A method and apparatus for pre-fetching data into a cache using a hardware element that includes registers for receiving a reference for an initial pre-fetch and a stride-indicator. The initial pre-fetch reference allows for direct pre-fetch of a first portion of memory. A stride-indicator is also received and is used along with the initial pre-fetch reference in order to generate a new pre-fetch reference. The new pre-fetch reference is used to fetch a second portion of memory.

Although we have developed very high speed processing cores, one significant problem in computer systems is that these high-speed processing cores often sit idle because the instructions that they need to execute cannot be retrieved, or "fetched" quickly enough from memory. Fundamentally, if all memory in a computer system could be made lightning fast, then these high-speed processing cores would operate at their intended speed and never sit idle.
If all memory in a computer system was incredibly fast in terms of response time, then instructions could be fetched rapidly enough that a processing core could continue executing instructions without any lost time. But memory is expensive and the faster the memory, the more expensive it is. That is why computer systems have varying types of memories.
A cache memory is a small, very high speed memory that can provide instructions or data to a processing core so quickly that the processing core does not need to wait. Early implementations of cache memory would simply copy memory from a slower main memory in hopes that the same instruction would be needed again soon. This technique works fairly well when a computer program is intended to perform the same functions on a large data set. In this scenario, the same instructions, having been recently stored in the cache memory, could be quickly delivered to the processing core each time they are needed to execute the same function on different data.
It is not difficult to see that if a computer program prescribes a more linear series of functions, simply storing the most recently executed instructions into a cache memory is not very useful. This is because the most recently executed instructions are not likely to be executed soon, if ever again. In those applications where a linear program must be supported, one way that a cache memory can be effective is to pre-fetch instructions just after a currently executed instruction. This way, once a processing core executes a current instruction, it is likely that the next-needed instruction will be in the cache. When this happens, the next-needed instruction can be provided immediately once the processing core tries to fetch that next instruction.
Most computer systems use different levels of cache memories. For example, a "Level-0" cache is a cache memory that is located in the same silicon chip as the processing core. "Level-1" cache is closer to the processing core than a "Level-2" cache, and so on until main memory is reached. Cache memory that is disposed closer to the processing core is usually smaller in capacity than a cache memory set closer to the main memory. No matter what the overall structure of a cache memory system is, it can only be effective if it contains instructions that are next-needed by the processing core. Otherwise, the processing core is forced to wait until the next instruction is retrieved from main memory.
Pre-fetching instructions from main-memory is relatively simple, and an appropriate schema for doing so can be selected based on the type of computer program that is being executed. Repetitive tasks can rely on decent cache memory performance based on copying into the cache the most recently used instructions. Linear program paradigms typically use instruction pre-fetch so that next-needed instructions can be retrieved from main memory and stored into cache memory.
Cache memory can also be useful for data subject to a particular program. Some data is compact and is used repeatedly through a complex series of functions. Multiplying a matrix by another matrix is one mathematical function where the same set of data is used repeatedly. In such applications, the data is compact and repeatedly accessed by the processing core. In this case, storing the most recently used information in a cache memory can be very effective.

Method and apparatus for cache pre-fetch with offset directives


An airbag bracket assembly includes a seat frame including a stud hole, a first bracket, and a second bracket including a bracket hole. The first bracket is located on one side of the seat frame, and the second bracket is located on an opposing side of the seat frame. A fastener is attached to the first bracket. The fastener is received in the stud hole and the bracket hole. A method is also disclosed.

Airbag strap brackets are attached to a metal seat frame by a stud. The stud is attached on one side of the seat frame, and two airbag strap brackets are attached by the stud on the opposite side of the seat frame. Two straps pass through slots in the airbag strap brackets to direct the deployment of the airbag.
When attaching the airbag strap brackets to the seat frame, it is possible that a seat assembly operator could forget to install one or more of the airbag strap brackets. If this occurs, it can be difficult to detect because the brackets are hidden from view in a fully assembled seat.
In a prior system, a torque monitoring system has been used to determine if one or more airbag strap brackets are missing. However, the torque monitoring system can only determine an error if the nut that attaches the airbag strap brackets is not installed. The prior system cannot detect if one or both of the airbag strap brackets are not installed.

Mistake proof brackets for installation of seat trim cover airbag strip to a seat frame


Described herein is an isothermal journal bearing that incorporates heat pipes for temperature reduction and uniformity. The heat pipes can be fabricated by turning and are arranged within the bearing wall circumferentially. Due to the high thermal conductance of the heat pipe, frictional heat produced at the contact and during the rubbing process can be dissipated promptly through the entire bearing wall, resulting in a lower temperature in the pressurized region and a relatively uniform temperature along the circumference of the bearing. The temperature reduction and uniformity would significantly reduce the bearing failure tendency due to heat accumulation and bearing thermal distortion.

Frictional heat is generated at the interface of two elements in a relative motion as a product of surface rubbing. Some of the heat generated is dissipated through the non-contacting surface area into a convective medium, such as air or a lubricant. However, a considerably large amount of heat is conducted into the solid media of the contacting elements, resulting in a temperature increase in the solid. The temperature of the contact interface can be much higher than that of the surrounding material. Today, the demands for compact design may require bearing surfaces to work under severe conditions, such as high loads. It is anticipated that the accumulation of frictional heat will become a major problem in these situations.
Bearings with less lubricant supply are attractive due to the economic and environmental considerations. Lubrication by solid powder represents a new direction in bearing development (ASME 95-Trib-42, by Heshmat and Brewe, 1995, pages 1 to 2). However, heat is a serious barrier that controls the load capacity of the bearing and limits the reduction in the use of fluid lubricants. Solid lubricants can replace the lubrication function of the conventional fluid lubricants. It is anticipated that if the cooling function is provided by appropriate means, bearings with solid lubricants can compete with the fluid-lubricated journal bearings.
Due to the continuous release of the frictional heat, the contact interface constantly works under a high temperature, facing scuffing and seizure failures (Wang et al., Tribology Transactions, pp. 587-593, 1994; Ni and Cheng, Tribology Transactions, pp. 121-129, 1995). Temperature uniformity is critical for conformal contact elements, such as journal bearings, whose performance is strongly controlled by clearance. Due to the bearing structural distortion caused by frictional heating, the bearing may lose its designed clearance, resulting in multi-contacts and seizure failure (Hazlett and Khonsari, Tribology International, pp. 177-182, 1992; and Wang et al., ASME 95-Trib-33, 1995). It is clear that temperature reduction at the contact interface and prompt dissipation of frictional heat from the contact region are crucial to protecting tribological interfaces and retaining the anti-failure capability of bearing surfaces. They are also critical to the development of bearings for future machinery with high load capacity and less lubricant consumption.
Generation of frictional heat at the contact interface creates heat sources. If a heat sink could be created at appropriate locations, it would be possible to transfer the frictional heat directly away through the sink. Heat pipes are ideal heat sinks for this consideration. The isothermal journal bearings that incorporate heat pipes can be ideal structures for bearings with low tendency of failure. These bearings may find wide applications in heavy-duty machinery. They can also be used for the bearings lubricated by a solid lubricant, such as lubricious powders, or as bearings without lubrication.


A device including illuminating elements, each of which is disposed between a first electrode and a second electrode above a base body is manufactured by forming the first electrode and forming a bank section so as to overlap a part of the electrode. The manufacturing process further includes forming a hole implantation/transportation layer above the first electrode, forming illuminating layer by injecting compositions for a plurality of nozzles, and forming the second electrode above the illuminating layer. Nozzle arrays where a plurality of the nozzles are disposed scanning the base body in a diagonal manner in a main scanning direction, and liquid drops of the compositions which are initially injected so as to contact at least a part of the bank section.

In recent years, a color display device in which a functional layer made from a functional member is sandwiched between a pair of electrodes and, in particular, an organic electro-luminescence (hereinafter called EL) display device using a functional member such as an organic illuminating member are developed by employing a patterning method for the functional member in an ink jet method in which the functional member such as organic fluorescence member is liquefied so as to be injected on a base member.
In the patterning method for the functional member explained above, a bank section is formed around a pixel electrode made from, for example, ITO formed on a base body, and next, the pixel electrode and a part of the bank section neighboring the pixel electrode are processed lyophilically and the rest of the bank section is processed to be made volatile, consequently, a composition which includes members contained in the functional layer is injected in approximately center of the pixel electrode so as to be dried; thus, the functional layer is formed on the pixel electrode.
In such a conventional method, if the injected composition overflows from the bank section, it does not occur that the injected composition is repelled at a region in the bank section which is processed to be water-repellant and flows on the other neighboring pixel electrodes; thus, it is possible to performing a patterning operation accurately.
However, in the conventional method, the composition which is injected spreads from a center of the pixel electrode toward a periphery therearound uniformly; thus, the injected composition hardly spreads to a part of the bank section which is processed to be lyophilic. Therefore, there is a case in which the uniformity in the functional layers cannot be realized among the pixel electrodes. It is considered that the reason for this is because a part of the bank section which is processed to be lyophilic is a very small area around the pixel electrode; therefore, the composition does not spread due to factors such as surface tension.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Manufacturing method for display device, display device, manufacturing method for electronic apparatus, and electronic apparatus


The present invention relates to ultrafine comminution of mineral and organic powders with the aid of ball-milling techniques employing, as the grinding medium, solid (nonporous) metal-carbide microspheres with diameters of from 10 to 100 .mu.m fabricated with the aid of high-temperature plasma-torch reactors from fully liquefied carbides of tungsten, thallium, niobium and vanadium.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to superhard metal-carbides, having a Moss hardness of from 9 to 10, made into solid (nonporous) microspheres with diameters of from 10 to 100 .mu.m. The microspheres are fabricated with the aid of high-temperature plasma-torch reactors from fully liquefied carbides of vanadium, niobium, tantalum or tungsten, fed into the torch in the form of a stream of discrete solid particles or mechanically preformed particle aggregates.
More specifically, the invention relates to the comminution of mineral and/or organic powders with the aid of ball-milling techniques employing the above metal-carbide microspheres as the grinding media. The comminuted particles, the coarsest of which are essentially 100%, by weight, finer than 0.9 .mu.m e.s.d. (equivalent spherical diameter) and the finest of which have diameters approaching or reaching 0.002 .mu.m (20 .ANG.), can be obtained in the form of narrow-particle-size-spread, or even nearly monodisperse populations.
2. Discussion of the Relevant Art
U.S. Pat. No. 3,909,241 to Cheney et al. discloses an improved process for a high-temperature plasma-torch agglomeration of finely divided metal powders into substantially spherical, dense particles to impart a free-flowing characteristic to the resultant agglomerate products.
Flame (plasma-torch) spraying techniques are widely used in the art to deposit on various industrial metal objects coatings formed from in-situ-fused metallic or ceramic powders. The function of these coatings is to increase the metal objects' wear and corrosion resistance, improve friction properties or reconstitute worn-out surface regions. The quality of the resultant coatings depends on how uniformly the metallic and ceramic powders are injected into the flame and how uniformly they become distributed within the latter before being deposited onto the target surface. To attain a high degree of uniformity, the fluidized powders must possess adequate free-flowing properties.
Since metallic and ceramic powders with particle diameters of less than 40 .mu.m perform rather unsatisfactorily in flame-spraying applications, it is preferred in the art to employ powders preagglomerated thermally into essentially spherical aggregates (microspheres) having diameters in excess of 40 .mu.m. It is important to point out, however, that plasma-torch agglomeration of metallic or ceramic powders into free-flowing microspheres, as practiced in the art, involves only a partial meltdown (fusion) of the particles fed into plasma-torch reactors. The fused portion of the thermally aggregated feed powders, which is confined essentially to the surface zone of the resultant microspheres, rarely exceeds 40% of the total powder mass. As a matter of fact, a complete plasma-torch meltdown of feed powders into 100%-solid, nonporous microspheres would make their deposition onto the target surfaces, as well as the formation of fused-on coatings, unduly cumbersome if not outright impractical. The reason for this is that fully melted-through, solid microspheres are much denser and require higher flame-spraying temperatures for remelting than the presently used partially melted-through, bulkier (porous) microspheres.

Ultrafine comminution of mineral and organic powders with the aid of metal-carbide microspheres


A handle weight mounting structure of a straddle-type vehicle which achieves a simple structure and thereby enables a reduction of variation in the vibration isolating performance and a cost reduction. A fastening bolt includes a shank portion in which an external thread portion to be screwed and joined to the inner face of a handle pipe is formed; and a head portion which is formed on an end part of the shank portion for pressing the outer weight in the axial direction of the handle pipe, the shank portion includes a lock portion which is designed to couple the outer weight and the inner weight to each other. The lock portion is provided on an end part of the external thread portion opposite from the head portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a handle weight mounting structure for a straddle-type vehicle.
2. Description of Background Art
Heretofore, there has been known a handle weight mounting structure of a straddle-type vehicle in which an outer weight is supported in an immovable state (rigidly supported) on a handle pipe with a weight mounting bolt and a tapered-shaped nut member. An inner weight is supported in a floating state (supported in a floating fashion) inside the handle pipe. See, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-250589.
Since Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-250589 has in the handle pipe a large number of components constituting the handle weight, variation in the vibration isolating performance is likely to occur once the weight mounting bolt has been fastened. It is desirable to reduce the variation in the vibration isolating performance. In addition, since the structure of Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-250589 is one in which an outer weight fitting portion is expanded radially by the fastening of the weight mounting bolt and thereby pressed against the inner face of the handle pipe, the inner diameter of the handle pipe and the outer weight fitting portion need to be made particularly precisely. Thus, this structure is expensive.

Handle weight mounting structure of straddle-type vehicle


An EAS presence detection system includes a transmitter for transmitting an electromagnetic radiation signal of a first predetermined frequency into a surveillance zone; a tag for attachment to an article to be detected within the surveillance zone, the tag containing a transponder including a material that, when in the presence of a magnetic bias field within a predetermined magnetic field intensity range, responds to detection of electromagnetic radiation of the said first predetermined frequency by transmitting electromagnetic radiation of a second predetermined frequency that is either a multiple harmonic or a frequency-divided quotient of the first predetermined frequency or at the first frequency; a detection system disposed for detecting radiation of the second predetermined frequency within the surveillance zone; and a magnetic field source for providing a magnetic bias field within the predetermined magnetic field intensity range within the surveillance zone. The magnetic field source includes a coil disposed in or adjacent the surveillance zone and an adjustable current source for causing a current to flow through the coil to provide a magnetic bias field within the surveillance zone. The coil is a large aperture solenoid coil wound on a core of metallic material of high permeability and high magnetic saturation. The core may be shielded from the electromagnetic radiation field of the first predetermined frequency by a non-ferrous electrically conductive tube disposed around the coil. The amplitude of the current is adjusted to provide a magnetic bias field within said predetermined magnetic field intensity range within the surveillance zone. The amplitude of the current is varied to sweep the intensity of the magnetic bias field through such a range of magnetic field intensities as to cause the magnetic bias field within each portion of the surveillance zone to be within said predetermined magnetic field intensity range during at least a portion of said sweep. A control system is coupled to the detection system and the adjusting means to determine whether detection by the detection means of electromagnetic radiation at the second predetermined frequency is due to the movement of a tag through the surveillance system or is due to the presence of a stationary tag in or near the surveillance zone.

The present invention generally pertains to electronic article surveillance (EAS) systems and is particularly directed to an improvement in a presence detection system used for detecting the presence of an article within a surveillance zone.
An EAS presence detection system includes means for transmitting electromagnetic radiation of a first predetermined frequency into a surveillance zone; a tag for attachment to an article to be detected within the surveillance zone, with the tag containing a transponder that responds to detection of electromagnetic radiation of the said first predetermined frequency by transmitting electromagnetic radiation of a second predetermined frequency; and means for detecting radiation of the second predetermined frequency within the surveillance zone. The transponder includes one of a number of different types of materials that, when within a predetermined magnetic field intensity range, responds to detection of electromagnetic radiation of the said first predetermined frequency by transmitting electromagnetic radiation of a second predetermined frequency that is either a multiple harmonic or a frequency-divided quotient of the first predetermined frequency or at the first frequency. In the prior art, a magnetic bias field within said predetermined magnetic field intensity range is provided within the surveillance zone either by including within the transponder a bias strip of magnetic material that provides a magnetic bias field within said predetermined magnetic field intensity range or by disposing a permanent magnet within or adjacent the surveillance zone. Although the latter technique enables smaller and less expensive tags to be used, since the transponder need not include a bias strip, the latter technique may be less reliable because, due to normal processing variations during preparation of the transponder material that responds, not all transponders respond within the same predetermined magnetic field intensity range, and also because a magnetic bias field provided from a discrete source decreases in intensity with distance from the source. Also, ambient magnetic fields, which combine with the magnetic field provided by the magnetic field source to provide the resultant o magnetic bias field within the surveillance zone, vary from location to location and sometimes even within the surveillance zone due to variations in the Earth's magnetic field and the presence of different ferromagnetic structures near the surveillance zone at different locations. Even when the former technique is used, a non-uniform ambient magnetic field throughout the surveillance zone may prevent a transponder including a bias strip from responding when within a portion of a surveillance zone if the ambient magnetic field in such portion of the surveillance zone is of such intensity that the total magnetic field intensity in such portion resulting from a combination of the ambient magnetic field intensity and the magnetic field intensity provided by the bias strip included in the transponder is outside of the predetermined magnetic field intensity range.

Adjusting magnetic bias field intensity in EAS presence detection system to enhance detection


A turbocharger having a heat insulating system whereby an aluminum bearing housing, its internal components including bearing assemblies and lubricating oil are insulated from the heat of the turbine. The insulating system includes three basic component parts. The first component part is a partially convoluted backplate interconnecting the bearing housing and the turbine housing. The second component part is an insulator situated next to the backplate and the third component part is a heat shield provided between the turbine wheel and the insulator. Between the backplate and the bearing housing is defined a cavity near the turbine shaft. Oil slingers are provided on the shaft within the cavity to create an oil-air mist when the shaft is rotated, thereby enhancing cooling.

I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to turbochargers and, more particularly, to a turbocharger with a system for insulating the heat of the turbine of the turbocharger from the bearing housing and the bearing assemblies.
II. Description of the Prior Art
For nearly 30 years, general aviation turbocharged piston engines have been boosted with slightly modified automotive-type turbochargers Although durable and reliable, this type of turbomachinery has seen little change since its introduction and continues to reflect weight and performance characteristics of ground equipment.
A particular impediment toward lighter turbochargers has been the prohibition against utilizing lighter components While a number of components may be fabricated from lightweight materials, certain components have remained limited to composition from heavy metals.
Perhaps the most important component which conventionally defies conversion to a lightweight material is the bearing housing. The bearing system is located inboard of the compressor and turbine housings and includes therein one or more bearing assemblies. Because the high exhaust gas heats to which the turbine wheel and associated elements are exposed sometimes reach over 1650.degree. F., bearing housings are conventially composed of ductile iron. Some are even water cooled. Either way, known constructions translate into a substantial weight penalty.
The potential heat transfer to the bearing housing, the bearing assemblies and the lubricating oil contained therein presents a problem which has long remained unsolved. Because of this high heat, aluminum has not been a practical alternative.

Bearing insulating system for aircraft turbocharger


A true image mirror is provided which consists of a first structure for reflecting a virtual image of an object placed in front of it. A second structure is for reflecting a virtual image of the object placed in front of it. A component is for positioning the first reflecting structure at a right angle arrangement with the second reflecting structure. A true image will be reflected back in which items on a right side will be seen on a right side and items Ion a left side will be seen on a left side, instead of being reversed as in a typical standard mirror.

1. Field of the Invention
The instant invention relates generally to mirrors and more specifically it relates to a true image mirror.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Reflection of light is such that clear-cut reproductions of objects are formed when light rays from an object fall on certain surfaces. Such a surface is called a mirror and the image of the object is a reproduction. Mirrors usually are plate glass with one surface coated to serve as a reflecting surface. A junction of the reflecting surface and the glass is a mirror line. A plain mirror is one with a flat surface. The image is almost exactly like the object, whereby an illusion of perspective is created. The image appears to be behind the mirror, but is at the mirror line. The image is virtual and the same size as the object. The image also appears to be the same distance behind the mirror as the objects is in front of it. Exactness of the image depends on the quality and condition of the mirror.
In a concave mirror, the center of the reflecting surface is farther from the object than are the edges. The center of the imaginary sphere of which it is part is the center of curvature. A line through the center of curvature and mid-point of the mirror is the principal axis. The principal focus is the point halfway between the center of curvature and the vertex. Size, nature, and position of the image depends on the position of the object in relation to the principal focus and the center of curvature.
In a convex mirror the image is always smaller than the object, erect, and virtual. Mirrors are used in interior decoration, in microscopes to reflect light and in astronomical telescopes.
Numerous mirrors have been provided in prior art that are smooth substances, such as glass, that reflect images. While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.


Transfer of data between at least one supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) device and an advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) device via a wireless communication network is facilitated. The data is used for monitoring and/or controlling the AMI device. A protocol conversion of the data is performed to facilitate transfer of the data between the SCADA device and the AMI device as data packets via a packet data network gateway and a wireless communications network.

The embodiments presented herein relate generally to supervisory control and data acquisition systems and, more particularly, to communication with a supervisory control and data acquisition system.
Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems monitor and control dispersed assets involved in industrial, infrastructure, or facility-based processes. SCADA systems are used to monitor and control industrial processes, such as manufacturing, production, power generation, fabrication, refining, and the like. Many public and private infrastructures rely on SCADA systems for monitoring and controlling processes, such as water treatment and distribution, wastewater collection and treatment, oil distribution, natural gas distribution, electric power transmission and distribution, and the like. Facilities, such as buildings, airports, ships, space stations, private homes, communities, and the like also sometime rely on SCADA systems to monitor and control security access, energy consumption, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, for example.
SCADA systems typically include a control center. SCADA control centers include a human machine interface (HMI) by which a human operator can observe process data and provide input for remote control of a process if necessary, databases for storing historical process data, and servers for communicating via communication routers with field deployments of SCADA devices, such as remote telemetry units (RTUs).
The RTUs connect to physical equipment, such as meters, sensors, switches, valves, probes, and the like. RTUs convert electrical signals from the physical equipment to digital values, such as to identify the open/closed status from a switch or a valve, and conduct measurements, such as of pressure, flow, voltage, or current.
The introduction of the Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) presents opportunities and challenges in terms of supervision and control by SCADA systems. The AMI infrastructure includes communications networks and database systems that will modernize the electric grid and provide important benefits to electric companies and consumers. AMI involves two-way communications with "smart" meters and other energy management devices (collectively referred to herein as "AMI devices").

Communication gateway for facilitating communications with a supervisory control and data acquisition system


An electrolysis cell and internal combustion engine kit including an electrolysis cell is disclosed. The cell includes a sealed plastic body having an inlet and an outlet. The plastic body includes a first terminal located at the top of the body, a second terminal located adjacent to the first terminal and insulated conductors associated with each terminal extending through the body and towards the bottom end thereof. Each terminal ends in a respective anode and cathode which are operatively connected to the terminals. The anode and cathode are spaced apart from one another within the body. When an electrolysis solution is placed in the body, and a current provided across the electrodes, water is caused to decompose into hydrogen and oxygen. These combustible gases are then passed into the internal combustion engine to increase the efficiency and power thereof. In one embodiment a reservoir is provided to ensure that the level is maintained in the cell. Safety features include a low level sensor switch and low level shut off, a temperature sensor and high temperature cut off, and a pressure sensor and high pressure cut off.

Modern gasoline and diesel engines are much more efficient and less polluting than similar engines of even a few years ago. However, due to the increased number of vehicles in use, levels of air pollution continue to rise even in light of more efficient and clean running vehicles. Therefore, there has been increasing pressure to develop vehicles which have lower emissions, and thus are less polluting than conventional automotive technology permits.
For example, under certain government "Clean Air" legislation, a certain number of vehicles are required to be emission free. This legislation has put pressure on OEM's to develop alternate fuel technologies including electric cars and vans, natural gas and propane fuelled vehicles, hydrogen cell vehicles and the like. While a number of these technologies are promising, some are still a long way from commercial implementation, and others appear to have reached the limit of present design capabilities without yielding a consumer acceptable product. Therefore, attention has refocused on conventional gas and diesel burning engines, to try to develop a more pollution free and efficient combustion system.
In the past, it has been discovered that the use of hydrogen and oxygen as a fuel additive increases the efficiency of an internal combustion engine and reduces pollution considerably. Both advantages appear to be the byproduct of faster flame speed that is as much as 9 times that of gasoline, resulting in more complete combustion of the fuel in the combustion chamber, with the resultant reduction in soot (semi-bumt hydrocarbons) and other pollutants such as nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide, and an increase in output energy for a greater fuel efficiency and horsepower.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,954, which issued on Aug. 3, 1993, teaches an electrolysis cell for use in connection with a combustion engine for generating hydrogen and oxygen gases which are added to the fuel delivery system as a supplement to the gasoline or other hydrocarbons burned therein. While this patent proposes an electrolysis unit which is relatively simple and easy to install, this prior device has a number of problems which require considerable maintenance and lead to higher costs associated with installing and using the device.
This patent teaches a low concentration of electrolyte, by weight, which is created by pre-mixing and pre-charging a concentrate for 24 hours. This results in a higher resistance electrolysis cell which can be connected directly to a conventional vehicle battery. In the context of consumer applications, it is too awkward to do this pre-charging and mixing. In addition, since the resistance of the solution is relatively high, a high amount of heat is created in the cell during use, which can be problematic.
The preferred form of the electrolysis chamber taught by this patent is a plastic walled chamber, into which the terminals are sealed. The terminals project from the lower side of the plastic shell of the electrolysis cell itself.
The unit comes on when the motor is turned on and the cell, and in particular the terminals, tend to heat up considerably. Under the continual heating and cooling cycling the seals around terminals can crack leading to a loss of seal integrity and leaks. This requires more frequent replenishment of the electrolyte, and a loss of function. In addition, the electrodes of this prior device extend about two thirds to three quarters of the way to the top of the device. Thus, there is not much free board of solution above the top of the electrode which is disadvantageous. After only a short period of operation, parts of the electrodes become exposed, creating a need for addition of distilled water. This requires frequent replenishment of the fluid, which is awkward and time consuming. Further there is always a risk, when the electrodes are exposed, of a spark causing an explosion of the highly combustible gases in the unit.
In addition, the patent teaches that the gases produced in the electrolysis chamber be introduced directly into the PVC vacuum line used for circulating crank case gases to the intake manifold so that oxygen and hydrogen generated in the electrolysis cell are withdrawn by the vacuum effect in the vacuum line.
This has been found to be problematic. The introduction of the gases into the PVC vacuum line creates considerable problems for modem engines. Such engines typically include sensors for monitoring input air quality (the so called "MAP" or mass air pressure sensors) which provide output to a microprocessor which can for example adjust the fuel input to the engine accordingly. Additional sensors monitor the combustion outputs. Introducing these additional gases into the PVC means that they are put in downstream of the MAP sensors which creates an imbalance, fooling the microprocessor and causing the engine to misfire and behave poorly. Thus, in some cases, introduction of the gases creates a worse polluting engine. Considerable adjustment of the microprocessor controller is required to make resolve this issue, which increases installation and servicing costs.

Internal combustion engine kit with electrolysis cell


A method according to one embodiment may include retrieving selected data from one or more mass storage devices, based at least in part on historical device access information of at least one requester of data. A method according to another embodiment may include retrieving, by an integrated circuit, device data layout information from one or more mass storage devices, and storing, by the integrated circuit, the device data layout information in cache memory. Of course, many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment.

In one conventional file system, one or more workstation terminals access data through a host computer system. The data may be stored on one or more disk drives in a storage array, and the host system processes read/write commands from a workstation and accesses an appropriate disk in response to those commands. In a large file sharing system environment, several users may have access to disk data on a single terminal or many terminals supporting many users may be connected to the host system. The host system may include cache memory which can store data from one or more disks. Caching algorithms may be used in conjunction with cache memory in an effort to accurately populate cache memory with likely data that may be accessed on one or more disks by one or more users. However, conventional file systems do not populate cache memory with disk data that reflects actual use and/or user data. Additionally, conventional data read requests require, at minimum, device layout information to be read from the disk and corresponding disk activity to determine the location of the requested data. Therefore, conventional file systems and conventional caching algorithms are incapable of populating cache memory based on historical data access information. Also, conventional file systems and conventional caching algorithms are incapable of caching device layout information so that data location information can be determined with minimal disk activity.
Although the following Detailed Description will proceed with reference being made to illustrative embodiments, many alternatives, modifications, and variations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the claimed subject matter be viewed broadly, and be defined only as set forth in the accompanying claims.

Integrated circuit capable of pre-fetching data


A process for the preparation of titanyl phthalocyanine which comprises the reaction of a titanium tetraalkoxide and diiminoisoindolene in the presence of a halonaphthalene solvent; dissolving the resulting Type I titanyl phthalocyanine in a haloacetic acid and an alkylene halide; adding the resulting mixture slowly to a cold alcohol solution; and thereafter isolating the resulting Type X titanyl phthalocyanine with an average volume particle size diameter of from about 0.02 to about 0.5 micron.

This invention is generally directed to titanyl phthalocyanines and processes for the preparation thereof, and more specifically the present invention is directed to processes for obtaining titanyl phthalocyanine polymorphs or crystal forms, including the known Type I and Type IV, reference for example U.S. Pat. No. 4,898,799, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, Type X and layered photoconductive members comprised of the aforementioned titanyl phthalocyanine polymorphs, especially the Type IV and the Type X. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a process for the preparation of titanyl phthalocyanines by the reaction of titanium tetra(alkoxide), especially the butoxide, with diiminoisoindolene in a solvent such as a halonaphthalene thereby enabling a crude titanyl phthalocyanine; thereafter subjecting the aforementioned product to purification by washing with, for example, a solvent like dimethylformamide. The purified titanyl phthalocyanine, especially Type I product obtained can then be dissolved in a solvent mixture of trifluoroacetic acid and methylene chloride. Subsequently, the aforementioned mixture is added. Titanyl phthalocyanine Type IV can be obtained from the titanyl Type X by the treatment of Type X with, for example, chlorobenzene. Layered imaging members with the aforementioned Type IV as a photogenerator, a charge transport, especially an aryl amine as illustrated herein, and a supporting substrate possess excellent photosensitivity. The titanyl phthalocyanines, especially the known polymorph IV and the X form, can be selected as organic photogenerator pigments in photoresponsive imaging members containing charge, especially hole transport layers such as known aryl amine hole transport molecules. The aforementioned photoresponsive imaging members can be negatively charged when the photogenerating layer is situated between the hole transport layer and the substrate, or positively charged when the hole transport layer is situated between the photogenerating layer and the supporting substrate. The layered photoconductive imaging members can be selected for a number of different known imaging and printing processes including, for example, electrophotographic imaging processes, especially xerographic imaging and printing processes wherein negatively charged or positively charged images are rendered visible with toner compositions of the appropriate charge. Generally, the imaging members are sensitive in the wavelength regions of from about 700 to about 850 nanometers, thus diode lasers can be selected as the light source. Titanyl phthalocyanines may also be selected as intense blue light stable colorants for use in coatings, such as paint, inks, and as near infrared absorbing pigments suitable for use as IR laser optical recording materials.
Certain titanium phthalocyanine pigments have been known, reference the publication WW 2(PB 85172 Fiat Final Report 1313, Feb. 1, 1948). However, unlike other phthalocyanines such as metal-free, copper, iron and zinc phthalocyanines, titanium phthalocyanines have had minimum commercial use. Titanyl phthalocyanines or oxytitanium phthalocyanines are known to absorb near-infrared light around 800 nanometers and a number of such pigments have been illustrated in the prior art as materials for IR laser optical recording material, reference for example BASF German 3,643,770 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,004. The use of certain titanium phthalocyanine pigments as a photoconductive material for electrophotographic applications is known, reference for example British Patent Publication 1,152,655, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 3,825,422 illustrates the use of titanyl phthalocyanine as a photoconductive pigment in an electrophotographic process known as particle electrophoresis. Additionally, the utilization of certain titanyl phthalocyanines and substituted derivatives thereof in a dual layer electrographic device is illustrated in EPO 180931, May 14, 1986. Moreover, the use of tetra- and hexadeca-flouro-substituted titanyl phthalocyanine in an electrophotographic device is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,701,396. In Japanese Patent Publication 64-171771, August, 1986, there is illustrated the use of titanyl phthalocyanine, which has been treated with a hot solvent, in electrophotography. Further, in German 3,821,628 there is illustrated the utilization of certain titanyl phthalocyanines, and other pigments in electrophotography, and wherein the titanyl phthalocyanines have been purified primarily to reduce the level of ash, volatile contaminants and sodium to below specified levels.
In the aforementioned documents, although synthesis and certain processing conditions were generally disclosed for the preparation of the titanyl phthalocyanine pigments, it is believed that there is no reference to certain crystal phases or polymorphs of the pigment. As mentioned in the textbook Phthalocyanine Compounds by Moser and Thomas, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, polymorphism or the ability to form distinct solid state forms is well known in phthalocyanines. For example, metal-free phthalocyanine is known to exist in at least 5 forms designated as alpha, beta, pi, X and tau. Copper phthalocyanine crystal forms known as alpha, beta, gamma, delta, epsilon and pi are also described. These different polymorphic forms are usually distinguishable on the basis of differences in the solid state properties of the materials which can be determined by measurements, such as Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Infrared Spectroscopy, Ultraviolet-Visible-Near Infrared spectroscopy and, especially, X-Ray Powder Diffraction techniques. There appears to be general agreement on the nomenclature used to designate specific polymorphs of commonly used pigments such as metal-free and copper phthalocyanine. However, this does not appear to be the situation with titanyl phthalocyanines as different nomenclature is selected in a number of instances. For example, reference is made to alpha, beta, A, B, C, y, and m forms of TiOPc (titanyl phthalocyanine) with different names being used for the same form in some situations. It is believed that five main crystal forms of TiOPc are known, that is Types I, II, III, X, and IV. The X-ray powder diffraction traces (XRPDs) obtained from these 5 forms which are shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E were generated on a Philips X-Ray Powder Diffractometer Model 1710 using X-radiation of CuK.alpha. wavelength (.lambda.=0.1542 nanometer). The diffractometer was equipped with a graphite monochrometer and pulse-height discrimination system. Two-theta is the Bragg angle commonly referred to in x-ray crystallographic measurements. I (counts) represents the intensity of the diffraction as a function of Bragg angle as measured with a proportional counter. Subclasses of these forms with broad, more poorly resolved peaks than those shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D can be envisioned, however, the basic features of the diffractograms indicate the major peaks in the same position although the smaller peaks can be unresolved. This broadening of XRPD peaks is generally found in pigments having a very small particle size. In Table 1 that follows, there is provided a listing of documents that disclose titanyl phthalocyanine polymorpic forms classified as belonging to one of the main types as indicated.
TABLE 1 ______________________________________ Crystal Other Form Names Documents ______________________________________ Type I .beta. Toyo Ink Electrophotog. (Japan) 27, 533 (1988) .beta. Dainippon US 4,728,592 .beta. Sanyo-Shikiso JOP 63-20365 A Mitsubishi JOP 62-25685, -6, -7 Conference Proceedings A Konica "Japan Hardcopy 1989", 103, (1989) Type II .alpha. Toyo Ink "Electrophoto (Japan)" 27, 533 (1988) .alpha. Sanyo-Shikiso JOP 63-20365 .alpha. Konica US 4,898,799 .alpha. Dainippon US 4,728,592 .alpha. Mita EU 314,100 B Mitsubishi JOP 62-25685, -6, -7 B Konica "Japan Hardcopy 1989, 103, (1989) Type III C Mitsubishi OP 62-25685, -6, -7 C Konica "Japan Hardcopy 1989, 103, (1989) m Toyo Ink "Electrophoto (Japan)" 27, 533 (1988) Type IV y Konica "Japan Hardcopy 1989", 103, (1989) Unnamed Konica US 4,898,799 New Type Sanyo-Shikiso JOP 63-20365 ______________________________________
More specifically, the aforementioned documents illustrate, for example, the use of specific polymorphs of TiOPc in electrophotographic devices. Three crystal forms of titanyl phthalocyanine, differentiated by their XRPDs, were specifically illustrated, identified as A, B, and C, which it is believed are equivalent to Types I, II, and III, respectively. In Japanese 62-256865 there is disclosed, for example, a process for the preparation of pure Type I involving the addition of titanium tetrachloride to a solution of phthalonitrile in an organic solvent which has been heated in advance to a temperature of from 160.degree. to 300.degree. C. In Japanese 62-256866, there is illustrated, for example, a method of preparing the aforementioned polymorph which involves the rapid heating of a mixture of phthalonitrile and titanium tetrachloride in an organic solvent at a temperature of from 100.degree. to 170.degree. C. over a time period which does not exceed one hour. In Japanese 62-256867, there is described, for example, a process for the preparation of pure Type II (B) titanyl phthalocyanine, which involves a similar method to the latter except that the time to heat the mixture at from 100.degree. to 170.degree. C., is maintained for at least two and one half hours. Types I and II, in the pure form obtained by the process of the above publications, apparently afforded layered photoresponsive imaging members with excellent electrophotographic characteristics.
In Mita EPO patent publication 314,100, there is illustrated the synthesis of TiOPc by, for example, the reaction of titanium alkoxides and diiminoisoindolene in quinoline or an alkylbenzene, and the subsequent conversion thereof to an alpha Type pigment (Type II) by an acid pasting process, whereby the synthesized pigment is dissolved in concentrated sulfuric acid, and the resultant solution is poured onto ice to precipitate the alpha-form, which is filtered and washed with methylene chloride. This pigment, which was blended with varying amounts of metal free phthalocyanine, could be selected as the electric charge generating layer in layered photoresponsive imaging members with a high photosensitivity at, for example, 780 nanometers.
In Sanyo-Shikiso Japanese 63-20365/86, reference is made to the known crystal forms alpha and beta TiOPc (Types II and I, respectively, it is believed), which publication also describes a process for the preparation of a new form of titanyl phthalocyanine, which is apparently not named. This publication appears to suggest the use of the unnamed titanyl phthalocyanine as a pigment and its use as a recording medium for optical discs. This apparently new form was prepared by treating acid pasted TiOPc (Type II form, it is believed) with a mixture of chlorobenzene and water at about 50.degree. C. The resulting apparently new form is distinguished on the basis of its XRPD, which appears to be identical to that shown in FIG. 1 for the Type IV polymorph.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,592, there is illustrated, for example, the use of alpha type TiOPc (Type II) in an electrophotographic device having sensitivity over a broad wavelength range of from 500 to 900 nanometers. This form was prepared by the treatment of dichlorotitanium phthalocyanine with concentrated aqueous ammonia and pyridine at reflux for 1 hour. Also described in the aforementioned patent is a beta Type TiOPc (Type I) as a pigment, which is believed to provide a much poorer quality photoreceptor.
In Konica Japanese 64-17066/89, there is disclosed, for example, the use of a new crystal modification of TiOPc prepared from alpha type pigment (Type II) by milling it in a sand mill with salt and polyethylene glycol. This pigment had a strong XRPD peak at a value of 2 theta of 27.3 degrees. This publication also discloses that this new form differs from alpha type pigment (Type II) in its light absorption and shows a maximum absorbance at 817 nanometers compared to alpha type, which has a maximum at 830 nanometers. The XRPD shown in the publication for this new form is believed to be identical to that of the Type IV form previously described by Sanyo-Shikiso in JOP 63-20365. The aforementioned Konica publication also discloses the use of this new form of TiOPc in a layered electrophotographic device having high sensitivity to near infrared light of 780 nanometers. The new form is indicated to be superior in this application to alpha type TiOPc (Type II). Further, this new form is also described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,898,799 and in a paper presented at the Annual Conference of Japan Hardcopy in July 1989. In this paper, this same new form is referred to as Type y, and reference is also made to Types I, II, and III as A, B, and C, respectively.
In the journal, Electrophotography (Japan) vol. 27, pages 533 to 538, Toyo Ink Manufacturing Company, there is disclosed, for example, alpha and beta forms of TiOPc (Types I and II, it is believed) and also this journal discloses the preparation of a Type m TiOPc, an apparently new form having an XRPD pattern which was distinct from other crystal forms. It is believed that this XRPD is similar to that for the Type III titanyl phthalocyanine pigment but it is broadened most likely as the particle size is much smaller than that usually found in the Type III pigment. This pigment was used to prepare photoreceptor devices having greater sensitivity at 830 nanometers than alpha or beta Type TiOPc (Type II or I, respectively.
In Mitsubishi Laid Open Japanese Applicaiton 90-269776, laid open date Nov. 5, 1990, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, there is illustrated the preparation of titanyl phthalocyanines by the treatment of phthalocyanines, such as metal free, metal phthalocyanines, or their derivatives with solvents containing at least trifluoroacetic acid, or mixed solvents of trifluoroacetic acid and halogenated hydrocarbons such as methylene chloride. In Example I of this Japanese Laid Open Application the preparation of the C-form of TiOPc is described. Other forms obtained are described in Examples II and III.
Processes for the preparation of specific polymorphs of titanyl phthalocyanine, which require the use of a strong acid such as sulfuric acid, are known, and these processes, it is believed, are not easily scable. One process as illustrated in Konica Japanese Laid Open on Jan. 20, 1989 as 64-17066 (U.S. Pat. No. 4,898,799 appears to be its equivalent), the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, involves, for example, the reaction of titanium tetrachloride and phthalodinitrile in 1-chloronaphthalene solvent to produce dichlorotitanium phthalocyanine which is then subjected to hydroylsis by ammonia water to enable the Type II polymorph. This phthalocyanine is preferably treated with an electron releasing solvent such as 2-ethoxyethanol, dioxane, N-methylpyrrolidone, followed by subjecting the alpha-titanyl phthalocyanine to milling at a temperature of from 50.degree. to 180.degree. C. In a second method described in the aforementioned Japanese Publication, there is disclosed the preparation of alpha type titanyl phthalocyanine with sulfuric acid. Another method for the preparation of Type IV titanyl phthalocyanine involves the addition of an aromatic hydrocarbon, such as chlorobenzene solvent to an aqueous suspension of Type II titanyl phthalocyanine prepared by the well-known acid pasting process, and heating the resultant suspension to about 50.degree. C. as disclosed in Sanyo-Shikiso Japanese 63-20365, Laid Open in Jan. 28, 1988. In Japanese 171771/1986, Laid Open Aug. 2, 1986, there is disclosed the purification of metallophthalocyanine by treatment with N-methylpyrrolidone.
To obtain a TiOPc-based photoreceptor having high sensitivity to near infrared light, it is believed necessary to control not only the purity and chemical structure of the pigment, as is generally the situation with organic photoconductors, but also to prepare the pigment in the correct crystal modification. The disclosed processes used to prepare specific crystal forms of TiOPc, such as Types I, II, III and IV are either complicated and difficult to control as in the preparation of pure Types I and II pigment by careful control of the synthesis parameters by the processes described in Mitsubishi Japanese 62-25685, -6 and -7, or involve harsh treatment such as sand milling at high temperature, reference Konica U.S. Pat. No. 4,898,799; or dissolution of the pigment in a large volume of concentrated sulfuric acid, a solvent which is known to cause decomposition of metal phthalocyanines, reference Sanyo-Shikiso Japanese 63-20365, and Mita EPO 314,100.
The present invention in one embodiment relates to an economical method for the preparation of polymorphs of TiOPc, specifically the Type I, X, and IV polymorphs. Advantages of the aforementioned methods in embodiments thereof include rapid reaction rates, the use of harsh reagents such as sulfuric acid or the use of energy intensive processes such as sand milling can be avoided. The process of the present invention in one embodiment involves the reaction of diiminoisoindolene (DI.sup.3) with titanium tetrapropoxide in a chloronaphthalene solvent to provide Type I crude, followed by the purification thereof by washing with dimethylformamide to provide a pure form, about 99 percent for example of Type I titanyl phthalocyanine. Thereafter, the Type I phthalocyanine obtained is reacted with a strong organic acid such as trifluoroacetic acid and a solvent such as methylene chloride (the titanyl phthalocyanine pigment is highly soluble in this mixture, dissolves within minutes and is stable for at least about two weeks in embodiments); followed by a reprecipitation of the pigment into a second solvent system. The composition of the precipitant solvent primarily determines which polymorphic form of TiOPc can be obtained. The desired polymorphic form can be isolated by a simple filtration process and can be washed with water and/or organic solvents to attain a suitable degree of purity.
Generally, layered photoresponsive imaging members are described in a number of U.S. patents, such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,265,900, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, wherein there is illustrated an imaging member comprised of a photogenerating layer, and an aryl amine hole transport layer. Examples of photogenerating layer components include trigonal selenium, metal phthalocyanines, vanadyl phthalocyanines, and metal free phthalocyanines. Additionally, there is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,121,006 a composite xerographic photoconductive member comprised of finely divided particles of a photoconductive inorganic compound dispersed in an electrically insulating organic resin binder. The binder materials disclosed in the '006 patent comprise a material which is incapable of transporting for any significant distance injected charge carriers generated by the photoconductive particles.
Photoresponsive imaging members with squaraine photogenerating pigments are also known, reference U.S. Pat. No. 4,415,639. In this patent there is illustrated a photoresponsive imaging member with a substrate, a hole blocking layer, an optional adhesive interface layer, an organic photogenerating layer, a photoconductive composition capable of enhancing or reducing the intrinsic properties of the photogenerating layer, and a hole transport layer. As photoconductive compositions for the aforementioned member, there can be selected various squaraine pigments, including hydroxy squaraine compositions. Moreover, there is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,824,099 certain photosensitive hydroxy squaraine compositions.
In copending application U.S. Ser. No. 537,714 filed Jun. 14, 1990, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, there are illustrated photoresponsive imaging members with photogenerating titanyl phthalocyanine layers prepared by vacuum deposition. It is indicated in this copending application that the imaging members comprised of the vacuum deposited titanyl phthalocyanines and aryl amine hole transporting compounds exhibit superior xerographic performance as low dark decay characteristics result and higher photosensitivity is generated, particularly in comparison to several prior art imaging members prepared by solution coating or spray coating, reference for example U.S. Pat. No. 4,429,029 mentioned hereinbefore.
In copending application U.S. Ser. No. 533,265 filed Jun. 14, 1990, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, there is illustrated a process for the preparation of phthalocyanine composites which comprises adding a metal free phthalocyanine, a metal phthalocyanine, a metalloxy phthalocyanine or mixtures thereof to a solution of trifluoroacetic acid and a monohaloalkane; adding to the resulting mixture a titanyl phthalocyanine; adding the resulting solution to a mixture that will enable precipitation of said composite; and recovering the phthalocyanine composite precipitated product.
In copending application U.S. Ser. No. 533,261 filed Jun. 4, 1990, the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference, there is illustrated a process for the preparation of titanyl phthalocyanine which comprises the reaction of titanium tetrapropoxide with diiminoisoindolene in N-methylpyrrolidone solvent to provide Type I, or .beta.-type titanyl phthalocyanine as determined by X-ray powder diffraction; dissolving the resulting titanyl phthalocyanine in a mixture of trifluoroacetic acid and methylene chloride; adding the resulting mixture to a stirred organic solvent, such as methanol, or to water; separating the resulting precipitate by, for example, vacuum filtration through a glass fiber paper in a Buchner funnel; and washing the titanyl phthalocyanine product. Examples of titanyl phthalocyanine reactants that can be selected in effective amounts of, for example, from about 1 weight percent to about 40 percent by weight of the trifluoroacetic acidic solvent mixture include known available titanyl phthalocyanines; titanyl phthalocyanines synthesized from the reaction of titanium halides such as titanium trichloride, titanium tetrachloride or tetrabromide; titanium tetraalkoxides such as titanium tetra-methoxide, -ethoxide, -propoxide-, -butoxide, -isopropoxide and the like; and other titanium salts with compounds such as phthalonitrile and diiminoisoindolene in solvents such as 1-chloronaphthalene, quinoline, N-methylpyrrolidone, and alkylbenzenes such as xylene at temperatures of from about 120.degree. to about 300.degree. C.; specific polymorphs of titanyl phthalocyanine such as Type I, II, III, and IV, the preparation of which, for example, is described in the literature; or any other suitable polymorphic form of TiOPc; substituted titanyl phthalocyanine pigments having from 1 to 16 substituents attached to the outer ring of the compound, said substituent being, for example, halogens such as chloro-, bromo-, iodo- and fluoro-, alkyls with from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms such as methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, isopropyl-, butyl-, pentyl-, and hexyl-; nitro, amino, alkoxy and alkylthio, such as methoxy-, ethoxy- and propylthio- groups; and mixtures thereof. As the solvent mixture, there can be selected a strong organic acid, such as a trihaloacetic acids, including trifluoroacetic acid or trichloroacetic acid, and a cosolvent, such as an alkylene halide, such as methylene chloride, chloroform, trichloroethylene, bromoform and other short chain halogenated alkanes and alkenes with from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms and from 1 to about 6 halogen atoms including chlorofluorocarbons and hydrochlorofluorocarbons; haloaromatic compounds such as chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene, chloronaphthalene, fluorobenzene, bromobenzene, and benzene; alkylbenzenes such as toluene and xylene; and other organic solvents which are miscible with strong organic acids and which will effectively dissolve the titanyl phthalocyanine in effective amounts of, for example, a ratio of from about 1 to 50 parts of acid to about 50 parts of cosolvent such as methylene chloride. In an embodiment a preferred solvent mixture is comprised of trifluoroacetic acid and methylene chloride in a ratio of from about 5 parts acid to about 95 parts methylene chloride to 25 parts acid to 75 parts of methylene chloride. Subsequent to solubilization with the above solvent mixture and stirring for an effective period of time of, for example, from about 5 minutes to several days, the resulting mixture is added to a solvent that will enable precipitation of the desired titanyl phthalocyanine polymorph, such as Type IV, which solvent is comprised of an alcohol such as an alkylacohol including methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, butanol, n-butanol, pentanol and the like; ethers such as diethyl ether and tetrahydrofuran; hydrocarbons such as pentane, hexane and the like with, for example, from about 4 to about 10 carbon atoms; aromatic solvents such as benzene, toluene, xylene, halobenzenes such as chlorobenzene, and the like; carbonyl compounds such as ketones such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, and butyraldehyde; glycols such as ethylene and propylene glycol and glycerol; polar aprotic solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethylformamide and N-methylpyrrolidone; and water, as well as mixtures of the aforementioned solvents, followed by filtration of the titanyl phthalocyanine polymorph, and washing with various solvents such as, for example, deionized water and an alcohol such as methanol and the like, which serves to remove residual acid and any impurities which might have been released by the process of dissolving and reprecipitating the pigment. The solid resulting can then be dried by, for example, heating yielding a dark blue pigment of the desired titanyl phthalocyanine polymorph, the form of which was determined by the composition of the precipitant solvent. In working Example III of the aforementioned copending application U.S. Ser. No. 533,261 filed Jun. 4, 1990 there is disclosed the preparation of Type X titanyl phthalocyanine by adding Type I to a mixture of trifluoroacetic acid and methylene chloride.
Disclosed in copending patent application U.S. Ser. No. 533,265 filed Jun. 4, 1990 is a process for the preparation of titanyl phthalocyanine Type I which comprises the addition in a solvent of titanium tetraalkoxide to a mixture of phthalonitrile and a diiminoisoindolene, followed by heating. The disclosure of this application is totally incorporated herein by reference.
Disclosed in copending applications U.S. Ser. No. 683,901 filed Apr. 11, 1991, entitled "Titanium Phthalocyanines and Processes for the Preparation Thereof" with inventors James D. Mayo, Terry L. Bluhm, Cheng K. Hsiao, Trevor I. Martin and Ah-Mee Hor; and U.S. Ser. No. 683,935 filed Apr. 11, 1991, entitled "Processes for Titanyl Phthalocyanines" with inventors James D. Mayo, James M. Duff, Trevor I. Martin, Terry L. Bluhm, Cheng K. Hsiao and Ah-Mee Hor, is a process for the preparation of titanyl phthalocyanine which comprises the treatment of titanyl phthalocyanine Type X with a halobenzene, the disclosures of which are totally incorporated herein by reference.
The disclosures of all of the aforementioned publications, laid open applications, copending applications and patents are totally incorporated herein by reference.

Processes for the preparation of titanium-phthalocyanine Type X


A drag ball valve (10) that can variable regulate the pressure drop to which the fluid passing therethrough is subjected while maintaining the fluid velocity nearly constant is disclosed. To accomplish this, a series of fixed disks (34) having apertures (36) therein and rotatable disks (42) having apertures (44) with flange-like projections (46) therein are aligned so that either an unobstructed straight fluid passage through the apertures in both types of disks is created or the fluid is diverted by the flange-like projections (46) causing pressure reductions due to a variable number of flow direction turns. By varying the number of fixed disks (34) and rotatable disks (42) used, and by varying the number of rotatable disks (42) that are so aligned, any number of flow direction turns and associated pressure drops from zero pressure drops to the total number of rotatable disks (42) used can be achieved.

Typically in the valve art, a reduction in the pressure of the fluid passing through the valve results in a corresponding increase in the velocity of the fluid. If the pressure reduction is substantial enough, the velocity of the fluid will approach sonic levels which results in excessive vibration and valve noise, both of which will hasten the deterioration of the valve. In addition, if the pressure of the fluid drops below its vaporization pressure, partial vaporization of the fluid may occur resulting in a process called cavitation which greatly accelerates the deterioration of the valve. These problems have been partially alleviated by drag valves which utilize multi-turn passageways to create a pressure drop while keeping fluid velocity nearly constant. However, these valves have no provisions for varying the number of multi-turn passageways to which the fluid passing therethrough is subjected. Thus, the pressure drop, i.e., the fluidic impedance, of these valves is preset and cannot be varied to compensate for various fluids which may pass through the valve. This drag valve concept has been applied to ball valves as may be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,085,774 which teaches a ball valve utilizing a plurality of contractions and expansions in the fluid passageways to produce a pressure drop. However, there is no teaching of accomplishing a pressure drop by a multi-turn labyrinth nor is there any teaching with respect to varying the pressure drop by varying the multi-turn labyrinth.

Drag ball valve including variable pressure reducing means


The closure of the rim space between the floating roof periphery and the tank shell is effected by a permanently magnetized circular strip and a circular curtain. The magnetized strip is held by magnetic pull against the shell.. Linkage means between the floating roof and the magnetized strip cause the latter to follow the vertical displacements of the former.

The control of the evaporation loss emanating from the liquids stored in the tanks is effected, in the prior art, through the utilization of floating roofs.
These floating roofs consist essentially of a metallic pan that floats on the surface of the stored liquid.
Sealing means are provided to close the annular rim space between the periphery of the pan and the relatively concentrical tank shell. Two general types of seal are prominently used in the prior art.
For purposes of description these seals can be classed as metallic and non-metallic. The metallic class utilizes a light gage metal band as the sliding contact with the tank shell. This band is formed by sheets (called shoes) and may vary in dimension from the different manufacturers. The shoes are joined together to form a complete ring.
Generally, the band is of galvanized steel approximately 16 gage. Provision is made for expansion or contraction of the ring as it passes over shell irregularities, rivets and the like. This is accomplished by narrow pieces of fabric joined into the ring. The rim space between the roof and the shoe is sealed by bolting or clamping a coated-fabric from the shoe to the rim plate of the roof.
The non-metallic class utilizes a coated-fabric band as the sliding contact with the tank's shell. The forces needed to expand the seal against the tank shell are provided by a liquid, a gas under pressure, or a resilient foam.
The tank sizes to which the present invention is directed vary from about 20 feet up to about 250 or 300 feet in diameter.
Perfect fit between the seals and the tank shell is a practical impossibility for such a large structures, mainly due to out of roundness and local irregularities in the shell.
Evaporation of the stored liquid takes place through the gaps between the seal and the shell.
In practice this evaporative loss attains sizable proportions due to the substantial length of the sealed perimeter.
The present invention, by providing a tight fit over the whole perimeter, overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art.


The invention provides a semiconductor laser module with an electronic cooling device prevented from experiencing a lowering of the optical frequency response characteristic level in a band used for public communications. By changing the inductance of the ground line between module package and chip-mounted carrier of the semiconductor laser module, the resonance frequency of a resonance circuit made up by including the ground line is shifted so as to deviate from the frequency band of public communications used by a modulation signal transmitting device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor laser module with an electronic cooling device, and more particularly to a semiconductor laser module of a direct modulation system in which a high-frequency input signal is modulated directly into an optical signal.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In recent years, the semiconductor laser module has been under energetic attempts for applications to such communication fields as CATV and public communication that deal with signals of microwave/semi-microwave frequency range, giga bit high-speed digital signals, and other high-speed modulation signals, so that the semiconductor laser module has begun to be put into practical use. Particularly for short-and middle-distance transmission ranging from several hundreds of meters to several kilometers involving less accumulation of noise and signal distortions, the direct intensity modulation system in which a high-frequency signal is modulated directly into an optical signal as a modulation signal is suitable. In such a semiconductor laser module, oscillation characteristics of the semiconductor laser have a large temperature dependency, so that shifts of threshold current density or oscillation wavelength may take place depending on temperature variation. Therefore, in order to obtain a stable laser oscillation, it is essential to maintain laser diodes at a constant temperature. Thus, cooling devices such as a Peltier-element electronic cooling device is used to control the temperature of the laser diodes.
In prior-art semiconductor laser modules, module components such as the electronic cooling device and the ground line form a resonance circuit. For example, as shown in FIG. 20, the circuit resonates with an input modulation signal in a frequency band around 1.6 GHz, causing in some cases a phenomenon that the optical frequency response level would lower.
For this reason, in public communications in which frequencies close to the aforementioned frequency band such as 1.5 GHz band or 1.9 GHz band are frequently used, or in high-speed digital communications in which transmission rates close to the aforementioned frequency band are used, it has been difficult for such semiconductor laser modules to ensure a sufficient modulation signal.

Electronically cooled semiconductor laser module with modified ground line inductance

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.