The present invention pertains to a process for sulfiding a catalyst composition comprising at least one hydrogenation metal component of Group VI and/or Group VIII of the Periodic Table, and an organic additive wherein the catalyst composition is first contacted with an organic liquid, followed by the catalyst being contacted with hydrogen and a sulfur-containing compound in the gaseous phase, wherein less than about 40%, preferably less than about 35%, more preferably less than about 25%, most preferably less than about 15%, of the sulfur present in the sulfided catalyst is added with the organic liquid. The process of the present invention makes it possible to use additive-containing catalysts without loss of activity in units which cannot effect gas phase start-up or are required to carry out a pressure test. The organic liquid may be a hydrocarbon with a boiling range of about 150-500xc2x0 C., preferably gasoline, white spirit, diesel, gas oil, mineral lube oil, or white oil. The step of contacting the catalyst with hydrogen and a sulfur-containing compound may take place in one step at a temperature of about 150-450xc2x0 C. It may also take place in two steps, with the first step being performed at a temperature which is lower than that of the second step, with the first step being carried out at a temperature of about 100-250xc2x0 C. and the second step at a temperature of about 150-450xc2x0 C.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for sulfiding organic additive-containing catalysts, in particular organic additive-containing hydrotreating catalysts.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Hydrotreating catalysts comprise hydrogenation metal components, generally a Group VI metal component such as molybdenum and/or tungsten and a Group VIII metal component, such as nickel and/or cobalt generally on an oxidic carrier.
Organic additive-containing hydrotreating catalysts are known in the art. For example, European patent application 0 601 722 describes hydrotreating catalysts comprising a gamma-alumina support impregnated with a Group VIB metal component, a Group VIII metal component, and an organic additive which is at least one compound selected from the group of compounds comprising at least two hydroxyl groups and 2-10 carbon atoms, and the ethers and polyethers of these compounds.
Japanese patent application 04-166231 describes a hydrotreating catalyst prepared by a process in which a support is impregnated with an impregnation solution comprising a Group VIB metal component, a Group VIII metal component, and, optionally, a phosphorus component. The support is dried at a temperature below 200xc2x0 C., contacted with a polyol, and then dried again at a temperature below 200xc2x0 C. Japanese patent application 04-166233 describes an alkoxycarboxylic acid-containing catalyst prepared by substantially the same process.
Japanese patent application 06-339635 describes a hydrotreating catalyst prepared by a process in which a support is impregnated with an impregnation solution comprising an organic acid, Group VIB and Group VIII hydrogenation metal components, and preferably a phosphorus component. The impregnated support is dried at a temperature below 200xc2x0 C. The dried impregnated support is contacted with an organic acid or polyol, after which the thus treated support is dried at a temperature below 200xc2x0 C.
Japanese patent application 06-210182 describes an additive-containing catalyst based on a boria-alumina support comprising 3-15 wt. % of boria. Non-prepublished European patent application No. 99201051.2 in the name of Akzo Nobel filed on Apr. 8, 1999, describes a catalyst containing an organic compound comprising N and carbonyl.
The additive-containing catalysts of the above references all show an increased activity in the hydrotreating of hydrocarbon feeds as compared to comparable catalysts which do not contain an organic additive.
Before use, the hydrogenation metal components present in hydrotreating catalysts, including the additive-containing catalysts of the above references, will generally be converted into their sulfides. This process is conventionally indicated as sulfidation or presulfidation. It is generally done before the catalyst is used in hydrotreating to ensure a stable reactor performance.
The above-mentioned references indicate that the catalysts described therein can suitably be sulfided in the hydrotreating reactor by being contacted in the liquid phase with a sulfur-containing hydrocarbon feed in the presence of hydrogen. This can either be a feed to which a sulfur component, e.g., dimethyldisulfide, has been added (spiked feed) or, if the sulfur content of the feed to be hydrotreated is sufficiently high, the feed itself.
However, not all hydrotreating units are suitable for such in situ liquid sulfidation procedures. Some hydrotreating units use a gas phase sulfiding process, conventionally with H2S and H2 or with H2 and a compound which decomposes into H2S, such as DMDS.
Moreover, some hydrotreating units are required by the authorities to carry out a pressure test as part of their start-up procedure. This pressure test is generally carried out in the presence of hydrogen at a pressure above operating pressure and a temperature above 100xc2x0 C. in the absence of liquid.
It has been found that when an additive-containing catalyst is subjected to a gas phase start-up procedure or a start-up procedure including a pressure test, the activity of the catalyst is not good.
There is therefore need for a process for sulfiding additive-containing catalysts which would make it possible to obtain catalysts suitable for units which cannot perform sulfidation in the liquid phase or which are required to carry out a pressure test as described above.
In one embodiment, our invention is the obtaining of sulfided catalysts with a high activity by way of a gas phase sulfidation process in which a catalyst composition comprising at least one hydrogenation metal component of Group VI and/or Group VIII of the Periodic Table and an organic additive is first contacted with an organic liquid, followed by the catalyst being contacted with hydrogen and a sulfur-containing compound in the gaseous phase, wherein less than 40% of the sulfur present in the sulfided catalyst is added with the organic liquid.
In a second embodiment, our invention is a catalyst obtained by the above process.
In a third embodiment, our invention is a process for hydrotreating a hydrocarbon feed by contacting the feed with the above catalyst at hydrotreating conditions.
Other embodiments of our invention encompass details about reactant compositions, process steps and conditions, etc., all of which are hereinafter disclosed in the following discussion of each of the facets of our invention.
The Sulfidation Process
In the process according to the invention, the organic additive-containing catalyst is first contacted with an organic liquid. The organic liquid generally has a boiling range of about 100-550xc2x0 C., preferably about 150-500xc2x0 C. It generally is a petroleum fraction. By their nature, petroleum fractions comprise less than about 12 wt. % of oxygen. Petroleum fractions comprising less than about 8 wt. % of oxygen, preferably less than about 5 wt. %, more preferably less than about 2 wt. %, specifically less than about 0.5 wt. % of oxygen, may be preferred. Although the olefin content of the organic liquid is not critical to the process according to the invention, petroleum fractions with and iodine number of about 50 or less, specifically about 30 or less, may be preferred. Examples of suitable petroleum fractions include fractions comprising heavy oils, lubricating oil fractions like mineral lube oil (360xc2x0 C. less than BP less than 500xc2x0 C.), atmospheric gas oils, vacuum gas oils, straight run gas oils (250xc2x0 C. less than BP less than 350xc2x0 C.), white spirit (180xc2x0 C. less than BP less than 220xc2x0 C.), middle distillates like diesel, jet fuel and heating oil, naphthas, and gasoline. Preferably white oil, gasoline, diesel, gas oil, or mineral lube oil is used.
The organic liquid ensures that the catalyst is able to withstand the conditions prevailing during the actual sulfidation step, that is, during the contacting of the catalyst with hydrogen and a sulfur-containing compound, or during the pressure test. The organic liquid is not particularly intended to bring sulfur into the catalyst. Nevertheless, petroleum cuts such as a gas oil or diesel may sometimes contain sulfur. Generally, the organic liquid will contain less than about 10 wt. % of sulfur, preferably less than about 5 wt. %. The amount of sulfur added with the organic liquid will be less than about 40%, preferably less than about 35% of the total amount of sulfur added to the catalyst with the organic liquid and by way of the sulfur-containing compound applied in the gaseous phase, more preferably less than about 25%, even more preferably less than about 15%.
The amount of organic liquid generally is about 20-500% of the catalyst pore volume which can be filled with the liquid at issue under the conditions of application of the liquid. The pore volume can easily be determined by slowly adding liquid under said conditions to a certain amount of catalyst in a closed flask while shaking and determining by visual inspection when the liquid is no longer adsorbed. Another method is to add excess liquid and to remove the excess from the catalyst, e.g., by centrifugation. The person skilled in the art of pore volume impregnation is familiar with these procedures. To get the desired effect and avoid waste of material an amount of about 50-200%, more in particular about 50-125%, is preferred. Evidently, if excess liquid is present it can easily be removed, e.g., by drying the catalyst.
The way in which the catalyst is contacted with the organic liquid is not critical to the invention as long as it is ensured that each catalyst particle is contacted with the organic liquid. Conventional mixing methods may be applied. The organic liquid is generally contacted with the catalyst particles at a temperature between room temperature and about 200xc2x0 C. Increased temperatures may sometimes be desired because they decrease the viscosity of the liquid. The suitable contacting time may depend on whether the operation is carried out ex situ or in situ. For ex situ operation the temperature may preferably be between room temperature and about 75xc2x0 C. For in situ operation the temperature may preferably be between about 100 and 175xc2x0 C. The contacting of the catalyst with organic liquid is carried out in the substantial absence of hydrogen.
After the incorporation of an organic liquid, the catalyst is contacted in the gaseous phase with hydrogen and a sulfur-containing compound. The sulfur-containing compound is H2S and/or a compound which is decomposable into hydrogen sulfide under the conditions prevailing during the contacting of the catalyst with hydrogen and a sulfur-containing compound. Examples of suitable components decomposable into H2S are mercaptans, CS2, thiophenes, dimethyl sulfide (DMS), dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), and suitable S-containing refinery gasses and various polysulfides. The use of H2S alone is preferred. The skilled person knows how to select a sulfur compound which will decompose under the conditions applied.
The total amount of sulfur-containing compound which is incorporated into the catalyst in the process according to the invention is generally selected to correspond to about 50-500%, preferably about 70-200%, more preferably about 80-150%, of the stoichiometric sulfur quantity necessary to convert the hydrogenation metals into Co9S8, MoS2, WS2, and Ni3S2, respectively. Gas recycle may be attractive.
The concentration of sulfur-containing compound in the mixture of H2 and sulfur-containing compound is generally selected to be between about 1 and 99 wt. %, preferably between about 10 and 80%, calculated as H2S on the total of H2S and hydrogen. Of course, lower sulfur concentrations in this mixture will either lengthen the duration of this process step or increase the required space velocity.
The contacting in the gaseous phase with hydrogen and a sulfur-containing compound can be done in one step. In that case, it is preferably carried out at a temperature of about 150-500xc2x0 C., preferably 225-400xc2x0 C. More precisely, when indicating a sulfiding temperature of e.g., about 350xc2x0 C., it means that the final temperature plateau is at about 350xc2x0 C. The temperature of the first contact between sulfiding agent and catalyst may preferably take place at a lower temperature, for instance between room temperature and about 200xc2x0 C.
Catalysts with a higher activity may be obtained when the contacting in the gaseous phase with hydrogen and a sulfur-containing compound is carried out in two steps, with the first step being performed at a lower temperature than the second step. In this embodiment the first step is generally carried out at a final temperature of about 50-250xc2x0 C., preferably about 100-225xc2x0 C. The second step is generally carried out at a final temperature of about 150-500xc2x0 C., preferably about 200-450xc2x0 C., more preferably about 225-400xc2x0 C. In this two-step embodiment, the gaseous mixtures of H2 and sulfur-containing compound applied in the two steps may be the same or different. If so desired, this part of the process may also be carried out in more than two steps, e.g., in three steps or in a continuous mode, as long as the first step, or the start of this part of the process, is carried out at a lower temperature than a further step, or later part of this part of the process.
The total pressure during the process according to the invention, more in particular, the pressure in the gaseous phase, is not critical. It will generally be between atmospheric pressure and about 300 bar, depending on where the process is carried out. If the process is carried out ex situ, the pressure may, e.g., be between atmospheric pressure and about 10 bar. If the process is carried out in situ, the pressure may be much higher, e.g., in the range of about 25 to 300 bar.
The contacting in the gaseous phase with hydrogen and a sulfur-containing compound can be carried out in any suitable manner, including in fixed bed processes and moving bed processes. Since the sulfiding step is exothermic by nature, it is important that the temperature of the catalyst is well-controlled. Generally, such control is easier in a moving bed process. In the context of the present specification, a moving bed process is intended to encompass all processes in which the catalyst moves relative to the reactor. Examples are ebullated bed processes, fluidized bed processes and processes carried out in a rotary furnace. In the latter, the contacting can be done either co-currently or counter-currently, with counter-current operation being preferred. It is noted that the S-containing compound present in the gas phase does not refer to decomposition products from the S-containing compounds, if any, incorporated therein with the organic liquid, but refers to S-containing compound added extraneously to the hydrogen.
The various steps of the process according to the invention can be carried out ex situ or in situ. In the context of the present specification, the term in situ means in the reactor in which the catalyst will eventually be applied to effect hydrotreating. Conversely, ex situ means outside said reactor.
For example, it is possible to effect the contacting with the organic liquid ex situ while the contacting with hydrogen and a sulfur-containing compound is effected in situ, optionally with a pressure test being carried out before the contacting with hydrogen and a sulfur-containing compound. It is also possible to effect the complete process ex situ, or to effect the complete process in situ. It is generally preferred to carry out the complete process ex situ, because this generates less downtime for the hydrotreating reactor and simplifies the reactor start-up.
If the process according to the invention is carried out ex situ, it may be desirable to passivate the sulfided catalyst prepared in this way, since sulfided catalysts are self-heating. Passivation can be done by contacting the sulfided catalyst with an oxygen-containing compound under controlled conditions. The use of an oxygen-containing gas, such as air, is a well-known embodiment. Alternatively, the sulfided catalyst may be passivated by being contacted with an organic liquid, such as diesel, gas oil, white spirit, or lube oil. Passivation processes are known in the art. See, for example, EP-897 748 and NL 8900914, which describe the use of hydrocarbons, and V. M. Browne, S. P. A. Louwers, and R. Prins, Catalysis Today volume 10 number 3 pp 345-52 (1991) and S. P. A. Louwers, M. W. J. Craje, C. Geantet, A. M. van der Kraan, and R. Prins, Journal of Catalysis volume 144 number 2 pp. 579-96 (1993), both of which describe the use of oxygen.
The Additive-containing Catalyst
In principle, the additive-containing catalyst can be any catalyst which comprises a Group VIB hydrogenation metal component and/or a Group VIII hydrogenation metal component, and an organic additive, generally on a carrier. Catalysts comprising the combination of a Group VIB hydrogenation metal component and a Group VIII hydrogenation metal component are preferred. As the skilled person will recognise, the metals may be present in any form. When they are incorporated into the catalyst composition they are often in the form of their salts or oxides. After calcination they are converted partly or wholly into their respective oxides. After sulfidation and during use the metals are at least partly present in the sulfidic form.
As Group VIB metals may be mentioned molybdenum, tungsten, and chromium. Group VIII metals include nickel, cobalt, and iron. Catalysts comprising molybdenum and/or tungsten as Group VIB metal component and nickel and/or cobalt as Group VIII metal component are the most common. The catalyst usually has a metal content in the range of about 0.1 to 50 wt. % calculated as oxides on the dry weight of the catalyst not containing the additive. The Group VIB metal will frequently be present in an amount of about 5-40 wt. %, preferably about 15-30 wt. %, calculated as trioxide. The Group VIII metal will frequently be present in an amount of about 1-10 wt. %, preferably about 2-7 wt. %, calculated as monoxide. The catalyst may also contain other components, such as phosphorus, halogens, and boron. Particularly, the presence of phosphorus in an amount of about 1-10 wt. %, calculated as P2O5, may be preferred.
The catalyst carrier which is generally present may comprise the conventional oxides, e.g., alumina, silica, silica-alumina, alumina with silica-alumina dispersed therein, silica-coated alumina, magnesia, zirconia, boria, and titania, as well as mixtures of these oxides. As a rule, preference is given to the carrier comprising alumina, silica-alumina, alumina with silica-alumina dispersed therein, or silica-coated alumina. Special preference is given to the carrier consisting essentially of alumina or alumina containing up to about 25 wt. % of other components, preferably silica. A carrier comprising a transition alumina, for example an eta, theta, or gamma alumina is preferred within this group, with a gamma-alumina carrier being especially preferred. Additionally, although at present less preferred, the catalyst may contain 0-60 wt. % of zeolite.
The catalyst""s pore volume (measured via N2 adsorption) generally is in the range of about 0.25 to 1 ml/g. The specific surface area will generally be in the range of about 50 to 400 m2/g (measured using the BET method). Generally, the catalyst will have a median pore diameter in the range of about 7-20 nm, as determined by N2 adsorption. The figures for the pore size distribution and the surface area given above are determined after calcination of the catalyst at about 500xc2x0 C. for one hour.
The catalyst is suitably in the form of spheres, pellets, beads, or extrudates. Examples of suitable types of extrudates have been disclosed in the literature (see, int. al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,028,227). Highly suitable are cylindrical particles (which may be hollow or not) as well as symmetrical and asymmetrical polylobed particles (2, 3 or 4 lobes).
The additive present in the catalyst may be any organic additive. In the context of the present specification the term organic additive refers to an additive comprising at least one carbon atom and at least one hydrogen atom. Preferred compounds include those selected from the group of compounds comprising at least two oxygen atoms and 2- about 20 carbon atoms, preferably 2- about 20 carbon atoms and the compounds built up from these compounds. Preferably, the organic compounds are substantially saturated, as is evidenced by an iodine number of less than about 20. Organic compounds selected from the group of compounds comprising at least two oxygen-containing moieties, such as a carboxyl, carbonyl or hydroxyl moieties, and 2- about 10 carbon atoms and the compounds built up from these compounds are preferred. Examples of suitable compounds include citric acid, tartaric acid, oxalic acid, malonic acid, malic acid, butanediol, pyruvic aldehyde, glycolic aldehyde, and acetaldol. At this point in time, preference is given to an additive that is selected from the group of compounds comprising at least two hydroxyl groups and 2- about 10 carbon atoms per molecule, and the ethers and polyethers of these compounds. Suitable compounds from this group include aliphatic alcohols such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerin, trimethylol ethane, trimethylol propane, etc. Ethers of these compounds include diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, trimethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tributylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, tetrapentylene glycol. This range can be extrapolated to include polyethers like polyethylene glycol. Other ethers which are suitable for use in the present invention include ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monopropyl ether, and diethylene glycol monobutyl ether. Of these, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, proplylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, and polyethylene glycol with a molecular weight between about 200 and 600 are preferred.
Another group of compounds comprising at least two hydroxyl groups and 2- about 10 carbon atoms per molecule are the saccharides. Preferred saccharides include monosaccharides such as glucose and fructose. Ethers thereof include disaccharides such as lactose, maltose, and saccharose. Polyethers of these compounds include the polysaccharides.
A further group of additives are those compounds comprising at least one covalently bonded nitrogen atom and at least one carbonyl moiety. Examples include aminopolycarboxylic acids, such as nitrilo-triacetic acid and diethylene-triamine-pentaacetic acid. In this case the organic compound preferably comprises at least two nitrogen atoms and preferably at least two carbonyl moieties. It is further preferred that at least one carbonyl moiety is present in a carboxyl group. It is furthermore preferred that at least one nitrogen atom is covalently bonded to at least two carbon atoms. A preferred organic compound is a compound satisfying formula (I)
(R1R2)Nxe2x80x94R3xe2x80x94N(R1xe2x80x2R2xe2x80x2)xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(I)
where R1, R2, R1xe2x80x2 and R2xe2x80x2 are independently selected from alkyl, alkenyl, and allyl with up to 10 carbon atoms optionally substituted with one or more groups selected from carbonyl, carboxyl, ester, ether, amino, or amido. R3 is an alkylene group with up to 10 carbon atoms which may be interrupted by xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94NR4xe2x80x94. R4 is selected from the same group as indicated above for R1. The R3 alkylene group may be substituted with one or more groups selected from carbonyl, carboxyl, ester, ether, amino, or amido. As has been set out above, it is essential that the organic compound of formula (I) comprises at least one carbonyl moiety.
Preferably, at least two of R1, R2, R1xe2x80x2 and R2xe2x80x2 have the formula xe2x80x94R5xe2x80x94COOX, wherein R5 is an alkylene group having 1-4 carbon atoms, and X is hydrogen or another cation, such as an ammonium, a sodium, a potassium, and/or a lithium cation. If X is a multivalent cation, one X can adhere to two or more xe2x80x94R5xe2x80x94COO groups. Typical examples of such a compound are ethylenediamine(tetra)acetic acid (EDTA), hydroxyethylenediaminetriacetic acid, and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid.
A single compound as well as a combination of compounds may be used as additive.
The amount of additive present in the additive-containing catalyst depends on the specific situation. It was found that the appropriate amount of additive generally lies in the range of about 0.01-2.5 moles of additive per mole of hydrogenation metals present in the catalyst. If the amount of additive added is too low, the advantageous effect associated with its presence will not be obtained. On the other hand, the presence of an exceptionally large amount of additive will not improve its effect.
The way in which the additive is incorporated into the catalyst composition is not critical to the process according to the invention. The additive may be incorporated into the catalyst composition prior to, subsequent to, or simultaneously with the incorporation of the hydrogenation metal components. For example, the additive can be incorporated into the catalyst composition prior to the hydrogenation metal components by being added to the carrier before the hydrogenation metal components are. This can be done by mixing the additive with the carrier material before it is shaped, or by impregnating the shaped carrier material with the additive.
Alternatively, the additive can be incorporated into the catalyst composition simultaneously with the hydrogenation metal components. This can be done, e.g., by mixing the additive and the hydrogenation metal components with the carrier material before shaping or by impregnating the carrier with an impregnation solution comprising the hydrogenation metal components and the additive, followed by drying under such conditions that at least part of the additive is maintained in the catalyst. This latter method is described in EP 601 722.
It is also possible to incorporate the additive into the catalyst composition subsequent to the hydrogenation metal components. This can be done, e.g., by first incorporating the hydrogenation metal components into the catalyst composition, e.g., by mixing them with the carrier material or by impregnating the carrier with them, optionally followed by drying and/or calcining, and subsequently incorporating the additive, e.g., by impregnation. The method with intermediate calcination is described in WO 96/41848. At present, the additive-containing catalyst prepared by the processes described in EP 0601 722 and WO 96/41848 are considered preferred as source for the additive-based catalyst to be sulfided in the process according to the invention.
Depending on the nature of the additive and the way in which it is incorporated into the catalyst composition, the additive may be used in solid form, in liquid form, or dissolved in a suitable solvent. It may be preferred for the additive to be incorporated into the catalyst dissolved in water.
Use of the Sulfided Catalyst Prepared According to the Invention
The catalyst sulfided by the process according to the invention can be used in the hydrotreating of hydrocarbon feeds. The hydrotreating generally takes place under conventional hydrotreating conditions, such as temperatures in the range of about 250-450xc2x0 C., pressures in the range of about 5-250 bar, space velocities in the range of about 0,1-10 hxe2x88x921, and H2/oil ratios in the range of 50-2000 NI/I. Examples of suitable feeds include middle distillates, kerosine, naphtha, vacuum gas oils, heavy gas oils and residues. Preferably, the hydrocarbon feed contains at least about 0.2 wt % of sulfur, calculated as atomic sulfur S. Examples of suitable hydrotreating reactions are (deep) hydrodesulfurisation, hydrodenitrogenation, hydrodearomatisation, and hydrodemetallisation. (Deep) hydrodesulfurisation, hydrodenitrogenation, and hydrodearomatisation are preferred.
The catalyst which is sulfided by the process according to the invention can be applied either in a reactor which is started up in the gas phase or in a reactor which is started up in the liquid phase, optionally in the presence of optionally spiked feed.

Process for sulfiding an additive-containing catalyst

Eurecat Europeenne de Retraltement de Catalysateur S.A.


An object of the present invention is to provide a block copolymer composition containing an aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene-aromatic vinyl block copolymer, which is capable of achieving a high-level balance between a high elastic modulus and a small permanent set, and is capable of producing a highly isotropic molded product having uniform mechanical properties even when a molding method which is likely to cause molecular orientation, such as extrusion molding, is applied. The object is attained by providing a block copolymer composition comprising a block copolymer A represented by the following Formula (A) and a block copolymer B represented by the following Formula (B), wherein a weight ratio (A/B) between the block copolymer A and the block copolymer B is 36/64 to 85/15:Ar1a−Da−Ar2a  (A)(Arb−Db)n−X  (B),in the Formulae (A) and (B), Ar1a and Arb each represent an aromatic vinyl polymer block having a weight average molecular weight of 6,000 to 15,000; Ar2a represents an aromatic vinyl polymer block having a weight average molecular weight of 40,000 to 400,000; Wand Db each represent a conjugated diene polymer block having a vinyl bond content of 1 mol % to 20 mol %; X represents a residue of a coupling agent; and n represents an integer of 3 or greater.

Aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene-aromatic vinyl block copolymers such as a styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer (SIS) and a styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymer (SBS) are thermoplastic elastomers having characteristic properties in various aspects, and are therefore used in a variety of applications. Among thermoplastic elastomers, since aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene-aromatic vinyl block copolymers in particular are highly elastic and flexible, use of the copolymers as a material for elastic films used in hygiene products such as disposable diapers and sanitary products, has become one of representative applications of aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene-aromatic vinyl block copolymers.
Since hygiene products such as disposable diapers and sanitary products are required to have following capability and to fit to the movement of wearers, elastic films are used in various parts of those products. For example, in pull-up diapers which are a type of disposable diapers, elastic films are disposed in the opening areas around the legs, the opening area around the waist, and both hip areas. Since it is necessary that hygiene products do not move out of place even if the wearers move very actively or if the hygiene products are worn for a long time period, elastic films that are used in such applications are required to have both a high elastic modulus and a small permanent set. However, regarding the conventional aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene-aromatic vinyl block copolymers, it has been inappropriate to say that a good balance is achieved between these characteristics. Therefore, investigations have been extensively carried out to improve the elastic modulus or the permanent set of aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene-aromatic vinyl block copolymers.
For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses that when an elastomeric polymer blend composition containing 65 to 92 parts by weight of a specific elastomer-monovinylidene aromatic-conjugated diene block copolymer having a monovinylidene aromatic content of less than 50% by weight, and 8 to 35 parts by weight of a specific thermoplastic monovinylidene aromatic-conjugated diene block copolymer having a monovinylidene aromatic content of 50% by weight or more is used, elastomer articles exhibiting excellent elasticity and stress relaxation characteristics are obtained.
Furthermore, Patent Literature 2 discloses that when a composition obtainable by incorporating a specific polyisoprene or the like into a specific aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer is extrusion molded, an elastic film which is anisotropic and excellent in flexibility, and which is suitably used as a member of hygiene products such as disposable diapers and sanitary products, is obtained.
However, even the technologies described in these documents are still unsatisfactory from the viewpoint of achieving a high-level balance between a high elastic modulus and a small permanent set, and further improvements have been desired.
Forming of an elastic film is usually carried out by extrusion molding, but when a conventional aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene-aromatic vinyl block copolymer is made into a film by extrusion molding, there is a problem that anisotropy in the mechanical properties due to molecular orientation is likely to occur. Materials that are likely to cause such anisotropy are generally poor in molding stability, and have a problem that in the case of forming a film, the thickness accuracy is deteriorated. Furthermore, for example, when an elastic film is used in hygiene products such as disposable diapers and sanitary products, if the elastic film is anisotropic, the feeling of wear of the hygiene products is different from that of ordinary underclothes and the like, and there is a problem that the hygiene products cause a sense of discomfort to the wearers.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Block copolymer composition, film, and method for producing block copolymer composition


This invention relates to a video display device in which the image area of the screen is divided into multiple sectors in the vertical direction and an electron beam is vertically deflected at each of these sectors to display multiple image lines, and particularly to a construction of cathode wires suspended horizontally in order to generate an electron beam at each sector. In this invention, distance between the wire cathodes and back electrode and also between the wire cathodes and the control electrode are held constant by providing insulated members under the wire cathodes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image display device for video equipment, and particularly to a support mechanism for the cathode wires in such a display device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Cathode ray tubes (CRTs) have conventionally been used for the display element in color television monitors, but a conventional CRT is extremely deep in proportion to the screen area, and this has made it impossible to manufacture a thin television receiver. While electroluminescent display elements, plasma display elements, and liquid crystal display elements have been developed for use in flat display devices, these elements offer insufficient brightness, contrast, and color reproducibility, and the development of such elements which are practical for use in television receivers is still far off. A new video display device designed to display color television images using electron beams in a flat display device has therefore been proposed. This device divides the screen display area into multiple sectors in the vertical direction, and deflects an electron beam to each sector in the vertical direction to display multiple lines. This screen is also divided into multiple sectors horizontally; red, green, and blue (RGB) fluorescent materials in each sector are sequentially illuminated. The irradiation of the RGB materials by the electron beam is controlled by the color video signal, thus achieving a television image display element. Display devices such as these are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,158,210, 4,404,493, and 4,535,272.
A conventional display device is described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, in which reference number 1 is the wire cathode serving as an electron beam source; 2a and 2b are support frames which support and secure both ends of cathode wires 1; 3 is a mesh-shaped control electrode; 4 is the fluorescent material; 5 is the back electrode; 6a and 6b are the containers; and 7 is the spring which applies a tension to each cathode wire 1.
A display device so constructed operates as described below.
The wire cathodes 1, which are the electron beam source, are suspended across the display in the horizontal direction and held by flat springs 7 mounted to support frames 2a and 2b. Thus, electron beams are emitted linearly from wire cathodes 1 in the horizontal direction across the screen. Multiple cathode wires 1 are provided at an appropriate interval across the screen (only seven wires are shown in FIG. 1).
In FIG. 2, an enlarged view of the cathode wire 1 suspension construction is shown. Each of cathode wires 1 is secured by one of springs 7, which are supported by insulated support frame 2b, which in turn are mounted to back electrode 5. It is important to maintain a predetermined distance between each cathode wire 1 and control electrode 3, and also between each cathode wire 1 and back electrode 5 in order to eliminate variations in picture brightness. Therefore, an optical measuring instrument or similar device is used to monitor the pitch dimension and depth dimension while processing each of V-grooves 8 to obtain a precision of several microns. The cathode wires 1 may be of various materials, one of which is a tungsten wire 10 to 20 microns in diameter coated with an oxide cathode material. A control pulse is applied to the cathode wires 1 to generate an electron beam sequentially from each wire cathode 1 for a predetermined time period, and a heat current is applied during the intervals between the electron beam emission periods to maintain the cathode wires 1 at the temperature required for electron beam emission. Furthermore, when operation is started, the control pulse controlling electron beam emission and the heat current are applied to cathode wires 1 at the same time.
The back electrode 5 suppresses the generation of an electron beam from the cathode wires 1 other than the one which is currently producing the electron beam, and operates so that the generated electron beam is emitted in the forward direction towards the screen.
The mesh-shaped control electrode 3 has a long horizontal slit opposite each of the cathode wires 1; the electron beams are passed through these slits and simultaneously deflected vertically or horizontally by an electromagnetic field.
The fluorescent material 4 is painted in a striped pattern on the display surface of the housing in a vertical direction so that there is one pair each of the red, green, and blue fluorescent bodies for each single electron beam arrayed horizontally.
After these component materials are inserted to housing members 6a and 6b, the housing is sealed with flit or a like material, and a vacuum is formed inside the panel.
In a conventional display device as described above, it is important to maintain a predetermined spacing between the cathode wires 1 and control electrode 3, and between cathode wires 1 and back electrode 5 as previously described. Any error in this spacing may produce uneven luminance in the displayed image. According to the prior art, the V-grooves are therefore provided as previously described to control this spacing. Thus, according to the prior art, it is necessary to form grooves with high preciseness, but would result in poor productivity. In addition, because the wire contact area is great and the cathode wires 1 are extremely thin, the cathode wires 1 also break relatively easily.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


The present invention relates to compounds useful as inhibitors of protein kinase. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising said compounds and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disease, conditions, or disorders. The invention also provides processes for preparing compounds of the inventions.

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) is a serine/threonine protein kinase comprised of α and β isoforms that are each encoded by distinct genes [Coghlan et al., Chemistry & Biology 2000, 7, 793-803; and Kim and Kimmel, Curr. Opinion Genetics Dev., 2000 10, 508-514]. GSK-3 has been implicated in various diseases, disorders, and conditions including diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, CNS diseases such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, cerebral stroke, Huntington's and other neurodegenerative diseases, leukocytopenia and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy [PCT Application Nos.: WO 99/65897 and WO 00/38675; and Haq et al., J. Cell Biol. 2000, 151, 117-130]. These diseases, disorders, and conditions are associated with the abnormal operation of certain cell signaling pathways in which GSK-3 plays a role. GSK-3 has been found to phosphorylate and modulate the activity of a number of regulatory proteins. These proteins include glycogen synthase, which is the rate limiting enzyme necessary for glycogen synthesis, the microtubule associated protein Tau, the gene transcription factor β-catenin, the translation initiation factor e1F2B, as well as ATP citrate lyase, axin, heat shock factor-1, c-Jun, c-myc, c-myb, CREB, and CEPBα. These diverse protein targets implicate GSK-3 in many aspects of cellular metabolism, proliferation, differentiation, and development.
In a GSK-3 mediated pathway that is relevant for the treatment of type II diabetes, insulin-induced signaling leads to cellular glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis. Along this pathway, GSK-3 is a negative regulator of the insulin-induced signal. Normally, the presence of insulin causes inhibition of GSK-3 mediated phosphorylation and deactivation of glycogen synthase. The inhibition of GSK-3 leads to increased glycogen synthesis and glucose uptake [Klein et al., PNAS 1996, 93, 8455-8459; Cross et al., Biochem. J. 1994, 303, 21-26); Cohen, Biochem. Soc. Trans. 1993, 21, 555-567; and Massillon et al., Biochem J. 1994, 299, 123-128]. However, in a diabetic patient, where the insulin response is impaired, glycogen synthesis and glucose uptake fail to increase despite the presence of relatively high blood levels of insulin. This leads to abnormally high blood levels of glucose with acute and long-term effects that may ultimately result in cardiovascular disease, renal failure and blindness. In such patients, the normal insulin-induced inhibition of GSK-3 fails to occur. It has also been reported that in patients with type II diabetes, GSK-3 is overexpressed [see, PCT Application: WO 00/38675]. Therapeutic inhibitors of GSK-3 are therefore potentially useful for treating diabetic patients suffering from an impaired response to insulin.
GSK-3 activity is associated with Alzheimer's disease. The hallmarks of this disease are the extracellular plaques formed by aggregated β-amyloid peptides and the formation of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles via the tau protein.
It has been shown that GSK-3 inhibition reduces amyloid-β peptides in an animal model of Alzheimer's disease. See pages 435, 438. Phiel et. al., Nature 423, 435-439 (2003). Mice over-expressing amyloid precursor protein (APP) treated with lithium (a GSK-3α inhibitor) over a three-week period showed over a 50% decrease in amyloid-β peptide tissue levels.
The neurofibrillary tangles contain hyperphosphorylated Tau protein, in which Tau is phosphorylated on abnormal sites. GSK-3 is known to phosphorylate these abnormal sites in cell and animal models. Conditional transgenic mice that over-express GSK-3 develop aspects of AD including tau hyperphosphorylation, neuronal apoptosis and spatial learning deficit. Turning off GSK-3 in these mice restores normal behavior, reduces Tau hyperphosphorylation and neuronal apoptosis. (Engel T et al., J Neuro Sci, 2006, 26, 5083-5090 and Lucas et al, EMBO J, 2001, 20, 27-39) Inhibitors of GSK-3 have also been shown to prevent hyperphosphorylation of Tau in cells [Lovestone et al., Current Biology 1994, 4, 1077-86; and Brownlees et al., Neuroreport 1997, 8, 3251-55].
GSK-3 as a target for psychosis and mood disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disease, respectively, have been reported in the literature. AKT haplotype deficiency was identified in a subset of schizophrenic patients which correlated with increased GSK-3 activity. A single allele knockout of GSK-3β resulted in attenuated hyperactivity in response to amphetamine in a behavior model of mania.
Several antipsychotic drugs and mood stabilizers used to treat both schizophrenic and bipolar patients have been shown to inhibit GSK-3 (Emamian et al, Nat Genet, 2004, 36, 131-137; Obrien et al, J Neurosci, 2004, 24, 6791-6798; Beaulieu et al, PNAS, 2004, 101, 5099-5104; Li et al Int J Neuropsychopharmacol, 2006, pp 1-13; Gould T D, Expert Opin Ther Targets, 2006, 10, 377-392). Furthermore, a recent patent, US 2004/0039007 describes GSK-3 inhibitors that show anti-schizophrenic and anxiolytic effects in relevant mouse behavior models.
GSK-3 activity is associated with stroke. Wang et al. showed that IGF-1 (insulin growth factor-1), a known GSK-3 inhibitor, reduced infarct size in rat brains after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), a model for stroke in rats. [Wang et al., Brain Res 2000, 859, 381-5; Sasaki et al., Neurol Res 2001, 23, 588-92; Hashimoto et al., J. Biol. Chem 2002, 277, 32985-32991]. US 2004/0039007 describes the effect of GSK-3 inhibitors in MCAO, a stroke model in rats. These GSK-3 inhibitors significantly reduced striatal ischemic damage and reduce edema formation in rats. Additionally, the rats "demonstrated marked improvement in neurological function over the time course of the experiment."
Inhibition of GSK-3 activity has been linked to stem cell proliferation, differentiation and neuronal plasticity Inhibitors of GSK-3 have been shown to sustain self-renewal of embryonic stem cells, promote neuron, beta-cell, myeloid and osteoblast differentiation. (Sato et al, Nature Medicine 10, 55-63, 2004; Ding et al PNAS 100, 7632-37, 2003; Branco et al J Cell Science 117, 5731-37, 2004; Trowbridge et al, Nature Medicine 12, 89-98, 2006; Mussmann et al, JBC (Epub ahead of print) 2007; Kulkarni et al Journal of Bone and Mineral Res. 21, 910-920, 2006) With respect to neuronal plasticity, inhibition of GSK-3 has been shown to be important for regulating polarity, long-term potentiation (LTP) and neurite/axon growth (Hooper et al European J of Neuroscience 25, 81-86, 2007; Kim et al, Neuron 52, 981-996, 2006; Jiang et al Cell 120, 123-135, 2005). Taken all together, GSK-3 small-molecule inhibitors have the potential to act as chemomodulators of cell differentiation and plasticity which has implications for many types of degenerative conditions such as Neurodegenerative diseases (Stroke, Alzheimer, Parkinson, Huntington, ALS and Multiple Sclerosis), Leukocytopenia, Diabetes and Osteoporosis.
Accordingly, there is a great need to develop compounds useful as inhibitors of protein kinases. In particular, it would be desirable to develop compounds that are useful as inhibitors of GSK-3, particularly given the inadequate treatments currently available for the majority of the disorders implicated in their activation.

Aminopyridines and aminopyrimidines useful as inhibitors of protein kinases


A vehicle compartment structure includes a vehicle storage compartment defining a storage area with a floor. A rigid compartment divider is pivotally coupled to the floor of the storage compartment between a first substantially horizontal storage position and a second substantially vertical dividing position. In the horizontal storage position, the storage area is substantially unobstructed by the rigid compartment divider. In the second substantially vertical dividing position, the compartment divider divides the storage compartment into two separate spaces.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a vehicle compartment divider. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vehicle compartment divider for dividing a vehicle compartment into two distinct and separate spaces.
2. Background Information
In recent years, vehicles have become more than devices for transportation. The automotive industry is constantly providing many additional options and/or conveniences to the driver and passengers. Moreover, drivers are demanding more features in vehicles to accommodate their specific lifestyles, business and transportation needs. One area of the vehicle that has been significant improved is the storage area of the vehicle. The automotive industry is constantly developing new innovative ways to provide additional and/or more useful and convenient storage areas in the vehicle.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,752,304 to Hotary et al. discloses a rear cargo storage assembly that includes a small storage compartment within the rear floor portion of a vehicle covered by two removable lid portions. The two lid portions lay flat in a horizontal orientation to cover the small storage compartment but can be lifted up and arranged in a vertical orientation so that grocery bags and/or other cargo can be supported therebetween. One disadvantage of the storage compartment disclosed in this patent is that the storage compartment under the two lid portions can only hold very small items with the lids covering the storage space. Moreover, due to the construction of the storage compartment being recessed with the floor, this type of storage compartment may not be well suited for vehicles that have a confined trunk area, such as a sedan.
Vehicles with trunks usually have a trunk that is a single large undivided area for storage. This single large undivided area allows for storage of both large and small items. However, small items tend to slide around in the large trunk area while the vehicle is moving. Thus, many different solutions have been proposed to overcome this problem. One of the most common solutions to this problem is the use of a flexible barrier such as a net. The flexible barriers are very useful in confining small items to a smaller area of the truck, and increase the flexibility and utility of the cargo space of the trunk. However, some of these flexible barriers are sometimes difficult to install and offer very few other advantages.
Also rigid compartment dividers have been proposed to increase the flexibility and utility of the cargo space of the trunk. While the rigid compartment dividers offer some additional benefits over a flexible barrier, the rigid compartment divider can also have other types of disadvantages. Some of rigid compartment dividers are very complex, which can make them costly to manufacture and/or install. Moreover, some of the rigid compartment dividers make it impossible to carrier large items without removing the rigid compartment divider. One example of a rigid compartment divider is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,796,472 to Miller.
There is a need for a storage compartment divider that has more utility than the prior art, is more aesthetically pleasing and allows for more versatile storage arrangements.
In leisure excursions, there is often a need for a driver to put wet materials, such as swimming suits, fishing gear or wet suits in the trunk of a vehicle. However, the moisture on these items can stain the inside of a trunk of a vehicle and can stain and or damage other items stored in the trunk. Clearly, there is a need to keep wet or moist items loaded in the trunk of a car separate from those items that should be kept separate from the wet items.
In view of the above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that there exists a need for an improved vehicle compartment divider. This invention addresses this need in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.

Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.


A thermal device with a container having a surface exposed to the substrate, wherein the container further has a heat source and a plurality of thermal shields situated between the surface exposed to the substrate and the heat source. The thermal shields are spaced from one another by a predetermined distance defining one or more gaps therebetween, wherein the predetermined distance is associated with a mean free path of a gas residing therein. Alternatively, the predetermined distance is variable. A pressure of a gas residing within the one or more gaps is controlled, wherein the pressure of the gas switches the thermal conductivity of the gas between generally conductive and generally non-conductive.

The present invention relates generally to semiconductor thermal processing systems, and more specifically to a device and method for rapidly thermally processing a substrate.
Thermal processing of silicon substrates or wafers is important for manufacturing modern microelectronics devices. Such processes, including silicide formation, implant anneals, oxidation, diffusion drive-in and chemical vapor deposition (CVD), may be performed using conventional low temperature thermal processing techniques. In contrast, some dopant activation processes are performed at substantially higher temperatures for relatively short durations of time. Furthermore, many microelectronics circuits require feature sizes smaller than one micron and junction depths less than a few hundred angstroms. In order to limit both the lateral and downward diffusion of dopants, as well as to provide a greater degree of control during processing, it is desirable to minimize the duration of high temperature processing.
One approach for minimizing processing time utilizes a heat treatment apparatus such as a rapid thermal processing (RTP) system. Rapid thermal processing of semiconductor wafers provides a technique for fabrication of verylarge-scale-integrated (VLSI) and ultra-large-scale-integrated (ULSI) electronic devices. There are several challenges, however, to meeting the thermal requirements of rapid thermal processing. For example, fast rates of change of wafer temperature are typically desired, as well as temperature uniformity across the wafer during the temperature changes.
One significant performance limitation of conventional RTP systems (e.g., in terms of xe2x80x9cthermal budgetxe2x80x9d, or the time the wafer spends above about 950C) is rapidly switching between heating the wafer and cooling the wafer. Current RTP systems typically have a heat source that comprises either heat lamps or resistive elements for heating the wafer. Heat lamps have the benefit that the lamps can be quickly switched on and off, however, the thermal profile across the surface of the wafer can vary significantly. Resistive elements, on the other hand, can provide more uniformity in the thermal profile across the surface of the wafer, however, the resistive elements cannot typically be switched on and off rapidly. Thus, resistive element type systems may require a mechanical shield to be placed between the wafer and the heater after heating is complete, and/or necessitate a movement of the wafer to or from the proximity of the heater.
In addition, rapid thermal annealing (RTA, also called xe2x80x9cspike annealingxe2x80x9d) requires the switching between heating and cooling to occur very quickly once the spike temperature is reached. Spike annealing of a semiconductor wafer typically comprises inserting the wafer into a thermal processing system, rapidly heating the wafer to a high temperature, and then quickly cooling the wafer back down to room temperature.
According to current technological requirements, an ideal heat source should be capable of rapidly increasing a temperature of the wafer to a maximum temperature of 1050C, and then to cease adding energy to the system, whereby the wafer could be rapidly cooled. Accordingly, temperature ramp rates in excess of 250 C/s are desirable, and present RTP industry forecasts call for rates as high as 500 C/s in the near future. Typical lamp-based RTP systems rely primarily on radiative heat transfer. Typical lamp-based systems generally suffer from both temperature profile uniformity issues due to their numerous lamps across a surface of the wafer, as well as wafer pattern effects due to the radiative nature of the heat transfer. The patterning effects are typically caused by varying emissivities across the surface of the wafer, wherein patterned polysilicon, nitride, and oxide, for example, absorb the radiative heat at different rates, thus producing micro-scale temperature gradients on the device level.
FIG. 1 illustrates a typical resistive heating enclosure 10, wherein some of the issues related to the patterning effects seen in a typical lamp-based system are resolved by heating the substrate 15 using a heated block 20. The enclosure 10 typically comprises a resistive heater 25 configured to heat the heated block via conduction, wherein the heated block attains a generally uniform thermal profile at a surface 30 associated with the substrate 15. The substrate 15 resides on a lift mechanism 35 (typically comprising a plurality of pins 40), wherein the lift mechanism is operable to translate the substrate between a heating position 45 proximate to the heated block 20 and a loading position 50. The substrate 15 is generally radiatively heated by radiative heat transfer from the heated block 20, as well as by conductive or convective heat transfer through a gas (not shown) residing within the enclosure 10.
The prior art heating enclosure 10, however, suffers several difficulties when attempting to attain the fast temperature ramp rates required in RTA processes. For example, the heated block 20 continues to transfer radiative thermal energy to the substrate 15, even when the substrate is in the loading position 50. Typically, this necessitates the loading position 50 to be a great distance away from the heated block 20 in order to aver the effects of the radiation. Such an arrangement is not optimal, however, since translation time between the heating position 45 and the loading position 50 must be accounted for in terms of thermal budget. Alternatively, a shield may be placed between the substrate 15 and the heated block 20 when such radiation is not desired. This solution, again, is not optimal, since it incorporates adding another moving part within the enclosure 10 that may create contamination issues. Furthermore, wafer insertion into the thermal processing system can pose other problems, including non-uniform heating of the wafer due to the time needed for placement of the wafer. Non-uniform heating of the wafer can lead to severe mechanical stress in the substrate, thus negatively impacting yield or even rendering the wafer useless.
Therefore, a need exists in the art for a heat source that can be readily switched between a low temperature for wafer insertion and removal and a high temperature for rapid heating of the wafer, while also providing temperature uniformity across the wafer.
The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the invention nor delineate the scope of the invention. Its purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The present invention is directed to a thermal device for processing a substrate, as well as a method for thermally processing a substrate. The thermal device is operable to provide a rapid and uniform temperature change to efficiently heat a substrate, thereby improving process control. According to one aspect of the present invention, a container is disclosed comprising a heat source and a plurality of thermal shields. The plurality of thermal shields, for example, are spaced from one another by a predetermined distance, defining one or more gaps therebetween. The predetermined distance is furthermore associated with a mean free path of a gas residing within the one or more gaps.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the predetermined distance that separates the plurality of thermal shields, for example, is sized such that thermal conduction between the plurality of thermal shields via the gas is generally permitted in the free molecular regime. In one example, the plurality of thermal shields comprise one or more perforations therethrough, wherein the one or more perforations are operable to allow a flow of the gas freely therethrough. The perforations, for example, are substantially larger than the predetermined distance, wherein the perforations generally permit the gas to flow in a viscous regime, thereby facilitating an expedient flow of gas within the one or more gaps. The gas, for example, is introduced into the one or more gaps from a gas source, or from a source such as from within a process chamber atmosphere.
According to another exemplary aspect of the present invention, the plurality of thermal shields are generally corrugated, wherein the predetermined distance is selectively variable. In one example, the predetermined distance is selectively variable based on a pressure differential between an interior portion of the container and an external environment. The pressure differential is operable to generally compress or expand the plurality of thermal shields with respect to one another, thereby respectively decreasing or increasing the predetermined distance associated with the one or more gaps. Increasing the predetermined distance generally facilitates thermal conduction through the gas in the viscous regime, while decreasing the predetermined distance generally limits thermal conduction through the gas in the viscous regime.
According to another exemplary aspect of the present invention, a method for thermally processing a substrate in a thermal device is disclosed, wherein the thermal processing system comprises a container further comprising a heat source and a plurality of thermal shields. The method comprises initiating a gas at a first pressure within the one or more gaps defined by a predetermined distance between the plurality of thermal shields, wherein a gas residing within the one or more gaps is generally non-conductive. A substrate is placed in the thermal device and a heating position is initiated, wherein the substrate is in close proximity to a surface of the container. The gas is introduced into the one or more gaps at a second pressure, wherein thermal conduction is generally permitted between the plurality of thermal shields, and wherein the substrate is exposed to thermal radiation and thermal conduction in the free molecular regime from the heat source. Alternatively, when the gas is introduced at the second pressure, the predetermined distance increases, wherein the substrate is exposed to thermal radiation and conduction in the viscous regime. The first pressure is again initiated, wherein the thermal conduction is essentially halted, and the substrate is removed from the thermal device.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention. These embodiments are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed. Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

Pressure controlled heat source and method for using such for RTP


Communication between base station controllers and a mobile switching center may be provided by a consolidating device that operates between the BSCs and the MSCs. One example method of operation may include initiating an active process on an active network device and a standby process on a redundant network device configured as a backup to the active network device. Other operations may include receiving a data message from at least one base station controller on the active network device, and detecting a communication failure by at least one of the active process and the standby process, in response to the received data message. Other operations may include automatically configuring the redundant network device to become the active network device.

Communication network systems are continuously facing constraints in the amount of time, bandwidth, efficiency and other similar factors that must be considered for the network to operate as desired. Mobile communication systems are no exception to the common constraints experienced by data networks.
A mobile communication system may include mobile stations (MSs), base stations (BSs), base station controllers (BSC), base station managers (BSMs), mobile switching centers (MSCs) and other hardware devices that are required to provide voice, data and other services to the subscribers of such services. In addition to the various communication devices, common protocols and standards, such as, file transfer protocol (FTP), Internet protocol (IP), various operating systems (OSs), stream control transmission protocol (SCTP), simple network management protocol (SNMP) may also be required to operate the communication services offered by the network.
The conventional communication infrastructure of providing one MSC to a plurality of BSCs is illustrated in the prior art diagram of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 1, a single platform MSC 104 provides communication services to multiple BSCs 101-103. However, as a single physical and/or virtual device, the MSC 104 may experience challenges in accommodating the needs of multiple BSCs 101-103, especially in growing communication networks where more BSCs will likely be added limiting the already limited amount of resources available to the MSC 104. Limited resources, such as, bandwidth, port availability, and other constraints currently offered by conventional communication network infrastructures could limit the growth and success of such communication networks.

Method and apparatus of implementing an internet protocol signaling concentrator


A stacked nonaqueous electrolyte battery, a method of manufacturing the battery, and a stacking apparatus for the battery are provided. The stacked nonaqueous electrolyte battery includes a plurality of electrode bodies alternately stacked, each of the electrode bodies including an anode and a cathode laminated through a separator. The separator has a raised edge portion leading along an edge portion of one of the anode and the cathode, and the raised edge portions of the plurality of the separators overlap one another.

The present application relates to a stacked nonaqueous electrolyte battery, a manufacturing method thereof, and a staking apparatus. More particularly, the application relates to a stacked nonaqueous electrolyte battery whose battery quality and performance are enhanced by preventing electrodes from deviating from their proper positions in stacking the electrodes, and a manufacturing method thereof and a stacking apparatus therefor.
As electronic equipment, such as cellular phones and notebook personal computers, goes further cordless and portable in recent years, thickness-, size-, and weight-reduced portable electronic apparatuses have been developed one after another. Furthermore, their power consumption is on the increase due to diversification of types and functions, and this demands batteries with even higher-capacity and in even lighter weight as their energy source. Accordingly, in order to meet this demand, stacked nonaqueous electrolyte batteries, inter alia, various types of lithium ion secondary batteries utilizing the doping/dedoping of lithium ions have been proposed.
In some of these lithium ion secondary batteries, in order to achieve their thickness reduction, a stacked type is used in which a plurality of anodes and cathodes are stacked through separators alternately. In such a battery, at a portion where an anode 1 having anode active material layers 1a formed on both surfaces of an anode current collector 1b is opposed to a cathode 2 having cathode active material layers 2a formed on both surfaces of a cathode current collector 2b through a separator 3, the cathode 2 is larger than the anode 1, and the separator 3 has a length equal to or larger than the cathode 2 as shown in FIG. 1A. In this structure, lithium ions pass through the separator 3 to charge and discharge the battery normally.
However, when the anode 1 is larger than the separator 3 and thus opposed to the cathode 2 as shown in FIG. 1B, a flow of ions not passing through the separator 3 such as shown by dashed lines is produced at a portion where the anode 1 is directly opposed to the cathode 2, addressing issues such as short-circuits and abnormal heat generation in the battery. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1C, when the anode 1 is larger than not only the separator 3 but also the cathode 2, lithium 4 is deposited on an edge portion of the cathode 2 and dendrites are formed, so that short-circuits are caused
Thus, since deviation in any of the anode 1, the cathode 2, and the separator 3 greatly affects the quality of the battery, it is required to prevent the anode 1 and the cathode 2 from being directly opposed to each other due to deviation in internal components of the battery when shock is applied to the battery during or after its manufacturing.
Accordingly, a sealed type sheet-shaped lithium battery such as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 10-172565 (hereinafter referred to as "Patent Document 1") has been proposed. In this battery, at least one of an anode and a cathode is housed in a bag-shaped separator in which edge portions are welded, and stacked such as shown in FIG. 2. It is noted in FIG. 2 that a plurality of anodes 1 and cathodes 2 are stacked and shown by omitting a packaging material of the battery.
Furthermore, in addition to the battery having a structure such as disclosed in Patent Document 1, there have been proposed, e.g., a battery having a spirally wound stacked longitudinal sectional structure in which stacked electrode bodies 4 each having an anode 1 and a cathode 2 laminated through a separator 3 are stacked while spirally wound by another sheet of separator 3 such as shown in FIG. 3, and a battery having a folded longitudinal sectional structure in which an anode 1 and a cathode 2 are inserted alternately into spaces of a zigzag-folded separator 3 such as shown in FIG. 4.
However, in the battery disclosed in Patent Document 1 in which at least one of the anode and the cathode is housed in the bag-shaped separator, an expensive sealing apparatus with high positioning accuracy is required in order to ensure a small welding margin of, e.g., about 3 mm to 4 mm at each edge portion of the separator, thereby increasing manufacturing costs. In addition, the electrodes may not be formed larger in size due to the welding margins, which limits the enhancement in battery capacity.
Furthermore, in the above-mentioned battery having the spirally wound stacked or the folded longitudinal sectional structure, each electrode is inserted between separators with some clearance, so that the electrode is held only with contact forces from the vertically adjacent electrodes. This may loosen the hold of the electrode in position and cause the electrode to deviate from its proper position when shock is applied, making it likely to impair the quality of the battery. Furthermore, for these batteries, the separator 3 may be necessary to be folded in a special manner, and this entails expensive equipment.
Furthermore, in a simple configuration in which anodes/cathodes and separators are alternately stacked, respectively, extraneous matter may enter from the interface between a separator and an anode/cathode, making it likely also to block battery reactions to impair the quality and safety of the battery.

Stacked nonaqueous electrolyte battery, manufacturing method thereof and stacking apparatus therefor


Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a system, which can comprise a basepan comprising a banding stud. The banding stud can be configured to releasably attach a heat sink to the basepan. The heat sink configured to increase a current carrying capacity of a system associated with the basepan from a first predetermined level to a second predetermined level.

United States Patent Publication No. 20040145837 (Davis), which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, allegedly recites that "[t]here is provided a method and a basepan assembly for a panel board. The basepan assembly comprises a basepan having a bottom portion and at least one sidewall. A first bus bar is mounted in the bottom portion of the basepan. A second bus bar is mounted to its side proximate the side wall of the basepan. The side wall can include fasteners to couple the second bus bar to the side wall." See Abstract.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,459,570 (Buchanan), which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, allegedly recites that "[t]he present invention provides a support base and neutral base for an interior assembly in an electrical distribution device and a method of assembling the same. The interior assembly having at least one bus bar and neutral bar connecting the electrical distribution device to a circuit having at least one phase. The neutral bar and bus bar having a bottom wall and side walls. The support base includes a generally planar body defining a mounting surface on one face of the body and means for mounting the bus bar on the mounting surface. The support base also includes means for retaining the bottom wall of the neutral bar abutting the mounting surface of the body. The retaining means is manually operated and integrally formed with the mounting surface and has a plurality of projections upstanding from the mounting surface. The projections are adapted to abut the side walls of the neutral bar so as to prevent movement in at least one direction horizontally. The retaining means also has at least one interlocking prong for abutting one or more side walls of the neutral bar so as to prevent movement in the vertical direction and the remaining horizontal directions." See Abstract.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,160,698 (Tumlin), which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, allegedly recites a "first surface of a basepan of molded plastic for an electric load center includes a plurality of integrally formed fasteners for securing electrical components such as bus bars, neutral bars, and neutral tie bars to the basepan. Each fastener is formed in the absence of any core through the basepan from a second surface obverse to the first. Each integrally formed fastener has a support portion which projects away from the basepan first surface and a flexural portion supported by the support portion. The flexural portion has a first outwardly facing surface inclined with respect to the basepan first surface at an angle that facilitates elastic deformation of the flexural portion, but not the support portion upon application of a bar to the basepan. The flexural portion also has a second inwardly facing surface arranged at an angle with respect to the basepan first surface that facilitates fixed retention of the bar despite any reasonable variation in the thickness of the bar." See Abstract.

Systems, devices, and methods, including a basepan comprising a banding stud for increasing current carrying capacity


A semiconductor device structure is provided. The structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a well pick-up region and an active region. Each of the well pick-up region and the active region includes a first well region and a second well region that have different conductivity types. There is a well boundary between the first well region and the second well region. A first fin structure is in the first well region of the well pick-up region and second fin structures are in the first well region of the active region. The minimum distance between the well boundary and the first fin structure is greater than the minimum distance between the well boundary and one of the second fin structures that is closest to the well boundary.

The semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) industry has experienced rapid growth. Technological advances in IC materials and design have produced generations of ICs where each generation has smaller and more complex circuits than the previous generation. However, these advances have increased the complexity of processing and manufacturing ICs and, for these advances to be realized, similar developments in IC processing and manufacturing are needed. In the course of IC evolution, functional density (i.e., the number of interconnected devices per chip area) has generally increased while geometric size (i.e., the smallest component that can be created using a fabrication process) has decreased.
As the semiconductor industry has progressed into nanometer technology process nodes in pursuit of higher device density, higher performance, and lower costs, challenges from both fabrication and design issues have resulted in the development of three-dimensional designs, such as the fin field effect transistor (FinFET). FinFETs are fabricated with a thin vertical "fin" (or fin structure) extending from a substrate. The channel of the FinFET is formed in this vertical fin. A gate is provided over the fin. Advantages of the FinFET may include reducing the short channel effect and higher current flow.
Although existing FinFETs and methods of fabricating FinFETs have been generally adequate for their intended purposes, they have not been entirely satisfactory in all respects. For example, as the size of the fin (e.g., the fin width) and the fin-to-fin space (i.e., the distance between two adjacent fins) are reduced, the resistance of the well pick-up region is increased due to the interdiffusion between the well pick-up regions with different conductivity types, and thus the electrical performance of the semiconductor device is reduced. Therefore, it is a challenge to form reliable semiconductor devices at smaller and smaller sizes.

Semiconductor device having fin structures

TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.


A laser generating apparatus provided with the following is disclosed. That is to say, a rod shaped laser medium for receiving excitation light irradiation and emitting laser light having a prespecified wavelength, a reflecting tube having a central axis and possessing a rotating surface and two end surfaces, wherein an inner surface is made a reflecting surface, and the rod shaped laser medium is stored therewithin, and a virtual light source formation mechanism for forming an excitation virtual light source which can be construed as a point light source or a line light source, in the vicinity of the central axis. By means of this, a virtual light source having an energy distribution concentrated in the central part is formed, and it is possible to increase excitation efficiency.

The present invention relates to a laser generating apparatus which excites a solid state lasing medium by means of laser light, and thereby outputs laser light.
Examples of technology for the excitation of a solid state lasing medium (thus placing this medium in a laser oscillating state) were disclosed in Japanese Patent Application, First Publication, Laid-Open No. 1-107588 (Solid State Laser Apparatus); and Japanese Patent Application, First Publication, Laid-Open No. 1-205484 (Laser Apparatus).
In the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application, First Publication, Laid-Open No. 1-107588, a plurality of excitation light sources comprising semiconductor lasers are disposed circumferentially around a lasing medium comprising a solid crystal, and energy conversion efficiency is increased by outputting excitation light into the radial center of the lasing medium; in the technology disclosed in Japanese Patent Application, First Publication, Laid-Open No. 1-205484, a plurality of gaps for the input of excitation light is formed in a portion of a reflecting surface surrounding the outer circumference of a solid crystal lasing medium, the excitation light is further confined by increasing the area of the reflecting surface, and the energy conversion efficiency is thereby increased.
However, in both of these technologies, excitation light sources are disposed around the cylindrical surface of a lasing medium, so that the total surface area of the reflective surface around the lasing medium is reduced by that area which is occupied by the excitation light sources themselves, and therefore the places at which the excitation light is inputted are incapable of performing reflection of the excitation light, so that there is a limit to the increase in energy conversion efficiency, and furthermore, there is a limit in obtaining a good distribution of the excitation of the lasing medium having high intensity at the central axis thereof.

Laser generating apparatus having an arrangement for converging and diverging excitation light

Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.


An energy accumulator and rectifier equipment for converting and generating renewable energy from ocean waves and winds, which includes a storage tank or compressed air accumulator, a series of vertical tubes filled with non-compressible fluid so that it can displace movable elements, forming a group, wherein each group is in connection with another similar group at both the upper level and the lower level by means of a fluid circulation pipes and by means of a pipe of smaller diameter, at the upper and lower portion, for air circulation, and wherein the fluid circulation pipes of every group are attached to a common pipe at the upper level which conveys the fluid toward a turbine-generator to produce electricity and a common pipe at the lower level to recirculate fluid toward the cylinders.

Nowadays, the search for renewable energies sources and the optimization of the conversion of the energy harnessed from such sources into forms which can be exploited for domestic and industrial activities of the human being is a key target for the development of new technologies.
Specifically, with regard to the equipment aimed at generating electric power from ocean waves, there is extensive patent and non-patent literature; the present systems being categorized according to the principle of harnessing energy from waves, the location of such equipment, and the size and orientation.
Accordingly, the international publication WO 2008/103344 (equivalent to U.S. Pat. No. 7,468,563), describes a device to generate power from ocean waves, which uses such motion to raise and lower one end of a stationary arm, which has a pivot point. The other end of such arm which is opposed to such pivot enables a piston to go up and down within a cylinder so that large amounts of air are moved. Such air is conveyed through turbines to generate electrical power.
A similar solution is observed in Chilean patent CL 37585, which describes a device to convert energy from ocean waves into electrical power comprising a long a rigid beam supported between ends by a pivot supported by a platform attached to the sea bed, one end of beam extends towards the ocean, a circular float is supported from that outer end of the beam by a universal joint. The inner end of the beam at the end opposite the float is in connection with the hydraulic or fluid pumps to produce hydraulic fluid or fluids under pressure in response to the wave motion on the float, this hydraulic fluid or fluids under pressure drive the power generator. It also operates through an arm connected to a float, and on the other end, including means to cause displacement of the hydraulic fluid.
On the other hand, document GR1003263 discloses an energy generating coastal plant, which consists of a long and narrow platform or floating pontoon which, by being attached to the coast, is able to resist ocean or lake waves, absorbing their kinetic energy, and it is able to convert this energy into electricity; for this purposes, two elements are provided and confined in reservoirs under the platform: water and air used for transferring wave kinetic energy to electric power generating plant. More precisely, water is confined in reservoirs, and propelled by ocean waves thus alternatively moving a piston which transfers kinetic energy to the confined air. Then, the confined air transfers kinetic energy through air pipes to the air turbine of the electric power generating plant thus converting it into electricity.
None of the documents of the previous art describes an associated system for accumulating and rectifying energy which allows a stable and permanent delivery of energy regardless of the irregularities of the original source; either ocean waves or wind. No solution equivalent to that of the present application has been found in the previous art. In fact, even though there is some literature in the previous art which discloses the use of ocean waves to move pneumatic and hydraulic cylinders, and thereby generate compressed air for generating electric power, none of such documents discloses the system for converting the kinetic energy from the ocean motion into electric power as it is disclosed in the present invention.
This is, none of the previous systems comprises the four main elements of this marine device for generating compressed air which, once accumulated, it is transferred into a hydraulic system which, by means of a specific alternate motion, generates electric power. Accordingly, the system of the invention and its associated method are novel with regard to the prior art.
Like ocean swell, wind is a random resource in nature and thus, the accurate assessment of the eolic resource is a difficult and uncertain task. The reasons for the above are as follows:                A high variability of wind speed found in different regions of a country from an annual average wind speed of 2 m/s to 4 to 7 m/s in windy places. This wind variation implies a higher variability of the power available, from 40 to 200 W/m2.        Huge differences in wind speed (and therefore its power) are observed over short distances due to the changing land topography and its roughness. Over short distances the colic power may vary by one order of magnitude.        It is difficult to measure accurately the eolic potential. Wind is generally measured considering its speed and direction. The colic power is proportional to the cube of wind speed which means that a small error in its measurement leads to bigger error in the calculated power. For example, the eolic power of wind at 5 m/s is twice wind at 4 m/s (53/43=125/64˜2). An error of 10% in wind speed measure implies a 33% error in the calculated eolic power.        This means that the security of the eolic resource is low, and thereby the plant factor associated with eolic-type generating stations as well as those using ocean waves, is around 30% at the most.
Nowadays, the most common system for obtaining colic energy is through aerogenerators which comprise blades that by crossing wind or through these make it turn and such turn is used by the generator which is directly coupled to the blade system. This system comprises four major limitations with regard to the exploitation of the resource:
1. According to Betz's law, the energy efficiency can be up to 60% at the most, since to make blades turn there must be a certain outgoing wind speed behind the blades, which is lower than the incoming wind speed that blades encounter. Therefore, the energy used is only the energy from the difference between the incoming wind speed and the outgoing wind speed from the blades.
2. The system operates until a certain range of maximum wind speed since beyond this limit generator hub and blades would be damaged.
3. Energy generation is produced only if there is wind available.
4. The generation system is dimensioned for a generation capacity or rated power close to the maximum possible wind speed within a range set in 2 to avoid wasting periods of high speed. Therefore, there is an increase in the cost with regard to the final use of the resource.
The present invention which is described together with an eolic device does not have any of the aforementioned disadvantages since it reduces to zero the outgoing wind speed and thus the resource is utilized in its entirely; it can be used in very high wind speed ranges, limited only by hurricane-force winds or similar phenomena; the energy generation may be carried out when it is necessary since this system will use the energy accumulator and rectifier system of the invention to store, regulate and have the energy at its disposal, with a high degree of wind energy independence.
The main problem this invention solves is the generation of stable and sustained energy using renewable, clean, easy to access and high-potential energy.
Secondly, it solves the cost issues associated with harnessing renewable energies, since nowadays these costs can not compete on equal terms with conventional energy generating stations. Preliminary estimates indicate that this invention reduces costs for harnessing energy resulting in values slightly higher than conventional energies.
Additionally, it solves the issue of plant factors associated with renewable energy generating facilities since it is capable of harnessing energy as compressed air in order to regulate it, regardless of the variability of source of origin. Thus increasing supply security as well as increasing the potential plant factor.

Maritime device for producing electric power


A shape measurement method includes: acquiring first data of a change of a distance between a first probe and a calibration measurement object and acquiring second data of a change of a distance between a second probe and the calibration measurement object while moving the calibration measurement object in a first direction, the calibration measurement object being rotationally symmetric around an axis parallel to the first direction, the first probe and the second probe being arranged in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; estimating an error of the movement included in the first data based on the first and second data; acquiring third data of a change of a distance between the first probe and a measurement object while moving the measurement object relative to the first probe in the first direction; and correcting the third data by using the error.

In a conventionally known method, the change of a distance between a probe and a measurement object is measured while moving the measurement object with respect to the probe in a first direction in a state in which the measurement object and the probe face each other, and the surface shape of the measurement object along the first direction is estimated from the measured change of the distance. However, when moving the measurement object with respect to the probe in the first direction, there are cases where the measurement object also slightly moves in a direction crossing the first direction, i.e., a second direction in which the measurement object and the probe face each other. In such a case, the measured change of the distance includes an error of the movement of the measurement object.

Shape measurement method and shape measuring device


A passive leakage device for an axial turbomachine, more particularly for a low-pressure compressor of an axial turbomachine, is adapted to reduce and/or eliminate the surging phenomenon within the machine. The passive leakage device includes an insert having a general cylindrical shape with a flange at one end and a bottom or membrane at the other end. The membrane comprises two cross-shaped notches, the notches being adapted to enable a deformation of the membrane under a pressure exceeding a predetermined threshold, so as to allow a leakage to go through the membrane. Several inserts are arranged through the wall of a compressor casing, distributed over one or several circumferences of the casing, facing one or several rows of rotor blades. In the case of a double-flow turbomachine, such as a jet engine, the beak for separating the primary and secondary flows is used to form a chamber for communication between the inserts and for compensation with the pressure present in the secondary flow.

1. Field of the Application
The invention relates to a leakage device for a turbomachine, more particularly for an axial turbomachine compressor, more particularly still, for an axial low-pressure compressor, the leakage device having, as an object, that of reducing, eliminating, or controlling the surging phenomenon which can occur in the area of the flow in the machine at certain operation speeds. The invention also relates to a wall equipped with at least one said leakage device, to a compressor equipped with said wall, as well as, to a process for reducing and suppressing a surging phenomenon in an axial compressor.
2. Description of Related Art
Surging is a fundamental phenomenon peculiar to dynamic compressors. The latter are characterized in that compression is achieved by power transfer in the fluid set in motion in rows of blades. Axial and centrifugal compressors belong to this category of turbomachines. Similar to the stalling phenomenon of an airplane wing which thus loses its lift, the fluid flow through the compressor can stall, which prevents the fluid from being "pushed". Indeed, the compressor being connected to two circuits at different pressure, the high-pressure capacity of the discharge empties in the low-pressure capacity of the suction by a counter-current flow-rate in the compressor. Surging is the general aerodynamic instability of the compressor in its environment during operation, mostly at low flow-rate. When the discharge circuit has been sufficiently emptied in the suction, the compressor finds new operating conditions allowing the flow-rate to be restored in the right direction until a new instability cycle starts again. These large flow-rate fluctuations are called surges because of the nature of this relaxation oscillations phenomenon. The sudden flow-rate inversion is similar to a shock and its mechanical consequences can be disastrous, such as, for example, the breaking of the blades on the axial compressors.
Specific protection means must be installed on the machines to preserve their integrity and maintain their performance over time. These means are all the more complex because the largest range possible of the flow-rate is always desired for the operation of the machine in order to adapt the power in a permanent, economical, and flexible manner while maintaining the consumption as low as possible.
Numerous protection means against surging have been developed in the past. Most of them consist in generating a controlled leakage in the area of the wall of the compressor casing in the area of the end of a row of rotor blades.
The patent document GB 801,771 discloses a similar device consisting, essentially, of a series of movable plugs arranged on the perimeter of the compressor casing of an axial turbomachine, facing holes made in the casing. The movable plugs are connected in a sealed manner with a flexible membrane whose rear surface forms, with a wall element, a chamber for controlling the plugs. The front surface of the membrane forms a leakage chamber common to the different plugs and in connection with a valve enabling the leakage to be connected to the atmosphere or to a diffuser downstream of the compressor. This device has the advantage of being controllable, but the consequence of this measure is to require an efficient control device, which increases the complexity and the cost of the device. Furthermore, the construction itself of the movable plugs serving as leakage valves is rather complex and requires a lot of care, in the precision of execution as well as in terms of maintenance (replacement of the membranes, checking that the plugs correctly slide in their guides, etc).
The patent document GB 1,357,016 discloses a leakage device controlled according to a general principle similar to that of the previous document, namely, holes or openings made in the wall of the compressor casing, of an axial turbomachine being blocked up or kept free by the application of a membrane put under pressure by connection to the compressor. The membrane is displaced by means of a cylindrical wall surrounding the cylindrical casing of the compressor perpendicularly to the openings. The membrane is fixed to this cylindrical wall so that the displacement of this wall in parallel to the casing wall displaces the membrane by rolling onto itself, enabling the openings to be opened or blocked up. Compared to the teachings of the previous document, this device has the advantage of being able to control the leakage but requires complex and costly control means.
The patent document GB 2,158,879 A discloses an active leakage device, that is, controlled. It essentially consists of a valve put on a discharge circuit in the vicinity of a duct connecting an opening made in the casing of an axial turbomachine compressor to the discharge circuit. The valve is controlled by an actuator which is also controlled. Compared to the teachings of the previous documents, this device has the advantage of making it possible to control the leakage but requires complex and costly control means.
The active leakage devices such as described hereinabove generally consist in withdrawing a variable flow-rate of air according to a defined program. A set of adjustments must then be defined and controlled by the FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control). The FADEC is a system which lies in a calculator and control and command peripherals being interfaced between the cockpit and the aircraft engine. These adjustments being pre-defined, the functioning is not optimal, in particular during the transients.
The patent document EP 1,898,067 A discloses a passive leakage device for a jet engine compressor. The device creates a permanent leakage with an upstream recirculation, which results in losses and a non-optimal use of the compressor. The surge adjustment requirement thus causes a permanent degradation of the performances of the compressor, due to the presence of a leakage even in the absence of any penalizing phenomenon.
Although great strides have been made in the area of axial compressors, many shortcomings remain.

Aspirator insert for a boundary layer in a fluid, a wall and a compressor equipped with said insert