A system and method are disclosed to accomplish power savings in an electronic device, such as a memory chip, by performing selective frequency locking and subsequent instantaneous frequency switching in the DLL (delay locked loop) used for clock synchronization in the electronic device. By locking the DLL at a slow clock frequency, the operational frequency may be substantially instantaneously switched to an integer-multiplied frequency of the initial locking frequency without losing the DLL lock point. This DLL locking methodology allows for faster frequency changes from higher (during normal operation) to lower (during a power saving mode) clock frequencies without resorting to gradual frequency slewing to conserve power and maintain DLL locking. Hence, a large power reduction may be accomplished substantially instantaneously without adding complexity to the system clock generator. Because of the rules governing abstracts, this abstract should not be used in construing the claims.

Flip-flops in a monolithic three-dimensional (3D) integrated circuit (IC)(3DIC) and related method are disclosed. In one embodiment, a single clock source is provided for the 3DIC and distributed to elements within the 3DIC. Delay is provided to clock paths by selectively controllable flip-flops to help provide synchronous operation. In certain embodiments, 3D flip-flop are provided that include a master latch disposed in a first tier of a 3DIC. The master latch is configured to receive a flip-flop input and a clock input, the master latch configured to provide a master latch output. The 3D flip-flop also includes at least one slave latch disposed in at least one additional tier of the 3DIC, the at least one slave latch configured to provide a 3DIC flip-flop output. The 3D flip-flop also includes at least one monolithic intertier via (MIV) coupling the master latch output to an input of the slave latch.

A storage cell having a pulse generator and a storage element is proposed. The storage element input is connected to receive a data input signal. The storage element output is connected to provide a data output signal. The storage element is operable in one of a data retention state and a data transfer state in response to a storage control signal received from the pulse generator. The pulse generator is connected to receive a clock signal with rising and falling clock signal edges and is adapted to provide control pulses in the storage control signal. Each control pulse has a leading edge and a trailing edge. The control pulses have a polarity suited to invoke the data transfer state on their leading edges. The novel feature is that the pulse generator is adapted to initiate a rising-edge control pulse when receiving a rising clock signal edge and to initiate a falling-edge control pulse when receiving a falling clock signal edge. In this way, a dual-edge-triggered flip-flop may be made using only combinatorial logic circuitry and one level- or single-edge-triggered storage element. The storage cell has low power consumption, facilitates scan testing and can be used by existing design tools and test equipment.

A resonant clock distribution network architecture is proposed that enables a resonant clock network to track the impact of parameter variations on the insertion delay of a conventional clock distribution network, thus limiting clock skew between the two networks and yielding increased performance. Such a network is generally applicable to semiconductor devices with various clock frequencies, and high-performance and low-power clocking requirements such as microprocessors, ASICs, and SOCs.

A circuit includes a power supply terminal and a clock parsing circuit configured to produce multiple clock signals having a common clock period and different phases. The circuit further includes a plurality of digital circuits coupled to the clock parsing circuit and the power supply terminal. Each digital circuit includes an input to receive data and logic to process the data. Each digital circuit is responsive to a phase associated with a respective clock signal of the multiple clock signals to draw current from the regulated power supply terminal to process the data to produce a data output. Additionally, the circuit includes an output timing management circuit coupled to each of the plurality of digital circuits and configured to control data outputs of each of plurality of digital circuits to prevent timing violations at one or more destination circuits.

A noise resistant switch control circuit is provided. The circuit includes a low pass filter configured to couple to a first terminal of a switch and a first voltage clamp coupled to the low pass filter. The first voltage clamp is configured to couple to a control terminal of the switch and limit a voltage of the control terminal relative to the first terminal to within a first clamping range. The circuit includes a second voltage clamp coupled to an input terminal of the switch control circuit. The second voltage clamp is configured to couple to the control terminal of the switch. The second voltage clamp is further configured to reduce a level of a control voltage coupled to the second voltage clamp. The circuit includes a bias device configured to couple to the control terminal of the switch and to impress a biasing voltage to the control terminal.

A semiconductor device prevents recognition failure in mutual recognition between a host and a device compliant with USB Specifications. The semiconductor device includes: an interterminal opening/closing section having a plurality of first conductivity type MOS transistors, the respective sources or drains of which are cascaded, in which the source or drain of a first-stage MOS transistor among the cascaded MOS transistors is used as a first terminal, the source or drain of a final-stage MOS transistor among the cascaded MOS transistors is used as a second terminal, and the respective gates of the cascaded MOS transistors receive a control signal for controlling the opening or short-circuiting between the first and second terminals; and a current bypass section that reduces a current flowing into either one connection node coupling the respective sources or drains of the cascaded MOS transistors.

An apparatus includes a biquad filter having first and second lossy integrators and multiple input networks. Each lossy integrator includes an amplifier, and each input network is coupled to an input of the amplifier in one of the lossy integrators. Each input network includes multiple resistors and a capacitor arranged in a T-structure. In a single-ended configuration, each input network includes a grounded capacitor. In a fully-differential configuration, each input network includes one of: a grounded capacitor and a floating capacitor coupled to another input network. The amplifiers and resistors could form a portion of an integrated circuit chip, which also includes multiple input/output pins. A single grounded capacitor could be coupled to a single input/output pin of the integrated circuit chip for an input network. A single floating capacitor could be coupled to two input/output pins of the integrated circuit chip for a pair of input networks.

A power management device of a touchable control system includes a boost circuit, a storage circuit, a detection circuit and a loading circuit. The boost circuit has an output terminal and generates an output voltage. The storage circuit electrically connects to the output terminal of the boost circuit and stores the output voltage. The detection circuit electrically connects to the storage circuit so as to detect the output voltage. The loading circuit electrically connects or disconnects to the output terminal of the boost circuit according to a predetermined value of the output voltage.

The present application discloses apparatus and methods for increasing channel utilization for a high-speed serial interface of an integrated circuit (IC). A new circuit architecture is disclosed which provides circuitry that may be programmed flexibly to support a multitude of different channel bonding schemes. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the new architecture decouples the granularity of control-signal channel bonding from the granularity of data-aggregation channel bonding. This advantageously allows optimization of configurations for both types of channel bonding. In another aspect of the invention, the logical boundaries of bonded user channels are decoupled from the physical boundaries of the PCS modules. This decoupling advantageously eliminates a rigid constraint of previous architectures.

A semiconductor structure including a device configured to receive an input data-word. The device including a logic structure configured to generate an encrypted data-word by encrypting the input data-word through an encrypting operation. The device further including an eFuse storage device configured to store the encrypted data-word as eFuse data by blowing fuses in accordance with the encrypted data-word.

Methods, systems, and computer readable media for wideband frequency and bandwidth tunable filtering are disclosed. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a wideband frequency and bandwidth tunable filter that splits a filter input signal into first and second input signals, modifies the first input signal to produce a first output signal, modifies the second input signal to produce a second output signal having an intermediate frequency response, and combines the first and second output signals while adjusting their relative phases and/or amplitudes to produce a filter output signal with the target frequency response. Adjustment includes splitting the second input signal into third and fourth input signals, which are modified and then combined to produce the second output signal having the intermediate frequency response.

A semiconductor apparatus is provided herein for reducing power when transmitting data between a first device and a second device in the semiconductor apparatus. Additional circuitry is added to the semiconductor apparatus to create a communication system that decreases a number of state changes for each signal line of a data bus between the first device and the second device for all communications. The additional circuitry includes a decoder coupled to receive and convert a value from the first device for transmission over the data bus to an encoder that provides a recovered (i.e., re-encoded) version of the value to the second device. One or more multiplexers may also be included in the additional circuitry to support any number of devices.

In one example implementation, the present disclosure provides a direct current (DC) restoration circuit for restoring the DC component of a synchronization signal provided over an alternating current (AC) coupled link from a transmitting circuit to a receiving circuit. During a period of inactivity in the synchronization signal, the synchronization signal may experience a drift towards the common mode, and may affect the ability for the synchronization signal to properly trigger the receiving circuit. The DC restoration circuit is configured to hold the synchronization signal steady during the period of inactivity, and allow the AC component of the synchronization signal pass through to the receiving circuit during the period of activity to alleviate the problem of baseline drift in the synchronization signal.

Apparatus and methods for ultrasound transmit switching are provided. In certain implementations, a transmit switch includes a bias polarity control circuit, a bias circuit, a first high voltage field effect transistor (HVFET), and a second HVFET. The sources of the first and second HVFETs are connected to one another at a source node, the gates of the first and second HVFETs are connected to one another at a gate node, and the drains of the first and second HVFETs are connected to an input terminal and an output terminal, respectively. The bias circuit and the bias polarity control circuit are each electrically connected between the source node and the gate node. The bias polarity control circuit can turn on or off the HVFETs by controlling a polarity of a bias voltage across the bias circuit, such as by controlling a direction of current flow through the bias circuit.

This invention concerns a creepage control system for locomotives that optimizes adhesion while minimizing wasted energy, rail/wheel wear and shock loading on the drive train. The basis of the invention is to always maintain a small but positive value of the slope of the wheel-rail adhesion creep curve (or differential of adhesion versus creep) for all traction axles of the locomotive through microprocessor control. The value of the differential of adhesion versus creep is used to define an operating window for control and operation of motors continually in the optimum domain when high adhesion is demanded. When, due to a sudden increase in rail contamination, the value of the control function becomes negative, the microprocessor control reduces the generator excitation in stages until the function becomes positive and inside the operating window again. The microprocessor controls a rail cleaning system which is turned on or off depending on the cleanliness of the rail. It also controls a rail sanding system which is turned on or off depending on the magnitude of wheel creep.

A flexible tubular item having an outer flexible section of hollow tubing with a first end and a second end, a flexible wire positioned within the hollow tubing, a flexible paint layer covering an exterior surface of the flexible wire, and a viscous liquid contained within the hollow tubing. The hollow tubing is a transparent vinyl tube. The flexible wire is copper wire having a bend resistance greater than the bend resistance of the hollow tubing. The liquid is mineral oil filling the area around the flexible wire within the hollow tubing. Ball members are affixed in liquid-tight relationship within the first and second ends of the hollow tubing. These ball members are acrylic spheres having a diameter greater than the interior diameter of the hollow tubing.

This invention relates to a vehicle comprising an antihydroplaning system, particularly for improving the wheel adhesion despite the presence of a sheet of water on the road. Output signals from sensors for detecting body and chassis vibrations, ambient temperature and other parameters are analyzed to determine when hydroplaning is occurring or about to occur, and to activate antihydroplaning measures.

A standby sanding unit for emergency sanding of icy roadways has a plurality of sand hoppers that are connected to a tank holding air under pressure. The hoppers have hopper type bottoms that have nozzles attached to the bottoms so that when air under pressure is provided to the upper portions of the tank, sand will be discharged out through the nozzles. The air pressure tank has valves that control the flow of air under pressure to the hoppers, when needed.

A sand delivery system for use in automobiles, or other vehicles. The device uses the hollow front bumpers found on most modern vehicles today to store bags of sand, which is delivered through a number of nozzles located in the front of the vehicle. A blower system forces the sand through the nozzles and projects the sand in a wide pattern out in front of the vehicle. The system is designed to operate when the vehicle is braking. Because the sand is disbursed out in front of the vehicle, the tires can better utilize the sand for braking. Because the sand is projected out in front of the vehicle only a moderate amount of sand is needed to improve traction, thereby reducing the need for large quantities of sand. The sand delivery system can be tied to a manual switch, the vehicle's brake pedal, or to a computer that is tied into the anti-lock brake systems of a car. In the latter case, sand is only be applied when the anti-lock brake system is activated.

An electrical short circuit protection device for an electric trailer brake controller includes a fuse connected between the controller and the trailer brakes and an acoustic piezoelectric transducer connected across the fuse. Upon a short circuit fault developing in the trailer brakes, the fuse opens and the transducer generates an audio warning signal.

An apparatus to improve traction conditions for motor vehicles under winter time driving conditions is disclosed. The invention comprises a sand storage reservoir and delivery system that supplies sand to each tire of a motor vehicle to aid in traction when driving in icy or snowy conditions found in wintertime driving. The sand reservoir provides sand to a plenum through four distinct sand compartments which dispense individual slugs of sand to a series of discs, connected via a cable, which move the sand through a delivery pipe to any of the four motor vehicle tires, as selected by application levers on the sand reservoir. The reservoir and associated controls are located inside the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle with the delivery tubes located on the undercarriage of the motor vehicle.

A method for supplying dry sand for spreading on road surfaces in freezing temperatures in a condition in which the sand remains fluid in freezing temperatures without the addition of salt includes the steps of drying the sand by providing a naturally occurring bed of the sand having an upper surface of the bed exposed to sunlight; planting on the upper surface a covering crop of a type such as alfalfa having deep roots which extend through the whole bed up to thirty feet deep in search of a water table below the bed and growing the crop for a period of time sufficient to allow the roots to penetrate the bed and to extract moisture from the bed to dry the sand in the bed. The dry sand is extracted from the bed and stored temporarily in a closed storage which prevents the re-introduction of moisture for subsequent use on road surfaces without the necessity of salt to keep the sand fluid for spreading.

A sensor detects force or other indications of an impending rollover of a motorized land vehicle. Upon detection of a threshold force value, the sensor actuates an applicator that delivers traction reducing fluid to the contact patch between at least one of the vehicle tires and the ground. The vehicle is enabled to dissipate the rollover inducing force by sliding laterally in preference to rolling over.

A vehicle-mounted device and method for delivering a traction enhancing material to a road surface directly in front of one or more tires is disclosed. The device delivers the traction enhancing material when an electronic controller detects a loss of traction. The device uses an air duct to collect air incident on the vehicle and direct the air to the road surface. The device further comprises a hopper to hold the traction enhancing material. The hopper is coupled to the air duct at an aperture. When activated, a valve assembly selectively opens and closes the aperture in response to controller commands. When opened, the traction enhancing material accelerates from the hopper into the duct and becomes entrained in the air stream where it is then delivered to the road surface. Once delivered, the traction enhancing material is introduced between the tires and the road surface to effectively increase the coefficient of friction therebetween.

An anti-hydroplane system for tires that includes a blower assembly in front of each of the tires of a vehicle. Each blower assembly discharges a high pressure stream into a water dispersal area in front of a respective one of the vehicle tires.

An apparatus (40,60) for aligning a rail conditioning system, such as a sanding system or a compressed air snow removal system of a locomotive. A source of light (50,70) is removeably and unmovingly attached to a conduit (44,62) of the rail conditioning system to direct a beam of light (53) toward a rail (46) to verify a location of impingement (56) of a spray of rail conditioning material (45,66). The source of light may be a battery operated laser pointer, and it may be attached to a fixture (48,72) that is removeably secured to the conduit. The fixture may be attached over an outlet nozzle (42,62) of the conduit, or it may be threaded onto the conduit in place of the nozzle when the nozzle is removed for cleaning and inspection.

A spreading device for confined application of grain type materials along a well-defined path on a road from a conveyor of a storing tank mounted on a moving vehicle includes a chute member mounted thereon that receives the materials from the conveyor and substantially drops them generally vertically under gravity on the road along the path in proximity and in front of a roller. The latter stops the materials relative to the road and confines, or packs, them on the road. The spreading device is adapted to be mounted on either side of the vehicle, in line with its wheels.

A system and method for friction management for managing and controlling an application of a friction modifying agent to an area of contact between a railway wheel and a railway rail over which the wheel is traversing to selectively modify the coefficient of friction at the contact area. The system comprises a sensor for detecting a parameter relating to the operation of the railway train. A controller is responsive to the sensor and controls the application of a friction modifying agent to the rail as a function of the parameter. An applicator is responsive to the controller and applies the friction modifying agent to the area of contact between the railway wheel and rail. The invention also includes a method for railway train friction management for managing and controlling the application of friction modifying agent to an area of contact between railway wheel and railway rail over which the wheel is traversing to selectively modify the coefficient of friction at the contact area. The method comprises sensing a parameter related to the operation of the railway train and applying the friction modifying agent to the area of contact between the railway wheel and rail as a function of the sensed parameter.

Metering or dosing device for sand spreading apparatuses with a metering piston for sealing off and releasing the throughflow opening for the material to be spread, in which the metering piston and the opposite housing wall of the passage hole have profiles overlapping each other so that a labyrinth-like outflow of the spread material results.

An apparatus for applying granular material to a rail adjacent to a wheel of a train includes a granular supply material container to which a granular material injection assembly is connected. The granular material injection assembly includes a housing having a mixing chamber. An insert is connected with the housing. A first end portion of the insert has an air inlet through which air flows into the mixing chamber. A second end portion of the insert has an air outlet through which air and granular material flow from the mixing chamber. A valve may be mounted in the air inlet portion of the insert. A venturi may be mounted in the air outlet portion of the insert. A deflector portion of the insert deflects granular material away from a path of flow of air between the air inlet and the air and granular material outlet.

To lubricate a length of track, a plurality of lubricating nozzles are provided. Each nozzle is fed by the output of a single positive displacement pump, and all the pumps are controlled by a computer. Vibration sensors, sound sensors, or L/V ratio sensors detect physical qualities which occur as a train passes a given point, and another detector measures the time between successive wheels on the truck of a car as it passes a given point to measure train speed. The computer compares the output readings measured by the detector to a table of outputs in its memory that are indicative of a lubricated track to determine if lubrication is needed.

A system and method for assessing a health and functionality of a locomotive friction modifying system wherein the locomotive has a friction modifying applicator associated with a wheel of the locomotive for applying a friction modifying agent to a rail on which the wheel is traversing. The system and method comprise a sensor detecting a predetermined operational condition of the locomotive. The system and method also comprise a controller associated with the sensor and responsive to input from the sensor determining a per unit creep of an axle of the locomotive. The controller also determines a tractive effort of the axle of the locomotive and determines a friction modifying applicator state for the applicator associated with the axle. The controller further compares the determined per unit creep of the axle, the tractive effort of the axle and the state of the friction modifying applicator associated with the axle to a predetermined value indicative of the health and functionality of the locomotive friction modifying system. The controller provides an indication of the health and functionality of the locomotive friction modifying system.

A method and computer program product of limiting sand use in a railroad locomotive sanding system applying sand to railroad rails to enhance adhesion of wheels of a railroad locomotive on a track having a pair of railroad rails, the sanding system including a plurality of sand applicators for each rail for directing sand flow toward the rail and with the locomotive having two trucks carrying the wheels for supporting and propelling the locomotive along the track. The method and computer program product may include steps of automatically controlling a flow of sand applied to the rail by the locomotive sanding system to limit the application of sand to situations in which applying sand to the rail would be effective to increase the adhesion of at least one of the railroad locomotive wheels on the rail by a predetermined incremental amount. The operation of each of the plurality of sand applicators may be independently controlled for selectively operating those sand applicators whose operation will result in at least the predetermined incremental increase in adhesion of the locomotive wheels on the rail, while not operating the other sand applicators so as to limit the amount of sand applied to the track.

A method for applying a liquid composition to a rail surface is provided. This method involves supplying a liquid composition in one or more reservoirs on a rail car (revenue generating car), and applying the liquid composition from the one or more reservoirs to the rail surface.

Metering or dosing device for sand spreading apparatuses with a metering piston for sealing off and releasing the throughflow opening for the material to be spread, in which the metering piston and the opposite housing wall of the passage hole have profiles overlapping each other so that a labyrinth-like outflow of the spread material results.

A system and method for controlling an application of a friction modifying agent to an area of contact between a railway wheel and a railway rail over which the wheel is traversing to selectively modify the coefficient of friction at the contact area. A sensor is used for detecting a parameter relating to the operation of the railway train. A controller is responsive to the sensor for selecting one or more of a plurality of friction modifying agents and controls the application of the agent to the rail as a function of the parameter. An applicator is responsive to the controller and applies the friction modifying agent to the area of contact between the railway wheel and rail. A second application of the agent may be predicated upon the effectiveness of a first application of the agent. The selection of the appropriate agent may include a consideration of a current location of the railway vehicle.

A friction management system for a traveling crane applies a liquid or solid friction modifier (FM) in precisely controlled quantities to the crane wheels or rail to improve performance and safety during movement of the crane. The friction modifier is applied by a nozzle mounted on a crane truck, which nozzle is opened and closed by a valve. The duration of the valve opening per second, which controls the friction modifier application rate, is approximately proportional to the average current draw, which is detected by current sensors connected to the truck motors.

A rail lubricator for a railroad rail has a nozzle adjacent to the rail and attached thereto. The nozzle has a discharge orifice disposed beneath the top surface of the rail. The orifice is aimed generally longitudinally of the rail with the aiming including an upward component and a lateral component toward the centerline of the rail. Jets of lubricant project upwardly from the nozzle, arch above the top surface of the rail, and then fall onto the top surface and gage corner of the rail. This lubricates the top of a rail using an optimum amount of lubricant on the optimum area of the railhead. The lubricant is applied when the nozzles are spanned by a car.

A system for increasing the efficiency of the movement of a railroad car over a length of rail, including a fluid reservoir for containing a quantity of efficiency enhancing fluid, a fluid dispensing member, a fluid pump connected in fluidic communication between the reservoir and the fluid dispensing member for dispensing a predetermined quantity of fluid through the fluid dispensing member, a microprocessor operationally connected to the fluid pump, and a first sensor for generating a first sensor signal in response to a railroad car crossing a predetermined section of track and operationally connected to the microprocessor. The fluid dispensing member is positioned along a railroad portion substantially equal in length to the circumference of a railroad car wheel to provide a substantially continuous flow of efficiency enhancing fluid substantially equal in length to the circumference of a railroad car wheel onto the rail portion when the predetermined quantity of fluid is dispensed.

A method, and an apparatus, for monitoring the sand supply in a sand tank (2) of a sand-scattering device in vehicles, in particular in express trains. To prevent an insufficient sand supply, the sand-supply level is monitored by a inspection point.

A method for applying a liquid composition to a rail surface is provided. This method involves supplying a liquid composition in one or more reservoirs on a rail car (revenue generating car), and applying the liquid composition from the one or more reservoirs to the rail surface.

A suction nozzle insert is provided for arranging in a storage container of a sand discharge device of a rail vehicle, through which compressed air can flow in succession through a nozzle, an injection chamber, a venturi pipe and then a sand feed pipe, wherein the injection chamber and the venturi pipe are located in a first hollow chamber, and furthermore at least one suction channel which connects the storage container with the injection chamber is provided in the housing of the suction nozzle insert, wherein the housing has a second hollow chamber which is arranged between the compressed air pipe and the nozzle, and at least one at least partially closable air channel is provided between this second hollow chamber and the first hollow chamber, wherein the air channel inlet lies in the second hollow chamber and the air channel outlet lies in the first hollow chamber.

Method and device for de-icing of trains is provided in which a glycol heated treatment medium is sprayed against the underside of units in the train such as locomotive and carriages in order to remove ice which has been built up in the base frames of the units.

Conditioning device (24) and method for drying and/or controlling the temperature of a ballast bed (12) of a railway track system (10), wherein the railway track system (10) has sleepers (14) resting on the ballast bed (12) and rails (16) resting on the sleepers, wherein the conditioning device has a bogie (30) for moving the conditioning device (24). An outlet nozzle (36) for blowing temperature-controlled air into the ballast bed (12) via at least one blowing-in region (26) positioned between two adjacent sleepers (14) is connected to the bogie (30), as is at least one cover plate (42) for essentially air-tight coverage of an upper side, pointing essentially in the direction counter to the direction of gravity, of a side strip (20), provided next to the sleepers (14) in the direction of travel, of the ballast bed (12). In a method for drying and controlling the temperature of a ballast bed (12) of a railway track system (10), an upper side of the ballast bed (12) and/or at least one sleeper (14) and at least one rail (16) are sealed in an essentially air-tight fashion outside a blowing-in region (26) before temperature-controlled air is blown into the ballast bed (12) via the blowing-in region (26).

The present invention provides an ultra violet irradiating device for aligning liquid crystal and also an water-cooling coaxial tube. The ultraviolet irradiating device includes a water-cooling coaxial tube configured with an inter tube and an external pipe enveloping the internal pipe. A light tube is disposed within the internal pipe, and an infrared filter layer is disposed between the internal and external pipes; and an ultra violet filter layer is coated over an external surface of the external pipe so as to filter out an ultra violet light beam having wavelength lower than 320 nm. The breakage of the unit filters resulted from inter pushing with each other or leakage resulted from overlapping of the unit filters can be readily resolved.

A technique of reducing occurrence of multiple discharge in a spark plug. The spark plug has a main ground electrode and three auxiliary ground electrodes. The position at which first auxiliary ground electrode is joined to a metallic shell is located opposite the position at which main ground electrode is joined to the metallic shell, with respect to a center electrode. The positions at which second and third auxiliary ground electrodes are joined to the metallic shell are located opposite to each other with respect to the center electrode. When the width of first auxiliary ground electrode is represented by W, the shortest distance between second auxiliary ground electrode and third auxiliary ground electrode is represented by T, and a distance which is a component of the shortest distance T in a direction orthogonal to first auxiliary ground electrode is represented by Tp, a relation W≧Tp is satisfied.

A curved-surface display panel fabrication method for fabricating a curved-surface display panel using a flat display panel having a first substrate and a second substrate includes: paring partially outer surfaces of the first substrate and the second substrate so as to reduce thicknesses thereof to a predetermined thickness; bending the pared flat display panel to a desired curved shape; attaching a first guide member which has a shape corresponding to the desired curved shape to the first substrate with a predetermined gap from the pared outer surface thereof and attaching a second guide member with has a shape corresponding to the desired curved shape to the second substrate with a predetermined gap from the pared outer surface thereof; and forming light transmitting reinforcing layers respectively in a space between the first guide member and the first substrate and a space between the second guide member and the second substrate.

A display device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The display of the present invention includes a flexible substrate, a display layer, a protecting layer, an electronic unit, and a filling glue. The flexible substrate has a carrying surface. The display layer is disposed on the carrying surface and has a side edge. The protecting layer is disposed on the opposite side of the display layer corresponding to the carrying surface. The electronic unit is disposed on the carrying surface with a space formed between the electronic unit and the side edge of the display layer. The filling glue is filled in the space and connected with the side edge of the display layer, the electronic unit, and the carrying surface.

An X-ray tube with a rotatable anode for generating X-rays and an X-ray apparatus and a method for balancing the rotary anode of an X-ray tube include balancing of the rotary anode applicable to an anode mounted inside an X-ray tube. The rotatable anode includes an anode disc fixedly mounted to a rotatably driven support body, which is rotatably supported by a bearing arrangement. The anode includes at least one balancing cavity to adjust the center of gravity of the anode. The balancing cavity is partly filled with a balancing material being solid at operating temperature of the X-ray tube and liquid at a higher temperature. The balancing method includes determining an imbalance of the anode; heating liquefy balancing material; dislocating the balancing material inside the balancing cavity to compensate the imbalance; and cooling to solidify the balancing material.