130results about How to "Sacrificing performance" patented technology

A table searching system for facilitating high speed linear searching of a table of information by a plurality of searching agents is provided. The system includes: a memory unit for storing a table of information including a plurality of data entries each having data contents; a plurality of searching agents each being communicatively coupled with the memory unit, and having a port for receiving an associated search key value; and a memory controller unit providing a centralized interface between the memory unit and each of the agents, the controller unit being operative to control the memory unit to provide the contents of a current one of the table entries to each of the agents during each of a plurality of cycles of operation. Each of the searching agents is operative to determine an associated best matching one of the data entries based on comparisons between the associated key value and the contents of the data entries provided by the memory unit.

A hierarchal data management system for a storage device includes an entity relationship discover to generate meta data from a business object, a file manager to create a partition based on the metadata, a data mover to generate a logical partitioning key and to store the logical partitioning key in the metadata for the partition. The file manager includes a data management policy to define a data class and a storage policy to map the data class to the storage device to form a partition table.

A disposable-type hearing aid uses a relatively large single diaphragm or a large single diaphragm subdivided into a plurality of smaller active diaphragm areas obtained using a grate-like back support plate with ridges which contact and divide the diaphragm into the several smaller active diaphragm areas. The diaphragm and a backplate are enclosed in a metal housing and are disposed proximal and parallel to a shell-like hearing aid enclosure having sound inlets. The metal housing is closed at an end opposite the sound inlets by a printed circuit board (PCB) forming an acoustical seal for a back volume of the microphone. The PCB also carries substantially all the electronic components for the hearing aid thereon. The PCB has a ground plane in contact with the housing whereby the PCB also acts as an EMI shield. An electrical connection is formed in various ways between the back support plate and the PCB during assembly of the metal housing and components with the PCB. Mass production of disposable hearing aids with large diaphragms and relatively low noise levels is thus possible using this invention.

A TIR collimator for an LED light source includes a body portion having a reflective surface, wherein the reflective surface includes a plurality of segments. Respective segments of the reflective surface have corresponding cross-sectional profiles defined by different low-order polynomial functions, such that the overall cross-sectional profile of the reflective surface constitutes a spline, i.e., a piecewise polynomial function. The respective segments are configured to achieve substantial collimation of the output light. In one example, the cross-sectional profiles of adjacent segments of the reflective surface are defined by different low-order polynomials. Additionally, two or more adjacent segments may have respective cross-sectional profiles which together are defined by a Bezier curve, so as to provide smooth transitions between adjacent segments of the spline reflective surface.

A diamond composite heat spreader having a variable thermal conductivity gradient can improve control of heat transfer based on a specific application. A diamond-containing region of the heat spreader can contain diamond particles such that the diamond concentration and / or the diamond particle size a varied to produce a desired thermal conductivity gradient. Regions proximate to a heat source can have a higher thermal conductivity than regions further away from the heat source. Thin diamond films can also be used in conjunction with the particulate diamond in order to provide a region of maximum thermal conductivity adjacent a heat source. By providing a variable thermal conductivity gradient, more expensive materials such as diamond film and larger diamond particles can be selectively used in regions closer to a heat source, while allowing for cheaper smaller diamond particles and materials to be used farther away from the heat source where thermal conductivity can be lower without sacrificing overall performance.

An optical deflector includes a mirror having a reflective plane; a torsion bar extending outwardly from a side of said mirror; a support surrounding said mirror; a piezoelectric cantilever including a supporting body and a piezoelectric body formed on the supporting body, one end of said piezoelectric cantilever being connected to said torsion bar, the other end of the piezoelectric cantilever being connected to said support, said piezoelectric cantilever, upon application of a driving voltage to the piezoelectric body, exhibiting a bending deformation due to piezoelectricity so as to rotate said torsion bar, thereby rotarily driving said mirror through said torsion bar; and an impact attenuator connected to said support, the impact attenuator being disposed in a gap between said mirror and said support.

A scroll compressor has a biasing chamber which contains a pressurized fluid. The pressurized fluid within the chamber biases the two scroll members together. A rotatable ring is attached to one of the scroll members to open and close a passage leading to this biasing chamber. When the ring opens the passage in one embodiment, this releases the pressurized fluid to remove the load, biasing the two scroll members together. When the biasing load is removed, the two scroll members separate, creating a leakage path between discharge and suction to reduce the capacity of the scroll compressor. When the ring opens the passage in another embodiment, a delayed suction passage is opened to reduce the capacity of the compressor.

A disposable-type hearing aid uses a relatively large single diaphragm or a large single diaphragm subdivided into a plurality of smaller active diaphragm areas obtained using a grate-like back support plate with ridges which contact and divide the diaphragm into the several smaller active diaphragm areas. The diaphragm and a backplate are enclosed in a metal housing and are disposed proximal and parallel to a shell-like hearing aid enclosure having sound inlets. The metal housing is closed at an end opposite the sound inlets by a printed circuit board (PCB) forming an acoustical seal for a back volume of the microphone. The PCB also carries substantially all the electronic components for the hearing aid thereon. The PCB has a ground plane in contact with the housing whereby the PCB also acts as an EMI shield. An electrical connection is formed in various ways between the back support plate and the PCB during assembly of the metal housing and components with the PCB. Mass production of disposable hearing aids with large diaphragms and relatively low noise levels is thus possible using this invention.

Ball bats and methods of making the same are disclosed whereby the handle and barrel members are separate structural components, and whereby the handle member is of sufficient length to extend through the hollow barrel member. The handle member is connected to the barrel member at its proximal and distal ends by proximal and distal connectors. The connection between the handle member at the proximal end of the barrel member is by means of an elastomeric proximal connector. The connection between the handle member and the distal end of the barrel member is accomplished by means of a rigid distal connector. The rigid connection of the handle member's distal end to the distal end of the barrel member and the elastomeric (flexible) connection between the handle member and the proximal end of the barrel thereby allows the handle member to flex substantially across its entire length during ball impact thereby improving ball speed and distance off the bat when struck.

A method for improving the dynamic range of a captured digital image, including acquiring at least one image from the live view image stream, wherein each acquired live view image has an effective exposure and a first resolution; capturing at least one still image at an effective exposure different than each of the acquired live view images, and at a resolution higher than the first resolution; and combining the at least one live view image and the at least one still image.

A valve actuator for an internal combustion engine is described having a core having a wound coil located therein, said core further having at least one permanent magnet located at least partially inside or outside said coil and positioned at an angle relative to a direction of movement of an armature. Further, various recesses, indentations, chamfers, bevels, and / or depressions may be included to affect flux leakage, and / or force generation.

The present invention generally relates to improved clay-based compositions comprising colloidal or colloidal-like phases (e.g., emulsions, aphrons) and methods of using those compositions. The compositions generally comprise an aqueous continuous phase, one or more palygorskite-sepiolite group clays, one or more surfactants, aphrons and optionally one or more Aphron Stabilizers. The compositions of the present invention are capable of being used in high-pressure applications.

An area-efficient capacitor-free low-dropout regulator based on a current-feedback frequency compensation technique is disclosed. An implementation of a current feedback block with a single compensation capacitor is used to enable capacitance reduction. The resultant low-dropout regulator does not generally require an off-chip capacitor for stability and is particularly useful for system-on-chip applications.

An area-efficient capacitor-free low-dropout regulator based on a current-feedback frequency compensation technique is disclosed. An implementation of a current feedback block with a single compensation capacitor is used to enable capacitance reduction. The resultant low-dropout regulator does not generally require an off-chip capacitor for stability and is particularly useful for system-on-chip applications.

An optical deflector includes a mirror having a reflective plane; a torsion bar extending outwardly from a side of said mirror; a support surrounding said mirror; a piezoelectric cantilever including a supporting body and a piezoelectric body formed on the supporting body, one end of said piezoelectric cantilever being connected to said torsion bar, the other end of the piezoelectric cantilever being connected to said support, said piezoelectric cantilever, upon application of a driving voltage to the piezoelectric body, exhibiting a bending deformation due to piezoelectricity so as to rotate said torsion bar, thereby rotarily driving said mirror through said torsion bar; and an impact attenuator connected to said support, the impact attenuator being disposed in a gap between said mirror and said support.

The invention involves orienting the metal laminations that form a stator core end in such a way so as to reduce eddy current losses in the finger portions of the metal laminations. The metal laminations are positioned so that the grain orientation is parallel to the magnetic flux lines generated in the finger portions.

An improved cantilever beam optical switch methodology which provides the function of a variable optical attenuator (VOA). A small degree of intentional misalignment of the waveguide will create different levels of optical attenuation. By finely controlling the misalignment of a selected switched position, a single device may be realized that will provide the functions of both switching and attenuating or just attenuation alone. The optical MEMS device utilizes a latching mechanism in association with a thermal drive actuator for aligning a cantilever beam platform. The integration of the switching function and the VOA function reduce the optical loss which is otherwise unavoidable when the inevitable alterative of a separate switch and a separate VOA must necessarily be employed. The resultant improved device can also be applied for correcting the difference in optical intensity created by the manufacturing tolerances inherent in the fabrication of array waveguide gratings.

This invention provides for the integration of metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors with the damascene interconnect structure and process. The method includes forming a damascene interconnect structure and a MIM capacitor damascene structure wherein a diffusion barrier material forms the capacitor electrodes. The method includes forming a MIM capacitor damascene structure through an interlevel dielectric layer and terminating on a diffusion barrier material instead of a conventional dielectric etch stop layer. In alternative embodiments, the integrated damascene MIM capacitor makes up part of semiconductor device such as DRAM memory, CMOS, or a high frequency device.

Ball bats and methods of making the same are disclosed whereby the handle and barrel members are separate structural components, and whereby the handle member is of sufficient length to extend through the hollow barrel member. The handle member is connected to the barrel member at its proximal and distal ends by proximal and distal connectors. The connection between the handle member at the proximal end of the barrel member is by means of an elastomeric proximal connector. The connection between the handle member and the distal end of the barrel member is accomplished by means of a rigid distal connector. The rigid connection of the handle member's distal end to the distal end of the barrel member and the elastomeric (flexible) connection between the handle member and the proximal end of the barrel thereby allows the handle member to flex substantially across its entire length during ball impact.

An optimized, multi-configuration cabin and lavatory arrangement for a single aisle aircraft that adds either another row of seating or increases cabin space without sacrificing performance or function of the existing components. The invention includes a space efficient lavatory that may incorporate various design configurations to meet the needs of airlines seeking to generate additional revenue. The configuration of the present invention uses a reduction in the lavatory floor plan with the option for a modular flex wall area to provide a customizable combination that gains extra cabin space for carriers that can be utilized for additional revenue streams.

A magnetic shield for an inductor is disclosed that may substantially reduce unwanted magnetic coupling from other inductive circuitry. An inductive apparatus includes an inductor and a magnetic shield to shield the inductor from magnetic coupling effects. The magnetic shield includes an inductive ring formed from a plurality of turns surrounding the inductor. The magnetic shield may be used to reduce a magnetic coupling between the inductor and an inductive circuit element. Thus, the number of turns of the inductive ring may be based on the magnetic coupling between the inductor and the inductive circuit element. Further, a distance between the magnetic shield and the inductor may be based on the number of turns of the inductive ring. The distance between the magnetic shield and the inductor is to offset a magnetic coupling between the inductor and the magnetic shield.

A gas burner head with extra simmer capabilities, a burner base assembly and combinations thereof are disclosed. A gas burner head having one or a multiple fuel / air mixture exit ports with a simmer flange located above the ports and extending beyond the port exit by a predetermined distance allows the flame / fuel-air mixture from a given port to be fully or partially covered from above at a desired flame height or fuel-air mixture setting. The burner head can be a single or multiple piece assembly and can be used as part of a complete system or as an added-on component to an existing burner system. A burner base assembly has a burner base plate, a venturi and an orifice enclosure that creates a means to supply the required gas for combustion and also enables the burner head to be fully sealed. The venturi can be built-in as part of the burner base plate or made as a separate component and assembled through the burner base plate to create a sealed path. The orifice enclosure houses the gas injector orifice and can be installed in a separate compartment partitioned from the burner base plate by a sheet of metal (or partition plate) or in an enclosed area or plenum. Both the burner base plate / venturi combination and the orifice enclose may be securely attached to each other to maintain a predetermined distance between the gas orifice and the venturi inlet to allow a predetermined amount of primary air and gas mixture to be injected through the venturi into the burner head to create proper combustion. The burner base plate may be installed in a slightly raised position relative to the partition plate and / or orifice enclosure to create an air gap and the path through which primary air flows. A secondary source of primary air may be supplied through openings located around the orifice enclosure. The burner base assembly can be a single or multiple piece assembly and can be used as part of a complete system or as an added-on component to an existing burner system. Because of the rules governing abstracts, this abstract should not be used to construe the claims.

A valve actuator for an internal combustion engine is described having a core having a wound coil located therein, said core further having at least one permanent magnet located at least partially inside said coil and positioned at an angle relative to a direction of movement of an armature.

A diamond composite heat spreader having a variable thermal conductivity gradient can improve control of heat transfer based on a specific application. A diamond-containing region of the heat spreader can contain diamond particles such that the diamond concentration and / or the diamond particle size a varied to produce a desired thermal conductivity gradient. Regions proximate to a heat source can have a higher thermal conductivity than regions further away from the heat source. Thin diamond films can also be used in conjunction with the particulate diamond in order to provide a region of maximum thermal conductivity adjacent a heat source. By providing a variable thermal conductivity gradient, more expensive materials such as diamond film and larger diamond particles can be selectively used in regions closer to a heat source, while allowing for cheaper smaller diamond particles and materials to be used farther away from the heat source where thermal conductivity can be lower without sacrificing overall performance.

The invention provides a liquid crystal device that includes: a first substrate; a second substrate that is provided over the first substrate in such a manner that the first substrate and the second substrate face each other; a transparent pixel electrode that is provided in each of a plurality of pixels that constitute a display area over the first substrate; a transparent common electrode that is formed over the first substrate; a liquid crystal layer that is sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate, the liquid crystal layer containing liquid crystal molecules that are driven by a horizontal electric field that is generated in accordance with a difference between the electric potential of the pixel electrode and the electric potential of the common electrode; and a light-sensitive pickup element that is formed in the display area over the first substrate, the light-sensitive pickup element having an upper electrode that is formed in the same layer as that of either the pixel electrode or the common electrode.

A valve actuator for an internal combustion engine is described having a core having a wound coil located therein, said core further having at least one permanent magnet located at least partially inside said coil and positioned at an angle relative to a direction of movement of an armature.

A valve actuator for actuating a valve in an internal combustion engine is disclosed, wherein the valve actuator includes at least one electromagnet having a coil wound about a core, at least one permanent magnet disposed at least partially within the core, and an actuating member disposed adjacent to the electromagnet, wherein the actuating member is coupled to a pivot and is configured to be pivotally moved by activation of the electromagnet to effect at least one of an opening and a closing of the valve.