Management of a plurality of queues is made weighted and fair through the introduction of a system of credits. A credit is spent when a fixed-size unit of storage is served from a selected one of the queues. A scheduler selects a queue when an identifier of the queue reaches the head of a service queue. Credits are regained through a distinct credit management method that takes into account a weight associated with each queue. The arrival of new data in a previously empty queue can trigger the inclusion of the previously empty queue in data structures associated with the credit management method.

When several flows of data are passing through a network device, it may be that the rate that data is received exceeds the rate at which the data may be transmitted. As such, some of the data received must be held temporarily in queues. Queues represent memory locations where data may be held before being transmitted by the network device. Fair queuing is the name given to queuing techniques that allow each flow passing through a network device to have a fair share of network resources.
An exemplary fair queuing technique, called Deficit Round Robin (DRR) allocates bandwidth fairly among competing flows. Packets in a number of flows arriving at a network device are mapped to a number of queues. This number of queues is much less than the number of flows. A scheduler using DRR traverses the queues in a round robin manner attempting to serve a predefined quantity (a quantum) of data from each queue. Additionally, a deficit counter is associated with each queue. In each round, the scheduler increases the deficit counter of a given queue by the quantum. The deficit counter is then decreased by the amount of data served from the queue.
For example, if the quantum of a given scheduler is 1000 bytes and a queue has a 1500 byte packet to be served, the first time the queue is traversed by the given scheduler, the packet may not be served, because the packet is larger than the value (1000) in the deficit counter. In the next round, however, the packet may be served, because the packet is smaller than the value (2000) in the deficit counter. If the packet is served in the next round, the value in the deficit counter is reduced to 500.
Other known queuing techniques include Carry Over Round Robin and the classic Packetized General Processor Sharing. However, these techniques and Deficit Round Robin are recognized to show a marked increase in complexity as the number of queues served increases.

Method and apparatus for weighted fair queuing


A liquid phase etching method which comprises spraying a chemically reactive liquid, with a specific speed, to a solid article, an aggregate of solid articles or a gelatinous material to be treated; and a liquid etching apparatus having a mechanism for holding a processing object to be treated and a nozzle structure for spraying a chemically reactive liquid to the processing object to be treated which is held by the mechanism. The method and apparatus allow the significant improvement of the etching rate while maintaining the accuracy of etching.

In processing (etching) process of semiconductor as a typical example of fine patterning, the semiconductor surface is irradiated with reactive gas in plasma state, and the semiconductor is processed into desired shape.
Explaining briefly by referring to FIG. 9, a vacuum chamber 1 is coupled to a vacuum pump 2 for creating vacuum. A processing object like silicon wafer 3 is placed in the vacuum chamber 1, and desired gas is introduced, and plasma 4 is generated to cause interaction with the surface of the processing object, and the processing object is processed. In FIG. 9, the processing object is etched.
Meanwhile, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. H9-27654, the conventional etching was often processed by immersing the solid processing object in liquid. However, etching in the liquid is sufficiently fast in etching processing speed, but is not suited to fine patterning because etching tends to be isotropic.
The reason of using plasma in etching is to make etching anisotropic in order to meet the demand for higher precision in fine patterning.
However, when plasma is used in etching, the processing speed is sacrificed. As a result, in the semiconductor industrial field, typically, it took about 10 minutes to process one wafer.

Liquid phase etching method and liquid phase etching apparatus

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


In methods and systems for filtering an information input signal, a system may have: a first filter unit filtering an input signal at an initial subinterval in a current update interval according to parameters associated to the preceding update interval, the parameters being scaled by a first scaling factor changing towards 0; and a second filter unit filtering a second filter input signal, based on the output of the first filter unit, at the initial subinterval, according to parameters associated to the current update interval, the parameters being scaled by a second scaling factor changing from 0, or a value close to 0, toward a value more distant from 0.

The conventional technology comprises the following disclosures:    [1] A. T. Hill and A. Ilchmann, "Exponential stability of time-varying linear systems," IMA J Numer Anal, pp. 865-885, 2011.    [2] 3GPP TS 26.090, Adaptive Multi-Rate (AMR) speech codec; Transcoding functions.    [3] 3GPP TS 26.445, Codec for Enhanced Voice Services (EVS); Detailed algorithmic description.    [4] 3GPP TS 26.190, Adaptive Multi-Rate-Wideband (AMR-WB) speech codec; Transcoding functions.    [5] 3GPP TS 26.290, Extended Adaptive Multi-Rate-Wideband (AMR-WB+) codec; Transcoding functions.    [6] B. Edler, C. Faller and G. Schuller, "Perceptual Audio Coding Using a Time-Varying Linear Pre- and Post-Filter," in AES 109th Convention, Los Angeles, 2000.    [7] A. Gray and J. Markel, "Digital lattice and ladder filter synthesis," IEEE Transactions on Audio and Electroacoustics, vol. vol. 21, no. no. 6, pp. 491-500, 1973.    [8] M. P. Lamoureux, S. Ismail and G. F. Margrave, "Stability of time variant filters," CREWES Research Report—Volume 19, 2007.    [9] P. J. Wilson and H. Chhatwal, "Adaptive Transform Coder Having Long Term Predictor". U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,517, 30 Apr. 1991.    [10] M. Tsushima, Y. Nakatoh and T. Norimatus, "Apparatus for expanding speech bandwidth". EP Patent 0 732 687 B2, 18 Sep. 1996.    [11] A. John Robinson, "Low Bit Rate Audio Coder And Decoder Operating in A Transform Domain Using Vector Quantization". U.S. Pat. No. 5,999,899, 7 Dec. 1999.    [12] J. Thyssen, C. C Lee and J.-H. Chen, "Method And Apparatus To Eliminate Discontinuities In Adaptively Filtered Signals". U.S. Pat. No. 7,353,168 B2, 28 Jun. 2002.    [13] E. Ravelli, M. Jander, G. Pietrzyk, M. Dietz and M. Gayer, "Method and apparatus for processing an audio signal, audio decoder, and audio encoder". EP Patent 2980796 A1, 28 Jul. 2014.    [14] E. Ravelli, C. Helmrich, G. Markovic, M. Neusinger, M. Jander, M. Dietz and S. Disch, "Apparatus and method for processing an audio signal using a harmonic post-filter". EP Patent 2980799 A1, 28 Jul. 2014.    [15] ITU-T Recommendation G.718, Frame error robust narrow-band and wideband embedded variable bit-rate coding of speech and audio from 8-32 kbit/s, 2008.
Audio and speech are in general time varying signals. Because the changes are relatively slow they are usually considered quasi-stationary over short period of time. Adaptive filter parameters (e.g. linear predictive coding, LPC, or long-term post filter, LTP) used for processing audio/speech signals are updated once per frame and kept constant over the frame duration, frame usually having length of 2 to 40 milliseconds. Such filtering is effectively time-varying and thus in general produces instabilities and discontinuities even if filtering with frozen filter parameters doesn't [1].
A cross-fade approach is known. The cross-fade approach may be summarized as:                filter a portion of a signal with a set of parameters c0 producing first filtered portion        filter the same portion of the signal with a set of parameters c1 producing second filtered portion; and        perform cross-fade of the first and the second filtered portion.        The cross-fade approach has been used among others in [9], [10], [11] and [12].        Another approach to remove discontinuities is to use LP filter as in [13].
An infinite impulse response (IIR) filter can be presented in the lattice-ladder form [7]. An interpolation of stable IIR filters in the lattice-ladder form should produce stable time-varying IIR filter [8]. Thus it should be possible to generalize the interpolation of the reflection coefficients from [6] in general case of IIR filters. However such approach would be too complex for the LTP filtering as the number of the non-zero reflection coefficients would be equal to the pitch lag (e.g. if used for smoothing the LTP discontinuities in [3] this would lead to filter orders bigger than 250).
Complexity is very important aspect in a real-time codec and it is desirable to use a method for avoiding discontinuities in time varying filtering with least complexity.
A low-complexity technique is advantageous for performing filtering operations.

FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FÖRDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.


A gravimetric dosing apparatus includes a support frame, a plurality of loading hoppers for a respective granular material to be dosed, carried by the support frame and provided with a respective discharge outlet and an opening-closing device for their respective discharge outlet. A weighing hopper includes a discharge outlet and an opening and closing device for its respective discharge outlet and arranged in cascade with respect to the loading hoppers to receive from at least two of the hoppers dosed quantities of different granular materials. A support element is articulated to the frame and designed to overhangingly support the weighing hopper. Transducing structure generates output signals proportional to the weight of the material discharged into the weighing hopper. A mixing assembly receives the dosed and weighed granular material, and a program control unit receives input signals from the transducer and program controls the opening-closing devices.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for gravimetrically dosing various loose products, such as granular, milled, powdered products or the like (hereafter generally referred to as "granular material"), in order to obtain a blend of a plurality of products dosed with a great precision.
As known to a skilled person in the art, gravimetric dosing machines have already been proposed, which are provided with two or more feeding hoppers arranged side-by-side, that can be up to six or more in number, which are designed to feed by gravity an underlying weighing hopper that is in turn designed to discharge the material fed thereto into an underlying mixing-homogeneising hopper. The sequence of the various operating stages is controlled by a programmable control unit.
However, although satisfactory from many points of view, dosing machines known in the art have a poor degree of weighing resolution, whereby for many industrial uses they do not provide a sufficient guarantee in so far as precision and adequate speed of formation and weighing of dosed mixtures are concerned, e.g. to keep up with the pace of other operating units of a plant designed to use the blends formed according to specific recipes.

Gravimetric dosing and mixing apparatus for a plurality granular products


This invention relates to a method of manufacturing an improved ferritic or martensitic alloy based on iron and chromium strengthened by a dispersion of oxides, commonly called an Oxide Dispersion Strengthened or ODS alloy, and, more particularly to a method of manufacturing a ferritic or martensitic ODS alloy with large grains based on iron and chromium which has a single phase ferritic or martensitic matrix having an isotropic microstructure and a grain size that is sufficient to guarantee mechanical strength compatible with a use of this alloy at high temperature and/or under neutron irradiation. According to the invention, the method comprises slow cooling of an austenite at a cooling rate less than or equal to the critical cooling rate for transformation of this austenite into ferrite.

This invention relates to a method of manufacturing an improved ferritic or martensitic alloy, including chromium and which is strengthened by a dispersion of oxides, commonly called an ODS (Oxide Dispersion Strengthened) alloy, and more particularly, to a method of manufacturing a ferritic or martensitic ODS alloy with large grains based on iron and chromium which has single phase ferritic or martensitic matrix having an isotropic microstructure and a grain size that is sufficient to guarantee mechanical strength compatible with a use of this alloy at high temperature and/or under neutron irradiation.
ODS alloys are made up of a metal matrix having a body-centered cubic crystal structure. This structure is strengthened by a dispersion of oxides of the type Y2O3, TiO2 etc. which gives it excellent mechanical and chemical properties at medium and high temperatures.
The resistance to oxidation of these alloys is due particularly to the presence of chromium. This resistance is only effective when the concentration of chromium is greater than 8% by weight in the alloy. However, when this concentration is greater than 12% by weight, the alloy becomes brittle.
Furthermore, thanks to their crystal structure, these alloys have good resistance to swelling and to creep under neutron irradiation.
These alloys can be used, for example, as structural materials for components in the core of a nuclear power station since these components must have a high mechanical strength at high temperature, for example from 400 to 700xc2x0 C., must be resistant to neutron radiation, must be compatible with use in a sodium environment and resistant to oxidation etc.
In a general way, these alloys are also useful in the manufacture of components subject to high mechanical and thermal stresses such as components of thermal power stations, components used in the glass, gas or aeronautical industries etc.
Many types of ODS alloys that include chromium have already been developed in the prior art. These have chromium concentrations between 13 and 20%, variable contents of Mo, W, Al and Ti, and a small quantity of carbon, generally less than 0.02% by weight (200 ppm). In this type of alloy, the matrix is totally ferritic whatever the heat treatment temperature.
Hence, American U.S. Pat. No. 4,075,010 describes an alloy having a composition Fe-14 Cr-1 Ti-0.3 Mo-0.25 Y2O3.
This alloy displays a very good compromise between strength and ductility in a direction parallel to the axis of forming of the alloy. However the grains that make it up are elongated in the direction of forming which leads to a high degree of anisotropy in its mechanical properties. This anisotropy leads to too low a mechanical strength along directions perpendicular to the direction of forming. Such an alloy can therefore not be used, for example to make cladding tubes for nuclear reactors, since the radial direction is the main direction of mechanical stress in these tubes in a reactor. In addition, this alloy contains a high level of chromium which causes it to become brittle under neutron radiation through the precipitation of phases rich in this element.
This type of alloy generally produced by mechanical alloying from its constituents starting with elemental or pre-alloyed powders. In this type of alloy, mechanical alloying is a method that allows one to introduce into the metal matrix, the fine and homogeneous distribution of oxides that confers a very high hot strength on the alloy. The powders thus provided are compacted and drawn at high temperature and pressure.
This method of production however produces an alloy in which the mean grain size is generally too small, that is to say less than 1 xcexcm and which has an anisotropic microstructure when the initial chemical composition of the matrix means it has a ferritic structure. Under these conditions, too small a grain size causes a reduction in the mechanical strength of the alloy, particularly at high temperatures greater than 500xc2x0 C. Furthermore, the anisotropy of the grain size leads to anisotropy in the mechanical properties of the alloy.
In particular, the initial ferritic structure is inevitable in examples that contain more than 12% of chromium.
In order to avoid these problems of anisotropy, a man skilled in the art has been drawn into using a martensitic material less rich in Cr, but in this case, control of the mean grain size has proved to be impossible. In effect, in this type of material, no variation in grain size whatsoever has been observed after traditional heat treatment even at temperatures as high as 1250xc2x0 C.
Patent application GB-A-2 219 004 describes an ODS alloy with a tempered martensitic matrix having a chromium concentration of from 8 to 12% by weight and concentrations of (Mo+W) and of carbon respectively between 0.1 and 4% and 0.05 and 0.25% by weight. In addition, the alloy described is strengthened by a dispersion of Y2O3 and TiO2 oxide particles at a concentration of from 0.1 to 1% by weight. The application examples described in this document include a chromium concentration greater than 10% by weight and a concentration of Mo and W between 2 and 4% by weight. The preparation method of the alloy described comprises mechanical alloying of the alloy in an attritor, compaction of the alloy under vacuum and hot drawing at a temperature ranging from 900 to 1200xc2x0 C. This procedure is followed by a normalization treatment at a temperature ranging from 950 to 1200xc2x0 C. and a tempering at a temperature ranging from 750 to 820xc2x0 C.
However the method described does not allow one to control the grain size of the alloy.
The prior art methods therefore all have one or more of the following disadvantages
they do not allow one to obtain an isotropic microstructure of the formed alloy,
they do not allow one to specify and control the grain size of the alloy
they lead to a grain size that remains too small.
As a consequence, the prior art alloys all have one or more of the following disadvantages:
insufficient mechanical strength at high temperature due to the anisotropy of its microstructure,
embrittlement at high temperature and/or under neutron irradiation through precipitation of embrittling phases in the alloy due particularly to an excess of chromium, and
a mechanical strength that is not always compatible with use at high temperature and/or under neutron irradiation due particularly to having no control over the grain size of the alloy and to the grain size being too small.
The precise purpose of this invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a ferritic ODS alloy that includes chromium, and a method of manufacturing a martensitic ODS alloy that includes chromium, which does not have the disadvantages mentioned above and which in particular, allows one to specify and control the grain size of the alloy produced by exercising control over successive phase transformations.
The method, according to the invention, of manufacturing an alloy with a ferritic ODS structure that includes chromium, comprises preparation of a martensitic ODS blank that includes chromium and a step consisting of subjecting the martensitic ODS blank to at least one thermal cycle comprising an austenitization of the martensitic ODS blank at a temperature greater or equal to the AC3 point of this alloy in such a way as to obtain an austenite, followed by cooling of this austenite at a slow cooling rate that is less than or equal to the critical cooling rate for transformation of this austenite into ferrite in such a way as to obtain an alloy with a ferritic structure, said slow critical cooling rate being determined from a phase transformation diagram for this austenite under continuous cooling.
The alloy manufactured by the method of the invention is notably improved since it has a single phase ferritic matrix having an isotropic microstructure and a grain size that is sufficient to guarantee mechanical strength compatible with use of this alloy at high temperature and/or under neutron irradiation. Furthermore, it has sufficient ductility to be subjected to forming even at ambient temperature.
According to the invention the martensitic ODS blank that includes chromium can be prepared by any method that allows one to obtain a blank in which the oxides are dispersed in the metal matrix in a fine and homogeneous manner.
In an advantageous way, the blank can be prepared from a pre-alloyed powder obtained by mechanical alloying. In effect the mechanical alloying makes possible the dispersion of oxides such as Y2O3 required for the preparation of an ODS alloy.
The mechanical alloying can be carried out in an attritor, under a neutral atmosphere, for example argon, starting with a powder, obtained, for example, by atomization of an ingot under argon, that has a composition which corresponds to that of the manufactured blank and by adding oxides such as Y2O3. The powder can also be obtained by mixing pure or pre-alloyed powders available on the market.
According to the invention, the martensitic ODS blank can be prepared by a traditional technique of consolidating a pre-alloyed powder for example by drawing and hot forming.
According to the invention, the martensitic ODS blank that includes chromium can also include one or more elements chosen from the group comprising Mo, W, Ni, Mn, Si, C, O, N, Y, Ti, Ta, V, Nb, Zr. For example, it can include one or more of the oxides currently used for manufacturing alloys strengthened by a dispersion of oxides, for example Y2O3, TiO2, MgO, Al2O3, MgAl2O4, HfO2, ThO2 and ZrO2. The function of each of these elements and oxides in the martensitic ODS blank is known to a man skilled in the art. As a consequence, it will not be described here.
According to the invention, the martensitic ODS blank that includes chromium can, for example, include from about 7 to about 12% by weight of chromium equivalent in the alloy, for example, to about 8 to about 11% by weight, that is to say a quantity of alphagenic elements equivalent to a quantity of chromium of about 7 to about 12% by weight, for example, from about 8 to about 11% by weight. The alphagenic elements are notably elements that allow one to reduce the area of the domain in which the austenite exists. The method according to the invention can therefore be applied advantageously to a type 9 Cr alloy.
According to the invention, the chromium can be at a concentration of from about 7 to about 12% by weight, for example from about 8 to about 12% by weight, Mo can be at a concentration of from about 0.3 to about 1.5% by weight, W can be at a concentration of from about 0.5 to about 3% by weight, Ni can be at a concentration ranging up to about 1% by weight, Mn can be at a concentration ranging up to about 1% by weight, Si can be at a concentration ranging up to about 1% by weight, C can be at a concentration of from about 0.02 to about 0.2% by weight, O can be at a concentration of from about 0.02 to about 0.3% by weight, N can be at a concentration ranging up to about 0.15% by weight, Y can be at a concentration ranging up to about 1% by weight and Ti can be at a concentration ranging up to about 1% by weight in the alloy, the remainder being iron.
According to the invention, this alloy can also include Ta and Nb, each at a concentration ranging up to about 0.2% by weight, V at a concentration ranging up to about 0.4% by weight, and Zr at a concentration ranging up to about 0.4% by weight.
The, at least one, thermal cycle according to the invention allows one to induce, in the martensitic ODS blank, a transformation of the martensite into austenite, then a slow transformation of the austenite into ferrite with a stable grain growth at low temperature.
According to the invention the, at least one, thermal cycle comprises an austenitization of the martensitic ODS blank at a temperature greater than or equal to the AC3 point for this alloy in such a way as to obtain an austenite. The AC3 point of such an alloy corresponds to the temperature at which the ferrite completely transforms itself into austenite in the course of the heating. When the alloy is an alloy such as those described above, this austenitization can be carried out at a temperature of from about 950 to about 1150xc2x0 C., for example, at a temperature of from about 1000 to about 1100xc2x0 C., for example at a temperature of about 1000xc2x0 C. and for a period of from about 15 to about 120 minutes, for example, from about 30 to 90 minutes, for example a period of about 30 minutes, a period of less than 15 minutes often being insufficient to obtain an austenitic structure, and a period greater than 120 minutes not being necessary since the austenitic structure has often been obtained earlier.
According to this invention, this austenitization is followed by a cooling of the austenite obtained, at a slow cooling rate less than or equal to the critical rate of cooling for transformation of this austenite into ferrite, said slow cooling rate being determined from a phase transformation diagram for this austenite under continuous cooling. This phase transformation diagram, or TRC, can be obtained in a usual way.
The rate of cooling of the austenite is said to be xe2x80x9cslowxe2x80x9d in this description so as to differentiate it from the xe2x80x9cfastxe2x80x9d rate of cooling for a martensitic transformation described below in the method of manufacturing a martensitic ODS alloy according to the invention.
This slow cooling induces a transformation of the austenitic phase which is a high temperature phase into a ferritic phase which is more propitious than martensite for grain growth.
The slow rate of cooling can, for example, be less than or equal to 280xc2x0 C. per hour, for example, for an alloy composition such as those previously described. For example, for at least one thermal cycle, it can be less than about 250xc2x0 C. per hour, for example, less than or equal to about 100xc2x0 C. per hour, for example, less than or equal to about 20xc2x0 C. per hour. It should further be noted that the cooling rate depends, not only on the composition of the alloy manufactured, but also on the austenitization temperature of this alloy. It will be easily understood that in accordance with the constraints of industrial manufacture and in accordance with the composition of the alloy, a man skilled in the art can adapt the austenitization temperature and the slow rate of cooling of the method of the invention.
The inventors have observed that when the cooling rate is less than the critical rate of phase transformation of the austenite, there is an increase in the grain size in the alloy. They have also surprisingly observed that the lower the rate of cooling, the greater the grain growth in the alloy.
Very good grain growth has, for example, been observed by the inventors with a cooling rate of from about 5 to about 20xc2x0 C. per hour. For example, for an alloy composition such as those previously described, a slow cooling rate less than 100xc2x0 C. per hour gives an increase in the grain size of the manufactured ferritic alloy such that the mean grain size reaches 3 to 8 xcexcm in this alloy.
This cooling can be controlled, for example, as far as 650xc2x0 C. for the compositions previously mentioned, that is to say as far as the temperature at which the phase transformation is finished.
In this example, below 650xc2x0 C., fast cooling can be applied.
After a first thermal cycle according to the invention, the martensitic ODS blank is transformed into an alloy with a ferritic ODS structure with a grain size greater than the old grain size of the austenite.
According to the invention, the thermal cycle can be repeated several times, with identical or different slow rates of cooling, which allows one to obtain additional growth in the grain size of the alloy with a ferritic ODS structure formed during a first cycle. It can be repeated until this growth ceases, that is to say until an optimization of the grain size of the ODS alloy is achieved. According to the invention, the thermal cycle can be, for example, repeated two, three or four times with an alloy composition such as those previously mentioned, optimization being obtained at the end of four cycles in this example.
For example, for an alloy composition such as that previously described, and for a single cycle comprising a cooling at a slow cooling rate of about 6xc2x0 C. per hour, the ferritic alloy manufactured according to the invention can have a mean grain size approximately equal to 8 xcexcm. For example, for one and the same alloy composition and for such a cycle repeated four times, the ferritic alloy manufactured according to the invention can have a mean grain size up to about 10 xcexcm and even more.
Therefore the method of the invention allows one to obtain an optimized ferritic structure with large grains.
According to a first variant of the method of the invention, the method of manufacture of an alloy with a ferritic ODS structure that includes chromium can include at least two thermal cycles according to the invention, said thermal cycles being separated by at least one forming treatment of the alloy obtained with a ferritic ODS structure.
On the one hand, and as previously described, the thermal cycle according to the invention permits growth in the grain size of the alloy. On the other hand, this, at least one thermal cycle, allows one to obtain a ferritic ODS structure which permits, particularly through its ductility, the feasibility of the forming treatment according to the variant of the method of the invention. In effect, this, at least one thermal cycle, for example with an alloy having a composition such as those mentioned above, allows one to obtain a hardness less than or equal to 240.
The forming treatment according to the invention can comprise a forming of the ferritic ODS alloy and possibly a thermal stress relieving treatment of this alloy. The forming of the ferritic ODS alloy can be, for example, drawing, hammering, spinning, rolling and in a general way, any forming process that allows one to form sheet, tubes or other components from this alloy at a temperature ranging, for example up to 800xc2x0 C. This forming can, for example be carried out by drawing or rolling in order to form cladding tubes for nuclear fuel. According to the invention, the manufactured alloy with a ferritic ODS structure is sufficiently ductile to be cold formed.
Hence thanks to the method of this invention, the forming can, for example, be carried out at ambient temperature.
According to the invention, the forming treatment can include additionally a thermal stress relieving treatment of the formed alloy, at a temperature less than AC1.
This thermal stress relieving treatment can be, for example, a classic softening treatment of an alloy. In particular, it allows a release of the residual stresses after forming of the alloy without any change in the structure of it.
The AC1 temperature is the temperature at which austenite begins to be formed during heating. For example, in the case of an alloy composition such as those previously described AC1 is equal to 775xc2x0 C. Also, in this example, the thermal softening treatment can be carried out at a temperature lower than about 775xc2x0 C. for example, at a temperature ranging from about 720 to about 750xc2x0 C.
According to the invention, the thermal stress relieving treatment can be carried out for a period of from about 15 to about 120 minutes, for example, for a period of about 60 minutes.
This intermediate step of forming the ferritic ODS alloy therefore allows one to obtain an alloy, for example formed into a tube or into sheet, having a ferritic structure with a grain size greater than or equal to about 1 xcexcm, for example, about 3 xcexcm, for an alloy composition such as those previously described.
According to the invention, this alloy with a ferritic ODS structure having been subjected to at least one forming process can then be subjected to at least one thermal cycle according to the invention, in order to optimize the grain size of its structure, for example, up to about 10 xcexcm in the previous example.
Advantageously, according to the method of the invention, the, at least one forming treatment of the ferritic ODS alloy obtained can be a thermal cycle comprising a slow rate of cooling, for example, of from about 50 to about 250xc2x0 C. per hour and the, at least one thermal cycle which follows the forming treatment of the alloy can comprise an even slower rate of cooling, for example of from about 20 to about 5xc2x0 C. per hour. Hence the, at least one cycle that precedes the forming of the alloy allows one to rapidly form a ductile ferritic alloy and the, at least one thermal cycle that follows the forming permits optimization of the grain size of the alloy.
According to an embodiment of this first variant of the method of the invention, a martensitic ODS blank having a composition such as those mentioned previously can be subjected, for example, to a first thermal cycle according to the invention with a slow rate of cooling of about 100xc2x0 C. per hour in order to obtain a ductile alloy with a ferritic ODS structure having a mean grain size approximately equal to 3 xcexcm. The ductile alloy can then be formed by one or more forming processes comprising, for example, a cold forming process and a softening treatment typically for one hour at 720-750xc2x0 C. The formed alloy can then be subjected to one or more thermal cycles with a slow cooling rate of about 10xc2x0 C. per hour in order to optimize the grain size of this alloy, for example, with four thermal cycles in this example.
This embodiment example allows one, for example, to manufacture a formed alloy having an optimized ferritic structure with large grains, having a size of about 10 xcexcm.
The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing a martensitic ODS alloy that includes chromium, said method comprising a method of manufacturing an alloy with a ferritic ODS structure according to the invention, followed by a martensitic transformation step and a tempering of the manufactured martensitic ODS alloy, said martensitic transformation step comprising an austenitization of said alloy with a ferritic ODS structure at a temperature greater than or equal to the AC3 point of this alloy in such a way as to obtain an austenite, followed by cooling at a fast rate of cooling greater than or equal to the critical cooling rate for transformation of austenite into martensite, said fast rate of cooling being determined from a phase transformation diagram for this alloy under continuous cooling.
This method according to the invention allows one to obtain, from an alloy having a ferritic ODS structure, such as that previously described, an alloy with a martensitic ODS structure and with large grains. The conversion to a ferritic ODS structure according to the invention permits forming of the alloy even at ambient temperature.
According to the invention, the austenitization of the alloy with a ferritic ODS structure and with large grains at a temperature greater than or equal to the AC3 point can be such as that previously described.
According to the invention, the critical cooling rate for transformation of austenite into martensite can be determined from a TRC diagram such as that previously described. This rate is referred to as being xe2x80x9cfastxe2x80x9d in this description for the reason previously given. This fast rate can be, for example, greater than or equal to about 700xc2x0 C. per hour for a composition such as those previously described.
According to the invention, the tempering can be a usual tempering treatment, for example, tempering carried out at a temperature of about 750xc2x0 C. for about 1 hour. It permits stress relief of the structure.
This method allows one to manufacture a martensitic ODS alloy having an isotropic microstructure and a mean grain size that is sufficient to guarantee a mechanical strength compatible with a use of this alloy at high temperature, for example, greater than 400xc2x0 C., for example between 400 and 700xc2x0 C. and/or under neutron irradiation. This mean grain size is equivalent to that obtained in the ferritic ODS structure by the method of this invention.
Therefore, this method allows one, for example, to manufacture an alloy to be used for components of a nuclear power station subjected to high temperatures and/or neutron radiation, for example, cladding tubes for nuclear fuel. However it is not limited to the manufacture of these components, it also allows one to manufacture in a general way, any component subjected in its use to high mechanical and thermal stresses, for example, turbine blades in the aeronautical industry, components of a thermal power station, items used in the glass and gas industries etc.
The invention also relates to an alloy with a ferritic ODS structure that includes chromium, or a martensitic ODS structure that includes chromium, that can be manufactured by the method of the invention having a mean grain size greater than 1 xcexcm, to such an alloy having a mean grain size greater than 5 xcexcm, and to an alloy having a mean grain size ranging up to about 10 xcexcm or more.
According to the invention, this alloy with a ferritic ODS structure or a martensitic ODS structure can be, for example, chosen from a group comprising an 9 Cr alloy, a 9 Crxe2x80x94Mo alloy, a 9 Crxe2x80x94W alloy or a 9 Crxe2x80x94Moxe2x80x94W alloy. Alloys of the 9 Crxe2x80x94W type are called xe2x80x9clow activity alloysxe2x80x9d since they comprise elements with a short radioactive decay time. These alloys, conforming to this invention are therefore of interest particularly for the manufacture of components used in nuclear power stations.
According to the invention, these alloys can comprise, in addition, for example, at least one element chosen from the group comprising Cr, Mo, W, Ni, Mn, Si, C, O, N, Y and Ti, Ta, V, Nb and Zr. The concentration of each of these elements in the alloy can be that described previously in the method according to the invention.
The alloy according to the invention can therefore, for example, be of use in the manufacture of nuclear fuel cladding, and in a general way components such as those previously described.
The alloys of this invention are notably very strong mechanically and highly resistant chemically at high temperature and/or under neutron irradiation. In addition they have an isotropic structure with large grains and a reduced quantity of chromium.
Other advantages and characteristics of this invention will become apparent on reading the description that follows, given, it is understood for illustrative purposes and being non-limitative, which makes reference to the appended Figures.

Method of manufacturing a ferritic-martensitic, oxide dispersion strengthened alloy


A composition and method for protecting pipeline joints is disclosed. A mold covers the exposed pipeline joint. A reaction composition including a polyol, an isocyanate, and an ester, preferably 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,2-pentanediol diisobutyrate, is added to the mold and allowed to react to form a polymer.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a composition and method for protecting pipeline joints. More particularly, the invention relates to a composition and a method for infilling the space at a welded joint in a coated (ex. concrete, polyethylene, etc.) pipeline between the ends of the coating on sequential joints of pipe.
2. Description of the Related Art
Offshore pipelines larger than about 12 inches in diameter are commonly coated with a thick layer of concrete to weight the pipeline down in the water. Such concrete coatings or weight coatings are applied to individual lengths of the pipe with the coating extending the full length of the pipe except for several inches near each end. Prior to applying the concrete coating, the pipe lengths are usually coated with a material, such as epoxy, to protect the pipe from corrosion. This coating material is also terminated several inches from each end. Successive lengths of pipe are joined together by welding, leaving a gap in the coating material and in the concrete covering at each joint.
It is the usual practice to apply a coating to the pipe in this gap to protect the pipe against corrosion, for example with a hot fusion bonded epoxy and/or a shrink sleeve, and to fill the gap between the ends of the concrete coatings so as to provide a smooth, uninterrupted covering for the pipeline. The pipeline can then move smoothly over the pipeline lay barge or vessel rollers and down the stinger to the sea bed.
The gaps in the pipeline have been filled with various materials by various techniques. One procedure that has been used is to place a metal sleeve or mold over the gap and fill the sleeve with molten mastic which solidifies as it cools. However, in most cases the pipeline must be in a condition for handling immediately after the gaps are filled, so that the laying of the pipeline can proceed without delays. The mastic filling does not set to a sufficiently strong material within the required time to allow further processing of the pipe without additional reinforcement to protect the mastic. Therefore, in conventional filling operations where mastic is used, the sleeve is left in place, so that it remains on the pipe on the ocean floor. This is objectionable, since the sleeve can snag fishnets, and cause other damage to marine operations. Moreover, the filling of the gaps with mastic in this way is highly labor intensive, and therefore expensive.
Another method that has been used to fill the gaps in concrete coated pipeline joints utilizes a fast cure material inside a removable mold which is removed before the pipe is advanced into the water. Various polymer concretes, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,608,280, or polyurethanes have been used in this way. The removable mold surface is coated with a release agent to prevent the fast cure material from sticking to the mold surface. Such a mold release adds expense and processing time, and is inefficient if improperly applied. Furthermore, some of the release material remains on the surface of the fast cure material and enters the water with the pipe as a potential environmental contaminant.
Other techniques replaced the mastic filler with other types of materials. In the methods disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,328,648 and 5,489,405, the exposed portion of pipe was covered with a mold which was then filled with a filler material. The filler materials included granular or particulate matter having between about 1/16 inch to 1 inch diameter such as gravel, iron ore, wood chips, etc. which would not pack solidly or uniformly. Elastomeric polymers were then injected into the mold in an attempt to fill the interstices between the granular fill materials. The preferred polymers included rapid setting solid polyurethanes, as for example those prepared by the reaction of the polyhydroxyl containing compounds and the organic polyisocyanates described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,983,064, 4,154,716, and 4,246,363. After the polymer components had reacted completely the mold would be removed from the surface of the infill. The elastomeric polymers used in this method included a liquid modifer consisting primarily of aromatic hydrocarbons. The use of aromatic hydrocarbons in this application has several disadvantages including air and marine environmental and safety issues.
Another technique, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,909,669, involved wrapping the exposed portions of pipe with a thermoplastic sheet. The sheet overlapped the ends of the weight coat adjacent the exposed joint and was then secured in place by screws, rivets, or straps. To increase the rigidity and impact resistance this joint protection system required the installation of reinforcing members such as plastic bars or tubes to the interior of the sheet. The reinforcement bars or tubes either had to be precut and stored on the barge or else cut to the required fitting form as part of the installation process on the barge. This required additional handling and made the installation process more difficult.
Another method of reinforcing this joint protection system was to fill the lower portion of the annular space between the pipe and the plastic sheet with a material such as pre-formed foam half shell. When foam half shells were used in the lower portion of the annular space to provide support, the upper portion of the joint and the corrosion coating was in effect protected only by the plastic sheet enclosing the upper portion which had no foam covering. This could cause a particular problem if the pipelines were located where they would encounter the drag lines or trawler boards attached to the nets of fishing trawlers. The corrosion coating on the upper portion of the pipe joint could become damaged by this type of towed object. An additional problem with this joint protection system occurred when pipelines were laid in shallow waters, i.e., less than about 200 feet deep. Pipelines in shallow waters were often buried by using high pressure water jets which were directed at the ocean floor where the pipelines were to be buried. The water jets would wash out a trench into which the pipelines would be dropped for burial. The joint protection system could be damaged when the water jets came in contact with the pipeline joint because the plastic sheet over the top of the pipe joint was not reinforced.
Another method for protecting exposed pipeline joint sections, disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,900,195 and 6,402,201, begins by forming a pliable sheet of cover material into a cylinder which is fitted over the exposed portions of the joint connection. The longitudinal end portions of the pliable sheet of cover material overlap the adjacent edges of the weight coating. Side edge portions of the sheet of cover material forming the cylinder are then overlapped tightly such that an annular pocket is formed about the exposed joint section. The outside side edge is then sealed to the surface of the sheet of cover material, completely encasing the exposed pipe and the annular pocket or space. Polyurethane chemicals are then injected into the empty annular space where they react to form a high density foam which fills the annular space. The cover material remains part of the joint fill and is not removed.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


Provided is a ligand capable of stably bonding together interfaces composed of different types of nanoparticles, different bulk interfaces, or an interface composed of nanoparticles and a bulk interface. A tetraphenylporphyrin derivative represented by the following formula (I):

In recent years, research has been actively conducted on the application of nanoparticles, using their properties, to LEDs, photoelectric conversion elements, micro-energy conversion systems, and the like.
Organic ligands protecting nanoparticles are important elements that can control the function, structure, etc., of nanoparticles. If a technology capable of selectively bonding different types of nanointerfaces using ligands is developed, it is considered possible to apply it to various uses, such as single-particle electronics and energy conversion, by functional integration.
Specifically, it is considered that such an organic ligand can be interposed between interfaces of different types of nanoparticles, for example, by applying a solution of the ligand, so that both interfaces are stably bonded together, without being affected by the state of the nanoparticle interface.
However, it was not easy to stably bond interfaces of different types of nanoparticles.

Abstract: wherein in formula (I), R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each independently one substituent selected from the group consisting of the following formulas (II) to (VII); and X and Y are any substituents that are different from each other:


The present disclosure describes techniques concerning a fan assembly. The fan assembly may include a fan, having multiple blades to rotate about an axis, and a housing in which the fan is disposed. Additionally, the fan assembly may include an air inlet formed in a wall of the housing that is transverse to the axis. The air inlet may define an orifice and includes multiple air guides that each extend into the housing from a perimeter of the air inlet.

The present disclosure generally relates to heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) systems and, more particularly, to an air inlet of a blower fan deployed in an HVAC system.
This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present techniques, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.
A heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning (HVAC) system is often deployed in a building to facilitate controlling air conditions, such as temperature and/or humidity, within the building. For example, an HVAC system may include equipment, such as one or more heat exchangers deployed in an HVAC unit, which operates to produce temperature-controlled air. To facilitate supplying the temperature-controlled air to a conditioned space, the HVAC system may include one or more fans assemblies, for example, deployed in the HVAC unit.
Generally, a fan assembly may include a housing and one or more fan blades disposed in the housing. In other words, actuation of the one or more fan blades may draw air into the fan assembly via an air inlet formed in the housing and/or expel air out from the fan assembly via an air outlet formed in the housing. However, at least in some instances, geometry of its air inlet may affect air flow through a fan assembly. In fact, in some instances, the geometry of the air inlet may produce turbulence in air flow through the fan assembly, which increases noise produced by operation of the fan assembly and/or decreases operational efficiency of the fan assembly.

HVAC fan assembly air inlet systems and methods


A novel heat exchanger includes a thermal reservoir and a tube, the tube having straight sections and corrugated bends, and being in thermal contact with the thermal reservoir. The thermal reservoir has a first plate and a second plate fixed to the first plate. The first plate has a channel formed therein with straight sections to receive the straight sections of the tube, and curved sections for receiving the corrugated sections of the tube. The second plate has a channel formed therein as well that is complementary to the channel of the first plate. The heat exchanger is heated by one or more cartridge heaters. In a particular embodiment, two thermal reservoirs are fixed to one another and the cartridge heaters are disposed in channels formed therebetween. Optionally the thermal reservoirs can be heated or cooled by thermoelectric chips, and can include one or more heat sinks.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to heat exchanger devices, and more particularly to a compact heat exchanger with corrugated polymeric tubing for use with high purity and/or corrosive fluids.
2. Description of the Background Art
Many industries require the use of heat exchangers to regulate the temperature of high purity and/or corrosive fluids. For example, microchip fabrication within the semiconductor industry requires heating and temperature regulation of the etching solutions used to etch silicon wafers and microcircuit lines. Because both the process temperatures and the heat capacities of the etching fluids are relatively high, a rather large amount of heat is required to raise and maintain the temperatures of the etchants.
Additionally, etching fluids must be free of foreign particles in order to avoid the contamination and destruction of microcircuits formed in the silicon wafers. Therefore, because etching chemicals, such as hydrofluoric acid, are harsh and corrosive, the etching fluid must not come in contact with any portion of the heat exchanger which could corrode and/or dissolve, thereby introducing contaminants into the etchant.
Attempts have been made to overcome these limitations. For example, thermally conductive oil or grease is often placed between the tube and heat exchanger. Additionally, coiled inserts are sometimes placed within the tube (see e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,899,077 to Wright, et al.). While the turbulence caused by the inserts facilitates increased thermal transfer between the heat exchanger and the fluid, the inserts also cause "dead zones" within the fluid flow, increasing the potential for particle build-up and contamination of the etching fluid.
In addition, it is also hard to form tight bends in known tubing materials. This creates several problems when designing and manufacturing heat exchangers, wherein tubing typically includes multiple bends. First, known inert tubing is easily kinked, and cannot therefore be bent into small diameter bends. Rather, such tubing requires a large bend radius, and is therefore often bent outside of the heat exchanger, thereby reducing the heating efficiency of the heat exchanger. Further, as the wall thickness of the tubing decreases, the required bend radius increases. Alternately, if the tubing is entirely retained within the heat exchanger, a complex curved channel with large bend radii must be machined into the heat exchanger plating. In either situation, because of the large bend radii of plastic tubing, less tubing can be used per unit surface area of the heat exchanger, thereby reducing the thermal efficiency of the heat exchanger.
What is needed, therefore, is a heat exchanger that utilizes tubing that can withstand high working temperatures without rupturing or becoming diffusive. What is also needed is a heat exchanger that improves thermal conductivity between the tube and the heat exchanger, while remaining compact, highly expandable, inexpensive to produce, and easy to maintain.

Heat exchanger for high purity fluid handling systems


A rotor disk for a turbomachine, the disk carrying blades whose roots are retained in a peripheral groove of the disk, the groove including a window for inserting blade roots and a locking member that is a single elastically deformable piece and dimensioned to be received and retained in a notch of the groove while in its free state, and to be capable of being displaced to slide inside the groove while in a stressed and elastically deformed state.

The blade roots are inserted into the disk groove via a window formed in said groove, and they are held radially and axially relative to the axis of the turbomachine by having co-operating shapes, the groove having a cross-section that is of dovetail-shape, or the like, for example.
In order to prevent the blade roots from sliding freely in the groove of the disk and escaping therefrom through the above-mentioned window, a locking member is inserted through said window into the groove in the disk for the purpose of being displaced within the groove by sliding until it reaches a retaining notch formed in the groove.
Document FR-A-2 810 366 discloses locking members each comprising a radial screw with a head disposed between two blade roots and bearing against the bottom of the groove. Tightening the screw enables the locking member to be displaced radially outwards and enables it to be held in place in the above-mentioned notch in the groove so as to lock the blades in the groove in the disk.
The blade roots are generally mounted with a certain amount of clearance in the peripheral groove of the disk. When the turbomachine is in operation, the blades are subjected to high levels of centrifugal force and to vibration that can lead to the screws of the locking member loosening or jamming.
One solution to that problem consists in deforming the portion of the locking member that receives the screw so as to prevent it from turning. Nevertheless, such deformation by compression is difficult or impossible to achieve when the pitch between the blades is small and hinders or prevents a compression tool being put into place.
It has also been found that such jamming of the screws makes it impossible to disassemble the locking members, thereby making it necessary to destroy them with a drill, and that runs the risk of damaging the rotor disk.
Documents FR-A-2 616 480 and FR-A-1 541 373 also disclose devices for locking the roots of blades, which devices are elastically deformable U- or Ω-shaped parts with their openings directed towards the opening in the groove, and these members have their free ends moved towards each other by means of a suitable tool for the purpose of clamping these parts onto themselves and causing them to slide along the groove into predetermined locking positions. It is not always easy to get hold of the ends of these parts and to clamp them together by means of the tool so as to enable the parts to be slid along the groove into their locking zones, and as a general rule, it is even more difficult to move them in the opposite direction for the purpose of unlocking the blade roots and disassembling the blades.


A single wavelength bidirectional communication link. The bidirectional communication link (100) includes an optical fiber (160) having a first and a second end. The present invention includes a first arrangement (260) for launching a first optical carrier of a first wavelength onto the optical fiber (160) at the first end thereof. Additionally, the first launching arrangement (260) impresses a first modulating signal having a frequency confined to a first frequency spectrum upon the first carrier. The inventive communication link (100) further includes a second arrangement (270) for launching a second optical carrier of the first wavelength onto the optical fiber (160) at the second end thereof. The second launching arrangement (270) also impresses a second modulating signal having a frequency confined to a second frequency spectrum not overlapping the first spectrum upon the second carrier. In addition, the present invention includes a first receiver (540), coupled to the second end of the optical fiber (160), for extracting the first modulating signal from the first optical carrier. A second receiver (480), coupled to the first end of the optical fiber (160), extracts the second modulating signal from the second optical carrier.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to fiber-optic communication systems. More specifically, this invention relates to bidirectional signal transmission within such communication systems.
While the present invention is described herein with reference to a particular embodiment, it is understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional embodiments within the scope thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
In certain remote-guidance systems communication with a guided vehicle is facilitated by an optical fiber linking the vehicle with a control station. The optical fiber is typically wound around a bobbin, or secured by other means capable of dispensing the fiber as the vehicle travels downrange. An optical carrier of a first wavelength is used to transport commands from the control station to the vehicle, while data from the vehicle is impressed upon an optical carrier of a second wavelength and carried by the fiber to the control station. Hence, bidirectional communication is effectuated in conventional fiber-optic systems by using optical energy at a pair of wavelengths to carry information in opposing directions.
Unfortunately, signal loss induced by the connecting fiber is typically minimized only at relatively long optical wavelengths. Since the optical carriers propagating in opposite directions along the link must generally be separated by a sufficient wavelength spacing to prevent channel cross-talk, the wavelength of both carriers may not be chosen to be near those of minimal signal loss. Accordingly, the signal transmission range of conventional dual-wavelength bidirectional optical fiber communication links is less than would be possible for a fiber link operative exclusively at a single wavelength of minimal signal loss.
Fiber-induced signal loss generally necessitates intermediate amplification in long range systems. However, in the conventional dual wavelength systems described above the transmitted light energy may not be directly amplified. This limitation arises because optical amplifiers are tuned to a single optical wavelength in order to provide maximum amplification. Accordingly, complex and expensive optical repeaters are used in lieu of optical amplifiers in conventional fiber-optic communication links. Optical repeaters operate by first converting the signals carried by the light energy back to the electrical domain. Next, these extricated electrical signals are superimposed upon a separately generated optical carrier. In addition, optical repeaters complicate system design as they often need to be included at multiple locations in very long-range fiber-optic links.
It follows that a need in the art exists for a long-range fiber-optic communication link which is operative at an optical carrier wavelength of minimal loss, and which maintains signal intensity through direct optical amplification rather than through the utilization of repeaters.

Single wavelength bidirectional optical fiber communication link


A wheeled vehicle including a chassis; an axle coupled to the chassis to oscillate about a longitudinal axis parallel to a direction of advance of the vehicle; a pair of cylinders disposed between the axle and the chassis for blocking oscillation of the axle; and a fixing assembly for fixing the cylinders to the chassis, the fixing assembly comprising a plate, a plurality of connection screws extending through the plate, at least one annular rest portion affixed in cantilever fashion to one of the chassis and the plate, the annular rest portion surrounding a corresponding one of the plurality of connection screws and defining a shoulder that supports the plate in a radial direction with respect to the axis of the connection screw.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wheeled vehicle, in particular to an earth-moving vehicle or an excavating vehicle, which is provided with a chassis, an axle that oscillates with respect to the chassis about a longitudinal axis, and a pair of hydraulic cylinders controlled for blocking oscillation of the axle in some operating conditions of the vehicle.
2. Description of the Background of the Invention
In known vehicles of the type just described, the two cylinders are coupled to the chassis on side parts set opposite to one another with respect to the longitudinal axis, extend in a direction transverse to the axle, and comprise respective liners, each of which is connected to the chassis by means of a corresponding fixing device.
This fixing device comprises a plate welded to the liner of the cylinder and set resting on a side surface of the chassis and a plurality of screws, each of which extends through the plate and is screwed into the chassis.
In use, the axle exerts on the cylinders a vertical thrust load that is transferred from the plate to the chassis. In optimal conditions, the pull with which the screws are screwed is such that the thrust load is transferred onto the chassis exclusively through the friction present between the side surfaces of the plate and the chassis, which are coupled together by resting against one another, without exerting shear stress on the screws.
When instead the pull with which the screws are screwed slackens off with passage of time and use of the vehicle, the plate tends to transfer the aforesaid thrust load, no longer directly onto the chassis, but onto the side surface of the screws, thus subjecting the screws themselves to shear stresses, which reduce the life of the screws.
The purpose of the preferred embodiment is to provide a wheeled vehicle equipped with a chassis, an axle that oscillates with respect to the chassis, and a pair of cylinders for blocking the axle, which will enable the problem set forth above to be solved in a simple and economically advantageous way.
According to the present invention, a wheeled vehicle includes a chassis; an axle coupled to the chassis to oscillate about a longitudinal axis parallel to a direction of advance of the vehicle; a pair of cylinders disposed between the axle and the chassis for blocking oscillation of the axle; and a fixing assembly for fixing the cylinders to the chassis, the fixing assembly comprising a plate, a plurality of connection screws extending through the plate, at least one annular rest portion affixed in cantilever fashion to one of the chassis and the plate, the annular rest portion surrounding a corresponding one of the plurality of connection screws and defining a shoulder that supports the plate in a radial direction with respect to the axis of the connection screw.
Preferably, the annular rest portion defines a cylindrical shoulder, which is coaxial to the connection screw, forms part of a bushing fixedly connected to the chassis, and engages a cylindrical seat made in the plate and having a diameter rounding off upwards that of the cylindrical shoulder.

Wheeled vehicle provided with an oscillating axle and a pair of cylinders for blocking the axle


An electronic system includes a first wireless transceiving module having a device identification code and a portable device. The portable device may include a second wireless transceiving module, and a processor. The second wireless transceiving module obtains the device identification code from the first wireless transceiving module. When the second wireless transceiving module obtains the device identification code from the first wireless transceiving module, the processor checks whether the device identification code matches to a pre-built identification code; and when the device identification code matches to the pre-built identification code, the portable device automatically determines a position of the portable device, and displays a map related to the position of the portable device in a display.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to an electronic system and a related controlling method, and more particularly, to an electronic system and a related controlling method for automatically executing a corresponding pre-assigned instruction (such as, automatically disabling a SMS program) when a searched device identification code matches to its pre-built identification code(s).
2. Background
In the modern information society with flourishing wireless communications, a portable device, such as a cell phone, has become one of the most common communication tools. The cell phone allows users to perform wireless communications anytime and anywhere, and thereby to perform voice communications conveniently.
Since the cell phone brings more convenience to users, the users become too depend upon the cell phone. However, this may result in some problems with the users under some conditions. As an illustration, the users may launch a SMS program for texting on the cell phone while they are driving, which is very dangerous and may cause accidents. As another illustration, when the users enter a cinema, a sudden large ring volume may bother the users and other people if an incoming call is received by the cell phone at this time.
Therefore, how to improve convenience of the portable device, and increase more additional features to the portable device become important topics in this field.

Electronic system and controlling method thereof


Methods and apparatus for training neural networks to identify information table partitions are described. Also described are methods and apparatus of using a trained neural network to process an image and provide partition information in an easy to use format. The format of the partition information is one which is simple to interpret, easy to communicate and uses values which facilitate successful training and recognition of partitions in tables whether the partitions be implicitly defined by data arrangement or explicitly define using lines. An image is treated as including a predetermined number of row and column portions. The neural network generates for each predetermined portion a partition present indicator value and a partition location value. The partition present value in some embodiments is a value in the range of 0 to 1 and the partition location value in some embodiments is a value in the range of −1 to +1.

Many forms include information in a table structure. The table structure may be explicitly defined using lines or implicitly defined based on the spacing of locations where information is placed in the table structure. A location in a table where information is placed is often called a cell or an information cell.
It is often desirable to be able to extract information from an image of a form and use the information for a variety of purposes.
While optical character recognition may be and often is used to identify words and/or numeric values the meaning of such information often depends on which cell of a form the information was obtained from. To be able to understand and use extracted information it is often desirable to know which cell of a form the information was extracted from.
From the above it should be appreciated that it is desirable to be able to identify partitions of tables in images to facilitate information extraction and use.
Unfortunately in many cases while it may be know that an image includes a table from which information is to be extracted, the format of the table and location of table partitions in an image to be processed is often unknown at the time image is presented for processing, e.g., after capture or scanning of a form or other document. Such tables may be, and sometimes are, referred to as semi-structured since while they have some table structure the exact structure may not be known at the time the image including the table is to be processed. Thus, while it might be known an image includes a table, the table may have no predefined structure, aside from the fact that it is grid-based.
The problem of identifying the structure and placement of partitions in a table in an image is often complicated by the fact that while some tables have lines that partition the space into cells, many are implied by the distribution of where content in the table is placed, alignment, etc. without explicit dividing lines.
In view of the above it should be appreciated that for many applications relating to tables, there is a need for a method to automatically determine where the row and/or column partitions are located in a table included in an image being processed. It would be desirable if methods and/or apparatus could be developed which would be capable of identifying table partitions without prior knowledge of the particular table being processed. Furthermore, it would be desirable if the method could work with tables of various sizes.

Methods and apparatus for detecting partitions in tables and using partition information


Disclosed is a semi-hardened pressure sensitive adhesive film to be used in the semi-hardened state and having excellent printing step absorption properties. The adhesive film according to the present invention contains a radial polymer composition and a cationic polymer composition, and the radial polymer composition is primarily cross-linked to maintain the semi-hardened state. When applied onto a substrate through a printing step, the present invention has excellent step absorption properties and adhesion properties and excellent durability even under high-temperature and high-humidity conditions.

A terminal including a touch panel or a touchscreen has a structure, in which a film prepared by forming a conductive thin film, such as indium tin oxide (ITO) and the like, on one surface of a transparent conductive plastic film, such as a polyethylene terephthalate film, used as a substrate is stacked on a conductive glass sheet, a reinforcing material, a decorative film or the like via an adhesive film, to achieve light weight and breakage prevention.
Techniques related to pressure-sensitive adhesive films are disclosed in various documents including Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2001-0016674. In particular, the adhesive film used in attachment of the transparent conductive film requires properties such as step absorption for absorbing print steps due to a decorative film, durability for suppressing curling, bubbling or the like upon exposure to severe conditions such as high temperature or high humidity, cuttability for suppressing protrusions or indentations upon cutting, excellent adhesion to various substrates, and the like, and also requires various other properties such as optical properties, workability, bending resistance and the like.
Currently, an adhesive film used in an optical member such as a touch panel is used in film form prepared by curing a composition including an acrylic polymer resin and the like. The adhesive film is applied to a substrate having print steps, and the like. Here, if the adhesive film does not exhibit sufficient step absorption for absorbing the print steps, it is difficult for the adhesive film to exhibit sufficient adhesion capability, thereby causing a problem in product durability.
Existing adhesive films are applied after an acrylic resin and the like are completely cured, and thus have a problem of insufficient step absorption.

Semi-hardened pressure-sensitive adhesive film


A communication semiconductor integrated circuit device is capable of transmission in two or more different modulation modes and outputting transmission signals with less distortion. The communication semiconductor integrated circuit device comprises a gain variable amplification circuit which amplifies I-signals and Q-signals; and a mixer circuit which synthesizes the amplified I-signals and Q-signals and local oscillation signals to carry out modulation and frequency conversion. The communication semiconductor integrated circuit device is capable of transmission in two or more different modulation methods, for example, in GSM mode and EDGE mode. A low-pass filter of second or higher order is placed between the gain variable amplification circuit and the mixer circuit.

The present invention relates to a technology which is effectively applied to a transmitter circuit in a communication semiconductor integrated circuit device constituting a wireless communication system and further a transmitter circuit of such a modulation method that phase modulation and amplitude modulation are carried out. More particularly, the present invention relates to a technology effectively utilized in a transmitter circuit of direct up conversion type wherein a modulator which carries out modulation into an oscillation signal (carrier wave) on a predetermined frequency by I-signal and Q-signal carries out direct conversion into transmission frequency.
Conventionally, various cellular phones have been proposed. One example is a dual band cellular phone capable of handling signals in two frequency bands, for example, GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) signals in the 900-MHz band and DCS (Digital Cellular System) signals in the 1800-MHz band. Recently, demand has grown for a triple band cellular phone capable of handling, for example, PCS (Personal Communication System) signals in the 1900-MHz band in addition to the GSM and DCS signals. For high frequency ICs used in a cellular phone supporting a plurality of bands, sharing of VCO is effective in terms of reduction of a number of parts.
The conventional GSM, DCS, and PCS use a phase modulation method designated as GMSK (Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying) wherein only the phase of carrier waves is shifted according to transmission data. As a one-chip high frequency IC which supports only GSMK modulation and is capable of transmitting triple band signals, one based on a method designated as offset PLL has been already brought into practical use.
The offset PLL transmitter circuit modulates an I-signal and a Q-signal by an oscillation signal on an intermediate frequency (fIF). Thereafter, the offset PLL transmitter circuit supplies an oscillation signal on a higher frequency (fRF) than that of the carrier wave and an oscillation signal (fTX) for transmission outputted from a transmission oscillation circuit (TXVCO). The transmitter circuit supplies these oscillation signals to a mixer designated as offset mixer, and causes the mixer to output a signal corresponding to the difference (fRF−fTX) in frequency between the two signals. Then, the oscillating operation of the TXVCO is feedback-controlled so that the frequency of this differential signal is matched with the frequency of the modulating signal. In this method, both transmission signals in the 900-MHz band and transmission signals in the 1800-MHz band can be coped with by one RFVCO by varying the frequency dividing ratio of the RF signal supplied from the mixer. Therefore, the method is excellent in terms of reduction of a number of parts.
For recent cellular phones, the EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution) method has been proposed. In the EDGE method, communication of audio signals is carried out by GMSK modulation, and data communication is carried out by 3π/8 rotating 8-PSK (Phase Shift Keying) modulation. The 8-PSK modulation is modulation wherein amplitude shift is added to phase shift of carrier waves in the GMSK modulation. While information of one bit is sent per symbol in the GMSK modulation, information of three bits can be sent per symbol in the 8-PSK modulation. For this reason, the EDGE method can carry out communication at a higher transmission rate than the GSM method.
However, in the offset PLL transmitter circuit, when the control terminal of TXVCO is supplied with a feedback signal, the oscillation frequency is changed but the oscillation amplitude is constant. Therefore, though the offset PLL method is suitable for a transmitter circuit supporting GSM which carries out only phase modulation (GMSK modulation) it cannot be applied to a transmitter circuit supporting EDGE involving amplitude modulation.
One of methods for implementing a modulation method wherein both the phase component and the amplitude component of a transmission signal are made to bear information is polar loop. The polar loop method is such that: a signal to be transmitted is separated into a signal containing a phase component and a signal containing an amplitude component. Thereafter, they are controlled by feedback by phase control loop and amplitude control loop, respectively, and then synthesized in an amplifier and outputted. However, the polar loop transmitter circuit has a problem. Since the transmitter circuit is provided with two control loops, phase loop and amplitude loop, its control system is complicated. This makes it difficult to reduce the size of a high frequency IC chip and its cost.
Other methods for implementation include two-step up conversion and direct up conversion. In the two-step up conversion, an I-signal and a Q-signal are modulated by a signal on an intermediate frequency (IF), and then converted into transmission frequency. In the direct up conversion, an I-signal and a Q-signal are directly modulated by a signal on a transmission frequency. The inventions related to such methods are disclosed in, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2.
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-013246
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-094331

communication semiconductor integrated circuit device and wireless communication system


A method for generating foam for gypsum product manufacturing includes injecting water through a conduit and injecting a foaming agent through the conduit to form a first solution comprising the water and the foaming agent. The method includes straining the first solution in the conduit and injecting air through the conduit to form a second solution comprising the water, the foaming agent and the air. The method also includes straining the second solution in the conduit to form foam and communicating the foam to a gypsum product manufacturing device.

Gypsum is used to manufacture various products such as drywall utilized in building construction. In the manufacture of many gypsum products, foam is introduced into a gypsum solution or mixture. The bubbles generated by the foam help to reduce the weight of the product so that shipping and handling of the product is easier and less costly. In the manufacturing process, the foam may be significantly agitated during foam generation which may lead to a breakdown of the foam.

Method and system for generating foam for the manufacture of gypsum products


A mobile terminal is presented. The mobile terminal includes a display module, a short-range communication module configured to perform short-range communication, and a controller configured to search for at least one device available for short-range communication via the short-range communication module, acquire location information of the at least one searched other electronic device, and display the at least one searched electronic device reflecting the acquired location information on the display module.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic device and a control method thereof. More specifically, an electronic device capable of displaying other electronic devices available for short-range communication on its display module by using location information of the other electronic devices acquired through short-range communication, thus improving user convenience when a user desires to perform communication with the other electronic devices.
Discussion of the Related Art
Generally, terminals can be classified into mobile/portable terminals and stationary terminals. The mobile terminals can be further classified into handheld terminals and vehicle mounted terminals according to how a user transports the terminal.
As functions of the terminal are diversified, the terminal is implemented as a multimedia player provided with composite functions such as photography of still or moving pictures, playback of music or moving picture files, game play, broadcast reception and the like, for example.
To support and increase the terminal functions, the improvement of structural parts and/or software parts of the terminal may be considered.

Electronic device and control method thereof


A laser diode device capable of obtaining high light efficiency and improving output by using an AlGaInN compound semiconductor as a material is provided. The laser diode device includes semiconductor layer which has an active layer and is made of a nitride Group III-V compound semiconductor containing at least one of aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga), and indium (In) among Group 3B elements and nitrogen (N) among Group 5B elements. The active layer has a strip-shaped light emitting region whose width W is from 5 μm to 30 μm, length L is from 300 μm to 800 μm, and output of laser light from the active layer is 200 mW or more.

The present invention relates to a laser diode device which includes semiconductor layers made of a nitride Group III-V compound semiconductor containing at least one of aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga), and indium (In) among Group 3B elements and nitrogen (N) among Group 5B elements (hereinafter referred to as "AlGaInN compound semiconductor"), and is capable of providing high output of 200 mW or more in the blue wavelength region.
It is considered that an AlGaInN compound semiconductor is the almost only material capable of providing emission in the range from 350 nm to 600 nm, and capable of realizing a high quality laser diode particularly in the blue wavelength range (from 400 nm to 500 nm). A narrow-stripe type high density optical disc laser realizing single transverse mode by using the AlGaInN material has been already in practical use, and has shown high reliability (for example, refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-299765).
However, when attempt is made to realize a so-called broad area type laser in which the width of the light emitting region is widened in order to obtain higher output by the AlGaInN material, the guideline that the width of the light emitting region shall be more widened and the resonator length shall be lengthened for obtaining high output, which is effective when using the traditional AlGaAs material and the traditional AlGaInP material, is not effective. For example, in order to put a laser diode with 1 watt level to practical use, a structure in which the width of the light emitting region is about 50 μm and the resonator length is about 1000 μm is often utilized. However, when such a structure is applied to the AlGaInN material, the characteristics are significantly deteriorated, and it is difficult to obtain desired high output.
Therefore, in the past, a method to obtain high output by arraying a plurality of lasers with relatively narrowed width of the light emitting region has been used. Though the method is effective, there is a disadvantage that the method is not readily utilized because of complication of manufacturing steps, lowering of process yield, necessity of precise alignment with a micro lens array or the like in mounting and the like.
Blue laser diodes with high output are highly promising in the field such as microfabrication, display, and health care. Realization of high output blue lasers as stable as traditional infra-red laser diodes or red laser diodes has been strongly aspired. However, in the past, no effective guideline for obtaining blue laser diodes with high output, that is, blue laser diodes with broad area has been established.


Three-dimensional objects are produced from a deformable material received substantially continuously in the direction of production and the objects are produced by a deforming process substantially in the direction of production. Rotatable devices are arranged to deform a respective section of the deformable material with at least one of the rotatable devices being shaped so as to vary the extent of deformation applied to the deformable material periodically as a deformable material passes through in the direction of production.

The present invention relates to producing three-dimensional objects from deformable material.
Techniques for producing three-dimensional objects from deformable material are known. Moulding processes are known in which deformable material in liquid form is applied to a mould and allowed to set. The object must then be removed from the mould for subsequent processing to be performed. Consequently, moulding of this type is essentially a batch process requiring a finite time for the operations to be completed. Moulding tends to be performed as a separate process with moulded objects being held temporarily in storage or transported from one location to another.
An alternative technique for producing three-dimensional objects is extrusion. Extrusion allows objects to be produced in a substantially continuous manner and facilitates the production of objects at locations where they are required. However, a problem with known extrusion techniques is that the extent to which shapes may be changed is somewhat limited, given that the extrusion process produces three-dimensional objects of constant cross section.

Producing three-dimensional objects from deformable material


An improved locking clamp device having independently extendable jaws and interchangeable quick release clamping members, said clamping members configured in unlimited variations of shape, texture, and hardness and optionally being moveable relative to the jaws of the device. The improvements allow increased flexibility of the device over traditionally configured locking clamps with regard to use of the device with difficult work pieces and environments. The interchangeable clamping members allow a single device to be used for multiple applications, thereby making the invention a low cost and convenient alternative to multiple special purpose tools, as well as permitting quick and inexpensive replacement of wear elements.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates generally to the field of hand tools. More specifically, the invention is directed to an improved locking clamp device suitable for use with difficult work pieces and environments.
2. Description of Prior Art
Locking clamps are well-known in the art. Vise-Grip™ brand locking pliers are an example. Such clamps include a handle mechanism, a clamping mechanism manipulated by the handle mechanism, and a locking mechanism suitable for retaining the clamping mechanism in a fixed position relative to a work piece. There many different known methods for implementing these basic structures, for which myriad patents have been issued. The great majority of these prior patents involve various improvements or modifications to the locking mechanisms. See Kramer, U.S. Pat. No. 6,601,479 (Aug. 5, 2003), SELF ADJUSTING LOCKING PLIERS, disclosing one-handed locking pliers; Wrigley, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,199,458 (Mar. 13, 2001), LOCKING PLIERS, disclosing locking pliers with internal springs to provide tension and a thumb catch for locking/unlocking the tool. Other patents disclose mechanisms for adjusting the angle of the jaws of the clamping mechanisms to accommodate different sizes of work pieces to be gripped. See Whiteford, U.S. Pat. No. 6,408,724 (Jun. 25, 2002), SELF ADJUSTING PLIER-LIKE LOCKING TOOL, disclosing locking tool adjustable to different sized work pieces. Other patents involve tools having jaws which move in relation to the handle mechanisms. See Troudt, U.S. Pat. No. 6,708,966 (Mar. 23, 2004), ADJUSTABLE C-CLAMP, disclosing clamping mechanism with telescoping functionality to widen the distance between the jaws; Chou, U.S. Patent Application No. 2003/0015072 (Jan. 23, 2003), VARIABLE PIVOT LOCKING PLIERS, disclosing locking pliers having parallel jaws; Chou, U.S. Patent Application No. 2002/0157507 (Oct. 31, 2002), AUTOMATIC AND VARIABLE GRIP LOCKING PLIERS, disclosing locking pliers that will automatically reset the jaws to accommodate different sized work pieces; Galea, U.S. Pat. No. 5,992,273 (Nov. 30, 1999), ADJUSTABLE LOCKING PLIERS, disclosing a tool with pivotally mounted jaws which move relative to the handle.
Other patents are closer in concept to the present invention, though remain distinguishable. Stahle, U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,597 (Oct. 30, 2001), for LOCKING DEVICE FOR A HAND TOOL, discloses a locking clamp having interchangeable clamping surfaces in the form of collet jaws. These are described as having a rib which fits into a channel formed into the end of the jaw of the clamp; the various collet jaws may be slid into and out of the channel to quickly change the function of the clamp. The collect jaws may also pivot. This differs from the present invention in that the collet jaws are not variously shaped or contoured to accommodate different work piece surfaces, they cannot be rotated relative to the jaws, and they cannot be used to simulate spot welding marks. Moreover, Stahle does not disclose extendable jaws. Bogert, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,896,661 (Jan. 30, 1990), for MULTI PURPOSE ORTHOPEDIC RATCHETING FORCEPS, discloses locking surgical forceps having readily interchangeable tips, said tips able to be rotated along the axis of the arm. However, the clamping tips cannot pivot and are not resilient or contoured, and the jaws are not extendable. Hopper, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,860,179 (Mar. 1, 2005), for CLAMP DEVICE, discloses clamping surfaces which may be removed from the jaws. These removable clamping surfaces are designed as wear items and are not intended to be interchanged with different clamping surfaces during use to accommodate different work pieces. Hopper, et al., does not teach the use of differently shaped clamping surfaces, variable materials for clamping surfaces, or the concept of positional clamping surfaces. Reiter, U.S. Pat. No. 3,779,108 (Dec. 18, 1973), for CLAMP, discloses a variation of a spring clamp, with gripping surfaces pivoting in one dimension and with the arms of the jaws themselves rotating. The Reiter clamp also discloses resilient pads covering the clamping surfaces. These are not interchangeable, however, nor are the clamping surfaces of diverse shapes. Finally, the Reiter clamp discloses extendable arms, but the extension is lateral, perpendicular to the handles, thereby only providing for a wider grip, and not for extending axially from the handles. Barbosa, U.S. Pat. No. 6,290,219 (Sep. 18, 2001), C-CLAMP PLIER WITH SUPPORT EXTENSION ARM, discloses an extendable arm attachment to be used in combination with a clamp. It is distinct from the telescoping extendable jaws concept of the present invention in that it has an independent extension arm to be placed on an existing jaw of the clamp, plus a counter-pressure point below the jaw.
Other patents disclose individual concepts similar to the present invention, but represent inferior solutions. Swanstrom, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 6,748,830 (Jun. 15, 2004), for THREADED GRIPPING BAR PLIERS INSERT, discloses replaceable clamping surfaces. However, these clamping surfaces are replaced only as wear items, are fixed when in use, and are not intended for quick release or interchangeability during use. Domenge, U.S. Pat. No. 6,401,578 (Jun. 11, 2002) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,389,936 (May 21, 2002), for HAND TOOL HAVING PIVOTING HANDLES, disclose pliers with pivoting contact elements on the jaws. These are fixed onto the jaws, and designed to grip only six-sided fasteners. Tally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,134,993 (Oct. 24, 2000), for PLIERS WITH ADJUSTABLE JAWS, discloses pliers with jaws that may be oriented in various positions relative to the handles. This patent discloses soft clamping surfaces, though these are in fact simply vinyl jaw covers placed over the gripping surfaces to protect the work piece. They are not designed to be readily interchanged for use with different types of work pieces. Wolff, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,210 (Aug. 11, 1998), for SPRING-TENSIONING PLIERS, discloses pivoting clamping surfaces, similar to the pivoting clamping surfaces disclosed in Reiter. However, the clamping surfaces are not interchangeable and pivot in one dimension only. Shin, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,133,519 (Jan. 9, 1979), for VISE WITH SELECTABLE JAW FACES, discloses the use of interchangeable clamping surfaces to be used with different types of work pieces. However, the mechanism for changing the clamping surfaces is a disk which is rotated to position the desired clamping surface for use. This is limited to just a few different clamping surfaces. Moreover, the mechanism is not suitable for use in a hand tool.
None of the disclosed prior art offers all of the functionality disclosed in the present invention. Moreover, the implementation of similar individual concepts in earlier patents differs significantly with the implementation of the present invention. Thus none of the disclosed prior art anticipates the present invention.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a useful, improved locking clamp device with independently extendable jaws to provide for improved access to difficultly situated work pieces and for offset clamping.
It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a useful, improved locking clamp device with quick release interchangeable clamping members.
It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a useful, improved locking clamp device with clamping members moveable relative to the jaws to better accommodate work pieces.
It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a useful, improved locking clamp device with variously shaped clamping members suitable for use with difficultly situated work pieces.
It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a useful, improved locking clamp device suitable for creating simulated spot welds in metal work pieces.
Other objectives of the present invention will be readily apparent from the descriptions that follows.


Method and apparatus for producing mixtures containing bitumen, in which the material to be treated is conveyed by the force of gravity through a slit-type space between two vertically arranged heated surfaces.

In the known method, the materials to be treated are fed through a slit-type space which is bounded by the interior surface of a cylindrical external jacket and the exterior surface of a rotor rotating concentrically inside the jacket, the common axis of the jacket and the rotor extending horizontally. The rotor is caused to rotate in order to convey the material to be treated through the relatively narrow slit-type gap, ribs or upright studs or pins extending along a helix also preferably being provided on the exterior surface of the rotor.
The disadvantage of the known method is, firstly, that it is not possible or very difficult to ensure that the slit-type gap is always completely filled with the material to be treated, and secondly the conveyance through the slit-type gap proceeds very laboriously, as a result of which the efficiency of the method leaves something to be desired.
The object of the invention is to provide an improved method.

Method and apparatus for producing bituminous mixtures