an enterprise need to partner with third party providers of customer analytics tool or report generation tools for obtaining analytics information related to customers. Alternately, enterprises employing customer analytics tools need to integrate with third party providers of report generation tools for obtaining reports related to customers. However, a comprehensive system that provides an effective end-to-end customer analytics solution to enterprises involving customer analytics and business reporting does not exist.
In light of the abovementioned disadvantages, there is a need for a system and method that provides an enhanced customer analytics technique to enterprises which facilitates understanding customer needs effectively to improve services and in turn sales. In addition, there is a need for a system and method that provides customer analytics to enterprises compounded with business reports related to customer data from multiple sources. Further, there is a need for a system and method that provides a unified integrated customer analytics solution which is delivered via a single platform. Furthermore, there is a need for a system and method which enables improving decision making capabilities of an enterprise independently. Also, there is a need for a system and method that facilitates automated generation of complete analytical outputs related to customers. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The present invention relates to a multilayer material for manufacturing a plain bearing etc. and a manufacturing method of the same, and more particularly to a multilayer material whose obverse material bonded to a backing material has an orientated dendrite structure and a manufacturing method of the same.
As conventional manufacturing methods of a multilayer material for a bearing having such a structure as a copper-based bearing alloy which is an obverse material is bonded to a steel strip which is a backing material, there are a sintering method and a continuous-strip casting method.
In the sintering method, a copper alloy powder to be sintered for forming a copper-based bearing alloy is spread at a predetermined thickness onto a steel strip, they being then heated in a reducing atmosphere at 850xc2x0-900xc2x0 C. so that a primary sintering thereof may be performed, thereafter they being subjected to rolling so that the density of the copper alloy powder layer may become 100%, and then they are subjected to a second sintering under the same sintering conditions as above, thereby completing the multilayer material.
In the continuous-strip casting method, a steel strip is bent into an L shape at both sides thereof so that a channel (groove) shape may be formed, it being then preheated in a reducing atmosphere up to 1,000xc2x0 C., a molten copper alloy being poured into the channel while cooling the poured copper alloy from the back side thereof by oil-quenching the back side of the steel strip, thereby unidirectionally solidifying the poured copper alloy, then the L-shaped bent portions at both of the channel sides being removed by cutting while removing unnecessary portions on the copper alloy surface by grinding, and at the final step the steel strip made to have a martensitic structure by the oil-quenching is softened by heating at 800xc2x0 C., whereby the multilayer material is completed.
In the sintering method, it is necessary to prepare facilities for the primary and secondary sintering, rolling, etc., and in the continuous-strip casting method it is also necessary to prepare facilities for forming the channel, preheating, etc. Thus, each of the methods requires a very long production line.
Further, in the sintering method there is such problems as a bonding strength between the copper alloy layer (obverse material) and the steel strip (backing material) is low and as the copper alloy structure becomes coarse in grain size together with the decrease in the strength due to the secondary sintering. On the other hand, in the continuous-strip casting method, there are such problems as the steel strip is hardened due to the quenching performed at the back side of the steel strip although the bonding strength between the copper alloy and the steel strip becomes high and as the copper alloy structure becomes coarse in grain size together with decrease in the strength due to a tempering performed thereafter for the softening thereof.
The present invention has been made to overcome the above problems of the prior art, and an object of the invention is to provide a multilayer material having a densified and fine structure and a high strength, and a manufacturing method of the same.
According to the first aspect of the invention, there is provided a multilayer material comprising a backing material and an obverse material of a metal different from the backing material, the obverse material being bonded to the backing material, the obverse material being provided with a rapidly solidified dendrite structure extending substantially vertically to the backing material, a grain size not more than 0.02 mm in a cutting plane in parallel to the backing material surface and/or a dendrite arm spacing not more than 0.02 mm in another cutting plane vertical to the backing material.
According to the second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of producing the multilayer material comprising the steps of: spreading on a backing material a powder of a metal different from the backing material; irradiating the metal powder with laser beams having an energy density of 10-100 kW/cm2 so that the metal powder is locally melted, while shifting successively the laser beams; and cooling just after the melting the melted portion from the back side of the backing material so that the melted portion is rapidly cooled and solidified.
A laser is suitable for the local heating, and good bonding between the obverse material and the backing material can be obtained by locally heating and melting the metal powder for bonding the melted metal to the backing material, and this local heating and melting can make the thermal influence on the other portions small. Insofar as the locally heated zone is concerned, the cooling of the heated portion can be more readily controlled. As regard the laser, it is preferred to use a semiconductor laser having a superior conversion efficiency of energy.
On the other hand, the copper-based alloy is one of materials having superior characteristics as a bearing alloy, and has a good wettability to a steel back metal and a superior bondability to steel back metal. Oxides present on the surfaces of copper-based alloy powder can reduce the reflection of the laser beam and can enhance the beam absorbency. The wavelength of the laser beams emitted from the semiconductor laser is 0.8-1.1 xcexcm, which provides the enhanced absorbency for the copper-based alloy. That is, the combination of the copper-based alloy with the semiconductor laser is most preferable for the practice of the present manufacturing method.
In the multilayer-manufacturing method of the invention, a metal powder 11 is spread, as shown in FIG. 2, onto a backing material 10, and then the metal powder is irradiated with laser beams 5a. The metal powder in the portion irradiated with the laser beam 5a is instantaneously melted upon absorption of the laser beams 5a and changes into a sphere 11a by surface tension, as shown in FIG. 3, where the heating rate because of the laser beams becomes 800xc2x0 C./sec or more. The molten portion in the state of the sphere 11a is, at the next moment, spread on the surface of the backing material 10 by gravity and is changed into a semi-sphere 11b, as shown in FIG. 4, while being cooled from the bottom side of the semi-sphere 11b through the backing material 10, so that the solidification proceeds upwards from the bottom side and a dendrite structure comes to extend vertically from the backing material 10.
Thus, in the method of the invention, the bimetal material (multilayer material) can be produced by the steps of spreading the metal powder onto the backing material, melting it by the laser beams, and quenching it, so that it becomes unnecessary to provide such facilities for the primary sintering, secondary sintering, rolling, etc. as to be used in the conventional sintering method, or it becomes unnecessary to provide such large-scale facilities for melting the metal and for cooling much amount of molten metal poured onto the steel strip as to be used in the continuous-strip casting method, whereby it becomes possible to shorten the production line. Further, since the metal powder spread on the backing material is locally melted rapidly and is successively cooled rapidly, the structure of the obverse material is densified and fine.
In the multilayer-manufacturing method of the invention, the energy density of the laser beams for bring about proper melting and solidifying conditions is made to be 10-100 kW/cm2. In a case where the energy density is less than 10 kW/cm2, the metal powder spread on the backing metal is not melted, whereas in another case where an energy density is more than 100 kW/cm2, even the backing material is melted, resulting in failure in forming the bimetal. Thus, in the energy density range of 10 to 100 kW/cm2, it becomes possible to obtain the bimetal of the obverse material and the backing material while keeping the proper bonding state between them.
In the multilayer-manufacturing method of the invention, the molten metal is rapidly cooled from the side of the backing material, so that the molten metal comes to become the dendrite structure extended substantially vertically to the backing material.
By use of the method, the multilayer material of the invention can be manufactured in which the dendrite structure of the obverse material is extended substantially vertically to the backing material, and the dendrite structure comes to become a rapidly cooled solidification structure having the grain size not more than 0.02 mm in the cutting plane in parallel to the backing material and/or the dendrite arm spacing not more than 0.02 mm at the cutting plane vertical to the backing material.
In the dendrite structure of the multilayer material, there are two cases, that is, in the first case it is possible to observe the presence of branches (arms) extended from a trunk-like portion, and in the second case it is impossible to observe these arms. For example, in the case of a copper-based alloy containing lead or bismuth or tin, the particles of lead or bismuth or tin come to be present among the arms extended from the trunk-like portion insofar as the solidified state thereof provided after the melting and cooling of the copper-based alloy powder is concerned, so that the presence of the arms can be observed. However, in another case of performing thereafter a heat treatment such as annealing etc. for the sake of the tempering, the particles of lead or bismuth can remain as they are among the arms, but the tin particles disappear by the heat treatments, so that the presence of the arms comes not to be observed in the case of the tin particles.
Thus, in the case where no presence of the arms of the dendrite structure is observed, the rapidly cooled solidification structure is evaluated, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, in terms of the spacing L of the dendrite which is measured in the plane cut in parallel to the backing material, the spacing L corresponding to the grain size (expressed by the unit of millimeter) of the structure in the direction of this plane. On the other hand, in the case where it is possible to observe the arms 20 as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the solidification structure is evaluated in terms of the dendrite arm spacing S (expressed by the unit of millimeter) defined between the adjacent arms in the dendrite structure. The measuring of the grain size is complied with the prescription of JIS-H-0501.
In the present multilayer material, the obverse material has the dendrite structure extended substantially vertically to the backing material. Thus, in the case of making a plain bearing by use of the multilayer material of the invention, the extending direction of the trunk-like portions in the dendrite structure coincides with the direction of a load applied from a counterpart, so that the trunk-like portions act as load-supporting poles and the plain bearing comes to have superior strength and fatigue resistance.
The obverse material has the densified and fine dendrite structure having the grain size not more than 0.02 mm and/or dendrite arm spacing not more than 0.02 mm, so that a plain bearing made of this material comes to have a superior anti-seizure property and a superior fatigue resistance. The solidified structures of a copper alloy consisting of 10 mass % tin, and 10 mass % lead, and the balance copper, which are made in accordance with the method of the invention, the conventional sintering method, and the conventional continuous-strip casting method, are shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, respectively. As apparent from the comparison of FIGS. 7A and 7B with FIGS. 8A and 8B and FIGS. 9A and 9B, the obverse material of the multilayer material of the invention has the densified and fine structure. Each of FIGS. 7A, 8A and 9A shows the structure observed on a cutting plane vertical to the backing material, whereas each of FIGS. 7B, 8B and 9B shows the structure observed at another cutting plane in parallel to the backing material, in which a copper matrix is shown as black-color portions with lead being shown as white-color portions.
In the case where both of the grain size and the dendrite arm spacing of the dendrite structure exceed 0.02 mm, no further improvement of the anti-seizure property and the fatigue resistance occurs. By making the cooling rate of the metal melted by the laser beams be not less than 100xc2x0 C./sec, the dendrite structure can surely become a rapidly solidified structure with a grain size not more than 0.02 mm and/or a dendrite arm spacing not more than 0.02 mm.
In the case of the multilayer material of the invention in which the copper-based alloy layer is bonded to the steel back metal layer, and it is possible to use the multilayer material as the material of a plain bearing. In this case, by containing not more than 30 mass % lead or bismuth in the copper-based alloy, the anti-seizure property of the plain bearing is improved because lead or bismuth acts as a solid lubricant. When the size of the grains of lead or bismuth is not more than 0.02 mm, it becomes possible to obtain the superior anti-seizure property and superior fatigue resistance regarding the plain bearing. In the case where the amount of lead or bismuth is more than 30 mass %, the strength of the matrix decreases because lead or bismuth is soft in hardness, and the anti-seizure property and fatigue resistance of the plain bearing decease in the case where the size of the grains of lead or bismuth exceeds 0.02 mm. That is, it is required for lead or bismuth to be uniformly dispersed and to be fine in size.
When the laser beams are made to travel over the fixed backing material on which the metal powder is spread or when the backing material on which metal powder is spread is made to travel under the fixed laser beams in the manufacturing method of the invention, the travelling speed is important to the manufacture of the multilayer material. When the travelling speed is less than 0.2 m/min, the metal powder comes to receive an excessive laser beam energy, resulting in melting of the backing material, whereas when the travelling speeds exceeds 5 m/min, no melting of the metal powder occurs, resulting in failure in the forming of the bimetal.
The travelling speed, and the heating rate and cooling rate of the metal powder give the influence of the laser heating on the depth of a heat-affected zone in the backing material. In the conventional continuous-strip casting method, the steel strip undergoes a martensitic transformation by a rapid cooling performed at the side of the steel strip, resulting in failure in successive processing, and thus a heat treatment at elevated temperatures becomes necessary immediately after the casting. However, in the present invention, the travelling speed of the obverse material to the laser beam or vice versa, and heating rate and cooling rate regarding the metal powder or the molten metal are appropriately set so that the heat-affected zone in the backing material may be suppressed to be not more than 0.3 mm in depth.
Insofar as the depth of the heat-affected zone in the backing material is not more than 0.3 mm, the heat-affected zone does not reach the whole of the backing material, so that it becomes unnecessary to perform any tempering treatment at an elevated temperature. However, this does not deny a heat treatment for the improvement of the quality. Further, since the backing material comes to have a double layer structure comprising the heat-affected zone and the original structure zone, such an advantage as to be brought about from a composite material occurs, which is also effective in improving the strength of the backing material itself. The heat-affected zone in the backing material means a zone where the grains are made fine in grain size in comparison with that of the original structure by the rapid heating through the laser beams and the rapid cooling.
Further, it is preferred to additionally subject the thus manufactured multilayer material to a homogenizing treatment. That is, in order to remove the segregation of the components and to relieve the strains caused due to the rapid cooling in the melting-and-solidifying step, it is preferred to perform an annealing at 400xc2x0-800xc2x0 C. for 1-10 hours in compliance with the intended object and the components of the material. However, even in this case, such an annealing temperature as to cause the change of the basic structure unidirectionally solidified should not be used. Particularly at an annealing temperature more than 600xc2x0 C., the grain is coarsened and the strength of the material decreases. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a spline forming die to be used in forming splines by forging.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Conventionally, a ring-shaped die 1 of the type shown in FIG. 6 has been used in forming splines. A multiplicity of teeth 3 each having a cross-sectional shape corresponding to that of a spline are formed around the circumferential edge of a forming land 2 inside the ring-shaped die 1, and splines having a predetermined shape are formed by inserting a metal stock, which constitutes a shaft, into the forming land 2 by forging, and drawing (extruding) the metal stock by surface pressure and shearing friction due to the teeth 3.
However, in the case of the conventional die 1, a number of problems, such as wear and galling, occur in the teeth 3 at all times owing to shearing friction which works on a spline-forming portion of the metal stock while splines are being formed on the metal stock by the teeth 3. To avoid such problems, it has been necessary to take full account of the complicated surface treatment of the teeth 3 or the surface roughness of the metal stock.
Not only does complicated frictional behavior occurs unsteadily, but also the nonuniformity of the inner portions or the dimensions of individual metal stocks causes the frictional behavior to vary further complicatedly, so that unstable characteristics or dimensional errors occur in products.
In addition, it has been difficult to form large-module splines because of the limitation of plastic deformation due to the friction of the metal stock. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus, and particularly to a multipurpose dedicated imaging apparatus having improved features for imaging the region of the vertebral column under different load conditions.
2. Description of the Related Art
Imaging the vertebral column may require the possibility of bringing the patient in an upright position in order to have the vertebral column loaded by the weight of the patient. In the normal laying down position of the patient on a bed or table having an horizontal orientation, the vertebral column will be in an unloaded and ideal condition. Thus, most pathologies may not arise clearly and the examination will lead to unclear results or to negative results despite the fact that the patient is showing typical symptoms of a disease of the vertebral column.
Most spinal disease can be best evaluated by imaging the anatomic region with the patient having different postures particularly a posture in which the patient is bent as a sitting position or a forward leaned position. Furthermore for best imaging the anatomic region it might be advantageous to be able to take images of the spine according to differently oriented imaging planes corresponding to different orientation of the static field direction parallel to a front/rear section plane of the patient or to a lateral section plane of the patient. The possibility of assuming different positions within the poles of a MRI apparatus are also important when interventions has to be carried out during the imaging process. In this case the patient position relative to the magnetic structure is important for leaving enough free space for the medical personal to reach the anatomic region where the intervention has to be carried out.
Allowing that the patient can assume different postures is also very important, since in case of pathological conditions the patient cannot take some postures for a long time without suffering pain. Since imaging sequences need normally a long time to be carried out in a manner of furnishing images of the anatomic region which are useful for diagnostic purposes, the patient must be able to maintain a certain position without making any movement for such a long time, which is impossible or at least highly disagreeable when the said position is associated with a posture of the patient at which the patient experiences pain.
Furthermore it is also relevant to ensure the possibility of carrying out a range as wide as possible of imaging different anatomical districts with one and the same imaging apparatus.
Actually known magnetic resonance imaging apparati use so called total body scanners which magnetic structure houses the entire body or a considerable part of it inside the patient examining space defined by the magnetic structure.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,414,490 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,504,371 disclose magnetic resonance imaging apparatus of the above mentioned kind. The magnetic structure is designed to generate a horizontal magnetic field. The patient is brought inside the examining space by means of a patient positioning device which is a bed or table mounted on a carriage, which bed or table can be further tilted around horizontal axis for giving different orientations to the bed or table with respect to the vertical direction. Furthermore, in order to focus the region of the patient to be imaged, the bed or table or carriage may be associated with an elevator which displaces the patient up and down relative to the examining space between the poles of the magnetic structure.
The patient positioning device is also relative expensive due to the fact that the tiltable or swingable bed or table and the elevator for displacing the patient relative to the imaging space in the magnetic structure are mounted on a carriage.
On the other hand, even if the anatomic region of the vertebral column is a very large one, usually examination through imaging is carried out for only a certain specific part of the vertebral column.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,190 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,056 disclose an MRI apparatus in which the poles of the magnetic structure have opposite surfaces delimiting an imaging space which surfaces are parallel to one another and which surfaces are oriented at an angle relative to a bed or table where the patient is laying. The bed or the table can be displaced along two perpendicular axes which are parallel to the plane defined by them.
Also in this case the magnetic structure is very big and there is a need of different patient supporting devices in order of allowing the patient to take different positions such as a laying position and a sitting position.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,011,396 shows a displaceable MRI apparatus which is mounted on a carriage and which has a magnetic structure with two opposite poles having surfaces limiting an image volume which are parallel one with respect to the other and oriented vertically. The two poles are tiltable together along the said vertical planes and have a relative distance which allow to drive between the two poles different devices for supporting a patient such as a table, a bed or a seat.
This MRI apparatus is indeed very small. Nevertheless for imaging the patient in different positions, particularly in a upright position, an elevator for the relative heavy magnetic structure is needed which on the other hand will have a correspondingly strong construction. Since the patient supporting and/or retaining device is a normal device such as a bed a seat or the like, no particular device is provided which is mechanically linked to the magnetic structure in order of having a precise and controlled relative positioning of the patient and of the magnetic structure.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,315 discloses an MRI apparatus having a thin annular magnetic structure which is mounted on a supporting frame allowing the said annular magnetic structure to be tilted around a first diametric axis and a second axis coinciding with the central axis of the annular magnetic structure. Furthermore the annular structure can be displaced along a vertical axis.
In the case of this device, the annular magnetic structure must have a very large diameter in order to allow access of the medical personal to the anatomical region of patient which is subjected to imaging.
Most of the actual devices are very big, heavy, and expensive. Big and heavy magnetic structures have problems of installation, since the room where the imaging apparatus has to be installed must necessarily have a floor which can support the weight of the imaging apparatus. Furthermore, the room must be sufficiently big to permit installation. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to methods and systems for production of hydrocarbons, hydrogen, and/or other products from various subsurface formations such as hydrocarbon containing formations. Certain embodiments relate to producing alkylated hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbons produced from the subsurface formations.
2. Description of Related Art
Hydrocarbons obtained from subterranean formations are often used as energy resources, as feedstocks, and as consumer products. Concerns over depletion of available hydrocarbon resources and concerns over declining overall quality of produced hydrocarbons have led to development of processes for more efficient recovery, processing and/or use of available hydrocarbon resources. In situ processes may be used to remove hydrocarbon materials from subterranean formations. Chemical and/or physical properties of hydrocarbon material in a subterranean formation may need to be changed to allow hydrocarbon material to be more easily removed from the subterranean formation. The chemical and physical changes may include in situ reactions that produce removable fluids, composition changes, solubility changes, density changes, phase changes, and/or viscosity changes of the hydrocarbon material in the formation. A fluid may be, but is not limited to, a gas, a liquid, an emulsion, a slurry, and/or a stream of solid particles that has flow characteristics similar to liquid flow.
A wellbore may be formed in a formation. In some embodiments wellbores may be formed using reverse circulation drilling methods. Reverse circulation methods are suggested, for example, in published U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004-0079553 to Livingstone, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,854,534 to Livingstone; 6,892,829 to Livingstone, 7,090,018 to Livingstone; and 4,823,890 to Lang, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Reverse circulation methods generally involve circulating a drilling fluid to a drilling bit through an annulus between concentric tubulars to the borehole in the vicinity of the drill bit, and then through openings in the drill bit and to the surface through the center of the concentric tubulars, with cuttings from the drilling being carried to the surface with the drilling fluid rising through the center tubular. A wiper or shroud may be provided above the drill bit and above a point where the drilling fluid exits the annulus to prevent the drilling fluid from mixing with formation fluids. The drilling fluids may be, but is not limited to, air, water, brines and/or conventional drilling fluids.
In some embodiments, a casing or other pipe system may be placed or formed in a wellbore. U.S. Pat. No. 4,572,299 issued to Van Egmond et al., which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein, describes spooling an electric heater into a well. In some embodiments, components of a piping system may be welded together. Quality of formed wells may be monitored by various techniques. In some embodiments, quality of welds may be inspected by a hybrid electromagnetic acoustic transmission technique known as EMAT. EMAT is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,652,389 to Schaps et al.; 5,760,307 to Latimer et al.; 5,777,229 to Geier et al.; and 6,155,117 to Stevens et al., each of which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
In some embodiments, an expandable tubular may be used in a wellbore. Expandable tubulars are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,366,012 to Lohbeck, and 6,354,373 to Vercaemer et al., each of which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
Heaters may be placed in wellbores to heat a formation during an in situ process. Examples of in situ processes utilizing downhole heaters are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,634,961 to Ljungstrom; 2,732,195 to Ljungstrom; 2,780,450 to Ljungstrom; 2,789,805 to Ljungstrom; 2,923,535 to Ljungstrom; and 4,886,118 to Van Meurs et al.; each of which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
Application of heat to oil shale formations is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,923,535 to Ljungstrom and 4,886,118 to Van Meurs et al. Heat may be applied to the oil shale formation to pyrolyze kerogen in the oil shale formation. The heat may also fracture the formation to increase permeability of the formation. The increased permeability may allow formation fluid to travel to a production well where the fluid is removed from the oil shale formation. In some processes disclosed by Ljungstrom, for example, an oxygen containing gaseous medium is introduced to a permeable stratum, preferably while still hot from a preheating step, to initiate combustion.
A heat source may be used to heat a subterranean formation. Electric heaters may be used to heat the subterranean formation by radiation and/or conduction. An electric heater may resistively heat an element. U.S. Pat. No. 2,548,360 to Germain, which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein, describes an electric heating element placed in a viscous oil in a wellbore. The heater element heats and thins the oil to allow the oil to be pumped from the wellbore. U.S. Pat. No. 4,716,960 to Eastlund et al., which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein, describes electrically heating tubing of a petroleum well by passing a relatively low voltage current through the tubing to prevent formation of solids. U.S. Pat. No. 5,065,818 to Van Egmond, which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein, describes an electric heating element that is cemented into a well borehole without a casing surrounding the heating element.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,023,554 to Vinegar et al., which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein, describes an electric heating element that is positioned in a casing. The heating element generates radiant energy that heats the casing. A granular solid fill material may be placed between the casing and the formation. The casing may conductively heat the fill material, which in turn conductively heats the formation.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,570,715 to Van Meurs et al., which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein, describes an electric heating element. The heating element has an electrically conductive core, a surrounding layer of insulating material, and a surrounding metallic sheath. The conductive core may have a relatively low resistance at high temperatures. The insulating material may have electrical resistance, compressive strength, and heat conductivity properties that are relatively high at high temperatures. The insulating layer may inhibit arcing from the core to the metallic sheath. The metallic sheath may have tensile strength and creep resistance properties that are relatively high at high temperatures.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,287 to Van Egmond, which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein, describes an electrical heating element having a copper-nickel alloy core.
Obtaining permeability in an oil shale formation between injection and production wells tends to be difficult because oil shale is often substantially impermeable. Many methods have attempted to link injection and production wells. These methods include: hydraulic fracturing such as methods investigated by Dow Chemical and Laramie Energy Research Center; electrical fracturing by methods investigated by Laramie Energy Research Center; acid leaching of limestone cavities by methods investigated by Dow Chemical; steam injection into permeable nahcolite zones to dissolve the nahcolite by methods investigated by Shell Oil and Equity Oil; fracturing with chemical explosives by methods investigated by Talley Energy Systems; fracturing with nuclear explosives by methods investigated by Project Bronco; and combinations of these methods. Many of these methods, however, have relatively high operating costs and lack sufficient injection capacity.
Large deposits of heavy hydrocarbons (heavy oil and/or tar) contained in relatively permeable formations (for example in tar sands) are found in North America, South America, Africa, and Asia. Tar can be surface-mined and upgraded to lighter hydrocarbons such as crude oil, naphtha, kerosene, and/or gas oil. Surface milling processes may further separate the bitumen from sand. The separated bitumen may be converted to light hydrocarbons using conventional refinery methods. Mining and upgrading tar sand is usually substantially more expensive than producing lighter hydrocarbons from conventional oil reservoirs.
In situ production of hydrocarbons from tar sand may be accomplished by heating and/or injecting a gas into the formation. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,211,230 to Ostapovich et al. and 5,339,897 to Leaute, which are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein, describe a horizontal production well located in an oil-bearing reservoir. A vertical conduit may be used to inject an oxidant gas into the reservoir for in situ combustion.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,780,450 to Ljungstrom describes heating bituminous geological formations in situ to convert or crack a liquid tar-like substance into oils and gases.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,597,441 to Ware et al., which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein, describes contacting oil, heat, and hydrogen simultaneously in a reservoir. Hydrogenation may enhance recovery of oil from the reservoir.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,559 to Glandt and U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,726 to Glandt et al., which are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein, describe preheating a portion of a tar sand formation between an injector well and a producer well. Steam may be injected from the injector well into the formation to produce hydrocarbons at the producer well.
As outlined above, there has been a significant amount of effort to develop methods and systems to economically produce hydrocarbons, hydrogen, and/or other products from hydrocarbon containing formations. At present, however, there are still many hydrocarbon containing formations from which hydrocarbons, hydrogen, and/or other products cannot be economically produced. Thus, there is still a need for improved methods and systems for production of hydrocarbons, hydrogen, and/or other products from various hydrocarbon containing formations. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal conditions by use of transcutaneous electrical stimulation modalities and more particularly to methods and systems for such treatment using a conductive electrical garment.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electrical stimulation modalities, such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulations (“TENS”), are common techniques used to reduce the amount of pain and inflammation experienced by patients. It sends electrical impulses through the neuromusculoskeletal system to block pain signals, improve circulation and promote healing in patients.
Typically, electrical stimulation devices operate with two electrode pairs, for a maximum of four pads at a time. This allows a user to apply electrical stimulation at up to two sections of their body (usually in positions that are “linked” to the specific type of pain experienced).
Most electrical stimulation devices (e.g., TENS units, muscle stimulation devices, etc) use some form of adhesive to ensure contact between the electrode pad and the user's skin. This is not only uncomfortable to the user/patient, but the adhesive effect will eventually wear off and require replacement of the pads. Further, it is difficult for a user to place and apply these electrodes/pads on difficult to reach areas of the body. An example would be the placement on one's back or neck. This is especially difficult to apply when an individual is in pain.
Other electrical stimulation devices use constrictive electrical garments, which are inconvenient to the user/patient. Examples are back braces and vests with electrode/pads.
None of these devices provide a solution where a user can simply and freely position themselves on a resistive, pressure relieving orthopedic material, which holds them in the correct posture while getting the intended benefits of electrical stimulation.
Furthermore, the existing devices do not appear to easily, comfortably and effectively allow for a combination with orthopedic devices (e.g., orthopedic pillows) so that a user/patient may benefit from a combined and simultaneous treatment. When a patient/individual is in pain, and she seeks electrical stimulation for pain relief for example, there is a high probability that the pain is being caused by a misalignment of the skeletal system. By using the traditional method of electrical stimulation, you are stimulating an area that may have a muscular/skeletal misalignment, which could be the source of pain or referring pain to other parts of the body. It would be much more effective to use electrical stimulation in conjunction with an orthopedic device, such as an orthopedic pillow or lumbar support pillow, so that one can ensure that an individual is maintaining proper posture or muscular skeletal alignment during electrical stimulation. Providing various types of electrical stimulation to these affected areas, in conjunction with an orthopedic device, may improve blood flow to assist in pain relief and healing to that region, as well reducing potential impinged nerves. In addition, this solution may promote proper muscle memory thereby improving the integrity of the muscular skeletal region/system.
Thus, there is a need for a new and improved apparatus, system and method that solve the above problems.
The problems and the associated solutions presented in this section could be or could have been pursued, but they are not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches presented in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their presence in this section of the application. | {
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With a liquid chromatograph, an autosampler is used so that one liquid sample among a plurality of liquid samples is automatically selected and introduced into a column. FIGS. 1A and 1B show a schematic views of the flow path of an autosampler in a previous liquid chromatograph.
In FIGS. 1A and 1B, high-pressure valve 1 is a flow path switching valve having 6 ports, a through f, and low-pressure valve 2 is a flow path switching valve having 7 ports, g through m. In high-pressure valve 1, port a is connected to a mobile phase flow path to which a mobile phase is supplied; port b is connected to needle 11; port c is connected to port k of low-pressure valve 2; port d is connected to a drain via a solenoid valve 12; port e is connected to an injection port 13; and port f is connected to a flow path that leads to a column. At low-pressure valve 2, port g is connected to a mobile phase; ports h and i are connected to cleaning liquids R1 and R2, respectively; port j is connected to a measuring-pump 14; port k is connected to port c of high-pressure valve 1; port l is connected to a cleaning port 15; and port m is constructed to be connectable to any one of ports g through l while connecting adjacent ports g through l to each other.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system for the autosampler. High-pressure valve 1, low-pressure valve 2, measuring-pump 14 and a movement mechanism 6 of needle 11 are connected to a control unit 7. Control unit 7 selects and switches the ports of high-pressure valve 1 and low-pressure valve 2, drives a plunger of measuring-pump 14 and controls the movement of needle 11.
The basic operation of the afore-described autosampler involved in the introduction of samples is described next. To collect a sample, the respective ports of high-pressure valve 1 and low-pressure valve 2 are connected as shown in FIG. 1A to establish a load mode. Needle 11 is then moved to a position above a sample vial, and the tip of needle 11 is inserted into a sample solution. (This is the state shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 1A.) When the plunger of measuring-pump 14 is withdrawn in this state, a predetermined amount of sample solution is drawn in by suction from the vial via a mobile phase (or a cleaning liquid having the same components) that fills the flow path leading from measuring-pump 14 to needle 11 and fills sample loop 16.
After the sample is collected, needle 11 returns to injection port 13 and is connected to injection port 13, switching the connection state of the respective ports of high-pressure valve 1 to that shown in FIG. 1B (injection mode). When this happens, the mobile phase that is supplied from a liquid feeding pump 3 is sent to column 4 via sample loop 16, needle 11 and injection port 13. The sample solution that fills sample loop 16 is supplied to column 4 together with the mobile phase and is separated into components as the sample solution passes through column 4. The components are then sequentially detected by detectors that are not illustrated.
Needle 11 to which a sample solution is adhered due to the afore-described sample collection operation is cleaned in the following way. First, port m and port h of low-pressure valve 2 are connected. The plunger of measuring-pump 14 is withdrawn in this state to draw in cleaning liquid R1 by suction (FIG. 3A). Next, after port m and port l of low-pressure valve 2 are connected, the plunger of measuring-pump 14 is pushed down (FIG. 3B). This causes cleaning liquid R1 to be drawn into and to be held inside cleaning port 15. Next, needle 11 is moved to a position above cleaning port 15 and is immersed into and is cleaned by the cleaning liquid that is present in cleaning port 15. While needle ills so immersed, the cleaning liquid is made to flow into cleaning port 15 from the bottom of cleaning port 15 and to flow out from the top of cleaning port 15 so that the cleaning liquid in cleaning port 15 is kept always clean, thus increasing the cleaning effect on the tip of needle 11. Methods for cleaning the needle proposed in the past include those where a plurality of cleaning methods is used for the cleaning (e.g., Patent Literature 1) and a method where the needle is cleaned by using a high flow rate for the cleaning liquid (e.g., Patent Literature 2).
After needle 11 has been cleaned for a predetermined amount of time by the cleaning liquid, needle 11 is moved to injection port 13. The waste cleaning liquid is discharged to a drain from cleaning port 15.
With the afore-described autosampler, the afore-described cleaning operation of needle 11 is performed every time after the completion of the introduction of a sample. This significantly reduces the cross-contamination of the next sample solution by the previous sample solution but does not completely eliminate the cross-contamination because of the following reasons.
FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of the connection area between injection port 13 and needle 11. A through-hole 17 is formed through the center of injection port 13. A funnel-shaped sealing-surface 18 is formed at the upper end of through-hole 17. Because the tip of needle 11 is tapered, as needle 11 is lowered and inserted into through-hole 17 of injection port 13, there comes a point where needle 11 has been lowered enough to form a liquid-tight contact and seal between the outer peripheral surface of the tip of needle 11 and sealing-surface 18.
When a sample solution is drawn in by suction from a vial, some of the sample solution adheres to the outer peripheral surface of the tip of needle 11. Because needle 11 is inserted in this condition into injection port 13, some of the sample solution adheres to a part (“contact point 19”) of sealing-surface 18 that comes into contact with needle 11. Even when a mobile phase flows from needle 11 to through-hole 17 of injection port 13, the sample solution that was present at contact point 19 is not washed away by the mobile phase and remains there. This means that when the next sample solution is introduced into injection port 13 by needle 11, it becomes possible for the sample solution that remained on contact point 19 of sealing-surface 18 to be pushed by needle 11 into and mixed with the flow path.
One solution that has been proposed to solve problems such as this is to clean sealing-surface 18 by introducing a cleaning liquid into injection port 13 from needle 11 while keeping the tip of needle 11 slightly elevated above sealing-surface 18 (see Patent Literature 3). When doing this, any cleaning liquid that is introduced into injection port 13 that overflows from injection port 13 contaminates the surrounding areas. To address this problem, with the autosampler according to Patent Literature 3, injection port 13 is surrounded by a partition and the cleaning liquid that overflows into the partitioned area is forcibly expelled by an air pump to prevent contamination by the cleaning liquid (waste cleaning liquid). | {
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1. Field
The present disclosure relates to optical films for reducing color shift and/or organic light-emitting display apparatuses employing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
An organic light-emitting diode (OLED) includes an anode, an organic light-emitting layer, and a cathode. Here, when a voltage is applied between the anode and the cathode, holes are injected from the anode into the organic light-emitting layer, whereas electrons are injected from the cathode into the organic light-emitting layer. At this point, the holes and electrons injected into the organic light-emitting layer are re-combined and generate excitons, and light is emitted as the excitons transit from excited state to ground state.
Because a light-emitting body of such an OLED is an organic material, the lifespan deterioration is the core problem regarding the development of OLED, and many techniques are being focused to resolve the problem.
From among the techniques, a technique using a microcavity structure is a technique for increasing an intensity of a light of a particular wavelength by resonating the light and emitting the light of the particular wavelength to outside. In other words, the microcavity structure is a structure in which distances between anodes and cathodes are designed to respectively correspond to representative wavelengths of red (R), green (G), and blue (B), so that only light of wavelengths corresponding thereto resonate and are emitted, and lights of other wavelengths are weakened. As a result, light emitted to outside of the structure becomes more intense and sharper, thereby improving brightness and color purity. Furthermore, increased brightness causes reduced power consumption, thereby inducing increased lifespan.
However, in a microcavity structure, wavelengths to be amplified are determined based on a thickness of an organic deposition material layer. Here, a length of a light path changes at lateral sides, thereby causing an effect similar to a change in the thickness of an organic deposition material layer. Therefore, the wavelengths to be amplified are changed.
In other words, as the viewing angle is tilted from the front to a side, the maximum resolution wavelength becomes shorter, and thus a color shift occurs as the maximum resolution wavelength decreases. For example, even if white color is embodied at the front, the white color may become bluish at a lateral side due to blue shift phenomenon. | {
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This invention relates to waveform generators and more particularly to waveform generators to generate COS(w.sub.o + w.sub.m)t, SIN(w.sub.o + w.sub.m)t, COS(w.sub.o - w.sub.m)t and SIN(w.sub.o - w.sub.m)t waveforms.
In the past waveform generators to produce the above-mentioned waveforms included multiple sine wave generators locked to a frequency standard by phase locked loops to form the appropriate sine and cosine waveforms.
The shortcomings of the prior art waveform generators is that the circuitry is analog and more complicated, there are inherent errors in maintaining the current phase relationship and there are problems in switching frequency. | {
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A disk-type recording medium such as a Compact Disk (CD) can store high-quality digital audio data permanently, so that it is a popular recording medium. Recently, a Digital Versatile Disk (called ‘DVD’ hereinafter) has been developed as a new disk-type recording medium. A DVD can store much larger size than a CD, such that high-quality moving pictures or audio data are recorded in a DVD for a longer time. Therefore, a DVD will be used widely in the near future.
There are three types in a DVD, DVD-ROM for read-only, DVD-R for write-once, and DVD-RAM or DVD-RW for rewritable. For a rewritable DVD, the standardization of data writing format is in progress.
A disk recording apparatus records an input audio signal to the high-capacity rewritable disk through the following operations. At first, the disk recording apparatus samples at fixed rate an analog audio signal received from an external source. The sampled digital data are encoded into compressed audio data which are converted to EFM binary signals suitable for being written onto the rewritable disk. The converted binary signals are written along a spiral track of the rewritable disk, and the written data are grouped into an ‘Audio Object’ (called ‘AOB hereinafter). The disk recording apparatus creates navigation data for using when searching the written AOB and also writes the navigation data in an appropriate area of the rewritable disk. The navigation data are generated for every creation of an AOB.
An AOB is composed of a plurality of Audio Object Units (called ‘AOBU’s hereinafter). Information regarding the plurality of AOBUs is written in an audio manager information field for the AOB.
Data streams received for a fixed time, for example, 1 second may be grouped into a single AOBU. In case that data streams are received at variable bit rate, the size of each AOBU becomes different from each other if an AOBU groups the written data every 1 second. Therefore, each size information of AOBUs should be written in the audio manager information field allocated for the AOB composed of these AOBUs.
If the input (or writing) bit rate of an audio data stream is very low, the amount of data written during 1 second is much small; however, the received data are grouped into a single AOBU in spite of its small size. Therefore, the number of AOBUs is increased remarkably, which brings about large amount of management information for many AOBUs. The increment of management information reduces a recordable area for real audio data streams.
An AOBU is composed of a plurality of packs whose size is not the exact multiple of an audio frame containing the audio data stream, so that a single audio frame is divided and written in two packs if the remaining area of a pack is smaller than the size of an audio frame. However, an audio frame is not divided at the last pack of an AOBU even though the remaining area of the last pack is insufficient. At this time, the remaining area of the last pack is left unwritten without writing valid data.
Therefore, in case that input data streams are recorded at constant bit rate and data streams received for a fixed time are grouped into a single AOBU, there arise relatively many AOBUs if the input (or writing) bit rate is very low. As a result, the unwritten areas arisen at every last pack of AOBUs are increased remarkably. The increment of unwritten areas reduces a substantial recordable area allocated for real audio data streams. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a device for introducing lawn care chemicals into an irrigation system, and in particular, to a pressurized container which is compatible with a main water supply line for dispersing fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides through a sprinkler system.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The proper treatment and care of lawns is highly desirable to prevent destruction from insects and deterioration from malnutrition. The mixture and application of treatment solutions, however, is a time consuming procedure that requires close attention to chemical-water ratios and their distribution. Since proper care equates to scheduled maintenance, many lawns and gardens become neglected, resulting in unnecessary refurbishing costs. Moreover, lawns, gardens, and vegetation still fall victim to improper maintenance, despite consistent care when poorly balanced solutions are administered.
The prior art contemplates numerous devices for dispersing materials that tend to be too complicated, ineffective, or expensive to be commercially reasonable. U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,913, issued to Riding, teaches a water treatment device for dissolving solid water soluble chemicals, such as fertilizers, into an irrigation system. The Riding device directs water into an upright container having an inlet pipe located above an outlet pipe, wherein both pipes are tied into the supply line. The supply pipe directs a stream of water into the container, over pellets, and back into the main line. This device, however, is only designed for solid chemicals, is easily clogged, and maintains no feature for controlling concentration. As a result, lawns are susceptible to inadequate protection from solutions that are too diluted and to damage from highly concentrated solutions.
The fertilizer container disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,750,512, issued to Craig, feeds water from a supply line into the top of a fertilizer container, downwards over the fertilizer, and through an outlet bore. However, the outlet perforations disclosed in Craig easily clog, causing non-uniform flows of fertilizer are released from the container.
U.S Pat. No. 4,898,202, also issued to Craig as a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No. 4,750,512, introduces a fertilizer container for sprinkler systems that employs an external container, a pressurized chamber, and a plurality of tubes. Water percolates through the chamber and over the fertilizer, lifting a concentrated solution upward then down through tubes and into an outlet bore. Unfortunately, undissolved particles clog the tubes or even pass through the tubes, allowing undiluted chemicals to burn vegetation. Furthermore, since this system passes water directly through the fertilizer, it is not adequate for liquid chemicals or for controlling concentrations.
A variety of other systems presently known in the art which have attempted to introduce chemicals into a water supply line have resulted in complicated, awkward, and inefficient design. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 3,974,847, issued to Hodges, U.S. Pat. No. 3,943,960, issued to Syrenne, U.S. Pat. No. 3,118,462, issued to Pannutti, and U.S. Pat. No. 1,855,323, issued to Sirch incorporate complex valves, intricate linkages, and expensive fittings to disperse and apply chemicals. These designs employ an overabundance of hardware which increase manufacturing cost, consumer price, and maintenance fees. Furthermore, these complicated designs tend to be unreliable and inefficient. As a result, the foregoing have met with little consumer approval.
While the aforementioned devices disclose various designs to introduce water solvent chemicals into a main water line, no such device teaches the benefits of a low profile design capable of accurately introducing chemicals into a water sprinkler system for distribution in lawn care. Furthermore, these devices tend to concentrate only on solid additives that do not always adequately dissolve and that tend to cause blockage. Therefore, there exists a need for a system that automatically filters fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides into a sprinkler system in a convenient, efficient manner. This invention is intended to address and solve these problems, which are not adequately resolved by the prior inventions. | {
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This section introduces information from the art that may be related to or provide context for some aspects of the technique described herein and/or claimed below. This information is background facilitating a better understanding of that which is disclosed herein. This is a discussion of “related” art. That such art is related in no way implies that it is also “prior” art. The related art may or may not be prior art. The discussion is to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.
An AC link power converter is, in general, a device that converts an input power signal to meet the operating requirements of an electrical load. The conventional AC Link power converter firmware is programmed to operate specifically with a single type of input and output. Any change in input characteristics or output characteristics requires significant rework of the firmware. Additionally, the existing firmware only supports single-input/single-output operation. Multiport capabilities are not supported. Switching order and selection in conventional AC Link power converters is hardcoded into the firmware, requiring complete firmware redesign for every application.
More particularly, changes in input and/or output have required an intensive firmware rework effort for each type of converter. Existing switching logic for three-phase AC-DC, single phase AC-DC, and DC-DC converters are all substantially different and do not lend themselves to use in new converter configurations. Any modifications or changes (such as handling an inverted DC voltage) required a substantial reprogramming and debugging effort. Other configurations, such as performing AC-AC conversion or multiport operation have not even been attempted because of the complexity involved.
The presently disclosed technique is directed to resolving, or at least reducing, one or all of the problems mentioned above. Even if solutions are available to the art to address these issues, the art is always receptive to improvements or alternative means, methods and configurations. Thus, there exists and need for a technique such as that disclosed herein. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of treating sheet materials pressed against rotary drums after being treated with heat and/or moisture and, more particularly, to an apparatus for controlling the surface gloss of a calendered paper sheet.
2. Background of the Related Art
One of the aspects by which sheet materials are graded is the gloss of the sheet surface. For example, paper may be categorized into various grades of paper having different degrees of surface gloss for various applications. Bulk paper is typically produced in a continuous sheet that is wound in a roll. The paper roll may have a dimension in the cross-direction, that is, across the width of the sheet, of 25 feet or more. The continuous sheet may then be unrolled and cut into individual sheets of the desired size. The consistency of the surface gloss of the individual sheets depends upon the uniformity of the surface gloss of the original bulk paper roll. Thus, it is very important to have a uniform surface gloss across the continuous bulk paper roll.
Paper production of a bulk paper roll typically involves a calendering process that includes pressing the paper sheet material between calender rolls to obtain the desired characteristics. For example, subjecting a paper sheet to the calendering process can change its density, thickness, smoothness, and gloss. Gloss is conventionally controlled by applying steam to the surface of the paper, followed by pressing the paper sheet between a series of calender rolls. Typically, the series of calender rolls are arranged in a stack, alternating between hard, polished steel rolls and soft, resilient rolls made of cotton. The paper absorbs the heat and moisture of the steam, and paper fibers at the sheet surface are softened. As the polished steel roll comes into contact with the paper surface that has been treated with steam, the paper surface is smoothed and pressed flat by the pressing and rubbing action of the hard steel roll against an adjacent soft roll, producing a glossy finish on the surface of the paper facing the steel roll. The process is not unlike treating a laundered shirt with a steam iron and ironing board to produce a smoother, brighter, and more glossy shirt surface. The degree of gloss is dependent on the amount of heat, moisture and pressure applied. Coatings may also be applied to the sheet material to further control the degree of gloss.
A common problem encountered in making a glossy finish on a paper surface using a steam treatment is the non-uniformity of the glossy finish. As noted, it is important to have a uniform surface gloss across the entire bulk paper roll. Variations in the glossy finish may be a result of localized variations in the amount of steam applied to the paper and other variables in the calendering process, such as localized temperature variations and changes in the calender roll pressure. It is known to independently vary the amount of steam directed at the sheet material in different sections of the sheet in the cross-direction of the paper surface, thereby obtaining a more uniform gloss finish. The independent variation may be achieved by a sectionalized steam shower comprising a plurality of steam nozzles distributed across the paper sheet in the cross direction. This is discussed, for example, in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,786,529 to Boissevain.
A potential problem with many systems that regulate the amount of steam applied to the surface of paper lies with the fact that steam is used. Saturated steam is normally employed in such systems so that, upon contact with the sheet, the condensing steam will liberate a substantial amount of heat energy to the sheet. For saturated steam at a given pressure, the relationship between moisture and heat is fixed. Thus, for a given volume and flow of steam applied to a paper surface, there will be a given amount of heat and water in the steam. For example, it has previously been discussed that a coating may be applied to the paper in order to control the gloss of the surface finish. With some coatings, applying steam to the paper beyond a given amount causes the coating to separate from the sheet surface. In this situation, the amount of steam applied must then be decreased. Depending on the coating and paper involved, the coating may become separated from the sheet because of either too much moisture or too much heat. However, decreasing the amount of steam applied to the paper also decreases the amount of both heat and moisture applied to the paper. Decreasing both heat and moisture may adversely affect other aspects of the paper quality, such as smoothness. Accordingly, the present inventors have realized that it would be desirable to control the separation of the coating from the paper while maintaining other aspects of paper quality, such as the smoothness or gloss of the paper surface, by separately and independently controlling the amount of heat and moisture applied to the paper.
Another problem associated with applying steam to paper in order to control surface gloss is condensate dripping. When steam is directed at a paper surface, not all of the steam is deposited on the paper. Due to the high temperature of the steam and the speed of the steam flow, the steam has a great deal of kinetic energy. Some of the steam bounces off of the surface of the paper and condenses on the machinery associated with the calendering process. When enough of the steam has condensed, water droplets may form and drip onto the continuous paper sheet making its way through the calender stacks. This produces a localized variation in the amount of moisture applied to the paper sheet. This again results in a localized variation in the gloss finish of the sheet material. In addition, steam may condense on a cooler portion of paper surface or on the steel roll itself, again affecting amount of moisture applied to the paper surface and the surface gloss of the paper.
In addition to condensate dripping, another problem associated with applying steam to the paper surface is that the steam, intended to effect gloss, also tends to heat the paper which, in turn, heats the steel calender roll When the steel calender roll is heated, it expands slightly. This changes the pressing action at the location where the steel roll meets the soft roll, also referred to as the nip. As noted previously, the calendering process changes the density, thickness, smoothness, and gloss of the paper sheet. Thus, unintentional changes the pressing action of the steel roll against the soft roll results in changes to the calendering process that cannot be accurately predicted and that may adversely affect paper quality. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to downhole well tools and more particularly to devices for running into and out of a well on a handling string for generating a force for moving an object in the well bore after temporarily anchoring the lower portion of such handling string in the well.
2. Related Art and Information
It has been common practice to use hydraulically actuated piston/cylinder arrangements for applying a force to accomplish a remote task. Well packers, well safety valves, well pumps, and the like have been actuated at downhole locations by supplying pressurized fluid thereto from the surface through a fluid conduit, or control line. Oftentimes it is desirable to slide a sleeve valve which is stuck, or move an object which is lodged in the well. This may involve moving the sliding sleeve valve up or down, or both; and may involve moving the lodged object up or down, or both. Such work may ordinarily require an expensive rig and a sturdy handling string.
Wire line and wireline tools have been used only for light work of this type, and reeled tubing has been used also. Rigs for wire line and reeled tubing are more highly mobile than are larger rigs, and they are much less expensive. However, wire line is of limited tensile strength, it is very flexible and cannot transmit a pushing force, and requires jars for moving objects which do not move easily. Similarly, reeled tubing is of limited weight and tensile strength, and since it is relatively flexible it can apply only light pulling or pushing forces. Therefore, wireline equipment cannot be used effectively for many such jobs, and neither can reeled tubing. Wireline equipment cannot be used in horizontal wells since it is dependent upon the force of gravity not only for moving the tools and wire into the well, but for operating the jars for generating impacts downhole in response to manipulation of the wire line at the surface. Reeled tubing, while having greater strength and rigidity than wire line, and can be used in horizontal well operations, is nevertheless very limited in both pulling and pushing, particularly the latter, since it is subject to great drag which hastens its failure in column loading.
It, therefore, has been desirable to be able to perform such push or pull operations using reeled tubing. It has been especially desirable to perform such push and pull operations in horizontal and slanted or curved well bores.
Reeled tubing can carry considerable fluid pressure. The present invention provides hydraulic devices which can be attached to a reeled tubing, run into a well, even a horizontal well until the object to be moved is engaged. The reeled tubing is then pressurized to anchor the hydraulic device in the well and is further pressurized to generate an axial force which is applied to the object, tending to move the same.
Examples of hydraulically actuated anchoring devices as well as piston/cylinder arrangements are found in the U.S. patents listed below. There is also found patents teaching use of reeled tubing for shifting sleeve valves. (One copy each of the most pertinent patents are being submitted with this application.)
______________________________________ U.S. Pat. Nos. ______________________________________ RE. 25,381 2,765,853 2,989,121 3,096,824 3,142,339 3,221,227 3,223,169 3,233,675 3,276,793 3,277,965 3,326,292 3,329,210 3,338,308 3,356,145 3,376,927 3,381,752 3,422,899 3,425,489 3,454,090 3,497,001 3,599,712 3,658,127 3,701,382 3,893,512 4,274,486 4,453,599 4,862,958 4,928,770 4,928,772 ______________________________________
U.S. Pat. No. 2,765,853 and its reissue, Patent Re. 25, 381 teach use of pressure responsive hold-down members for preventing the upward displacement of a packer by a fluid pressure therebelow greater than that thereabove. These hold-down members 16 are slidable in lateral bores and are forced outward by the greater pressure below the packer. The teeth 16b of these members bitingly engage the pipe exterior of the packer and, the greater the differential pressure tending to lift the packer, the greater these members anchor the packer. (Col. 3, lines 32-60 and Col. 5, lines 43-64.)
Other patents showing hold-down members activated by fluid pressure from below a packer are U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,989,121; 3,096,824; 3,142,339; 3,211,227; 3,223,169; 3,233,675; 3,276,793; 3,277,965; 3,326,292; 3,329,210; 3,338,308; 3,381,752; 3,422,899; 3,425,489; 3,454,090; and 3,701,382.
Other similar hold-down teachings are found in the following patents.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,497,001 which issued Feb. 24, 1970 to Cicero C. Brown shows use of hold-down members 32 in a tubing anchor A used in a pumping well. The column of liquid in the well tubing T forces the hold-down members outward into biting engagement with the surrounding casing (col. 3, line 75, et seq.).
U.S. Pat. No. 3,376,927 which issued to Joe R. Brown on Apr. 9, 1968 teaches use of hold-down members 63 for anchoring a cutting tool in axial position by pressurizing the pipe string 13. (See col. 3, lines 56-67.)
U.S. Pat. No. 3,599,712 which issued on Aug. 17, 1971, to Charles W. Magill discloses use of hold-down slips 28 energized by pressurized fluids in bore 22 for holding a tubing fixed in the well bore. (See col. 2, lines 67-75.)
U.S. Pat. No. 3,658,127 which issued to Chudleigh B. Cochran and Phillip H. Manderscheid on Apr. 25, 1972, teaches again the well-known practice of pumping a ball (B) down a well tubing T-2 and allowing it to become seated below a packer, then pressuring up the tubing to actuate the hydraulically set packer to its set condition. (See col. 5 beginning at line 69.)
U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,958 which issued to Ronald E. Pringle on Sept. 5, 1989 discloses a fluid power actuated actuating tool, this tool being run on the end of reeled tubing through which a small flexible tubing 14 passes. Fluid pressure is supplied from the surface to this actuating tool 10 to actuate the slips 28 and maintain them engaged to retain the tool anchored in the tubing. Nitrogen is supplied from the surface through the bore of the reeled tubing 12 to actuate power actuating means 54. The tool can deliver jarring impacts (col. 4, lines 20-33) or can provide a constant pressure stroke (col. 4, line 62 through col. 5, line 2).
U.S. Pat. No. 4,274,486 issued on June 23, 1981 to John V. Fredd and discloses a piston 26 slidable in the bore (cylinder) of member 28 of telescoping joint 23. Pressure in the annulus 29 can move the piston upward if the difference between the annulus and the tubing pressure is sufficient. Thus, this piston/cylinder can be operated remotely from the surface by controlling the differential pressure. (Col. 4, lines 21-35.)
U.S. Pat. No. 4,453,599 which issued to John V. Fredd on June 12, 1984 discloses in FIG. 1 the use of a piston/cylinder 35 downhole in a well to actuate a sleeve valve 14 located just above the packer 13. The valve is controlled by tubing pressure. Pressuring the tubing 36 causes the piston 41 to move upward and open the valve to permit well fluids to flow into the annulus surrounding the tubing. Reducing the tubing pressure allows weight of the piston and a length of pipe attached thereto to move down and close the valve. Other forms of valves are disclosed, all using a similar valve and utilizing a differential pressure across the piston for its operation, this differential may involve changes in tubing or casing pressure.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,958 (mentioned earlier) also discloses as a part of its power actuating means 54 a piston 80, FIG. 2, which is moved downward in housing 18 by pressurized nitrogen supplied through flexible tubing reeled tubing 12. A similar piston/cylinder, actuator 54a is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,356,145 which issued to John V. Fredd on Dec. 5, 1967 discloses in FIG. 2 a piston/cylinder 31 which utilizes pressure in the well annulus 442 to lift a floating portion of pipe 32 to an upper position to hold the safety valve 35 open. When pressure in the annulus falls below a predetermined level the floating pipe will be allowed to move down and close the valve. (See col. 15, line 72 to col. 16, line 48.)
U.S. Pat. No. 4,928,770 which issued on May 29, 1990 to Douglas J. Murray discloses use of reeled tubing apparatus 10b for shifting sliding sleeves 101 in wells. Also disclosed is the use of a piston 10a on the reeled tubing near the shifting tool. When the shifting tool is engaged with the sliding sleeve the piston will be in a close-fitting portion PT-1 of the tubing. The sleeve is shifted up or down by moving the reeled tubing 11. When attempting to shift the sleeve down and it cannot be moved by the reeled tubing alone, the tubing pressure above the piston can be increased to cause the piston to aid in the down shifting of the sleeve. This procedure can be used only for down shifting (Col. lines 58-62). U.S. Pat. No. 4,928,772 which issued to Mark E. Hopmann on May 29, 1990, also contains approximately the same subject matter as does U.S. Pat. No. 4,928,770 just mentioned, but does not disclose the piston.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,893,512 which issued to Albert W. Carroll and Phillip S. Sizer on July 8, 1975 discloses a sleeve valve near the production zone in a well which will close should the tubing be severed thereabove. In certain embodiments, the system is resettable to make possible periodic testing t assure their operability. Piston/cylinder arrangements are disclosed for such resetting. In FIG. 9, casing pressure acting beneath piston 101 holds it up in the cylinder to permit production. Loss of pressure below the piston permits gravity to move the piston down. If the piston and its tubing section TS has dropped, pressuring the casing will lift them back to their upper position. In FIG. 10, which is similar to FIG. 9, the piston is lifted by pressure conducted to the lower end of the cylinder through small conduit CFL. In FIGS. 14 and 15, a piston/cylinder arrangement is illustrated wherein the tubing is plugged at 250 by a plug 251 between the valve V and the cylinder 221, and a port 234 is provided just below piston 232. Pressure applied to the upper portion T of the tubing passes through this port and lifts the piston in the cylinder to, thus, open valve V.
There was not found in the prior art a force generator for use with a handling string of reeled tubing or light jointed pipe which can apply an axial force to an object in a well flow conductor for pushing or pulling such object to dislodge and/or retrieve the same while the handling string is anchored in the well flow conductor, the anchoring and the force generating being accomplished by fluid pressure conducted to the force generator through the handling string.
The present invention is an improvement over the known prior art and is simple and economical to manufacture and operate. Furthermore, it is very useful in horizontal wells. | {
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Many vehicles, such as aircraft, cars, trucks, etc., have one or more hydraulic systems which are drives or transmission systems that use pressurized hydraulic fluid to power hydraulic machinery. For example, early vehicles had hydraulic brake systems. As vehicles became more sophisticated, newer systems with hydraulic power were developed. Hydraulic systems in, for example, an aircraft provide for the operation of vehicle components, such as landing gear, flaps, flight control surfaces, and brakes.
A hydraulic system has a power generating device (pump) reservoir, accumulator, heat exchanger, and filtering system. System operating pressure may vary from a couple hundred pounds per square inch (psi) in small vehicles and rotorcraft to 5,000 psi in large vehicles.
Hydraulic system fluids (“hydraulic fluids”) flow through components of the hydraulic system during use to transmit and distribute forces to various components of the hydraulic system. If a number of passages exist in a system, pressure can be distributed through the various components of the system. Hydraulic operations have only negligible loss due to fluid friction.
If incompressibility and fluidity were the only qualities required, most liquids that are not too thick could be used in a hydraulic system. However, other properties should be considered when selecting a desired hydraulic fluid for a particular hydraulic system.
One of those properties is viscosity, which is a resistance of the fluid to flow. A liquid such as gasoline that has a low viscosity flows easily, while a liquid such as tar that has a high viscosity flows slowly. Viscosity increases as temperature decreases. A liquid for a given hydraulic system should have enough viscosity to give a good seal at pumps, valves, and pistons, but should not be so thick that it offers resistance to flow, leading to power loss and higher operating temperatures which may promote wear of hydraulic system components. A fluid that is not viscous enough can wear moving parts or parts that have heavy loads.
Another property pertinent to hydraulic fluids is the fire point of the fluid, which is the temperature at which a substance gives off vapor in sufficient quantity to ignite and continue to burn when exposed to a spark or flame. Like a flash point, a high fire point is desirable of hydraulic liquids.
Known hydraulic fluids do not possess ideal properties as discussed above. Polyalphaolefin-based hydraulic fluids are fire-resistant but have a high viscosity and are limited to use down to −40° F. Phosphate ester-based (Skydrol®) hydraulic fluids are not entirely fire-resistant and under certain conditions, they burn. Furthermore, polyalphaolefin-based hydraulic fluids and phosphate ester-based hydraulic fluids do not mix with each other. Furthermore, fluorocarbon-based hydraulic fluids tend to degrade paint and titanium couplings on the hydraulic lines of a hydraulic system. There is also a movement to ban production of chlorocarbon-based and fluorocarbon-based hydraulic fluids because of their toxicity and poor biodegradability. For example, chloroparaffins are stable in soil and persist in soil for years, having a half-life (T1/2) of at least months to years.
Furthermore, synthesis of hydraulic fluids tends to be laborious and cost intensive. Conventional reactions, such as the Arbuzov reaction, do not yield hydraulic fluids having ideal properties as described above. An Arbuzov reaction proceeds by reacting a primary alkyl halide with a phosphite to form a primary phosphono-substituted product. The Arbuzov reaction does not proceed readily using primary, secondary, or tertiary fluoro alkane starting material or using secondary or tertiary chloro-, bromo-, iodo-alkane starting materials.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for new and improved hydraulic fluids and methods of making hydraulic fluids. | {
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Recording devices of the type mentioned above are known in the dental field. Their recording plates have to be fixed on the natural or prosthetic teeth of the patient to ensure that they do not slip and that the tongue does not push them aside. After the recording plates have each been secured on the upper jaw and lower jaw, respectively, of the patient (for example with rapidly setting dental silicone), the patient is asked to bite, i.e. to press the jaws together, and also the recording plates fitted on them, whereupon the stylus is pressed onto the opposite writing surface. The patient is then asked to make certain movements of the lower jaw relative to the upper jaw, whereupon the stylus draws a tracing on the writing surface, for example by leaving a scratch mark in a wax layer applied to the writing surface. From this tracing, or so-called “arrow point”, a skilled person, for example a dentist, is able to derive information concerning the position of the patient's jaws in relation to one another, for example for production of a removable or permanent dental prosthesis or for monitoring the occlusion of the existing teeth of the patient.
In the recording device, the stylus can be arranged on the upper recording plate or on the lower recording plate, both arrangements having their advantages and disadvantages. If the stylus is arranged on the upper recording plate, the tracing is more easily and more conveniently visible to the skilled person, even though the wrong way round, and thus easier to view, but consequently more difficult to interpret. In the converse scenario, the tracing is less easily and less conveniently visible, but the right way round, and thus more difficult to view but easier to interpret.
To be able to be used correctly in dentistry, the recording device, when placed in the patient's mouth, must force the pressed-together jaws of the patient forwardly (in specialist terminology “anteriorly”) at the center by not more than about a centimeter and must prevent the normal bite position (in specialist terminology “occlusion”) from being reached. A main reason for this is that, in the case of fairly wide opening, the nature of the jaw joint not only effects a pure rotation (in which the jaw compass opens) but also an undesired sagittal movement (in which the lower jaw moves forward). Therefore, there is not much available height for the construction of the recording device, and for this reason the previously known recording devices, except for newly produced total prostheses, are cumbersome and their recording plates are difficult to secure on the jaws of the patient. In other words, working with them involves considerable effort and time. In the prior art, there are no recording plates available that can be used for all dental situations or at least for the majority of them. In the case of dentulous patients in particular, the skilled person has to spend more time in producing upper and lower plastic plates, because the recording plates have to be integrated into a plastic base adapted exactly to the teeth. The corresponding time spent doing this increases the cost to the patient (and if appropriate to the health insurance companies).
U.S. Pat. No. 2,481,203 discloses a device for recording the position of two mastication surfaces in relation to one another. The recording plates appear to be configured in such a way that they can be guided on the dentition; in reality, however, no guiding is guaranteed in the vertical direction. This is because the recording plates have a dish-shaped base so that no space is lost in the vertical direction and so that the supporting pin has vertical space therein. There is admittedly also a lateral abutment on the dentition as soon as suitable compounds (for example of silicone) are placed between the recording plates and the teeth. By contrast, however, vertical support is obtained only on the mucosa, not on the dentition.
This device and other known devices do not permit reliable recording of dentulous patients without preliminary work being carried out, for example individual production of suitable plastic parts. In the case of dentulous patients, reliable recording without the need for preliminary work is as yet an unsolved problem. | {
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Muscles serve a number of functions, most of which are dependent upon their regular contraction, which is in turn dependent upon their strength and health. For example, in addition to the well known functions of supporting the skeleton and permitting movement, muscles serve to pad the force of bone protuberances against the skin, and they promote blood flow, particularly through deep blood vessels. In response to repeated contractions against a load, muscle fibers grow in cross-sectional area and develop more force, and in response to repeated contraction over a long period of time, the oxidative capacity and blood supply of the fibers is enhanced.
In normal individuals, muscles are activated to contract by electrical signals that are communicated from the brain and spinal cord by way of muscle nerves. Many medical diseases, physical disabilities and cosmetic disfigurements arise from abnormal or absent electrical signals to the muscles. Such abnormal or absent electrical signals may be pathological or may simply be due to prolonged immobility or confinement that restricts or prevents the voluntary movement of one or more muscles. Without normal, routine electrical stimulation, muscles atrophy, that is lose their normal size and strength. Also contributing to muscle atrophy may be a wide range of other pathophysiological mechanisms, including absence of sustaining hormones and other endogenous trophic substances.
Many situations exist in which voluntary muscle contraction cannot be used effectively to operate, condition or strengthen muscles. The most extreme loss of voluntary muscle function occurs when the brain or spinal cord is injured by trauma, the growth of tumors or cerebrovascular accidents. In patients suffering from these conditions, muscles become wholly or partially paralyzed because the electrical commands that are normally generated in the nervous system are no longer available to stimulate muscle contractions. Less extreme degrees of muscle weakness and atrophy can come about when some of the nerve fibers supplying a muscle are damaged by disease or injury or when the muscle is immobilized or voluntarily rested, for example by casting or bedrest, in order to recover from an injury or surgical intervention involving a nearby body part, or other prolonged confinement or immobilization.
With respect to prolonged physical confinement or immobilization, the affect of muscle non-use and atrophy frequently leads to two disorders that are particularly difficult to avoid and expensive to treat, pressure ulcers of the skin and subcutaneous tissues and retardation of the normal circulation of blood through deep vessels. Continual, unrelieved pressure on localized regions of skin can result in the development of pressure ulcers of the skin and subcutaneous tissues, also known as bed sores or decubitus ulcers. Pressure ulcers are thought to occur when tissues underlying a site of pressure are deprived of oxygen and nutrients because blood flow is impeded, and when the area is subjected to frictional and shearing forces associated with continuous rubbing and movement. Pressure ulcers vary in size and degree of damage from small regions of redness to deep craters of tissue erosion passing through skin, connective tissues, muscle and even bone that can threaten the life of a patient by providing portals of entry for pathogenic organisms. They are often exacerbated in chronically paralyzed or bedridden patients because of atrophy of the unused muscles that normally provide a degree of padding between the skin and underlying bony protuberances. The treatment of pressure ulcers often requires prolonged, intensive medical care and occasionally extensive surgery, usually entailing further restrictions in the posture of the patient, which may further complicate medical and nursing care and cause other complications.
As mentioned above, prolonged immobilization or physical confinement of a body part often also results in retardation of circulation of blood through deep vessels, particularly the veins in an around muscles. For example, the failure to contract muscles in the limbs at regular intervals, as occurs normally when walking or standing, is known to cause stasis of blood in some veins. Venous stasis is a predisposing factor in the formation of clots in the veins. Such deep venous thrombosis further compromises blood flow to the immobilized body part and can be the source of dangerous emboli to the heart and lungs. Thrombosed veins may also become chronically infected, posing a danger of septicemia. Examples of particular populations of patients that are especially at risk for development of pressure ulcers and venous emboli include comatose and obtunded patients, patients who are confined by paralysis to bed or wheelchairs, bedridden patients who have medical or surgical conditions that limit their activity, and elderly patients with limited mobility. To reduce complications in these patients, it is necessary to reestablish movement of the vulnerable body parts; however, these patients are either incapable of voluntary movement or severely restricted in their ability to voluntarily move. Therefore, therapists often spend considerable time manipulating the passive limbs of these patients, but this is expensive and relatively ineffectual because it is the active contraction of muscle that tends to pump blood through the veins and to maintain the bulk of the muscle.
It has long been known that muscle contractions can be elicited involuntarily by stimulating muscles and their associated motor nerves by means of electrical currents generated from electronic devices called stimulators. This has given rise to various therapies that seek to prevent or reverse muscle atrophy and its associated disorders by the application of electrical stimulation to the muscles and their nerves via these stimulators. For example, the field of research known as functional neuromuscular stimulation (FNS) or functional electrical stimulation (FES) has begun, which seeks to design and implement devices capable of applying electrical currents, in order to restore functional movement to paralyzed limbs. Similarly, therapies employing stimulators to regularly apply specific patterns of electrical stimulation to muscles in order to prevent or reverse atrophy are known.
Many of the earliest stimulators were bulky and relied upon the delivery of large current pulses through electrodes affixed to the skin, a procedure that requires careful positioning and fixation of the electrodes to the skin and frequently produces disagreeable cutaneous sensations and irritation of the skin. Additionally, such transcutaneous stimulation produces relatively poor control over specific muscles, particularly those that lie deep in the body. Thus, this procedure can be time-consuming, uncomfortable, and is generally useful only for muscles located immediately beneath the skin.
It is also possible to stimulate muscles more directly by passing electrodes through the skin into the muscles or by surgically implanting self-contained stimulators and their associated leads and electrodes in the body. These devices have many configurations, but most are large and have numerous leads that must be implanted and routed through the body to the desired muscles using complex surgical methods. Further, they are expensive to produce and the invasive procedures required for their implantation are impractical for most patients because they increase rather than decrease the required care and the danger of infection and other sources of morbidity in patients who are already seriously ill. Thus, such devices have been used primarily in patients with severe paralysis in order to demonstrate the feasibility of producing purposeful movements such as those required for locomotion, hand-grasp or respiration.
More recently a new technology has been described whereby electrical signals can be generated within specific tissues by means of a miniature implanted capsule, referred to as a "microstimulator", that receives power and control signals by inductive coupling of magnetic fields generated by an extracorporeal antenna rather than requiring any electrical leads. See, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,193,539; 5,193,540; 5,324,316; and 5,405,367, each of which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. These microstimulators are particularly advantageous because they can be manufactured inexpensively and can be implanted non-surgically by injection. Additionally, each implanted microstimulator can be commanded, at will, to produce a well-localized electrical current pulse of a prescribed magnitude, duration and/or repetition rate sufficient to cause a smoothly graded contraction of the muscle in which the microstimulator is implanted. Further, operation of more than one microstimulator can be coordinated to provide simultaneous or successive stimulation of large numbers of muscles, even over long periods of time.
While originally designed to reanimate muscles so that they could carry out purposeful movements, such as locomotion, the low cost, simplicity, safety and ease of implantation of these microstimulators suggests that they may additionally be used to conduct a broader range of therapies in which increased muscle strength, increased muscle fatigue resistance and/or increased muscle physical bulk are desirable; such as therapies directed to those muscle disorders described above. For example, electrical stimulation of an immobilized muscle in a casted limb may be used to elicit isometric muscle contractions that would prevent the atrophy of the muscle for the duration of the casting period and facilitate the subsequent rehabilitative process after the cast is removed. Similarly, repeated activation of microstimulators injected into the shoulder muscles of patients suffering from stroke would enable the paretic muscles to retain or develop bulk and tone, thus helping to offset the tendency for such patients to develop subluxation at the shoulder joint. Use of microstimulators to condition perineal muscles as set forth in applicant's copending patent application, Ser. No. 60/007,521, filed Nov. 24, 1995, entitled "Method for Conditioning Pelvic Musculature Using an RF-Controlled Implanted Microstimulator", incorporated herein by reference, increases the bulk and strength of the musculature in order to maximize its ability to prevent urinary or fecal incontinence.
In addition to the therapeutic use of microstimulators to promote contraction of specific, isolated muscles in order to prevent or remedy the disorders caused or contributed to by inactive muscles, the administration of hormones, trophic factors and similar physiologically active compounds may also be useful. It is known that the extent to which a muscle will grow in response to any stimulation regime is affected by the hormonal and chemical environment around the muscle. Muscle fibers have receptors for many physiologically active compounds that circulate normally in the blood stream or are released from nerve endings. These trophic factors have significant effects on the nature, rate, and amount of growth and adaptation that can be expected of the muscle in response to stimulation, whether such is produced voluntarily or by electrical stimulation. Perhaps the best known of these hormones are the androgenic steroids often used by athletes to increase muscle bulk and strength; but other hormones such as estrogens and growth hormones are also known to affect muscle properties. For example, the dramatic reductions in circulating estrogens and androgens that occur in women following menopause appear to account for decreases in the mass of muscles and bones, which can be slowed or even reversed by administering the deficient hormones systemically.
Thus, the beneficial strengthening effects of electrical stimulation can be maximized by providing the affected muscles with a supportive hormonal environment for growth. These compounds can be provided systemically by administering them orally or by injection. However, many such compounds are rapidly metabolized by the liver, so that high doses must be administered to achieve a desirable therapeutic effect. This can expose all tissues of the body, including the liver, to high and perhaps poorly controlled levels of the compound, resulting in undesirable side-effects that may outweigh the desired actions of the agent. In one aspect, the present invention recognizes that this problem could be circumvented by using a more selective method of drug delivery directed specifically to the electrically exercised muscles. Even if the introduced compound were ultimately to be cleared by absorption into the bloodstream, high concentrations would be produced only in the tissue around the target. A steep dilutional gradient would ensure that other regions of the body were exposed to much lower levels of the administered compound. By providing a more conducive chemical environment in the early stages of electrical therapy, it is expected that muscle atrophy could be reversed more rapidly and effectively. After muscle function has been reestablished, longer-term performance of the muscle could be more easily maintained at the desired level by electrical stimulation alone or in combination with low-dose systemic replacement therapy.
The microstimulators described and claimed herein are elongated devices with metallic electrodes at each end that deliver electrical current to the immediately surrounding biological tissues. The microelectronic circuitry and inductive coils that control the electrical current applied to the electrodes are protected from the body fluids by a hermetically sealed capsule. This capsule is typically made of a rigid dielectric material, such as glass or ceramic, that transmits magnetic fields but is impermeable to water vapor.
Encapsulation in glass is an effective and inexpensive way to ensure a hermetic seal between the electronic components and the biological tissues. Methods for forming similar hermetic seals within the confined dimensions of the overall device are well-known in the fabrication of industrial magnetic reed relays and diodes and have been described specifically for implantable microstimulators. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,991,582; 5,312,439; and 5,405,367, each of which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. Such a hermetic barrier is important both to ensure good biocompatibility with the body and to protect the sensitive electronics from the body fluids that might destroy their function.
Unfortunately, however, glass and similarly brittle materials such as ceramic may crack or shatter as a result of externally applied forces or even residual stress in the crystalline structure of the material itself. If such an event occurs within the body or during a surgical procedure, it is desirable to retain or capture the sharp fragments of the capsule and any internal components so that they do not irritate or migrate into the surrounding tissues. In a testing or surgical environment in which devices are handled repeatedly, the hard, slippery surface of the glass capsule makes the device difficult to handle, and could increase the likelihood that the device will be dropped or pinched with a force sufficient to break the glass. Therefore, in one aspect, the present invention provides a well-chosen biocompatible coating for the glass which would decrease the lubricity of the device and ensure that glass pieces resulting from device fracture would be contained/captured in a protective sleeve.
The reaction of a living body to an intact foreign body such as an implanted microstimulator depends at least in part on the shape and texture of the surface of the foreign body, as described, e.g., by Woodward and Saithouse (1986). The surfaces left by the manufacturing processes used for the implanted microstimulator are constrained by the nature of the materials and processes required to achieve the desired electronic and mechanical characteristics of the device. Therefore, modification of the microstimulators' chemical nature and/or superficial physical contours to avoid, prevent and/or discourage an immunological response by the body, would be advantageous. Additionally, in selecting an appropriate coating material the opportunity arises for the introduction of various chemical compounds, such as trophic factors and/or hormones, as discussed above, into or onto the coating. Such compounds could then diffuse from the surface of the coating into the surrounding tissues for various therapeutic and diagnostic purposes, as previously mentioned. | {
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In gas chromatography, a sample is introduced to the column of the chromatograph system via an inlet. To reduce the adsorption or decomposition of analytes in the sample, an inlet liner is typically installed inside the inlet. The inlet liner must contain the sample prior to passing the sample to the column, in order to isolate the sample from any active sites inside the inlet that could decompose the analytes in the sample. Inlet liners should also contain or trap involatile materials in the sample to minimize or prevent them from entering the column; the more involatile materials that enter the column, the more frequently the chromatograph system will need to be cleaned, which results in significant operational inefficiencies.
In order to contain the sample, inlet liners have been designed that contain a plug of glass wool that is used to trap involatile materials. While the glass wool plug does trap involatile materials, it is also difficult to chemically deactivate. As a result, compounds will irreversibly adsorb to the glass wool or chemically decompose on its surface. Thus, some inlet liners that are used contain no glass wool; while these liners do not suffer from the drawbacks of those containing a glass wool plug, they are equally deficient because they allow the sample to leave the liner and interact with active sites in the inlet. Inlet liners have also been designed that have a helical path for the sample to travel through. These inlet liners also have drawbacks because any involatile material in the sample will get trapped at the inlet of the helix and act as an adsorptive trap for the remaining analytes in the sample. Thus, these liners typically need to be replaced frequently in order for the chromatograph system to operate cleanly and efficiently.
Thus, there is a need in the art for inlet liners that can contain or trap involatile materials in a sample without blocking the flow of the sample through the inlet liner and thereby decomposing analytes in the sample. There is also a need in the art for inlet liners that can be used for repeated analyses without the need to be frequently cleaned or replaced. | {
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This invention relates to a refrigerator door opening/closing apparatus which is adapted to facilitate the easy handling of relatively heavy food containers.
The refrigerator, used to store various kinds of foodstuffs in either a cooled or frozen state to preserve the food's freshness for an extended period of time, generally cools the stored foodstuffs either by utilizing the direct cooling method in which an evaporator for cooling air is installed in each separate cold storage compartment, or by utilizing the indirect cooling method in which an evaporator is installed in the main air passage located away from the cold storage compartments and air in the interior of the refrigerator is circulated through the evaporator by a fan.
Such a refrigerator generally has a freezing compartment and a cooling compartment which are separated from each other by an intermediate wall, and the cooling compartment is divided among several separate compartments which are kept at different temperatures in order to suitably store various types of foodstuffs.
Such a refrigerator also has front access doors which are vertically hinged so that they can be opened from the side opposite from the hinges.
However, such a two-door type refrigerator does not satisfy the user's needs according to a variety of foodstuffs each of which requires different ideal storage requirements.
Therefore, in order to accommodate various kinds of foods which need to be separately stored at each optimum storage temperature, a refrigerator with enlarged storage areas and with several separate compartments each equipped with its own door, has been produced.
Common methods for opening and closing the doors of the refrigerator are as follows: the type which is hinged on one vertical side of the compartment to be opened from the side opposite the hinges, the type which is hinged on the front surface of the bottom of the compartment so that it is opened from the top and then swings out, and the sliding type which can be extended and retracted.
A conventional type door which is hinged on one vertical side of the compartment to be opened from the side opposite the hinges is suitable for a cooling compartment having one large storage area to store various foodstuffs.
But, such a door is not suitable for a relatively small space which is designed to store a special foodstuff at a temperature suited to the unique nature of the foodstuff.
This is because the horizontal dimension of a cooling compartment with a small volume is relatively longer than its vertical dimension and thus the radius of rotation for opening and closing the door is considerably larger compared with the door which is hinged on the horizontal, and it is thus inconvenient and inefficient.
Further, when a person removes or places a relatively heavy food container in the storage compartment with the vertically hinged door, both hands must be used.
Furthermore, it is possible for such a door to prematurely close while in use, and therefore the object to be stored must be handled carefully until it is completely placed in the refrigerator compartment, and when the heavy food container must be placed in the back of the compartment, it is possible that the door will interfere with the process.
Recently, the horizontally hinged door has been utilized for surmounting the above problems.
Generally, a horizontally hinged door is attached with fixed hinges. Accordingly, the space between the compartment equipped with the horizontally hinged door and the next lower compartment must be greater than the thickness of the door because the horizontally hinged door must be free to open downward, and consequently, it detracts from the symmetry front view of the refrigerator, and the overall height of the refrigerator must be increased.
Further, the top surface of the opened door will be positioned higher than the floor of the storage compartment so that it interferes with the movement of foodstuffs, thereby causing an inconvenience when the foodstuffs are moved.
An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems by providing a door opening/closing apparatus for a horizontally hinged door which can be easily operated.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a door opening/closing apparatus which operates a door with the movement of a hinge for supporting and rotating the door, thereby allowing the space between the compartment and the lower compartment to be decreased.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a door opening/closing apparatus whereby the door in the completely opened state and the floor surface of the storage compartment are configured to form the same horizontal plane, thereby allowing the stored foodstuffs to be easily stored or removed. | {
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1. Technical Field
Embodiments generally relate to power management in computing platforms. More particularly, embodiments relate to periodic activity alignment to enhance power efficiency in computing platforms.
2. Discussion
Computing platforms may enter various sleep states during periods of idleness in order to reduce power consumption. Sleep state entry may be effectively disabled, however, during semi-active workloads due to key elements of the platform such as processor/graphics cores, main memory, system interconnects, etc., becoming even lightly active. Accordingly, conventional platforms may experience a steep drop in energy efficiency when processing typical semi-active workloads. | {
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A transmission electron microscope (hereinafter, referred to as “TEM”) is a device which applies an electron beam accelerated by a high voltage to an observation object material and focuses the electron beam transmitted through the material into an enlarged image by means of an electromagnetic lens for microstructure imaging. In a state where an imaging lens is focused on the observation object material (specimen), amplitude information on a field formed principally by electrons transmitted through the specimen is observed as image contrast. It is difficult to obtain an image having sufficient contrast from a specimen, such as biological specimen and organic material, that exhibits a small amplitude change. A method which secures a good image contrast by blocking a part of diffracted wave with a knife edge is known as one of methods for obtaining an image of good contrast from such a specimen exhibiting small amplitude change (Patent Literature 1). | {
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Various attachment pieces, adaptors, and mechanical apparatuses exist for the purpose of coupling slings and other accessories to personal articles. One common type of accessory attachment is the kind used for coupling a flexible sling or a strap to a solid article for carrying. For example, some kind of coupling mechanism comprising an accessory attachment and a corresponding mount is usually required for coupling a sling or strap to a piece of luggage, a bag or briefcase, a tool, an instrument, or a weapon. Among these coupling mechanisms are various kinds of hooks, clips, buckles, locks, and detents. Similar coupling mechanisms are used for securing a tether, such as a rope or a cord, to an article to keep it nearby, or to support a weight. For example, coupling mechanisms include clasps for dog leashes or carabiners for supporting a climber's weight. Some coupling mechanisms have high load-bearing requirements (e.g., those used for securing a boat to a dock) and others have minimal requirements (e.g., those used for keychains).
Many of these coupling mechanisms are implemented specifically because they are detachable. For example, many bags have detachable shoulder straps because sometimes it is more desirable to hold the bag in a manner other than on a shoulder, and the long strap can get in the way if it is not detachable. For some applications, there exists a need to securely hold an accessory to an article while still being capable of quickly detaching. In the field of firearms accessories, for example, several types of “quick-detach,” or “QD” accessory attachments and corresponding mounts have been developed in order to facilitate the coupling and detachment of slings to various mounting points.
As noted, a common mechanism that allows the accessory attachments to couple to the QD mounts is a detent. Detents are well known in the art, and there are a number of ways in which a detent may be retracted, or disengaged from its protruded, or engaged, position. One common way for a detent to be retracted or disengaged is to press a button that is situated on top of the accessory attachment. This button must usually be pressed downward toward the article to which the accessory attachment is coupled. This downward pressing motion is suitable for coupling the accessory attachment to the article, but is awkward when trying to remove it. The user must press the button in the opposite direction that the user is pulling in order to remove the sling attachment. A user can do this by gripping the sides of the attachment with two fingers and pressing down on the button with a third finger (or thumb) in between the two. This type of manipulation may become difficult when a user is wearing gloves, or is trying to perform this task quickly. Alternatively, a user could press the button with one finger and pull the article away with the other hand. This method may be unsatisfactory if the user only has one hand available. One approach that has been used that doesn't require the user to push a button in the opposite direction of the pull is described in U.S. Patent Publication 2013/0305582, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, in which the user can press buttons inward, in an orthogonal direction relative to the push or pull of coupling or detaching an accessory attachment. However, it is also desirable to allow the user to operate the mechanism in other ways. Improvements are necessary to make accessory attachment or detachment easy to perform even with gloves or with one hand. The present disclosure is directed toward remedying such deficiencies in the prior art. | {
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Many consumers prefer gas cooking appliances over electric cooking appliances for a variety of reasons. For example, the gas flame of a gas cooking appliance can deliver heat nearly immediately, while electric cooking appliances usually require at least some delay to bring a resistive heating element up to operating temperature. A gas flame can also provide better visual feedback regarding temperature and heat delivery during cooking compared to an electric cooking appliance with a resistive heating element. Although either type of cooking appliance can deliver very good performance, many consumers simply prefer gas, especially in the field of premium and high end cooking appliances sold to discerning consumers.
Automatic ignition systems are well known in gas cooking appliances. Early systems that include a continuous pilot flame have largely been replaced with electronic ignition systems. A typical electronic ignition includes a burner electrically connected to ground, and an electrode placed near the burner and electrically connected to a source of relatively high voltage, for example 10-20 kV. The source of relatively high voltage can be, for example, a transformer that receives normal household power (120 VAC or 240 VAC at 60 Hz) and steps that voltage up to produce a relatively high output voltage, for example in the range of 10-20 kv. Because the transformer is typically configured to deliver this relatively high output voltage at a relatively low current, for example in the range of milliamps, the high output voltage generally does not present any unusual hazard.
To provide ignition, this relatively high voltage is applied to the electrode, and the resulting difference in electric potential between the high-voltage electrode and the burner (which is electrically connected to ground) causes a spark to jump the gap between the electrode and the burner. Assuming that gas is flowing from the burner when the spark occurs, the spark thereby ignites the gas to produce a gas flame which will ordinarily continue burning until the flow of gas is stopped.
Automatic flame detection systems are also well known. An automatic flame detection system can be used to automatically shut off the flow of gas to a burner if no flame is present, for example if the ignition system fails initially, or if the flame is accidentally blown out after successful ignition. Instead of stopping the flow of gas, an automatic flame detection system can be used to trigger ignition when gas begins to flow, or to trigger re-ignition after flame loss. An automatic flame detection system can also be used for a combination of these purposes, for example by attempting ignition for a period of time after the gas begins to flow, and then shutting off the flow of gas if ignition is not achieved within some finite period of time.
Many commercial flame detection systems take advantage of electrical properties of the flame, in particular the fact that a flame includes electrically charged particles that can conduct electricity. For example, when a flame produced by a gas burner extends outwardly from the burner to touch at least part of an electrode, the flame forms an electrically conductive path between the burner and the electrode. When the flame goes out, the electrically conductive path between the burner and the electrode disappears. By measuring the presence or absence of the electrically conductive path between the burner and the electrode, the presence or absence of the flame from the burner can be detected.
Systems which utilize a single electrode for flame detection and flame ignition are also known, for example as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 3,614,280.
Because of the wide variety of foods that can be prepared using any cooking appliance, the optimum rate of heat production can also vary widely. For example, to boil a large kettle of water a cook may wish to apply a large quantity of heat to the kettle over a short period of time. In contrast, to melt chocolate or keep a sauce simmering at serving temperature, a cook may wish to apply a relatively low level of heat over a long period of time. Thus, a cook may desire a cooking appliance capable of delivering both low levels of heat over a long period of time, and high levels of heat over a short period of time.
For this reason, both electrical and gas cooking appliances are often provided with a plurality of burners, with each burner specially adapted to provide a low level of heat or a high level of heat. For example, some burners on a gas range (“high output” burners) may be adapted to deliver high levels of heat in a short period of time, for example by including a large number of gas ports of a relatively large size. Other burners (“simmer” or “low output” burners) may be adapted to deliver low levels of heat over a long period of time, for example by including a relatively small number of gas ports of a relatively small size.
In practice, the actual heat output of either a high output burner or a simmer burner can be modulated over a usable range by adjusting the gas flow to the burner. However, the upper and lower limits of the usable range of heat delivery from a particular burner are generally determined by the construction of the burner itself. For example, when the gas ports from a simmer burner are saturated with gas, the resulting heat output represents the maximum heat output that can be produced by a simmer burner of that particular construction. Similarly, when the flow of gas to a high output burner is adjusted downward to reduce the heat output of that burner, a minimum level of gas flow will be reached that will sustain a flame on a high output burner of that construction.
Because of the limited surface area of a typical gas cooking appliance, the total number of burners that can be accommodated on a single cooking appliance is also limited. For example, a typical gas cooking appliance might contain two simmer burners and two high output burners. The mix of simmer burners and high output burners used on a particular gas appliance is preferably chosen to provide the most appropriate set of burners according to the needs of the owner of that appliance.
However, even with a suitable mix of simmer and high output burners on a particular gas cooking appliance, it is sometimes the case that additional simmer burner capacity may be needed when only high output burners are available, or vice versa. For this reason, “dual stage” burners have been developed that include both high output and simmer features, for example as taught by U.S. Pat. No. 6,322,354, which is owned by the assignee of this application.
A typical dual stage gas burner includes a first main burner and a second simmer burner. The main burner and the simmer burner are each typically formed as a ring, with the radius of the main burner somewhat larger than the radius of the simmer burner, and with the main burner stacked on top of the simmer burner (or vice-versa). Combined flame detection and ignition electrodes have been used with dual stage gas burners, however existing electrodes used for this purpose are known to have several practical limitations. One manifestation of these limitations is “nuisance sparking,” where initial ignition attempts are repeated unnecessarily when the flame detection circuitry falsely reports that no flame has been ignited when the flame has already been lit.
First, because either the main burner or the simmer burner of a dual stage gas burner can be in use at any given time, a combined flame detection and ignition electrode must be able to sense flame from either the main burner or the simmer burner. To reliably detect the presence of a flame from the main burner, a flame detection electrode should ideally be placed at a location reached by the outer portion of the flame from the main burner. To reliably detect the presence of a flame from the simmer burner, a flame detection electrode should ideally be placed at a location reached by the outer portion of the flame from the simmer burner. Because the flame produced by the main burner is typically much larger than the flame produced by the simmer burner, it has been found that electrode locations that work well in detecting flame from the main burner may not work well in detecting flame from the simmer burner, and vice-versa.
Second, when used with a dual stage burner, a combined flame detection and ignition electrode must be able to ignite gas flowing from either the main burner or the simmer burner. To reliably ignite gas flowing from the main burner, a flame ignition electrode should ideally be placed at a location where the spark from the electrode will pass through the gas flowing from the main burner. To reliably ignite gas flowing from the simmer burner, a flame ignition electrode should ideally be placed at a location where the spark from the electrode will pass through the gas flowing from the simmer burner. Because the main burner and simmer burner are typically stacked on top of each other, it has been found that electrode locations that work well in igniting flame from the main burner may not work well in igniting flame from the simmer burner, and vice-versa.
Thus, finding a location for a conventional flame detection electrode that will reliably detect flame from both the simmer and main burners is problematic. Finding a location for a conventional flame ignition electrode that will reliably ignite both the simmer and main burners is also problematic. These problems are compounded when the same electrode is used both for ignition and for flame detection.
What is needed is a flame detection electrode that can be positioned to reliably detect flame from both the simmer and main burners. What is further needed is a flame ignition electrode that can be positioned to reliably ignite flame from both the simmer and main burners. What is further needed is a combined flame detection and ignition electrode that can be positioned to reliably detect and ignite flame from both the simmer and main burners. What is further needed is a dual stage gas burner system including a flame detection and ignition electrode that will reliably detect and ignite both the simmer and main burners. What is further needed is a gas cooking appliance with a dual stage gas burner system including a flame detection and ignition electrode that will reliably detect and ignite both the simmer and main burners. | {
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There are an increasingly large number of devices that have network connectivity. Over the years, network connectivity has been extended to appliances such as refrigerators, home entertainment centers, and interactive box sets for use with television sets, digital cameras, and cell phones. With the evolution of these devices, there has been developments in home networks. For example, WIFI technology enables users to interconnect various network enabled devices wirelessly to form their own local area network. Various services and applications currently exist with the goal of establishing data connectivity between different network locations. The growth of the Internet and other types of networks has contributed to the numerous networking applications that currently exist.
There is also an interest in extending network connectivity to devices that can roam. These devices include cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and stations that can be assembled on vehicles or airplanes. While wireless networks for such roaming devices exist, these networks tend to have limited bandwidth, and can be expensive. In addition, it is difficult for operators of such devices to interact with networks, given that these devices often have poor user-interface features, and limited processing/memory resources for tasks that are often desired from them.
Currently, there are various interoperability issues when different types of network enabled devices are coupled. Often, the different devices operate on incompatible platforms or operating systems. This can cause problems in how these devices share data with one another. Furthermore, connected devices may use different data types (.WAV versus MPEG) and/or data formats that hinder the user's ability to share data amongst devices. As an example, the size of the screen display on a cell phone is typically too small to render images from a digital camera, even if the cell phone is camera-enabled. Often, the result is that when users want to share data amongst connected devices, that user must perform numerous manual steps, such as manually converting data formats.
There are various network applications that have pertinence to this application. One common network application is Instant Messaging (IM)—the service that establishes connectivity amongst users in different locations for purpose of enabling those users to send instant messages to each other. IM allows users to maintain a community list (e.g. “buddy list”), and the list can be configured to inform the user of the status of members in the community. The status information may correspond to the status of a particular member's terminal (if that member's computer is off, the status of that member on the community list may be “signed off”). The status information may also correspond to the status of the IM service or application as it is operated on a particular member's terminal. For example, a user may choose to close an IM application, in which case other members may be notified that the particular member is not available for messaging. The status information may also be provided manually by the user. For example, some IM applications allow the user to select a status (“stepped away”). In each case, the status information provides a mechanism by which a user can inform other select other users of a community of his or her status.
PC ANYWHERE is a troubleshooting application that allows an expert technician to remotely view a terminal for purpose of troubleshooting and software configuration. A user of a recipient terminal may request assistance from an expert. The user may need to be present in order to provide the expert permission to access his or her computer. When the expert logs on to a recipient terminal, the expert can use the PC ANYWHERE application to view the screen of the recipient terminal. The expert can also manipulate the recipient terminal, such as open files and operate applications. In turn, the recipient terminal may perform a series of refresh operations in order to transmit visual data of the recipient terminal's screen to the technician. | {
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Heretofore various forms of flagstaffs and flagpoles have been designed from aesthetic standpoints and also from the standpoints of serviceability and ease of use. Further, there has also been attempts to design flagstaffs and flagpoles which are substantially protected from vandalism.
Examples of previously patented flagpoles of this type and of other structures which include features similar to those incorporated in the present invention may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 132,457, 940,173, 1,610,663, 1,645,645 and 3.418,967. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The present invention relates to semiconductor structures, and particularly, to antifuse structures having an integrated heating element and methods of programming thereof.
Electrically operable fuses are utilized within the field of integrated circuit devices and processes for a number of purposes, including programming alterable circuit connections, or replacing defective circuit elements with redundant circuit elements. One type of electrically operable fuse, a so-called “antifuse”, is a device having two conductors and an intervening dielectric layer, where the dielectric layer is subject to breakdown upon application of sufficient voltage and current to the conductors. The resistance across the dielectric layer of the antifuse encodes the “on” or “off” state of the antifuse.
A typical (pre-breakdown) “off” resistance for antifuses having a dielectric layer of silicon nitride (SiN), “gate oxide”, i.e. silicon dioxide (SiO2) formed by the gate oxide forming process, or silicon oxide-silicon oxynitride-silicon oxide (ONO) is more than 1 GΩ. After breakdown, resistance across the dielectric layer is measurably lower, indicating the “on” state. Thus, the on-off state of the antifuse is read using a resistance measuring circuit.
At present, a high voltage and a current of several milliamperes may be required to adequately break down the dielectric of antifuses on an integrated circuit. Such required high currents impose minimum size constraints on the antifuses and wiring thereto, thereby requiring significant integrated circuit area to implement, while also negatively affecting the flow of production testing and repair of new chips. Provisions must also be made to safeguard the integrated circuit from being negatively affected by the required high programming voltage. The high programming voltage may give rise to concerns for electrostatic discharge protection (ESD) and the reliability of the integrated circuit.
In order for the state of an antifuse to be reliably read, the post-breakdown resistance must be in the megaohm range or below and, for yield reasons, this must be achieved for virtually all of the antifuses on the integrated circuit. Gate oxide antifuses typically require currents in the several milliampere range to achieve such post-breakdown resistance. However, such currents and the required high voltage are close to integrated circuit design constraints based on ESD protection and reliability considerations.
Antifuse technology through the use of dielectric breakdown is well understood. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,250,459 (the '459 patent), issued to Lee and entitled “Electrically Programmable Low Resistive Antifuse Element” embodies this concept. FIG.1 of the '459 patent illustrates a conventional antifuse element 14 comprising a first electrode 11, a dielectric layer 12 and second electrode 13, all fabricated on substrate 10. To program antifuse element 14, that is to change the antifuse element from a high impedance state to a low impedance state, the conventional practice is to damage dielectric layer 12 by applying an electric field across dielectric layer 12 at first electrode 11 and second electrode 13. The electric field, if strong enough, will cause the dielectric layer 12 to breakdown, thus forming a conductive filament between first electrode 11 and second electrode 13. To reliably damage the dielectric layer 12, application of high programming voltages and currents are typically required. Gate oxide antifuses typically require several volts and currents in the several milliampere range to achieve such post-breakdown resistance.
This presents a problem in that the voltage/current required to program the antifuse must pass through standard CMOS logic without damaging it. One conventional solution, for example as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,750,530 (“the '530 patent”), assigned to the assignee hereof and entitled “Semiconductor Antifuse With Heating Element,” is to form a heating element adjacent to, but not part of or in contact with, the antifuse element. Such a solution provides indirect heating, however, no component of the antifuse itself is involved in the generation of the heat. There are several drawbacks to such a solution utilizing indirect heating. First, additional processing steps are required to place a heat generation source in proximity to the antifuse. A resistive heating element (depicted as element 305 in FIG. 6B of the '530 patent) must be placed in the proximity of the antifuse (depicted as element 300 in FIG. 6B of the '530 patent). This requires additional process steps, thus increasing complexity and potential for yield loss. Second, although sufficient heat may be generated, transferring the heat to the antifuse is inefficient because of the indirect nature of the heating that occurs. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6B of the '530 patent, to raise the temperature of antifuse dielectric layer 330, heat energy must radiate from heating element 305 through thick dielectric layer 340, which is about 0.5 microns thick. This heat transfer path is inefficient and requires a high programming current to travel through heating element 305 to produce sufficient indirect heating of dielectric layer 330. Additionally, the heat energy will disperse radially from heating element 305, thus further reducing the amount of heat energy that will reach the dielectric layer 330. Also, some amount of delay will occur from a point in time when the external heating element is activated to when the heat energy reaches the antifuse element. This delay is a function of both the distance between the external heating element and the antifuse element and the heat transfer characteristics (e.g. thermal conductivity) of the dielectric material that separates the external heating element and the antifuse element. The dielectric material that separates the external heating element and the antifuse element is typically a poor thermal conductor. Heat loss will occur as the heat energy passes through the insulator. Therefore, the size of the external heating element will have to be increased to account for such heat loss. Finally, the overall size of the programmable circuit is increased by adding a separate heating element, thus negatively impacting the size of the integrated circuit on which such antifuse structures reside.
Therefore, a need exists for an integrated, self-heating, less complex, reduced size, and more efficient antifuse structure where the antifuse dielectric layer is heated directly by the antifuse structure itself, not by an external heating element. | {
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Reducing power consumption in an integrated circuit is often desirable. However designers of integrated circuits often select a conservative supply voltage to ensure correct operation of the integrated circuits under all possible variations. This conservative approach often means that there is a substantial margin that is added to the critical voltage to account for uncertainty in the circuit models and to address potential worst-case combination of variabilities. However such combination of variabilities might be very rare or unlikely to even occur in certain implementations. Thus, such conservative approach is excessively conservative and is implemented at the expense of consuming more power that is actually necessary to ensure the proper operation of an integrated circuit. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus for reproducing a halftone image from a digital image such as a pseudo halftone image.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, various types of digital document data processing apparatuses such as facsimile systems and wordprocessors have been developed and are often networked. However, when resolutions of document data to be processed by different apparatuses in the network are different from each other, the document data must be enlarged or reduced before transmission or after reception.
Known methods of enlarging/reducing document images before transmission or after reception are a selective processing conversion (SPC) method, a logical sum method (Journal of the Institute of Data Processing, PP. 920-925, September, 1985), a projection method (Journal of the Institute of Image Electronics, Vol. 11, No. 2, PP. 72-83, 1982), and the like. Image data subjected to these conventional enlargement/reduction processing methods are limited to bilevel image data, e.g., character and line draw data or halftone image data, e.g., photographic data having an analog density value.
Document data to be processed by the recent document data processing apparatuses, however, include pseudo halftone image data such as image data processed by a dither method (to be referred to as dither image data hereinafter) and image data processed by an error diffusion method (to be referred to as error diffusion image data hereinafter) in addition to bilevel image data. When the same enlargement/reduction processing as in the bilevel or halftone image is performed for these pseudo halftone image data, gradation and sharpness of the pseudo halftone image may be undesirably lost. In addition, a moire pattern appears in the dither image according to the enlargement/reduction coefficient, thus greatly degrading the image quality.
In order to prevent the above drawbacks, pseudo halftone image data must be converted into halftone image data prior to enlargement/reduction processing. An image processing method described in Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application No. 62-114377 is available as a convention method of performing pseudo halftone image/halftone image conversion. In this method, the pseudo halftone image is restricted to an dither image. Image data is divided into pixel blocks each having a predetermined size, and the number of black pixels (or white pixels) within each block is counted, and the counted value is averaged by using the size of the block, thereby estimating a halftone density value of each pixel block.
According to this method, however, when the predetermined block size is small, halftone image data completely free from a frequency component of the dither image cannot be reproduced, and generation of a moire pattern due to the dither image pattern cannot be perfectly prevented. To the contrary, when the block size is too large, the cyclic image having a repetition cycle shorter than the dither matrix cycle cannot be reproduced, thereby reducing the sharpness of the original image.
Another conventional example is an image processing method described in Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application No. 61-35070. In this method, the pseudo halftone image is also restricted to the dither image. Image data are averaged in units of blocks whose size is equal to that of the known dither matrix, thereby obtaining a halftone image. Although this method can eliminate the moire pattern, reproducibility of information of a cyclic pattern smaller than that of the dither matrix is poor. As a result, sharpness of the original image data is often lost.
The both prior arts described above are effective when images to be processed are restricted to only dither images. However, they are not effective for other pseudo halftone images such as an error diffusion image. Moreover, when bilevel image data such as character and line draw data and the pseudo halftone image data are mixed in digital image data, no effectiveness can be expected. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Humans grow corn for food and energy applications. Humans also grow many other crops, including soybeans and cotton. Insects eat and damage plants and thereby undermine these human efforts. Billions of dollars are spent each year to control insect pests and additional billions are lost to the damage they inflict. Synthetic organic chemical insecticides have been the primary tools used to control insect pests but biological insecticides, such as the insecticidal proteins derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), have played an important role in some areas. The ability to produce insect-resistant plants through transformation with Bt insecticidal protein genes has revolutionized modern agriculture and heightened the importance and value of insecticidal proteins and their genes.
Several Bt proteins have been used to create the insect-resistant transgenic plants that have been successfully registered and commercialized to date. These include Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, Cry1F and Cry3Bb in corn, Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab in cotton, and Cry3A in potato.
The commercial products expressing these proteins express a single protein except in cases where the combined insecticidal spectrum of 2 proteins is desired (e.g., Cry1Ab and Cry3Bb in corn combined to provide resistance to lepidopteran pests and rootworm, respectively) or where the independent action of the proteins makes them useful as a tool for delaying the development of resistance in susceptible insect populations (e.g., Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab in cotton combined to provide resistance management for tobacco budworm). See also U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0313717, which relates to a Cry2 protein plus a Vip3Aa, Cry1F, or Cry1A for control of Helicoverpa zea or armigerain. WO 2009/132850 relates to Cry1F or Cry1A and Vip3Aa for controlling Spodoptera frugiperda. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0311096 relates in part to Cry1Ab for controlling Cry1F-resistant ECB.
That is, some of the qualities of insect-resistant transgenic plants that have led to rapid and widespread adoption of this technology also give rise to the concern that pest populations will develop resistance to the insecticidal proteins produced by these plants. Several strategies have been suggested for preserving the utility of Bt-based insect resistance traits which include deploying proteins at a high dose in combination with a refuge, and alternation with, or co-deployment of, different toxins (McGaughey et al. (1998), “B.t. Resistance Management,” Nature Biotechnol. 16:144-146).
The proteins selected for use in an insect resistant management (IRM) stack need to exert their insecticidal effect independently so that resistance developed to one protein does not confer resistance to the second protein (i.e., there is not cross resistance to the proteins). If, for example, a pest population selected for resistance to “Protein A” is sensitive to “Protein B”, one would conclude that there is not cross resistance and that a combination of Protein A and Protein B would be effective in delaying resistance to Protein A alone.
In the absence of resistant insect populations, assessments can be made based on other characteristics presumed to be related to mechanism of action and cross-resistance potential. The utility of receptor-mediated binding in identifying insecticidal proteins likely to not exhibit cross resistance has been suggested (van Mellaert et al. 1999). The key predictor of lack of cross resistance inherent in this approach is that the insecticidal proteins do not compete for receptors in a sensitive insect species.
In the event that two Bt toxins compete for the same receptor, then if that receptor mutates in that insect so that one of the toxins no longer binds to that receptor and thus is no longer insecticidal against the insect, it might be the case that the insect will also be resistant to the second toxin (which competitively bound to the same receptor). That is, the insect is said to be cross-resistant to both Bt toxins. However, if two toxins bind to two different receptors, this could be an indication that the insect would not be simultaneously resistant to those two toxins.
For example, Cry1Fa protein is useful in controlling many lepidopteran pests species including the European corn borer (ECB; Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner)) and the FAW, and is active against the sugarcane borer (SCB; Diatraea saccharalis). The Cry1Fa protein, as produced in transgenic corn plants containing event TC1507, is responsible for an industry-leading insect resistance trait for FAW control. Cry1Fa is further deployed in the Herculex®, SmartStax™, and WideStrike™ products.
The ability to conduct (competitive or homologous) receptor binding studies using Cry1Fa protein is limited because the most common technique available for labeling proteins for detection in receptor binding assays inactivates the insecticidal activity of the Cry1Fa protein.
Additional Cry toxins are listed at the website of the official B.t. nomenclature committee (Crickmore et al.; lifesci.sussex.ac.uk/home/Neil_Crickmore/Bt/). There are currently nearly 60 main groups of “Cry” toxins (Cry1-Cry59), with additional Cyt toxins and VIP toxins and the like. Many of each numeric group have capital-letter subgroups, and the capital letter subgroups have lower-cased letter sub-subgroups. (Cry1 has A-L, and Cry1A has a-i, for example). | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2008-44080 discloses a hydraulic torque wrench that includes a power transmitting apparatus. The power transmitting apparatus comprises a cylinder filled with hydraulic oil. The cylinder is located inside an outer casing part and is rotated by a drive motor via a rear-side planetary gear mechanism. A bearing that rotatably supports the cylinder is disposed between a small diameter portion of a rear part of the cylinder and the outer casing part, and an internal gear of the planetary gear mechanism is disposed on the rear side of the bearing.
The outer casing part of this device is formed of metal and further comprises: a housing that houses the motor, an outer wall of the planetary gear mechanism disposed on the front side of the housing, and a case of the cylinder disposed on the front side of the outer wall. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Drilling wells for various purposes is well-known. Such wells may be drilled for geothermal purposes, to produce hydrocarbons (e.g., oil and gas), to produce water, and so on. Well depth may range from a few thousand feet to 25,000 feet or more. In hydrocarbon wells, downhole tools often incorporate various sensors, instruments and control devices in order to carry out any number of downhole operations. Thus, the tools may include sensors and/or electronics for formation evaluation, fluid analysis, monitoring and controlling the tool itself, and so on. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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A material application system or sprayer may be used to apply, distribute, dispense or spray agricultural inputs on a field at controlled rate. Agricultural inputs may comprise fertilizer, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other chemicals, compounds, or mixtures. Agricultural inputs may be used to treat seeds, roots, plants or the soil, for example. Although the controlled rate of dispensing may compensate for an observed velocity of the material application system that is moved by a vehicle, there is often a lag associated with the observed velocity and the actual velocity and another lag associated with the observed velocity and actual dispensation onto the field. Thus, there is need to reduce or minimize the effects of such lag, which may result in less accurate dispensing of agricultural inputs than otherwise desired. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The closest known prior art is U.S. Pat. No. 6,725,959 (2004) to Shea et al. A snowboard is fitted at the rear with a mounting assembly to support a motor. The motor powers a flexible track with a tread. A tiller moves the motor and track side to side for steering. The motor and tread are set at snow level and cannot be lifted up to allow natural snowboarding.
What is needed in the art is a powered snowboard that can be put into a passive mode to allow natural snowboarding downhill. The present invention provides this passive mode by mounting the tiller near its center on a tripod. The motor acts as a counterweight to the motorized tread which is mounted behind the snowboard. Thus, by locking the motor in a down position, the tread is supported in the air above the snow. Now the rider can ski downhill with his hands free. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The idea of fiber impregnation by powdered resin is well-known. Over the years, the industry has used different techniques for producing yarns or rovings (prepregs) impregnated with various thermoplastic or thermoset polymer powders. One known process passes bundles of filaments (glass, carbon or even Aramid.RTM. fibers) through a fluidized bed of powdered thermoplastic resin. The filaments are kept separate by different means so that the resin can be picked-up by the filaments.
Another process achieves adherence of the polymer powder to the yarn or roving by creating an electrostatic charge on either the yarn or the powder. Another process to adhere the powder to the yarn is by mechanical means. Short-toothed combs, stationary or rotating rods or bars and the like separate the yarns so that the powders may penetrate the filaments. Still other processes sheath the rovings with a flexible polymer sleeve after the powder has penetrated the fibers in an attempt to keep the powder on the fibers before the fibers are used in a molding process. Another alternative process fuses the powder impregnated strands into a rigid ribbon in order to keep the powder on the strands.
Still another process produces fiber reinforced thermoplastic material directly from the bushing by extruding filaments into a bed of dry thermoplastic powder which has a lower melting point than the filaments. The powder sticks to the filaments so that impregnation takes place when the filaments are still separate. These filaments must be cut into granules or fed directly to a heated die.
All of these processes are based on the same principle of dry impregnation of a strand followed by some type of post treatment. Each process has its problems. For example, plain impregnated strands with no sizing or further treatment usually lose much of the impregnated powder before molding, while the flexible sleeve typically creates resin rich, glass poor areas in the molded part and the rigid ribbons are difficult to process.
Further, problems occur when the thermoplastic or thermoset resin powder is put between the filament bundles after the filaments have previously been gathered or glued together into a bundle. The filaments in the bundles must be separated or "unglued" and often good "wet out" or dispersion of the resin between the filaments is not achieved. Rather, the resin forms a sheath or coating around the bundle and in the final injection molded products, these glass bundles remain intact and good glass dispersion is not achieved.
Considerable time and expense would be saved if a method for impregnating strands with a thermoplastic or thermoset resin could be employed which would eliminate non-aqueous solvents, fluidized beds, sheaths, and time-consuming extrusion techniques or other, dangerous methods for applying thermoplastic or thermoset resins to fibers. This invention is directed to that objective. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cooling system for cooling a substance to be cooled.
2. Description of Related Art
Japanese Examined Patent Publication (KOKOKU) No. 45-27,634 discloses a conventional cooling system which is constructed as illustrated in FIG. 5. As illustrated in FIG. 5, this conventional cooling system comprises a cold gas refrigerator 101 which operates under reverse Stirling cycle, and a cooling circuit 120 for delivering cold to a substance 110 to be cooled.
The cold gas refrigerator (hereinafter simply referred to as "refrigerator") 101 includes a cylinder 100, a piston 102 which reciprocates in the cylinder 100, a displacer 103 which reciprocates with a predetermined phase difference with respect to the piston 102, a chiller 106 which communicates with a compression chamber 104 disposed between the piston 102 and the displacer 103, a freezer 108 which is disposed in an expansion chamber 105 placed between the displacer 103 and a top end of the cylinder 101, and a regenerator 107 which is disposed between the chiller 106 and the expansion chamber 105.
The cooling circuit 120 includes a compressor 121, a piping 124, and a counterflow heat exchanger 123 which is disposed between the piping 124 and the compressor 121. The piping 124 includes a plurality of heat exchangers 125 for conducting cold, and a plurality of heat exchangers 126 for cooling a substance 110 to be cooled. The heat exchangers 125 are thermally brought into contact with the freezer 108. The heat exchangers 125 and the heat exchangers 126 are disposed alternately in series.
In the thus constructed conventional cooling system, the piston 102 compresses a working medium to produce heat in the compression chamber 104 of the refrigerator 101 (i.e., isothermal compression). Then, the displacer 103 moves toward the piston 102 to cool and pass the working medium through the regenerator 107 (i.e., constant-volume cooling). Further, the piston 102 retracts to produce cold in the expansion chamber 105 (i.e., isothermal expansion), and the cold is absorbed by the other working medium which flows in the cold-conducting heat exchanger 125 being thermally brought into contact with the freezer 108. Furthermore, the displacer 103 moves to its top dead center, and thereby the working medium cools the regenerator 107 and returns to the compression chamber 104 (i.e., constant-volume heating).
The other working medium flows in the cooling circuit 120. When it flows in the cold-conducting heat exchanger 125, its heat is absorbed, and cold thus produced is conducted to the heat exchanger 126 for cooling. Accordingly, the substance 110 to be cooled is cooled. The counterflow heat exchanger 123 cools the high-pressure working medium, which is delivered from the compressor 121, by means of the low-pressure working medium which returns to the compressor 121.
The thus constructed cooling system can employ a helium gas as the working media, and can be applied to home-use refrigerators, air conditioners, etc. When its refrigerator employs a multi-staged expansion arrangement, and when its cooling circuit utilizes a Joule-Thomson (hereinafter referred to as "J-T") circuit, it is possible to attain a liquefied helium temperature as low as 4.2K, and to cool superconducting magnets.
In the counterflow heat exchanger 123 of the thus constructed cooling system, its low-pressure-side passage 123b is connected to an inlet port of the compressor 121, and its high-pressure-side passage 123a is connected to an outlet port of the compressor 121. The flow of the other working medium flowing in the low-pressure-side passage 123b is equal to the flow of the other working medium flowing in the high-pressure-side passage 123a. Accordingly, in the counterflow heat exchanger 123, the heat exchange is carried out in an averaged manner.
If the flow in the low-pressure-side passage 123b could be set larger than that of the flow in the high-pressure-side passage 123a, the other working medium of high-temperature flowing in the high-pressure-side passage 123a could be cooled by the other working medium of low-temperature flowing in the low-pressure-side passage 123b with enhanced cooling efficiency. As a result, it is assumed that the temperature of the other working medium of high-pressure prior to flowing into the cold-conducting heat exchanger 125 could be reduced considerably, and that the cold-conducting heat exchanger 125 could be enhanced accordingly in terms of Carnot efficiency.
Hence, in order to set the flow in the low-pressure-side passage 123b larger than the flow in the high-pressure-side passage 123a, one may think of branching part of the other working medium flowing into the high-pressure-side passage 123a.
However, the flow in the low-pressure-side passage 123b should eventually be identical with the flow in the high-pressure-side passage 123a. In other words, the flow should be equal on the outlet-port side and the inlet-port side of the compressor 121. Consequently, it is needed to join the branched flow with the working medium which has been flowed in the high-pressure-side passage 123a downstream with respect to the counterflow heat exchanger 123. If such the case, the cooling efficiency in the cold-conducting heat exchangers 125 is degraded sharply, because the branched working medium is not cooled by the counterflow heat exchanger 123. Accordingly, in spite of the enhanced cooling efficiency in the counterflow heat exchanger 123, there arises a problem in that the substance 110 to be cooled cannot be cooled with improved cooling capability. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Conventionally, a game apparatus has been known which includes, as a standard controller, a game controller held and operated with one hand. As an example of an extended controller of the game apparatus, a game controller has been known which is held and operated with both hands, and includes two sticks, a cross key, and a plurality of operation buttons. | {
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The present invention is directed generally to a mattress tape and, in particular, to a knitted mattress tape suited to provide a french seam at the edges of the mattress that produces a minimum amount of wrinkling.
Mattress tape is known in the art as exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 3,889,305 (Goldberg) . This prior art heat barrier textile material is directed to a mattress tape formed of at least 50% by weight of filament yarn and, optionally, the balance spun yarn, the filament yarn and spun yarn being made from a synthetic fiber forming polymer such as a poly (ethyleneglycol terephthalate) .
It is noted that as used in this patent "mattress" refers to all types of mattresses and box springs, while "mattress tape" refers to the fabric tape used to finish and close the edges of "mattresses".
In the past, mattress tape has always been woven. Many different patterns of woven mattress tape have been made and many different yarns have been used in the weaves. Yarns ranging from cotton to polyester to nylon to polypropylene have been used. Thus, many different weights of mattress tape have been created using the different yarns.
The prior art mattress tapes have been satisfactory. However, they suffer from the disadvantage of being limited in the designs of the thicknesses, rigidity or shape holding ability. All woven tapes must be of uniform thickness, rigidity, and shape holding capability throughout the width of the tape thereby limiting the degree of shape holding ability that may be obtained by the tape. If the tape is designed too stiff in the edges it will not hold in the track of the mattress binding machines and if the tape is not designed stiff enough in the center it will not be capable of holding its shape without wrinkling. Thus, there is a limit to how firm the tape can be and still sew properly. Further, to achieve the desired shape holding capability in a prior art woven tape, an excess of yarn must be utilized in the edge regions, increasing the cost of the mattress tape.
It is desirable to have a tape that is sewn neatly on the edges and holds in track well while being stiff enough to hold its shape and define a smooth and aesthetically pleasing mattress edge. Further, it is desirable to provide a mattress tape which can achieve the desired appearance and utility while permitting use of less yarn per yard of tape than comparable prior art tapes. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a mattress tape which overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art configuration described above. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has become an indispensible tool for chemists, biologists, and medical professionals. NMR is based on splitting of the spin energy states induced by a static magnetic field, and resonant absorption of electromagnetic energy, at levels equivalent to the energy difference between such split spin states. The resonance associated with energy absorption from the electromagnetic field occurs in the microwave region. Thus, NMR, unless aided by extensive modifications like stripe sensor tomography, is unsuitable for bio-imaging on the micron scale because the microwave fields required to produce resonant absorption have wavelengths on the order of millimeters. Other magnetic-resonance-based spectroscopy techniques, including electron spin resonance (ESR), also rely on excitation in the microwave region. While ESR can be successfully employed to study macroscopic parameters like membrane fluidity, the resolution of microwave radiation limits the usefulness of ESR in of bio-imaging. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Many groups are investigating the use of polymers for the controlled delivery of a variety of therapeutics. Polymers play an integral role in drug delivery and are desirable for controlled release therapeutics, tailored drug release kinetics, increasing the half-life of a drug in a biological system and systems that facilitate the placement and localization of a drug within close proximity of a desired tissue. Controlled drug release is desirable because it can eliminate the potential for both under- and over-dosing. Controlled drug delivery also allows one to more easily maintain consistent drug levels at the desired tissue site, permits less frequent and fewer overall administrations of the drug, and improves patient compliance. Polymer drug delivery systems generally have some disadvantages, including toxicity or non-biocompatibility of the materials used, undesirable degradation by-products, discomfort from implantable polymer drug delivery systems, initial burst release, synthesis and processing conditions that compromise the integrity of the drug or the biocompatibility of the materials, a disconnect between the degradation time of the polymer and the release period of the drug, and the high cost of controlled polymer drug release systems in comparison to standard pharmaceutical compositions.
Controlled delivery of a drug from a polymer occurs when the biologically active ingredient is released from the polymer in a predesigned manner. The release may be periodic over time, it may be constant, or it may be triggered by external events. The drug release kinetics are generally dependent upon the properties of the polymer as well as the drug. Drug may be liberated from the polymer carrier through a variety of methods, including diffusion of drug out the polymer matrix, erosion of the polymer matrix, chemical degradation of the polymer matrix, chemical degradation of a linker between the drug and the polymer matrix, or reduction of an attractive force between the drug and the polymer matrix. Controlled delivery can be preferred, or necessary, when frequent, repeated administration of traditional dosage forms is not feasible or desirable. In many cases, controlled release kinetics provide a therapeutic benefit. The delivery can be tailored so that water-soluble drugs are slowly released and low-solubility drugs are released quickly. The drug delivery can be specific for a target site, or the hydrogel prodrug systems can be designed to be quickly dissolved or degraded for fast elimination. Ideally, the polymer drug system should have an inert backbone, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and the capability of containing a high drug load without the dangers of accidental release. Furthermore, the polymer drug system should be simple to administer and easy to manufacture.
The goal for a polymer controlled drug delivery system is to achieve a delivery profile yielding a constant level of drug in a system or in a target tissue, or periodic drug release in a system or in a target tissue over a determined amount of time, or externally triggered drug release in a system or in a target tissue. In traditional drug dosing, such as oral administration of tablets or injected formulations, the levels of drug initially rise then subsequently fall until a second administration. The metabolism of a patient or the environment in which the drug is placed can lead to an undesired fast degradation, clearance, or waste of the drug before a second administration of drug can occur, and can lead to over- or under-dosing. As such, a polymer system, which achieves a constant level of drug over a given period of time, is greatly needed. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to passive intermodulation (PIM) and systems and methods for measuring PIM in a network and/or device.
2. Related Art
Passive intermodulation (PIM) causes an unwanted signal or signals to be generated by the non-linear mixing of two or more frequencies in a passive device such as a connector or cable. PIM has surfaced as a problem for cellular telephone technologies including Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Advanced Wireless Service (AWS) and Personal Communication Service (PCS) systems. Cable assemblies connecting a base station to an antenna on a tower using these cellular systems typically have multiple connectors that can act as sources of PIMs that interfere with system operation.
PIM signals are created when two signals from different systems or the same system combine and are then reflected at a PIM point such as a faulty cable connector. If the generated PIM harmonic frequency components fall within the receive band of a base station, it can effectively block a channel and make the base station receiver think that a carrier is present when one is not. Generally the components of concern are third, fifth, and seventh order, where the third order is of greatest signal strength, and therefore, of primary concern. PIMs can occur when two base stations operating at different frequencies, such as an AWS device and a PCS device, are in close proximity.
PIMs can be reduced or eliminated by replacing faulty cables or connectors. Test systems exist for determining the distance and magnitude to sources of PIMs, allowing a technician to locate and replace the faulty cable or connector. A test system to measure PIMs creates signals at two different frequencies, amplifies them, and provides them through cables connecting a base station to antennas on a tower for the base stations. A return signal carrying the PIMs is filtered to select a desired test frequency harmonic where PIMs can be detected and the PIM and distance to PIM measurement is provided to an operator. What are needed are improved systems and methods for determining the magnitude of and distance to PIM sources. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The demand for hydrocarbons remains a growth industry. The uses of hydrocarbons include the development of better fuels, as well as useful precursors for detergents, and for polymers.
In particular, the production of kerosene is important for numerous products, including motor fuels, and the production of detergents. The production of precursors for detergents includes the separation of a kerosene feedstock into a component comprising normal hydrocarbons and a component comprising non-normal hydrocarbons.
Kerosene range hydrocarbons can come from numerous sources, and as demand has increased, there has been an increase in usage of lower quality sources of hydrocarbons, such as petroleum coke.
Special commercial uses of normal paraffins require that the normal paraffins contain an especially low concentration of aromatics. By normal paraffins, it is meant straight-chain, linear or unbranched paraffins. One of these special uses is the manufacture of detergents made from alkylbenzenes, in which C9 to C22 normal paraffins are dehydrogenated to olefins that are then used to alkylate benzene. The problems with aromatics in the normal paraffins, particularly aromatics having the same carbon number as the normal paraffins, arise during the alkylation step because of the occurrence of two side-reactions: first, the ring of the aromatic can react with an olefin to produce a heavy, dialkyl benzene by-product, and second the side-chain of the aromatic can be dehydrogenated and react with benzene to produce a heavy, biphenyl by-product. Either by-product is not suitable for detergents. These side-reactions result in waste of valuable feedstocks, costs for separation and disposal of by-products, and economic loss. For these reasons, there is sometimes a preference that the concentration of aromatics in normal paraffins used for commercial production of detergents be less than 0.005 wt-% (50 wppm) of the normal paraffins.
The most plentiful, commercial source of C9 to C22 normal paraffins is crude oil, in particular the kerosene-range fraction. By “kerosene-range” is meant the boiling point range of 360° F.-530° F. (182° C.-277° C.). This fraction is a complex mixture comprising normal paraffins, iso-paraffins, and aromatics from which the normal paraffins cannot be separated using conventional distillation. Depending on the type of crude from which the hydrocarbon fraction is derived and the carbon number range of the fraction, the concentration of normal paraffins is usually 15-60 wt-% of the feed and the concentration of aromatics is usually 10-30 wt-% of the feed. There may be more unusual feed streams which have aromatic concentrations of only 2-4 wt-% of the feed.
The separation of various hydrocarbonaceous compounds through the use of selective sorbents is widespread in the petroleum, chemical and petrochemical industries. Sorption is often utilized when it is more difficult or expensive to separate the same compounds by other means such as fractionation. Examples of the types of separations which are often performed using selective sorbents include the separation of para-xylene from a mixture of xylenes, unsaturated fatty acids from saturated fatty acids, fructose from glucose, acyclic olefins from acyclic paraffins, and normal paraffins from isoparaffins. Typically, the selectively sorbed materials have the same number of carbon atoms per molecule as the non-selectively adsorbed materials and very similar boiling points. Another common application is the recovery of a particular class of hydrocarbons from a broad boiling point range mixture of two or more classes of hydrocarbons. An example is the separation of C10 to C14 normal paraffins from a mixture which also contains C10 to C14 iso-paraffins.
One of the principal prior art processes for the selective removal of the aromatics from the kerosene-range fraction employs a sorption process that separates the normal paraffins and the iso-paraffins. The sorbent used in this process has pores which the normal paraffins can enter, but which the aromatics, like the iso-paraffins, cannot enter because their cross-sectional diameter is too great. Contacting a kerosene-range feed with the sorbent produces a raffinate stream containing almost all of the iso-paraffins and aromatics that were in the feed, and a sorbent loaded with sorbed normal paraffins. Then, contacting the loaded sorbent with a desorbent stream produces an extract product containing almost all of the normal paraffins in the feed. But, sorbents used in this process are not ideally selective for normal paraffins, and where the sorbent comprises a crystalline zeolite and an amorphous binder, the binder itself may be selective for aromatics. Consequently, a small portion of the feed aromatics is rather tenaciously sorbed on the surfaces of the sorbent and ultimately appears as a contaminant in the extract (normal paraffin) product. With a typical kerosene-range feed and a commercial sorbent, the concentration of aromatics is usually 0.15-0.50 wt-% (1500-5000 wppm) of the extract product, which is sometimes unacceptably high for production of commercial detergents.
The use of lower quality sources of heavy hydrocarbons requires the processing of that hydrocarbon to allow its usage in today's industries. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to improvements in protective garments adapted for use by spectators at outdoor winter sports such as football games or the like, or by sportsmen such as duck hunters, for example.
2. Description of Prior Art
Those concerned with the development of protective clothing for spectators and hunters have long recognized the need for protecting the legs and feet of an individual even when such individuals are wearing warm boots and socks. Attempts in the past to provide some type of garment to keep the legs and feet warm have generally been in the form of a garment much like the lower half of a sleeping bag which has a bottom panel or flat area for receiving the feet of the wearer and an insulated peripheral panel enclosing the legs and lower body of the wearer, up to the waist, with a zipper-type closure provided on the front of the garment to enable the wearer to easily get into and out of the garment. Some of these garments have seats formed into the garment itself in the form of inflatable pillows.
None of these prior art devices however, provide a unitized structure for the purpose of providing a seat cushion that also functions as a carrying case. The present invention, on the other hand, provides a convenient carrying case by integrating the seat-cushion and leg-warmer/protector into a unitary structure. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus which is connectable with a plurality of telephones (handsets) and which allows extension-line-communication between the telephones.
1. Background Art
For example, a conventional facsimile machine of the above-mentioned type is connected with a built-in handset and a second handset and allows extension-line-communication between these handsets. It would be convenient if an in-house handset user would be informed of the fact that a call comes from outside (e.g., a communication terminal) during the in-house or extension line communication. Generally, the conventional facsimile machine activates a buzzer, which is incorporated therein, to give notice of such a calling.
However, since the conventional facsimile machine only makes a buzzer sound, the in-house handset user cannot know whether it is a call from a person or a facsimile machine. Accordingly, the user on the called side should interrupt his/her conversation when he/she hears the buzzer, and then determine whether a voice or a facsimile signal is transmitted from outside. If a voice is heard, the user on the called side will talk with the calling person without any inconvenience. However, if it is a facsimile signal, the user should switch the connection of the line or trunk from the telephone to the facsimile machine to receive the facsimile signal. This is inconvenient and troublesome.
Another type of conventional facsimile apparatus has a facsimile communication control module connected with a communication line. (A branch telephone of the facsimile apparatus is also connected with the line.) In this arrangement, in order to detect on-hooking and off-hooking of the branch, telephone, the conventional facsimile apparatus generally includes a hook detector circuit which determines the hooking state of the branch telephone by comparing the voltage of the line with a reference voltage. When the branch telephone is off hooked, the voltage of the line generally drops, for example from 48 V to about 10 V. Taking advantage of this, an appropriate value between 10 V and 48 V is chosen as the reference voltage and it is compared with the voltage of the line. If the former is lower than the latter, the facsimile apparatus judges that the branch telephone is on-hooked. Otherwise, it is judged that the branch telephone is in an off-hook state. In short, the conventional facsimile apparatus employs an analog hook-state detecting circuit to determine the on/off hooking of the branch telephone.
If a second handset is further attached to the facsimile apparatus via a modular jack, it is necessary to detect dial pulses from the branch telephone and the second handset before a call from outside is transferred to the branch telephone or the second handset or when a user of one handset wants to talk to another user of the other handset. In this case, the conventional facsimile apparatus analogously processes the voltage of the line during generation (or transmission) of the dial pulses to detect the number of the dial pulses. Specifically, the number of the dial pulses is determined based on output from a photocoupler which detects an off-hooking of the telephone (or handset). The dial pulse originally has a rectangular or square waveform as illustrated in FIG. 10 of the accompanying drawings, but the waveform may have crackings as depicted in FIG. 11 for various reasons. If the dial pulse has such a waveform, it is not possible to correctly determine the number of the dial pulses.
This type of facsimile apparatus is desired to receive a facsimile signal from outside without making any sound (ringing or bell sound) at a built-in handset when a ringing signal is transmitted from a line switching device, for example, when the facsimile apparatus is in a dial-in mode (a mode for a direct inward dialing) or a telephone/facsimile mode. Conventionally, in order to perform such a no-ringing reception, a relay switch between the communication line and the built-in handset is turned off to disconnect the built-in handset from the communication line.
For this end, however, the conventional facsimile apparatus should include a relay switch to connect and disconnect the built-in handset with/from the communication line so that an additional cost for such a switch is required and a switching control for the switching operation is also necessary.
In addition, since the conventional facsimile apparatus turns off the relay switch to disconnect the built-in handset from the communication line, it is impossible to use various functions and elements incorporated in the built-in handset such as a speech network during the disconnected state. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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It is well known that an inductor typically resists a change in the current flowing through it by generating a counteracting voltage drop. This phenomenon can be troublesome for electronic circuits that accommodate fast-switching operations. Rapidly changing currents can induce voltage fluctuations (i.e., inductive noise) in parasitic inductors that are inherent in most circuits. For example, a memory array employing a differential bi-directional bus may have inductive noise problems. During a bus-turnaround between READ and WRITE operations, current ramp profiles on the memory array's power supply rails can induce large voltage fluctuations as well as ground bounce. Such inductive noise problems can be exacerbated when a memory chip is packaged with inexpensive materials with large associated parasitic inductances. Typically, in a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), the input/output (I/O) subsystem contributes the most to the current ramp profile on the power rails.
In FIG. 1, there are shown two sets of current profiles and voltage fluctuation waveforms in an output subsystem of a DRAM. As can be seen, a relatively slow current ramp (102) causes a moderate voltage fluctuation (104) on the power rail. If the current ramps up faster (106), larger voltage spikes (108) can be induced on the power rail, which may impact the behavior of the internal circuits.
Most existing solutions to inductive noise problems focus on design, layout or packaging techniques of the affected integrated circuits. One common approach is to separate the power pins for a chip's core circuits and its I/O drivers. Another approach involves restricting the number of I/O drivers connected to a single supply pin. Selection of the position of power and ground pins on the package can also affect inductive noise. However, these solutions are typically useful only to the specific circuits for which they are designed. A slightly different circuit may require a complete different solution. There has not been a system-level solution that can reduce the effect of inductive noise regardless of the underlying physical circuits.
In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide a solution for reducing inductive noise which overcomes the above-described inadequacies and shortcomings. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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This invention relates to sensors, and more particularly, to capacitive proximity sensors.
Capacitive sensors using a single plate capacitive proximity detector are known. The publication entitled: Capacitive Sensors-Design and Applications (ISBN#0-7803-5351-X) by Larry K. Baxter, 1st ed. (IEEE, Piscataway, N.J., 1997) describes one known capacitive proximity sensing system. Typically, a balance is achieved such that the system is stable. The balance is disrupted, for example, when a third object projects itself into the system, thereby altering a previous capacitance. The net result is a disruption of the balance. The balance can be achieved by using a bridge circuit with the proximity detecting capacitor in one arm of the bridge and a second capacitor, that has been adjusted to null the output of the bridge, in the other arm. Alternatively, the system can consist of two virtually identical oscillators that are independent of each other. Each of the two identical oscillators generates a signal with a frequency, dependent on a capacitance, that is virtually identical to the other oscillator. Thus, when one capacitance is changed, the balance between the two frequencies is disrupted and the disruption can be measured, for example, by way of an electronic device.
To understand the instant invention, some related background is necessary. Capacitance is the linear coefficient that relates the charge induced on one electrode to the potential applied to a different electrode. There is also self-capacitance that relates to the charge on an electrode to its own potential. For example, consider a situation with N electrodes, all electrically isolated from one another. Electrode i has charge Qi and potential Vi. The charge on electrode i can be expressed as: Q i = ∑ j = 1 N xe2x80x83 C ji V j xe2x80x83 . ( 1 )
Here, Cji is the capacitance of electrode i with respect to electrode j. Given the geometry, the capacitance can be calculated. In electrostatics it is known that for any geometry, Cji=Cij.
One embodiment of the invention is a capacitive sensor which includes a first electrode that has at least one conducting surface being disposed for receiving an alternating current signal, and a second electrode that has at least one conducting surface being disposed to generate an input signal for a detecting device. The sensor further includes a middle electrode that has at least one conducting surface placed between the first electrode and the second electrode, as well as being grounded to a ground. The at least one conducting surface of the middle electrode, the at least one conducting surface of the first electrode, and the at least one conducting surface of the second electrode being contained within a dielectric material holding within itself the first electrode, the second electrode and the middle electrode.
Another embodiment of the invention is a capacitive proximity sensing system which includes a first electrode that has at least one conducting surface being disposed for receiving an alternating current signal, and a second electrode that has at least one conducting surface being disposed to generate an input signal. The sensing system further includes a middle electrode that has at least one conducting surface placed between the first electrode and the second electrode, as well as being grounded to a ground. The at least one conducting surface of the middle electrode, the at least one conducting surface of the first electrode, and the at least one conducting surface of the second electrode being contained within a dielectric material holding within itself the first electrode, the second electrode and the middle electrode. The sensing system also includes an oscillator coupled to the first electrode generating the alternating current signal, and a detector that receives the input signal. An output of the detector is representative of the capacitance between the first electrode and the second electrode. Other detection methods known in the art may be used in place of the synchronous detector, such as envelope detection. | {
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This invention relates to the field of systems analysis and planning, and in particular to server consolidation and virtualization through performance analysis, modeling, and prediction.
The increase in processing power and storage available in computer devices and systems has initiated a resurgence in ‘central processing systems’, where multiple tasks are serviced on a number of servers, each server being time-shared among different tasks. Simple time-sharing, however, can lead to interaction problems, particularly if one of the time-shared tasks exhibits abnormal behavior and interferes with the other tasks, or causes the computer system to shut down.
The concept of “virtual machines (VMs)” was pioneered in the mid-1960s by IBM and MIT. A ‘main-frame computer’ was partitioned into individual ‘virtual machines’, each virtual machine appearing to each user, or group of users, as an independent entity, and each virtual machine being protected from tasks running on other virtual machines. As the concept has progressed, the term “virtualization” is generally used to describe the dividing of resources of a computer into multiple execution environments, using such techniques as hardware and software partitioning, time-sharing, machine emulation, and so on.
As computers become increasingly more capable, the concept of sharing resources among multiple users is likely to increase, particularly in computing-intensive environments, such as universities, government organization, mid to large corporations, and so on. To be effective, such environments require effective management of the shared resources, to balance workloads and/or assure sufficient performance to particular tasks.
In a typical multi-computer shared environment, the management of virtualized resources generally requires satisfying particular performance expectations. In some instances, a specified service level is guaranteed in a ‘service level agreement’ (SLA), which provides at least a minimum level of service, and either limits the service to a specified performance level or provides as much performance above the specified limit as is available at the time; in other instances, all users are given equal priority, and are promised as much performance as is available at the time, without any guarantees, but with the hope of being provided an average performance that substantially exceeds an estimated minimal performance. In other situations, users acquire a particular number of ‘shares’ of the available resources, and a weighted priority scheme is used, allocating resources based on the number of acquired shares, the weighted allocation being based on either the total number of shares allocated, or the total number of shares that are currently allocated to active tasks. Such allocation rules and methods are generally referred to as ‘priority schemes’.
The effective and efficient management of a virtual system requires an effective and efficient allocation of virtual machines to actual computers to optimize the processing resources that are provided to the various users of the virtual machines and/or to optimize user satisfaction, based on each user's acquired share of the available resources. As used herein, ‘acquired share’ refers to the relative share of resources that are expected to be provided to the particular user, and may be based on a purchase of such shares, an allocation of shares based on the particular task being performed, an allocation of shares based on a status of the particular user or particular task, and/or any other scheme for prioritizing each user's allocation of available resources.
This allocation of resources, even among equal shareholders, however, is not a simple linear allocation. If two virtual machines are running on a computer, the allocation of processing to the virtual machines will not be equal to the total processing capabilities of the computer, because some processing will be consumed by the application (“virtualization technology”) that is providing the segregation of the available processing between the two tasks. As the number of virtual machines on the computer increases, the loss of available processing due to the overhead associated with providing the virtualization scheme increases, in some cases resulting in an overhead loss of 15% or more of the processing available to the virtual machines.
The aforementioned overhead loss is not solely dependent upon the number of virtual machines running on a particular computer. Other factors, such as the technology used to provide the virtualization, the utilization of resources by each task on each virtual machine, the number of physical processors on the computer, the priority associated with each task, and so on, will affect the efficiency with which the virtualization process will perform.
A variety of competing virtualization technologies are currently available, including, for example, the Hyper-threaded Processor, VMware ESX, AIX Micropartition, Microsoft Virtual Machine Technology, Sun N1, HP nPar, vPar, and IBM PR/SM virtualization technologies, each potentially producing different overhead losses under different conditions, and as the use of virtualization increases, the number of available virtualization technologies can be expected to increase. As with most competing technologies, each virtualization technology appears to have certain advantages and disadvantages, and no single virtualization technology can be said to be ideal for any and all combinations of task allocations. Selecting the appropriate virtualization technology for a given environment, or selecting the appropriate set of virtualization technologies to satisfy different groups of tasks in a given environment, is becoming increasingly difficult for managers of large computing facilities.
Satisfying the requirements for effective and efficient virtualization allocation is further complicated by the dynamic nature of most computing environments. With advances in computing technology, it is rare for a computing environment to remain static for even a year. As new computing systems are introduced and older computing systems removed from service, the allocation of resources in a virtual environment becomes increasingly complicated.
It can be expected, for example, that as virtualization becomes more prevalent, the design of future high-performance computing systems will include features targeted to virtual systems, generally to reduce the virtualization overhead for all configurations, or to minimize the virtualization overhead within a particular band of configurations. In like manner, it can be expected that current virtualization technologies will advance, and new virtualization technologies will be introduced. As can correspondingly be expected, the reallocation of virtual machines among computing systems, as existing systems are replaced by other systems and configurations having different virtualization performance characteristics, will often be a very daunting task.
It would be advantageous to provide a virtualization management system that facilitates the allocation of virtual machines among multiple computer systems. It would also be advantageous to estimate the overhead losses associated with a given allocation of virtual machines among multiple computer systems.
These advantages, and others, can be realized by an interactive virtualization management system that provides an assessment of proposed or existing virtualization schemes. A Virtual Technology Overhead Profile (VTOP) is created for each of a variety of configurations of host computer systems and virtualization technologies by measuring the overhead experienced under a variety of conditions. The multi-variate overhead profile corresponding to each target configuration being evaluated is used by the virtualization management system to determine the overhead that is to be expected on the target system, based on the particular set of conditions at the target system. Based on these overhead estimates, and the parameters of the jobs assigned to each virtual machine on each target system, the resultant overall performance of the target system for meeting the performance criteria of each of the jobs in each virtual machine is determined, and over-committed virtual machines and computer systems are identified.
Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate similar or corresponding features or functions. The drawings are included for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. | {
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Articles requiring a degree of elasticity have been formed by combining elastic materials with inelastic, or less elastic, materials through various lamination processes. Often, such composite laminate articles will be stretchable because of the presence of the elastic material and the particular manner in which the elastic and inelastic materials have been bonded together during the laminating process.
Typically, such stretchable laminates are formed by joining the inelastic material to the elastic material while the elastic material or sheet is in a stretched condition. After such joining of the materials, the laminated article is then allowed to relax, which results in the inelastic component gathering in the spaces between bonding sites on the elastic sheet. The resulting laminate article is then stretchable to the extent that the inelastic material gathered between the bond locations allows the elastic material to elongate. Examples of these types of composite laminate articles and materials are set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,720,415 and 5,385,775, each of which is incorporated herein by reference thereto.
In some stretchable laminate articles, elastic strands of continuous filaments are bonded to relatively inelastic sheet materials while the elastic strands are in a stretched condition. Such elastic continuous filaments may, in certain articles, be sandwiched between two or more relatively inelastic sheets. The relatively inelastic sheets may include nonwoven webs formed by meltblowing or spunbonding various polymers. Examples of such laminates are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,385,775 to Wright, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto.
As shown in Wright, elastic continuous filaments may be extruded onto a horizontally moving sheet of material. The continuous filaments are extruded from above the horizontal plane of sheet material and directly onto the material for bonding thereto.
In other exemplary laminates, after bonding the elastic continuous filaments to the sheet material, which will often be relatively inelastic, the bonded elastic continuous filament/inelastic nonwoven sheet material will then be stretched and another relatively inelastic nonwoven sheet may be bonded to the elastic filaments. The forces that are holding the elastic continuous filaments in a stretched condition are then released to gather the inelastic nonwoven sheet(s) between the sheet bonding points. The product may then be stretched to expand and ungather the inelastic sheet(s), but will, upon release, return to the shortened, gathered state.
Such horizontally oriented processes may require expensive post-extrusion equipment in order to maintain the proper spacing between continuous filament strands. This is particularly true when the continuous filaments are not extruded as part of the laminating process and are, instead, unwound from various supply rolls. For example, when a thread such as Lycra™ is utilized, various combs and other alignment devices must be utilized in order to maintain the proper alignment between filaments as the filaments are being unwound from a typical supply spool.
Other lamination processes have also been developed for combining elastic and inelastic materials into a stretchable laminate product. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,910,064 to Sabee shows an apparatus for manufacturing an integral filamentary web comprising continuous filaments and meltblown fibers. A multiple number of continuous filaments are spun in curtain-like form, one side of which will have molten meltblown fibers deposited thereon and self-bonded to fix the continuous filaments in a controlled alignment. The process involves drawing continuous filaments either before, during, or after the deposition of the meltblown fibers in order to molecularly orient the continuous filaments. After stabilizing elastic continuous filaments by bonding to the meltblown fibers and relaxing the filaments, the elastic filaments and the web contract to form buckles, curls, or kinks in the non-elastic molecularly oriented permanently lengthened continuous filaments. The patent further describes the bonding of a second opposing meltblown web to the opposite side of the continuous filaments after the meltblown fiber/continuous filament composite is at least partially drawn to provide some degree of molecular orientation.
In addition, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,200,246 and 5,219,633, also to Sabee, show a vertically-oriented process and apparatus for producing a fabric that combines elongatable continuous filaments with fibrous meltblown webs for interlocking the continuous filaments in an integrated, fibrous, continuous filament matrix. An extruder provides molten elastomeric continuous filaments which are cooled, solidified, and stretched as they are drawn from the meltblowing nozzle by counter-rotating temperature-controlled pull rolls. The solidified continuous filaments are then subsequently pulled into the nip of a pair of temperature-controlled deposition rolls whereat two opposing meltblown gas-fiber streams or sprays are simultaneously and turbulently intermingled with each other and between the tensioned continuous elastomeric filaments. Passing the fabric between higher velocity draw rolls may then further stretch the composite fabric.
While such laminating processes are known in the art, improvements to the processes that allow for more efficient laminate formation are needed. The present invention addresses some of the drawbacks and deficiencies of present elastic/less elastic laminating systems. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for the application of holding clips on edges and borders of objects, in particular paper stacks or documents, by the application of clamping forces. Moreover the invention relates to a device and a system and components of such system for the application of holding clips. The invention also concerns holding clips, in particular holding clips for documents as such, and structure for manufacturing the same.
2. Description of Related Art
Commonly known are holding clips, designated as paper clips, designed as a bent wire piece and in a known manner manually attachable on the edge of a document stack. In order to attach a paper clip on a paper stack or an object the paper clip is usually taken out of a storage unit by hand and under elastic deformation pushed on the edge of the paper stack or the object in such a manner that a first portion of the paper clip is positioned on the upper side of the paper stack or the object, and a second portion of the paper clip is positioned on the underside of the paper stack or object. The paper stack or the object is pinched between the two portions.
The application of the known paper clips by hand proves to be time consuming. Moreover the clipping effect obtained with such paper clips often proves to be insufficient. The object of the patent publications referred to below is to provide technical devices facilitating the application of wire clips.
A device for the application of wire clips is known from U.S. Pat. No. 2,835,027, which comprises a magazine for receiving several wire clips and a punching device by means of which wire clips may be pushed out of the magazine and be expanded.
Another device for the application of wire clips is known from U.S. Pat. No. 3,829,954, which comprises a magazine for receiving loose wire clips and a dispensing mechanism for sending the wire clips out of the magazine and pushing the same on a paper stack. The wire clips are designed in such a manner that the respective clip portions provided to rest on the upper side of the paper stack and on the underside of the paper stack are substantially congruent. Such clip concept is considered disadvantageous because, in particular with thinner paper stacks, the wire clip considerably increases the thickness of the paper stack locally.
A device for the application of wire clips is known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,557,842 B2 which as such is integrated into a copier allowing documents to be wire-clipped.
A device for the application of wire clips is known from WO 02/028217 A2. Just like in the devices described above the clips are first placed into a receiving mouth and from there successively pushed off by a punching device. The wire clips may be pre-assembled in a sleeve and be placed together with such sleeve into the receiving mouth.
Accordingly, a need has developed in the art to provide solutions that provide advantages as against the known clip concepts with regard to the application of holding clips on objects, in particular paper stacks, with regard to the obtained holding effect, or in particular with regard to a space saving storage of the holding clips. | {
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This invention relates to audio amplifiers, particularly audio amplifiers where efficiency is important, such as battery-operated portable applications, for example portable amplifiers connected to headphones.
Minimizing unnecessary amplifier power dissipation is important in portable applications, such as headphones with a battery operated amplifier, such as a portable music player or telephones. In portable music players, such as MP3 players, designs are leading to decreasing MP3 encoding power dissipation as small feature size processes are used for the digital sections. This leaves the headphone as a major power dissipation contributor. In cellular telephones, especially where MP3 functions are integrated, the percentage of the power dissipated compared to the power dissipated in the transmitter and receiver is small. However, the headphones are used for a much longer period of time, making accumulated battery drain important.
Often very large AC-coupling capacitors are used to allow ground-referenced headphone return paths, i.e., headphone connections, where one of the terminals is grounded. It is desirable to remove these large capacitors and to achieve high power efficiency.
In the past, audio amplifiers have employed bipolar power supplies for AB amplifiers with a reference voltage, typically ground reference, between high and low (positive and negative) voltage rails. However, in relatively low-cost, low-power applications, demands have made it far more costly to provide a negative power supply voltage than to add large AC-coupling capacitors.
Some types of audio amplifiers with bipolar power supplies employ an integrated negative-supply generating charge pump in order to make it more cost effective to include the negative power rail, thereby making ground-referenced headphones easier for customers to use. Known art uses a charge-pump to generate a negative rail.
Reference is made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,061,327, 7,061,328, and 7,183,857 for background. Referring to FIG. 1, the techniques described therein use inefficient class AB amplifiers 12, 14 that employ two fixed voltage rails 16, 18 at +VCC and −VCC) with a battery 20 (at +VCC=1.8 VDC from ground) and a charge pump 22 and therefore suffer from high power dissipation at the loads, which are stereo earphone speakers 24, 26 referenced to ground. (The power dissipation in a class AB amplifier with a sinusoidal signal is minimal at the zero crossing and at the peak but maximum at points in between.) An alternative scheme described therein uses a single fixed voltage rail, which is likewise inefficient and requires a coupling capacitor to couple a signal to a ground-referenced load.
Class G amplifiers are known in the art. Referring to FIG. 2, a conventional class G amplifier 30 employs two parallel class AB amplifiers 32, 34 operating with complementary fixed voltage rail pairs 36, 38 and 40, 42 with power supplies at different maximum voltages (e.g. 3.0 VDC and 2.25 VDC), where connection to the rails are alternately switched by an equivalent ganged switch 44 (such as transistor switches) during each power cycle so that each amplifier 32, 34 operates only during a segment of different parts of the power cycle. The proper selection of the cycle parts improves efficiency to the output load, a loudspeaker 46. To accommodate the d.c. voltage shift of the a.c. signal, a coupling capacitor 48 is needed.
It is important to consider how battery voltage maps into power supply requirements. For example, where a Li-Ion battery is used, the output voltage is a nominal 3.6V. However, producing +/−3.6V and the associated rails can be costly due to the high 7.2V requirements. Efficiency degrades when many rails are employed. Supplying the input voltage from the output of a +DC, −DC power source is possible but at added cost.
More efficient multiple-rail power supplies are needed. | {
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The present invention relates to an angle adjusting arrangement for a mirror and more particularly, to an arrangement for adjusting the angle, for example, of the so-called outer or external reflecting mirror such as the fender mirror, door mirror, etc. for motor vehicles, from the interior of the motor vehicles through remote control.
Initially, for the angle adjusting arrangement of the above described type, a wire control system which effects the angle adjustments by moving the mirror through a wire was adopted, but thereafter, there has been proposed an electric driving system in which driving motors and power transmission members are accommodated on the back of the mirror in a mirror case for electrically adjusting the angles of the mirror, with further improvements being applied thereto up to the present.
Although the angle adjusting arrangement of the electric driving system as described above further includes various types of devices, it is generally arranged as described hereinbelow.
More specifically, a mirror is pivotally coupled, at its generally central portion, to a predetermined position on the outer surface of a housing or casing of the angle adjusting arrangement through a universal joint system, one end of a first mirror push-pull control shaft for vertically tilting the mirror is connected to the upper or lower side of the pivotal coupling at the rear face of the mirror and also one end of a second push-pull control shaft for inclining the mirror in the leftward or rightward direction is connected to the left or right side of said pivotal coupling through universal joint systems respectively, while the other ends of the first and second push-pull control shafts are led into the casing through inserting openings formed in said casing. In the casing, driving mechanisms including reversible motors and transmission members are accommodated for transmitting the driving force of the motors to the other ends of said first and second push-pull control shafts, and thus, by driving said driving mechanisms, the mirror is adapted to be tilted or inclined through axial displacement of the respective mirror push-pull control shafts.
Even in the mirror angle adjusting arrangement of the electrically driven type as described above, however, it is necessary that the mirror angle can be manually adjusted in the event of troubles and the like in the arrangement, and the connections between the mirror and driving mechanism are loose couplings, which may be achieved, for example, by providing each of the mirror push-pull control shafts with an elastic or resilient material such as urethane rubber, silicone rubber, natural rubber or the like, and engaging a gear having a female-threaded central opening with said control shaft, with the surface of the push-pull control shaft being finished so as to be smooth or to have a male thread thereon in loose engagement with the female thread of the gear. In the above arrangement, upon rotation of the gear by the driving mechanism, the screw thread of the gear is forced onto the surface of the push-pull control shaft, or the push-pull control shaft is axially displaced by the action of the male thread loosely engaged with the female thread of the gear, for tilting the mirror. On the other hand, when the mirror is manually moved, the female thread of the gear slides along the smooth or male-threaded surface of the push-pull control shaft so as to allow the axial displacement of the control shaft irrespective of the presence of the gear, thus making it possible to manually adjust the angle of the mirror. However, in the conventional arrangement as described above in which the push-pull control shafts are made of elastic material, there have been such problems that, since the hardness of the elastic material employed therefore tends to change due to variations in atmospheric temperatures so as to become rather soft at high temperatures and rather hard at low temperatures, smooth operation of the arrangement is undesirably obstructed due to variations in the state of coupling or the coupled portions may be broken due to undue force applied thereto particularly at low temperatures. | {
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Impervious graphite heat exchange tubes, chemical piping and other equipment have a recognized position in commerce. Impervious graphite engineering materials have been described in many articles such as those entitled "Impervious Graphite for Processing Equipment", by John R. Schley in the journal Chemical Engineering (Feb. 18, 1974, pages 144-150 and Mar. 18, 1974, pages 102-110) and by Dennis G. Hills (Jan. 20, 1975, pages 116-119). From such publications it is evident that the term "impervious graphite" means graphite which has been manufactured (i.e. by molding or extrusion and subsequent heat treatment) into a desired form and then impregnated with a synthetic polymeric resin to make it impervious to gases and liquids. Processes for manufacturing impervious graphite structures are well known in the art, and need not be detailed here, except to point out for purposes of illustration that any synthetic resin which can be used to manufacture conventional impervious graphite heat exchange tubes can also be used in processes for manufacturing the metal coated, partially thermally degraded impervious graphite processing structures of this invention. Examples of such synthetic resins are the phenolic resins, epoxy resins, furan resins, polyester resins and polyfluoronated resins such as polytetrafluoroethylene resins. It is preferred, however, that the resins used in making the graphite impervious be of the thermosetting or chemical setting type, such as the phenolic resins, epoxy resins and furan type resins. Other resins can also be used, as desired, to make the graphite impervious, and the selection of which is within the ordinary skill of any heat exchange specialist or engineer and will depend largely upon the fluid(s) with which the graphite structure will be in contact in its intended use. (See the articles by Schley described above for a description of how conventional impervious graphite materials can be manufactured.)
Although in conventional practice, tubes and other forms of impervious graphite have somewhat improved mechanical properties over non-impervious or porous graphite, besides being impermeable, they nevertheless are weak and very brittle materials of construction. This is stated by Mills, and by Schley in the previously mentioned articles. for example, Schley states (Chemical Engineering, Feb. 18, 1974, page 150) "A crucial consideration in the success or failure of any impervious graphite structure is notch sensitivity." (Notch sensitivity is a characteristic of brittle materials which leads to catastrophic failure.) "In flexural tests, the strengths of notched specimens will be 35 to 40 percent less than similar specimens having no notch." This weak and brittle nature of impervious graphite imposes severe limitations on the design of equipment such as heat exchangers. More so since pressure tolerance is also low for conventional impervious graphite structures, being between about 50 and 75 psig for standard, commercially available heat exchange tubes. In describing shell and tube heat exchangers, Mills (page 82) states, "These designs take up a very large amount of valuable process space and are not recommended for use in the fine chemical and pharmaceutical industries." A further design limitation resides in the fact that impervious graphite is not metallic and therefor cannot be fastened by conventional welding or soldering methods and the like.
Since impervious graphite is notch sensitive and brittle, any surface defect becomes a potential failure point, and therefor is hazardous, particularly in chemical piping applications. Here, extremely hot and corrosove materials under pressure would be extremely dangerous if an impact caused a catastrophic failure.
The corrosion resistance of impervious graphite depends basically upon the inertness of graphite itself to most chemicals, except the resins used in filling the voids of graphite, which generally amounts to about 10 to 15 percent, reduce the corrosion resistance of the impervious graphite as well as its use at higher temperatures.
The resins primarily used in the manufacture of impervious graphite are the phenolics, epoxies and furans. These impose a temperature limit of about 340.degree. F. on conventional structures which contain impervious graphite. If this temperature is exceeded in use, the resin begins to thermally degrade. These resins do not melt since they are of the thermosetting type, but instead become more brittle and harder by increased crosslinking, for example. This degradation continues with increased temperatures and time until charing occurs, and eventually the resin disintegrates. In the case of the phenolics, which are among the most widely used resins particularly for applications in which acids are present, the upper temperature limit is about 600.degree. F., but for only very short periods of time. As the resin thermally degrades it becomes increasingly stable toward chemicals and therefore has enhanced corrosion resistance compared to ordinarily processed resins. However, since the heat stabilized resin also becomes much more brittle, thermal degradation ordinarily adversely affects the mechanical properties of the impervious graphite. Conventional impervious graphite structures and materials therefor have heretofor been limited to about 340.degree. F. for ordinary use, since they are also already mechanically weak and notch sensitive.
It is therefor apparent that there has existed for some time a need in the chemical processing field for tubes, pipes, and the like having significantly improved chemical or corrosion resistance, having better impact strength (including resistance to, and freedem from, catastrophic explosive failure upon being ruptured), having better heat transfer properties, being more useful and safer in processes which involve higher pressures, having better resistance to mechanical shock, and having better resistance to attack by acids, organic solvents and other corrosive liquids and gases. It has now been discovered that these needs can be fulfilled by practicing the present invention as described hereinafter. | {
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Roadways are built to facilitate vehicular travel. However, depending upon usage density, base conditions, temperature variation, moisture variation, and/or physical age, the surface of the roadways can eventually become misshapen, non-planar, unable to support wheel loads, or otherwise unsuitable for vehicular traffic. In order to promote continued use of the roadways, machines known as “road reclaimers” are employed to rehabilitate the roadways. A road reclaimer pulverizes the surface of the roadway and mixes the pulverized material with the underlying base to stabilize and reshape the roadway. The road reclaimer can also add asphalt emulsions or other binding agents during pulverization to enhance particular properties of the roadway.
A road reclaimer typically includes a frame quadrilaterally supported by tracked or wheeled drive units. The frame provides mounting for an engine, an operator's station, and a reclaiming drum. The reclaiming drum, fitted with cutting tools, is rotated through a suitable interface by the engine to pulverize the roadway.
In a typical configuration, multiple cutting tools extend from an external surface of the reclaiming drum in a spaced apart non-repeating checkerboard configuration. Each cutting tool includes a dedicated flighting that is welded to the reclaiming drum, a mounting block that is connected to the flighting, and a cutting bit that is held within the mounting block. During operation, the reclaiming drum is rotated to drive the cutting bits into the roadway surface and fragment the surface, and the flightings are pushed through the fragmented material to break the fragmented material into smaller particles. An exemplary road reclaimer is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,677 of Haehn et al. that issued on Apr. 13, 1999.
Although effective, operation of a conventional road reclaimer wears down the mounting blocks and flightings of the reclaiming drum. Historically, the mounting blocks and flightings have been protected from excessive wear by way of paddles located at leading edges of the cutting tools. The paddles are welded to individual flightings to deflect material away from the flightings and mounting blocks. In this configuration, the paddles themselves function to pulverize the fragmented material, while also acting as sacrificial wear components.
Although conventional paddles may be effective, they may also be costly, difficult, and time-consuming to replace. Specifically, after a period of use, each paddle must be cut off of the flighting and a new paddle must be welded in its place. This service is generally performed in a service facility and often results in extensive downtime of the road reclaimer. As material impacts the paddles during operation, failures may occur as the joints between each paddle and the flighting to which it is connected loosen and allow relative movement between the paddle and the flighting. Any loosening of the connection between a paddle and a flighting may result in failure as a result of the removal of the preload that was originally placed on fasteners joining the paddle to the flighting. This loosening of the connections may be aggravated by side impacts on the paddle during a reclaiming operation, which impart shearing loads on the fasteners joining the paddle to the flighting.
The paddles and reclaiming drum of the present disclosure solve one or more of the problems set forth above and/or other problems in the art. | {
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Two-component paints with good storage stability of polymers capable of forming amides or urethanes and blocked isocyanates are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,995,531. Further, according to DE-OS No. 20 57 799 such combinations may also be used for the formulation of cathodically depositable ED-paints. One-component systems in which a partially blocked polyisocyanate is linked to a polymer via a urethane grouping are disclosed in DE-OS No. 20 20 905 and DE-OS No. 22 52 536. Systems of this type have the disadvantages of requiring relatively high stoving temperatures and of significant losses of binder material on stoving. Low alkanols such as methanol or ethanol cannot be used as blocking agents. Also, the systems known from EP No. B1-0012463, including amino polyester polyols and .beta.-hydroxyalkylesters which cure through transesterification, require high stoving temperatures and have substantial losses on stoving.
It is further known from EP No.-B1-00 82 291 to use mixed esters of malonic acid, for example trimethylolpropanetriethylmalonate, as a crosslinker for basic resins capable of amide or ester formation. These crosslinkers have relatively low losses on stoving, and the product split-off is non-toxic ethanol. However, in aqueous systems for cathodic electrodeposition, these crosslinkers show defects with respect to stability to hydrolysis, and thus it is difficult to keep constant the pH-value and the MEQ-value of an electrodeposition bath.
DE-OS No. 33 15 569 discloses as crosslinkers for cathodic electrodeposition MICHAEL-addition products produced from CH-active mono- or dicarboxylic acid esters. These compounds cure at a minimum stoving temperature of 140.degree. to 160.degree. C. in the presence of catalysts, such as the lead salts.
It is known from Petersen, Taube; Liebigs Ann. Chem., 562, (1949) 205, that compounds formed from isocyanates and dialkylmalonates can be produced with a methanetricarboxylic acid dialkylester monoamide structure unit which will cross-link with polyols at temperatures of from about 130.degree. C. upwards in the presence of sodium and sodium alcoholates. This reaction has widely been used for the preparation of crosslinking components for liquid stoving paints or stoving paints dissolved in organic solvents. Thus, DE-OS No. 23 42 603 describes a process for producing dialkylestermalonate-blocked biuretpolyisocyanates. In this process, at first, in a rather complicated manner, a two-step reaction is carried out (preparation of a mixture of biuretpolyisocyanate and a monomeric diisocyanate and subsequent separation of the monomeric diisocyanate) to obtain a monomer-free biuretpolyisocyanate which is then reacted with a dialkylmalonate. A stoichiometric excess of dialkylmalonate is preferred. Thus, the reaction mixture contains unreacted dialkylmalonate which does not participate in the crosslinking reaction and may adversely influence the film performance.
A specially blocked isocyanate obtained by reaction of 3-isocyanatomethyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexylisocyanate and two moles of dialkylestermalonate is described in DE-OS No. 24 36 877. DE-OS No. 25 50 156 discloses a process for polyisocyanate mixtures with blocked isocyanate groups easily soluble in paint solvents, where the 3-isocyanatomethyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclohexylisocyanate is partially reacted with a polyol prior to the reaction with the CH-active blocking agent. DE-OS No. 27 23 117 describes the coemployment of malonate "blocked" diisocyanates in the formulation of stoving paints of aminoplast resins and polyols. The presence of the aminoplast resin is necessary to obtain a film with satisfactory hardness.
The "blocked" polyisocyanates described in DE-OSS Nos. 23 42 603, 24 36 877, and 25 50 156 may, in general, also be used for ED-compositions if they are combined with synthetic resins which are water-dilutable on partial neutralization with acids. At low stoving temperatures, for example 140.degree. C, however, the coatings show unsatisfactory hardness and solvent resistance. The co-employment of aminoplast resins, as described in DE-OS No. 27 23 117, are of no value. It appears that the catalysts necessary for the curing of the aminoplast resins, i.e., sulfonic acid, are neutralized and thus become ineffective. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
A. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for implanting intraocular lenses in ophthalmic surgical procedures. More particularly, this invention relates to a means and method for implanting intraocular lenses made from a relatively soft, pliable foldable material through a very small surgical incision.
B. Problems in the Art
Working within the human eye requires that any incision be kept to minimum size. This conflicts with the need to use surgical instruments and tools in performing surgery within the eye, including implanting intraocular lenses.
Microsurgical tools are utilized in eye surgery. As the term "microsurgical" implies, because of the small frame work and intricate nature of surgery on the eye, the microsurgical tools or instruments must at once both have control portions (usually handles) which are easily grippable and maneuverable by the surgeon's hands and fingers, and have working end tips which are down-sized or basically miniaturized. The size and shape of instrument tips can be made so as to give the surgeon grasping, positioning, and retrieval capabilities on a very small scale. Conventional microsurgical forceps, having parallel spaced apart handle and tip combinations, work adequately for many requirements of ophthalmic surgery.
However, in ophthalmic surgery, even conventional microsurgical forceps are many times deficient. Where intrusion is needed to gain access into the interior of the eye, such as with delivering an artificial intraocular lens for implantation, conventional forceps basically require that the surgical incision or wound must be at least as wide as the open width of the forceps tips. This is required to insert and release an object into the eye and retrieve objects from the eye, which necessitates opening and closing of the tips within the eye. In other words, microsurgical forceps, when closed, generally present a fairly narrow and small cross section. They could easily be inserted through a small incision. However, in order to open the forceps tips to perform any grasping or releasing function within the eye, or to allow insertion of an object gripped in the forcep's tips, the incision must be wide enough to accommodate the open position of the tips.
In ophthalmic surgery, smaller wounds or incisions cause less trauma, reduced problems and scarring, and promote faster healing. Many forceps can be inserted through a very narrow wound, but can not be opened up inside the cavity because movement is restricted by the small size of the incision. Further, a narrow incision does not allow insertion of an object wider than the wound.
With conventional microsurgical forceps, therefore, the incision has to be made large enough to provide the needed opening and closing movement of the forceps, and also to accommodate the passage of objects that must be inserted into the cavity.
A specific example in ophthalmic surgery is where an artificial replacement lens (referred to in the art as an "intraocular lens") is to be delivered into the interior cavity of the eye. Such a lens, of course, has a certain length, width and thickness. Generally these lenses are thin in thickness, yet by comparison substantial in length and width; being somewhat rectangular or elliptical in shape. Even grasping the lens on its edges across its width requires a wound approximately as wide as the lens to insert the lens into the eye. In fact, the wound many times must be slightly larger to enable the forceps tips to pass and to allow the forceps tips to release the lens in the eye.
Recent developments in soft intraocular lenses allow that the lens can be folded or rolled into a small, somewhat cylindrical form. With the advent of the use of intraocular lenses made from relatively soft, flexible materials, such as silicone or hydroxyethylmethacrylate, has furthermore come the suggestion that these lenses could be folded or otherwise manipulated to facilitate implantation of the lenses in the eye. Reference is made to the following publications for further background information in this regard: Dreifus, Wichterle, and Lim, of II. Eye Clinic, Charles University, Prague, Czechoslovakia, "INTRACAMERAL LENSES MADE 0F HYDROCOLLOID ACRYLATES", from Cs. oftamologie, 16(2), 454-459 (1960); U.S. Pat. No. 4,664,666 (Barrett); U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,998 (Mazzocco); and U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,957 (McDonald). In this form, the lens can be inserted into the eye through a much smaller incision than would otherwise be required.
The problem then becomes how to fold the lens and retain it undamaged for delivery into the eye, and then release it when inside the eye. The lens must be released slowly, and restrained during release so that it does not pop out of the restraining device.
It would therefore be advantageous to have an apparatus which could pass through a smaller opening and still be able to open and release while inserted through the opening, which would be allowed to be smaller than the width of the forceps tips when in a substantially open position.
It would furthermore be advantageous to develop a method to insert an artificial lens into the eye through as small an opening as possible.
Although the advent of soft intraocular lenses has made it possible to consider folding the lenses to facilitate the use of a smaller surgical incision, there are still significant problems associated with the folding or other manipulation of soft lenses and the implantation of such lenses in the folded or manipulated state. For example, the same properties which allow the lenses to be folded also make the lenses susceptible to being damaged due to contact with folding instruments such as forceps. The damage can be in the form of scratches, tears or other physical damage to the lenses, as well as deterioration of the optical properties of the lenses. In addition, it should be borne in mind that the implantation of intraocular lenses is a very delicate procedure which is performed with the aid of a microscope. The lenses are quite small (i.e., typical diameter of optical portion about 6 millimeters and overall length/width of 12 millimeters), and are therefore difficult to handle under the best of circumstances. The handling of the lenses with conventional surgical instruments, such as forceps, can be much more difficult if attempts are made to fold or otherwise manipulate the lenses.
Present ophthalmic surgical procedures present problems with respect to insertion of soft intraocular lenses through as small of incision as possible along with providing a controlled release and unfolding of a lens once inside the eye. The surgeon must be able to easily and reliably control operation and orientation of the instrument or instruments used in such procedures; but at the same time introduce both the tool or apparatus and the artificial lens through a very small incision; and controll-ably release the lens into the eye.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved apparatus and method for folding a soft intraocular lenses and releasing the lens for implantation in the eye using a small incision and with minimized risk of damaging the lens or the eye. The present invention is directed to fulfillment of this need.
These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent with reference to the accompanying specification and claims. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
This invention relates to an overheating protection system for a switching module for driving a load, and particularly, although the invention is not limited to this, to a system for protecting switching devices inside a switching device module for chopping current through phase coils of an electric motor.
For example, a switching circuit for driving a switched reluctance motor (hereinafter abbreviated to SR motor) will be described. A switched reluctance motor generally has a rotor which is constructed with poles projecting outward and a stator constructed with poles projecting inward, and the rotor is simply an iron core while the stator has coils wound in concentration around each pole. In this kind of SR motor, the poles of the stator act as electromagnets and the rotor is rotated by its poles being attracted by magnetic forces of the stator. Accordingly, by the state of excitement of the coils wound on the poles of the stator being successively switched according to the rotational positions of the poles of the rotor, the rotor can be rotated in a desired direction. This type of SR motor is disclosed for example in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H.1-298940.
In an SR motor, when the poles of the rotor are in a certain rotational positions, the currents being passed through the stator coils are switched. In technology disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. H.1-298940, a rotational position signal having gentle rises and falls is generated and using this rotational position signal the rises and falls in current of when the currents to the coils are switched on and off are made gentle. Also, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. H.7-274569, H.298669 and H.8-172793, to make the rises and falls in current smooth, the currents passed through a motor are controlled by means of a PWM using an H-type switching circuit, and to lessen shortages of torque the switching mode is controlled.
For example, an SR motor driving system of an electric vehicle in which this kind of SR motor is used has phase drivers (in the case of a three-phase motor, three) including switching devices and gate drivers for passing currents through phase coils, phase current controllers for generating current patterns for the phases (time series current distributions) having phase differences between the phases and passing phase currents according to these patterns through the phase coils, and a system controller for generating target phase currents corresponding with torque motor driving commands and torque commands and supplying these to the phase controllers. The switching devices for passing currents through the phases are provided in a module, and to prevent thermal breakdown of the switching devices a temperature sensor is mounted on the switching device module and each phase driver is provided with a gate signal cutoff circuit for cutting of an on-command signal to the respective gate driver when the temperature detected by this sensor rises above a set value. Current sensors for detecting the currents in the phase coils and an over-current detecting circuit are also provided, and when a coil current becomes excessive a cutoff command signal is fed to the gate signal cutoff circuit and the currents of all the coils are cut off.
However, the temperature sensor is in a position away from the switching devices inside the module, and it takes time for heat produced by the switching devices to reach the temperature sensor, and at times when the amount of heat produced by the devices is large, such as during high-current excitation and at low motor speeds (when the excitation time of each phase is long), there is a risk of the temperature of a device reaching a limit temperature exceeding a threshold value at which the gate signal cutoff circuit operates even though the detected temperature of the temperature sensor has not reached the threshold value, and the switching device consequently breaking before the gate signal cutoff circuit turns the gate off in response to the detected temperature. To avoid this the temperature threshold value at which the gate signal cutoff circuit operates is set low and the motor drive is inhibited. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
In the prior art, amorphous silicon (a-Si) thin film transistors are formed by depositing a first layer of a-Si semiconductor material over a gate and gate insulator layer and then depositing a layer of highly doped silicon (e.g. n+ layer) on top of the first layer. Metal contacts for the source and drain are then formed on the highly doped layer defining a channel area in the first a-Si layer between the contacts. The highly doped layer over the channel area can then be etched away so as not to adversely affect the channel area. The low mobility in the a-Si TFT channel makes the device less demanding on contact resistance. The metal contacts formed on the highly doped area provide a low resistance (ohmic) contact.
In metal oxide thin film transistors (MOTFT) the metal contacts are formed directly on the metal oxide semiconductor layer. That is the metal oxide semiconductor material is the same under the metal contacts as it is in the channel area. For MOTFTs the lack of an n+ layer and a higher bandgap make it harder to provide a good ohmic contact. Furthermore, the high mobility of the metal oxide semiconductor material demands a lower contact resistance than in a-Si TFTs. Without a good, low resistance contact, hereinafter referred to as an ohmic contact, the high mobility of the metal oxide semiconductor material can be masked by the contact resistance. However, ohmic contacts in MOTFTs have been virtually unknown to date or are very difficult to form and/or retain.
It would be highly advantageous, therefore, to remedy the foregoing and other deficiencies inherent in the prior art.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide new and improved source/drain metal contacts in a MOTFT.
It is another object of the present invention to provide new and improved source/drain metal contacts in a MOTFT that form a low resistance ohmic contact.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved source/drain metal contacts in a MOTFT that are relatively easy and inexpensive to fabricate.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a process for fabricating a MOTFT from a uniform metal oxide film of which portions in contact with the source/drain metal contacts have a carrier concentration greater than the carrier concentration in the channel area.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an insulating, passivation layer shielding the channel area, which passivation layer serves as a chemical barrier under TFT storage/operation conditions and during TFT fabrication following metal oxide semiconductor layer formation. The same passivation layer also possesses sufficient mobility to oxygen and hydrogen at an annealing temperature above its glassy temperature.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an insulating, passivation layer shielding the channel area, which passivation layer includes oxygen containing groups, and which serves as an oxygen source at annealing temperatures and serves as a chemical barrier at TFT storage/operation temperatures. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
The present invention relates to tools and pertains particularly to mulitple tools mounted in a common holder.
Many workmen, such as carpenters, machinists, etc., require various tools for carrying out their tasks. A number of these tools have blades or points that wear with use and require frequent change. It is therefore desirable that the blades or the like be easily replaceable.
The tools for these workmen must be ready at hand in order to enable them to function most efficiently. For this reason carpenters and the like typically carry special belts or aprons having numerous pockets. These however, still limit the number of tools that can be carried by an individual. It would frequently be advantageous for two or more tools to be integrated into one body or holder when possible.
Tools must be affordable in order to be readily available to the average workmen. In order for a tool to be affordable, it should be simple, easy to manufacture and have easily replaceable parts. The tool must also be rugged and have a long life in order to be practical.
Accordingly, it is desirable that simple, inexpensive, yet rugged multiple use tools be available. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to the art of detection systems and, more particularly, to a detection system that employs trained/in training animals electronically linked to a handler/analyzer.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
The ability to rapidly and effectively detect target substances is a foundational effort of law enforcement and commercial efforts around the world. Trafficking of narcotics, other banned substances and even people is on the rise. Drugs, weapons, currency, banned foodstuffs, chemicals and/or illegal aliens are transported across national borders on a daily basis. In addition to cross border trafficking, many illegal substances are produced/grown within national borders. In the United States, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), the Department of Homeland Security and other state and local authorities are in a constant battle to stem the flow and production of banned substances into and among the states.
Federal and local law enforcement agencies fight a constant battle to conserve time and resources in their efforts to find lost people and to investigate property crimes such as arson. The EPA reflects an increasing concern with the potential for people to be exposed to indoor contaminants such as molds or pesticides. Commercial enterprises provide identification and treatment of termites while hospitals provide early identification of cancers such as bladder cancer. The method used in common by all these agencies and organizations is the use of detector dogs or canines trained to identify target odors associated with banned substances, other illegal activity or substances of interest.
Because of the operational context and/or accepted custom, detector dogs are most often used in direct concert with an individual handler who is either tethered to the dog by a lead or at least in extremely close proximity to a dog working off-lead. In either case, the purpose is to put the human operator, i.e., handler, in a position to immediately control the dog, and to interpret the dog's response to olfactory stimuli. In essence, the handler is the transducer of signals from the dog. This paradigm for employing detector dogs is effective and considered best practice in many detection tasks. However, such a paradigm can also introduce problems in performance or in maintenance of proper training. Occasionally, the handler will misinterpret responses from the dog resulting in pulling the dog away when an actual detection is made or rewarding the dog when no target odor is truly present.
Equally as important, all dogs are trained by humans to perform their conditioned response to odor stimulus. Training, especially initial training, is conducted on leash, with the trainer observing the dog carefully so as to time reinforcement or reward simultaneously with the initial change in behavior by the dog. When those initial changes are not observed or are misinterpreted, the reinforcement given to the dog is inaccurate or untimely. Either result creates confusion or erroneous training for the dog, increasing the time required to train the dog, creating the opportunity for spontaneous recovery of inaccurate training and in some case causing the dog to become a training failure.
Based on the above, there exists a need for improvements in using canines, or other animals, as detection systems. More specifically, there exists a need for a detection system that aides a handler's/trainer's understanding and interpretation of response signals exhibited by the trained canine or other animal. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure generally relates to a method for forming a semiconductor device structure and to a semiconductor device structure. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to forming bulk fins comprising a field inducing structure and to according semiconductor device structures.
2. Description of the Related Art
Transistors, such as metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) or simply field effect transistors (FETs) or MOS transistors, represent the core building blocks for a vast majority of semiconductor integrated circuits. Generally, a FET includes source and drain regions between which a current flow is controlled by applying a bias to a gate electrode overlying a channel region between the source and drain regions. Conventional integrated circuits (ICs), such as high-performance microprocessors, for example, may include a great number of FETs, usually on the order of millions. For such ICs, decreasing transistor size and, therefore, increasing integration density has traditionally been a high priority in the semiconductor manufacturing industry. Nevertheless, transistor performance must be maintained with decreasing transistor size.
A FinFET is a type of transistor that addresses reducing the transistor size while maintaining transistor performance. In general, FinFETs represent three-dimensional transistors formed by thin fins extending upwardly from a semiconductor substrate. In a FinFET, the transistor channel is formed along the vertical sidewalls of the fin, which is also frequently referred to as a double gate transistor, or along the vertical sidewall surfaces and the upper horizontal surface of the fin, leading to a so-called tri-gate transistor. Double gate transistors and tri-gate transistors have a wide channel and, hence, high performance, which may be achieved without substantially increasing the area of the substrate surface required by the transistors because a transistor's performance, often measured by its transconductance, is proportional to the width of the transistor channel.
When considering bulk fins having a bulk substrate formed below an active fin, the doping of the bulk substrate needs to be self-aligned with regard to the active fin. In case the doping of the bulk substrate is not exactly adjusted, such as not sufficiently well aligned with regard to the active fin, the so-called sub-threshold leakage is not controllable because a leakage current (drift current at a gate-source bias) present in the sub-threshold region (or weak inversion region) depends crucially on the threshold voltage and further also depends on the dopant concentration within the channel region. Conventionally, the doping of the bulk substrate is realized by implanting dopants or out-diffusing dopants into the bulk substrate. However, those concepts result in a dopant profile that reaches into the active fin, which at current advanced technology nodes induces unacceptable variations from required dopant concentration profiles.
For SOI fins, i.e., fins in an active region that is formed in a semiconductor layer on an isolating material substrate (so-called silicon-on-isolator configuration or SOI configuration), an increased variability of the threshold voltage due to sub-threshold leakage is avoided. The reason is that a bottom oxide or BOX layer is present under the fins such that a possible leakage path into the substrate as present in bulk fins is cut off in SOI configurations. In general, the mainstream technology focuses on bulk FinFET technologies, partially relying on the SOI FinFET configurations exhibiting other intrinsic issues.
According to recent approaches, efforts have been made to increase the gate area. As the minimal gate length is mandatory in logic related device technologies, this proposal turned out to lack compatibility with logic devices and is, therefore, only realized in the context of SRAM devices. One reason is that the minimal gate length is mandatory to keep the gate delay low and to enable fast designs for logic devices.
Currently, FinFETs are considered to provide the appropriate technology for future nodes for overcoming important issues for strongly-scaled semiconductor circuit structures, such as short channel effects, and for realizing high density designs which are required in current complex semiconductor applications. In the framework of FinFET technologies, a strong scaling can be realized by the fins providing a fully depleted body together with a multi-gate controlling of the channel regions.
In general, a reliable and precise control of the threshold voltage, and in particular a reduced variability of the threshold voltage across FinFETs formed on a semiconductor wafer, may only be achieved by at least strongly reducing, if not suppressing, random dopant fluctuations migrating into fins. In bulk configurations, the body below an active fin requires to be controlled such that almost no bulk leakage appears, which results in a degraded performance of FinFETs. Conventionally, the bulk leakage is controlled by appropriately doping the bulk below the fins by high doping processes.
However, the accordingly-used high doping of the bulk below the fin unavoidably introduces a source for random dopant fluctuations in the active fin because the required ideal doping profile can only be approximated by a smooth function with a tail reaching into the active portion of each fin, such that the tail affects the doping within the active portions of the fins. To this end, the threshold voltage of the FinFETs under fabrication is negatively affected, i.e., its variability is degraded. Especially for SRAM devices, a tight variability strongly relates to the performance of SRAM devices and conventional highly integrated SRAM devices are, therefore, expected to fail in complying presently-demanded dense standards with regards to performance, operation, speed and the like.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide methods for at least reducing, if not suppressing, random dopant fluctuations in current advanced FinFET structures. In particular, it is desirable to provide processes which avoid a random distribution of dopants within active fins during the processing of the fins. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
Electromagnetic proportional valves for manifold applications are known. In such a proportional valve, to achieve a correlation and preferably a linear dependency between an input variable and an output variable, the output variable is fed back to the input variable, so that for each input variable a corresponding equilibrium is established, resulting in a precisely defined relationship between the input variable and the output variable.
In the case where the proportional valves are used for motor vehicle brake systems for the sake of controlling a brake booster for automatic intervention into the brake system, for instance in the case of an electronic stability program or automatic adaptive cruise control, the input variable of the proportional valve is adjusted to the current supplied to the proportional magnet; the current is set by a control unit, for instance by voltage tracking or by pulse width modulation of a voltage. The output variable is the pressure level controlled in the brake booster. Since the maximum available potential for the negative-pressure brake boosters generally used is the difference between the ambient pressure and the pressure in the intake system of the engine, the maximum usable working pressure in Otto engines is only 0.8 bar (with the throttle valve closed). For the required high-precision metering of the braking action, a very precisely operating proportional valve is therefore necessary that adjusts the brake pressure with the least possible hysteresis.
In a known electromagnetic proportional valve of this generic type (European Patent Disclosure (EP 0 682 615 B1), the movable valve member and the sealing element are embodied integrally as a resilient rubber tube, which is reinforced on the inside with a metal ring in the region of the valve member. The free end of the tube, remote from the ring, is secured to the valve body in an airtight fashion. Such so-called rubber collars exhibit a temperature-dependent deviation in terms of their hysteresis, which has an adverse effect on the aforementioned purpose of high-precision metering of the braking action.
Proportional valves are also known in which the sealing element is embodied as a sliding seal, which seals off the valve member of the fixed valve from a chamber wall disposed between the two valve chambers. O-rings or lip seals are used as these sliding seals. Sliding seals of this kind have what is known as a stick-slip effect; that is, on running up against the valve member they have very strong adhesion, which decreases markedly when they slide. Once again, this makes fine metering of the pressure controlled in the brake booster impossible. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
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