A MIMO (Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output) system is an example of a conventional communication system using multiple antennas. In multi-antenna communication, of which the MIMO system is typical, multiple transmission signals are each modulated, and each modulated signal is simultaneously transmitted from a different antenna in order to increase the transmission speed of the data.
FIG. 23 illustrates a sample configuration of a transmission and reception device having two transmit antennas and two receive antennas, and using two transmit modulated signals (transmit streams). In the transmission device, encoded data are interleaved, the interleaved data are modulated, and frequency conversion and the like are performed to generate transmission signals, which are then transmitted from antennas. In this case, the scheme for simultaneously transmitting different modulated signals from different transmit antennas at the same time and on a common frequency is a spatial multiplexing MIMO system.
In this context, Patent Literature 1 suggests using a transmission device provided with a different interleaving pattern for each transmit antenna. That is, the transmission device from FIG. 23 should use two distinct interleaving patterns performed by two interleavers (πa and πb). As for the reception device, Non-Patent Literature 1 and Non-Patent Literature 2 describe improving reception quality by iteratively using soft values for the detection scheme (by the MIMO detector of FIG. 23).
As it happens, models of actual propagation environments in wireless communications include NLOS (Non Line-Of-Sight), typified by a Rayleigh fading environment is representative, and LOS (Line-Of-Sight), typified by a Rician fading environment. When the transmission device transmits a single modulated signal, and the reception device performs maximal ratio combination on the signals received by a plurality of antennas and then demodulates and decodes the resulting signals, excellent reception quality can be achieved in a LOS environment, in particular in an environment where the Rician factor is large. The Rician factor represents the received power of direct waves relative to the received power of scattered waves. However, depending on the transmission system (e.g., a spatial multiplexing MIMO system), a problem occurs in that the reception quality deteriorates as the Rician factor increases (see Non-Patent Literature 3).
FIGS. 24A and 24B illustrate an example of simulation results of the BER (Bit Error Rate) characteristics (vertical axis: BER, horizontal axis: SNR (signal-to-noise ratio) for data encoded with LDPC (low-density parity-check) codes and transmitted over a 2×2 (two transmit antennas, two receive antennas) spatial multiplexing MIMO system in a Rayleigh fading environment and in a Rician fading environment with Rician factors of K=3, 10, and 16 dB. FIG. 24A gives the Max-Log approximation-based log-likelihood ratio (Max-log APP) BER characteristics without iterative detection (see Non-Patent Literature 1 and Non-Patent Literature 2), while FIG. 24B gives the Max-log APP BER characteristic with iterative detection (see Non-Patent Literature 1 and Non-Patent Literature 2) (number of iterations: five). FIGS. 24A and 24B clearly indicate that, regardless of whether or not iterative detection is performed, reception quality degrades in the spatial multiplexing MIMO system as the Rician factor increases. Thus, the problem of reception quality degradation upon stabilization of the propagation environment in the spatial multiplexing MIMO system, which does not occur in a conventional single-modulation signal system, is unique to the spatial multiplexing MIMO system.
Broadcast or multicast communication is a service applied to various propagation environments. The radio wave propagation environment between the broadcaster and the receivers belonging to the users is often a LOS environment. When using a spatial multiplexing MIMO system having the above problem for broadcast or multicast communication, a situation may occur in which the received electric field strength is high at the reception device, but in which degradation in reception quality makes service reception difficult. In other words, in order to use a spatial multiplexing MIMO system in broadcast or multicast communication in both the NLOS environment and the LOS environment, a MIMO system that offers a certain degree of reception quality is desirable.
Non-Patent Literature 8 describes a scheme for selecting a codebook used in precoding (i.e. a precoding matrix, also referred to as a precoding weight matrix) based on feedback information from a communication party. However, Non-Patent Literature 8 does not at all disclose a scheme for precoding in an environment in which feedback information cannot be acquired from the other party, such as in the above broadcast or multicast communication.
On the other hand, Non-Patent Literature 4 discloses a scheme for switching the precoding matrix over time. This scheme is applicable when no feedback information is available. Non-Patent Literature 4 discloses using a unitary matrix as the precoding matrix, and switching the unitary matrix at random, but does not at all disclose a scheme applicable to degradation of reception quality in the above-described LOS environment. Non-Patent Literature 4 simply recites hopping between precoding matrices at random. Obviously, Non-Patent Literature 4 makes no mention whatsoever of a precoding method, or a structure of a precoding matrix, for remedying degradation of reception quality in a LOS environment.


The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing color filters, and more particularly, to a method of increasing the adhesion of color filters and preventing cross talk effects on a semiconductor wafer.
Charge-coupled device (CCDs) have been the mainstay of conventional imaging circuits for converting light into an electrical signal. The applications of CCDs include monitors, transcription machines and cameras. Although CCDs have many advantages, CCDs also suffer from high costs and the limitations imposed by its volume. To overcome the weakness of CCDs and reduce costs and dimensions, a CMOS photodiode device is developed. Since a CMOS photodiode device can be produced by using conventional techniques, both cost and the volume of the sensor can be reduced. The applications of CMOS photodiodes include PC cameras, digital cameras etc.
Whether the image sensor device is composed of CCD or CMOS photodiode, the incident light must be separated into a combination of light of different wave lengths, for example, red, blue and green light. Then, the light is received by corresponding sensor devices and is transformed into electrical signals so as to obtain the original color of incident light by return of the electrical signals. Therefore, a color filter array must be formed on each photosensor device. Currently, color filters are produced by either patterning photosensitive resins using a photo-etching process with the resultant patterns being dyed by a dyeing material, or a photoresist containing dyeing material is directly used to produce color filters.
Please refer to FIG. 1 to FIG. 6. FIG. 1 to FIG. 6 are cross-sectional diagrams of manufacturing a color filter array on a photosensor device according to the prior art method. As shown in FIG. 1, the semiconductor wafer 10 contains a silicon substrate 12 and a P-well 14 positioned on the silicon substrate 12. The photosensor device contains a plurality of CMOS photodiodes and each photodiode contains a metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor (not shown) positioned on the P-well 14. A photosensor area 18 is formed on the P-well 14 to electrically connect with the MOS transistor. The MOS transistor is a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) transistor composed of an NMOS transistor and a PMOS transistor and functions as a CMOS transistor sensor. The semiconductor wafer 10 also contains a plurality of field oxide layers or shallow trench isolation (STI) structures 16 positioned on the silicon substrate 12 that surrounds the photo sensor area 18. The STI structures 16 act as a dielectric insulating material to prevent short circuiting due to contact between the photosensor areas 18 and other units.
First, a passivation layer 20 is formed on the surface of the semiconductor wafer 10 that covers each photo sensor area 18. Next, as shown in FIG. 2, a red color filter layer (not shown) is formed on the surface of the semiconductor wafer 10. The color filter layer is composed of a positive type photoresist containing a red dye in a large amount (dry weight) of 10 to 50 wt %. A pattern-exposure process is used to form patterns of red color filters in the color filter layer, then the exposed portions of the filter layer is removed to form each red color filter 22. For increasing the effect and reliability of color filters, an ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation and heating process is performed after the formation of the red color filters 22. The UV light used has a wavelength of 320 nm or less at a quantity of 20 J/cm2 or less. The heating process is preferably performed in an inert atmosphere, for example, in nitrogen (N2) for suppressing the oxidation of the photoresist material. The starting temperature of the heating process is between a range of 60xc2x0 C. to 140xc2x0 C. Then, an average increasing temperature rate used in the heating process is 1.5xc2x0 C./sec. The end temperature of the heating process is between a range of 160xc2x0 C. to 220xc2x0 C.
Next, green and blue color filters are formed by repeating the above-mentioned processes. As shown in FIG. 3, a green color filter layer 24 is formed on the surface of the semiconductor wafer 10. The color filter layer 24 is composed of a positive type photoresist containing a green dye in a large amount (dry weight) of 10 to 50 wt %. As shown in FIG. 4, a pattern-exposure process is used to form patterns of green color filters in the color filter layer 24, then the exposed portions of the filter layer 24 is removed to form each green color filter 26. For increasing the effect and reliability of color filters, a UV light irradiation and heating process is also performed after the formation of green color filters 26. The UV light used has a wavelength of 320 nm or less at a quantity of 20 J/cm2 or less. The heating process is preferably performed in an inert atmosphere, for example, in nitrogen (N2) for suppressing the oxidation of the photoresist material. The starting temperature in heating process is between a range of 60xc2x0 C. to 140xc2x0 C. Then, an average increasing temperature rate used in the heating process is 1.5xc2x0 C./sec. The end temperature of the heating process is between a range of 160xc2x0 C. to 220xc2x0 C.
As shown in FIG. 5, a blue color filter layer 28 is formed on the surface of the semiconductor wafer 10. The color filter layer 28 is composed of a positive type photoresist containing a blue dye in a large amount (dry weight) of 10 to 50 wt %. As shown in FIG. 6, a pattern-exposure process is used to form patterns of blue color filters in the color filter layer 28, then the exposed portions of the filter layer 28 is removed to form each blue color filter 30. For increasing the effect and reliability of color filters, a UV light irradiation and heating process is also performed after the formation of the blue color filters 30. The UV light used for irradiation has a wavelength of 320 nm or less at a quantity of 20 J/cm2 or less. The heating process is preferably performed in an inert atmosphere, for example, in nitrogen (N2) for suppressing the oxidation of the photoresist material. The starting temperature of the heating process is between a range of 60xc2x0 C. to 140xc2x0 C. Then, an average increasing temperature rate used in the heating process is 1.5xc2x0 C./sec. The end temperature of the heating process is between a range of 160xc2x0 C. to 220xc2x0 C. The color filter array of a photosensor device produced by the prior art method is then completed.
Color filters produced by the prior art method have only the bottom surfaces contacting the passivation layer. Therefore, adhesion is weak and stripping of the color filters easily occurs. Also, a space exists between each color filter, so that scattered light easily penetrates through the space to enter the neighboring photosensor area and result in cross talk effects. The noise signals received by CMOS transistor sensors increase and the sensitivity is reduced.
It is therefore a primary objective of the present invention to provide a method of manufacturing color filters for increasing adhesion of color filters and preventing stripping of the color filters. A barrier layer is simultaneously formed to prevent incident light from penetrating the space between the color filters to cause cross talk effects.
The present invention provides a method for increasing both the adhesion of color filters and preventing cross talk effects on a semiconductor wafer. The semiconductor wafer comprises a substrate, a plurality of metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor sensors positioned on the substrate, and a plurality of insulators positioned on the substrate. Each insulator is positioned between two MOS transistor sensors. The method first involves forming a dielectric layer on the semiconductor wafer, which covers each MOS transistor sensor and insulators. Then, a plurality of metal layers are formed on the dielectric layer, each two metal layers positioned approximately above two ends of one MOS transistor sensor. Next, a passivation layer is formed, followed by the formation of a first color filter on the passivation layer and above one MOS transistor sensor. Two ends of the first color filter are aligned approximately above the two metal layers. Thereafter, a second color filter and a third color filter are sequentially formed on the passivation layer, and portions of both the second color filter and the third color filter cover one end of the first color filter. The portion of the second color filter covering the first color filter and the portion of the third color filter covering the first color filter are both used to enhance adhesion of the color filters, and simultaneously, the portion of the second color filter covering the first color filter and the portion of the third color filter covering the first color filter are both used as barriers to prevent cross talk effects.
The color filters produced by the present invention have portions covering one another so as to increase both the contact areas and the adhesion of the color filters. As well, the covered portions of each color filter are used as a barrier layer to prevent cross talk effects.
These and other objectives of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, which is illustrated in the various figures and drawings.


Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to optical fiber cables, interconnect assemblies including the optical fiber cables, and methods of manufacturing the interconnect assemblies.
Interconnect cable assemblies are typically used to connect servers and other hardware in data centers and other facilities. Due to industry trends of increasing speed, memory, and density of hardware in data centers, management and organization of correspondingly increasing numbers of optical fiber cables as well as complexity of the associated interconnections becomes more and more of an issue. Accordingly interconnect cable assemblies have been developed to help control and organize the optical fiber cables and interconnections in a data center. One such development includes harness cable assemblies.
A harness cable assembly is a particular type of interconnect cable assembly where one end of the harness cable assembly includes a multi-fiber connector that supports optical fibers extending through the harness cable assembly to the other end, which includes furcated legs each having local connectors that support subsets of the optical fibers. A jacket holds discrete subsets of the optical fibers together in modules so that the optical fibers may be efficiently routed together through the data center. Routing the cables together helps to minimize the volume of space used by the optical fiber cables and correspondingly helps to organize densely populated data centers and other facilities. However, conventional manufacturing of harness cable assemblies is a time-consuming and resource-intensive process, which may suffer from low process yields.
Conventionally to manufacture a harness cable assembly, manufacturers first select a length of optical fiber cable. The cable typically includes a jacket surrounding buffer tubes that each include optical fibers. Within the jacket, the buffer tubes are tightly packed together to allow for a minimal jacket diameter, saving space and material costs. The buffer tubes of optical fiber cables are typically stranded. The manufacturers attach local connectors to the optical fibers of the buffer tubes, typically removing about three to seven meters (e.g., ten to twenty feet) of the cable jacket and feeding the optical fibers through an empty furcation tube. However, this approach only allows for a limited length of the harness assembly. In some such cases, the maximum length allowed by this method is about eight meters (e.g., twenty-five feet), because beyond about eight meters, friction generated by pushing the optical fibers through the furcation tube may break the fibers. Furthermore, the lengths of the furcated legs are not adjustable or customizable with the conventional method once local connectors are attached to the legs—thus ruining desired configurations of the legs, such as a precise staggering formations, if a local connector on any of the legs needs to be reworked (e.g., replaced, reattached, etc.) during manufacturing.
Accordingly, a need exists for an interconnect optical fiber cable assembly structure or manufacturing method that allows for longer cable assembly lengths. A need exists for an interconnect optical fiber cable assembly structure or manufacturing method that allows for adjustment of the leg lengths once local connectors are attached to the legs, if a local connector on any of the legs needs to be reworked during manufacturing. A need exists for an interconnect optical fiber cable assembly structure or manufacturing method that reduces time and manufacturing costs of producing the interconnect optical fiber cable, and thereby increasing process yields.


The present invention relates to new multiheterocyclic compounds as integrin antagonists with a broad spectrum of action having, inter alia, antiosteoporotic, antirestenotic, anticarcinogenic and antiatherosclerotic activity. The present invention moreover relates to the preparation of these compounds and their use for the production of medicaments, and also medicaments comprising them.
Integrins are heterodimeric transmembrane proteins found on the surface of cells, which play an important part in the adhesion of the cells to an extracellular matrix. They recognize extracellular glycoproteins such as fibronectin or vitronectin on the extracellular matrix by means of the RGD sequence occurring in these proteins (RGD is the single letter code for the amino acid sequence arginine-glycine-aspartate).
In general, integrins such as, for example, the vitronectin receptor, which is also called the xcex1vxcex23 receptor, or alternatively the xcex1vxcex25 receptor or the GpIIb/IIIa receptor play an important part in biological processes such as cell migration and cell-matrix adhesion and thus in diseases in which these processes are crucial steps. Cancer, osteoporosis, arteriosclerosis, restenosis (reoccurrence of stenosis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty) and opthalmia may be.mentioned by way of example.
The xcex1vxcex23 receptor occurs, for example, in large amounts on growing endothelial cells and makes possible their adhesion to an extracellular matrix. Thus the xcex1vxcex23 receptor plays an important part in angiogenesis, i.e. the formation of new blood vessels, which is a crucial prerequisite for tumor growth and metastasis formation in carcinoses. Furthermore, it is also responsible for the interaction between osteoclasts, i.e. cells resorbing mineralized tissue, and the bone structure. The first step in the degradation of bone tissue consists in the adhesion of osteoclasts to the bone. This cell-matrix interaction takes place via the xcex1vxcex23 receptor, which is why the corresponding integrin plays an important part in this process. Osteolytic diseases such as osteoporosis are induced by an inequilibrium between bone formation and bone destruction, i.e. the resorption of bone material caused by accumulation of osteoclasts predominates.
It was possible to show that the blockage of the abovementioned receptors is an important starting point for the treatment of disorders of this type. If the adhesion of growing endothelial cells to an extracellular matrix is suppressed by blocking their appropriate integrin receptors, for example, by a cyclic peptide or a monoclonal antibody, the endothelial cells die. Therefore angiogenesis does not occur, which leads to a cessation or resolution of the tumor growth (cf., for example, Brooks et al., Cell, Volume 79, 1157-1164, 1994).
Moreover, the invasive properties of tumor cells and thus their capability for metastasis formation are markedly decreased if their xcex1vxcex23 receptor is blocked by an antibody (Brooks et al., J. Clin. Invest., Volume 96, 1815, 1995).
The degradation of bone tissue can be suppressed by blockage of the xcex1vxcex23 receptors of the osteoclasts, since these are then unable to accumulate on the bone in order to absorb its substance (WO 98/18461, p. 1, 1.24 to p. 2, 1.13).
By means of the blockage of the xcex1vxcex23 receptor on cells of the smooth aorta vascular musculature with the aid of integrin receptor antagonists, the migration of these cells into the neointima and thus angioplasty leading to arteriosclerosis and restenosis can be suppressed (Brown et al., Cardiovascular Res., Volume 28, 1815, 1994).
In recent years, compounds have therefore been sought which act as antagonists of integrin receptors. For example WO 97/24119 discloses victronectin (xcex1vxcex23) receptor antagonist as antiosteoporosis agents which are structurally related to the compounds described here, but do not have a broad spectrum of action of this type.
It was the object of the present invention to develop compounds which exhibit a high activity as integrin antagonists and in particular against the xcex1vxcex23 and/or the xcex1vxcex25 receptor.
The compounds on which the present invention is based can be described by the following general formula (I):
where
R1 and R2 together with the formal double bond bridging them form a phenyl ring or a six-membered aromatic heterocycle having 1 or 2 nitrogen atoms, which is optionally substituted by halogen, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, (C1-C6)-alkyl, (C1-C6)-alkoxy, (C1-C6)-alkoxycarbonyl, amino, carboxyl, phenoxy, (C6-C10)-aryl, (C1-C6)-alkylamino, (C1-C6)-alkylsulfone or a group of the formula xe2x80x94SO2NRaRb wherein Ra and Rb may independently represent hydrogen or (C1-C6)-alkyl, and
R3=H or (C1-C4)-alkyl, and
A=O, S, (CH2)n where n=1,2,3 or 4 or Nxe2x80x94R7 where R7=H or (C1-C4)-alkyl, or is absent and
X, Y, Z=O, S, N, Nxe2x80x94R8 where R8=H, (C1-C6)-alkyl or (C6-C10)-aryl, or Cxe2x80x94(R9)(R10) where R9, R10=H, (C1-C6)-alkyl or (C1-C10)-aryl, or Cxe2x80x94(R11) if the X, Y or Z in question is participating in a formal double bond, where R11=H, (C1-C6)-alkyl or (C6-C10)-aryl, and
D=O, S, (CH2)n where n=1,2,3 or 4, or Nxe2x80x94R7 where R7=H or (C1-C4)-alkyl, or is absent and
E, G, L=H, halogen, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, hydroxyl, carboxyl, (C1-C6)-alkyl, (C1-C6)-alkoxy or (C1-C6)-alkoxycarbonyl, where E, G and L can be identical or different and
R4=H, (C3-C8)-cycloalkyl, (C1-C6)-alkyl, which is optionally substituted by hydroxyl, (C1-C6)-alkoxy or phenyl, where the latter is optionally in turn substituted on the phenyl ring by halogen, (C1-C4)-alkyl, (C1-C4)-alkoxy, hydroxyl, trifluoromethoxy or trifluoromethyl, and
R5=H or (C1-C4)-alkyl and
R6=H, (C1-C6)-alkyl or benzyl
and their salts.
Preferred compounds according to the general formula (I) are those where
R1 and R2 together with the formal double bond bridging them form a phenyl ring or a six-membered aromatic heterocycle having 1 or 2 nitrogen atoms, which is optionally substituted by (C1-C6)-alkoxy, nitro or amino, and
R3=H, and
A=O, S, (CH2)n where n=1,2,3 or 4 or Nxe2x80x94H, or is absent and
X, Y, Z=O, S, N, Nxe2x80x94R8 where R8=H, (C1-C6)-alkyl or (C6-C10)-aryl, or Cxe2x80x94(R9)(R10) where R9, R10=H, (C1-C6)-alkyl or (C6-C10)-aryl, or Cxe2x80x94(R11) if the X, Y or Z in question is participating in a formal double bond, where R11=H, (C1-C6)-alkyl or (C6-C10)-aryl, and
D=O, S, (CH2)n where n=1, 2, 3 or 4, or Nxe2x80x94H, or is absent and
E, G, L=H, and
R4=H, benzyl, cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, phenylethyl or (C1-C4)-alkyl, which is optionally substituted by hydroxyl or methoxy, and
R5=H, and
R6=H or methyl.
and their salts.
Particularly preferred compounds according to the general formula (I) are those where
R1 and R2 together with the formal double bond bridging them form a phenyl ring, which is optionally substituted by nitro. and
R3=H and
A=is absent and
X=N, Y=O and Z=N or X=N, Y=N and Z=O, S or X=CH2, Y=O, Z=N and
D=is absent and
E, G, L=H, and
R4=methyl, cyclopropyl or (C1-C4)-alkyl substituted by methoxy and
R5=H, and
R6=H or methyl
and their salts.
The compounds according to the invention can also be present in the form of their salts. In general, salts with organic or inorganic bases or acids may be mentioned here.
In the context of the present invention, physiologically acceptable salts are preferred. Physiologically acceptable salts of the compounds according to the invention can be salts of the substances according to the invention with mineral acids, carboxylic acids or sulphonic acids. Particularly preferred salts are, for example, those with hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid, methanesulphonic acid, ethanesulphonic acid, toluenesulphonic acid, benzenesulphonic acid, naphthalenedisulphonic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid or benzoic acid.
Physiologically acceptable salts can also be metal or ammonium salts of the compounds according to the invention. Those particularly preferred are, for example, sodium, potassium, magnesium or calcium salts, and also ammonium salts which are derived from ammonia, or organic amines, such as, for example, ethylamine, di- or triethylamine, di- or triethanolamine, dicyclohexylamine, dimethylaminoethanol, arginine, lysine, ethylenediamine or 2-phenylethylamine.
The present invention also includes ammonium compounds which can be prepared by conversion of the free amines by means of alkylation.
In the context of the present invention, the substituents in general have the following meaning:
(C1-C6)-alkyl in general represents, depending on the abovementioned substituents, a straight-chain or branched hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 6, preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Examples which may be mentioned are methyl, ethyl, propyl isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, pentyl, isopentyl, hexyl, isohexyl.
(C1-C6)-alkoxycarbonyl can be represented, for example, by the formula
Alkyl here represents a straight-chain or branched hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Lower alkoxycarbonyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety is preferred. Examples which may be mentioned are the following alkoxycarbonyl radicals: methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, propoxycarbonyl, isopropoxycarbonyl, butoxycarbonyl or isobutoxycarbonyl.
(C3-C8)-cycloalkyl in general represents a cyclic hydrocarbon radical having 3 to 8 carbon atoms. Cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl are preferred. Examples which may be mentioned are cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl and cyclooctyl.
(C6-C10)-aryl in general represents an aromatic radical having 6 to 10 carbon atoms. Preferred aryl radicals are phenyl and naphthyl.
Halogen in the context of the invention represents fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine.
(C1-C6)-alkoxy in general represents, depending on the abovementioned substituents, a straight-chain or branched hydrocarbon radical bonded via an oxygen atom and having 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Lower alkoxy having 1 to 4 carbon atoms is preferred. An alkoxy radical having 1 to 3 carbon atoms is particularly preferred. Examples which may be mentioned are methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, isobutoxy, pentoxy, isopentoxy, hexoxy, isohexoxy.
(C1-C6)-alkylsulfone can be represented by the formula
wherein Alkyl represents a straight-chain or branched hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 6, preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Examples which may be mentioned are: methylsulfone, ethylsulfone, propylsulfone, isopropylsulfone.
Six-membered aromatic heterocycles in the context of the invention, depending on the abovementioned substituents, in general represent a 6-membered heterocycle which can contain up to 2 nitrogen atoms and which can optionally also be bonded via a nitrogen atom. Examples which may be mentioned are: pyridyl and pyrimidyl.
In general formula (I) the heterocyclic moiety
represents an aromatic or partially saturated heterocycle. Preferred examples for this moiety are:
The compounds according to the invention can exist in stereoisomeric forms which either behave as image and mirror image (enantiomers), or which do not behave as image and mirror image (diastereomers). The invention relates both to the enantiomers or diastereomers and their respective mixtures. These mixtures of the enantiomers and diastereomers can be separated into the stereoisomerically uniform constituents in a known manner.
The compounds of the general formula (I) according to the invention can be prepared in the following way using process variant (A) or (B):
(A) reaction of a component (a)
xe2x80x83with a component (b)
where (b) is first reacted in the presence of sulfonyl chloride, POCl3 or PCl5 to give the acid chloride and is then reacted with (a) in the presence of a base in an inert organic solvent, or a coupling of (a) with (b) is carried out by means of Bis(2-oxo-3-oxazolidinyl)phosphinic chloride (BOP) or carbodiimide reagents, followed by a cyclization reaction which can be effected by means of heat, acids, bases, dehydrating substances and by addition of generally nucleophilic reagents,
where, if appropriate, the COOR6 group is finally hydrolyzed and where Q in one of the two components (a) or (b) is oxygen and in the other components corresponds to Z, or
(B) reaction of a component (axe2x80x2)
xe2x80x83with a component (b)
where (b) is first reacted in the presence of sulfonyl chloride, POCl3 or PCl5 to give the acid chloride and then reacted with (axe2x80x2) in the presence of a base in an inert organic solvent, or a coupling of (axe2x80x2) with (b) is carried out by means of BOP or carbodiimide reagents, followed by a cyclization reaction which can be effected by means of heat, acids, bases, dehydrating substances and by addition of generally nucleophilic reagents,
where, if appropriate, the COOR6 group is finally hydrolyzed and where Q in one of the two components (axe2x80x2) or (b) is oxygen and in the other component corresponds to Z.
Preferably, in process variant (A), for component (a), Xxe2x95x90N, Yxe2x95x90O and Qxe2x95x90NH is employed and for component (b), Qxe2x95x90O is employed and in process variant (B), for component (axe2x80x2), Xxe2x95x90NH, Yxe2x95x90NH and Qxe2x95x90O is employed and, for component (bxe2x80x2), Qxe2x95x90O is employed.
Particularly preferably, it applies to both process variants that R1 and R2 together with the formal double bond bridging them form a phenyl radical,
R3, R5, E, G, L=H,
R4, R6 =methyl and
A, D=is absent.
The compounds of the formula (I) according to the invention have a surprisingly wide spectrum of pharmacological action.
The compounds according to the invention exhibit an antagonistic action against integrin inhibitors, in particular the xcex1vxcex23 receptor or the xcex1vxcex25 receptor.
They can be used as active compounds in medicaments for the reduction of changes to vascular walls and are employed for the treatment of arterial hypertension and atherosclerosis. Moreover, they can be employed for the treatment of coronary heart disorders, cardiac insufficiency, disorders of brain function, ischemic brain disorders, (peripheral) circulation disorders, microcirculation disorders and thromboses, functional disorders of the kidney and adrenal gland, bronchospastic and vascular system-related disorders of the airways, sodium retention and edemas as well as osteolytic disorders such as osteoporosis, cancer, carcinoses and ophthalmic diseases.
Furthermore, the proliferation and migration of smooth muscle cells plays a decisive part in the occlusion of vessels. The compounds according to the invention are suitable for inhibiting this proliferation and can therefore also be employed for the treatment of restenosis.
The novel active compounds are distinguished pharmacologically by good kinetic parameters. In particular, they have favorable properties with respect to clearance.
The novel active compounds can be converted in a known manner into the customary formulations, such as tablets, coated tablets, pills, granules, aerosols, syrups, emulsions, suspensions and solutions, using inert, nontoxic, pharmaceutically suitable excipients or solvents. In this case the therapeutically active compound should in each case be present in a concentration of approximately 0.5 to 90% by weight of the total mixture, i.e. in amounts which are sufficient in order to achieve the dosage range indicated.
The formulations are prepared, for example, by extending the active compounds with solvents and/or excipients, if appropriate using emulsifiers and/or dispersants, where, for example, if water is used as a diluent organic solvents can optionally be used as auxiliary solvents.
Administration is carried out in a customary manner, preferably orally or parenterally, in particular perlingually or intravenously.
In the case of parenteral administration, solutions of the active compound using suitable liquid carrier materials can be employed.
In general, it has proven advantageous in the case of intravenous administration to administer amounts from approximately 0.001 to 1 mg/kg, preferably approximately 0.01 to 0.5 mg/kg, of body weight to achieve effective results, and in the case of oral administration the dose is approximately 0.01 to 100 mg/kg, preferably 0.1 to 50 mg/kg, of body weight.
In spite of this, if appropriate, it may be necessary to depart from the amounts mentioned, namely depending on the body weight or the type of application route, on individual behavior toward the medicament, the manner of its formulation and the time or interval at which administration takes place. Thus in some cases it may be adequate to manage with less than the abovementioned minimum amount, while in other cases the upper limits mentioned must be exceeded. In the case of the administration of relatively large amounts, it may be advisable to divide these into several individual doses over the course of the day.
The present invention is illustrated in greater detail below by working examples.
Starting Compound I
0.877 g of methyl S-7-carboxy-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-4-methyl-3-oxo-1H-1,4-benzodiazepine-2-acetate (Tetrahedron Letters 38, 3131-34, 1997) is stirred under reflux for 1 h with thionyl chloride (40 ml), concentrated and the residue is dissolved in 20 ml of chloroform. The solution obtained is added dropwise to a mixture of 0.53 g of benzimidazole-2-carboxamidoxime (J. Chem. Soc. C, 1967, 28) and chloroform (50 ml), pyridine (0.48 g) and triethylamine (0.30 g). It is stirred at room temperature for 2 h, then concentrated and the residue is taken up in ethyl acetate. After this, washing with water, saturated sodium hydrogencarbonate solution and saturated sodium chloride solution and drying over magnesium sulfate takes place, after concentration an amorphous residue being obtained which is stirred with dichloromethane and filtered off with suction. Recrystallization is carried out from ethanol (0.41 g). The mother liquor is concentrated and chromatographically purified (CH2Cl2; CH2 Cl2/CH3OH=30/1). 0.6 g of the title compound is obtained from the mother liquor.


Many integrated circuits include a test access port that may be used to verify the proper operation of the integrated circuit and the proper operation of the system that contains the integrated circuit, including the printed circuit board on which the integrated circuit is mounted. A test access port provides a test clock (TCK) signal, a test mode select (TMS) signal, a test data input (TDI) signal, and a test data output (TDO) signal. The TDI signal may be used to serially shift a bit of data into the integrated circuit each rising edge of the TCK signal and the TDO signal may be used to serially shift a bit of data out of the integrated circuit each falling edge of the TCK signal. A test access port may be implemented according to the IEEE 1149.1 standard and derived standards, such as IEEE 1532 and IEEE 1149.6.
An operating mode for the test access port may determine the destination for data shifted into the integrated circuit at the TDI signal and the source for data shifted out of the integrated circuit at the TDO signal. The operating mode of the test access port may be specified by one of sixteen states of a state vector of a finite state machine. Each state of the finite state machine transitions to one of two possible next states on each rising edge of the TCK signal, with the next state for a current state of the finite state machine determined by the value of the TMS signal at the rising edge of the TCK signal. Thus, the TMS signal may be used to control the operating mode of the test access port.
While the test access port is very useful for determining the cause of improper operation for many aspects of an integrated circuit, the test access port may have limited usefulness for determining the cause of improper operation related to the test access port itself. For example, electrical noise may cause the finite state machine of the test access port to make improper transitions between states, such that the operating mode of the test access port cannot be properly controlled by the TMS signal. Determining the cause of improper operation may be time-consuming and expensive when the operating mode of the test access port cannot be properly controlled due to such electrical noise. The present invention may address one or more of the above issues.


This invention relates to a drive mechanism for at least two windshield wipers of a vehicle, in particular of an automotive vehicle.
From DE-GM 7103702, a drive mechanism for two windshield wipers is known which includes a driving motor with a gear unit. The gear unit is accommodated in a gear casing which is directly linked to the driving motor and which further is designed so that two wiper bearings are worked into the gear casing and the gear casing also receives the driving rods for the two wiper bearings. The gear casing which is a casting or molded part is entirely closed by a cap so that, on principle, the overall drive mechanism features a completely molded case design. Due to its compact design, the essential advantage of such a drive mechanism is the easy handling when being mounted in a vehicle. On the other hand, the gear casing features a relatively complicated shape so that the costs of its manufacture are relatively high. Moreover, the shape of the gear casing invariably determines the points of support of the wiper shafts or rather the distance between the wiper shafts. Thus, a change in the points of support of the wiper shafts or rather in the geometry of the drive mechanism always implies the manufacture of a gear casing of different shape. This known drive mechanism, thus, cannot easily be adapted to varying geometrical conditions of different vehicles so that this drive mechanism, on principle, can be used for the same vehicle, only.
Another drive mechanism for at least two windshield wipers is known from EP 0 409 944 B1. This drive mechanism also includes a driving motor comprising a gear unit which is accommodated in a gear casing which is a casting or molded part and is closed by a cap. The drive mechanism includes two wiper bearings each of which is linked to respectively the gear casing or the cap of the gear casing via a tubular carrier. Each of the tubular carriers is slipped with its opposite ends onto a pivot connected with the wiper bearing and onto a pivot connected with respectively the gear casing or the gear casing cap and is fixed thereon by means of caulking. The essential advantage of this drive mechanism is that it is adaptable in an extremely flexible manner to very different geometrical conditions of different vehicles. On the one hand, such adaptations to the space conditions in the respective vehicle are made by appropriately selecting the length of the carriers which connect the wiper bearings with respectively the gear casing or the gear casing cap. On the other hand, it is possible to effect a further adaptation by bending the carriers or by changing the angle position of the wiper bearings around the longitudinal axis of the carrier. A disadvantage of this drive mechanism is the relatively big number of individual component parts from which this mechanism is assembled. This relatively big number of individual component parts involves increased assembly efforts for manufacturing this mechanism, a heavier weight of the drive mechanism as well as a larger amount of arrangements as regards the individual component parts.
It now is an object of this invention to improve a drive mechanism for at least two windshield wipers so that, on the one hand, it will be relatively easy to adapt it to the space conditions in different vehicles and, on the other hand, to ensure a low-cost manufactureabilty by reducing the required number of component parts.


Polymers, especially synthetic plastics, are ubiquitous in daily life due to their relatively low production costs and good balance of material properties. Synthetic plastics are used in a wide variety of applications, such as packaging, automotive components, medical devices, and consumer goods. To meet the high demand of these applications, tens of billions of pounds of synthetic plastics are produced globally on an annual basis. The overwhelming majority of synthetic plastics are produced from increasingly scarce fossil sources, such as petroleum and natural gas. Additionally, the manufacturing of synthetic plastics from fossil sources produces CO2 as a by-product.
The ubiquitous use of synthetic plastics has consequently resulted in millions of tons of plastic waste being generated every year. While the majority of plastic waste is landfilled via municipal solid waste programs, a significant portion of plastic waste is found in the environment as litter, which is unsightly and potentially harmful to ecosystems. Plastic waste is often washed into river systems and ultimately out to sea.
Plastics recycling has emerged as one solution to mitigate the issues associated with the wide-spread usage of plastics. Recovering and re-using plastics diverts waste from landfills and reduces the demand for virgin plastics made from fossil-based resources, which consequently reduces greenhouse gas emissions. In developed regions, such as the United States and the European Union, rates of plastics recycling are increasing due to greater awareness by consumers, businesses, and industrial manufacturing operations. The majority of recycled materials, including plastics, are mixed into a single stream which is collected and processed by a material recovery facility (MRF). At the MRF, materials are sorted, washed, and packaged for resale. Plastics can be sorted into individual materials, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), or mixed streams of other common plastics, such as polypropylene (PP), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), and polyamides (PA). The single or mixed streams can then be further sorted, washed, and reprocessed into a pellet that is suitable for re-use in plastics processing, for example blow and injection molding.
Though recycled plastics are sorted into predominately uniform streams and are washed with aqueous and/or caustic solutions, the final reprocessed pellet often remains highly contaminated with unwanted waste impurities, such as spoiled food residue and residual perfume components. In addition, recycled plastic pellets, except for those from recycled beverage containers, are darkly colored due to the mixture of dyes and pigments commonly used to colorize plastic articles. While there are some applications that are insensitive to color and contamination (for example black plastic paint containers and concealed automotive components), the majority of applications require non-colored pellets. The need for high quality, “virgin-like” recycled resin is especially important for food and drug contact applications, such as food packaging. In addition to being contaminated with impurities and mixed colorants, many recycled resin products are often heterogeneous in chemical composition and may contain a significant amount of polymeric contamination, such as polyethylene (PE) contamination in recycled PP and vice versa.
Mechanical recycling, also known as secondary recycling, is the process of converting recycled plastic waste into a re-usable form for subsequent manufacturing. A more detailed review of mechanical recycling and other plastics recovery processes are described in S. M. Al-Salem, P. Lettieri, J. Baeyens, “Recycling and recovery routes of plastic solid waste (PSW): A review”, Waste Management, Volume 29, Issue 10, October 2009, Pages 2625-2643, ISSN 0956-053X. While advances in mechanical recycling technology have improved the quality of recycled polymers to some degree, there are fundamental limitations of mechanical decontamination approaches, such as the physical entrapment of pigments within a polymer matrix. Thus, even with the improvements in mechanical recycling technology, the dark color and high levels of chemical contamination in currently available recycled plastic waste prevents broader usage of recycled resins by the plastics industry.
To overcome the fundamental limitations of mechanical recycling, there have been many methods developed to purify contaminated polymers via chemical approaches, or chemical recycling. Most of these methods use solvents to decontaminate and purify polymers. The use of solvents enables the extraction of impurities and the dissolution of polymers, which further enables alternative separation technologies.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,935,736 describes a method for recycling polyester from polyester-containing waste using a solvent to dissolve the polyester prior to cleaning. The '736 patent also describes the need to use a precipitant to recover the polyester from the solvent.
In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,555,588 describes a method to produce a polypropylene blend from a plastic mixture comprised of other polymers. The '588 patent describes the extraction of contaminants from a polymer at a temperature below the dissolution temperature of the polymer in the selected solvent, such as hexane, for a specified residence period. The '588 patent further describes increasing the temperature of the solvent (or a second solvent) to dissolve the polymer prior to filtration. The '588 patent yet further describes the use of shearing or flow to precipitate polypropylene from solution. The polypropylene blend described in the '588 patent contained polyethylene contamination up to 5.6 wt %.
In another example, European Patent Application No. 849,312 (translated from German to English) describes a process to obtain purified polyolefins from a polyolefin-containing plastic mixture or a polyolefin-containing waste. The '312 patent application describes the extraction of polyolefin mixtures or wastes with a hydrocarbon fraction of gasoline or diesel fuel with a boiling point above 90° C. at temperatures between 90° C. and the boiling point of the hydrocarbon solvent. The '312 patent application further describes contacting a hot polyolefin solution with bleaching clay and/or activated carbon to remove foreign components from the solution. The '312 patent yet further describes cooling the solution to temperatures below 70° C. to crystallize the polyolefin and then removing adhering solvent by heating the polyolefin above the melting point of the polyolefin, or evaporating the adhering solvent in a vacuum or passing a gas stream through the polyolefin precipitate, and/or extraction of the solvent with an alcohol or ketone that boils below the melting point of the polyolefin.
In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,198,471 describes a method for separating polymers from a physically commingled solid mixture (for example waste plastics) containing a plurality of polymers using a solvent at a first lower temperature to form a first single phase solution and a remaining solid component. The '471 patent further describes heating the solvent to higher temperatures to dissolve additional polymers that were not solubilized at the first lower temperature. The '471 patent describes filtration of insoluble polymer components.
In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,233,021 describes a method of extracting pure polymeric components from a multi-component structure (for example waste carpeting) by dissolving each component at an appropriate temperature and pressure in a supercritical fluid and then varying the temperature and/or pressure to extract particular components in sequence. However, similar to the '471 patent, the '021 patent only describes filtration of undissolved components.
In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,739,270 describes a method and apparatus for continuously separating a polymer component of a plastic from contaminants and other components of the plastic using a co-solvent and a working fluid. The co-solvent at least partially dissolves the polymer and the second fluid (that is in a liquid, critical, or supercritical state) solubilizes components from the polymer and precipitates some of the dissolved polymer from the co-solvent. The '270 patent further describes the step of filtering the thermoplastic-co-solvent (with or without the working fluid) to remove particulate contaminants, such as glass particles.
The known solvent-based methods to purify contaminated polymers, as described above, do not produce “virgin-like” polymer. In the previous methods, co-dissolution and thus cross contamination of other polymers often occurs. If adsorbent is used, a filtration and/or centrifugation step is often employed to remove the used adsorbent from solution. In addition, isolation processes to remove solvent, such as heating, vacuum evaporation, and/or precipitation using a precipitating chemical are used to produce a polymer free of residual solvent.
Accordingly, a need still exists for an improved solvent-based method to purify contaminated polymers that uses a solvent that is readily and economically removed from the polymer, is relatively simple in terms of the number of unit operations, produces a polymer without a significant amount of polymeric cross contamination, produces a polymer with improved color properties, and produces a polymer with reduced malodor.


Typical machining operations such as milling and routing utilize specially designed tool bits that have a fixed radii cutting feature thereon. A problem with such traditional tools is that most machined parts have varying contours such as a changing radius on the edge concave, a fillet at a corner, multiple radii and other rapidly changing features which require a machinist to find and then to frequently exchange the tool bit with an appropriate one to form the final shape of the part. This is time consuming and frustrating particularly when the machinist must search through dozens of tool bits until the correct one is located. Furthermore, if a particular tool bit is unsuitable for the cutting task, the machinist oftentimes grinds and machines the tool bit in an attempt to simulate the desired radii to be cut. This, too, is time consuming and ruins the tool bit as well as compromising the accuracy of the workpiece.
No device is known such as a variable radii cutter that conveniently allows cutting a wide variation in radii with a single tool which minimizes the need for a large tool bit inventory and frequent tool bit changes and which is simple in design, versatile and is easy to use.
In view of the above mentioned problems and limitations associated with traditional cutting tools, it was recognized by the present inventor that there is an unfulfilled need for an improved cutting tool which can be varied in size to accommodate changing radii needs on a part being machined and one which is simple in design, practical, fun to use and is economically manufactured.
Accordingly, it becomes clear that there is a great need for a variable radii cutting tool which overcomes the disadvantages associated with traditional tool bits used in machining operations. Such a cutting tool should be one that minimizes the need to frequently change tool bits and one which eliminates the fixed radii features associated with standard tool bits.


As users become more active on computers, their concerns about identity protection increase. Users are concerned about the security of their digital identity. There are numerous tools to protect various aspects of identity. However, in the prior art, each of these aspects of a user's digital identity must be individually handled. The user can download anti-virus software, encryption software, and other tools to attempt to protect their system and identity.
One of the biggest concerns for users is passwords used to access accounts ranging from 401 K accounts, to bank accounts, and email. Stories about users' passwords being stolen or compromised are abundant. Users want privacy of their account, but they also want convenience. With the huge numbers of accounts that most users have these days, there is often a problem with choosing passwords for each of them, and ensuring that those passwords are of sufficient complexity and changed regularly. This causes many millions of dollars of loss, to consumers as well as banks and other institutions.


The present invention relates generally to testing integrated circuits, and more particularly to built-in-test circuits and output response analyzers for integrated circuits.
Integrated circuits are typically tested multiple times while they are manufactured. Often, individual circuits are tested while they are part of a wafer, which contain thousands of integrated circuits. Nonfunctional die are identified, for example with an ink spot, during a test referred to as wafer sort. After wafer sort, the die are separated and packaged. The packaged devices are testing again—this is referred to as final test. Additional testing may be done, for example sample devices may be tested under extreme environmental conditions.
During these tests, test data, also referred to as test vectors, which typically include data and clock signals, are provided to the integrated circuit by a tester. The input test data may be generated by a circuit or software test pattern generator. Conventionally the integrated circuit operates on the input test data and provides output test data back to the tester. An output response analyzer in the tester checks the output test data for errors, and passes or rejects the device.
It is desirable to test each node in an integrated circuit. However, integrated circuits are becoming extremely complicated and may include hundreds of thousands of logic elements. At the same time, it is desirable to reduce the number of pins on the device in order to simplify device packaging and reduce printed circuit board complexity and space. The result is that many internal nodes on integrated circuits are difficult to reach electrically by device pins.
Accordingly, it is desirable to include test circuitry on the integrated circuit itself, such that these internal nodes may be more thoroughly tested. Further, it is desirable to provide an internal test circuit that is capable of testing using test patterns other than simple all ones or all zeros patterns. Also, it is desirable to be able to perform such tests without the addition of complicated circuitry. It is also desirable that the internal circuitry require no or a limited number of pins, such that device pin count may be maintained.


1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a circuit board, an electro-optical device, and an electric apparatus.
2. Related Art
Recently, as a device substituting for a thin-film field effect transistor using inorganic materials such as silicon, an organic thin-film field effect transistor has attracted attention. This is because a method of manufacturing constituent elements of such an organic thin-film field effect transistor is simple, properties of the constituent material can be changed by changing the molecular structure of the organic semiconductor material and the organic thin film field effect transistor is more flexible, lighter, and stronger than the thin-film field effect transistor formed using an inorganic semiconductor.
Since there is interaction between a substrate and a semiconductor layer forming a transistor, it is important which material is selected for forming the substrate. For example, JP-A-2005-101555 discloses a study of an organic field effect transistor having an organic insulating layer containing an aromatic compound.
However, the optimum amount of an active group to be contained in an insulating layer of a transistor and a relationship of electrical resistance between the insulating layer and a semiconductor layer required consideration. Additionally, mobility of charge carriers of the semiconductor may not be sufficiently improved.


1. Field of Invention
Hop flavors, compositions thereof, unreduced alpha and isoalpha acids, reduced alpha and isoalpha acids, removal of undesirable odor-forming impurities therefrom, hop flavors which do not contain such impurities, flavoring of beer including ale therewith.
2. Prior Art and the Invention Broadly Stated
Hop flavors of the isoalpha acid types enumerated under FIELD OF INVENTION have attracted widespread interest in recent years for use in the controlled and standardized flavoring of beer including ale, especially by post-fermentation treatment. The present invention involves the discovery that certain hitherto-unrecognized undesirable odor-forming impurities (the exact structure and nature of which is yet unknown) exist in all of these hop flavors which, if allowed to remain, in time give rise to undesirable aromas of a fruity, estery, fatty or sour nature upon standinq or storage of beers flavored post-fermentation therewith. The present invention accordingly also involves the removal of such undesirable odor-forming impurities from the starting hop flavor with production of a purified hop flavor which is essentially free of undesirable amounts of such odor-forming impurities and hence also free of such odor- or aroma-contaminating tendency when employed to flavor beer post-fermentation. The method for eliminating the said impurities involves their extraction from the hop flavor into water at a pH above about 4, preferably above about 6 or 7, the exact preference in pH depending upon the acidity of the hop flavor being extracted, sometimes in the presence of solvent such as residual carbon dioxide, hexane, or lower-alkanol such as ethanol, and preferably in the presence of a salt for purposes of keeping most if not all of the hop flavor itself in the organic phase, an important economic consideration. Although the PRIOR ART has employed highly-acidic (pH 2 and below) aqueous extractions of such starting hop flavors to remove previously-recognized impurities such as metals, tannins, and sugars, extractions at such low pH levels will not and does not remove the odor-forming impurities discovered and eliminated according to the present invention. Neither does the procedure of the prior art, which has been used to extract crude isomerized whole hop extracts with water to produce an aqueous phase, still containing the impurities together with small amounts of isoacids which will dissolve in the water at the pH level employed, eliminate these impurities or provide a suitable post-fermentation flavor, even though such solutions have been suggested for flavoring of beer post-fermentation and are reported to be non-haze-forming. (Westermann U.S. Pat. No. 3,798,332).


1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a reflective collection-type light receiving unit and a light receiving apparatus for spatial light communications using the reflective collection-type light receiving unit and more particularly to a reflective collection-type light receiving unit for spatial light communications for performing communications using visible light or infrared light radiated in a space and a light receiving apparatus for spatial light communications in which a plurality of reflective collection-type light receiving units are arranged in an array to realize communications higher in sensitivity and responsiveness.
2. Description of Related Art
Wireless communications by using radio waves as a communication medium have found many uses in various fields such as cellular phone networks, wireless LANs and short-distance wireless communications.
However, in wireless communications in which radio waves are used as a medium, it is impossible to increase the transmission power, with the influence of electromagnetic waves on the human body taken into account, where the transmitting and receiving are performed near people. Further, since the frequency range of radio waves used in wireless communications has already been allocated in many areas and actually used, it is impossible to use freely frequencies over a wide range. Still further, under special circumstances such as medical institutions, there are some restrictions, for example, the limited use of radio waves.
Thus, in recent years, there has been developed visible light communications in which visible light is used as a communication medium, and a visible light communication system has been proposed in Japanese Published Patent Application No. 2007-266794 A.
In this type of a conventional visible light communication system, ordinarily, a light receiving element equipped with an optical system including a collecting lens is used as a light receiving unit on the side of a receiver, and light projected from a projector on the side of a transmitter is collected by the optical system and focused on the light receiving element, thereby outputting a light receiving signal. In particular, in visible light communications movable in a relative position between the transmitter and the receiver, in order to increase a light collecting percentage of light, with consideration given to a case where light radiated from the projector of the transmitter is lower in the amount of light arriving at a light receiving unit of the receiver, the optical system including the collecting lens is required to be larger in size, the light receiving unit is made relatively larger in configuration, and in particular the use of the collecting lens increases the thickness dimension of the light receiving unit, thus posing a problem that it is difficult to downsize the optical system.
On the other hand, Japanese Published Patent Application No. H10-322276 A has disclosed a light receiving unit for spatial light communications in which a reflector lens is arranged on a light receiving path of a light receiving element to decrease the thickness dimension of the light receiving unit. However, in this reflective collection-type light receiving unit, a convex mirror and a concave mirror are arranged inside the reflector lens to constitute an optical system and a light receiving element is arranged behind the reflector lens, thereby posing another problem that the optical system is increased in size.
Further, the light receiving unit of this type of a conventional spatial light communication apparatus is constituted in such a manner that a plurality of reflective collection-type light receiving units are arranged in an array and a light receiving element of each of the reflective collection-type light receiving units is ordinarily mounted on a substrate of a light receiving circuit. In particular, where the plurality of light receiving elements are connected in parallel to the input side of an amplifying part of the light receiving circuit, a floating electrostatic capacitance generated between a pair of electrode leads of each light receiving element and the ground is multiplied only by the number of light receiving elements to be used and increased accordingly. There has been posed such a problem that an electrostatic capacitance generated on the electrode leads of the anode and the cathode of the light receiving element is increased to reduce a response speed of the light receiving element, thereby inhibiting spatial light communications at high speed.


There exist a variety of portable combustion devices that may be used, for example, as a stove for cooking or heating, among other uses. In the past, portable combustion devices required a variety of fuels such as those used for liquid fuel stoves, portable and fixed wood stoves and compressed gas fuel stoves. These stoves were used in a variety of different situations such as for camping, emergency or rescue situations, during a power outage or a similar scenario when traditional larger-scale cooking sources (for example gas/electric cooking rages and barbeque grilles) are not available.
While previous devices did provide a combustion device, they all had the similar drawback that they all required a special fuel source. Whether the fuel was kerosene, gasoline, propane or a similar fuel source they all required some canister of fuel to be purchased and carried along with the combustion device. These canisters may be a single use canisters or multi-use canister. However, once the fuel is expended, an additional fuel canister must be supplied to maintain combustion. The availability of fuel poses a serious drawback should the canister run out, especially if used for hiking, or emergency situations. Likely, it is impossible to obtain a new canister of gas or liquid fuel while out camping or during an emergency, and even if it is possible, there is no guarantee that the person would be able to find replacements for their type of fuel and canister. Therefore the operator is required to bring extra canisters of fuel, which adds more weight, and the canisters become yet another accessory that must be carried in addition to device. Moreover, should a person need to use their portable combustion device for an extended length of time, carrying a multitude of canisters for fuel becomes impractical.
Additionally, the canisters of fuel must be disposed of properly after use. Since the canisters are often under pressure and most fuels are harmful or toxic, the canisters can not be left behind at a campsite, or during an emergency scenario. In some cases the canister may not be thrown away like other types of trash, but need to be disposed in a special manner. With a variety of fuels, canister types, and portable combustion devices, which are all made by different companies a person would be limited in their options and be forced to continue to use a single fuel source.
Aside from the traditional campfire, there have been several attempts to overcome the disadvantages associated with fuel-burning cooking/heating appliances, one such attempt being a biomass combustion device or biomass stove. A biomass stove is able to burn a variety of biomass fuels such that a person would not be required to supply a compressed liquid fuel source for their portable combustion device. The user could employ whatever fuel is available to achieve the same combustion results as the previous devices. Additionally, the user need not dispose of potentially toxic canisters, and he or she would not be required to carry the appliance's fuel source with him or her. Also, whatever fuel is unused can simply be left behind.
In fact, in many developing countries some form of biomass combustion or biomass stove, burning wood chips, twigs, leaves, peat, etc. (or low-grade coal in some instances) is often used as the primary cooking device for the family meal. Generally the biomass combustion is carried out in some form of simple fire-driven stove, which is used for both heating and cooking. However, biomass devices typically have drawbacks that render them undesirable in many situations. For example, biomass stoves are not “clean” burning, that is they produce soot and smoke during the combustion process, which can cover pots, pans, or even food during the combustion. Also, the smoke generated during the combustion process can make the biomass stoves potentially dangerous for indoor use—as the smoke contains large quantities of soot and other toxic combustion products, including carbon monoxide. Nevertheless, such stoves are often used in small indoor spaces with inadequate ventilation in developing countries. In addition, many biomass stoves are heavy or built-in, making them less suitable for field use, as they are not easily portable.
One technique for increasing the efficiency of combustion is to provide a driven airflow through the biomass with a powered fan, using a variety of motive power sources including, but not limited to, spring and clockwork mechanisms, compressed air/gas and electricity. In the field, the fan is typically driven by a battery or other electrical source. However, batteries may have a short life in use, and/or be discharged (dead), or be in need of recharging, when needed. In addition, batteries are expensive and often unavailable to peoples of developing countries. In addition, batteries are environmentally unfriendly and often disposed of improperly.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a portable combustion device that is capable of being used as a stove for cooking and/or heating, which burns commonly available wood and other biomass, and provides similar heat output as other liquid or gas fuels, without the need for batteries or disposable/refillable canisters of fuel. The stove can desirably be easy to carry, low-maintenance and burn fuel without exhausting significant soot, smoke or toxic combustion byproducts. The stove can desirably employ inexpensive and commercially available components and conventional construction techniques in its manufacture.


The present invention relates to video amplifiers and, more particularly, to an active impedance-matched video amplifier.


Robotic welding assemblies are commonly used to weld manufactured components, such as vehicle components. The weld tips used in these assemblies must be periodically dressed to remove excess weld material that tends to buildup with repeated usage. Removal of the weld material is necessary to maintain the precise weld tip geometry necessary for accurately positioned welds of reliable strength. Weld tip dressers are commonly used to remove the weld material. A weld tip dresser has a cutting tool that acts on the weld tips to remove the excess material and reconfigure the tip to the desired geometry. Typically, the material removed by the weld tip dresser falls to the factory floor and must be periodically swept away or otherwise disposed of. Minimizing the downtime required for the weld tip dressing procedure and associated cleanup is desirable to maintain scheduled production goals.


Various physical parameters are monitored and/or measured during operation of an aircraft. Various methods of monitoring and/or measuring these physical parameters can be used. For example, sensors and/or transducers can measure position and/or relative locations of members of an aircraft. Some sensors and/or transducers can be affixed to an aircraft at specific locations so as to produce signals indicative of various physical phenomena experienced at those specific locations. These signals can then be transmitted to an analyzer that receives and interprets the signals. Some specific locations where it would be desirable to affix a sensor and/or transducer might be locations that have harsh environments. For example, some such locations might expose an affixed sensor to high temperatures, high pressures, high levels of exposure to electromagnetic interference, etc.
In many of these harsh environment locations, optical transducers have found use. Optical sensors and/or transducers can produce optical signals indicative of various physical phenomena. For example, optical sensors and/or transducers can produce optical signals indicative of stress, strain, temperature, tilt, rotation, vibration, pressure, etc. Various sensors and/or transducers employ various types of technologies. For example, some sensors use Fabry-Pérot Interferometry (FPI). Some sensors use Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) technologies. Some sensors use intensity modulation techniques. Some sensors use various optical diffraction gratings to generate an output signal. Some of these technologies and techniques produce optical signals having a narrow-band spectrum or a specific wavelength that is indicative of the measured parameter. Spectrum analysis and/or spectral measurement of such signals can be performed to determine a measure of the physical phenomena indicated by the narrow-band spectrum or specific wavelength of the optical signal.
Photodetectors used in the determination of wavelength detection required precise temperature characterization. Such precise temperature characterization both increased the complexity of wavelength measurement systems and ultimately limited the fidelity of such systems. The fidelity of the spectral measurement can correlate to the precision and/or accuracy of the measured physical parameter. The frequency rate at which such spectral measurements can be performed can limit the frequency that measurements of such physical parameters can be provided. Thus, the present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for fast determination of the narrow-band spectrum or specific wavelength of such optical signals, thereby obtaining fast determination of the physical parameters measured by the various optical sensors.


1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of the read error processing in magnetic disk drives. More specifically, the invention relates to a method of preventing read errors resulting from the thermal asperity (TA) of the servo area of the disk.
2. Background Information
A magnetic disk drive is a drive which writes data to the disk surface or reads data from the disk surface by a change of magnetization. A converter is positioned over a desired position on the track on which data has been recorded, and data is read out of the track of the disk rotating at high speed, or data is written to the track. The magnetic head of the magnetic disk drive is slightly spaced from the disk surface and positioned over a predetermined track. Magneto-resistive (MR) head has been adopted as one of the (magnetic field) conversion heads. The output resistance of the MR head changes as the magnetic field changes. This resistance change with a predetermined current to pass through the MR element converts MR resistance change to voltage signal, as reading out data.
However, the method of reading out this resistance change has a thermal asperity problem as one of its operational problems. The thermal asperity can be defined as follows. The large asperity of the disk surface touches a magnetic head and crashes, and temperature change causes resistance change to occur in the MR element. Because of this resistance change, an abnormal signal will occur.
The phenomenon of a thermal asperity often causes a strip temperature to rise to more than 100 degrees locally. The cause of this temperature rise is a mechanical crash between the head portion, including the MR stripe, and the asperity of the disk surface. Since the (normal) resistance change of the magnetic head by the magnetization change in the medium (disk), which is caused by normal reading, is less than 1% of the MR stripe resistance, the signal change resulting from the temperature rise, which is caused by the thermal asperity, largely exceeds the resistance change caused by a normal read signal, so normal data reading is hindered.
In conventional methods which cope with the thermal asperity with respect to data that is read out, when a sharp signal change, which would be determined to be a thermal asperity, is read out, an appropriate alternation is added to that read signal so that it can be processed as data, or that read signal is corrected with an error correction code. However, these conventional methods have the disadvantage that external additional hardware is required, or in the case of a large burst error which should be with an error correction code, correction becomes impossible and finally it should be processed as an unreadable hard error. Thus, the conventional methods cannot solve the thermal asperity problem sufficiently.


Many passenger lifts designed to carry people are primarily used by skiers and are in use for a short period of the year only. Since many very charming mountain resorts have their tourist season only during the winter months and since the local lifts and inns are only in full use during this short period of the year, they tend not to be especially profitable.
Playgrounds have common children's slides which are used almost all year long. However, such slides are mounted on a structure which limits the total length of the slide.
The present invention is designed to increase the economy of passenger lifts, e.g., ski lifts. This may be done by building a long mountain slide at a ski slope, which slide consists of several straight and curved segments joined together and descending the entire mountain. The possibility of a unique downhill ride on the new slide will, of course, attract people to use the "ski" lift during the summer or non-snowy seasons.
In accordance with the invention, a simple and suitable support for the mountain slide, and an appropriate mat to sit on while sliding down an extended distance, as well as device to return the mat to the top of the mountain all have been provided as part of the new recreational facility.
The new slide is erected at the slope and may be as the particular incline permits, e.g., a slide may be 1,000 meters long. The slide may be in operation during the entire year, and, therefore, it adds to the year-round operation of any lift and its economy.
The partly straight and partly curved segments of the new slide may be arranged in serpentines, whereby the segments with narrow curves have higher edges. An appropriate material for construction of the slide segments is asbestos concrete. This material is inexpensive, durable in bad weather, shock-resistant, and it has good gliding characteristics after treatment with wax or a similar material. Preferably, each segment has at its upper part an overlap reaching under the next segment going uphill. In case of settling of one segment or its footing, no step will be formed against which a passenger might slide, although a small drop may be created.
The sliding surface of the segments is hollowed out or dished and is bordered lengthwise by open bottom flanges arching upwards and with their bottom edges extending outwardly away from the sliding surface. This design makes the segments so solid that no longitudinal supports are required. Furthermore, the hollowed out sliding surface permits a pleasant and comfortable ride down the new slide.
The footings for the new slide normally consist of ties which rest on bars or stakes driven into or otherwise anchored to the ground. If the ground conditions permit, it is also possible to attach the ties to posts. Alternatively, the posts may be driven into the ground for use as footings. This is recommended when the slide travels over a depression in the terrain. When erecting a slide or part of it on a rocky surface, the footings may be in the form of concrete foundations.
According to another characteristic of the invention, the slide segments are attached to the footings by adjustable supports in order to compensate for any difference in height of the footings. Preferably, the segments rest with their arched edges on adjustable struts having rounded upper portions. Short pieces of pipe with a diameter approximately equal to that of the radius of the arched slide segment edges are suited for the support of the arched edges of the slide segments. The bearing surface of the slide will then be sufficiently supported to avoid any breaking of the asbestos concrete slabs. The struts are arranged on the footings in such a fashion that they swivel in all directions in order to fit any position, i.e., they are "universal", thus compensating for deviations in nominal height and lateral positioning of the footings.
In order to avoid undue movements in a completed slide and to secure slide segments against lifting off their anchorages, the strut supports may be specially connected with the flanges of the slide segments in accordance with another characteristic of the invention. This special support may be achieved by directing each strut through an opening in a butt strap fastened onto the slide flange, the apertured leg of the butt strap being positioned directly beneath the rounded supporting piece. The aperture diameter of the strap is larger than the strut diameter in order to allow for a limited movement of the slide in relation to the footing. With the butt strap arranged underneath the footing, the slide cannot lift off the strut, and, consequently, it cannot lift off the footing.
In accordance with a more specific detail of the invention, each strut is in the form of a threaded rod and the lower end (opposite the rounded upper supporting piece) thereof is threaded into a base tube provided with a mating thread. By selective rotation of the base tube, the total length of the strut may be changed to compensate for inaccuracies, deviations in height, etc. The base tube extends through an opening into a yoke-like fixture attached to the footing, and a lock inside the yoke prevents lifting off, e.g., a retaining ring may be arranged in a ring groove in the base tube for this purpose. The base tube has, at the end opposite the thread (its lower end), a convex bearing surface which always nests solidly on the footing if the strut orientation should vary slightly.
In accordance with the invention, in order to prevent the adjustable struts from improperly tilting sideways or downhill, the upper part of each strut may be connected by a stay or bracing with an adjacent footing or with the other end of the footing on which it rests. The stay or bracing is adjustable for precise alignment and orientation of each strut.
According to another characteristic of the invention, there are new and improved sleds for sliding down the new slide. These sleds may consist simply of mats with handles on each side. The handles may be simply leather straps suitably attached to the mats with tubular rivets, screws, or the like. As will be understood, the mats protect the clothing of passengers and, furthermore, prevent the marring of the slides which may be caused by shoes, particularly by heels. For the securing of feet and the eliminating of soiling of the slide, the mats may have foothold devices, such as pockets attached to the mats. By attaching ropes to the mats near the foothold devices, a passenger who has fallen backwards may readily straighten up by using the ropes.
Furthermore, the mats may be equipped with a brake shoe located at a central rear portion. In order to slow the sled down, the brakes may be pressed down. Specifically, the mats may have an indentation to which the brake shoe is attached. If a passenger leans back while sliding, it is inevitable that the weight of the body will push down on the brake shoe, thus establishing braking contact with the slide and reducing the speed of the sled automatically.
For comparatively short slides, the mat, as described previously will suffice. These mats are not especially suitable for long slides with curves, where downhill sled speed has to be substantially reduced in the curves in order to meet safety requirements. Furthermore, the conditions of long slides are more likely to be affected by the weather, e.g., sections exposed to the sun have different friction properties than those in the shade. Recommended for such cases are sleds having their brake shoes attached to one end of a swiveling lever, the other end of which forms a handle. The brake may be activated at will to effect the amount of deceleration required.
The sled may comprise a frame provided on the bottom with glide linings, which frame forms a seat and accommodates the brake lever. The brake lever is mounted along the longitudinal axis of the sled and, therefore, in longitudinal direction of the frame with its handle end extending beyond the frame. The brake lever is pivoted on the frame between its handle end and brake shoe end.
The rear end (in the downhill or sliding direction) of the brake handle has a plate accommodating an interchangeable brake pad, preferably consisting of rubber. In order to improve braking properties, the bottom of the brake pad includes indentations comparable to the treads of car tires. The front (in sliding direction) of the brake plate is generally pointed, is downwardly bent, and is downwardly biased by a spring supported by the brake handle. The bent tip of the brake plate engages the slide surface, regardless of the angle of inclination of the brake handle due to the spring pressure, and deflects dirt and moisture, so that the effectiveness of the brake shoe is not reduced.
The top of the sled frame is equipped with a seat covered by a mat of felt or similar material, preferably extending over the frame in both longitudinal directions of the sled. The bottom of the frame is equipped with glide linings. These may consist of interchangeable plastic plates with plastic needles or bristles at the bottom. Plastic skids may also be utilized to advantage.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention and a better appreciation of its attendant advantages, reference should be made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


At present, digital-data recordable media, such as digital audio tapes (DATs), compact discs (CDs), and digital video discs (DVDs), are distributed, and various types of content such as music data and picture data are recorded as digital data in the media and are widely distributed.
Such digital data differs from analog data, and is free from data deterioration due to data copying between recording media. If copying is limitlessly permitted, there is a possibility that the rights of a content-copyright holder and other content-related-right holders may be violated. For protecting the right of the digital data, there is the SCMS (Serial Copy Management System) as a copyright protection technology.
The SCMS (Serial Copy Management System) is a digital-data-copying restriction system. It allows only-one-generation (1-Generation) copying, and prohibits digital copying for two or more generations. Specifically, by recording, in digital-data-recorded media, a code representing copying only once, restriction of copying is performed based on the code.
Nevertheless, in one-generation copying control using the SCMS, based on the recorded code in the media which represents copying only once, that is, the bit state, it is determined whether or not copying is allowed. Accordingly, by using a device that can freely operate the bit, rewriting of the code is made possible, and many copies identical to the original data can be made. Therefore, in particular, PC-used (personal computer-used) copying of digital data such as CDs, which is free from restrictions of law, is actually free.
In addition, for systems for the purpose of protecting copyright that records/plays back content such as pictures and music, a system has been proposed in which content is encrypted and provided to a user and in which a key for decryption is provided to a normal user.
By way of example, there is a system configuration in which various types of content, such as music data, picture data, and game programs which are encrypted, are distributed to users by using the Internet or media such as CDs and DVDs and in which only a person identified as a normal user is provided with a means for decrypting the encrypted content, that is, a decryption key.
The encrypted data can be returned to usable decrypted data (plaintext) by decryption processing based on a predetermined procedure. Such a data encryption/decryption method is conventionally known in which an encryption key is used for information-encrypting processing and a decryption key is used for decrypting processing.
Among various types of examples of data encryption/decryption methods using an encryption key and a decryption key, there is a method as an example that is a so-called a common key cryptosystem. In the common key cryptosystem, by setting an encryption key for data-encrypting processing and a decryption key for data decryption to be common, and providing a normal user with a common key for the encryption processing and decryption, data accessing by a user having no key is excluded. A typical of this system is the DES (Data encryption standard)
The encryption key and the decryption key for the above encryption processing and decryption can be obtained by using a unidirectional function, such as the Hash function, based on, for example, a password or the like. The unidirectional function is a function in which reverse finding of its input from its output is very difficult. For example, by using a user-decided password as an input in an application of the unidirectional function, an encryption key and a decryption key are generated based on the output. It is substantially impossible to perform reverse finding of the password as the original data from the encryption key and the decryption key obtained as described above.
A system in which a process using the encryption key for use in encryption and a process using the decryption key for use in decryption have different algorithms is a so-called public key cryptosystem. The public key cryptosystem is a system in which unspecified users use an usable public key, and an encrypted document for a specified person is encryption-processed by using a public key issued by the specified person. The document encrypted by the public key becomes able to be decryption-processed by using only a secret key corresponding to the public key used in the encryption process. Since a secret key is possessed by a person who issues a public key, a document encrypted by the public key can be decrypted by only the person who possesses the secret key. One typical public key cryptosystem is the RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adelman) cryptography. Use of such a cryptosystem enables a system in which encrypted content can be decrypted only for a normal user.
In this system, for example, a 2-bit EMI (Encryption Mode Indicator) is defined as copy control information. When the EMI is 00B (B indicates that the value before it is a binary number), it indicates that content is of a Copy-freely type, and when the EMI is 01B, it indicates that content is of a No-more-copies type in which the content may further not be copied. When the EMI is 10B, it indicates that content is of a Copy-one-generation type in which copying only once is allowed, and when the EMI is 11B, it indicates that content is a Copy-never type in which copying is prohibited.
When the EMI represents the Copy-freely or Copy-one-generation type, it is determined that content can be copied. Alternatively, when the EMI represents the No-more-copies or Copy-never type, it is determined that content cannot be copied. If management of the copy rule information is appropriately executed, copyright protection is realized.
However, even in the content providing system using encryption, if information on copying rules which is recorded on a medium such as a CD or a DVD is rewritten by an invalid user, a problem occurs in that copying ignoring the original copying rules becomes executable.


Heating of engine and vehicle components increases engine efficiency by reducing the viscosity of various lubricating fluids, thus reducing the energy needed to pump the fluids among the vehicle components. Further, a heated engine converts fuel to shaft work more efficiently than does a cold engine because of lowered heat losses to the combustion chamber. While the engine may be heated relatively rapidly via the heat produced during combustion, transferring the heat to downstream driveline components may take a longer duration, thus delaying when the driveline components reach operating temperature and extending the period that the vehicle operates with reduced efficiency. Further, heating the driveline components via energy sourced from fuel or other stored potential energy reduces fuel economy.
The inventors have recognized the above issues and provide a method to at least partly address them. In one embodiment, a method for a vehicle comprises heating a fluid with kinetic vehicle energy in response to a vehicle braking request, and directing the fluid to a driveline component.
The kinetic vehicle energy produced in response to a vehicle braking request may be used to heat a fluid, and this heated fluid may in turn heat a driveline component. To heat a fluid via kinetic vehicle energy, a viscous brake may be engaged responsive to the vehicle braking request. The viscous brake may decelerate the vehicle as requested by the vehicle braking request, while simultaneously heating the fluid used to lubricate the viscous brake. The heated fluid is then used to heat the driveline components, via a heat exchanger for example. In this way, the driveline components may be heated without relying solely on combustion heat, improving engine efficiency and fuel economy.
The above advantages and other advantages, and features of the present description will be readily apparent from the following Detailed Description when taken alone or in connection with the accompanying drawings.
It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.


Low grade heat, which is typically considered less than 100 degrees, represents a significant waste energy stream in industrial processes, power generation and transport applications. Recovery and re-use of such waste streams is desirable. An example of a technology which has been proposed for this purpose is a Thermoelectric Generator (TEG). Unfortunately, TEGs are relatively expensive. Another largely experimental approach that has been proposed to recover such energy employs Shape-Memory Alloys.
A Shape-Memory Alloy (SMA) is an alloy that “remembers” its original, cold-forged shape which, once deformed, returns to its pre-deformed shape upon heating. This material is a lightweight, solid-state alternative to conventional actuators such as hydraulic, pneumatic, and motor-based systems.
The three main types of Shape-Memory Alloys are the copper-zinc-aluminium-nickel, copper-aluminium-nickel, and nickel-titanium (NiTi) alloys but SMAs can also be created, for example, by alloying zinc, copper, gold and iron. The list is non-exhaustive.
The memory of such materials has been employed or proposed since the early 1970s for use in heat recovery processes and in particular by constructing SMA engines which recover energy from heat as motion. Recent publications relating to energy recovery devices include PCT Patent Publication number WO2013/087490, assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Other patent publications include US2005/150223 (United Technologies) and U.S. 2013/341845 (Zanella). It is desirable to translate the contraction of the SMA or NTE material into a mechanical force in an efficient manner. It is not a trivial task and generally is complicated and involves significant energy losses.
It is therefore an object to provide an improved system and method in an energy recovery device.