Abstract: A voltage tracking circuit is provided. The voltage tracking circuit includes first and second P-type transistors and a control circuit. The drain of the first P-type transistor is coupled to a first voltage terminal. The gate and the drain of the second P-type transistor are respectively coupled to the first voltage terminal and a second voltage terminal. The control circuit is coupled to the first and second voltage terminals and generates a control voltage according to the first voltage and the second voltage. The sources of the first and second P-type transistors are coupled to an output terminal of the voltage tracking circuit, and the output voltage is generated at the output terminal. In response to the second voltage being higher than the first voltage, the control circuit generates the control signal to turn off the first P-type transistor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a seal ring structure, which comprises a seal ring member. The seal ring member includes a first ring opening on one side and a second ring opening on the other. A periphery of the first ring opening includes a plurality of leak grooves. When the seal ring member and the valve ball squeeze each other, the plurality of leak grooves can reduce the torque required to rotate the valve ball. A leak-groove length of the plurality of leak grooves is smaller than a seal-ring-member length of the seal ring member. The plurality of leak grooves do not penetrate the seal ring member for avoiding leakage of fluid.

Abstract: Methods of video content complexity estimation, scene change detection and video encoding are provided. The video content complexity estimation and the scene change detecting are performed before a video encoding loop is processed. The method of video content complexity estimation includes calculating an absolute difference value diffi of the ith pixel between a current frame and a reference frame, a mean value mean(R) of pixel region R, a deviation value deviation(R) of pixel region R, a complexity value X of a target frame and an adjusted complexity ?target of the target frame by using equations mean ? ? ( R ) = 1 NM ? ? i ? R ? diff i , ? deviation ? ? ( R ) = ? i ? R ? abs ( diff i - mean ( R ) ) , ? X = ? R ? frame ? mean ? ? ( R ) · deviation ? ? ( R ) and ?target=a·X/b, respectively.

Abstract: Methods of video content complexity estimation, scene change detection and video encoding are provided. The video content complexity estimation and the scene change detecting are performed before a video encoding loop is processed. The method of video content complexity estimation includes calculating an absolute difference value diffi of the ith pixel between a current frame and a reference frame, a mean value mean(R) of pixel region R, a deviation value deviation(R) of pixel region R, a complexity value X of a target frame and an adjusted complexity ?target of the target frame by using equations mean ? ? ? ( R ) = 1 NM ? ? i ? R ? diff i , ? deviation ? ? ? ( R ) = ? i ? R ? abs ( diff i - mean ( R ) ) , ? X = ? R ? frame ? mean ? ? ? ( R ) · deviation ? ? ? ( R ) and ?target=a·X/b, respectively.

Abstract: A method and system are provided to identify coordinate information of a selected position on a three-dimensional object or on a leaf among plural pages with pre-formed reference indications. While identifying the coordinated information on the leaf, identification of page number is accomplished based on the reference indications formed around margins of the sheet. Moreover, by using at least one corner of the leaf and symbols printed around the margins as the reference coordinate data, the actual coordinate information of the selected position is derived. Corresponding to the actual coordinated information, accessory data in a form of voice, image or text are then output.

Abstract: An improved heat shield offers thermal insulation and reduced noise transmission for vehicular engine components, including exhaust manifolds. The structure has three layers: an outer structural metal layer, a center insulation layer to isolate heat and dampen noise, and an inner metal layer directly adjacent the shielded component for reflecting heat back to the shielded component. As disclosed, the shield has at least one edge portion defined by outwardly flared undulations or waves. The waved edge minimizes impact of plastic deformation of the metal edges during manufacture of the shield, which tends to produce wrinkling at the edges, and creates undesirable stiffness. Finally, the edge boundary of the outer metal heat shield layer is folded over the edges of the insulation and inner metal layers to avoid any sharp edges, thus preventing injury to installers and reinforcing the heat shield structure to enhance useful life under vibration and heat conditions.

Abstract: An improved heat shield offers thermal insulation and reduced noise transmission for vehicular engine components, including exhaust manifolds. The structure has three layers: an outer structural metal layer, a center insulation layer to isolate heat and dampen noise, and an inner metal layer directly adjacent the shielded component for reflecting heat back to the shielded component. As disclosed, the shield has at least one edge portion defined by outwardly flared undulations or waves. The waved edge minimizes impact of plastic deformation of the metal edges during manufacture of the shield, which tends to produce wrinkling at the edges, and creates undesirable stiffness. Finally, the edge boundary of the outer metal heat shield layer is folded over the edges of the insulation and inner metal layers to avoid any sharp edges, thus preventing injury to installers and reinforcing the heat shield structure to enhance useful life under vibration and heat conditions.

Abstract: An improved heat shield provides thermal insulation and reduced noise transmission of vehicular engine components, including exhaust manifolds. The structure has three layers; an outer structural metal layer, a center insulation layer to isolate heat and dampen noise, and an inner metal layer directly adjacent the shielded component for reflecting heat back to the shielded component. The heat shield is attached by bolts to the shielded component. In the described embodiment, the volume of the insulation layer is expanded by approximately 15 to 20 percent over conventional shields to produce a softer, thicker material having a lower density but unchanged mass. The invention provides a technique to achieve desired thickness and density in insulation layers via modal finite element analysis. The relatively thicker heat shield more effectively absorbs vibration and attenuates noise without increase in mass. In the described embodiment, the layer contains cellulose, diatomaceous earth, talc, and fiberglass.

Abstract: A fuel cell apparatus includes at least two facing, parallel plates, stacked together but spaced apart by resilient sealing beads disposed on at least one of the plates. The resilient sealing beads are adapted to facilitate control of fluid flows, such as electrolytes, between the plates and are thus called fluid sealing beads. Each plate contains at least one bolt aperture for securement of the two plates together in the described facing, yet spaced apart, arrangement. Separate beads disposed about the aperture(s) act as aperture load compensation beads. In one preferred embodiment, the fluid sealing beads have one uniform thickness, while the aperture compensation beads have another thickness less than that of the fluid sealing beads. In the same embodiment, the aperture compensation beads are wider, however, than the fluid sealing beads.

Abstract: A heat shield provides thermal insulation and reduced noise transmission for under-the-hood vehicular engine components, such as exhaust manifolds. The structure is formed in three layers: an outer metal layer to provide structural integrity, a center insulation layer to isolate heat and dampen noise, and an inner metal layer directly adjacent the shielded component for reflecting heat back to the shielded component. As disclosed, the insulation layer is sandwiched between the two metal layers. The heat shield is formed in two integral mating halves to define a unitary structure containing grommets. The grommets incorporate capscrews rotatably secured in respective halves of the structure for attachment to mounting bosses on the component. Finally, the edges of the two metal layers of the heat shield are folded over to prevent injury to installers, and to reinforce the heat shield structure for enhancing its useful life under severe conditions of vibration and heat.

Abstract: An improved heat shield offers both a thermal insulation and reduced noise transmission for vehicular engine components, including exhaust manifolds, for example. The structure has three layers: an outer structural metal layer, a center insulation layer to isolate heat and dampen noise, and an inner metal layer directly adjacent the shielded component for reflecting heat back to the shielded component. As disclosed, the heat shield includes at least one bolt aperture for attachment of the shield to a shielded component, such as an exhaust manifold in the described embodiment. The aperture is circumferentially bordered by at least one non-planar undulation defining a protuberance. The protuberance is spaced circumferentially about the aperture. As the bolted connection of the heat shield to the manifold is a major source of vibration transmittal from the manifold into the shield, the protuberance is effective to dampen the vibration, and hence noise associated with the vibration.

Abstract: An improved heat shield offers both a thermal insulation and reduced noise transmission for vehicular engine components, including exhaust manifolds, for example. The structure has three layers: an outer structural metal layer, a center insulation layer to isolate heat and dampen noise, and an inner metal layer directly adjacent the shielded component for reflecting heat back to the shielded component. As disclosed, the heat shield includes at least one bolt aperture for attachment of the shield to a shielded component, such as an exhaust manifold in the described embodiment. The aperture is circumferentially bordered by at least one non-planar undulation defining a protuberance. The protuberance is spaced circumferentially about the aperture. As the bolted connection of the heat shield to the manifold is a major source of vibration transmittal from the manifold into the shield, the protuberance is effective to dampen the vibration, and hence noise associated with the vibration.

Abstract: A heat shield provides thermal insulation and reduced noise transmission for under-the-hood vehicular engine components, such as exhaust manifolds. The structure is formed in three layers: an outer metal layer to provide structural integrity, a center insulation layer to isolate heat and dampen noise, and an inner metal layer directly adjacent the shielded component for reflecting heat back to the shielded component. As disclosed, the insulation layer is sandwiched between the two metal layers. The heat shield is formed in two integral mating halves to define a unitary structure containing grommets. The grommets incorporate capscrews rotatably secured in respective halves of the structure for attachment to mounting bosses on the component. Finally, the edges of the two metal layers of the heat shield are folded over to prevent injury to installers, and to reinforce the heat shield structure for enhancing its useful life under severe conditions of vibration and heat.

Abstract: A fuel cell apparatus includes at least two facing, parallel plates, stacked together but spaced apart by resilient sealing beads disposed on at least one of the plates. The resilient sealing beads are adapted to facilitate control of fluid flows, such as electrolytes, between the plates and are thus called fluid sealing beads. Each plate contains at least one bolt aperture for securement of the two plates together in the described facing, yet spaced apart, arrangement. Separate beads disposed about the aperture(s) act as aperture load compensation beads. In one preferred embodiment, the fluid sealing beads have one uniform thickness, while the aperture compensation beads have another thickness less than that of the fluid sealing beads. hi the same embodiment, the aperture compensation beads are wider, however, than the fluid sealing beads.

Abstract: A head gasket for an automotive engine having an elongated gasket body comprising a metallic core having upper and lower surfaces, with a plurality of spaced generally circular combustion openings defined by the gasket body. A metallic fire ring is disposed in each combustion opening adjacent the peripheral edge of said combustion opening. A plurality of pairs of stakes displaced radially from the upper and lower surfaces of the fire ring overlying and underlying the metallic core floatingly support the fire rings in the associated combustion openings. A method of making such a head gasket is also disclosed.