A beam selection system that includes a memory operably connected to processing circuitry. The memory configured to store instructions that request call control information from a device; receive a plurality of user equipment (UE) trajectories and parameters from the device; predict with a first artificial intelligence (AI) engine a plurality of beam patterns within a beam index at a plurality of nodes corresponding with a predicted UE location based on the plurality of UE trajectories and parameters of each UE; transmit the plurality of predicted beam patterns to the plurality of nodes corresponding with a corresponding UE of a plurality of UEs; receive a plurality of UE selected beam patterns from the plurality of nodes; train a second AI engine based the plurality of UE selected beam patterns. The processing circuitry is further configured to update the first AI engine based on learned results from the second AI engine.

A radio access network (RAN) is part of a mobile telecommunication system and implements radio access technology. Conceptually, the RAN resides between devices such as mobile phones, computers, or any remotely controlled machines and connects with a core network (CN). Depending on the standard, mobile phones and other wireless connected devices are varyingly known as user equipment (UE).
Beam selection is a single beam selection (SBS) concept utilized to minimize the number of radio frequency chains. As the number of beams increases, the difficulty with single beam selection increases. For example, in millimeter-wave (mmWave) multiple-input multiple-output non-orthogonal multiple access (MIMO-NOMA) systems hundreds of beams are available to be selected. In general, SBS is unable to implement a multiple beam group selection opportunity for every supported UE. The high computational burden to measure the decoded message and select a beam optimization prevents support for multiple UEs.

User equipment trajectory based beam selection


A machine tool is provided with a spindle clamping device for clamping a spindle assembly supported by a spindle head and composed of an outer spindle rotatably supported by the spindle head and an inner spindle disposed inside the outer spindle to be reciprocal along an axial direction thereof. The inner spindle is inserted into an inner hollow portion of the outer spindle so that a space is formed between an inner peripheral surface of the outer spindle and an outer peripheral surface of the inner spindle. The spindle clamping device comprises a pressure applying member such as a pair of pistons or oil ring disposed in the space between the outer and inner spindles for applying a pressure in an axial direction of the outer and inner spindles. The pressure applying member is provided with an oil chamber, and a pair of clamp rings are disposed in the space axially outside the pressure applying member. Each of the paired clamp rings comprises inner and outer ring elements having tapered surfaces slidably contacting each other. Spring members are disposed in the space axially outside the clamp rings, respectively, for urging the outer ring elements inwardly, and a static pressure pocket is formed in a contacting portion of the spindle head supporting the inner spindle wherein pressurized oil and air is supplied into the oil chamber through the static pressure pocket.

The present invention relates to a spindle clamping device for a machine tool, particularly for clamping a spindle assembly of double-axis type structure, such as one found on a horizontal boring and milling machine.
In a horizontal boring and milling machine of a known structure, various kinds of spindle clamping devices are utilized, each having an outer milling spindle rotatably supported and an inner spindle also rotatably supported inside the milling spindle so as to reciprocate along the axial direction of the milling spindle. For instance, one example of such a horizontal boring and milling machine is provided with a first shaft as an outer milling spindle and a second shaft as an inner boring spindle. And in such example, the spindle clamping methods are classified into three manners, that is, (1) a method in which a .pressurized oil is always supplied to a static pressure pocket portion disposed between the milling spindle and the boring spindle for clamping the first shaft, (2) a method in which an oil ring is disposed between the first and second shafts and a pressurized oil is poured to the oil ring thereby clamping the first and second shafts, the oil ring being of a structure such as shown in the Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 62-43684, and (3) a method in which the first and second shafts are clamped by incorporating a self-pressurized oil retaining mechanism into the second shaft, such as disclosed in the Japanese Utility Model Publication (JITSUYO KOKOKU) No. 62-43684.
However, in the above prior art methods of (1) and (2), in which the pressurized oil is always supplied to the static pressure pocket portion disposed between the first shaft rotatably supported by a spindle head and the second shaft is disposed rotatably inside the first shaft to be reciprocal along the axial direction for clamping the first shaft, the pressurized oil must be always supplied or always retained during the rotations of the spindles. For this reason, a large quantity of heat is generated for the static pressure pocket portion during a cutting operation of the machine tool by rotating the first shaft with high speed. Accordingly, the first shaft is expanded in its axial direction by the thermal expansion of the static pressure pocket portion, which adversely affects the working precision of the machine tool.
Furthermore, in the above prior art method of (3), in which the pressurized oil is supplied to the oil ring disposed between the first shaft rotatably supported by the spindle head and the second shaft disposed rotatably inside the first shaft to be reciprocal along the axial direction for clamping the first and second shafts, not avoided to prevent the pressurized oil from leaking during the rotation of the shafts cannot be avoided, thus this method is not suitable for long term operation of the machine tool. In order to obviate these defects, in the prior art, a mechanism for supplying the oil to the oil ring must be provided by positioning the second shaft to a predetermined angular position and making coincident a phase of the oil pouring unit with a phase of an oil supplying unit. Therefore, when the pressurized oil leaks, the pressure to the oil ring is lowered, which makes it difficult to surely clamp the spindle with high rigidity. Furthermore, the oil supply to the oil ring requires much additional time, resulting in the lowering of the workability.
Other various attempts have been made in the prior art to provide an improved spindle clamping device for machine tools provided with a milling spindle and boring spindle particularly for the reason that insufficient rigidity of the boring spindle per se directly affects on cutting efficiency of the machine.

Spindle clamping device for machine tool


An air-bag arrangement is disclosed, which preferably takes the form of an inflatable curtain. The arrangement comprises a single inflatable element (2) and a gas generator (10), which is configured to inflate the inflatable element (2). The inflatable element (2) defines at least two inflatable chambers (5,6). A gas-supply duct (11) is provided which has an end outlet aperture (19) formed through an end wall 18 of the gas-supply duct (11) so as to have a diameter smaller than the bore of the gas-supply duct (11). The gas-supply duct (11) also has at least one side outlet aperture (20) formed through the side wall of the gas-supply duct (11) at a position generally adjacent the end outlet aperture (19). The side outlet aperture (20) is configured to direct gas out of the gas-supply duct (11) in a direction substantially orthogonal to the direction of gas directed to the end outlet aperture (19). The gas-supply duct (11) is arranged so that gas exiting through the end outlet aperture (19) is directed to one of the chambers (5), whilst gas exiting through the side outlet aperture (20) is directed to the other chamber (6).

The present application relates to an air-bag, and more particularly relates to an air-bag arrangement comprising a gas-supply duct.
It has been proposed previously to provide various forms of airbags with a substantially rigid gas-supply duct configured to direct a flow of gas from an inflator or gas generator through specific regions of the air-bag which are to be inflated.
For example, various designs of "inflatable curtain" have been proposed. Such an inflatable curtain is an air-bag which is initially stored within the roof lining of a motor vehicle immediately above the door openings, the air-bag inflating in response to a signal from an appropriate sensor to form a "curtain" lying adjacent a side window of the vehicle. Frequently, an air-bag of this type comprises two discrete chambers for inflation. One chamber being configured to lie adjacent the front side-window of the vehicle, and the other chamber being configured to lie adjacent the rear-side window of the vehicle upon inflation of the air-bag. In order to use a single inflator or gas generator to inflate both discrete chambers of the air-bag, it is convenient to arrange the inflator or gas generator in the region of the "B-pillar" of the motor vehicle structure, i.e. the pillar extending vertically upwardly between the front and rear side windows of the vehicle.
As will therefore be appreciated, in order to ensure proper inflation of both of the discrete chambers of the above-mentioned inflatable curtain, gas generated by the single gas generator must be directed towards each discrete chamber. However, because an inflatable curtain-type air-bag must be inflated in a very short period of time if it is to be of value in a side impact situation, the gas generator must produce a very large volume of gas in a very short period of time. The resultant flow of gas is very aggressive and can damage the inflatable curtain if not carefully directed into the interior of the inflatable curtain. It is known to provide a substantially rigid gas-supply duct, extending from the single gas generator, in order to direct the flow of gas into the interior of the inflatable curtain.
DE 20016717U1 discloses an arrangement comprising a pair of divergent gas-supply ducts, each configured to direct gas from a common gas generator towards a respective region of the inflatable curtain. However, the provision of two gas supply ducts adds complexity and expense to the arrangement.
DE 19850448A discloses a single gas supply duct configured to provide a flow of gas along two flow paths, into separate air-bags. The two flow paths are substantially perpendicular to one another.
The present invention seeks to provide an improved air-bag arrangement.


Apparatus for decreasing the temperature of the air entering the carburetor or throttle body of an internal combustion engine to increase the volume and efficiency of the air. A device which combines an air-to-liquid cooling surface and an air filtering system is installed as a replacement for the standard air filter. Cooling is provided by circulation through the cooler of a coolant. In automotive applications, this is accomplished by means of a closed system including a pump, reservoir, cooling tank which utilizes a standard air-conditioning dryer and/or a radiator. In marine applications, a constant supply of fresh water is supplied as the coolant using an open system. A limiting device is employed in all applications to disable the coolant circulation system when it is not needed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to techniques for improving the performance of internal combustion engines. More particularly, the present invention provides a novel method and apparatus for enhancing such performance through the cooling of intake air immediately prior to combustion chamber entry.
2. Description of the Related Art
The efficiency of an internal combustion engine is affected by many variables. For example, the composition of the mixture of air and fuel introduced into the combustion chambers of an internal combustion engine significantly affects performance. To achieve optimum efficiency, the air/fuel mixture must be appropriately maintained at all levels of operation.
A number of modifications and enhancements have been made to conventional internal combustion engines in an effort to improve performance. For example, it is well known that increasing the volume of air and fuel entering the combustion chambers will result in improved performance. Turbochargers and superchargers are devices which utilize mechanical means to compress the air/fuel mixture just prior to introduction into the combustion chamber. This increases the density of the air/fuel mixture, which leads to superior performance relative to naturally aspirated (atmospherically charged) engines. However, the use of a turbocharger or supercharger tends to increase the temperature of the air/fuel mixture during compression. This temperature increase degrades volumetric efficiency (i.e., air/fuel mixture per unit volume) by reducing the density of the air/fuel mixture being introduced into the combustion chamber.
In contrast to turbocharged and supercharged engines, naturally aspirated engines draw air directly from the area surrounding the air inlet and filter system. Efforts have been made to improve volumetric efficiency by positioning this air inlet in locations remote to the remainder of the engine. That is, it has been attempted to reduce the ambient temperature of the air being drawn into the combustion chamber by remotely locating the point at which atmospheric air is collected. Unfortunately, such efforts have yielded only modest gains in volumetric efficiency.
Intercoolers have been known to improve the efficiency and performance of turbocharged and supercharged engines for some time. The intercoolers that have been employed to date for these applications have been in a form that is an additional component to the engine, requiring modification to the engine and/or the turbocharger or supercharger. Devices have been utilized which introduce into the air/fuel mixture other liquids in an attempt to cool the mixture prior to combustion. There have also been attempts to provide cooling jackets surrounding the air passages through which the air flows prior to entering the combustion chambers. In addition, devices using complex systems of utilizing the air conditioning and heating systems of a vehicle have been developed, but in a manner which does not ensure that all the air entering the carburetor or throttle body will benefit from the cooling effort.

Method and apparatus for air-intake cooling in an internal combustion engine


A large distributed enterprise includes computing resources that are organized into one or more managed regions, each region being managed by a management server servicing one or more gateway machines, with each gateway machine servicing a plurality of endpoint machines. Upon power-up, an endpoint machine attempts to connect to its last known gateway. If the connection fails, the endpoint machine broadcasts a boot request with an extension unique to the management server but that is ignored by other servers in the network, including a boot server that would normally handle the boot request. The management server responds to the boot request by assigning the endpoint to a new host gateway.

It is known in the art to connect computers in a large, geographically-dispersed network environment and to manage such environment in a distributed manner. One such management framework consists of a server that manages a number of nodes, each of which has a local object database that stores object data specific to the local node. Each managed node typically includes a management framework, comprising a number of management routines, that is capable of a relatively large number (e.g., hundreds) of simultaneous network connections to remote machines. The framework manages hundreds of megabytes of local storage and can spawn many dozens of simultaneous processes to handle method requests from local or remote users. This amount of power, however, is quite costly. Each managed node requires upwards of a megabyte of local memory of disk plus a permanent TCP/IP connection. If a managed node sees heavy use, then such costs go up considerably. Moreover, as the number of managed nodes increases, the system maintenance problems also increase, as do the odds of a machine failure. When a machine is replaced, the old machine state must be located and restored.
The problem is exacerbated in a typical enterprise as the node number rises. Of these nodes, only a small percentage are file servers, name servers, database servers, or anything but end-of-wire or "endpoint" machines. The majority of the network machines are simple personal computers ("PC's") or workstations that see little management activity during a normal day. Nevertheless, the management routines on these machines are constantly poised, ready to handle dozens of simultaneous method invocations from dozens of widespread locations, invocations that rarely occur.
Today, companies desire to place all of their computing resources on the company network. Traditionally, the networks are TCP/IP networks. This protocol was designed almost 30 years ago, at a time when estimates of numbers of interconnected machines was relatively low. Today, the TCP/IP address space is running out of room. A typical company has a class "B" network that is configured to have a maximum of about 250 hosts per subnet. The scarcity Of network addresses has made it clear that assigning a fixed IP address to each computing resource will not be possible for much longer. Moreover, there is the problem that computers now tend to move. A laptop may be on the user's desk in the morning, but that afternoon may be plugged into the conference room subnet to drive a video presentation. With fixed addresses, each move requires system administration attention to reconfigure the network.
Moreover, the problem of keeping a distributed management framework connected is a continuous job. Any number of everyday actions can sever a connection. Whenever a network address is changed, a machine moved from location to location, or a hostname is changed, any cached location information in the system management framework becomes stale. Network reconfiguration is thus a frequent action which administrators do not wish to perform manually. The problem is bad enough with workstations, but with roaming PC's it is much worse.
There is therefore a need to provide methods for dynamically reconfiguring a managed enterprise environment having up to thousands or tens of thousands of nodes as computer resources, especially endpoints, are moved in and out of the network.

Reconfiguring computer resources in a distributed computer enterprise environment

International Business Machines Corporation


The present invention provides a lithography apparatus for forming a pattern on a substrate, including a motor configured to drive a table for holding the substrate in accordance with a driving profile, a setting unit configured to set one of a normal mode and a power saving mode as an operation mode of the motor, and a controller configured to change the driving profile when the power saving mode is set, such that an amount of generated heat of the motor caused by driving of the table is smaller than that in the normal mode, and the number of substrates to be processed by the lithography apparatus per unit time is satisfied.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lithography apparatus and a method of manufacturing an article.
2. Description of the Related Art
A lithography apparatus such as an exposure apparatus for use in the manufacture of a device includes heat generating sources such as a linear motor for driving a positioning table and an electric substrate, so it is important to precisely maintain the internal temperature of the lithography apparatus by suppressing the environmental temperature rise caused by these heat generating sources. If the internal temperature of the lithography apparatus rises (fluctuates), temperature fluctuations of a gas in the optical path of exposure light cause uneven exposure, temperature fluctuations of a gas in the optical path of an interferometer decrease the positioning accuracy, and thermal deformation of a reticle or a substrate such as a wafer occurs. These drawbacks make high-accuracy exposure difficult to perform. Therefore, the lithography apparatus includes a temperature-regulating device for suppressing temperature fluctuations in a chamber and maintaining the internal temperature of the chamber at a predetermined temperature.
In the lithography apparatus as described above, it is necessary to regulate the internal temperature of the chamber with a high resolution, and implement precise positioning while suppressing uneven exposure. Also, the lithography apparatus is required to further increase the throughput (the number of substrates to be processed per unit time (the number of products)), and hence is required to drive the positioning table at a high acceleration. If the acceleration of the positioning table is increased, however, the amount of generated heat of the linear motor also increases, so a high cooling capacity of cooling the linear motor is necessary. As a consequence, recent lithography apparatuses tend to consume high electric power.
The temperature-regulating device for temperature-regulating (cooling) the linear motor generally includes a cooler and heater. This is so because the response of the cooler to control is low, so in order to precisely temperature-regulate the linear motor, it is necessary to cool a medium (liquid or gas) for cooling the linear motor by the cooler, and then heat the medium to a predetermined temperature by the heater (that is, to perform temperature-regulation on the heater side). The cooling capacity of the cooler is generally determined based on the amount of generated heat of the linear motor while the lithography apparatus is in operation. Accordingly, a heater having a heating capacity required to raise the temperature of the medium in accordance with the cooling capacity of the cooler is necessary.
In this temperature-regulating device, the cooling capacity of the cooler is held constant so that the sum total of the amount of generated heat of the linear motor and the heating amount of the heater is constant. When the throughput is high, therefore, the amount of generated heat of the linear motor is maximum, so the heating amount of the heater is decreased. When the throughput is low, the amount of generated heat of the linear motor is smaller than that when the throughput is high, so the heating amount of the heater is increased. In a standby state, the amount of generated heat of the linear motor is minimum, so the heating amount of the heater is maximized. Accordingly, the related art controls the cooling capacity of the cooler to be constant regardless of the throughput or even in the standby state. As a consequence, electric power is wasted when the throughput is low or in the standby state (non-operation state).
As a technique of reducing the power consumption in the non-operation state, therefore, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-302088 has proposed a technique which variably controls the cooling capacity of the cooler (the cooling amount of the cooler) by an inverter so as to minimize the heating amount of the heater. This technique reduces the cooling amount of the cooler in the standby state because the amount of generated heat of the linear motor is small, and increases the cooling amount of the cooler in the operation state because the amount of generated heat of the linear motor is large.
In the lithography apparatus, the technique of reducing the power consumption of the temperature-regulating device which temperature-regulates the linear motor for driving the positioning table has been proposed. However, no technique which reduces the power consumption of the linear motor itself for driving the positioning table has been proposed.
This is so because driving of the positioning table in the lithography apparatus has been performed by taking account of only the achievement of maximum productivity. Accordingly, the positioning table is driven at only a maximum acceleration which enables driving by the linear motor (that is, which corresponds to a maximum current which can be output from the motor driver to the linear motor), and the power consumption of the linear motor has not been taken into consideration. Recently, however, demands have arisen for increasing the throughput and reducing the power consumption in the operating state, particularly, the power consumption of the liner motor itself.

Lithography apparatus and method of manufacturing article


A storage bag formed from a flexible, highly insulative, water repellent, double-faced pile material. The flexible bag includes a main body having an opening in a top portion thereof. A drawstring is provided for closing the opening in the top of the bag, thereby allowing the bag to accommodate various sized containers or objects. A multi-function divider flap is provided that can serve as an insulating cover for a container enclosed within, or protruding out of, the bag, and/or as a divider to vertically or horizontally separate a plurality of different containers or objects within the bag.

It is commonplace to bring warm or cold foods to picnics, potluck dinners, or other events. Typically, the food is stored in round, square, or oval containers having lids. The containers are generally formed of metal, glass, ceramic ware, or other materials having limited insulative properties. Thus, in order to keep the enclosed foods warm or cold over a period of time, the containers must be further insulated using an insulating container.
Prior art insulating containers tend to be fixed in size and shape (e.g., a rigid cooler), are designed in the size and shape of the particular item to be insulated (e.g., an insulated bottle holder), or include a mechanism which allows the container to be collapsed from a first predetermined shape and size to a second predetermined shape and size. Such prior art insulating containers, however, generally have limited flexibility, both structurally, and in terms of the types of containers or objects that can be enclosed therein.
One objective of the present invention, therefore, is to provide an insulating bag formed of a highly insulative fabric material.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide an insulating bag which is configured to completely surround a container with insulative material in order to minimize heat transfer to or from the container.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a flexible, light weight bag that is capable of accommodating containers or objects having a wide variety of sizes and shapes.


A method of manufacturing a last for a first article of footwear. The last comprising a cast shaped and dimensioned to customize, in use, one end of the first article of footwear for one end of an individual's foot, and an end piece adapted to engage, in use, the opposite end of the first article of footwear. The method comprising the steps of customizing the cast and fixing the cast.

GB-A-765,371, discloses a method of making shoe-trees in which a plater cast is made of the front part of an individual's foot and fixed to an end piece to form a shoe tree. Such a shoe tree suffers the disadvantage that the plaster cast reflects the shape of the external surface of the individual's foot when the foot is not restrained by an article of footwear. Since much of contemporary fashion footwear causes an individual's foot to be deformed to some extend, a shoe-tree formed in accordance with GB-A-765,371 would not necessarily be insertable in such fashion footwear.
GB 476,323 discloses a method for making an orthopaedic last derived from an orthopaedically correct old shoe, from which last an orthopaedically correct arch of a new shoe can be subsequently manufactured. The orthopaedic last is formed by filling the orthopaedically correct old shoe with a plastic material and allowing said material to set. Such a method suffers from the disadvantage that it can only be performed using old shoes whose bodies do not comprise straps or apertures since such footwear could not contain the un-set plastic material. The methods of GB 476, 323 would not therefore be suitable for many styles of contemporary fashion footwear.


A system for automatically and periodically applying moisture to curing concrete that can be transported from one location to another is provided. A portable concrete curing unit receives water from a water source and distributes such water to a moisture applicator that is situated near a curing concrete object. The moisture applicator applies moisture to the curing concrete so as to maintain the concrete object at a desired moisture level during the curing process. The concrete curing unit may contain a power source, a pump, and a controller. The controller is connected to the pump such that the pump will distribute water to the moisture applicator during an activation period. This timing function of the controller allows for a system and method of automatically and periodically curing concrete that can be controlled by the user without extensive need for manual labor during the concrete curing process.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to curing concrete. More particularly, the present invention relates to a portable system and method for automatically and periodically applying moisture to concrete to ensure proper curing of the concrete. The present invention is portable and can be used with concrete columns, walls, floors, and other concrete items.
2. Description of the Related Art
Concrete typically results from mixing various ingredients including cement, sand, and water. In order to obtain concrete with the most desirable characteristics, concrete must be kept moist for a sufficient period of time after mixing its ingredients. This process is known as curing or hydration. If cured properly, the strength and durability of concrete can be significantly increased since a water-tight concrete substance can be produced. Water-tight concrete is less likely to fracture upon application of a given force than concrete with air pockets and other imperfections. The desired curing period for concrete typically ranges from a few days to several weeks. During this time, appropriate moisture conditions should be continuously maintained throughout the concrete substance.
One method of curing concrete is by use of a concrete curing blanket. A curing blanket typically comprises a large burlap blanket, often in ten feet by forty feet pieces, covered with a plastic material. The curing blanket is placed on the recently mixed concrete and the burlap side of the blanket, which is in contact with the concrete, is periodically wetted in order to maintain moisture on the surface of the concrete. The curing blanket can require rewetting every six to eight hours or less depending on ambient weather conditions. As a result, the curing blanket typically must be rewetted many times during the curing period.
In order to rewet the curing blanket, workers typically use a large hose, connected to a water source, to spray the burlap portion on the underside of the blanket. A gas powered pump is often required in order to provide sufficient water pressure to the large hose. This process requires significant manual labor since the curing blanket must be physically lifted to access the burlap underside and since rewetting, in some cases, may be necessary hourly. In addition, workers often must use a large and heavy hose, similar to a fireman's hose, to spray the curing blanket. The hose discharges substantial amounts of water and therefore a significant amount of water does not reach the curing blanket and ends up on the ground or elsewhere. As a result, this process can waste a significant amount of water and result in a messy work site condition. Another disadvantage is that the cost and labor required to rewet the curing blanket may be significant. In addition, since this process relies on manual labor, error is possible since a worker may forget to rewet the curing blanket or may wet the blanket with too much or not enough water. Human error can result in significant monetary and temporal consequences. According to certain government regulations, if a worker forgets to spray the curing blanket and the concrete structure does not pass certain inspections, then the concrete structure may have to be rebuilt completely resulting in a loss of time and money for the builder.
Another method used to cure concrete is by placing wet concrete in an enclosed curing room for the entire curing period. However, this method has significant limitations. The curing room is not portable and therefore cannot house concrete items commonly developed at a construction site such as concrete columns, a concrete wall, or a large concrete floor. In addition, human error is a problem since this method relies on human involvement in turning the watering device on and off.
Therefore, systems and methods for automatically applying moisture during the curing period with minimal human involvement are desired. In addition, portable, automatic, curing systems and methods that may be transported to a construction or other work site where large, heavy concrete structures are to be cured are desired.

Portable system for automatically and periodically applying moisture to curing concrete


Systems and methods are provided for automatically addressing devices of pool and spa systems in a communication network. The communication network includes at least a first transceiver and a second transceiver that are communicatively coupled via a communication network bus. The first transceiver is configured to transmit a query signal to the second transceiver on a first address on the communication network bus, where the query signal includes a command requesting identification data (e.g., a serial number) associated with the second transceiver from the second transceiver. After receiving a response from the second transceiver, the first transceiver verifies (e.g., validates) the identification data. The first transceiver then automatically addresses the second transceiver individually by transmitting an addressed signal that includes at least a portion of the verified identification data and a command to the second transceiver on a second address on the communication network bus.

A communication network can include an arrangement of nodes (e.g., devices) that are connected to the communication network via a main cable or link referred to as a communication network bus. The devices may communicate (e.g., transmit or receive data) via the communication network bus. It may be desirable to control communication between the nodes in the communication network.

Automatic addressing scheme for pool system controllers and compatible remote devices


A novel PRD (pressure relief device) design called fuse plug which is creep-resistant and leakage-free is developed to improve the thermal response of PRD to fire when it is used as a temperature safety device for valves, cylinders, pressurized pipes, or any pressure vessels, the new design being the combination of geometrical configuration of PRD structure and composite technology wherein the low-melting matrix alloy is dispersed with strong/stiff reinforcing agents such as cut-wire type aggregates/cylinders and such composite alloy is contained in a threaded/rugged cavity with the length/diameter ratio being greater than a minimum. The new design employs a disc-type seal T backed by the composite alloy, thus allowing the use of this new design for cylinders of poor thermal conductivity. The trapping of the expelled alloy slug in case of fire with the straight cavity-only design is achieved by using a tee hardware having the secondary venting tube attached to its straight part of tee, the geometry of said tube being curved/angled like a snail or helix or spiral, while the branch-tee is used for the primary venting pipe connection.

The pressure relief device (PRD) having a straight cavity filled with fusible composite alloy acts as a safety device of pressure vessels in case of fire by fusing of the alloy, thus releasing the pressurized gas to prevent the explosion of pressurized vessels or any other pressurized hardwares.
To improve the safety of pressure vessels of low thermal conductivity, the response time of the fusible alloy to fire must be as short as possible. This is especially so when a composite cylinder of poor thermal conductivity such as a plastic composite cylinder comprised of a plastic liner wrapped with filaments is used as a pressure vessel. For a typical 12 inch diameter.times.50 inch length composite cylinder, a response time of 2 minutes or less is desired to prevent the rupture of cylinder. In order to achieve the short response time, the amount of fusible alloy sensing the heat must be small and the location of PRD must be close to the outside/external fire or heat source. The purpose of the present invention is to present a new PRD design which allows the fast response time by placing the alloy-filled cavity at the outer atmospheric region and also by reducing the volume of fusible alloy, while the flow rate is not affected or independent of the alloy volume.
When the ambient temperature rises, the metallic shell of PRD (brass, bronze, steel, or stainless steel) conducts heat fast and the PRD cavity wall becomes hot first and thus the alloy skin layer becomes hotter than the alloy core region. Like an ice falling off the container, the fusible alloy slug of cylinder shape contained in the straight cavity will be pushed/expelled out of the cavity as soon as the thin alloy layer at the cavity wall begins to fuse. This projectile must be stopped to prevent any damage/harm which could occur when the gas is vented. When a venting pipe is used in a vehicle driven by the natural gas of compressed natural gas (CNG) cylinder to vent the released gas away from the heat, such pushed/expelled alloy slug must not be trapped in the venting pipe. Very often the venting pipe is bent at several points to accommodate the specific vehicle space structure and consequently such bent spots can easily trap the expelled alloy slug, thus blocking the gas flow path and delaying the gas activation/release time. When the release time is long, the cylinder explosion could occur. What is required is a device which can trap the alloy while at the same time allowing the gas to flow. This is another objective of the present invention. The composite alloy as described in detail in prior art of Ser. No. 08/047,201, filed Apr. 16, 1993, Pat. No. 5,419,357, consists of fusible alloy matrix phase and reinforcing agents such as fibers, spherical shots, particles, random aggregates, cylinders, platelets, cubes, and any other shapes. Nickel-coated steel shot is the first candidate for mass production but the nickel coating process for prolific number of shots is very expensive and time consuming. Therefore, economical reinforcing agents are required for mass production and this is yet another objective of the present invention.

Thermally activated pressure relief valve or fuse plug for protecting pressurized devices from over pressure due to fire


A control system for a hydraulic servomotor (13) is disclosed. The control system comprises an electro hydraulic actuator (2) comprising a number of valves (9, 10, 11, 12, 18) for controlling fluid flows, a main control module (1), and one or more connectors. The control system further comprises at least one extension control module (3) comprising one or more connectors. Finally, the control system comprises means (6) for communicating signals between the main control module (1) and each of the extension control module(s) (3). Since the main control module (1) and the extension control module(s) (3) are able to communicate signals, it is possible to provide signals to/from the main control module (1) via an extension module (3), thereby in effect providing additional connectors to the main control module (1). Thereby the main control module (1) may be able to perform additional functions as compared to similar prior art control modules.

Prior art electrical control systems for hydraulic servomotors typically comprise a controller for controlling electrical activation of, e.g., valves of the control system. Furthermore, an external controller positioned in the hydraulic system, or possibly in a vehicle in which the hydraulic system is positioned, is typically necessary in order to obtain all of the functionalities which are desired.
Examples of prior art control systems are, e.g., disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,870,892, U.S. Pat. No. 5,165,320 and DE 44 31 103.
It may sometimes be desirable to allow some or all of these additional functionalities to be performed directly by the controller of the control system. However, this would require additional electrical connections to/from the controller, e.g. in order to allow input from a sufficient number of sensor devices measuring relevant control parameters. However, the number of available electrical connections, e.g. pins, is limited due to the size of the actuator and to strict requirements to mechanical robustness of the connector. It is therefore not necessarily expedient to increase the number of available electrical connections to a desired level.

Control system for a hydraulic servomotor


A mating assembly is provided and includes a first mating component, a second mating component, a bolt to bolt first and second mating components together and an alignment pin. The alignment pin aligns the first and second mating components so that the first and second mating components can be bolted together. The alignment pin is configured to yield upon an application of a specified load thereto. A magnitude of the specified load is less than magnitudes of loads expected to be transferred between the first and second mating components through the bolt once bolting is complete.

The following description relates to alignment pins and, more specifically, to fused alignment pin for use in aligning a component to a mounting bracket to which the component is to be bolted.
Alignment pins can be used to align a component to a mounting bracket to which the component is to be bolted. The alignment pins allow for more precise alignment than what would otherwise be possible with just a bolted connection and such precision is often required to properly locate the component to the mating mounting surface of the mounting bracket prior to bolting.
Typically, alignment pins are made of steel or other strong materials. As such, the location of the alignment pins, if the alignment pins are left in place once bolting is completed, can now act as a load path that alters an intended load pathway through the component and the mounting bracket and hence where stresses occur in the component and the mounting bracket as a result of loading.
In addition to acting as effective load paths, alignment pins remaining intact following bolting can act as restraints during exposure to different thermal environments. In this way, the alignment pins can restrict thermal growth of the component or the mounting bracket in areas other than those of the bolted connections and thus create stresses in the component or the mounting bracket that normally would not exist.


Devices and methods for preventing laser burn through in cutting tubes. In laser cutting of tubes, the laser strikes one side of the tube at a point of illumination, eventually burning through the first side, and can continue burning partially or completely through on the opposite side. Material burned away on the first side can sputter as molten metal onto the interior of the tube as well. One device runs a continuous inner metal wire through a tubular workpiece while the tube is being cut by laser, thereby occluding any laser beam cutting through the first side. The continuous metal wire can also serve to adhere dross to the wire instead of to the tube interior. The wire is preferably moved longitudinally and rotationally during burning, thereby presenting a continually differing portion of wire to the laser beam. Moving the wire can remove adhered dross and prevent melting of the wire by the laser.

Laser cutting provides a precise method for machining intricate and small patterns in pieces of metal, polymer, and other materials. A particular application of interest is the machining of metallic tubes for use as intravascular stents. The stents are designed to be inserted into the vasculature, including the coronary arteries. Stents usually include open spaces in the tube walls to provide vessel support with minimal intimal contact. Stents can be formed in patterns comprising mostly open space, such as lattice works or helical spring patterns. Such patterns require being able to burn through one wall of a tube without burning through the opposite wall.
Laser cutting of a tube proceeds by focusing a laser beam on a targeted spot of the tube. The spot is melted and preferably substantially vaporized by the laser beam. Once the laser beam burns through the wall, the beam strikes the opposite wall within the tube, and can begin to heat the opposite wall from the inside, burning through the opposite wall. This problem is termed "burn through". The melting and vaporization can also leave behind dross, including metal oxides, impurities and fragments of the metal being burned. The dross can fall into the kerf being burned and adhere to the interior of the tube being burned. Both dross adherence and burn through are undesirable. The dross requires removal from the product and burn through can require discarding the product.
One method used to deal with dross adherence and burn through is flushing or sluicing liquid through the tubular workpiece being cut. The fluid is feed in one end of the tube, exiting through both the opposite end of the tube and through the opening burned in the tube wall by the laser. Water is one fluid used. Water within the tube can flush away dross which could be inside or outside of the laser cut opening. The water can also serve to attenuate the laser beam striking the opposite wall. The presence of water within the tube being cut may not completely block the laser beam, allowing the inside wall to be heated. The use of water requires additional equipment for handling the water including supply, catch basins, disposal, and often filtration and reuse. The water must be connected to the tube being cut, which is preferably movable under the laser beam. The tube is preferably rotatable while connected to the water supply. Optimally, the tube can be rapidly mounted in the laser cutting device. The requirement for water complicates the rotation of the tube being cut and can lengthen the time required to mount the tube in the laser cutting device. What is desirable and has not heretofore been provided is a device for preventing burn through and dross accumulation in tubes being cut by laser that does not require the use of a liquid flowing within the tube being cut.

Method and apparatus for laser cutting hollow workpieces


One embodiment of the invention is directed to a method comprising, establishing, by a wallet server computer, a single sign-on link between a user bank account and a wallet application. The method further comprises receiving a transaction request message from a user, wherein the transaction request is for a transaction between the user and a merchant associated with the wallet application. The method further comprises sending sign-on data to an issuer computer using a secure authentication protocol and receiving a confirmation message from the issuer computer confirms initiation through the issuer application. The transaction is processed by the wallet server computer based on the confirmation message.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems and methods related to utilizing the infrastructure of a secure authentication system for performing authentications.
The Internet has made it increasingly easy for consumers to conduct electronic commerce and online purchases using computing devices—such as mobile devices (e.g., mobile phones, tablet computers, etc.). However, it has also increased the risks of fraudulent transactions, as well as the risk of data being compromised. Transactions conducted over the Internet, using a merchant website or mobile application, can make it difficult for a merchant or payment processing network to know whether the user conducting the transaction is the actual cardholder or account holder. Thus, systems have been established to perform authentication processing.
In current solutions, when a consumer conducts a transaction with a merchant that uses a secure authentication system, the consumer is presented with a challenge question that requires the consumer to correctly respond to the challenge question before the transaction can proceed. This is meant to ensure that the person engaging in the transaction is authenticated.
The process may be improved. One challenge related to processing consumer transactions is that the challenge process creates friction for the user. For example, during a transaction the user may be challenged with a question, the user may respond, and the response may be validated allowing the transaction process to proceed. In some cases, even though the consumer may have previously performed a successful authentication with an issuer, merchant, or other system, the consumer may have to perform an additional authentication process to complete a transaction. Some users are sensitive to interruptions in their purchase transactions. Thus, delaying the transaction to challenge the user with a question and/or challenging the user twice in the same transaction, may lead to a transaction being abandoned. The consumer may abandon, in some cases, because the consumer is unwilling to endure the delay or, perhaps, unable to recall a previously-established password.
Thus, there is a need for new and enhanced methods of performing an authentication process for a transaction that utilizes a secure authentication infrastructure and that are more efficient by leveraging prior authentications performed by a consumer.

Single sign-on using a secure authentication system


In a method and an apparatus for forming metal oxide on a substrate, a source gas including metal precursor flows along a surface of the substrate to form a metal precursor layer on the substrate. An oxidizing gas including ozone flows along a surface of the metal precursor layer to oxidize the metal precursor layer so that the metal oxide is formed on the substrate. A radio frequency power is applied to the oxidizing gas flowing along the surface of the metal precursor layer to accelerate a reaction between the metal precursor layer and the oxidizing gas. Acceleration of the oxidation reaction may improve electrical characteristics and uniformity of the metal oxide.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure is directed to a method of forming metal oxide and an apparatus for performing the same. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to a method of forming metal oxide on a semiconductor substrate such as a silicon wafer using a plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition (PEALD) and an apparatus for performing the method.
2. Description of the Related Art
Semiconductor memory devices have been more highly integrated and operated at higher speeds by significantly reducing the size of memory cells in the devices. A reduced memory cell size has correspondingly decreased the area available for forming transistors and capacitors. Accordingly lengths of transistor gate electrodes have been decreased.
Decreased length of the transistor gate electrode causes a corresponding decrease in a thickness of a gate insulating layer beneath the gate electrode. When the gate insulating layer is formed from silicon oxide (SiO2) and has a thickness of less than about 20 Å, the operation of the transistor may be degraded by an increase in leakage current due to electron tunneling, infiltration of impurities in the gate electrode, and/or decrease in threshold voltage.
Capacitor capacitance in the memory cell decreases as the memory cell decreases in size. Reduction of the cell capacitance may cause the operation of the memory cell to be degraded by deterioration of data readability in the memory cell and/or increase in a soft error rate. As a result, the memory device may not properly operate at a relatively low voltage due to the reduction in the cell capacitance.
To improve the cell capacitance of the semiconductor memory device having a small cell region, it is known to form a dielectric layer having a very thin thickness. It is also known to form a lower electrode having a cylindrical shape or a fin shape so as to increase an effective area of the capacitors. In a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device having a storage capacity of more than about 1 gigabyte: however, the above-mentioned approaches cannot be employed for manufacturing the DRAM device because these approaches do not enable a sufficiently high cell capacitance for the DRAM device to be obtained.
To address the above-mentioned challenges, it is known to form a dielectric layer using metal oxide having a high dielectric constant that is greater than that of silicon nitride. The metal oxide may be formed by an atomic layer deposition (ALD), a PEALD, and the like.
Particularly, metal oxide may be formed on a semiconductor substrate by a lateral flow type PEALD process. The metal oxide formed by the lateral flow type PEALD process may have improved electrical characteristics in general.
However, in the case where cylindrical lower electrodes having a high aspect ratio are formed on a semiconductor substrate and a metal oxide layer is then formed on the cylindrical lower electrodes by the lateral flow type PEALD process, the metal oxide layer may have poorer electrical characteristics in comparison with a metal oxide layer formed by a conventional ALD process.


An unaerated ice confection in the form of thin, unsupported, discrete pieces which are stable during packaging, storage and distribution wherein the ice confection comprises an antifreeze protein and has the following mechanical properties;

The invention relates to novel ice confections containing an antifreeze protein. In particular the invention relates to novel ice confections in the form of thin, unsupported discrete pieces which are stable during packaging, storage and distribution.
It is highly desirable to be able to manufacture ice confections having novel shapes, properties and/or textures. Until now, however the ability to provide such a high degree of novelty and interest to the products has been limited. Products have to be manufactured with the ability to survive packaging, storage and distribution.
In particular, until now it has not been possible to provide thin, unsupported pieces of ice confection that are sufficiently strong enough to withstand packaging, storage and distribution regimes. Additionally, it has not been possible to provide such thin, unsupported pieces of ice confection which are also crispy, hard and brittle but still able to be bitten (i.e. they can fracture when eaten in the mouth). Obviously such thin, crispy, brittle products have a particularly high risk of breaking during packaging or transport
We have now shown that inclusion of specific antifreeze proteins into unaerated ice confections results in the formation of a strong, close-packed continuous network of ice crystals within the ice confection. As a result the ice confection is provided with specific defined mechanical properties. Such ice confections are able to be manufactured into thin, unsupported pieces which are brittle and crispy but nevertheless able to withstand packaging, storage and transportation.
WO 98/04146 (Unilever) discloses that AFPs can be incorporated into frozen food products such as ice confections to provide desirable product properties providing that the product and processing conditions are varied such that the ice crystals provided in the product have an aspect ratio of more than 1.9, preferably from 1.9 to 3.0. The specific examples given are all aerated ice cream compositions. As shown by comparative Examples A to C below, the addition of antifreeze proteins to aerated ice cream does not significantly change the mechanical properties of the ice cream. WO 98/04146 does not teach that it is possible to provide specific ice confection products having novel mechanical properties and that such ice confections can advantageously be used to provide thin, unsupported pieces.
WO 96/39878 (The Pillsbury Company) discloses a method for making a frozen composition for storage, the method not requiring a hardening step prior to storage. The frozen composition contains an antifreeze protein, in particular Type I AFP. Examples show the preparation of an aerated ice cream and an aerated frozen yogurt. As shown by comparative Examples A to C below, the addition of antifreeze proteins to aerated ice cream does not significantly change the mechanical properties of the ice cream. WO 96/39878 does not teach that it is possible to provide specific ice confection products having novel mechanical properties and that such ice confections can advantageously be used to provide thin, unsupported pieces.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,792 (Warren et al) discloses the addition of fusion proteins, and in particular the fusion protein protein A-Saf5 into foods which are to be consumed frozen, for example, ice cream, frozen yogurt, ice milk, sherbet, popsicles and frozen whipped cream. No examples are given where a final ice confection product is provided containing such fusion proteins. It is shown in Example 3B that when a popsicle formulation is used within the xe2x80x9csplat assayxe2x80x9d, growth of the ice crystals is restricted.
In our co-pending application PCT/EP98/08552 (published as WO 99/37164 on Jul. 29, 1999 after the priority date of the present application) a frozen food product comprising AFPs having an average ice crystal size of from 0.01 to 20 micrometers is disclosed. The application is concerned with reducing the aggregation of ice crystals as much as possible such that a soft, creamy product is provided. The examples disclose the manufacture of ice cream flakes. However, the ice cream used is aerated and as shown by Comparative Examples A to C below, such ice cream flakes are not self-supporting in that they collapse during storage and distribution. WO 99/37164 does not disclose that it is possible to provide thin, self-supporting, discrete pieces of ice confection which are stable to storage and distribution, providing that the ice confection has specific mechanical properties.
Accordingly the invention provides an unaerated ice confection in the form of thin, unsupported, discrete pieces which are stable during packaging, storage and distribution wherein the ice confection comprises an antifreeze protein and has the following mechanical properties;
xcex94 modulus/original modulusxe2x89xa70.4, and/or
xcex94 strength/original strengthxe2x89xa70.4; providing that when
xcex94 modulus/original modulusxe2x89xa66.0, xcex94 modulusxe2x89xa750 MPa, and/or
when xcex94 strength/original strengthxe2x89xa62.0,
xcex94 strengthxe2x89xa70.2 MPa.
By thin is meant 5 mm or less in thickness. Typically the thin layers will be from 0.5 to 5 mm in thickness. In particular approximately from 2 to 3 mm.
By pieces is meant for example flakes, sheets, tablets, slabs, shavings, chips, hoops, crisps or layers. In general the pieces will not be spherical. All dimensions are not identical. One dimension is from 0.5 to 5 mm and at least one other dimension is substantially longer than this.
By unsupported is meant that the thin crispy pieces are substantially in contact only with air and are not, for example, a layer upon a second ice confection which provides the thin layer with support.
Preferably xcex94 modulus/original modulusxe2x89xa70.4; providing that when xcex94 modulus/original modulusxe2x89xa66.0, xcex94 modulusxe2x89xa770 MPa, preferably xe2x89xa790 MPa, most preferably xe2x89xa7100 MPa.
Most preferably xcex94 modulus/original modulusxe2x89xa71.0; providing that when xcex94 modulus/original modulusxe2x89xa66.0, xcex94 modulusxe2x89xa7100 MPa, preferably xe2x89xa7200 MPa
Preferably xcex94 strength/original strengthxe2x89xa70.7. Most preferably xcex94 strength/original strengthxe2x89xa71.5.
By modulus is meant the apparent elastic modulus (E) as determined using a four point bend test. Example 1 gives the standard procedure for performing a four point bend test.
Therefore xcex94 modulus (xcex94E) means the change in modulus between two ice confections whose formulation and process of manufacture are identical in all respects except that the first ice confection includes in its composition an antifreeze protein, and the second ice confection has no antifreeze protein included in its composition (the control composition). Original modulus (Eorig) is the modulus measured in the control composition.
By strength is meant the flexure strength ("sgr"u) which can be defined as the maximum stress that a material can withstand, under the particular conditions. The flexure strength is given by the stress at a point of maximum force on the force versus displacement curve recorded during a four point bend test.
Therefore xcex94 strength (xcex94"sgr"u) means the change in strength between two ice confections whose formulation and process of manufacture are identical in all respects except that the first ice confection includes in its composition an antifreeze protein, and the second ice confection has no antifreeze protein included in its composition (the control composition). Original strength ("sgr"u orig) is the modulus measured in the control composition.
In addition to changes in the apparent elastic modulus and flexure strength, an increase in product hardness is provided by the ice confections according to the invention.
For ice confections frozen with agitation, for example in an ice cream freezer (such as a scraped surface heat exchanger), the increase in hardness can be measured using the Vickers hardness test. Details of the Vickers hardness test are given in Example 3.
The degree to which the Vickers Hardness (Hv) of the ice confection is increased by the addition of the antifreeze protein depends in part on the ice content of the ice confection.
However, generally xcex94Hv/Hv origxe2x89xa70.3, providing that when xcex94Hv/Hv origxe2x89xa65.0, xcex94Hvxe2x89xa70.3.
Preferably xcex94Hv/Hv origxe2x89xa71.0, providing that when xcex94Hv/Hv origxe2x89xa65.0, xcex94Hvxe2x89xa71.25.
Most preferably either xcex94Hv/Hv origxe2x89xa76.0 or xcex94Hv/Hv origxe2x89xa66.0 and xcex94Hvxe2x89xa72.0.
Where xcex94Hv is the change in Vickers Hardness between two ice confections whose formulation and process of manufacture are identical in all respects except that the first ice confection includes in its composition an antifreeze protein, and the second ice confection has no antifreeze protein included in its composition (the control composition). Hv orig is the original Vickers Hardness measured in the control composition.
By close-packed continuous network of ice crystals is meant that any given ice crystal is connected to at least one other ice crystal.
In unaerated ice confections which have been frozen with agitation, the degree of network formation can be measured as contiguity. Contiguity is defined as the ratio of the particle go particle interface area divided by the total interface area. It is thus a measure of the degree of network formation of the particle phase. Example 4 shows a method for the measurement of contiguity.
Unaerated ice confections according to the invention have a contiguity of at least 0.2 for an ice content of from 50 to 90%, preferably from 54 to 85% by weight, when measured at xe2x88x9218xc2x0 C.
In unaerated ice confections which have been frozen by any means, the degree of network formation can be measured as the Euler-Poincare characteristic of the ice phase. The Euler-Poincare characteristic is a measure of the degree of network formation of a particular phase. The lower and more negative the value of the Euler-Poincare characteristic, the greater the continuity of the phase in question. Example 5 shows a method for the measurement of the Euler-Poincare characteristic
Unaerated ice confections according to the invention have an ice phase Euler-Poincare characteristic of less than xe2x88x92150 mm as measured by the test given in Example 5 for an ice content of from 50 to 90%, preferably from 54 to 85% by weight, when measured at xe2x88x9218xc2x0 C.
By AFP is meant a protein which has significant ice recrystallisation inhibition properties as measured in accordance with Example 2. The AFP provides an ice particle size upon recrystallisation of less than 20 xcexcm, more preferred from 5 to 15 xcexcm.
Preferably the ice confection comprises at least 0.0005% by weight antifreeze protein, more preferably 0.0025% by weight antifreeze protein. Typically the ice confection will comprise from 0.0005% by weight to 0.005% by weight antifreeze protein.
For some applications it may be advantageous to include a mixture of two or more different AFPs into the food product.
The AFP for use in products of the invention can be any AFP suitable for use in food products. Examples of suitable sources of AFP are for example given in the article xe2x80x9cAntifreeze proteins and their potential use in frozen food productsxe2x80x9d, Marylin Griffith and K. Vanya Ewart, Biotechnology Advances, vol 13, pp375-402, 1995 and in patent applications WO 98/04699, WO 98/04146, WO 98/04147, WO 98/04148 and WO 98/22591.
The AFPs can be obtained from their sources by any suitable process, for example the isolation processes as described in the above mentioned documents.
One possible source of AFP materials is fish. Examples of fish AFP materials are antifreeze glycoproteins (AFGP) (for example obtainable from Atlantic cod, Greenland cod and Tomcod), Type I AFP (for example obtainable from Winter flounder, Yellowtail flounder, Shorthorn sculpin and Grubby sculpin), Type II AFP (for example obtainable from Sea raven, Smelt and Atlantic herring) and Type III AFP (for example obtainable from Ocean Pout, Atlantic wolffish, Radiated shanny, Rock gunnel and Laval""s eelpout). A preferred example of the latter type is described in WO 97/02343.
Another possible source of AFP material are invertebrates. Also AFPs may be obtained from Bacteria.
A third possible source of AFP material are plants. Examples of plants containing AFPs are garlic-mustard, blue wood aster, spring oat, winter cress, winter canola, Brussels sprout, carrot, Dutchman""s breeches, spurge, daylily, winter barley, Virginia waterleaf, narrow-leaved plantain, plantain, speargrass, Kentucky bluegrass, Eastern cottonwood, white oak, winter rye, bittersweet nightshade, potato, chickweed, dandelion, spring and winter wheat, triticale, periwinkle, violet and grass.
Both natural occurring species may be used or species which have been obtained through genetic modification. For example micro-organisms or plants may be genetically modified to express AFPs and the AFPs may then be used in accordance to the present invention.
Genetic manipulation techniques may be used to produce AFPs. Genetic manipulation techniques may be used to produce AFPs having at least 80%, more preferred more than 95%, most preferred 100% homology to the AFPs directly obtained from the natural sources. For the purpose of the invention these AFPs possessing this high level of homology are also embraced within the term xe2x80x9cAFPsxe2x80x9d.
The genetic manipulation techniques may be used as follows: An appropriate host cell or organism would be transformed by a gene construct that contains the desired polypeptide. The nucleotide sequence coding for the polypeptide can be inserted into a suitable expression vector encoding the necessary elements for transcription and translation and in such a manner that they will be expressed under appropriate conditions (for example in proper orientation and correct reading frame and with appropriate targeting and expression sequences). The methods required to construct these expression vectors are well known to those skilled in the art.
A number of expression systems may be utilised to express the polypeptide coding sequence. These include, but are not limited to, bacteria, yeast insect cell systems, plant cell culture systems and plants all transformed with the appropriate expression vectors.
A wide variety of plants and plant cell systems can be transformed with the nucleic acid constructs of the desired polypeptides. Preferred embodiments would include, but are not limited to, maize, tomato, tobacco, carrots, strawberries, rape seed and sugar beet.
For some natural sources the AFPs may consist of a mixture of two or more different AFPs.
Preferably the antifreeze protein is chosen such that it gives an aspect ratio of more than 1.9 to the ice crystal, preferably from 1.9 to 3.0, more preferably from 2.0 to 2.9, even more preferred from 2.1 and 2.8 (see WO 98/04146). Aspect ratio is defined as the maximum diameter of a particle divided by its minimum diameter. The aspect ratio can be determined by any suitable method. A preferred method is illustrated in the Examples (Example 6).
For the purpose of the invention the preferred AFPs are derived from fish. Especially preferred is the use of fish proteins of the type III, most preferred HPLC 12 as described in our case WO 97/02343.
Ice confections which are able to form thin, unsupported, discrete pieces and show the required change in mechanical properties on the addition of the antifreeze protein include unaerated milk containing frozen confections such as ice-cream, frozen yoghurt, and frozen custard, sherbet and milk ice, as well as unaerated frozen confections which do not typically contain milk such as water ices, sorbet, granitas and frozen fruit purees.
Preferably the ice confection is selected from an unaerated ice cream, water ice and milk ice.
By water ice is meant a frozen solution made essentially from sugar, water, fruit acid or other acidifying agent, colour, fruit or fruit flavouring.
By unaerated is meant an ice confection having an overrun of 10% or less (equivalent to 0.09 volume fraction of air). During the processing of the ice confection no deliberate steps such as whipping are undertaken to increase the gas content of the product. However, it should be realised that during normal methods for the preparation of non-aerated ice confections, low levels of gas or air may be incorporated into the product, for example due to the mixing conditions used.
Preferably the unaerated ice confection used to provide the thin, unsupported pieces will typically have an ice content of at least 30% by volume when measured at xe2x88x9218xc2x0 C., more preferably at least 40% by volume when measured at xe2x88x9218xc2x0 C., most preferably at least 50% by volume when measured at
The ice content may be determined following the techniques described in the article by B de Cindio and S Correra in the Journal of Food Engineering, Volume 24, pages 405-415, 1995 The enthalpy data required for this technique is obtained using adiabatic calorimetry (Holometrix Adiabatic Calorimeter). The ice contents as expressed herein are measured on an 80 g sample poured into the sample holder of the calorimeter and cooled to xe2x88x9275xc2x0 C. by placing the assembly in dry ice prior to placing in the calorimeter (precooled to between xe2x88x9270xc2x0 C. and xe2x88x9280xc2x0 C.). The enthalpy data obtained was analysed to give ice content as a function of the temperature following the method of Cindio and Carrera.
Preferably the unaerated ice confection used to provide the thin unsupported pieces has a total soluble solids content of less than 40% by weight, preferably less than 25% by weight, most preferably less than 15% by weight. For low calorie products, the total soluble solids content may be as low as, for example, approximately 5% by weight.
The total soluble solids content is measured at 4xc2x0 C. and is the % by weight of the total composition that is dissolved at that temperature.
The thin unsupported pieces of the invention have a reduced tendency to aggregate and therefore the free-flowing nature of the particulate material can be maintained over storage, even if the storage temperature is relatively high.
The invention is particularly useful for making frozen confectionery products akin to savoury snacks such as crisps, hoops, wafers, thin sticks etc. Typically each snack-like product will have a volume of from 0.5 to 40 ml, more preferred from 1 to 20 ml, especially 1.5 to 10 ml.
A further example of a product according to the invention is a flat lollipop.
The thin, unsupported pieces may be provided by any suitable process.
A first example process for the manufacture of thin, unsupported pieces includes quiescent freezing of a thin film of unaerated ice confection onto a slowly rotating drum freezer, and then scraping the frozen layer off. The frozen layer breaks up to provide thin pieces as discrete flakes.
A second example process for the manufacture of thin, unsupported pieces is by extrusion.

Abstract: xcex94 strengthxe2x89xa70.2 MPa.

Good Humor - Breyers Ice Cream, division of Conopco, Inc.


A vertical transistor structure includes a substrate with a protruding structure, an offset layer covering a top surface of the protruding structure, a conductive layer disposed on the offset layer, and an interlayer disposed between the offset layer and the conductive layer to serve as a contact node.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a vertical transistor structure and a method of forming a contact node of the vertical transistor structure. In particular, the present invention for forming a composite contact node in the vertical transistor structure, whereby the outward contact resistance of the vertical transistor structure can be reduced.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Dynamic random access memory (DRAM) is a semiconductor element wherein a capacitor structure is electrically connected to a gate structure. The storage capacitor is the core elements of the dynamic random access memory, which is responsible for storing the signal or data. Depending on the position of the storage capacitor, the dynamic random access memory can be divided into trench type and stacked capacitor structures. When considering the manufacturing capacity, the physical limit of the material, leakage current, precision and exposure and etching processes, the stacked capacitor structure has advantage over the trench capacitor.
A trench capacitor is usually located under the gate electrode, and stacked capacitor structure is located above the gate electrode, so manufacturing steps for the stacked capacitor structure will fall after the gate electrode structure fabrication steps. Therefore, the gate structure at the time of manufacture, it will leave an upward node, to be connected with the stacked capacitor structure. Thus, when a stack capacitor structure is completed, contact node for electrically connecting the capacitor and the gate structure is formed.
However, the current process simply uses silicon as a material for the node, so the contact node does not have an ideal low contact resistance (outward contact resistance), which has become one obstacle to the performance improvement of the dynamic random access memory.

Vertical transistor and method to form vertical transistor contact node

Hwa-Ya Technology Park Kueishan, Taoyuan


Provided is a stable solid composition that produces chlorine dioxide upon contact with water.

Chlorine dioxide is a highly reactive yellowish-green gas that produces useful aqueous solutions in a number of applications such as disinfection, sterilization, and odor control. It is a potent antimicrobial agent, bleaching agent, and as a germicide has found increasing receptivity of its use in municipal and drinking water treatment, cooling towers, and food processing.
Recent regulatory approvals have led to growing acceptance of its use in reducing pathogens in food processing applications such as poultry chill water tanks, beef and pork carcasses washes, and raw agricultural commodities.
Chlorine dioxide has many advantages over traditional chlorine-based biocides due to its higher oxidation potential and greater selectivity towards bacterial cell membranes. However, several drawbacks have limited the implementation of chlorine dioxide where its superior safety and environmental profile would benefit a wide variety of industries.
The biggest disadvantage of using chlorine dioxide is that it must be produced at the-point-of use, i.e. on demand. Chlorine dioxide gas is prohibited from transportation. See 49 CFR 172.101. It is explosive in air at concentrations of about 10% and has a low threshold limit value (TLV) classification by OSHA of 0.1 ppm to workers.
Chlorine dioxide cannot be compressed and stored, as can chlorine, and aqueous solutions of chlorine dioxide rapidly degrade through evaporation and sun light. Aqueous chlorine dioxide chemistry is highly complex and often unwanted side reactions occur which yield lower and higher valent oxy-chloro species such chloride, chlorite, and chlorate. As a result of these limitations, it must be produced at the-point-of use.
The manufacture and transportation of solid chlorine dioxide tablets and powders presents serious safety and stability challenges. The precursors are hydroscopic and deliquescent at high relative humidity, requiring expensive desiccant systems to maintain the relative humidity below 10% in material handling operations. The main ingredient sodium chlorite is combustible in the presence of organic materials at temperatures greater than 150° C. This means that there are maximum allowable limits to the amount of material that can be packaged together in a single package. Furthermore US DOT regulations do not permit the aircraft transport of solid mixtures of activated sodium chlorite (UN 3121 Packing Group I) within the United States.
Chlorine dioxide solid compositions are further disadvantaged in that they are classified as oxidizers and are thus a fire hazard. They must be specially labeled according to UN and DOT regulations and are subject to shipping and storage restrictions. Example hazard ratings of ingredients in various chlorine dioxide release formulations: Sodium chlorite (UN hazard class 5.1-oxidizer); sodium dichloroisocyanurate (UN hazard class 5.1-oxidizer); sodium bisulfate (UN hazard class 8.0-corrosive solid. This disadvantage is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. No. 6,602,442 in column 7, lines 4-58.
A means for building fire retardancy into an oxidizing formulation is discussed in published application WO 2004/089081 A2. The application refers to formulations containing biocide compounds, such as trichloro-isocyanuric acid, which are admixed with an alkaline silicate and boric compounds to form a boro-silicate glass when heated. The boro-silicate glass reduces the combustive properties of the mixture.
An inverse relationship exists between stability and yield, where the highest yield compositions have the lowest stability. High yield compositions such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,699,404 and marketed by BASF under the trademark Aseptrol® must be individually packaged at very low humidity (<10% relative humidity) to prevent moisture from prematurely releasing chlorine dioxide. The presence of humidity in the air prematurely releases chlorine dioxide gas as evidenced by the odor of chlorine dioxide and the 'yellowing' of the product or packaging material. Additionally, the composition in US '404 contains sodium dichloroisocyanurate an organic chlorine donor, which contributes to the low temperature stability of this formulation.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,699,404 describes solid chlorine dioxide releasing "massive bodies," which comprise a mixture of granular particulate ingredients where the size of the particles is substantially smaller than the size of the massive body. The massive body is formed from the mixture of particulate ingredients by compression and is essentially a large tablet. The tablets releases chlorine dioxide when added to water.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,602,442 describes a "dry composition" comprising lithium hypochlorite, sodium chlorite, and sodium hydrogen sulfate. Although this mixture was found to very soluble and rapidly yield chlorine dioxide upon addition to water, a substantial amount of chlorine gas is undesirably released since chlorine is produced above its solubility in water. See column 2, line 55-56 of this patent. Furthermore, the stability of the dry mixture is limited, especially in high humidity environments. These limitations would limit the addition of large amounts to water since the excess chlorine production could cause the mixture to "flash".
Current water treatment methods employing chlorine dioxide require that the precursors be activated at high concentration, such as 1000 to 3000 ppm, in a smaller container and then diluted into a larger volume of water to yield a desired working concentration, such as 0.5 to 50 ppm. However, the high concentration of chlorine dioxide generated in these methods is difficult and dangerous to handle. This problem is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,602,442 at column 7, line 63 to column 8 line 12. Furthermore, if the precursors are added directly to a large volume of water in one step, it was found that the final concentration was unpredictable and significantly below what would be expected if complete conversion of chlorite to chlorine dioxide took place.
Solid-based chlorine dioxide compositions have been reviewed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,699,404 and WO07078838A3 which are incorporated herein by reference.
There is a need in the industry for a high yield chlorine dioxide composition that is resistant to moisture and heat. A high yield formulation is defined in this application to be where the active components of the composition (excluding binders, fillers, etc.) will release at least 10% of their mass as chlorine dioxide.
The formulation should be stable enough to allow tablets and or powders to be packaged at ambient moisture and temperature, ie. RH=50% Temp=25° C. The composition should also not contain additional hazardous chemicals such as chlorine donors or oxidizers that contribute negatively to the safety profile. Furthermore, the temperature stability of sodium chlorite is greatly reduced in the presence of organic materials such as sodium dichloroisocyanurate. This also applies to organic-based binders and fillers.
There is a need for a stable, solid composition that produces chlorine dioxide upon contact with water.


A light source housing to which a light source lamp having a light emission tube and a reflector is attached includes a pair of flow paths bifurcating onto upper and lower sides of the light emission tube from an air intake port for introducing a cooling air; a flow path open and close unit that slides in a direction of the gravitational force so as to open the flow path on the upper side of the light emission tube and close the flow path on the lower side of the light emission tube; and an air outtake port that outtakes the cooling air introduced into the reflector from the flow path on the upper side of the light emission tube to an outside of the reflector.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a light source housing to which a light source lamp is attached, a light source device including a light source lamp and a light source housing, and an image projection apparatus including the light source device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Because an upper side of a light emission tube (a bulb) inside a light source lamp of an image projection apparatus becomes hot, the upper side of the light emission tube is blown by a fan. Because a point where heat is concentrated shifts depending on a direction of installing a light emission tube inside an image projection apparatus, there is a technique of controlling an air blowing direction for example, a blow plate in conformity with the direction of installing the light emission tube.
Referring to Patent Document 1, a switch plate (an air direction plate, an open and close mechanism) rotates by its own weight so as to cool a light source lamp in conformity with the direction of installing the image projection apparatus.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2011-203515

Light source housing, light source device, and image projection apparatus


The present invention comprises a kit useful for the assembly of a decorative item, or art object, such as a decorative cover for a light bulb. In one embodiment, the kit of the present invention comprises a base adapted to rest on a supporting surface, the base including a receptacle defined therein and opening outwardly of one surface of the base, a spear having a proximal end adapted to be releasably received within the receptacle, the spear including a tapered distal end, and having a portion of the length thereof between its proximal end and its tapered distal end of a reduced cross-sectional area, whereby there is defined a circumferential shoulder at the juncture of the reduced cross-sectional area and the tapered distal end of the spear, a ferrule-type fitting adapted to be received in encircling relationship to the reduced cross-sectional area of the spear and adapted to slide onto the proximal end of the spear to a location adjacent the circumferential shoulder, whereby the fitting is received by and substantially fully occupies the reduced cross-sectional area of the spear, and a fastener having a central opening therethrough and adapted to fixedly engage the outer circumference of the fitting.

This invention relates to kits for the assembly of decorative items such as covers for light bulbs employing such art objects as artificial flower blossoms.
Artificial flower blossoms, and other art objects, are known in the art for many uses, including use as covers for light bulbs, such as the well-known strings of light bulbs used to decorate Christmas trees, perimeters of porches or patios, and the like. The purchaser of such finished, ready-to-use, flower blossoms are at the mercy of the manufacturer as regards the choice of which flower blossom is chosen as the light bulb cover, as well as the purchase price of the bulb cover.
Artificial flower blossoms are also commonly used in the aggregate to define floral bouquets, and the like. After a period of time, such bouquets tend to lose their allure, but heretofore there has been no ready means available to convert the blossoms of such bouquets to another use.
The present invention comprises a kit useful for the assembly of a decorative item, or art object, such as a decorative cover for a light bulb. In one embodiment, the kit of the present invention comprises a base adapted to rest on a supporting surface, the base including a,receptacle defined therein and opening outwardly of one surface of the base, a spear having a proximal end adapted to be releasably received within the receptacle, the spear including a tapered distal end, and having a portion of the length thereof between its proximal end and its tapered distal end of a reduced cross-sectional area, whereby there is defined a circumferential shoulder at the juncture of the reduced cross-sectional area and the tapered distal end of the spear, a ferrule-type fitting including first and second ends and adapted to be received in encircling relationship to the reduced cross-sectional area of the spear and adapted to slide onto the proximal end of the spear to a location adjacent the circumferential shoulder, the fitting having an outer circumference which registers with the outer circumference of the shoulder when the fitting is disposed on the spear to define a transition between the distal tapered end and the reduced cross-sectional area of said spear, the first end of the fitting including a circumferential shoulder which is adapted to engage the surface of the base, whereby the fitting is received by and substantially fully occupies the reduced cross-sectional area of the spear, and a fastener having a central opening therethrough and adapted to fixedly engage the outer circumference of the fitting.
In use, a fitting is fitted onto the proximal end of a spear and the proximal end of the spear is disposed within the receptacle defined in the base. The base preferably is of substantial bulk and weight as to physically support the spear in an upright position. Thereafter, an artificial flower blossom or other art object having an opening therethrough or which is pierceable by the spear is threaded onto the spear and urged toward the base until the-blossom is fully in encircling relationship to the fitting. Thereupon, a fastener is frictionally threaded onto the distal end of the spear and urged along the length of the spear and onto the fitting adjacent the blossom. Through frictional engagement between the fastener and the outer circumference of the fitting, the blossom is captured between the shoulder on the fitting and the fastener. Thereupon, the spear is withdrawn from the receptacle in the base and from the assembled blossom, fitting and fastener. The inner bore of the fitting is chosen to frictionally-receive therein the outer circumference of a common light bulb of the type commonly employed in strings of lights and which includes at least a portion of the body, e.g., base, thereof of a straight cylindrical geometry suitable to be frictionally received within the fitting.


The present invention discloses a method for removing impurities from a porous material by flowing a supercritical fluid with or without a modifier therein over a to-be-cleaned porous material having pores at the nanometer level under suitable temperatures and pressures, so that the supercritical fluid migrates into the pores at the nanometer level and removes impurities entrapped therein. The method of the present invention uses the physical and chemical properties of the supercritical fluid and optionally the modifier to clean the porous material without using an acid or alkaline solvent. The method of the present invention conserves water, and is both a highly efficient and environmentally friendly cleaning technique.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for removing impurities from porous materials and, more particularly, to a method for removing impurities from a porous material at the nanometer level by utilizing a supercritical fluid.
2. Description of the Related Art
Currently, keeping component surfaces clean, and ensuring that new materials are properly purified, are important aspects to improve product yields and reliability, and have become very serious problems for high technology industries. Prior art cleaning processes include the use of acidic or alkaline solvents, strong oxidizing solvents, and organic solvents. These cleaning processes have been used for a long time and are effective, but they also are a considerable source of problems. For example, the cleaning processes invariably require huge amounts of water and chemical reagents, which often leads to product and environmental contamination, while further requiring a following drying process. However, when the components have deep channels, high aspect ratios or are made of porous media, the prior art cleaning processes cannot efficiently clean these detailed structures on the above-mentioned components, nor are they able to enter into nanometer scale holes due to the large surface tension of the prior art cleaning solvents. Therefore, there are residual contaminants and moisture after the cleaning processes. Additionally, the components must undergo a drying process after the cleaning process; however, during the drying process, the surface tension of the prior art cleaning solvent may cause pattern collapse on the components and destroy the original structure of the component, causing deteriorated characteristics. Moreover, the drying process requires a significant amount of time, which affects the following processes. Therefore, the prior art solvent cleaning processes are unsuitable for materials with complicated structures or for porous materials.
A supercritical fluid has physical properties that are between the gas phase and the liquid phase. A supercritical fluid has low viscosity (requiring less transportation power than a liquid), like a gas, a high diffusion coefficient (a diffusion coefficient 10 to 100 times higher than a liquid, which has a lower mass transfer resistance than liquid so that its mass transfer is faster than a liquid), a low surface tension (it easily penetrates into porous materials), and a high density like a liquid (thus supplying more supercritical fluid than a gas; this also increases a residence time for a fluid in a reactor, which is better adapted for a continuous operation). Not only the physical properties, but also the chemical properties of a supercritical fluid are different than the gas phase or the liquid phase. For example, the gas CO2 has no extraction abilities, but supercritical CO2 is lipophilic, and is able to dissolve organic material that changes with different temperature and pressure adjustments. Spent supercritical fluid can revert back to the gas phase by reducing its pressure, thereby separating from other solid and liquid phase materials, and thus can be easily recycled, which is one of the advantages of a supercritical fluid. CO2 is one of most popular and important of various fluids, because its critical conditions are moderate, its critical point is easily achieved, its critical temperature is 31.2° C., which is close to room temperature, and its critical pressure is about 72.8 atm. Furthermore, CO2 is not toxic, not combustible, is stable, and can be obtained from petroleum fuel combustion waste products, and so is inexpensive.
There are three patents that use supercritical fluid to remove impurities in porous low dielectric films (low k). U.S. Pat. No. 6,306,754 uses supercritical fluid to clean impurities and photoresist residuum left in a porous low dielectric film after etching; the supercritical fluid is ethane or CO2, and is mixed with alcohol, ketone or a combination of the two as a modifier, and has an operating pressure of 70–200 atm and an operating temperature of 35–100° C. U.S. Pat. No. 6,669,785 uses a supercritical fluid to remove oxide, etching residuum or photoresist residuum and contaminants left in a porous low dielectric material; the supercritical fluid is CO2 that includes a first fluid and a second fluid, with an operating density of 0.150 g/cc–1.1 g/cc, an operating temperature of 0–80° C., and a co-solvent that can be amine, morpholine, aniline, dibutylamine or C1–C4 alcohol in 0.1–40% w/w, and with a surfactant at a ratio of 0.1–5% w/w. U.S. No. 2004018452 uses a supercritical fluid mixed with a passivation agent to clean etching residuum left in a porous low dielectric surface material to avoid material deterioration; the supercritical fluid is CO2, and the passivation agent is an acid or fluoride. After analyzing the above-mentioned patents, it is obvious that the supercritical fluid used for cleaning porous low dielectric films is primarily CO2, but which requires mixing with different modifiers having different properties and proportions. The removed contaminants are primarily photoresist, photoresist residuum, etching residuum, which are organic materials. There is no patent that provides a technology to remove moisture, or that uses the same modifier to clean moisture, organic contaminants and surface modifications. For a porous low dielectric film, the etching process may cause the film material to deteriorate; moisture remaining in the apparatus can cause the dielectric constant to increase. The inability to simultaneously remove organic contaminants and moisture limits both the cleaning procedures and the development of porous materials in an integrated fabrication process.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide a method for removing impurities and moisture from porous materials to mitigate and/or obviate the aforementioned problems. Further, it has not been known using supercritical fluid to clean carbon nanotubes.

Method for removing impurities from porous materials

Industrial Technology Research Institute


The present invention relates to a process for preparing a beta-keto ester compound of formula (1), which is an intermediate for the synthesis of quinolone antibiotics. Particularly, the present invention is characterized by the reaction of an organo nitrile compound with a salt of mono-alkyl malonate in the presence of metal salt, and so the reaction is easy to control due to its endothermic nature, and is devoid of lachrymatory reagents with excellent reproducibility. Subsequent in situ hydrolysis in the presence of aqueous acid solution provided the compound of formula (1).

The beta-keto ester compound of formula (1) is an important intermediate for the synthesis of various quinolone antibiotics (e.g. ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, trovafloxacin, gemifloxacin, etc.) which show potent antibiotic activities, and so has been used as an agent for the treatment of bacterial infection of human or animal.
The beta-keto ester compound of formula (1) is generally synthesized through a three-step process (see: Synthesis, 1993, 290; Org. Prep. Proc. Int., 1997, 29, 231).
The three-step synthesis process is recently reduced to one-step process by using the Blaise reaction, in which a new zinc activation method by a catalytic amount of organic acid was established with good reproducibility (see: WO 03033469; Synthesis, 2004, 16, 2629), as shown in the following Reaction Scheme 1.

However, despite the above merits, the process using the Blaise reaction still has the following problems: (1) it is highly exothermic, and so is difficult to control the reaction heat, (2) it is difficult to handle alkyl alpha bromo acetate due to the lachrymal property, and (3) an excess amount of zinc metal having high density makes the stirring difficult, and is occasionally deposited at the bottom of the reactor, thereby lowering the reaction reproducibility.

Process for preparing beta-ketoester compounds