Author: claimsbot

1. A fuel cell, comprising:
a fuel electrode;
an oxidant electrode;
a fuel supply port; and
a porous material layer for transferring a liquid fuel from the fuel supply port to the fuel electrode;
wherein the porous material layer has different values of at least one of a porosity, a permeability and a tortuosity factor depending on the distance of a site of the porous material layer from at least one of the fuel supply port and the fuel electrode.
2. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the porous material layer includes a plurality of porous material members, and at least one of the porous material members is arranged in contact with the fuel electrode; and
the farther from the fuel supply port, the higher value of at least one of the porosity and the permeability of the porous material member in contact with the fuel electrode or the lower value of the tortuosity factor of the porous material member in contact with the fuel electrode.
3. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the porous material layer contains particles having a diameter d, and the relationship between the diameter d of the particle and at least one of the porosity and the permeability of the porous material layer satisfies formula (1) given below:
d
=

C
\xd7
K
\u2061

(

1
–
\u025b

)
2
\u025b
3
(
1
)
where d denotes the particle diameter, \u03b5 denotes the porosity, K denotes the permeability, and C denotes a proportional constant falling within a range of between the proportional constant of Carman-Kozeny formula and the proportional constant of Blake-Kozeny formula including the proportional constant of Carman-Kozeny formula and the proportional constant of Blake-Kozeny formula.
4. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the porous material layer includes a laminate prepared by stacking a plurality of porous material members, at least one of the porous material members having different values of at least one of the porosity, the permeability and the tortuosity factor from the other porous material members, and having the thickness to be gradually increased or decreased depending on the distance from the fuel supply port.
5. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the porous material layer includes a plurality of porous material members, and the thickness of at least one of the porous material members is gradually decreased with increase in the distance from the fuel supply port.
6. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the porous material layer includes a laminate prepared by stacking a first porous material member having the thickness gradually increased with increase in the distance from the fuel supply port, and a second porous material member smaller than the first porous material member in at least one of the porosity and the permeability, and having the thickness gradually decreased with increase in the distance of a site of the second porous material member from the fuel supply port.
7. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the porous material layer includes a plurality of porous material members differing from each other in at least one of the porosity, the permeability and the tortuosity factor, and these porous material members are arranged along the fuel electrode in the order of the value of the porosity, the permeability or the tortuosity factor such that, the farther from the fuel supply port, the higher value of at least one of the porosity and the permeability of the porous material member in contact with the fuel electrode or the lower value of the tortuosity factor of the porous material member in contact with the fuel electrode.
8. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the porous material layer includes a plurality of porous material members, and the contact area of at least one of the porous material members with the adjacent porous material member is increased with increase in the distance of a site of the porous material layer from the fuel supply port.
9. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the porous material layer includes a plurality of porous material members and at least one shielding member, and the shielding member is arranged between the porous material members such that the area of the surface of at least one of the porous material members on the side of the fuel electrode is gradually increased with increase in the distance from the fuel supply port.
10. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the porous material layer includes a plurality of porous material members and at least one shielding member, and the porous material members are inserted into through-holes open in the shielding member such that the open area per unit area of the porous material layer is increased with increase in the distance of a site of the shielding member from the fuel supply port.
11. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the porous material layer includes a plurality of porous material members and a plurality of shielding members, and the shielding members are inserted into through-holes open in the porous material member such that the open area per unit area of the porous material layer is decreased with increase in the distance of a site of the porous material member from the fuel supply port.
12. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the porous material layer is compressed at least partially.
13. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the porous material layer includes a porous material member that is compressed such that the compression ratio is decreased with increase in the distance from the fuel supply port.
14. The fuel cell according to claim 1, wherein the porous material layer includes a porous material member having a tortuosity factor of 1.
15. A fuel cell, comprising:
a fuel electrode;
an oxidant electrode;
a fuel supply port; and
first and second porous material layers for transferring a liquid fuel from the fuel supply port to the fuel electrode;
wherein:
the first porous material layer has different values of at least one of a porosity, a permeability and a tortuosity factor depending on the distance of a site of the first porous material layer from at least one of the fuel supply port and the fuel electrode; and
the second porous material layer is formed of a single porous material member.
16. The fuel cell according to claim 15, wherein the first porous material layer is arranged in contact with the fuel electrode.
17. The fuel cell according to claim 15, wherein the first porous material layer includes a plurality of porous material members differing from each other in at least one of the porosity, the permeability and the tortuosity factor, and these porous material members are arranged along the fuel electrode in the order of the value of the porosity, the permeability or the tortuosity factor such that, the farther from the fuel supply port, the higher value of at least one of the porosity and the permeability of the porous material member in contact with the fuel electrode or the lower value of the tortuosity factor of the porous material member in contact with the fuel electrode.
18. The fuel cell according to claim 15, wherein the first porous material layer includes a laminate prepared by stacking a first porous material member having the thickness gradually increased with increase in the distance from the fuel supply port, and a second porous material member smaller than the than the first porous material member in at least one of the porosity and the permeability, and having the thickness gradually decreased with increase in the distance of a site of the second porous material member from the fuel supply port.
19. The fuel cell according to claim 15, wherein the first material layer includes a shielding member, porous material members inserted into through-holes open in the shielding member such that the open area per unit area of the first porous material layer is increased with increase in the distance from the fuel supply port, and a compressed porous material member that is compressed such that the compression ratio is decreased with increase in the distance from the fuel supply port.
20. A fuel cell, comprising:
a fuel electrode;
an oxidant electrode;
a fuel supply port; and
first and second porous material layers for transferring a liquid fuel from the fuel supply port to the fuel electrode;
wherein:
the first porous material layer is formed of a single porous material member; and
the second porous material layer includes a plurality of porous material members, and the contact area of at least one of the porous material members with the first porous material layer is increased with increase in the distance of a site of the second porous material layer from the fuel supply port.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method of indicating a position of a steerable wheel of a vehicle comprising:
providing a wheel position indicator having an on state and an off state, the wheel position indicator providing a visual indication of the position of the steerable wheel when the wheel position indicator is in the on state, the wheel position indicator not providing a visual indication of the position of the steerable wheel when the wheel position indicator is in the off state;
placing the wheel position indicator into the on state when the vehicle is in a predetermined driving condition; and
placing the wheel position indicator into the off state when the vehicle is not in the predetermined driving condition.
2. The method of indicating the position of the steerable wheel of the vehicle of claim 1, wherein:
the predetermined driving condition is an off road driving condition.
3. The method of indicating the position of the steerable wheel of the vehicle of claim 1, wherein:
the predetermined driving condition occurs when the steerable wheel has a slip angle above or equal to a predetermined amount.
4. The method of indicating the position of the steerable wheel of the vehicle of claim 1, wherein:
the visual indication of the position of the steerable wheel includes a display mechanically connected to a steering column of the vehicle.
5. The method of indicating the position of the steerable wheel of the vehicle of claim 1, further including:
determining a position of the steering column.
6. The method of indicating the position of the steerable wheel of the vehicle of claim 1, wherein:
the visual indication includes a digital display.
7. The method of indicating the position of the steerable wheel of the vehicle of claim 1, wherein:
the position of the steerable wheel includes an angle of the steerable wheel relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
8. The method of indicating the position of the steerable wheel of the vehicle of claim 1, wherein:
the position of the steerable wheel includes a left or a right position of the steerable wheel relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
9. A wheel position indication system for a vehicle, comprising:
a steerable wheel;
a wheel position indicator having an on state and an off state, the wheel position indicator providing a visual indication of the position of the steerable wheel when the wheel position indicator is in the on state, the wheel position indicator not providing a visual indication of the position of the steerable wheel when the wheel position indicator is in the off state;
a controller selectively altering the wheel position indicator between the on state and the off state;
wherein the controller places the wheel position indicator into the on state when the vehicle is in an off road condition and places the wheel position indicator into the off state when the vehicle is not in the off road condition.
10. The wheel position indication system for the vehicle of claim 9, wherein:
the visual indication of the position of the steerable wheel includes a display mechanically connected to a steering column of the vehicle.
11. The wheel position indication system for the vehicle of claim 9, further including:
a shutter wheel having apertures adjacent a periphery of the shutter wheel, the shutter wheel being adapted to be connected to a steering column;
wherein the controller communicates with sensors reading light emitted through the apertures of the shutter wheel to determine the position of the steerable wheel.
12. The wheel position indication system for the vehicle of claim 9, wherein:
the visual indication includes a digital display.
13. The wheel position indication system for the vehicle of claim 9, wherein:
the position of the steerable wheel includes an angle of the steerable wheel relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
14. The wheel position indication system for the vehicle of claim 9, wherein:
the position of the steerable wheel includes a left or a right position of the steerable wheel relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
15. A wheel position indication system for a vehicle, comprising:
a steerable wheel;
a wheel position indicator having an on state and an off state, the wheel position indicator providing a visual indication of the position of the steerable wheel when the wheel position indicator is in the on state, the wheel position indicator not providing a visual indication of the position of the steerable wheel when the wheel position indicator is in the off state;
a controller selectively altering the wheel position indicator between the on state and the off state;
wherein the controller places the wheel position indicator into the on state when the steerable wheel has a slip angle above or equal to a predetermined amount and places the wheel position indicator into the off state when the steerable wheel has a slip angle below the predetermined amount.
16. The wheel position indication system for the vehicle of claim 15, wherein:
the visual indication of the position of the steerable wheel includes a display mechanically connected to a steering column of the vehicle.
17. The wheel position indication system for the vehicle of claim 15, further including:
a shutter wheel having apertures adjacent a periphery of the shutter wheel, the shutter wheel being adapted to be connected to a steering column;
wherein the controller communicates with sensors reading light emitted through the apertures of the shutter wheel to determine the position of the steerable wheel.
18. The wheel position indication system for the vehicle of claim 15, wherein:
the visual indication includes a digital display.
19. The wheel position indication system for the vehicle of claim 15, wherein:
the position of the steerable wheel includes an angle of the steerable wheel relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
20. The wheel position indication system for the vehicle of claim 15, wherein:
the position of the steerable wheel includes a left or a right position of the steerable wheel relative to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

What is claimed is:

1. A multifunctional food wrap comprising:
(a) a material web having a first active side and a second side, said material web comprising a plurality of protrusions, said protrusions being integral with said first active side and said second side, said protrusions having spaces therebetween;
(b) an adhesive disposed upon said first active side of said material web within said spaces between said protrusions; and,
(c) wherein said adhesive comprises at least one secondary function.
2. The multifunctional food wrap of Claim 1 wherein said material web is selected from the group consisting of paper, polymeric films, plastic films, cloths, fabrics, wovens, nonwovens, laminates, metal foils, coated papers, and combinations thereof.
3. The multifunctional food wrap of Claim 2 wherein said secondary function is selected from the group consisting of chemical means, physical means and combinations thereof.
4. The multifunctional food wrap of Claim 3 wherein said chemical means is selected from the group consisting of antimicrobial protection, food preservation, atmosphere modification, odor elimination, product spoilage indication, freezer burn inhibition, temperature indication, nutrition and dietary benefits, flavor enhancement, moisture absorption, moisture control, enhancing microwave cooking, heating, cooling, and combinations thereof.
5. The multifunctional food wrap of Claim 3 wherein said physical means is selected from the group consisting of atmosphere modification, product insulation, and combinations thereof.
6. The multifunctional food wrap of Claim 1 wherein said material web further comprises a second at least one secondary function disposed within said sheet of material, said second at least one secondary function being disposable beyond said protrusions in response to an application of an external force to said multifunctional food wrap.
7. The multifunctional food wrap of Claim 1 wherein said material web comprises at least one layer.
8. The multifunctional food wrap of Claim 1 wherein said plurality of protrusions comprise an amorphous pattern.
9. The multifunctional food wrap of Claim 1 wherein said adhesive and said at least one secondary function are disposable beyond said protrusions in response to an application of an external force to said multifunctional food wrap.
10. A multifunctional food wrap comprising:
(a) a material web comprising one or more layers, said material web comprising a first active side and a second side, said material web further comprising a plurality of protrusions, said protrusions being integral with said first active side and said second side, said protrusions having spaces therebetween;
(b) an adhesive disposed upon said first active side of said material web within said spaces between said protrusions; and,
(c) at least one secondary function disposed within said web material.
11. The multifunctional food wrap of Claim 10 wherein said web material is a co-extruded film.
12. The multifunctional food wrap of Claim 11 wherein said co-extruded film comprises at least one tie layer, said tie layer comprising said at least one secondary function.
13. The multifunctional food wrap of Claim 10 further comprising a substantially hydrophobic back sheet attached to said second side of said multifunctional food wrap.
14. The multifunctional food wrap of Claim 10 wherein said at least one secondary function is selected from the group consisting of chemical means, physical means and combinations thereof.
15. A multifunctional food wrap comprising:
(a) a material web comprising at least one layer, said material web having a first active side and a second side, said material web comprising a plurality of protrusions integral with said first active side and said second side, said protrusions having spaces therebetween;
(b) an adhesive disposed upon said first active side in said spaces between said protrusions; and,
(c) at least one secondary function disposed in, and integral with, said protrusions.
16. The multifunctional food wrap of Claim 15 wherein said adhesive comprises a second at least one secondary function.
17. The multifunctional food wrap of Claim 16 wherein said protrusions are rupturable, said at least one secondary function being disposable from said protrusions in response to said external force.
18. The multifunctional food wrap of Claim 17 wherein said protrusions further comprise a weak region, said at least one secondary function being releasable from said protrusion through said weak region in response to said external force.
19. The multifunctional food wrap of Claim 15 wherein said at least one secondary function is selected from the group consisting of chemical means, physical means and combinations thereof.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A thermal module, disposed in an electronic apparatus, the electronic apparatus having a first heat source and a second heat source, the thermal module comprising:
a first wind outlet, for providing a first wind amount to the first heat source;
a second wind outlet, for providing a second wind amount to the second heat source; and
a first wind-amount adjuster, disposed at the first wind outlet, for adjusting the first wind amount according to temperature of the first heat source and the second heat source;
wherein the first wind-amount adjuster adjusts an opening of the first wind outlet according to a temperature ratio of temperatures of the first heat source and the second heat source to obtain a predetermined ratio of the first wind amount and the second wind amount corresponding to the temperature ratio; wherein when the temperature ratio of temperatures of the first heat source and the second heat source is increased, the predetermined ratio of the first wind amount and the second wind amount corresponding to the temperature ratio is increased.
2. The thermal module according to claim 1, wherein the first wind-amount adjuster comprises a first gate for adjusting the size of the first wind outlet.
3. The thermal module according to claim 1, wherein the electronic apparatus comprises a control unit for outputting a control signal according to the temperatures of the first heat source and the second heat source, and the first wind-amount adjuster adjusts the first wind amount according to the control signal.
4. The thermal module according to claim 1, further comprising a second wind-amount adjuster disposed at the second wind outlet for adjusting the second wind amount according to the temperatures of the first heat source and the second heat source.
5. The thermal module according to claim 4, wherein the second wind-amount adjuster comprises a second gate for adjusting the size of the second wind outlet.
6. An electronic apparatus, comprising:
a first heat source and a second heat source;
a thermal module, comprising at least:
a first wind outlet, for providing a first wind amount for the first heat source;
a second wind outlet, for providing a second wind amount for the second heat source; and
a first wind-amount adjuster, disposed at the first wind outlet, for adjusting the first wind amount; and

a control unit, for controlling the first wind-amount adjuster to adjust the first wind amount according to temperatures of the first heat source and the second heat source
wherein the control unit controls the first wind-amount adjuster to adjust an opening of the first wind outlet according to a temperature difference of temperatures of the first heat source and the second heat source to obtain a predetermined ratio of the first wind amount and the second wind amount corresponding to the temperature difference; wherein when the temperature difference of temperatures of the first heat source and the second heat source is increased, the predetermined ratio of the first wind amount and the second wind amount corresponding to the temperature difference is increased.
7. The electronic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first heat source is a central processing unit (CPU), a hard disk, a chipset, a light bulb or another heat-generating device.
8. The electronic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the second heat source is a central processing unit (CPU), a hard disk, a chipset, a light bulb or another heat-generating device.
9. The electronic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first wind-amount adjuster comprises a first gate for adjusting the size of the first wind outlet.
10. The electronic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the control unit is a thermal integrated circuit.
11. The electronic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the electronic apparatus is a notebook computer, a desktop computer, a projector, a server, or a power supply.
12. The electronic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the thermal module further comprises a second wind-amount adjuster disposed at the second wind outlet for adjusting the second wind amount according to the control unit.
13. The electronic apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the second wind-amount adjuster comprises a second gate, for adjusting the size of the second wind outlet.
14. A method for controlling heat-dissipation wind amount, applied in an electronic apparatus, the electronic apparatus using a thermal module to respectively provide a first wind amount and a second wind amount for a first heat source and a second heat source, the method comprising:
detecting a first operation temperature of the first heat source and a second operation temperature of the second heat source;
calculating a temperature ratio or difference of the first operation temperature and the second operation temperature; and
adjusting at least the first wind amount according to the temperature ratio or difference to obtain a predetermined ratio of the first wind amount and the second wind amount corresponding to the temperature ratio or difference; wherein when the temperature ratio or difference of the first operation temperature and the second operation temperature is increased, the predetermined ratio of the first wind amount and the second wind amount corresponding to the temperature ratio or difference is increased.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the step of adjusting at least the first wind amount further comprises adjusting the second wind amount according to the temperature ratio or difference of the first operation temperature and the second operation temperature.
16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the thermal module comprises a first wind outlet for providing the first wind amount and the step of adjusting at least the first wind amount comprises changing the size of the first wind outlet to adjust the first wind amount.
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the step of adjusting at least the first wind amount comprises adjusting the first wind amount by changing the position of a first gate disposed at the first wind outlet.