A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a first P-channel MOS transistor and a second P-channel MOS transistor. The drain of the first P-channel MOS transistor is connected to the gate of the second P-channel MOS transistor. The second P-channel MOS transistor has a threshold voltage (a gate potential with respect to a source potential) greater than that of the first P-channel MOS transistor.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to semiconductor integrated circuits, and more particularly to a semiconductor integrated circuit including P-channel MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) transistors having different threshold voltages.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
Recently, there has been considerable activity in the development of methods of reducing the feature size of an LSI pattern. Normally, the breakdown voltages of elements of the LSI circuit decrease as the feature size diminishes. From this point of view, use of a power supply voltage lower than a normal (external) power supply voltage has been proposed. Such a power supply voltage is called a dropped power supply voltage.
FIG.1 is a circuit diagram of a conventional semiconductor integrated circuit in which a normal power supply voltage V.sub.CC and a dropped power supply voltage V.sub.RC are used. The circuit shown in FIG.1 is composed of CMOS inverters 10 and 11, which are cascaded. The CMOS inverter 10 is, for example, an input circuit, and CMOS inverter 11 is, for example, a first stage of an internal circuit. The CMOS inverter 10 is composed of a P-channel MOS (PMOS) transistor 13 and an N-channel MOS (NMOS) transistor 14. The CMOS inverter 11 is composed of a PMOS transistor 15 and an NMOS transistor 16.
The normal power supply voltage V.sub.CC, which is generated by an external power source and equal to, for example, 5 V, is applied to the source of the PMOS transistor 13. The source of the NMOS transistor 14 is grounded (zero volt; GND). Hereinafter, the CMOS inverter 10 is referred to as a V.sub.CC system gate circuit 10. The dropped power supply voltage V.sub.RC, which is generated by an internal power supply circuit on the chip and equal to, for example, 4 V, is applied to the source of the PMOS transistor 15. The source of the NMOS transistor 16 is grounded. Hereinafter, the CMOS inverter 11 is referred to as a V.sub.RC system gate circuit 11.
An input signal, which is input to the potential V.sub.CC system gate circuit 10, has a high logic level (a binary numeral) approximately equal to the potential V.sub.CC (5 V) and a low logic level (a binary numeral) approximately equal to the ground potential GND (OV). When the input signal has the high logic level, the NMOS transistor 14 is ON and thus the V.sub.CC system gate circuit 10 outputs the low logic level to the V.sub.RC system gate circuit 11. A potential at which the PMOS transistor 13 turns ON from OFF is equal to a potential obtained by adding a threshold voltage V.sub.TH13 of the PMOS transistor 15 approximately equal to -0.6 V to the potential V.sub.CC.
The input signal of the V.sub.RC system gate circuit 11 (which corresponds to the output signal of the V.sub.CC system gate circuit) has a high logic level approximately equal to the potential V.sub.CC and a low logic level approximately equal to the ground potential GND. When the input signal of the V.sub.RC system gate circuit 11 has the high logic level, the NMOS transistor 16 is ON, and thus the V.sub.RC system gate circuit 11 generates the low logic level approximately equal to the ground potential GND. When the input signal of the V.sub.RC system gate circuit 11 has the low logic level, the PMOS transistor 15 is ON, and thus the V.sub.RC system gate circuit 11 generates the high logic level approximately equal to the potential V.sub.RC. A potential at which the PMOS transistor 15 turns ON from OFF is equal to a potential obtained by adding a threshold voltage V.sub.TH15 of the PMOS transistor 15 to the dropped potential V.sub.CC, and is approximately equal to -0.6 V.
In the above-mentioned way, the breakdown voltage of the V.sub.RC gate circuit 11 substantially increase by using the dropped power supply voltage V.sub.RC. Since the V.sub.CC system gate circuit 10 functions as the input buffer circuit, it is required to have a high driving ability. From this point of view, the normal power supply voltage V.sub.CC is applied to the V.sub.CC system gate circuit 10. The PMOS transistors 13 and 15 are produced by the same process.
However, the circuit shown in FIG. 1 has the following disadvantage arising from the fact that the threshold voltage V.sub.TH15 of the PMOS transistor 15 of the V.sub.RC system gate circuit 11 is the same as the threshold voltage V.sub.TH13 of the PMOS transistor 13 of the V.sub.CC system gate circuit 10. As shown in FIG. 2A, when the PMOS transistor 13 turns ON when the input signal decreases and becomes equal to 4.4 V. In this case, the PMOS transistor 13 has a threshold voltage of -0.6 V. It takes time t1 the PMOS transistor 13 to turn ON. Meanwhile, as shown in FIG.2B, the PMOS transistor 15 turns ON when the output signal of the V.sub.CC system gate circuit 10 decreases and becomes equal to 3.4 V (=+4 V+(-0.6 V)). Thus, it takes a time t2 longer than time t1 for the PMOS transistor 15 to turn ON. That is, the switching speed of the V.sub.RC system gate circuit 11 is smaller than that of the V.sub.CC system gate circuit 10.
As described above, the threshold voltage of the PMOS transistor corresponds to a gate potential with respect to the source potential. Thus, when the PMOS transistor 15 is produced under the same condition as the PMOS transistor 13, the threshold voltage V.sub.TH15 corresponds to a potential lower than the source potential by 0.6 V.
The above problem will take place in a circuit shown in FIG.3. Two V.sub.RC system circuits 17 and 18 are mutually connected via a PMOS transistor 19, which is driven by a V.sub.CC system gate circuit (CMOS inverter) 20. Since the PMOS transistor 19 has a long switching time, as described above with reference to FIG.2B, a delay in the signal transmission between the V.sub.RC system circuits 17 and 18 occurs.

Semiconductor integrated circuit including P-channel MOS transistors having different threshold voltages


An optical transmission device includes an extractor that extracts respective optical signals from optical signals multiplexed from a plurality of optical signals of different wavelengths, a detector that detects wavelengths of the extracted respective optical signals, a storage that stores the wavelengths of the detected respective optical signals, and a processor that is operative to derive trends in wavelength variation of the respective optical signals based on the detected respective optical signals and the respective optical signals stored in the storage, and determines that either one or both of the extractor and the detector cause the wavelengths to be varied when the trends in wavelength variation of two or more wavelengths are the same.

Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) is a technology used in the field of optical communications. Conventionally, an optical channel monitor (OCM) is used in a wavelength division multiplexing system. The optical channel monitor is used to monitor the wavelength and optical power of signals in channels for wavelength multiplexed signals. For example, a wavelength control device such as a wavelength selectable switch (WSS) controls each channel based on monitor information from the optical channel monitor. Furthermore, monitor information from the optical channel monitor may also be used for generating an alarm when the wavelength shifts. Therefore, the optical channel monitor is expected to provide very precise monitoring. The precision for wavelength monitoring is expected to be in the range of ±0.05 nm or less. Moreover, there is a system in which an optical channel monitor detects a shift in wavelengths of about ±0.1 nm and then sounds an alarm.
In the related art there is a wavelength multiplexing optical transmitter that uses an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) and an optical filter in an output unit of a wavelength multiplexer, and includes a monitor that identifies wavelengths to monitor problems such as wavelength shifts. The wavelength multiplexing optical transmitter then sounds an alarm and blocks light outputted from an abnormal optical transmitter. Moreover, there is also a wavelength multiplexing optical transmitting system that measures input and output optical powers of an amplifying medium that amplifies wavelength multiplexed light, and then sets passing wavelength properties of a variable gain equalizer connected to a transmission path, based on data from a database that indicates wavelength properties for each type of transmission path.

Optical transmission device, optical transmission system and optical transmission method


A sensor assembly may include a housing made of a non-magnetic material. The housing may define an interior chamber. A shaft may extend from the housing. A bearing may be positioned around the shaft. An impeller may be positioned around the shaft and the bearing, and the impeller may include a magnetized portion. A sensor may be positioned within the interior chamber and/or proximate the magnetized portion. The sensor may detect the magnetized portion of the impeller to sense a rate of rotation of the impeller. The rate of rotation of the impeller may correspond to changes in flow rate of the fluid. As the flow rate of the fluid, and the rate of rotation of the impeller change in predetermined manners, control signals may be conveyed to activate a tool.

During downhole operations, such as drilling and reaming, drilling fluid is pumped through a drill string to a downhole tool. The fluid flows into the annulus of the wellbore through one or more ports or nozzles in a drill bit or other downhole component. The fluid then flows back up to the surface through the annulus, which is located between the downhole tool and the wellbore wall. In a drilling, milling, underreaming, or other similar operation, the fluid may carry cuttings or swarf back to the surface.
In some downhole operations, the fluid may flow into the wellbore annulus through ports or nozzles installed in reamers or flow splitter tools. The properties of the fluid (e.g., flow rate, viscosity, density) may affect the performance of the downhole tool. For example, the properties of the fluid may affect the drag on the downhole tool, the attenuation of mud pulse telemetry signals transmitted from or received by the downhole tool, the output of turbines and/or motors in the downhole tool, and the like. Flow meters, viscometers, densitometers, and other downhole fluid sensors may be used to measure the properties of the fluid (e.g., flow rate, viscosity, and density, respectively).

Measuring fluid properties in a downhole tool


A method of adjusting an output of a gas sensor element is provided. The gas sensor element includes a lamination of a solid electrolyte body, a target gas-exposed electrode, a reference gas-exposed electrode, and a diffused resistance layer in which a target gas to be measured diffuses. The target gas-exposed electrode is disposed on a first surface of the solid electrolyte body exposed to the target gas. The reference gas-exposed electrode is disposed on a second surface of the solid electrolyte body exposed to a reference gas. The diffused resistance layer is disposed on the first surface of the solid electrolyte body. The target gas-exposed electrode and the reference gas-exposed electrode produce a sensor output. The adjustment of the sensor output is achieved by decreasing a diffusion length of the target gas in the diffused resistance layer as a function of a quantity of the sensor output to be adjusted by, for example, removing a portion of the diffused resistance layer.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a method of adjusting an output of a gas sensor element which may be employed in air-fuel ratio control for an internal combustion engine of automotive vehicles.
2. Background Art
A typical gas sensor element employed in the air-fuel ratio control for automotive vehicles includes a solid electrolyte body made of an oxygen ion conductive material, a gas measuring and a reference gas-exposed electrode, and a diffused resistance layer. The diffused resistance layer is disposed on a surface of the target gas-exposed electrode exposed to a target gas to be measured. The target gas, thus, reaches the target gas-exposed electrode through the diffused resistance layer.
When the voltage is applied to the target gas-exposed electrode and the reference gas-exposed electrode, the current flowing through these electrodes is determined as a function of the number of oxygen molecules passing through the diffused resistance layer. The current flowing through the electrodes, thus, shows characteristics that it is saturated at a given value as long as the concentration of oxygen in a target gas is constant.
FIG. 16 represents the relation between the voltage applied to the target gas-exposed electrode and the reference gas-exposed electrode and the current output picked up from the electrodes for difference concentrations a to d of oxygen (a greater than b greater than c greater than d). The drawing shows that application of a suitable voltage, for example, voltage V to the target gas-exposed electrode and the reference gas-exposed electrode causes the current to flow through the electrodes as a function of the concentration of oxygen. For instance, when the concentration of oxygen is a, the current Ia flows through the electrodes. This is the principle of measurement of the concentration of oxygen in the above gas sensor element.
However, when the above type of gas sensor elements are mass-produced, they may have a unit-to-unit variation in the above described characteristics. If there is no unit-to-unit variation, the application of voltage to the target gas-exposed electrode and the reference gas-exposed electrode of each gas sensor element exposed to a target gas whose concentration of oxygen is a will cause the current Ia to be, as shown in FIG. 16, produced by the electrodes. If, however, there is the unit-to-unit variation, the currents produced by the gas sensor elements show the distribution, as shown in FIG. 17. Some of the gas sensor elements producing the currents outside the range xcex94Ia will produce great measurement errors that are objectionable in practical use.
In order to eliminate the unit-to-unit variation of the gas sensor elements caused by production errors, Japanese Utility Model Second Publication No. 7-27391 teaches use of a correction circuit which corrects the output current of each gas sensor element. This method, however, results in complexity of the whole circuit structure of gas sensors and an increase in manufacturing cost.
It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to avoid the disadvantages of the prior art.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a simple and low-cost adjusting method of adjusting an output of a gas sensor.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a gas sensor output adjusting method of adjusting a sensor output of a gas sensor element. The gas sensor element includes a lamination of a solid electrolyte body, a target gas-exposed electrode, a reference gas-exposed electrode, and a diffused resistance layer in which a target gas to be measured diffuses. The target gas-exposed electrode is disposed on a first surface of the solid electrolyte body exposed to the target gas. The reference gas-exposed electrode is disposed on a second surface of the solid electrolyte body exposed to a reference gas. The diffused resistance layer is disposed on the first surface of the solid electrolyte body. The target gas-exposed electrode and the reference gas-exposed electrode produce the sensor output. The adjustment of the sensor output is achieved by decreasing a diffusion length of the target gas in the diffused resistance layer as a function of a quantity of the sensor output to be adjusted.
In the preferred mode of the invention, the decreasing the diffusion length is achieved by removing a portion of the diffused resistance layer.
The diffused resistance layer includes a porous layer and a dense layer. The decreasing the diffusion length may be achieved by removing a portion of the porous layer.
The diffused resistance layer may include only the porous layer.
The decreasing the diffusion length may alternatively be achieved by removing a portion of the dense layer so as to broaden an area of the porous layer exposed to the target gas.
According to the second aspect of the invention, there is provided a gas sensor output adjusting method of adjusting a sensor output of a gas sensor element. The gas sensor element includes a lamination of a solid electrolyte body, a target gas-exposed electrode, a reference gas-exposed electrode, and a diffused resistance layer in which a target gas to be measured diffuses. The target gas-exposed electrode is disposed on a first surface of the solid electrolyte body exposed to the target gas. The reference gas-exposed electrode is disposed on a second surface of the solid electrolyte body exposed to a reference gas. The diffused resistance layer is disposed on the first surface of the solid electrolyte body. The target gas-exposed electrode and the reference gas-exposed electrode produce the sensor output. The adjustment of the sensor output is achieved by decreasing a gas-diffusing sectional area of the diffused resistance layer within which the target gas diffuses as a function of a quantity of the sensor output to be adjusted.
In the preferred mode of the invention, the diffused resistance layer includes a porous layer and a dense layer. The decreasing the gas-diffusing sectional area of the diffused resistance layer is achieved by partially sealing a surface of the porous layer exposed to the target gas.
The decreasing the gas-diffusing sectional area of the diffused resistance layer may alternatively be achieved by forming a plurality of output-adjusting holes in the dense layer which lead to the porous layer and sealing a given number of the output-adjusting holes as a function of the quantity of the sensor output to be adjusted.
According to the third aspect of the invention, there is provided a gas sensor output adjusting method of adjusting a sensor output of a gas sensor element. The gas sensor element includes a lamination of a solid electrolyte body, a target gas-exposed electrode, a reference gas-exposed electrode, and a diffused resistance layer in which a target gas to be measured diffuses. The target gas-exposed electrode is disposed on a first surface of the solid electrolyte body exposed to the target gas. The reference gas-exposed electrode is disposed on a second surface of the solid electrolyte body exposed to a reference gas. The diffused resistance layer having an outer surface exposed to the target gas, an inner surface opposite the outer surface, disposed on the first surface of the solid electrolyte body, and side surfaces formed between the outer and inner surfaces, defining portions of side surfaces of the lamination. The target gas-exposed electrode and the reference gas-exposed electrode produce the sensor output. The adjustment of the sensor output is achieved by decreasing a diffusion length of the target gas in the diffused resistance layer as a function of a quantity of the sensor output to be adjusted by removing a portion of the diffused resistance layer obliquely to at least one of the side surfaces of the lamination.

Method of adjusting output of gas sensor


A nail plate tool which aids in positioning and installing nail plates in hard-to-reach areas. The nail plate tool generally includes an elongated portion having a handle portion at its first end and a holder portion at its second end. The handle portion is adapted to be grasped by a user and the holder portion is adapted to removably retain a nail plate against the nail plate tool, such as through use of a magnet. By removably securing the nail plate to the holder portion, an individual may more easily reach areas to install a nail plate.

Field
The present invention relates generally to a nail plate holder and more specifically it relates to a nail plate tool which aids in positioning and installing nail plates in hard-to-reach areas.
Related Art
Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such related art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.
Nail plates are commonly used in construction areas to aid in connecting multiple structures such as joists together. By their very nature, nail plates are typically intended to be used in ceiling structures which may be difficult to reach due to height. Often, a ladder is necessary to aid in securing such nail plates into place. The use of a ladder is cumbersome, time-costly, and can lead to injury in many cases.
Because of the inherent problems with the related art, there is a need for a new and improved nail plate tool which aids in positioning and installing nail plates in hard-to-reach areas.


A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including at least one of a circuit and a circuit element, and an inductor element having a coil axis extending in a direction parallel to a main surface of the semiconductor substrate and disposed adjacent to the main surface. A main direction of a magnetic field induced by passing a current through the inductor element is parallel to the main surface.

The present disclosure relates to semiconductor devices including an inductor element.
In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for high-frequency circuits which are each implemented as a one-chip silicon integrated circuit in order to reduce the sizes of mobile communication apparatuses, such as mobile telephones and the like. However, the high-frequency circuit needs to include, as components, a transistor, a resistor, and a capacitor, and in addition, an inductor element, such as a coil or a transformer. Therefore, a method has been developed for forming, on a semiconductor substrate, an inductor element as well as an integrated circuit including a transistor, a resistor, and the like.
There is a method for forming a conductive film made of aluminum or the like which is in the shape of a spiral or a winding, as an inductor element, on an insulating film formed on a surface of a semiconductor substrate. In such a structure, however, the semiconductor substrate is disposed adjacent to the inductor element, and therefore, an eddy current which reduces a change in magnetic flux occurring when a current is passed through the inductor element, occurs in the semiconductor substrate. In this case, it is known that because the inductor element interacts with the eddy current occurring in the semiconductor substrate, there is a loss in a characteristic of the inductor element included in the semiconductor device.
Specifically, if the strip-like conductive layer in the shape of a spiral or a winding is assumed to be the primary coil of a transformer, the semiconductor substrate itself containing an impurity, which has a low resistance value, acts as a short-circuited secondary coil in a high-frequency region. The presence of the secondary coil causes a significant loss, particularly in the high-frequency region. Therefore, a technique of reducing the eddy current in the semiconductor substrate has been proposed (see, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. H07-183468 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1)).
Patent Document 1 describes that a plurality of P-N junctions are formed in a surface of a silicon semiconductor substrate, and an eddy current can be reduced in depletion layers which are generated in the P-N junctions and from which carriers are removed. Specifically, the path of the eddy current in the semiconductor substrate surface is segmented by the depletion layers to reduce the eddy current. Patent Document 1 also mentions a conventional example in which the eddy current is reduced by a depletion layer formed in the substrate surface.
FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a structure of a conventional inductor element formed in a semiconductor device.
As shown in FIG. 13, a conductive film 16 having a spiral shape is formed on a surface of the semiconductor substrate 10. N-type impurity regions 14 are formed in the P-type semiconductor substrate 10 in the vicinity of the surface thereof, extending in the depth direction of the semiconductor substrate 10. In other words, a plurality of P-N junctions are formed in the vicinity of the surface of the semiconductor substrate 10.
The spiral-shaped conductive film 16 is formed on an insulating film 12. One end 16a of the conductive film 16 is connected to an interconnect (not shown). The other end 16b of the conductive film 16 is connected to an underlying interconnect 18 formed in the insulating film 12. When a current is passed through the conductive film 16 from the end 16a to the end 16b in a direction indicated an arrow 22, magnetic flux 20 is generated in the spiral interconnect.
According to the structure of FIG. 13, a plurality of depletion layers are formed in a plurality of P-N junctions, and therefore, a large number of depletion layers are formed in the surface of the semiconductor substrate 10. As a result, it is possible to increase the resistance to an eddy current which is generated in the semiconductor substrate 10 by the magnetic flux 20 generated by the inductor element made of the conductive film 16, whereby the eddy current can be reduced. Therefore, a reduction in an inductance characteristic due to a loss in the power and a reduction in the inductance which are caused by the eddy current can be reduced.


A system for transporting substrates from an atmospheric pressure to high vacuum pressure and comprising: a rough vacuum chamber having an entry valve and an exit opening; a high vacuum chamber having an entry opening, the high vacuum chamber coupled to the rough vacuum chamber such that the exit opening and the entry opening are aligned; a valve situated between the exit opening and the entry opening; a first conveyor belt provided in the rough vacuum chamber; a second conveyor provided in the high vacuum chamber; a sensing element provided in the high vacuum chamber to enable detection of broken substrates on the second conveyor; and, a mechanism provided on the second conveyor belt enabling dumping of broken substrates onto the bottom of the high vacuum chamber.

1. Field
This invention relates to transport of substrates and, specifically, to high throughput transport of substrates from atmospheric into vacuum environment for fabrication of solar cells.
2. Related Arts
Vacuum transport of substrates has been used in the manufacture of semiconductors for many years. A typical loadlock device has one valve as entry port to receive wafers from atmospheric environment, and valve as one exit port for delivering wafers into the vacuum processing system. In many systems the entry port also used to return wafers to the atmospheric environment. In such systems, a robot arm positioned on the atmospheric side places the substrate inside the loadlock and, after vacuum is established in the loadlock, a robot arm positioned on the vacuum side of the system (e.g., a mainframe) fetches the substrate from the loadlock and places it in a vacuum processing chamber, e.g., a plasma chamber. Once processing is completed, the vacuum-side robot places the processed substrate in the loadlock, and, after establishing proper pressure, the atmospheric-side robot fetches the processed substrate out of the loadlock. While such an architecture works well for semiconductor processing, solar cell fabrication requires much higher throughput. For example, while semiconductor processing proceeds at a rate of around 60-100 wafers per hour, solar cell fabrication proceeds at the rate of 1500-2500 wafers per hour. Thus, a new loadlock architecture is needed to facilitate such high throughput.
Additionally, due to the high speed processing of solar cells, and the relative low cost of each individual cell as compared to a semiconductor substrate, wafer breakage is a relatively frequent and an acceptable event in solar cell fabrication, while it is not acceptable in semiconductor processing. Still, the system needs to be able to recognize and handle events of wafer breakage. This is especially the case where wafer breaks inside the vacuum environment, where no manual identification and handling of the broken wafer can be performed without breaking vacuum and disassembling parts of the system. Accordingly, improvements in systems for manufacturing of solar cells are needed to identify and handle wafer breakage.

High throughput load lock for solar wafers


An oxygen top-blowing steelmaking process is disclosed, which comprises preparing a molten metal suitable for producing steel in a basic oxygen furnace, carrying out the top-blowing and bottom-blowing and then tapping the resulting molten steel. The bottom-blowing is carried out at least partly during the period of time from beginning of blowing to the tapping of the melt and a powder of a slag-forming agent, such as quick lime, limestone, is introduced into the molten metal together with the top-blowing of oxygen jet injected through an oxygen lance so as to form an effective slag at an early stage of refining.

This invention relates to an oxygen top-blowing steel making process wherein a powder of flux is supplied to promote slag formation and at the same time, a gas is blown from below the molten steel to increase the force of stirring the molten steel and slag.
The oxygen top-blowing steelmaking process is widely used in Japan, and it blows oxygen through a lance onto a converter charge comprising molten iron, scrap and auxiliary materials. The auxiliary materials comprise quick lime, limestone, dolomite and iron ore, and if they are charged into the furnace as powder, they are thrown off due to carbon monoxide gas generated by the reactions that occur in the furnace, and to prevent this, they are charged as a mass.
However, since quick lime and limestone mainly consist of CaO which melts at as high as about 2570.degree. C., it is difficult to achieve the desired slag formation by allowing them to dissolve completely within the blowing period. In other words, it is difficult to form a highly reactive slag and perform effective dephosphorization and desulfurization as well.
To solve this problem, the LD-AC process (or OLP process) has been developed. This process refines molten iron by blowing an oxygen jet onto the surface of the bath together with a quick lime powder serving as a flux. The process achieves satisfactory dephosphorization and desulfurization because the lime powder suspended in the oxygen jet is directly supplied to the fire point and rapidly forms a reactive slag. But the powder suspended in the oxygen jet causes a pressure drop in the jet, and in addition to that, the powder wears and damages the Lavel-type nozzle to reduce the rate of the oxygen jet supplied. The supply of such low-rate oxygen blow causes a great amount of FeO to be formed and this results in frequent slopping that makes the operation difficult to control. What is more, the LD-AC process requires an apparatus for bringing the powder into the high-pressure oxygen jet and this adds to the cost of initial investment. These reasons plus low efficiency in steelmaking explain why the LD-AC process has yet to be used in commercial steelmaking operation in Japan.
On the other hand, it is known that in the oxygen top-blowing steelmaking process, the stirring of the molten steel becomes weak in the last stage of blowing as a result of reduction in the decarburization rate. Therefore, to promote the slag formation and the reaction between the molten steel and slag, the combined blowing process has been proposed wherein the loss in the stirring of the molten steel is made up for by a gas such as argon or nitrogen which is blown from below the furnace while oxygen is being blown onto the surface of the molten steel.
To dissolve the flux within the period of blowing, FeO is necessary for lowering the melting point of CaO which is the primary component of the flux, but the combined blowing process produces a smaller amount of FeO perhaps due to the increased stirring force. Therefore, in this process, slag formation does not proceed satisfactorily unless some degree of decarburization has taken place.
If these defects of the oxygen top-blowing steelmaking process are eliminated, the advantages of the process, i.e. high efficiency in steelmaking, high-quality product containing minimum impurity elements, and low cost, can be enjoyed to the fullest extent.


A transfer system is provided with a transfer apparatus that has an arm mechanism to transfer a workpiece, a control device that supplies electric power to the transfer apparatus and controls the motions of the transfer apparatus, and a power cable that connects between the control device and the transfer apparatus. The control device sends and receives a signal for controlling the transfer apparatus through the power cable. The transfer apparatus is provided with a plurality of motors for driving the transfer apparatus, a plurality of drive control sections for applying electric power supplied from the control device to the plurality of motors for driving the motor, and internal power lines that connect the plurality of drive control sections. The plurality of drive control sections each sends and receives the signal to and from the control device through the power cable and the internal power lines and drives the motor according to the signal.

There is a transfer system including a transfer apparatus that transfers a plate-shaped workpiece while holding it with a hand and a control device that controls the motions of the transfer apparatus. The transfer apparatus is provided with a plurality of motors that raise or lower a base and rotates the joint of an arm mechanism, drive sections, and various sensors. The transfer apparatus and the control device are connected by a number of electrical lines including main power supply lines for supplying electric power to the motors, communication lines for sending and receiving signals to control rotation of the respective motors, and signal lines for sending and receiving signals from the various sensors.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-259535 discloses a motor control system including a controller and a motor that are connected to a common DC power supply in which the controller controls the movement of the motor by power line communication.
Furthermore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-319693 discloses a motor control system in which current for driving a motor and a control signal are supplied through a common wiring system to thereby reduce the number of harnesses and connectors.

Transfer system, transfer apparatus and module


A process suitable for producing curie quantities of quite pure Sr-82,85 is given. After a Mo target is irradiated with energetic protons having energies greater than about 200 MeV, thus producing a large number of radioactive species, the particular species of Sr-82,85 are substantially separated from the other products by a 6-step process. The process comprises dissolution of the target in H.sub.2 O.sub.2, followed by use of several ion exchange resins, extraction with an organophosphorus compound, and several adjustments of pH values. Other embodiments include processes for producing relatively pure long-lived Rb isotopes, Y-88, and Zr-88.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a method of producing and purifying a number of radioactive species from intermediate energy proton spallation reactions on molybdenum (Mo) targets and relates in particular to a method of producing and purifying curie quantities of strontium-82/85. It is a result of a contract with the Department of Energy (contract W-7405-ENG-36).
Strontium-82 (Sr-82) has a half-life of 25 days and decays by pure electron capture to the ground state of its 75-second daughter, rubidum-82. Rubidium-82 (Rb-82) in turn decays by 95% positron emission and 5% electron capture to stable krypton-82, exhibiting several prominent gamma rays. Because such short-lived alkali metal activity is available from a long-lived parent, the availability of Sr-82 is of significant interest for biomedical studies. The useful shelf-life is determined by the activity of Sr-82, while the very short half-life of Rb-82 keeps the radiation dose to the patient low. With a suitable positron imaging device, a system of generating Rb-82 has a considerable number of potential medical applications in cases where repeated, rapid, dynamic blood-flow information would be of value, for example, in investigation of coronary occlusion, cardiac output, arteriography, and tumor vascularity. Thus, because of the above-described uses, large quantities of Sr-82 are needed.
2. Prior Art
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,957,945, Grant et al., a method of producing and purifying Sr-82 obtained from an intermediate energy spallation reaction on a molybdenum target was provided in a 6-step radiochemical procedure. The 6-step combination process of Grant et al., however, has not been found to be suitable for producing large quantities of Sr-82 because the time and volumes involved in steps of that method expanded to unmanageable levels when a large scale operation was attempted.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,122,414, Horner et al., and in U.S. Pat. No. 3,258,315, Schmitt, a liquid extraction step was used to separate Sr values from solutions such as fission product waste solutions. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,694,369, Orlandini, U.S. Pat. No. 3,218,123, Davis et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,173,757, Wheelwright et al., and in U.S. Pat. No. 3,154,500, Jansen et al., ion exchange resins were used in various combination processes to perform separations of fission products, which included Sr values. However, in fission and spallation reactions, different starting materials are used and different products are obtained. Thus, because Sr-82,85 is not produced in a fission reaction but rather in a spallation reaction, none of these patents (excluding Grant) provides a method suitable for producing Sr-82,85 in any amount, much less in curie quantities.
Additionally, no prior art method is known which is suitable for producing in relatively pure form all four of the products Y-88, Zr-88, long-lived Rb, and Sr-82,85. And none of the combinations of steps (recited below) which are used in this invention to produce these four products have been known in the art.
Furthermore, the step of dissolution of an irradiated Mo target in H.sub.2 O.sub.2 followed by passing the solution over even a single ion exchange resin has not previously been known.

Hot cell purification of strontium-82, 85 and other isotopes from proton irradiated molybdenum

The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy


An aluminum-based metal link including a shaft portion extending along a first axis, a bushing mount portion having a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, and a weld joint portion in which one of the opposed axial end portions of the shaft portion and the bushing mount portion are welded together by friction stir welding (FSW). The weld joint portion has a hole that has a third axis angularly offset from the second axis about the first axis and is formed upon termination of the FSW.

This invention relates to an aluminum-based metal link including a shaft portion and a bushing mount portion connected with an end portion of the shaft portion, for example, an aluminum-based metal link useable as a suspension link of vehicles.
Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is known as one of connection techniques for joining two members made of aluminum-based metal, together. The FSW is accomplished by rotating a friction stir welding tool while contacting with a joint or junction of the two members. The two members are heated at the joint by friction contact with the rotating friction stir welding tool so that base materials of the two members are plasticized and stirred to form a weld joint at which the two members are welded together. The FSW can join the two members at a relatively low temperature as compared with a temperature at which other related techniques such as metal electrode inert gas (MIG) welding are conducted. Therefore, upon producing an aluminum-based metal link having a shaft portion and a bushing mount portion joined to an end portion of the shaft portion, if the bushing mount portion is connected with the end portion of the shaft portion using the FSW, the connection can be sufficiently accomplished without giving adverse influence on nearby components because of the low temperature of the FSW. For instance, a rubber bushing directly attached to the bushing mount portion by vulcanizing adhesion can be prevented from suffering from undesired thermal influences such as reduction of adherence strength, at the FSW process.
FIG. 5 illustrates an aluminum-based metal link having bushing mount portion 2 connected with shaft portion 1 by the FSW. As illustrated in FIG. 5, shaft portion 1 is formed into a hollow cylindrical shape. Bushing mount portion 2 has a small-diameter end portion. First, bushing mount portion 2 is abutted on an end portion of shaft portion 1 by inserting the small-diameter end portion into the end portion of shaft portion 1. In this butt joint state, the outer circumferential surfaces of the end portion of shaft portion 1 and the small-diameter end portion of bushing mount portion 2 are flush with each other. FIG. 6 shows friction stir welding (FSW) tool 5 for the FSW. Friction stir welding tool 5 has base portion 7 and a cylindrical rod 9 connected with base portion 7. FSW tool 5 is rotated and brought into contact with the outer circumferential surfaces of the end portions of shaft portion 1 and bushing mount portion 2 which extend near along the butt joint portion or junction. In this condition, friction heating is produced, which plasticizes the base metal of respective shaft portion 1 and bushing mount portion 2. FSW tool 5 is moved along the line of the junction which extends over the outer circumferences of the end portions of shaft portion 1 and bushing mount portion 2, while being kept rotated in contact with the outer circumferential surfaces along the junction line. The base metal of respective shaft portion 1 and bushing mount portion 2 are plasticized and stirred, so that the end portions of shaft portion 1 and bushing mount portion 2 are welded together to form the link. When the welding is completed, FSW tool 5 is retreated from weld joint portion W of the link. Weld joint portion W of the link is thus formed with hole 3 through which FSW tool 5 is removed from weld joint portion W.
Generally, a bending moment is applied to a suspension link of vehicles as well as large compressive and tensile forces are repeatedly exerted thereon. The bending moment acts on rubber bushing 4 mounted to bushing mount portion 2. Here, if rigidity, namely, resistance against deformation, of rubber bushing 4 is measured with respect to torsional force Rx acting about axis O1 of rubber bushing 4 and torsional force Rz acting about axis O2 that intersects axis O1 and axis X of shaft portion 1, the rigidity of rubber bushing 4 against torsional force Rz is lower than that against torsional force Rx, and therefore rubber bushing 4 is readily deformable in the direction of torsional force Rz. The bending moment acts on rubber bushing 4 in the direction of axis O1.
Assuming that bending moment is applied to the link with hole 3 which is located such that a center axis thereof is parallel to axis O1 of rubber bushing 4, the maximum stress based on the bending moment will be caused at hole 3 so that hole 3 is deformed. This will lead to reduction of mechanical strength of the link. Accordingly, after the FSW is finished, it will be required to do additional work for filling hole 3 by a suitable method such as metal electrode inert gas (MIG) welding. This will lead to increase in the production cost of the link.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an aluminum-based metal link capable of increasing the strength and reducing the production cost.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an aluminum-based metal link comprising:
a shaft portion extending along a first axis, said shaft portion having opposed axial end portions;
at least one bushing mount portion having a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; and
at least one weld joint portion in which one of the opposed axial end portions of the shaft portion and the bushing mount portion are welded together by friction stir welding (FSW), the weld joint portion extending along outer peripheries of the one of the opposed axial end portions of the shaft portion and the bushing mount portion and formed with a hole having a third axis angularly offset from the second axis about the first axis, the hole being formed upon termination of the FSW.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for producing an aluminum-based metal link comprising a shaft portion that extends along a first axis and has opposed axial end portions, at least one bushing mount portion that has a second axis perpendicular to the first axis and comprises a small-diameter portion and a large-diameter portion having a same outer diameter as the shaft portion, and at least one weld joint portion in which the bushing mount portion is welded to one of the axial end portions of the shaft portion, the weld joint portion being formed with a hole having a third axis angularly offset from the second axis about the first axis, the method comprising:
forming the shaft portion and the bushing mount portion from workpieces, respectively;
press-fitting the small-diameter portion of the bushing mount portion into the one axial end portion of the shaft portion until an end face of the large-diameter portion of the bushing mount portion is abutted on an end face of the one axial end portion of the shaft portion to form a junction of the large-diameter portion of the bushing mount portion and the one axial end portion of the shaft portion;
relatively rotating the shaft portion with the bushing mount portion and a friction stir welding (FSW) tool and, at the same time, rotating the FSW tool while keeping the FSW tool in contact with the junction, to thereby form the weld joint portion along the junction;
terminating the relative rotation of the FSW tool and the shaft portion with the bushing mount portion when the FSW tool reaches a terminal position in which the FSW tool is angularly offset from the second axis about the first axis; and
removing the FSW tool from the weld joint portion at the terminal position to thereby form the hole in the weld joint portion and thus provide the link having the hole formed in the weld joint portion.

Aluminum-based metal link for vehicles and a method for producing same


The present invention is a system that is used on board an aircraft that receives data, examines the data, and directs the data to appropriate memory devices for future use. A plurality of receivers are coupled to a serial data bus for selectively receiving a sequence of data messages on the data bus. Each of the receivers includes a data register for storing one of the sequential flow of data messages. In turn the receiver provides a data ready signal so that a sequencer can selectively read the data messages from the receiver and either store them in one of a plurality of receivers, or discard the information.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multi-channel data receiver for an aircraft data bus system. More particularly, the present invention was directed to a multi-channel data system in which the data words are received, examined and directed to designated storage devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
The operation of aircraft relies heavily on many electrical subsystems for successful flight missions. These electrical subsystems include, among others, flight management, navigation, auto-pilot, global positioning of systems, landing systems, fuel quantity systems, and the like. Many of these electrical subsystems require communications therebetween, alternatively, sensing subsystems may be located remote from the processing subsystems. Since many of these subsystems may be provided by different manufacturers, standards have been defined for the transfer of data messages on data buses that are wired throughout the aircraft. One such standard is the ARINC (Aeronautical Radio Incorporated) 429 Standard.
The ARINC 429 Standard is such that each data messages or data word is defined in a number of bits where certain bits define the information which is being communicated, and other bits define a label which indicates how the information bits are to be interpreted. In the ARINC 429, the data message is 32 bit word in which the first 8 bits define the label, and the later 24 bits define the information.
Commonly, multi-channel receiver systems operative with the ARINC 429 Standard, commonly employed a plurality of data receivers for capturing data from a dedicated ARINC 429 data bus. In turn, only selected ones of these data messages having a preselected label were processed to appropriately store the data information into a primary memory. In turn, the information stored in the primary memory was examined for further partitioning into secondary dedicated memory devices, where each of the second memory devices retained like kind information, for example, only GPS data, or only inertial reference data.
Multi-channel receivers as just described generally store more information in the memory than necessary. This is so, since only certain types of information are required during certain flight operations, for example, in flight, on ground, and take-off. This presents an undue burden on the main memory, and may result in loss of data and poor performance.


A method and apparatus for controlling the various functions of an internal combustion engine using a program-controlled microprocessor having a memory preprogrammed with various control laws and associated control schedules receives information concerning one or more engine operating parameters such as manifold absolute pressure, throttle position, engine coolant temperature, air temperature, and engine speed or period and the like. These parameters are measured and then supplied to input circuits for signal conditioning and conversion to digital words usable by the microprocessor. The microprocessor system computes a command word indicative of a computer-commanded engine control operation and output circuitry responds to predetermined computer-generated commands and to the computed digital command words for converting them to corresponding pulse-width control signals for controlling such engine operations as fuel-injection, ignition timing, proportional and/or on-off EGR control, and the like.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for controlling an internal combustion engine, and more particularly to a microprocessor-based electronic engine control system having a memory preprogrammed with various control laws and control schedules responsive to one or more sensed engine-operating parameters for generating signals for controlling fuel injection, ignition timing, EGR control, or the like.
2. Statement of the Prior Art
Many of the patents of the prior art recognize the need for employing the enhanced accuracy of digital control systems for more accurately controlling one or more functions of an internal combustion engine.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,969,614 which issued to David F. Moyer, et al on July 13, 1976 is typical of such systems as are U.S. Pat. No. 3,835,819 which issued to Robert L. Anderson, Jr. on Sept. 17, 1974; U.S. Pat. No. 3,904,856 which issued to Louis Monptit on Sept. 9, 1975; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,906,207 which issued to Jean-Pierre Rivere, et al on Sept. 16, 1975. All of these Patents represent a break-away from the purely analog control systems of the past, but neither the accuracy, reliability, or number of functions controlled is sufficient to meet present day requirements.
Future internal combustion engines will require that emissions be tightly controlled due to ever-increasing governmental regulations, while fuel consumption is minimized and drivability improved over the entire operating range of the engine. None of the systems of the prior art provide a method and apparatus for controlling the operation of an internal combustion engine over its entire operating range with sufficient accuracy to attain minimal emissions and minimal fuel comsumption simultaneously with improved drivability.
The systems of the prior art attempt to control one or more engine-operating functions but none attempts to control the operation of the fuel pump, fuel injection, engine ignition timing, on-off and/or proportional EGR control, or the like while using feedback from such devices as oxygen sensors for emission control purposes or for effecting a closed-loop fuel control made of operation, while yet including provisions for optimizing acceleration enrichment, handling, and the like. Moreover, the systems of the prior art are extremely expensive, bulky, difficult to repair and maintain and are, therefore, not commercially feasible at the present time.
These and other problems of the prior art are solved by the microprocessor-based electronic engine control system of the present invention which eliminates most or all of the problems of the prior art, and enables a commercially feasible implementation of a compact digital control system having a relatively low cost, and which is easy to repair and maintain. The system of the present invention is able to implement much more advanced and complex fuel control laws and expand the various control functions performed thereby to include ignition timing and on-off and/or proportional EGR control while, at the same time, reducing the cost and size of the unit and increasing reliability so as to render the system commercially feasible.
Another problem existing in the prior art is that electronically-controlled fuel systems are subject to failure, and a failure could conceivably occur in which a fuel injection pulse were left on so that fuel could continue to be injected or supplied to the engine even after some catastrophic failure. The present invention also supplies means for automatic fuel shut-off upon the detection of a failure in the system so as to prevent fires, etc.

Analog to digital converter for electronic engine control systems


An wheel fastening inspection method includes: directly or indirectly applying vibration to a turbine shaft to be inserted to a bearing housing, the turbine shaft being provided with wheels at both ends protruding from the bearing housing, at least one of the wheels being fastened by a fastening member, and a rotary member being fastened by a fastening force generated by the fastening member to the turbine shaft to be integrally rotated with the wheel; measuring the vibration of the turbine shaft; and determining whether or not a vibration frequency at which a peak of the measured vibration of the turbine shaft is given is included in a setting range previously set.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a wheel fastening inspection method which checks whether or not a fastening force when a rotary member is fastened to a turbine shaft is appropriate, a wheel fastening method, a wheel fastening inspection device and a wheel fastening device.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional turbocharger is provided with a bearing housing, and a turbine shaft which is rotatably supported to the bearing housing, is provided with a turbine wheel (a turbine impeller) at its one end and is provided with a compressor wheel (a compressor impeller) at its other end. The turbocharger is connected to an engine, rotates the turbine wheel by exhaust gas which is discharged from the engine, and rotates the compressor wheel via the turbine shaft by the rotation of the turbine wheel. As described above, the turbocharger compresses air along with the rotation of the compressor wheel and supercharges the engine.
The turbine shaft has a step portion which is formed closer to the compressor wheel side than a position where a radial bearing is provided. An outer diameter of the step portion is smaller than an outer diameter of the position where the radial bearing is provided. A rotary member such as a thrust collar or an oil thrower, and the compressor wheel are sequentially attached to the turbine shaft up to the step portion with no gap in an axial direction. Finally, a nut is screwed to a shaft end side of the turbine shaft. According to the screwing, an axial force (a fastening force generated by the nut) of the turbine shaft is applied to a contact portion among the step portion, the rotary member and the compressor wheel. The axial force suppresses rotational deviation between the rotary member and the compressor wheel, and the turbine shaft at the time of engine operation. For example, a preset-type torque wrench which can set the fastening torque can be used for fastening the nut.
In the case where the preset-type torque wrench is used for fastening the nut, variation is generated in the axial force which is generated with respect to the fastening torque of the nut. This is caused by individual difference in a coefficient of friction between the rotary member and the compressor wheel which are fastened by the nut. Therefore, an appropriate torque management is required for fastening the nut. Furthermore, for example, in the case or the like where the compressor wheel is attached to the turbine shaft by press fitting, it is necessary to insert the thrust collar and the oil thrower to the turbine shaft with no gap in order to apply a desired axial force to the thrust collar and the oil thrower. Therefore, in this case, an appropriate load management for the press fitting of the compressor wheel (hereinafter, referred to as a press fitting force management) is required for the press fitting of the compressor wheel.
In Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2009-228446 (Patent Literature 1), a technique for specifying the axial force is disclosed. In this technique, the turbine shaft has a chamfer portion extending in an axial direction, at a position where the compressor wheel is attached. In addition, a strain gauge is attached to the chamfer portion. The axial force is derived from the strain of the turbine shaft which is measured by the strain gauge. Note that a lead wire of the strain gauge is drawn to the outside through a hole which communicates from the chamfer portion to the shaft end of the turbine shaft.

Wheel fastening inspection method, wheel fastening method, wheel fastening inspection device and wheel fastening device


A tempering and coating plant for different masses has at least one, preferably two subassemblies (3 or 8 respectively), consisting of a tempering machine (4 or 9 respectively) and a coating machine (5 or 10 respectively), arranged on the left and the right of a driven conveyor belt (1) for the articles to be coated, whereby the tempering machine or tempering machines (4, 9) are fixed in position, and the coating machine or coating machines (5, 10) are provided such that they can move transversely to the running direction of the conveyor belt (1). A connecting line (11) is provided between the tempering machine (4 or 9 respectively) and the coating machine (5 or 10 respectively) of each subassembly (3 or 8 respectively). A flow pipe (12) is located between each tank for the respective mass and the associated tempering machine and/or coating machine of each subassembly unit. A return pipe (13) can be provided between the coating machine (5 or 10 respectively) of each subassembly (3 or 8 respectively). Each connecting line (11) and each return line (13) has at least two pipe sections which are joined together via an articulated joint (14) and which have further articulated joints (14 or 15 respectively) at their ends so that the coating machine (5 or 10 respectively) can be moved transversly without uncoupling of the lines.

A tempering and coating plant of the type described above is known from the journal "Zucker- und Susswaren-Wirtschaft" (Sugar and confectionery industry), Issue 4, 1990, pp. 135-138. The two subassemblies are mounted to the left and right of the conveyor belt and the two coating machines can be employed in alternation. In doing this, the subassembly for white chocolate is not cleaned. The subassembly for non-white chocolate is either employed only for one type of non-white chocolate or, however, for example, in the case of alternate use for plain and for milk chocolate, rinsing or cleaning of the affected parts of the subassembly must be carried out. This can take place while the subassembly for white chocolate is in operation. The known subassemblies are equipped with rapid-action couplings, with respect to the chocolate lines, the use of which enables the lines to be uncoupled or, in the moved-in (operational) state, coupled respectively. These rapid-action couplings must at least be provided in the connecting line between the tempering machine and the coating machine and in the return line between the coating machine and the associated tank of each subassembly. The mechanical changing of the coating machine and the restarting of the respective tempering machine requires at least approx. 45 min. As the parts concerned are decoupled by means of the rapid-action couplings, it is also not possible to have the tempering machine in stand-by mode while the coating machine is in its moved-in state. Incidentally, the coupling and uncoupling of the rapid-action couplings involves chocolate losses.
Furthermore, a tempering and coating machine is known in which only a single subassembly consisting of one tempering machine and one coating machine is employed. If a change takes place here, then differing consequences result according to the particular succession of the various substances. With a change between dark chocolate and milk chocolate this can be done by simply changing the mass with subsequent rinsing. Mixing of smaller residue does not play any role here. However, with a change between milk chocolate or dark chocolate and white chocolate, extensive cleaning of the subassembly, including the lines, is necessary. The is carried out by carefully washing the coating machine and the tempering machine, something that demands time and a break in production lasting several hours. In order that such a subassembly can be cleaned in such a washing procedure, all parts which come into contact with the chocolate must be manufactured from stainless steel. The necessary wet cleaning with hot water increases the risk of biological contamination, especially the danger from salmonella. As chocolate masses normally contain less than 1% moisture, there would seem to be no danger from salmonellae, i.e. from the point of view of the mass itself. It is only the wet cleaning or cleaning water residue respectively which increases the danger from salmonellae.

Tempering and coating plant for different masses, in particular for white and non-white chocolate


A scroll chamfer gauge measures the chamfer between the flank surface of the scroll and the tip of the scroll. The gauge is positioned on the tip of the scroll and has a locator which positions the gauge with respect to the flank surface. A probe extends from the gauge and locates the intersection of the chamfer and the flank surface. An indicator provides a direct reading of the height of the chamfer parallel to the flank surface.

Although the present invention is believed to be applicable to different types of scroll machines, it is disclosed herein as a gauge for measuring the scroll vane chamfer on a scroll vane embodied in a refrigerant compressor for use in air conditioning, heat pump and refrigerating systems, such as those disclosed in Applicant's Assignee's U.S. Pat. No. 5,102,316, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Scroll apparatus for fluid compression are typically comprised of two upstanding interfitting involute spirodal wraps which are generated about respective axes. Each respective involute wrap is mounted upon an end plate and has a tip disposed in contact or near contact with the end plate of the other respective scroll wrap. Each scroll wrap further has flank surfaces which adjoin in moving line contact, or near contact, the flank surfaces of the other respective scroll wrap to form a plurality of moving chambers. The chambers move from the radial exterior end of the scroll wraps to the radially interior ends of the scroll wraps for fluid compression. The scroll wraps, to accomplish the formation of chambers, are put in relative orbital motion by a drive mechanism which constrains the scroll to relative non-rotational motion.
The scroll wraps themselves may be manufactured either separately from or integrally with the end plate upon which they are disposed. In the first case, the scroll wrap is typically formed into the desired scroll involute shape and inserted into a corresponding slot formed in the scroll end plate. The scroll wrap may be retained in the slot by epoxy, a separate key producing a friction fit of the wrap within the slot, deformation of the portion of the scroll within the slot, or similar means known in the art.
In the second case, the scroll wrap is machined to final form from a forging or casting which has the general shape of the scroll wrap and end plate, or the scroll wrap is machined from a solid plate. Typically, at least one rough cut will be made to define the general shape of the scroll wrap. At least one finishing cut is made to finish each scroll wrap flank and the floor of the scroll wrap. Another finishing cut can be required to machine the scroll wrap tips or the tips can be machined at the same time as the flanks and/or the floor. The scroll tips can be machined with a radius, a chamfer, or other blending features present at the point where the flank of the scroll meets the tip of the scroll. Scroll wraps manufactured integral with the base typically offer greater strength, increased operating life and improved reliability.
One problem which arises from the manufacturing of the scroll wrap is the gauging of the scroll wrap to insure the manufactured product is to blueprint specifications. One area of particular difficulty is the measurement of the chamfer between the scroll wrap flank and its tip. The chamfer at the tip of the scroll wrap insures that there will be no interference with the blending feature at the base of the opposing scroll wrap. In addition the chamfer acts as a lead-in for the lubricant between the tip of the scroll and its opposing base. If the chamfer is too small, the tip of the vane will interfere with the blending feature at the base of the opposing scroll as well as having a tendency to wipe the oil from the opposing base rather than guiding it between the two members for lubrication. The interference with the base of the opposing scroll can cause excessive loading on the vanes in a compressor not having radial compliance. If the compressor incorporates radial compliance, the interference with the base can cause a severe reduction in the capacity and efficiency of the compressor. If the chamfer is too large, the flank sealing of the opposing scroll wraps is affected thus lowering the efficiency of the scroll apparatus.
The present invention discloses a gauge which can be placed at various positions along the tip of the scroll wrap to provide an accurate reading of the size of the chamfer. The design of the probe tip is such that the probe position measures the side dimension of the chamfer along the wrap height direction.
Other advantages and objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the subsequent detailed description, appended claims and drawings.


A user accessing a first web application can request to clone that application to form a second web application, where the first web application may be owned by another user. The cloning operation involves copying at least part of a directory for the first web application to a new directory for the second web application. For example, non-private content types, queries, and/or hard-coded images and strings can be copied from the parent directory to the clone directory. The clone web application is then rendered in accordance with the content in its directory.

In general, a computer application allows a user to employ the capabilities of a computer to perform a task. Common computer applications include those used for, for example, word processing, e-mail, and browsing the Internet. Developers of such computer applications typically aim to deliver optimized applications with a robust set of features or a set of features tailored to a particular user base.
Computer applications can be delivered to a user in a variety of ways. For example, a computer application may be offered as part of "off-the-shelf" packaged software, where the application executes entirely on a user's computer; in some cases, the application communicates with remotely located data sources or applications. Alternatively, an application can execute on a remote host computer, and provide results to a user's computer. In this client-server model, the host typically maintains a distinct "session" for each client, and uses at least some data that is likewise specific to the client. Moreover, a computer application may be downloaded from the Internet. Also, various Internet entities provide applications that users can use. Web sites are known to offer, for example, mapping, restaurant review, Internet searching, photo sharing, news, stock market, weather, and social networking services. Such web applications provide a fixed set of features to users, who can use them to store and share data. Thus, many social networking sites allow users to store data, such as photographs, music, and files, and have others access that data. What cannot be done, however, is that the users can themselves modify the underlying applications that manage the data. Instead, these applications are designed with specific functionality (e.g., responding to database requests) and cannot be modified, except perhaps by system or web site administrators.
Creating a computer application, such as any of the ones described above, typically requires writing potentially hundreds to millions of lines of code. Such "programming" requires a certain level of proficiency and expertise with the programming language(s) used to code. Moreover, the developer generally has to have a good understanding of how computer systems work and code structure in order to ensure that their applications can run on particular platforms and at desired performance levels. At best, a typical user is able to enable or disable various predefined functions of an application. Further, most applications are provided to users in object code form, and thus cannot be easily modified at the programming code level to further extend their functionality. Even for applications that are provided in source code form, the user must have sophisticated computer programming skills in order to modify the application functionality. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a user wishing to create his/her own application with the ability to do so without requiring the user to code the entirety of the application and/or to have a strong understanding of the code needed for executing the application.


A device and method for measuring the level of elemental sulfur present in a gas in a gas line. The method may include the steps of: collecting a sample of elemental sulfur-containing gas from the gas line, wherein the sample is collected on an outer surface of a probe by condensing some or all of the elemental sulfur-containing gas in the gas line on a surface of the probe while the gas line is operational, the probe having a piping partially disposed within for providing a cooling medium to the probe and being adapted for insertion into the gas flow stream of the gas line, separating the elemental sulfur from other species in the sample into an amount of elemental sulfur; and analyzing the amount of elemental sulfur collected.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to the sampling of gases and, more particularly, to a device and method for measuring the level of elemental sulfur present in a gas in a gas line.
2. Description of the Related Art
Knowing of the presence of elemental sulfur in gas in a gas line is of high importance to engineers working with gas processing systems. Elemental sulfur vapor in a gas line can undergo condensation or deposition, either within the gas line or further downstream, and cause numerous problems, including unsafe, unreliable operations and increased maintenance costs. Condensed or deposed sulfur can cause corrosion acceleration and/or blockage by sulfur precipitates in process unit operations, which can interrupt the normal operation of the gas processing plant and, in some cases, require plant shutdown and diversion of the gas to another plant. These types of interruptions represent a safety hazard and often lead to environmental concerns. For example, if the blockage materials must be diverted to a burning pit, undesirable chemical fumes may be produced. In addition, the interruptions can be costly and often require manpower to locate and clear up blockage materials. Thus, it is desired to have the ability to measure the amount of elemental sulfur in gas in gas lines to avoid these and other problems.
Various devices and methods for measuring the amount of elemental sulfur present in gas in a gas line have been proposed; however, they have been ineffective and suffer from many disadvantages. For example, these devices and methods have not been able to provide accurate measurements, in part because elemental sulfur is usually present in extremely small quantities, i.e., parts per million or parts per billion. Also, available analytical techniques and instruments only measure the total sulfur present in the gas, and do not distinguish between free elemental sulfur and sulfur in other sulfur-containing chemicals, particularly in sour gas systems. Further, these previously proposed devices and methods are not particularly suitable for measuring elemental sulfur levels in gases in pressurized gas lines. In that regard, the use of sampling cylinders has been previously proposed. However, because elemental sulfur vapor condenses at temperatures below 52 degrees Celsius, when taking gas samples from pressurized gas pipelines for laboratory analysis, the sulfur condenses on the internal wall of the sampling cylinder, thus making sampling cylinders ineffective. Laboratory simulations have been performed and proposed. These simulations, however, have been performed in highly controlled environments and involve the evaporation of sulfur powder, and do not appear to be practical or accurate for real world applications involving, for example, pressurized gas streams.
Accordingly, prior to the development of the present invention, there has been no single device and method for measuring elemental sulfur in gas in gas lines which: provides an accurate measurement of elemental sulfur, can distinguish between free elemental sulfur and sulfur in other sulfur-containing chemicals, and is practical and effective when utilized in process plant applications, particularly in pressurized gas lines. Therefore, the art has sought a device and method for measuring elemental sulfur in gas in gas lines which: provides an accurate measurement of elemental sulfur, can distinguish between free elemental sulfur and sulfur in other sulfur-containing chemicals, and is practical and effective when utilized in process plant applications, particularly pressurized gas lines.

Device and method for measuring elemental sulfur in gas in gas lines


A hybrid-electric propulsion system for an aircraft includes a propulsor and a turbomachine. The turbomachine includes a high pressure turbine drivingly coupled to a high pressure compressor through a high pressure spool. The hybrid electric propulsion system further includes an electrical system including a first electric machine, a second electric machine, and an electric energy storage unit electrically connectable to the first and second electric machines. The first electric machine is coupled to the high pressure spool of the turbomachine and the second electric machine is coupled to the propulsor for driving the propulsor to provide a propulsive benefit for the aircraft. The hybrid electric propulsion system also includes a controller configured to provide electrical power from an electric power source to the first electric machine to drive the first electric machine to start, or assist with starting, the turbomachine.

A conventional commercial aircraft generally includes a fuselage, a pair of wings, and a propulsion system that provides thrust. The propulsion system typically includes at least two aircraft engines, such as turbofan jet engines. Each turbofan jet engine is typically mounted to a respective one of the wings of the aircraft, such as in a suspended position beneath the wing, separated from the wing and fuselage.
Initially, the turbofan jet engines must be started. Additionally, it may be necessary to start, or more particularly to re-start, one or more of the turbofan jet engines during a flight in the event of an unscheduled shutdown of the turbofan jet engine. For example, the turbofan jet engine may shut down due to ice ingestions, bird strikes, inadvertent engine shutdown commanded by the flight crew, etc.
During an initial start, a starter system, such as a pneumatic starter, rotates the engine to a speed sufficient to initiate an ignition of a combustion section of the turbofan jet engine. With regard to mid-flight starts, there are currently at least two types. The first type of mid-flight engine start is an "assisted" start in which the engine is rotated by both an airflow through the engine and torque exerted by the starter system. The second type of mid-flight engine start is typically referred to as an "unassisted" start because the normal engine starter is not utilized to accelerate the engine. Instead, only ambient airflow through the engine generates torque that causes the engine to rotate, prior to lightoff, to a minimum speed. This torque associated with airflow through the engine is typically referred to as "windmilling" torque. The torque and resultant minimum pre-lightoff speed in the unassisted case are typically low relative to those obtained in an assisted start operation.
Assisted starts are typically preferred to unassisted starts because the additional starter torque allows the engine to achieve idle faster, more reliably and with less overall stress on the engine due to high exhaust gas temperatures, etc. Regardless, engines are required to start in an unassisted manner under certain conditions due to the unavailability of power to the starter system. In most cases the starter system is powered by pneumatic energy provided by either the other aircraft engine or by the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU). If neither is running or running efficiently, pneumatic power might not be available to the starter system and hence a restart must be of the unassisted type.
When performing an unassisted start, engine lightoff must occur at a minimum speed that is determined by the windmilling torque. This minimum speed is low relative to the assisted case, and accordingly the main fuel pump (which is driven through rotation of the core) is typically oversized to be able to provide sufficient fuel to start the engine at this minimum speed. Additionally, the lack of starter system torque in the unassisted case leads to higher internal temperatures, slower acceleration rates, and reduced compressor stall margin at any given acceleration rate when compared to an assisted start. The factors may reduce a likelihood of a successful start, increase a time required to perform the restart, and potentially decrease a lifespan of certain components within the engine due to elevated internal temperatures.
Similarly, during assisted starts, traditional starter systems often provide sub-optimal torque contribution due to the limited torque/power capacity of the starter system and lack of ability to operate the starter at speeds approaching or surpassing engine idle speed. This sub-optimal torque contribution is worsened during high altitude and in-flight starts, as the systems providing pneumatic power to the starter system normally experience a reduction in capacity when ambient pressure is reduced (i.e. when operating at higher altitudes).
Accordingly, a propulsion system having features providing for higher probability starting of a gas turbine engine, more efficient starting of a gas turbine engine, and/or quicker starting of a gas turbine engine would be useful.


The present invention provides a method of manufacturing an automatic dishwashing detergent product, said product being provided as a discrete dosage unit and comprising a continuous, non-aqueous gel phase, comprising manufacturing said gel phase by a method comprising free radical polymerisation of monomer(s) in a non-aqueous reaction mixture to form a polymeric builder; wherein said reaction mixture comprises: at least one non-ionic surfactant which is an optionally end-capped alcohol alkoxylate; and one or more monomers comprising acrylic acid and optionally one or more further α,β-ethylenically unsaturated acids, wherein no more than 0.1 wt % of the total amount of the monomer(s) are crosslinking monomer(s).

Unit dose detergent products are convenient for consumers, since there is no need for them to measure out the required volume of detergent each time. Various unit dose formats, including tablets, and containers made of water-soluble material, are already known. Water-soluble containers are attractive since they avoid direct consumer contact with the detergent contents which are potentially irritant, and can have a faster dissolution profile than tablets (because the detergent contents do not need to be compacted particles). Fast dissolution in the wash is often required to release active ingredients from dosage units to be consumed in a single dishwasher run, so that they can become effective as soon as possible, for instance before they are deactivated by the high temperatures of the wash. Containers are preferred for this reason, and also since they are capable of incorporating many more types of composition including liquid, gel and paste compositions, not just solid ones. With multi-compartment containers, more than one type of composition can be incorporated (e.g. one solid and one liquid composition), incompatible ingredients can be kept separate until use, compartments can be designed to release their respective contents at different times in the wash, and/or greater opportunities for improved aesthetics are provided.
In practice in the automatic dishwashing ("ADW") field, the choice of available sizes and shapes of unit dose products is limited by the size and shape of machine dispensers into which they are to be placed. There is also a general demand in the art for more concentrated products which use less packaging and/or confer better performance by including higher amounts of active ingredients. It would therefore be useful to have a compact ADW unit dose detergent composition containing a high level of ingredients contributing to the performance.
When dealing with containers made from water-soluble material, it is also important to ensure this material does not dissolve or deteriorate prior to the intended usage point of the container. Adverse interactions between the container material and the container contents during storage can potentially lead to container deformation, loss of mechanical strength of the product and rendering it unattractive. For these reasons it is helpful for the detergent formulation inside the container to have a low water content. When space is an issue, it is also important to minimise the levels of carriers not contributing to performance in the wash, such as water. Nevertheless, whilst aqueous compositions are to be avoided, the composition must still be capable of dissolution in the wash, and ideally not leave residues on the dishware.
One particularly important type of ingredient in the context of detergent performance is a builder. Builders soften water by removing free cations from the water, thereby increasing the performance of other detergent ingredients which are adversely affected by those cations. Mostly, they react with calcium and/or magnesium ions to form complexes or precipitates. Historically, phosphates like STPP and KTPP have been the mainstay detergent builders, but there are increasing regulatory restrictions on the use of these ingredients worldwide.
Gel formats are visually very attractive to consumers, especially transparent gels. However, there is a conflict between the requirements for low water content, high builder content, and the gel not being opaque. Many available builders are solid at room temperature and do not dissolve in sufficient quantities in the non-water solvents typically used to produce anhydrous gels. For example, phosphates like STPP and KTPP and non-phosphate builders like MGDA and GLDA may be in dissolved form in an aqueous formulation, but may be in the form of dispersed particles in a non-aqueous formulation; dispersed particles can scatter light and render the formulation opaque.
Previously, if a unit dose detergent product was to contain a builder and a transparent fluid, this was usually achieved in the form of a multi-compartment container, carrying builder comprised in a solid composition and/or opaque fluid in one compartment, and a transparent fluid containing no builder in a separate compartment. However, the drive for higher performance and greater concentration of active ingredients has forced the present inventors to look for ways to incorporate builder in the transparent fluid too. In addition, liquids and low viscosity gels are liable to leak out of a container if the container material becomes damaged, so it would be desirable in this context for the transparent fluid to be a self-standing gel.
Certain types of polyacrylic acid (and salts thereof) can act as a builder (c.f. U.S. Pat. No. 3,904,685) and have been included as part of builder systems in commercial tablet and opaque gel ADW formulations. Their carboxylic acid/carboxylate groups allow them to chelate or form salts with the metal ions. As polyelectrolytes, they can also act as dispersants for soils, helping to prevent their redeposition on glass and dishware. For instance, compounds in the Sokalan™ PA range are advertised as dispersants. On the other hand, other types of polyacrylic acid may not have builder capacity, depending on the polymer structure. For example, cross-linked, high molecular weight polyacrylic acid (e.g. in the Carbopol™ range) has been used in low concentrations as a thickener for aqueous liquid ADW systems, together with a non-cross-linked, lower molecular weight polyacrylic acid salt as a builder (cf. U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,766).
Typically, a polyacrylic acid builder is synthesised in aqueous solution, and optionally then dried. Thus, the common forms that are commercially available to the detergent formulator are an aqueous liquid or a spray-dried powder. The formulator may use the powder directly in a tablet formulation, use the aqueous liquid directly in an aqueous liquid detergent formulation, or redissolve the powder in an aqueous liquid detergent formulation. However, there is great difficulty in dissolving high levels of polyacrylic acid builder in non-aqueous systems comprising high levels of non-ionic surfactants. Copolymers of acrylic acid and other monomers that have been tried may have a greater solubility in the surfactant composition, but show lower solubility in the wash liquor and lower performance as a builder.
WO 2004/099274 discloses the formation of a graft polymer in which a polyalkylene glycol forms the backbone, and poly(meth)acrylic acid is grafted as branches onto the backbone. Use of the graft polymer in automatic dishwashing is mentioned. The free radical polymerisation is carried out at 90° C. in the presence of the polyalkylene glycol and water which is charged into the system at a controlled time. The graft polymer is therefore formed in an aqueous system, which may optionally additionally contain an organic solvent. Accordingly, this could not be used directly to form a non-aqueous gel.
EP 0,639,592 discloses the formation of a builder which is a related graft polymer to the one of WO 2004/099274. The polymerisation reaction is carried out at 100° C. or higher in the presence of substantially no solvent of any type; the polyether is melted by heating, to allow the reaction to take place. The ratio of monomers to polyether is at least 0.25:1. Although the polymerisation reaction itself does not utilise a solvent, the polymer is subsequently neutralised using an aqueous base or dissolved in a water/alcohol mixture, such that the end result of the synthesis is an aqueous solution of the graft polymer. Accordingly, it could not be used directly in non-aqueous gels. Furthermore, the examples of detergents in this document are aqueous liquid detergents.
There is still a need in the art for a transparent/translucent, non-aqueous ADW gel containing significant quantities of a builder, preferably a self-standing gel of this type. Such a gel would be advantageous even when not incorporated in a water soluble container, for example if the gel is rigid and stable enough not to require encapsulation in a container.
The present inventors have discovered that polyacrylic acid and related acrylates can be synthesised directly in non-ionic surfactant, in the absence of water, to form an aesthetically appealing gel that is suitable for ADW use and affords good builder and surfactant performance.

Method of manufacturing an automatic dishwashing detergent product


As one example, a system includes a first timestamp generator to provide a first timestamp in response to at least one input clock signal. The first timestamp may be derived based on a global time base and have a resolution that resides within a first range of values corresponding to a first time range. A second timestamp generator provides a second timestamp in response to the at least one input clock signal. The second timestamp may be derived based on a second time base and have a resolution that resides within a second range of values complementary to the first timestamp and corresponding to a second time range that is greater than the first time range. A combiner combines the first and second timestamps to provide a reference timestamp having a value over an extended range of continuous time values.

Single frequency networks or simulcasting using multiple transmitters with overlapping receiver coverage areas can provide broadcasters with significant advantages in increased geographical coverage area and lower operating costs. Simulcasting of media can also be implemented for different versions, such as concurrently broadcasting both analog and digital versions of the same media content. For example, such simulcasting can be transmitted over the same channel or be transmitted over multiple different channels. In some examples, a user device may automatically or manually switch from one version to another version of the simulcast media being or move from one coverage area to another. The effectiveness of such simulcasting depends upon accurate synchronization broadcast signal to provide substantially seamless reception with minimum artifacts. The synchronization of multiple signals can be controlled based on timestamps.