There is provided a method of measuring coupling ratios in a marine vessel. The vessel includes: (a) a source of mechanical power; (b) a coupling system operatively coupled via a first input shaft to the source of power and operatively coupled via a second output shaft to one or more propellers of the vessel; and (c) a controller coupled to a user interface and also to the coupling system such that the user interface is operable via the controller to control a degree of power coupling occurring in operation through the coupling system. The first and second shafts are provided with first and second rotation rate sensors respectively coupled to the controller for generating first and second rotation rate signals indicative in operation of rotation rates of the first and second shafts respectively. The method involves measuring a ratio of the first and second signals when the coupling system is in a fully coupled state.

The present invention relates to methods of measuring coupling ratios. Moreover, the invention also concerns systems and apparatus operable to employ the methods for measuring such coupling ratios. Such coupling ratios concern, for example, marine vessels regarding power coupling from their engines or motors via associated transmissions to corresponding one or more propellers.
The present invention relates to methods of measuring coupling ratios. Moreover, the method is especially suitable for measuring coupling ratios in marine vessels. Referring to FIG. 1, a contemporary known marine vessel is indicated generally by 10. The marine vessel 10, for example a private boat, comprises a hull 20 complemented with an upper deck 30 above which is included a control cabin 40. The control cabin 40 includes various user-operable controls such as a steering wheel 50 for steering a direction of travel of the vessel 10 in operation, and a speed controller 60 having a control lever 70 which is user-adjustable for controlling in operation speed of travel of the vessel 10 in forward and reverse directions as will be elucidated in more detail later; a user 80 is thereby able to steer and control movement of the vessel 10 in forward or reverse directions by manipulating the steering wheel 50 and the control lever 70. Within the hull 20, the vessel 10 comprises an engine or motor 100 having an output shaft 110 which is driven in operation by the engine or motor 100 in a uni-directional rotation manner as denoted by an arrow 120. The shaft 110 is coupled to a rotary input of a transmission 130, also known as a "coupling"; the transmission 130 can optionally include one or more of a clutch and a gear. The transmission 130 includes a toothed output drive wheel with a given number of teeth and optionally a rotation sensor operable to provide a signal indicative of a rotation rate of the toothed drive wheel for the purposes of the present invention as will be elucidated later, the number of teeth of the output drive does not need to be known. An output shaft 140 of the transmission 130 coupled to the aforementioned output drive wheel is operable to be driven bi-directionally in both clockwise and anti-clockwise directions as denoted by an arrow 150 in response to user-adjustment of the control lever 70. The output shaft 140 is further coupled at its remote end to one or more propellers 160 which are also susceptible to being driven bi-directionally as denoted by an arrow 170 is response to user-adjustment of the lever control 70. The aforementioned control lever 70 is coupled, optionally via a data processor in the speed controller 60, to the transmission 130 so that adjustment of the control lever 70 is operable to control a degree of coupling of rotary power from the engine or motor 100 through the transmission 130 to the one or more propellers 160. Moreover, the vessel 10 is designed to float on water 200 with its one or more propellers 160 immersed in the water 200 as illustrated.
The control lever 70 and its associated speed controller 60 are illustrated in more detail in plan view in FIG. 2. The control lever 70 is pivotally movable within a slot 250 having a central neutral position denoted by a transverse axis 300. Moreover, the speed controller 60 includes a graduated scale 310 having a central marking 440 corresponding to the aforesaid neutral position of the control lever 70. In a forward control position denoted by a symbol "F", the graduated scale 310 has a first series of markings 41Of, 42Of, 43Of, 44Of as illustrated corresponding to progressively increasing forward speed, namely corresponding to progressively less slippage occurring between coupling plates of the transmission 130 when propelling the vessel 10 in a forward direction. In a similar manner, the graduated scale 310 has a second series of markings 41Or, 42Or, 43Or, 44Or as illustrated corresponding to progressively less slippage occurring between the coupling plates of the transmission 130 when propelling the vessel 10 in a reverse direction. The aforesaid neutral position 440 for the control lever 70 corresponds, effectively, to complete slippage between the coupling plates of the transmission 130, namely a state of non-coupling of mechanical power through the transmission 130.
A problem encountered in practice is that the vessel 10 is often customized or is unique in its configuration of motor or engine 100, its transmission 130, and its one or more propellers 160 and also speed controller 60. It is thus desirable that the vessel 10 should be easily configurable so that a position of the control lever 70 relative to the scale 310 is representative, namely visually indicative, of a manner in which the vessel 10 is susceptible to operating in coupling power from the engine or motor 100 to the one or more propellers 160. In other words, it is desirable that the control lever 70 positioned at the neutral position 440 should correspond to substantially negligible rotary power being transmitted through to the one or more propellers 160; in contradistinction, it is also desirable that the control lever 70 adjusted by the user to align to the markings 440f, 44Or should correspond to full coupling of rotary power from the engine or motor 100 to the one or more propellers 160 so that substantially negligible slippage occurs in the transmission 130. Moreover, it is also desirable that intermediate markings, for example the markings 42Of, 42Or should correspond to substantially half coupling of rotary power from the motor or engine 100 to the one or more propellers 160 in forward and reverse directions respectively.
When the vessel 10 has initially been constructed, or has been subject to modifications or alterations, the control lever 70 will often be non-representative of characteristics of rotary power transmission occurring within the vessel 10. A conventional approach contemporarily adopted for the vessel 10 is to input various parameters into the speed controller 60, for example into an electronic data processor thereof (not shown in FIG. 1), so as to result in the position of the control lever 70 relative to the scale 310 being representative of rotary power transmission occurring within the vessel 10. Such data entry is not only cumbersome and time consuming, but also requires knowledge of specific characteristics of the motor or engine 100, the transmission 130 and also the one or more propellers 160.
The present invention therefore seeks to address technical problems encountered with the vessel 10 when implemented in substantially conventional form, by providing a more practical and straightforward method of measuring coupling ratios in a rotary transmission chain in the vessel 10.
Various configurations for the transmission 130 are known in earlier literature, although methods of measuring coupling ratios and providing corresponding calibrations of speed controls is not elucidated in such literature. For example, in a Japanese patent application JP 2003-002296, there is described a hydraulic control mechanism for a marine reduction reversing gear. The hydraulic control mechanism is directed at a technical problem of allowing for changes of two ranges of set values of propeller rotating speed control and slip factor control for a marine reduction reversing gear fixed to a rear part of an engine. The control mechanism is operable to change rotation of a propeller for a ship ahead and astern to change speed. Moreover, the control mechanism is capable of accommodating changes in control by increasing and/or decreasing operating oil pressure applied to the hydraulic clutch.
Moreover, in a Japanese patent application JP 07-196090, there is described a slip quantity adjuster for ship marine gears. The adjuster is operable to address a technical problem of providing a convenient approach to setting a control range of a dial to a full range whilst permitting a user to input a number of revolutions of a screw shaft, for example the screw shaft being coupled to a propeller. Such adjustment is provided via a solenoid valve hydraulically controlling a clutch of a marine gear. Moreover, the adjuster employs an electronic PID control unit in connection with a PWM circuit.
The aforementioned Japanese applications describe approaches to controlling power transmission through clutches of marine engine or motor systems but does not disclose a more convenient approach to measuring coupling ratios within such systems.
It is desirable to provide a more practical and straightforward method of measuring coupling ratios in transmission chains of marine vessels.
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of measuring coupling ratios in a marine vessel, said vessel comprising:    (a) a source of mechanical power;    (b) a coupling system operatively coupled via a first input shaft to said source of power and operatively coupled via a second output shaft to one or more propellers of said vessel; and    (c) a controller coupled to a user interface and also to the coupling system such that the user interface is operable via the controller to control a degree of power coupling occurring in operation through the coupling system,    said first and second shafts being provided with first and second rotation rate sensors respectively coupled to said controller for generating first and second rotation rate signals indicative in operation of rotation rates of said first and second shafts respectively, wherein said method includes at least one of steps (d) to (e), such steps including:    (d) adjusting the user interface to invoke substantially full engagement of coupling in the coupling system such that substantially full coupling of the source of power to said one or more propellers occurs corresponding to propelling the vessel at substantially full forward speed, and recording corresponding values of said first and second indicative signals in said controller; and    (e) adjusting the user interface to invoke substantially full engagement of coupling in the coupling system such that full coupling of the source of power to said one or more propellers occurs corresponding to propelling the vessel at substantially full reverse speed, and recording corresponding values of said first and second indicative signals in said controller.
The invention is of advantage in that the values of the first and second indicative signals recorded in the controller are susceptible to being used to calculate an effective measure of a coupling ratio provided in the vessel.
"Full forward speed" corresponds to substantially full coupling employed in the coupling system.
Optionally, the method comprises a further step of:    (f) calibrating said user interface based on measurements in at least one of steps (d) and (e) so that said user interface when calibrated is operable to provide a user-interpretable indication when full power is being coupled through the coupling system such that intermediate indications of the user interface are indicative of progressively changing degrees of couple of power from the first shaft to the second shaft through the coupling system.
Optionally, the method includes further steps of:    (g) adjusting the user interface to invoke full slippage to occur within the coupling system so that mechanical power is substantially not coupled from the first shaft to the second shaft such that said second rate sensor is operable to measure substantially zero rotation rate of the second shaft; and    (h) calibrating said user interface based on measurements in step (g) so that said user interface when calibrated is operable to provide a user-interpretable indication when substantially zero power is being coupled through the coupling system. Steps (g) and (h) are of benefit in that they enable a neutral central position to be determined for the user interface.
Optionally, in the method, the user interface is operable to provide a user indication of an effective coupling ratio provided in the vessel.
Optionally, the method is adapted for implementation when the vessel is either on land or floating on water. The method is of benefit that it can be applied when, for example, the vessel is in dry-dock undergoing upgrades or routine repairs.
Optionally, the method is adapted for implementation to recalibrate the vessel after said vessel has been subject to reconfiguration.
Optionally, in the method, the user interface includes at least one of: a linearly-adjustable control, a rotary-adjustable control, a virtual control presented as a symbol on a display with associated inputs for user-manipulation of said virtual control. Such implementations of the user interface are convenient when the vessel is being used under marine conditions, for example storm conditions or conditions of poor visibility.
Optionally, in the method, the coupling system includes coupling plates operable to couple mechanical power thereacross in response to a control signal generated by said controller, said coupling of power across said coupling plates being responsive to a degree of slippage occurring between said plates.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a marine vessel comprising:    (a) a source of mechanical power;    (b) a coupling system operatively coupled via a first input shaft to said source of power and operatively coupled via a second output shaft to one or more propellers of said vessel; and    (c) a controller coupled to a user interface also to the coupling system such that the user interface is operable via the controller to control a degree of coupling occurring in operation in the coupling system,    said first and second shafts being provided with first and second shaft rotation rate sensors respectively coupled to said controller for generating first and second rotation rate signals indicative in operation of rotation rates of said first and second shafts respectively,said vessel being operable to be calibrated according to the method according to the first aspect of the invention.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided software recorded on a data carrier, said software being executable on computing hardware for implementing the method according to the first aspect of the invention.
It will be appreciated that features of the invention are susceptible to being combined in any combination without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.


A universal medication port includes a cylindrical member having an internal bore with a plurality of radial passageways extending therefrom. A plunger is disposed within the internal bore of the cylinder, the plunger having an internal bore with a plurality of radial passageways extending therefrom. The plunger is movable in response to insertion of a needle-less hypodermic syringe into the internal bore of the cylindrical member so as to align the respective passageways in the plunger and the cylindrical member with one another to establish a fluid path from the syringe through the internal bore of the plunger and respective passageways in the plunger and the cylindrical member to a receptacle, such as a vial, an intravenous bottle or intravenous delivery system, in which the cylindrical member is inserted.

The present invention relates to medication ports and, in particular, to a universal medication port that will enable any medicant or other type of fluid to be injected into or withdrawn from a vial, intravenous bottle, intravenous tubing or the like without the use of a hypodermic needle.
Intravenous delivery systems generally employ a length of tubing having means through which additional fluid or medication may be introduced. In the past, there have been a number of approaches for introducing additional fluid or medication to the intravenous tubing without using a hypodermic needle. Examples of such approaches can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,866,457; 3,276,472; 3,994,293; 4,666,429; 4,871,353; 4,915,687; and 4,967,797. All of these systems, however, are only suitable for introducing fluid into the delivery system itself. However, prior to the fluid or medication being introduced into the intravenous system, it must be withdrawn from a vial or intravenous bottle. This is generally accomplished in the prior art by using a hypodermic needle to withdraw medication or solution from the vial or intravenous bottle by aspiration. As a result, healthcare workers still run the risk of being accidently stuck by contaminated needles with the concomitant risk of infection.


In virtualized environments, storage may be managed dynamically due to the changing data storage requirements. In such environments, logical storage unit identifiers (LUN IDs) may be modified as a result of deleting an existing mapping between physical storage and a virtualization server and recreating the mapping. This can result in I/O request failure. Techniques for resolving errors resulting from LUN ID modifications can be time-intensive and labor-intensive and can disrupt a communication path between a host device and the physical storage. Functionality can be implemented to dynamically identify the LUN ID modifications, determine valid LUN IDs, and retransmit failed I/O requests. This can help minimize I/O request failures due to LUN ID modifications without disrupting the communication path between the host device and the physical storage.

Embodiments of the inventive subject matter generally relate to the field of data storage and, more particularly, to dynamic tracking of virtual logical storage units.
Storage virtualization is achieved by abstracting physical storage locations (e.g., hard disks, etc.). Virtualization software maps the physical storage to a logical storage space represented by virtual logical storage units. The virtual logical storage units are identified by logical storage unit identifiers.

Dynamically tracking virtual logical storage units

International Business Machines Corporation


Disclosed is a chambered irrigation container construction adapted for holding irrigation liquid for delivery to a wound site by irrigation syringe or by pouring, an irrigation unit comprising the container and sterilizable irrigation kit therefor. The open-top container comprises a bottom portion and a substantially upright sidewall extending upward therefrom so that a first portion defines a first chamber, a second portion defines a second chamber and a neck portion defines a flow channel placing each chamber in fluid flow communication with one another. The irrigation container is stabilized against sideways tipping by certain stabilizing features and is nestable with similar containers by certain nesting features. In a preferred embodiment the first portion defines an integral spout and the exterior surface of the second portion defines an integral gripping means which cooperates with the second chamber to prevent an irrigation syringe received therein from entry into the flow channel and first chamber.

During the course of caring for patients, sterile irrigation water is commonly used to irrigate and cleanse incisions or open wound sites. In hospitals, this irrigation procedure can be performed in the operating room, in the emergency room or in the patient's hospital room. Alternatively, irrigation procedures may be performed in the doctor's office, ambulance or in first aid centers.
For this purpose, sterile liquid, such as irrigation water or saline, is generally supplied in sealed containers. Accordingly, it is desirable to have available irrigation kits comprising sterilizable utensils capable of holding and delivering this irrigation liquid to an incision or wound site. In certain instances, incisions or wound sites are preferably irrigated by pouring a relatively thin stream of liquid directly on the site.
Present irrigation containers are open wide-mouth bowls, basins or pitchers. In common surgical practice, umbilical ties and vascular loops are frequently draped on the open upper edge of these irrigation containers for ready access, particularly during the irrigation procedures. However, when an irrigation syringe is received in the container and is operated for withdrawing irrigation liquid, the syringe can accidentally also aspirate such tapes or loops. There is a need, therefore, for an irrigation container constructed to hold an irrigation syringe in a manner which avoids the foregoing problem while liquid is being withdrawn.
Irrigation containers frequently are combined with other surgical utensils for operating room kits and frequently are sealed for sterilization. A problem arises, however, when the height of the irrigation container exceeds the height of another kit item, such as a ring stand basin, causing a bulge which can result in tearing of the overwrapping and break the sterile seal. A bulge also limits the number of kits which can be placed in a sterilizer.
Desirably, an irrigation container is formed of sterilizable plastic and is nestable for convenient stacking storage. However, when plastic containers are nested, the sidewalls of one container tend to fictionally interlock with the sidewall of another making separation of individual containers difficult.
Accordingly what is needed, therefore, is an irrigation container which offers the benefits of a lipless reservoir for holding irrigation liquid from which a desired amount can be withdrawn by an irrigation syringe for delivery to a wound site and that of a spouted pouring container for delivering a relatively narrow stream of irrigation liquid directly to an incision or wound site. Moreover, an ideal irrigation container should also be stabilized against sideways tipping and suited for use in sterilizable irrigation units and kits.
The irrigation container of the present invention overcomes the foregoing problems and meets the desired needs.


The present disclosure is directed to methods, compositions, and kits for treating dementia.

Dementia is not a specific disease, but a condition that is associated with a wide range of symptoms that, in turn, are associated with a decline in memory, among other brain functions. Dementia can affect the young, middle aged, and elderly, but it is generally more prevalent in adults over the age of 60. More than three million cases of dementia are diagnosed yearly in the United States alone.
It is believed that dementia results from damage to nerve cells in the brain, brain cell death, and/or neurodegenerative diseases. Some dementias are believed to be due to exogenous factors such as mediations, deficiencies, such as vitamin deficiencies, head injuries, strokes, brain tumors, prion diseases, and HIV infection. However, no single one reason why a patient develops dementia has been identified.
Dementia can affect different areas of the brain, thereby resulting in different symptoms. The most common symptom of dementia is memory loss, which may be short term or long term, and greatly affects quality of life for patients of all ages. Although dementia generally cannot be cured, there are medications and therapies that can delay halt or even delay the progression of symptoms.
What are needed are effective methods of treating dementia.

Compositions and methods for treating dementia


A fluid dispensing system for monitoring a weight of a fluid dispensed by a fluid dispenser. A first monitoring device determines a first flow characteristic, for example, pressure, of the pressurized fluid flowing through the fluid dispenser; and a second monitoring device determines a second flow characteristic, for example, viscosity, of the pressurized fluid flowing through the fluid dispenser. A monitor control produces an output representing a weight of the fluid dispensed by the fluid dispenser as a function of the first and second flow characteristics. The monitor control also stores values relating to a size of an orifice through which the pressurized fluid is dispensed and a density of the pressurized fluid. The weight value is determined as a function of the orifice size and the density values. The present invention also includes a method of monitoring a weight of a fluid being dispensed by a fluid dispenser.

The present invention generally relates to fluid dispensing and more particularly, to an improved fluid dispensing system including a weight monitor.
Known fluid dispensing systems include a pump with an inlet connected to a supply of material and a discharge connected to a fluid dispenser. For precision dispensing, the dispenser normally includes a valve which permits fluid to pass through a discharge opening such as a spray nozzle or fluid tip. In some systems, the dispenser valve is operated by a program controlled device so that fluid is dispensed in precise or metered amounts.
In many applications it is often desirable that precise patterns, metered amounts or both be dispensed. Further, in order to optimize the use of the material being sprayed, it is desirable that a constant amount of material be deposited on the object of interest. For example, in precision dispensing systems used to apply a coating of material on surfaces of can bodies, the user normally specifies the amount of material to be deposited by its weight, for example, 160 milligrams (xe2x80x9cmgxe2x80x9d) of material per can. With known systems, given a desired weight and density of material to be deposited, the flowrate of material expected to be discharged from the nozzle can be determined from the size of the nozzle orifice and estimates of the nozzle pressure and the viscosity of the material. Given an expected flowrate, the time the dispensing nozzle is held open to dispense the desired weight of material can also be determined.
While such systems have proven to provide an acceptable performance, there is a continuing effort to improve the system""s performance. Can bodies are typically coated during the manufacturing process at rates of up to several hundred cans per minute. Further, any changes in the variables used to determine the expected flowrate, e.g., the coating material viscosity, will affect the flowrate of material through the nozzle and thus, the weight of material used to coat the can body. Such variations in the weight of the coating material used have a significant impact on manufacturing costs. For example, if the weight of the coating material is greater than a specified weight, more coating material than required is being used. When the value of that excess material is accumulated over thousands or millions of cans being coated, it adds up to a very significant cost. Obviously, there is a need to reduce the unnecessary cost of applying excess coating material to a can or other object. In the other extreme, if there is too little coating material used in the process, the result is improperly coated cans. An improperly coated can may have an adverse effect on the can""s ability to function for storage. In some cases, the can may suffer accelerated deterioration (i.e., shortened shelf life), and in others (e.g. for foods and beverages) the contents may be adversely affected (e.g., taste, spoilage). Improper coating, therefore, is undesirable and adds substantial expense because improperly coated cans must be rejected and disposed of, or reprocessed by inspecting, hand sorting, cleaning and recoating.
Thus, there is a need for an improved fluid dispensing system in which variations in the coating material being dispensed and applied can be automatically detected and addressed.
The present invention provides a fluid dispensing system with an improved monitoring of the quality of the fluid dispensing process. The fluid dispensing system of the present invention has a monitoring system providing an early indicator of a potential problem in a coating line, thereby providing a higher quality finished coated product. The fluid dispensing system of the present invention can be used to prevent first, the use of excessive coating material, thereby reducing manufacturing costs, and second, the use of too little coating material, thereby improving the quality of the finished coated product. Further, the present invention permits deviations in the fluid dispensing process to be corrected prior to a large number of faulty coatings occurring, thereby providing a more efficient and economical fluid coating line. Thus, the fluid dispensing system of the present invention is especially useful in coating line applications where a large number of objects are being coated over successive fluid dispensing cycles.
In accordance with the principles of the present invention and the described embodiments, a fluid dispensing system is provided for monitoring a weight of a fluid dispensed by a fluid dispenser. A first monitoring device determines a first flow characteristic of the pressurized fluid flowing through the fluid dispenser, and a second monitoring device determines a second flow characteristic of the pressurized fluid flowing through the fluid dispenser. A monitor control produces an output representing a weight of the fluid dispensed by the fluid dispenser as a function of the first and second flow characteristics.
In one aspect of the invention, the first and second monitoring devices are pressure and viscosity monitoring devices. Further, the fluid dispenser is operated over intervals of time; and the monitor control produces pressure and viscosity values of the pressurized fluid flowing through the fluid dispenser during an interval of time.
In a further aspect of the invention, the monitor control stores a value related to a size of an orifice in the fluid dispenser through which the pressurized fluid is dispensed; and the monitor control produces a volume value representing a volume of fluid flowing through the fluid dispenser during the interval of time as a function of the size of the orifice. The monitor control also stores a value related to a density of the pressurized fluid and produces the output representing the weight of fluid dispensed by the fluid dispenser during the interval of time as a function of the density value.
In another embodiment, the present invention includes a method of monitoring a weight of a fluid being dispensed by a fluid dispenser. In the method, a fluid dispenser executes a fluid dispensing cycle to apply a fluid coating to an object. First and second flow characteristics of the fluid dispensed by the fluid dispenser during the fluid dispensing cycle are then determined; and thereafter, a weight of the fluid dispensed by the fluid dispenser during the fluid dispensing cycle is determined as a function of the first and second flow characteristics.
In an aspect of this invention, the first and second flow characteristics are the pressure and viscosity of the fluid dispensed by the fluid dispenser during the fluid dispensing cycle.
Various additional advantages, objects and features of the invention will become more readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of the presently described embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Fluid dispenser with fluid weight monitor


The present invention is directed to aqueous cleaning concentrates such as for cleaning electronic circuit assemblies comprising 15-30 wt. % of a composition containing alkaline salt, an alkali metal silicate to boost detersive action or to provide corrosion protection to the substrates which are cleaned, an anionic polymer comprising a high molecular weight polyacrylic acid which stabilizes the alkali metal silicate to prevent precipitation of the silicate from solution, surfactants, and a hydrotrope to maintain the surfactants in solution and the balance water.

As described in commonly-assigned co-pending application, U.S. Ser. No. 075,231, filed Jun. 10, 1993, it has been found that solder fluxes contained on electronic circuit assemblies, such as printed circuit boards and printed wiring boards, can be effectively removed by contact with aqueous solutions of alkaline salts such as alkali metal carbonates and mixtures of alkali metal carbonates and bicarbonates. It has further been found that the addition of alkali metal silicates to such formulations greatly improves the corrosion protection of ceramic and metal components on such electronic assemblies.
The cleanliness of electronic circuit assemblies (ECA), such as printed circuit boards (PCB) or printed wiring boards (PWB), is generally regarded as being critical to their functional reliability. Ionic and nonionic contamination on circuit assemblies is believed to contribute to premature failures of the circuit assemblies by allowing short circuits to develop.
In the manufacture of electronic circuit assemblies, ionic and nonionic contamination can accumulate after one or more steps of the process. Circuit assembly materials are plated, etched, handled by operators in assembly, coated with corrosive or potentially corrosive fluxes and finally soldered.
In the fabrication of electronic circuit assemblies, e.g., printed circuit boards, soldering fluxes are first applied to the substrate board material to ensure firm, uniform bonding of the solder. These soldering fluxes fall into two broad categories: rosin and non-rosin, or water soluble, fluxes. The rosin fluxes, which are generally only moderately corrosive and have a much longer history of use, are still widely used throughout the electronics industry. The water soluble fluxes, which are a more recent development, are being used increasingly in consumer products applications. Because water soluble fluxes contain strong acids and/or amine hydrohalides, such fluxes are very corrosive. Unfortunately, residues of any flux can cause circuit failure if residual traces of the material are not carefully removed following soldering and thus remain on an electronic circuit assembly.
While water soluble fluxes can be easily removed with warm, soapy water, the removal of rosin flux from printed circuit boards is more difficult and has therefore traditionally been carried out with the use of chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents such as 1,1,1,-trichlorethane, trichloroethylene, trichloromonofluoromethane, methylene chloride, trichlorotrifluoroethane (CFC113), tetrachlorodifluoroethane (CFC112) or mixtures or azeotropes of these and/or other solvents. These solvents are undesirable, however, because they are toxic and when released into the environment deplete the ozone layer and/or contribute to the greenhouse global warming effect. Thus, use of such solvents is subject to close scrutiny by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and stringent containment equipment must be used. Moreover, if released into the environment these solvents are not readily biodegradable and are thus hazardous for long periods of time.
Alkaline cleaning compounds known as the alkanolamines, usually in the form of monoethanolamine, have been used for rosin flux removal as an alternative to the toxic chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents. These high pH compounds (e.g., about 12 pH), chemically react with rosin flux to form a rosin soap through the process of saponification. Other organic substances such as surfactants or alcohol derivatives may be added to these alkaline cleaning compounds to facilitate the removal of such rosin soap. Unfortunately, these compounds, as well as the water soluble soldering fluxes, have a tendency to cause corrosion on the surfaces and interfaces of printed wiring boards if such compounds and fluxes are not completely and rapidly removed during the fabrication process.
In other approaches, Daley et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,635,666 utilize a highly caustic solution having a pH of 13 in a batch cleaning process. This method severely oxidizes the solder applied to the circuit board. In Hayes et al., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,640,719 and 4,740,247 rosin soldering flux and other residues are removed from electronic assemblies by means of terpene compounds in combination with terpene emulsifying surfactants by rinsing in water.
The complete removal of adhesive and other residues also poses a problem. During the manufacture of electronic circuit assemblies the components are mounted on the upper surface of the board with leads protruding downwardly through holes in the board and are secured to the bottom surface of the board by means of an adhesive. Further, it is sometimes necessary to temporarily protect certain portions of the board from processing steps such as the process of creating corrosion resistant gold connecting tabs at the board edges. This transient protection of portions of the circuit board can be achieved by the application of special adhesive tape to susceptible areas. Once such protection is no longer needed, the adhesive tape must be removed. In both instances, a residue of adhesive generally remains which, if not thoroughly removed, can cause premature board failure. Removal of this adhesive residue has traditionally been carried out by the use of chlorinated solvents which, as already described, are toxic and environmentally undesirable.
Thus, the residual contaminants which are likely to be found on electronic circuit assemblies and which can be removed by the compositions and method of the present invention include, but are not limited to, for example, rosin flux, photoresist, solder masks, adhesives, machine oils, greases, silicones, lanolin, mold release, polyglycols and plasticizers.
The cleaning compositions for electronic circuit assemblies as described in the above-mentioned commonly assigned application have a relatively low pH compared to prior art aqueous circuit board cleaners which utilize high pH, i.e., 12 and above, aqueous cleaning compositions. These high pH solutions are very corrosive on the circuit assemblies and are relatively unsafe to use. The prior art cleaners also yield high biological oxygen demands and chemical oxygen demands in the water effluents from the cleaning process. As disclosed in the above mentioned application, the flux removing compositions disclosed therein include alkaline salts such as alkali metal carbonates or mixtures of alkali metal carbonates and alkali metal bicarbonates, an alkali metal silicate corrosion inhibitor and an anionic polymer such as a high molecular weight polyacrylic acid to maintain the silicate in solution. The cleaning compositions also include other cleaning adjuvants such as surfactants, antifoam agents and hydrotropes to maintain these organic materials in aqueous solution.
A convenient way to provide the compositions in the wash bath used to clean the electronic circuit assemblies is to add the dry composition in the form of an aqueous concentrate which contains 5 to 45 wt. % of the dry composition. By providing the compositions in the form of an aqueous concentrate, the end user can accurately dilute the concentrate to any desired level providing both flexibility and accurate dispensing. The present invention is directed to providing improved cleaning concentrates useful in the removal of rosin soldering flux from electronic circuit assemblies.


A method of executing a graphics pipeline includes calculating, while executing the graphics pipeline on a current frame, a resource for processing properties of an object included in a following frame, determining, based on a result of the calculating, whether to perform a pre-process for the object included in the following frame, performing the pre-processing, when the pre-process is determined to be performed, comprising transforming the properties of the object that are to be processed in a graphics pipeline for the following frame, and executing, when the pre-process is to be performed, the graphics pipeline for the following frame by using the transformed properties of the object.

1. Field
The following description relates to a method and apparatus for executing a graphics pipeline.
2. Description of the Related Art
A rendering system refers to an apparatus for graphics processing and displaying content. A rendering system may include, for example, personal computers (PCs), laptop computers, video game consoles, and embedded devices such as smartphones, table devices, and wearable devices. A graphics processor included in the rendering system may generate a frame to be displayed, by transforming graphics data of 2-dimensional (2D) or 3-dimensional (3D) objects into 2D pixels.
The embedded devices such as smartphones, tablet devices, and wearable devices may have problems such as a low processing ability and large power consumption. Thus, the embedded devices may not exhibit the same graphics processing performance as workstations such as PCs, laptop computers, and video game consoles that have relatively greater memory space and processing power. Due to a recent increase in the usage of mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet devices, users may frequently engage in processing-intensive activities such as playing games or watching video content using smartphones and tablet devices.

Method and apparatus for executing graphics pipeline


A continuous speed control and braking circuit for a DC propulsion motor having armature and field currents set largely independent of each other to permit operation in the field weakening region of the motor. A direct current control element is pulsed for setting the armature current; a series circuit containing the field winding and a switch is connected in parallel to the DC control element; and a field current bypass diode is shunted across the field winding.

a. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a speed control (travel) circuit and/or braking circuit for a series DC motor. More particularly, it relates to a series DC motor operating in the field weakening region in which the armature current is set by a pulsed control element and in which the field has a bypass valve.
b. Description of the Prior Art
In most cases, series connected direct current motors are designed so that they generate the full countervoltage at a fraction of their maximum permissible speed. In the following, this speed is called the "characteristic speed". Such motors are often operated from zero speed to the characteristic speed with the maximum permissible armature current, thus gaining maximum acceleration. In order to obtain maximum acceleration above the characteristic speed, the field strength is steadily reduced as speed is increased from the characteristic speed upward (here called the field weakening region). The field is weakened in such a manner that the armature current does not exceed the value of the maximally permissible armature current and remains constant at this value. Since the armature current and voltage of the motor are constant in the field weakening region, the power output remains constant while the delivered torque, which is determined by the field current, decreases with increasing speed. It should be noted that the degree of field weakening, i.e., the ratio of field current to armature current, must not fall below a predetermined minimum value as the speed increases further. If this minimum value is reached at a particular high speed, then the armature current is also reduced with further increases in speed. Thus, at the maximum permissible speed, neither the field current nor the armature current have reached the maximally permissible values.
Two speed control circuits having a final DC control element are known which utilize the principle of field weakening to increase speed above the characteristic speed.
One such speed control circuit has been used for some time by Siemens AG in vehicles using direct current propulsion, particularly in trolley cars and subways. It comprises a series circuit consisting of a DC cotrol element and a smoothing choke between the DC line and the DC series motor as well as a bypass valve in shunt with the smoothing choke and the DC series machine. In addition, a field weakening resistor, which can be shorted successively by a series of switching members, is connected parallel to the field winding via an electromechanical switch. If the speed is increased beyond the characteristic speed, an increasing part of the armature current is conducted through the stepwise variable, field weakening resistor. As the effective field weakening resistance is reduced, the branch current in this resistor increases and the branch current in the parallel field winding decreases. The sum of the two branch currents is always equal to the armature current, which is held at its maximum permissible value when starting at maximum torque.
The second speed control circuit, which also serves for starting, is described in the journal, "Elektrotechnik und Maschinenbau", vol. 85 (1968), No. 3, pages 110 to 117 and shown, particularly in FIG. 5. This circuit is also intended for the DC propulsion of vehicles. It has an input circuit consisting of a choke and a capacitor, which is connected to the DC supply line and, via a DC final control element, to the armature winding of the DC series machine. Here the field winding is not connected to the main current; instead, it is shunted across the armature winding in series with a first bypass diode. The field winding, in turn, is shunted by a second bypass diode. In this speed control circuit, the field weakening occurs automatically if the duty cycle of the DC control element is high. The particular DC final control element provided utilizes a main thyristor with a parallel quenching circuit. The quenching circuit consists of a quenching thyristor in series with a quenching capacitor; the series circuit of a reversing choke and a reversing diode is connected antiparallel to the quenching thyristor. In this circuit, the quenching capacitor in the DC control element must be overloaded at the end of the quenching process, i.e., an overvoltage is produced at the DC control element. The DC control element must therefore be designed at considerable cost for this overvoltage.
The DC series machine in which the armature winding and the field or exciter winding are connected in series is used for various drive purposes, especially in the electric propulsion of vehicles. If this machine is braked, it is desirable, for several reasons, to be able to set the field current flowing through the field winding at a lower level than the current flowing through the armature winding, i.e., also to operate in the field weakening region.
Another braking circuit of the type mentioned above is described in Siemens-Zeitschrift, vol. 47 (1973), no. 3 pages 155 to 159, particularly at FIG. 2. This braking circuit is intended for electric trolley propulsion. It is derived from a travel circuit by regrouping electrical components by means of switching devices. The known braking circuit is arranged for pure resistance braking operation, i.e., not for mixed regenerative and resistance braking. It is designed so that, for braking, i.e., after the individual components of the speed control circuit are regrouped, a braking current can flow in a closed circuit which is formed of the field and armature windings of the DC series motor, a smoothing choke, a DC control element which is shunted by a bypass valve in series with a braking switch and an ohmic braking resistor, a further uncontrolled bypass valve and a series circuit consisting of two more braking resistors, in the order given. The last resistors mentioned can be shorted by contactors. By pulsing the DC control element, the effective braking resistance is changed continuously. A series circuit consisting of a switch, e.g., a switching contactor, and an ohmic field weakening resistor is arranged in parallel to the field winding. By closing this field weakening switch, the motor field may be shunted when the speed of the trolley vehicle is high. This makes the field current smaller than the armature current (field weakening operation) and can prevent an excessively large torque at high speed when the brake is set. In the field weakening region, part of the field current is carried by the field weakening resistor, which is connected parallel to the field winding. In this circuit the field weakening resistor is connected and disconnected by means of the switch in dependence on the speed. The disadvantage here is that the mechanical switch used as the field weakening switch is subject to a certain amount of wear. It is a further disadvantage that, due to the resistance switching, the field weakening only increases or decreases in steps.
It is desirable for the setting of the mutually independent armature and field currents for braking a series DC motor that the field weakening be accomplished gradually and without mechanical switches. The desired braking circuit should be usable not only for pure resistance braking operation or for pure regenerative braking operation, but also for mixed regenerative and resistance braking operation.
The journal "E and M", vol. 85 (1968), no. 3, pages 110 to 117, especially FIG. 8e with associated text, describes a braking circuit for a DC machine using the principle of regenerative braking with automatic field weakening. Here, the armature winding of a series DC machine is shunted by a series circuit consisting of a DC control element and the field winding. The field winding is shunted by a bypass diode which carries the field current if the DC control element is shut off. The armature winding continues to be connected to a load circuit via a return diode.
This prior art braking circuit has the disadvantage that the field weakening sets in automatically only if the DC control element is driven near zero; field weakening is not possible in the rest of the control range.
German Offenlegungsschrift No. 23 29 146 describes a braking circuit for mixed regenerative and resistance braking operation of a series DC machine operating as a generator. The armature and field winding are combined here, preferably in a series circuit, by a stabilizing resistor. This series circuit is shunted by a DC control element as well as by a braking branch, consisting of a braking resistor and a controlled braking valve in series. The series circuit is further connected, via a return diode, to a DC source which can absorb current at least during some of the time. The braking circuit is intended particularly for the series DC machine of a propulsion vehicle which is supplied from a DC trolley wire system. Field weakening operation is not provided in this braking circuit.
It is an object of the invention to provide a combined speed control and/or braking circuit of the type described above in which no overvoltage is produced at the DC control element at the instant when the control element is opened. In addition, a new method for operating the travel circuit is provided.

Speed control and braking circuit for a series connected DC machine


An annular sustained release pheromone-dispenser having a shape which is favorable for packaging and transportation, easy installation and which can maintain its installed condition over a long time. And is easily handled. Also provided is a tool for easy and rapid installation of the pheromone-dispenser at elevated locations. The inventive sustained release pheromone-dispenser has a plurality of a parallel arranged plastic tubes which are capable of being semi-resiliently deformed. The ends are fused together and the central portions are independent and can form an annular space by separating the tubes from one another.

The present invention relates to an annular sustained release pheromone-dispenser which can release a synthetic sex pheromone in the air to control the harmful insects by disturbing the copulative communication of the insects as well as a method for preparing the pheromone-dispenser and a tool for installing the pheromone-dispenser.
The control of a harmful insect through disturbance of the copulative communication thereof is carried out by releasing the synthetic sex pheromone of the insect to be controlled in the air to thus reduce the rate of copulation through the disturbance of their copulative communication and to thereby inhibit the breeding of the next generation. Therefore, a pheromone-dispenser for releasing a synthetic sex pheromone should satisfy such a requirement that it can stably release the sex pheromone over the entire term (2 to 6 months) of the occurrence of the corresponding harmful insect.
The pheromone-dispensers which have already been put on the market are designed in such a manner that a liquid synthetic sex pheromone is enclosed in, for instance, a tube type, bag type, bottle type or spiral tube type plastic container and the sex pheromone which diffuses and permeates through the wall of the container is evaporated and released into the air. Among these pheromone-dispensers, those generally referred to as the tube type ones employ a plastic tubular container (slender tube) and show the most excellent control effect as compared with the other type ones since they can release the sex pheromone vapor over a long period of time and can ensure a uniform release rate.
When using such pheromone-dispensers, they must be set up and distributed so as to uniformly release the synthetic sex pheromone in the field and must stably hold their set up condition over a long time period without imparting any harmful effect and/or damage to the growth of plants.
As conventional tubular type pheromone-dispensers which can satisfy these requirements, Japanese Patent Application Publication Nos. 61-16361 and 2-63017 disclose those in which a metal wire such as an aluminum wire is arranged parallel to the tube; Japanese Utility Model Provisional Publication No. 62-122801 discloses a pheromone-dispenser having a ring-like shape formed by bending a tube; and Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 63-722 discloses a pheromone-dispenser produced by bending a tube.
In the pheromone-dispenser in which a metal wire is arranged parallel to the tube, the tube shows excellent shape-retaining ability since it can easily be bent together with the metal wire. Accordingly, operations for installation such as hooking it on or winding it around a branch or trunk of a plant and the dispenser may stably hold its installed condition, but a problem arises such that the metal wire remains even after the use of the dispenser. The pheromone-dispensers obtained by bending a tube per se or by forming a tube into a ring not only require much expenses for shaping processes, but also the bent tube returns to its original shape, i.e., straight form due to the restoring effect of the plastic if the dispenser is installed over a long time period and it may sometimes fall down from, for instance, the branch on which it is hooked. Moreover, it is difficult to closely arrange a large number of these pheromone-dispensers for packaging and this makes the resulting package bulky and increases the expenses required for packaging and/or circulation.
On the other hand, to dispense with much labor for the installation of these pheromone-dispensers, there has been a need for increasing the amount of the synthetic sex pheromone released per one dispenser and reducing the number of the dispensers to be installed per unit area (installation density). The installation density of the dispenser may be reduced by increasing the capacity of the plastic tube of the pheromone-dispenser and correspondingly increasing the amount of the synthetic liquid pheromone enclosed therein. In this regard, the capacity of the plastic tube can be increased by extending the length of the tube, but such a long length of the tube may interfere with the operations for the installation thereof and may make the packaging and transportation thereof undesirable and quite troublesome. Alternatively, the amount of the liquid pheromone to be enclosed in the plastic tube can be improved by increasing the inner diameter of the plastic tube. However, the rate of diffusion and evaporation of the pheromone should be improved by properly adjusting the wall thickness of the plastic tube in order to ensure a release amount of the pheromone proportional to the amount thereof enclosed. For this reason, the fabrication of the plastic tube becomes difficult, the flexibility of the plastic tube is lowered and this in turn makes the bending thereof and its installation operations difficult.

Annular sustained release pheromone-dispenser and its installation tool


Finely ground zeolithic alkali metal aluminum silicates having the general formula: xMe.sub.2 O.Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.ySiO.sub.2.zH.sub.2 O, are prepared by mixing both reaction components, alkali metal silicate and alkali metal aluminate, in the presence of a stoichiometrically excessive amount of alkali metal hydroxide. The thus obtained gel is matured, the reaction mixture is heated up to crystallisation temperature, then crystallised. During crystallisation, at least one of both reaction components is added to the reaction mixture.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a process for the production of very fine-particle alkali metal aluminium silicates, more particularly zeolites of the A type, of the P type and of the faujasite type (X and Y).
2. Statement of Related Art
Alkali metal aluminium silicates of the type in question are used, for example, as builders for laundry detergents, dishwashing detergents and cleaning formulations, as molecular sieves, catalysts and absorbents and as additives in ceramic frits and glazes.
Two important criteria for the use of zeolites in laundry detergents, dishwashing detergents and cleaning compositions and as additives in ceramic frits and glazes are the mean particle size (expressed as the d.sub.50 value) and the width of the particle size distribution spectrum. The d.sub.50 value indicates that 50% by weight of the measured sample consists of particles which are smaller than the indicated value. There are various methods for measuring the d.sub.50 value. The measured values obtained by the various methods cannot readily be compared with one another. In the context of the present invention, the d.sub.50 value is measured by light diffraction and light scattering methods. This procedure is described, for example, in H. Wachernig, Sprechsaal, Vol. 121, No. 3, 1988, pages 213 to 215.
Another important criterion for the use of zeolites in laundry detergents, dishwashing detergents and cleaning compositions is their cation exchange capacity, more particularly their exchange capacity with respect to calcium ions. The corresponding values were determined by adding the corresponding zeolite to a calcium chloride solution and, after filtration, subjecting the remaining calcium ions present in the solution to complexometric titration.
There are various known processes for the production of very fine-particle zeolites of the zeolite A type.
DE-A-29 51 192 describes a process for the production of zeolite A with a small and uniform particle size. The particle size is controlled on the basis of the following parameters:
1) the stoichiometric SiO.sub.2 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 ratio, PA1 2) the stoichiometric H.sub.2 O/Na.sub.2 O ratio, PA1 3) the crystallization time of the amorphous alumosilicate gel at a given temperature, PA1 4) the stoichiometric Na.sub.2 O/Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 ratio and PA1 5) the concentration of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3. PA1 Me is sodium and/or potassium, PA1 x is a number of 0.8 to 1.3, PA1 y is a number of 1.3 to 10 and PA1 z is a number of 0 to 6, PA1 (a) the reaction components are mixed together with intensive stirring over a period of less than 10 minutes at a temperature in the range from 20.degree. to 70.degree. C., at least one of the two reaction components being used in less than the stoichiometrically necessary quantity or both reaction components being used in the stoichiometrically necessary quantity, PA1 (b) the reaction mixture is stirred for 5 to 40 minutes at the temperature established in step (a), PA1 (c) after the ageing step (b), the reaction mixture is heated with stirring for 5 to 30 minutes to a temperature of more than 70.degree. C. to the boiling point of the reaction mixture, PA1 (d) the amorphous alkali metal aluminium silicate gel obtained is allowed to crystallize for at least 10 minutes at the temperature established in step (c), PA1 (e) 2 to 50 mole-% of at least one of the two reaction components, based on the quantity of the reaction components already used in step (a), being added to the reaction mixture during the crystallization step (d) either to make up the balance to the stoichiometrically necessary quantity or as a stoichiometric excess. PA1 in the range from 1.35 to 2.35 for zeolites of the A type, PA1 in the range from 1.85 to 3 for zeolites of the P type and PA1 in the range from 2.5 to 10 for zeolites of the faujasite type. PA1 smaller than 4 .mu.m for zeolites of the A type, PA1 smaller than 2 .mu.m for zeolites of the P type and PA1 smaller than 6 .mu.m for zeolites of the faujasite type.
The particle size of the zeolite formed after crystallization is reduced by increasing the solids concentration on the one hand and by increasing the Na.sub.2 O/Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 ratio in the reaction mixture on the other hand, i.e. in the solutions which, after they have been combined, form an amorphous alumosilicate gel. This process has its natural limits: if, for example, the solids concentration is excessively increased, the particle size spectrum expands. If the Na.sub.2 O/Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 ratio is too high, the time between complete reaction to zeolite 4A and the following conversion into hydroxysodalite is very short so that there is not enough time for subsequent processing of the zeolite suspension.
It is known from DE-A-27 04 310 that, after the reaction components involved in the production of alkali metal aluminium silicates have been mixed with intensive stirring, the intensive stirring can be continued at least until the viscosity maximum is exceeded or, optionally, the viscosity maximum is not fully reached, after which the suspensions are recycled at least once through a size-reducing unit and are then optionally kept at elevated temperature pending crystallization.
It is known from DE-A-27 34 296 that, in the production of fine-particle sodium aluminium silicates, the suspension obtained after the aqueous sodium aluminate solution has been rapidly mixed with the aqueous sodium silicate solution can be briefly stirred at the same temperature before the crystallization step is carried out at elevated temperature.
DE-A-30 11 834 describes a process for the production of very fine-particle zeolitic sodium aluminium silicates, in which steam is introduced during discontinuous crystallization and, at the same time, the suspension is stirred with multiple-stage high-shear stirrers.
DE-A-29 41 636 also relates to a process for the continuous production of very fine-particle zeolitic sodium aluminium silicates, in which suspensions of the X-ray amorphous sodium aluminium silicate flow continuously through an at least 20-stage crystallization reactor acting and/or constructed in stages, the suspensions being kept at a temperature of 80.degree. to 100.degree. C. in the reactor until the degree of crystallization of the zeolitic sodium aluminium silicate has reached at least 80% of the theoretically obtainable crystallinity.
DE-A-26 51 419, 26 51 420, 26 51 436, 26 51 437, 26 51 445 and 26 51 485 describe processes for the production of fine-particle crystalline zeolite powders of the zeolite A type, in which precipitation of the sodium aluminium silicate gel initially formed is delayed by mixing the reaction components in steps over a relatively long period. The gel obtained is then crystallized at a temperature which is higher than the precipitation temperature. These processes give comparatively low volume/time yields.
DE-A-30 07 044, 30 07 080, 30 07 087 and 30 07 123 describe similar processes in which the reaction components are also mixed together in several steps with forming or ageing intervals in between. In these cases, too, crystallization takes place subsequently at a higher temperature. The crystalline zeolites obtained have mean particle sizes of up to 9 .mu.m (cf. Comparison Example 9 below).
Processes for the production of particularly fine-particle products are also known for zeolites of the faujasite type.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,516,786 describes a process in which particularly small particles are obtained by additions of 0.1 to 20% of an organic solvent, such as methanol or dimethyl sulfoxide, to an alumosilicate gel before the crystallization step. On account of the toxicity of the solvents mentioned, special precautions have to be taken in the working-up of the process liquors.
There are several structurally different variants of zeolite P, differing from one another above all in the symmetry of the crystal lattice. P zeolites of the P.sub.c type (also described as P1, B1, cubic form) and of the P.sub.t type (also described as P2, tetragonal form) and mixed crystals thereof or mixtures of both forms are preferably used for applications in laundry detergents, dishwashing detergents and cleaning compositions. The Si:Al ratio is between 1.3:1 and 0.9:1 for a calcium binding capacity of 130 to 165 mg CaO per g of water-free alumosilicate.

Process for the production of very fine-particle zeolitic alkali metal aluminum silicates


Interconnect feed devices (10) are provided for electrically connecting first and second electrical components (17, 21). The interconnect feed devices (10) can include a dielectric shell (23) with an electrically-conductive coating (40), and leads (22) positioned within individual conduits (30) of the shell. Each lead (22) and its associated conduit (30) can act as a coaxial cable for transmitting radio frequency (RF) energy between the first and second electrical components (17, 21). The shell (23) can be manufactured using a process, such as stereolithography, that allows the shell to be formed with relatively complicated geometries, which in turn can facilitate relatively complicated cable routing.

1. Statement of the Technical Field
The inventive arrangements relate to interconnect feed devices for transmitting radio frequency (RF) energy between two or more electrical components, such as but not limited to an antenna element unit and associated transmit/receive electronics of a phased-array antenna system.
2. Description of Related Art
Many types of electronic devices require the transmission of RF energy between two or more components thereof. For example, in phased-array antenna systems, RF signals are transmitted between an array antenna having a plurality of antenna element units that radiate and receive RF energy, and transmit/receive electronics that transmit and receive the outgoing and incoming RF signals. Transmission and reception of the RF signals is accomplished via an interconnecting feed commonly comprising coaxial cables.
In some types of phased-array antenna systems, each antenna element unit may include as many as four constituent radiating feed arms that each require an RF signal path to an associated set of transmit/receive electronics. These signal paths need to be of substantially the same length, to maintain the RF signals in phase as they travel between the transmit/receive electronics and the antenna element unit. Also, the interface location points for the feed on the transmit/receive electronics are often arranged in a linear pattern, while the interface locations on the antenna element unit are arranged in a diagonal or square pattern. Thus, maintaining signal paths of substantially equal length in the feed often requires complex and precise cable routing to transition between the interface locations. The expense and time needed to construct a feed using such routing can be substantial. In fact, the combined cost of the feeds in a typical phased-array antenna system can represent between 20 to 30 percent of the overall cost of the antenna element array.

Interconnect feed devices for electrical components, and processes for manufacturing same


A boat lift is arranged to include spaced rectilinear frameworks having leg members splayed exteriorly of a first framework extending to the second framework. The legs may optionally include telescoping extensions, with the extensions and legs having foot plates for mounting the frameworks to a support surface. Flexible webs are mounted at opposed ends between the frameworks to position and lift a boat therebetween.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of invention relates to boat lift apparatus, and more particularly pertains to a new and improved boat lift apparatus wherein the same is arranged for the lifting and positioning of a boat relative to a body of water.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various boat lift apparatus of various types have been utilized throughout the prior art and exemplified in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,832,210; 4,861,218; 4,954,011; and 4,983,067.
The instant invention attempts to overcome deficiencies of the prior art by providing for a boat lift structure wherein the thermal conductive frameworks of the boat lift structure is positioned within a body of water and upon an underlying support surface, wherein in particularly geographic areas having icing conditions, the thermal conductive structure of the invention minimizing freezing thereabout utilizing the water supporting bottom as well as lower portions of the water to prevent freezing around the structure of the invention and in this respect, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.


A voltage converter system includes a first DC-AC voltage converter that converts a first DC voltage signal to a first AC voltage signal. A DC link converts the first AC voltage signal to a second DC voltage signal. A second DC-AC voltage converter converts the second DC voltage signal to a second AC voltage signal. In another configuration a DC-AC voltage converter converts a DC voltage signal to a first AC voltage signal. An AC-AC voltage converter converts the first AC voltage signal to a second, lower-frequency AC voltage signal. In yet another configuration a first voltage converter portion converts a DC voltage signal to pulses of DC voltage. A second voltage converter portion converts the pulses of DC voltage to a relatively low-frequency AC voltage signal. The voltage converter system is selectably configurable as a DC-AC voltage converter or an AC-DC voltage converter.

A DC-AC voltage converter is an electrical system that changes a DC voltage to an AC voltage. The converted AC voltage may have any desired voltage level, waveform and frequency with the use of appropriate transformers, switching, filtering and control circuits. DC-AC voltage converters are used in a wide range of applications, from small switching power supplies in electronic devices such as computers to large electric utility high-voltage direct current applications that transport bulk power. DC-AC voltage converters are also commonly used to supply AC power from DC sources such as solar panels or batteries.
FIG. 1 shows a typical prior art DC-AC voltage converter 10, which operates at a relatively low frequency. Voltage converter 10 is relatively simple, but it suffers from significant disadvantages. A first disadvantage is cost, because it uses a low-frequency transformer 12 that requires a relatively large amount of copper for transformer windings. In recent years the cost of copper has increased, while the cost of power semiconductors has decreased. This trend is expected to continue. In addition, a low-frequency transformer has relatively low efficiency when it is configured with a relatively high winding turns ratio and is used for voltage step-up. An example of such configurations is a DC-AC voltage converter with a step-up transformer having a turns ratio of about 19:1 or more and a relatively low input voltage power source, for example about 10 to 20 volts DC.

DC-AC conversion circuit having a first double ended DC pulse stage and a second AC stage


A fabrication technique for improved dielectric isolation of adjacent, electronic devices or electrically controllable optical devices provides an inter-device resistance in excess of 1 M.OMEGA.. Strips of a silicon oxide material, such as SiO.sub.2, are formed between the devices after device formation but prior to regrowth of an electrically conductive cap layer and subsequent metallization. The presence of the SiO.sub.2 strips prevents regrowth of the cap layer between the adjacent devices.

New structures and fabrication processes promise to boost performance and reduce the cost of optoelectronic ICs, which convert electrical signals representing voice, data, and video to and from light. The greatest advantage of optoelectronic chips lies in their data-transfer rates--potentially up to about 5 gigabits per second, far higher than what discrete optical and electronic components allow. Such high speeds can be obtained with low noise, amounting to about 1 error in 1 billion to 10 billion bits. In addition, a single optoelectronic IC can take on many functions--for example, light-emitting and light-receiving devices handling several different wavelengths for multichannel communications, along with related signal-processing functions.
Monolithic integration of semiconductor amplifiers together with optical multiplexers can be used to build light sources for wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) systems that are capable of producing a comb of exactly spaced frequencies. For economical application of monolithic integration to such an application, however, it is necessary to dielectrically isolate the adjacent optical amplifiers. In a paper entitled "Digitally Tunable Channel Dropping Filter/Equalizer Based on Waveguide Grating Router and Optical Amplifier Integration" (IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, Vol. 6, No. 4, April 1994), M. Zirngibl, C. H. Joyner, and B. Glance evaluated a tunable filter consisting of an array of waveguide grating multiplexers monolithically integrated with semiconductor optical amplifiers on an n+INP substrate. The optical amplifiers are integrated on both sides of the wavelength grating router and are spaced approximately 125 .mu.m apart on each side. A transverse cross sectional view of the tunable filter 1, showing the arrangement of adjacent optical amplifiers, is shown in FIG. 1.
Each optical amplifier comprises a doped section of waveguide with controllable optical transmissivity. The doping is such that an appropriately configured semiconductor junction is defined in each optical amplifier. These sections are optically active in that application of electrical energy to those sections will cause them to become transmissive to the flow of optical energy and will even provide some degree of gain to optical signals flowing through them. When electrical bias current above a predetermined threshold is applied, lasing action begins. These doped sections of waveguide are substantially opaque to the transmission of light when there is no applied electrical stimulation.
As shown in FIG. 1, laser cavity active regions are formed of quantum wells (QW), 2, 3 and bandgap barriers 4, 5 lattice matched to InP. Semi-insulating regions 6 are provided between the amplifiers 7. A heavily doped p+ cap layer 8 serves as the contact layer and has metallized contacts 9 formed thereon.
In the aforementioned paper, it was reported that electrical isolation between adjacent optical amplifiers was only 50 .OMEGA.. Significant crosstalk and power penalties, as evidenced by sidelobes in a graphical representation of output power versus input wavelength, can be attributed to weak electrical isolation. Ion implantation of impurities into the cap layer might be employed to create hole-filled isolating regions. However, such a technique is only expected to yield an inter-device resistance on the order of several k.OMEGA.. Of course, implantation requires additional mask layers and other processing steps, which steps may be destructive to other components. It is also anticipated that some of the impurities may diffuse into the underlying InP layer during implantation, thereby causing the InP layer to act as an attenuator.

Monolithically integrated circuits having dielectrically isolated, electrically controlled optical devices and process for fabricating the same


Technology is disclosed for synchronizing audio files from a computing device of a user to an in-vehicle computing device, such as an audio system, installed in an automobile. In one example, when the user plays an audio file on the in-vehicle computing device from the computing device, the audio file is copied at the in-vehicle computing device. After copying the currently playing audio file, the in-vehicle computing device can also copy at least some of the audio files from the computing device. The in-vehicle computing device computes a popularity score of each of the audio files based on an access pattern of the audio files, and categorizes them into priority files and low-priority files based on their popularity score. While the in-vehicle computing device copies the priority files, it copies metafiles of the low-priority files. The metafiles can include information such as a title, artist, etc. of the audio files.

Portable devices such as mobile phones, smartphones, and tablet computers have become more common among individuals. A large amount of data may be stored on these devices which may be needed to be backed up. Cloud computing technology may permit a user to back up their data on a remote server. The user may access the files using many devices. The user can download the files to a particular computing device by synchronizing the computing device with remote server. A synchronization application running on the computing device and the remote server can facilitate transmission of data files between the remote server and the computing device. However, the current synchronization applications are inefficient, at least in terms of consumption of computing resources for downloading the files. Typically, when a computing device is synchronized with the remote server, the synchronization application downloads all of the data files that have been added to or changed in the remote server since the computing device was last synchronized.
Downloading all of the data files that have changed or have been added since the last sync can consume significant time, e.g., if the number of data files in the remote server is large. For example, when the user synchronizes a new computing device with the remote server, the synchronization application can consume more time since all the data files have to be downloaded to the new computing device. Further, if the network connecting the user and the remote server is congested, if the available network bandwidth is low, or if the remote server is busy serving other requests, downloading all the files from the remote server can consume significant time. If the connection between the remote server and the user device breaks, the user may have to download the files again; this can be time consuming. Often, users may not backup their devices' data due to the extra effort and time involved.

Prioritizing synchronization of audio files to an in-vehicle computing device


Phosphorus-Vanadium oxidation catalyst prepared as tablets with a hole in the center produce higher yields of maleic anhydride from C.sub.4 's, particularly n-butane than the same catalyst without the hole.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved catalyst structure for use in the partial oxidation of hydrocarbons to prepare dicarboxylic acids and anhydrides.
2. Prior Art
Basically, all of the methods for producing catalysts for maleic anhydride production employ vanadium in a valence state of less than +5. One method of achieving this is to begin with vanadium in less than the +5 valence state. Another method and that used most widely in the art is to start with vanadium in the +5 state and reduce the valency to less than +5.
Usually the reduced vanadium has been obtained by reducing V.sub.2 O.sub.5 in a solution with HCl to obtain vanadyl chloride. A typical catalyst preparation may involve dissolving the vanadium, phosphorus, and other components in a common solvent, such as hot hydrochloric acid and thereafter depositing the solution onto a carrier. The reduced vanadium with a valence of less than 5 is obtained by initially using a vanadium compound with a valence of plus 5 such as V.sub.2 O.sub.5 and thereafter reducing to the lower valence with, for example, hydrochloric acid during the catalyst preparation to form the vanadium oxysalt, vanadyl chloride, in situ. The vanadium compound is dissolved in a reducing solvent, such as hydrochloric acid, which solvent functions not only to form a solvent for the reaction, but also to reduce the valence of the vanadium compound to a valence of less than 5. For example, a vanadium compound, a copper compound, a tellurium compound, phosphorus compound and alkali metal compound may be dissolved in any order in a suitable reducing solvent and the formation of the complex allowed to take place. Preferably, the vanadium compound is first dissolved in the solvent and thereafter the phosphorus, copper, tellurium and other metal compounds, if any, are added. The reaction to form the complex may be accelerated by the application of heat. The deep blue color of the solution shows the vanadium has an average valence of less than 5. The complex formed is then, without a precipitation step, deposited as a solution onto a carrier and dried. In this procedure, the vanadium has an average valence of less than plus 5, such as about plus 4, at the time it is deposited onto the carrier or precipitated without the carrier. Generally, the average valence of the vanadium will be between about plus 2.5 and 4.6 at the time of the precipitation.
In another method the catalyst is prepared by precipitating the metal compounds, either with or without a carrier, from a colloidal dispersion of the ingredients in an inert liquid. In some instances the catalyst may be deposited as molten metal compounds onto a carrier; however, care must be taken not to vaporize off any of the ingredients such as phosphorus. The catalysts have also been prepared by heating and mixing anhydrous forms of phosphorus acids with vanadium compounds, copper compounds, Me compounds, and the alkali metal compound. The catalysts may be used as either fluid bed or fixed bed catalysts. In any of the methods of preparation, heat may be applied to accelerate the formation of the complex.
A very old and traditional method of obtaining vanadyl chloride as disclosed by Koppel et al, Zeit. anorg. Chem, 45, p. 346-351, 1905 is the reduction of V.sub.2 O.sub.5 in alcoholic HCl solution. This method has been recommended for the preparation of the phosphorus-vanadium oxidation catalyst for example, by Kerr in U.S. Pat. No. 3,255,211 where the solvent also serves as the reducing agent. Subsequently, U.S. Pat. No. 4,043,943 employed this method of reducing vanadium to prepare the basic phosphorus-vanadium catalyst, however, catalyst produced in this manner are known to require a very specific activation procedure in order to be useful as catalyst, as described for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,017,521.
In an early series of commonly owned patents, a unique group of vanadium-phosphorus, oxidation catalysts, were disclosed, i.e., U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,156,705; 3,156,706; 3,255,211; 3,255,212; 3,255,213; 3,288,721; 3,351,565; 3,366,648; 3,385,796 and 3,484,384. These processes and catalysts proved highly efficient in the oxidation of n-butenes to maleic anhydride. Since the issuance of these pioneer patents, numerous patents have issued with various modifications and improvements over the basic discoveries set forth there, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,856,824; 3,862,146; 3,864,280; 3,867,411; 3,888,886; 4,071,539; 4,097,498; 4,105,586; 4,152,338; 4,152,339 and 4,153,577.
In a recently developed procedure disclosed in the commonly assigned U.S. Patent application Ser. No. 047,323 filed June 11, 1979 which is incorporated herein in its entirety, an improved catalyst is that produced from an alcoholic HCl solution reduction of vanadium pentoxide wherein the organic solvent is an alcohol such as isobutyl alcohol and the reduction of the vanadium is obtained by contacting it with HCl. This is conveniently carried out by passing gaseous HCl through the alcohol having the vanadium pentoxide suspended therein. The vanadium pentoxide is reduced by the HCl and brought into solution as the vanadyl chloride. The completion of the reduction is the appearance of a dark reddish brown solution. Hydrogen bromide would be about the same as a reducing agent in this system. It has been found that the reduction temperature should be maintained at no greater than 60.degree. C. and preferably less than 55.degree. C. Optimumly active catalysts are the result when the reduction is carried out at temperatures in the range of about 35.degree. C. to 55.degree. C., preferably 40.degree. to 55.degree. C.
To obtain the mixed oxides of vanadium and phosphorus, phosphoric acid of approximately 99%, H.sub.3 PO.sub.4 (98 to 101%) is added, for example, prepared from 85 H.sub.3 PO.sub.4 and P.sub.2 O.sub.5 or commercial grades of 105 and 115% phosphoric acid diluted with 85% H.sub.3 PO.sub.4 and the vanadium compound digested, which is discerned by a change in the color of the solution of a dark blue green. Zinc or other catalyst components are conveniently added along with the phosphoric acid. The alcohol is then stripped off to obtain the dried catalyst.
Catalysts have been prepared in various shapes and configurations, for example, saddles, discs, spheres, cylinders, tubes, granules and the like. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,078,945 discloses hydrosilicate catalyst may be formed in tubes or solid cylinders, which may then be crushed and screened to provide irregular catalyst shape. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,178,298 and 4,181,628 both disclose that mixed oxide oxidation catalyst containing vanadium and phosphorus may be employed as pellets, tablets or cylinders. Rounded aggegate having a void center and a single cavity in the external surface communicating to the void center and named amphora is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,848,033; 3,966,639; 4,094,922 and 4,171,454. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,153,539 and 4,170,569 disclose rounded similar catalysts which has been named amphora II, but having two cavities 180.degree. C. opposed communicating with the hollow center. The amphora II aggregate is described as particularly effective and advantageous in any process in which the feed is present in the reactor partially in the liquid phase.
The production of dicarboxylic acid anhydride by catalytic oxidation of hydrocarbons is well known. The current principal route for the production of maleic anhydride from C.sub.4 hydrocarbons has been desirable in the past, but is now even more desirable in view of the particular world shortage of benzene. It can be readily appreciated that direct oxidation of C.sub.4 hydrocarbons would be a hydrocarbon conservation, since for each mol of maleic anhydride prepared from benzene, one mol of benzene, molecular weight 78 is consumed, whereas for each mol of the C.sub.4, only 54 to 58 mol weight of hydrocarbon is consumed. The benzene process has consistently produced high conversions and selectivities.
A more desirable process for producing maleic anhydride would be a direct oxidation of n-butenes or butadiene. Also, n-butenes may have higher economic petrochemical utilization than the n-butanes, which are now, often wastefully burned as cheap fuel.
Normal butane requires a solid tableted catalyst rather than a support with the catalytic component deposited thereon because of the energy requirements. Due to the high loading necessitated by economics, conversions of butane in excess of 75% have been unobtainable. Higher conversion results in high hot spot temperatures which adversely effect yield.
It is an advantage of the present invention that greater catalyst activity is obtained. It is a further advantage that less weight of catalyst is employed. Another advantage is that lower pressure drop through the reactor is obtained. It is a feature that the reduced pressure drop allows for high flow rates and increased production results. A further advantage is better heat removal from the reactor zone, which allows for higher conversions and greater productivity. These and other advantages and features will become clear from the following description and discussion.

Catalyst structure for the partial oxidation of n-butane to produce maleic anhydride


A mole spear is provided which consists of an elongated shaft attached to and extending upwardly from the center of a base member. A sleeve slides upon the elongated shaft and is gripped by a first hand of a person. A handle is affixed to an upper end of the elongated shaft and is gripped by a second hand of the person. A plurality of spikes are attached to and extend downwardly from the base member. The second hand of the person can press down upon the handle to drive the elongated shaft through the sleeve to force the spikes into a mole tunnel beneath a raised surface of the earth and pierce a mole therein to kill it.

The instant invention relates generally to animal traps but more specifically it relates to a mole spear.
Numerous animal traps have been provided in the prior art that are adapted to catch and kill animals in their raised tunnels beneath the surface of the earth. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,494,335 to Gaines; 4,538,375 to Kelley and 4,776,128 to Townsend all are illustrative of such prior art. While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be as suitable for the purpose of the present invention as hereafter described.


In a conventional scan system, even in the case where an image forming device has an image processing function, since image processing such as OCR processing and OCR preprocessing for increasing a character recognition rate in the OCR processing is performed by only a scan server, a processing load is concentrated in the scan server. In the scan server of the present invention, scan setting and the OCR preprocessing are described in a scan ticket (instruction data), and the image forming device performs, on a scanned image, the OCR preprocessing described in the scan ticket received from the scan server.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a scan server, a scan device, a processing method and a program thereof, and more particularly to a scan service system that performs scan to acquire image data and that creates document data by OCR processing, a processing method and a program thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, based on an instruction from an information processing device such as a PC or a portable terminal, a scan server instructs an image forming device to perform scan. The image forming device performs scan to transmit acquired image data to the scan server, and the scan server performs OCR (Optical Character Recognization) processing. Such a scan service system described above is known (for example, see Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. H09-102846 (1997)).
Moreover, a technology is also known in which, in the scan service system described above, the scan server performs OCR preprocessing before the OCR processing in order to increase a character recognition rate in the OCR processing by enhancing the quality of the image data received from the image forming device.
However, in the conventional scan system, although the image forming device has an image processing ability, image processing such as the OCR processing and the OCR preprocessing for enhancing its character recognition rate is performed by only the scan server. Thus, for example, in the case where processing requests are received from a large number of image forming devices, a processing load is disadvantageously concentrated in the scan server.
Hence, the present invention has an object to reduce a processing load placed on a scan server by performing part of image processing, which is conventionally performed by a scan server alone, with the image processing function of an image forming device.

Scan server, scan device, scan service method and scan service program


There is disclosed a camera in which, in a case where luminance of an acquired image signal is corrected and raised in accordance with luminance of each region, a correction amount of an image signal for use as a photographed image is smaller than a correction amount of an image signal for use as an image for monitoring.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a camera which can cope with photographing of a scene such as a backlight scene having a large luminance difference.
2. Description of the Related Art
A scene of backlight is difficult to shoot. An image pickup device has a small dynamic range as compared with a silver salt film. Therefore, the photographing is more difficult with a digital camera in which the image pickup device is used. Especially, in cases where a person is a main subject, failure photographs in which a face darkens owing to the backlight are taken in many cases. Therefore, in such a backlight scene in which the person is the subject, the person is usually appropriately exposed and photographed by flash photographing, or photographing using a flash light. Moreover, this flash photographing is executed through a camera user's operation of selecting a flash mode or selecting a backlight scene as a scene mode of the camera.
Heretofore, various proposals have been made concerning the photographing of this backlight scene. For example, a technology is known in which, to earn a wide dynamic range of brightness, an output from the image pickup device is controlled into an optimum contrast for each region of a screen to process and correct an image so that both of a dark portion and a bright portion can easily be seen (Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-530368).
On the other hand, in recent years, a face detection technology has been developed (e.g., Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 07-073298), so the judgment whether or not the subject is the person became possible. Therefore, the application of this face detection technology is also expected.

Controlling operations of a camera to improve backlit scenes