A dual elevator system and method which, in one embodiment, includes two elevators and a table for supporting one or both of the elevators thereon, for shuttling an elevator between well center and offset standby positions, and for hands-free coupling and uncoupling power and control to an elevator on the table by remote actuation. Each elevator has a rear power and control connector and hitch which connect to complementary connectors and hitch located on a table shuttle mechanism by remote actuation. The table shuttle mechanism is driven by an actuator coupled between the shuttle mechanism and table frame which moves an elevator hitched to said shuttle mechanism between well center and standby positions.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to drilling equipment used particularly in the hydrocarbon production industry and specifically to an elevator system and method for running or raising tubulars in a well.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the hydrocarbon production industry, tubular goods, including drill strings, casings and tubing and often referred to simply as tubulars, must at varying stages be run, i.e. lowered, into or raised from a well. Elevators are devices which support the tubular for the purpose of raising or lowering it. An elevator may clamp along the side of a tubular using slips and dies to exert a radial clamping force on the tubular wall, or an elevator may use a bushing to support the tubular at the lower lip of a box connector. The latter method is preferable for deep water production or when running heavy casings or landing strings, because a slip can exert damaging crushing forces on the tubular under high hook loads.
FIGS. 1 and 2 show one typical elevator setup of prior art where an elevator (10) is suspended from a top drive mechanism (9) by a pair of bails, or links (14), which have eyes (16, 18) at both ends. The top drive mechanism (9) is in turn suspended by a traveling block (12) and wire rope (19) rigged from a crown block (not shown) located in the top of the drilling rig. The upper eyes (16) of the pair of bails (14) are hooked to the link supports (20) of the top drive (9), and the lower eyes (18) of the pair of bails (14) are hooked to the ears (22) protruding from the elevator (10). The bails (14) are secured to the elevator ears (22) by locking mechanisms (25) to prevent the bails (14) from inadvertently becoming uncoupled from the elevator (10). The elevator (10) and the supported tubular (24) are thus raised and lowered by the traveling block (12)/top drive (9) and bails (14). All the components in this series are designed to carry the expected loads.
The top drive (9) is used in place of a conventional rotary table and Kelly bushing to rotate the tubular during rotary drilling. Using hydraulic or electric motors (11) and a gear train (13) suspended above the drill string (24) enables the drill string to be rotated continuously while being lowered into or raised from a well. The top drive mechanism slides up and down along frame members (15) to check rotation of the top drive in reaction to the spinning of the tubular (24) while allowing free vertical movement of the device.
A spider, much like an elevator, is a device which supports a tubular to prevent it from descending into a well when it is not held by an elevator. Unlike an elevator, however, the spider is designed to remain on the drilling deck and is not moved vertically. When the elevator, suspended by the traveling block, nears its high limit of travel (when raising a tubular) or its low limit or travel (when running a tubular), or when a stand is required to be added or removed, the elevator must be repositioned in order to continue the operation. The spider supports the tubular prior to the elevator releasing the tubular. Thus, the tubular is held in place while the elevator is repositioned. Once the elevator carries the tubular at a new location, the spider is disengaged allowing the tubular to freely pass through the spider or for the spider to be moved completely clear of the tubular.
In some drilling platforms, particularly those used for deep water production, a large number of stands is required to be on hand. In such platforms, the derrick may become cluttered, hindering operations and increasing operation time. To simplify the operation, it has been known to use a first elevator as a temporary substitute for a spider to support a tubular and a second elevator, coupled to the traveling block, to lower the tubular string. Each elevator is preferably equipped with a door for side entry of a tubular. When the second traveling elevator is holding the tubular, the first spider elevator is moved clear of the tubular. The second elevator and tubular are lowered. When the second elevator has been lowered to the rig floor, the bails are removed from the second elevator and attached to the nearby first elevator. The second elevator now acts as the spider, holding the tubular while the first elevator is repositioned towards the top of the string where it supports the tubular or is used to move a new stand to the top of the string which is coupled thereto. The second elevator then releases the tubular and is moved clear of the tubular, and the first elevator lowers the tubular into the well. When the first elevator reaches the rig floor, the elevators are again swapped in a process sometimes referred to as circulating the elevators. The same process is used in a reverse sequence for raising a tubular. Because both elevators change their location continuously during this process, there is no need for elevator/spider differentiation.
A coordinated dual elevator system simplifies the process of circulating the elevators. A dual elevator system may incorporate features such as a shuttle table to receive the traveling elevator on deck for use as a spider, to readily move a spider elevator off of well center to prepare its use as a traveling elevator, and to vacate the landing table for receiving the next traveling elevator. In other words, the shuttle table is used to move the spider elevator into and out of engagement with a tubular at well center.
Many elevators and spiders used today employ power operated internal mechanisms, e.g., power doors and/or power slips. The powered elevators and spiders are commonly hydraulic, but can be pneumatic or electric. When circulating the elevators, power and control lines can interfere with deck operations, becoming entangled or snagging on objects. Additionally, uncoupling and re-coupling supply lines is also a burdensome manual process, particularly for hydraulic systems. Therefore, the process of circulating elevators has traditionally been limited to manually operated elevators. A method and apparatus which simplifies the supply of power to powered elevators when circulating the elevators is desirable.
3. Identification of Features of one or more Embodiments of the Invention
A primary object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for increasing the efficiency of drilling operations by automating the process of circulating elevators and by allowing for the use of powered elevators in the process of circulating elevators.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus which prevents the need for riggers or other personnel to manually connect or disconnect power and control lines for an elevator or to manually move an elevator from well center to an offset standby position or vice versa.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for providing power and control to an elevator in a manner which does not cause power or control lines to hamper or otherwise interfere with deck operations.
Another object of the invention is to promote operator safety by providing for total hands-free operation of the elevator.


Ligands, compositions, and metal-ligand complexes that incorporate phenol-heterocyclic compounds are disclosed that are useful in the catalysis of transformations such as the polymerization of monomers into polymers. The catalysts have high performance characteristics, including high comonomer incorporation into ethylene/olefin copolymers, where such olefins are for example, 1-octene, propylene or styrene. The catalysts particularly polymerize styrene to form polystyrene.

Ancillary (or spectator) ligand-metal coordination complexes (including organometallic complexes) and compositions are useful as catalysts, additives, stoichiometric reagents, solid-state precursors, therapeutic reagents and drugs. Ancillary ligand-metal coordination complexes of this type can be prepared by combining an ancillary ligand with a suitable metal compound or metal precursor in a suitable solvent at a suitable temperature. The ancillary ligand contains functional groups that bind to the metal center(s), remain associated with the metal center(s), and therefore provide an opportunity to modify the steric, electronic and chemical properties of the active metal center(s) of the complex.
Certain known ancillary ligand-metal complexes and compositions are catalysts for reactions such as oxidation, reduction, hydrogenation, hydrosilylation, hydrocyanation, hydroformylation, polymerization, carbonylation, isomerization, metathesis, carbon-hydrogen activation, carbon-halogen activation, cross-coupling, Friedel-Crafts acylation and alkylation, hydration, Diels-Alder reactions and other transformations.
One example of the use of these types of ancillary ligand-metal complexes and compositions is in the field of polymerization catalysis. In connection with single site catalysis, the ancillary ligand typically offers opportunities to modify the electronic and/or steric environment surrounding an active metal center. This allows the ancillary ligand to assist in the creation of possibly different polymers. Group 4 metallocene based single site catalysts are generally known for polymerization reactions. See, generally, "Chemistry of Cationic Dicyclopentadienyl Group 4 Metal-Alkyl Complexes", Jordan, Adv. Organometallic Chem. 1991, 32,325-153, and the references therein, all of which is incorporated herein by reference.
One application for metallocene catalysts is producing isotactic polypropylene. An extensive body of scientific literature examines catalyst structures, mechanism and polymers prepared by metallocene catalysts. See, e.g., Resconi et al., "Selectivity in Propene Polymerization with Metallocene Catalysts," Chem. Rev. 2000, 100, 1253-1345 and G. W. Coates, "Precise Control of Polyolefin Stereochemistry Using Single-Site Metal Catalysts," Chem. Rev. 2000, 100, 1223-1252 and the references cited in these review articles. Isotactic polypropylene has historically been produced with heterogeneous catalysts that may be described as a catalyst on a solid support (e.g., titanium tetrachloride and aluminum alkyls and additional modifiers or "donors" on magnesium dichloride). This process typically uses hydrogen to control the molecular weight and electron-donor compounds to control the isotacticity. See also EP 0 622 380, EP 0 292 134 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,971,936, 5,093,415, 4,297,465, 5,385,993 and 6,239,236.
Given the extensive research activities with respect to metallocene catalysts, there is continued interested in the next generation of non-cyclopentadienyl ligands for olefin polymerization catalysts providing attractive alternatives. See, e.g., "The Search for New-Generation Olefin Polymerization Catalysts: Life beyond Metallocenes", Gibson, et al., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 1999, 38, 428-447; Organometallics 1999, 18, 3649-3670 and "Advances in Non-Metallocene Olefin Polymerization Catalysts", Gibson, et al., Chem Rev. 2003, 103, 283-315. See also U.S. Pat. No. 6,750,345 and International Application No. WO 02/38628. Recently, for isotactic polypropylene, bis-amide catalysts have been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,935 and amidinate catalysts have been disclosed in WO 99/05186. See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,214,939 and 6,713,577, and International Application Nos. WO 03/040201 WO 03/091262 for non-metallocene isotactic polypropylene catalysts.
The polymerization of vinylidene aromatic monomers, especially styrene, has proven difficult to accomplish using non-metallocene catalysts. Recently, Okuda and other researchers have reported the results of their investigations, See, Okuda et al., J. Organometallic Chem., 689 (2004) 46364641, Okuda et al., Organometallics, 224, 2971-2982 (2005), WO 2004/078765, Kim, et al., Macromol. Rapid Commun. 2004, 25, 1319-1323, and Proto et al., Macromolecules 2003, 36, 5942-5946. In general, the known processes have been limited to the use of relatively low reaction temperatures and the production of undifferentiated polymers.
Despite the efforts of many workers in the field, a need remains for commercially suitable catalyst systems for the polymerization of monomers, and in particular for the homopolymerization or copolymerization of vinylidene aromatic monomers, especially styrene or substituted styrenes, for the production of polymers having molecular weights high enough for general commercial use, and variable tacticities, at high reaction temperatures. In particular, what is needed is a catalyst or family of catalysts capable of making a range of vinylidene aromatic polymers with differing degrees of stereoregularity that can be controlled by the appropriate choice of catalyst and conditions. A range of product opportunities could then exist, including polymers uniquely suited for preparation via high temperature solution polymerization processes.
Therefore, a need remains for new polyolefin catalysts in general.

Phenol-heterocyclic ligands, metal complexes, and their uses as catalysts


A heating device is formed by a heating plate formed of silica and having a heating surface for heating an object to be heated, a heating element having a predetermined pattern and fixed to a surface opposing the heating surface of the heating plate, and a reflecting plate formed of silica and brought into tight contact with the surface of the heating plate on which the heating element is formed. This heating device is arranged in a processing vessel in a CVD apparatus, and a semiconductor wafer is placed on the heating device. A process gas is supplied into the processing vessel while the semiconductor wafer is heated, thereby forming a predetermined film on the semiconductor wafer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a heating device suitable for the process of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a method of manufacturing the heating device, and a processing apparatus using the heating device.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the process of manufacturing a semiconductor device, when surface processing for a semiconductor wafer on which devices are formed, for example, etching processing or CVD processing, is to be performed, a semiconductor wafer serving as an object to be processed is placed on a susceptor arranged in a processing vessel designed to have airtightness, and the processing vessel is evacuated to a predetermined low-pressure atmosphere. A predetermined process gas is supplied into the processing vessel. In this manner, predetermined processing is performed.
In this case, heating a semiconductor wafer to a predetermined temperature to perform predetermined processing has been conventionally used. A heating device for heating a semiconductor wafer is generally incorporated in the susceptor. A conventional heating device comprises a heating plate formed of a ceramic material such as Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 or AlN and a heating element formed of tungsten, and has a structure in which the heating element is simply inserted in a groove formed in a ceramic material in correspondence with the pattern of the heating element.
However, in the conventional heating device, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 or AlN constituting the heating plate tends to form particles, so that contamination may occur in a processing vessel or on a semiconductor wafer. Since the inner surface of the processing vessel is exposed to various etching gas atmospheres, corrosion must be considered. However, the above ceramic material does not necessarily have a satisfactory resistance to corrosion. In addition, since the ceramic material has a low thermal shock resistance, the ceramic material cannot be abruptly increased or decreased in temperature, and must be used in a steady state. Since the heating device has the heating element simply inserted into the patterned groove, the heating element may be cluttered in the patterned groove, and particles may be formed by the cluttered heating element.
A degree of vacuum in the processing vessel is set to be high, for example, 1 Torr or less. At the high degree of vacuum, the dielectric breakdown level of a gas, i.e., a discharge start voltage level, is lowered, and discharge tends to occur. For this reason, there is no power supply method effective in the processing vessel, and a power supply path extending through the susceptor from the atmospheric side of the processing vessel must be formed. Therefore, this power supply path poses a problem on design for the heating device and maintenance.

Heating device, method of manufacturing the same, and processing apparatus using the same


An electrical power generating assembly (20) for a wind turbine (1). The electrical power generating assembly comprises a gearbox (22) comprising a gearbox output shaft, a generator (24) comprising a rotor (32) that is coupled to the gearbox output shaft; and a current measuring module (40) located between the gearbox (22) and the generator (24). The current measuring module (40) comprises: an electrical pickup (42) mounted to the electrical power generating assembly (20), wherein the electrical pickup (42) includes an electrical contact (44) that engages with a slip ring (48) associated with the rotor (32). The current measuring module further comprises: a first current measuring device (50) mounted with respect to the electrical pickup (42) to detect current flowing at least through the electrical pickup; and a second current measuring device (52) mounted with respect to the electrical pickup (42) to detect current flowing through at least a component associated with the gearbox output shaft.

Wind turbines convert kinetic energy from the wind into electrical energy, using a large rotor with a number of rotor blades. A typical Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT) comprises a tower, a nacelle on top of the tower, a rotating hub or 'rotor' mounted to the nacelle and a plurality of wind turbine rotor blades coupled to the hub. The nacelle houses many functional components of the wind turbine, including for example a generator, gearbox, drive train and rotor brake assembly, as well as convertor equipment for converting the mechanical energy at the rotor into electrical energy for provision to the grid. The gearbox steps up the rotational speed of the low speed main shaft and drives a gearbox output shaft. The gearbox output shaft in turn drives the generator, which converts the rotation of the gearbox output shaft into electricity. The electricity generated by the generator may then be converted as required before being supplied to an appropriate consumer, for example an electrical grid distribution system.
In a wind turbine system, the generator necessarily generates high voltages, and this is particularly true for modern-day wind turbines which pursue high voltage generation for electrical efficiency. However, a challenge to the design of such generator assemblies is that the generated high voltages can also induce unintentional currents in other components of the generator and associated components. These so-called 'stray currents' can result in electrical arcing between adjacent components, and this can, in turn, cause damage such as pitting and welding. Bearings are particularly susceptible to this kind of damage and so it is desirable to detect that such 'stray currents' are within acceptable levels. It is also desirable to channel such currents along grounding routes that will not cause problems.
It is against this background that the invention has been devised.

Stray current detection in wind turbine generators


An image density control device is for use in an image forming apparatus having an exposure lamp for emitting light to illuminate a document, a photoreceptor for receiving light reflected from the document to produce an electrostatic latent image, and a charger for charging the photoreceptor. The image density control device includes a detector for detecting the density of the document, a light emission amount controller responsive to the detector for holding an amount of light emitted from the exposure lamp at a predetermined fixed value when the document density lies in a predetermined range, and surface potential controller responsive to the detector means for controlling the charger to change the surface potential of the photoreceptor in accordance with a change in the document density when the document density lies in the predetermined range. The predetermined range may be a range defined by a minimum document density and a reference document density, or the one defined by another reference document density and a maximum document density. In the former case, the surface potential is increased in accordance with a decrease in the document density when the document density lies in the predetermined range. In the latter case, the surface potential is decreased in accordance with an increase in the document density when the document density lies in the predetermined range.

This invention relates to an image density control device for controlling the density of an image formed on copy paper in a copying machine or like image forming apparatus.
Conventionally, an image density control device for use in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine has been designed to control the density of an image formed on copy paper (hereinafter referred to as image density throughout the Specification) by changing an amount of light emitted from a lamp to be projected onto a document while maintaining the surface potential of a photosensitive drum at a fixed level.
For example, in a copying machine provided with an automatic exposing device of the prescanning type, a predetermined amount of light is emitted from a lamp and projected onto a document, and a prescanning operation is executed while the light reflected by the document is being detected by a photodetector. The density of the document (document density) is calculated on the basis of the amount of light detected in the prescanning. Based on the calculated document density, an amount of light to be emitted from the lamp is determined in a main scanning operation wherein copying of an image is actually executed.
Further, when the image density is manually adjusted, for example, the light emission amount of the lamp is determined according to the document density set by manipulating a density setting key with the use of a conversion table in which the relationship between the document density and the light emission amount of the lamp is predefined.
FIG. 5 is a graph showing a conventional relationship between the document density and the light emission amount of the lamp, according to which the light emission amount is determined based on the document density. In FIG. 5, indicated at A, B, C are reference document densities corresponding to reference documents G1, G2, G3. For instance, when the detected or set document density is substantially equal to that of the reference document densities A, B, or C, light emission amount of the lamp is a, b, or c.
In a conventional image density control device, the lamp emits less of light as the document density becomes lower. Accordingly, when an image of a document whose density is lower than the density B is to be copied, there is a likelihood that the amount of light emitted from the lamp is too small relative to the actual density of the document, thereby causing the fog on the copy to have higher density than necessary. Hereinafter, the density of the fog is referred to as fog density. In other words, a white area in the document is formed into a grey area in the copy. In order to prevent the fog density from increasing to an unnecessarily high level, it may be considered that the relationship between the document density and the light emission amount is defined in such a fashion as to make the inclination of the curve in the graph of FIG. 5 smoother below the density B. Thereby, the light emission amount of the lamp can be adjusted to be larger than the conventional light emission amount in the case where the document density is relatively low. However, in this case, the following problem occurs. If the density of a document image is low, the resulting image density is low as a whole, thereby forming an unclear image. This is especially prominent if the document image consists of characters, or a diagram.
On the other hand, when an image of a document whose density is higher than the density C of the reference document G3 is to be copied, the light emission amount of the lamp is c, which corresponds to the reference document G3. Similar to the foregoing case, there is a likelihood that the fog density increases to a higher level than necessary due to deficiency in light emission amount. In order to avoid this problem, the use a lamp capable of emitting a larger amount of light may be considered. However, this results in increased costs and an increase in the temperature of a scan/exposure system due to the heat generated from the lamp, thereby necessitating implementation of some measures against the generated heat.

Image density control device for use in an image forming apparatus


The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of polyalkoxylated polymers.

Alkoxylated derivatives of fluorinated alcohols having a low alkoxylation degree, typically ranging from 2 to 10, and in particular ethoxylated derivatives of (per)fluoropolyether (PFPE) alcohols, are useful building blocks for the synthesis of further functional derivatives and mixed copolymers. Indeed, the presence of a short polyethyleneoxy chain at the polymer ends improves compatibility with hydrogenated reagents, which is particularly desirable in the synthesis of copolymers with hydrogenated blocks. Compatibility with hydrogenated compounds may also be an advantage in the manufacture of compositions wherein a PFPE alcohols is to be mixed with hydrogenated ingredients.
However, while ethoxylated derivatives of PFPEs alcohols having an ethoxylation degree from 1 to about 2 can be synthesised by reaction of a PFPE alcohol with ethylene oxide in the presence of a catalytic amount of the corresponding PFPE alkoxide, ethoxylated derivatives having an ethoxylation degree equal to or higher than 2 cannot.
In order to overcome this drawback, attempts to develop alternative methods have been made.
A number of prior art documents disclose the use of boron-based catalysts in the manufacture of ethoxylated derivatives of fluorinated alcohols (for example, in WO 95/35272 (DU PONT), WO 96/28407 (DU PONT), U.S. Pat. No. 8,039,677 (DU PONT), WO 2009/073641 (CHEMGUARD LTD), WO 2010/127230 (DU PONT) and WO 2012/139070 (E.I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY)).
In particular, WO 2010/127230 (DU PONT) is directed to processes for the alkoxylation of alcohols using alkylene epoxides in the presence of boron based catalysts. In the description, it is mentioned that catalyst systems and processes for the alkoxylation of fluorinated alcohols previously known in the art, included using Lewis acids such as boron trifluoride or silicon tetrafluoride, alone in combination with metal hydrides, fluorides, alkyls or alkoxides. However, such acidic materials also catalysed side reactions such as dimerization of alkylene epoxides to form dioxanes during the alkylalkoxylation. For this reason, strongly basic catalysts to alkoxylate alcohols were proposed. However, some alcohols are not stable to strong base. Comparative Examples 1 and 2 showed that when (per)halogenated alcohols, such as C6F13CH2CH2OH, are treated with a strong base such as notably NaH and KOH, in order to generate an alkoxide ethoxylation catalyst, the reaction fails as the fluorinated alcohol is prone to elimination of fluoride and formation of olefin.
WO 2014/090649 (SOLVAY SPECIALTY POLYMERS ITALY S.P.A.) discloses a process comprising the following steps:
1) separately providing a mixture [M1], comprising a PFPE alcohol and a catalytic amount of the corresponding alkoxide (herein after "PFPE-alk");
2) bringing into contact mixture [M1] with a boric acid triester of the same PFPE alcohol (herein after "PFPE-triBor)" in such an amount that the molar ratio PFPE-alk:PFPE-triBor is at least 1, to obtain a mixture [M2];
3) contacting mixture [M2] with a catalytic amount of an iodine source to obtain a mixture [M3];
4) treating mixture [M3] with an alkoxylating agent to provide a mixture [M4] containing an alkoxylated derivative of the PFPE alcohol.
In all the examples disclosed in this patent application, the purification step was necessarily performed in the presence of a base, notably 20% potassium carbonate aqueous solution, in order to provide the alkoxylated derivative of the PFPE alcohol.
Further catalysts useful for the alkoxylation of fluorinated alcohols have been disclosed in the art.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,561 (CONOCO INC.) relates to a method for the alkoxylation of fluorinated alcohols which comprises contacting a fluorinated alcohol with an alkoxylating agent in the presence of a catalyst, at temperatures of from about 90° C. to about 260° C., wherein the catalyst is selected, among the others, from those having general formula(R)q-vMXv  (1)wherein M is a metal selected from the group consisting of gallium, indium, thallium, zirconium, hafnium, aluminium and titanium;v is from 1 to q−1,q is the valence of M,R is independently hydrogen, fluorine, alkyl groups, alkoxide groups containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, andX is halogen.
Catalyst based on titanium and zirconium have been disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,983,778 (HENKEL KOMMANDITGESELLSCHAFT AUF AKTIEN), which discloses a process for ethoxylation or propoxylation of compounds containing active H atoms, said process using esters of titanic and/or zirconic acid with monoalkanols containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms together with sulphuric acid and/or alkanesulfonic acids containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms and/or hydroxyarylsulfonic acids. Preferred catalysts are Ti(OiC3H7)4 in combination with H2SO4, HO—C6H4—SO3H, and Zr(OiC3H7)4 in combination with CH3SO3H.
Further process for the preparation of different alkoxylate products, notably alkanol alkoxylate, has been disclosed in EP 0228121 A (SHELL INTERNATIONALE RESEARCH MAATSCHAPPIJ B.V.).

Method for manufacturing polyalkoxylated polymers


A method and system for optimizing dynamic prices of reserved date-constrained services such as airline flight reservations or hotel stay reservations. Comparative trials of complex pricing policies are employed according to an application schedule that has a periodic character with respect to the arrival date of quoting circumstances. On the basis of the comparative trials, some policies are identified as contributing less revenue on average to the system than other policies. The underperforming policies are then eliminated from the application schedule, which increases the expected future revenue of the resulting system.

This invention relates to the practice of revenue management, which is the process of dynamically adjusting prices of goods or services in response to changes in market conditions or changes in supply conditions. Revenue management processes were pioneered by the passenger airline industry and have been imitated by other industries such as cargo airlines, hotels, rentals, shippers, advertisement brokers and others.
A very common application of revenue management relates to service providers who are taking reservation for "date-constrained services". By "date-constrained services," we mean that the provider will impose transaction-specific limits on the date when the buyer may use the service they purchase. Examples of such a restrictions include specified arrival and departure dates for an airline reservation as well as specified check-in and check-out dates for a hotel reservation. Airline and hotel reservations do represent a "date-constrained service" because the customer is required to use their ticket on a specific date, which was selected by the customer at the time of the purchase or transaction or reservation. Hotel reservations, rental reservations and media advertisement slots are also "date-constrained services" for precisely the same reason. In cases where the date constraint is not firm, such as an airline ticket that may be rescheduled with or without penalty, we still consider the purchase to be "date-constrained" if a payment or process, such as rebooking, is needed to alter the date constraint.
A multitude of processes and methods have been designed to address the problem of optimizing price of buying or reserving a date-constrained service. Some of these are described in the following patents and journal publications, which are believed to be relevant to the present invention:
U.S. patents5,918,209June 1999Campbell, et al.5,652,867July 1997Barlow, et al.


A sliding device, in particular a ski, comprises a sliding body and means on the sliding body for controlling vibration thereof. The controlling means comprises at least one sequence of a plurality of spatial, planar or linear areas, each of which is distinguished from at least a part of its vicinity by at least one differently dimensioned or distributed vibration parameter. The center distances between subsequent distinguished areas, or the distances between certain sections within subsequent distinguished areas, is dimensioned according to at least one predetermined increasingly or decreasingly varying progression. The increasingly or decreasingly varying distances are configured such that the areas establish a vibration active structure of the sliding body with a plurality of natural or resonant frequencies.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates to a sliding body, in particular a ski or runner, as they are usable with apparatus and vehicles, particularly for snow and ice, but for water sports also.
2. Description of the Related Art
Essential for good sliding properties as well as for directional stability and steering ease or manoeuvrability resp. and also for durability under shock-like and vibrating stresses is the oscillating response of the body or its external parts getting in interaction with the sliding medium. According to usual technique substantially only he oscillating response in very low frequency ranges is taken into consideration. In this way spacious or macroscopic phenomina can be taken into account which, however, left open desires for various optimizations up to now.
Therefore, the task of the invention is the creation of sliding bodies further improved with regard to the aforesaid points. The basic idea of the solution according to the invention here is taking into account medium and higher frequency ranges or characteristic frequencies and above all, the resonance spectra in those ranges.
To the the task as set above the solution according to the invention is defined by the features of the patent claim 1 or of the subordinate claims. The features of the dependent claims present inventively essential integral parts or further developments resp.. The subject matters thereof are practicable each alone, however, with special advantages in the various possible combinations.
The basic idea of the invention consists in the realization of at least one vibration-reactive subdivisional structure with at least one sequence of distinct spatial, superficial or linear region, which present at least one vibration parameter, particularly a local spatial or suberficial mass density, resistance to bending deformation or dampening, which is dimensioned or distributed differently in relation to at least one adjacent region or within the region itself. With advantage there is provided at least one sequence of a plurality of distinct regions with differently dimensioned or distributed vibration parameters. Further an essential feature consists in providing at least one periodic sequence of distinct regions with differently dimensioned or distributed vibration parameters. In particular at least one sequence of distinct regions with differently dimensioned or distributed vibration parameters is considered, which sequence extends along a surface of the sliding body, and which e.g. may comprise at least one sequence of distinct regions extending substantially in the interior of the sliding body and having differently dimensioned or distributed vibration parameters, particularly at least one sequence of distinct regions having differently dimensioned or distributed vibration parameters and extending multidimensionally or in a plurality of spatial or superficial directions.
In further developing the invention at least partially different distance sequences between the distinct regions and/or different vibration parameter variations from region to region are assigned to the different dimensions or spatial or superficial directions resp., in which a sequence of distinct regions with differently dimensioned or distributed vibration parameters extends, in which context particularly said distinct regions with differently dimensioned or distributed vibration parameters are arranged serially or grid-like in at least one area, particularly within a surface section of the sliding body.
The distinct regions of different vibration parameters may be arranged in a distribution in at least one surface section and/or at least one wall section of a cavity of the sliding body or along at least one edge of the sliding body. In a further variation the distinct spatial, superficial or linear regions comprise at least one section with values of one or more vibration parameters being higher in relation to its vicinity.
In a further variation of the invention there are sections provided having vibration parameters, particularly a surface-related local mass density or a local deformation resistance, which is higher in relation to at least a part of their vicinity due to elevations within a surface of the sliding body, said elevations being formed particularly rib-, wave- or hump-like and preferably formed as mounted elements in the range of a sliding body surface. A preferred realization provides sections having vibration parameters, in particular a surface-related local mass density or a local deformation resistance, which is higher in relation to at least a part of their vicinity, said sections being formed by elements embedded in a basic material. Such embedded elements e.g. may consist of at least one material different from the basic material, in particular of a material of higher density or of a higher elasticity modulus, preferably of heavy metal.
An important further development provides spatial or superficial regions having at least one section with values of one or more vibration parameters, particularly a surface-related local mass density or a local deformation resistance, being minor in relation to their vicinity. Such sections e.g. are formed as excavations or openings within a surface of the sliding body, particularly also as depressions in the form of notches or callote shells. Essential is also the possibility to realize the sections with values of at least one vibration parameter minor in relation to their vicinity, in particular of surface-related local mass density or local deformation resistance, by means elements embedded in a basic material. Such embedded elements may consist of at least one material different from the basic material, particularly of a material of lower density or of a lower elasticity modulus, preferably of light metal.
An inventive idea leading further is characterized by at least one vibration-reactively subdivided surface layer or at least one layer section, particularly in the form of a coating by granulates, lacquer or foil, preferably with metal contents.
Further essential according to the invention is a realization in which at least in a part of a vibration-reactive subdivision the center distances of subsequent distinct spatial, superficial or linear regions or the distances between certain sections within subsequent distinct regions are dimensioned at least approximately equal. There it is often sufficient and advantageously simple that at least in a part of of a vibration-reactive subdivision the extremal or average values or the distribution of the values of at least one vibration parameter in subsequent distinct regions are dimensioned at least approximately equal. However, for optimazation it is generally advisable, at least in a part of a vibration-reactive subdivision, to dimension the center distances of subsequent distinct regions or the distances between certain sections within subsequent distinct regions variable with regard to a predetermined sequential direction.
With certain effects which are advantageous depending on the application conditions, there the center distances of subsequent distinct regions or the distances between certain sections within subsequent distinct regions may be dimensioned progressively or degressively variable in a sequential direction in at least a part of a vibration-reactive subdivision. Here again it may be essential to dimension the extremal or average values or the distribution of the values of at least one vibration parameter in subsequent distinct regions variable with regard to a predetermined sequential direction, that is with specific effects with regard to a predetermined sequential direction progressively or degressively variable, particularly e.g. in the form of a sequence of distances or values being unidirectional at least by sections. In particular a sequence of distances or values oscillatingly variable at least by sections is considered. In this context a particularly essential variation consists in that the distinct regions subdivide a total or partial dimension of the sliding body in accordance with the values of a predetermined progression.
Thorough investigations and practical experiments have shown that the sequence of distances and/or subdivisions and/or values should be dimensioned at least approximately according to a harmonic progression, in special cases eventually according to a geometric progression.
A rapid further development of the inventive ideas consists in providing at least one vibration-reactive subdivision which comprises at least one superpositional structure extending linearly, superficially or spatially and containing at least two sequences of distances and/or subdivisions and/or values. There a specific mode of realizing this feature may comprise at least one vibration-reactive subdivision with at least one superpositional structure extending linearly, superficially or spatially and containing at least two equidistant sequences.
The values and/or distribution of at least one vibration parameter in the subsequent distinct regions e.g. may be dimensioned at least approximately equal within each equidistant sequence, however, preferably these values are dimensioned at least by sections in accordance with at least one harmonic or at least one geometric progression or in accordance with a superposition of such progressions.
The features according to the invention have been investigated and optimized particularly thoroughly with skis and runners resp.. Therein it has proved essential that at least one vibration-reactive subdivision is realized which has at least one sequence of distinct spatial and/or superficial and/or linear regions extending in the longitudinal or running direction of the ski or runner body and having at least one vibration parameter each, which is dimensioned or distributed differently in relation to an adjacent region.
As to the common basis of the variations according to the invention the following hint is given: Vibration-reactive in the sense of the invention is a subdivision having distinct or in relation to their vicinity different and subsequently, particularly in mutual coupling arranged regions, which with regard to their own vibration parameters or with regard to vibration parameters defined by coupling with their vicinity are in the range of characteristic frequencies or of the characteristic frequency spectrum of a body given as the initial object or of a body to be realized with certain properties. A quantitative delimitation of the vibration reactivity, therefore, must comply with conditions of the relevant application. Such delimitation can be obtained theoretically or by calculation or by experiment on the basis of well-known criteria, often even directly evident. Accordingly, the effect of such a vibration-reactive subdivision is directed to a desired design of the characteristic frequency spectrum. The target may be e.g. densifying the characteristic frequencies, i.e. increasing the number of characteristic frequencies in a given frequency range, or the creation of new characteristic frequencies as well as an equalization, enhancement or lowering of the curve of the resonance amplitudes in a frequency range or a plurality thereof. All this can be used for a well-defined influence on sliding bodies with regard to their sliding and running properties and/or their steering ease or manoeuvrability, but also with regard to their durability under dynamic stresses.
In many cases, particularly e.g. for skis and runners, principally, however, also for carrier and buoyant bodies moved in media such as boat bodies and the like decreasing the surface friction is desired. Enhancement or new creation of relatively high characteristic frequencies in the surface range of of the body can serve for this.
On the other side, in operation sliding bodies are under continual, but uneven i.e. mostly non-periodical stress with more or less shock-like pressure forces and/or bending and/or torsion moments. A correspondingly uneven succession of short-time free (not constrained periodical) vibrations with the characteristic frequencies of the body is excited thereby. The corresponding elastic deformations mostly have undesired effects, above all in lower frequency ranges, but in these frequency ranges they are relatively difficult to be dampened. Dislocation of characteristic frequencies to higher frequency ranges or enhancement of the resonance amplitudes in these ranges by means of suitably designed vibration-reactive subdivisions can be a help here, and this often with relatively low structural expenses. In particular it has to be stated that the excitation energy from the successive shock-like stresses are absorbed in a certain distribution over the characteristic frequencies of the body. Accordingly, a relatively great number of characteristic frequencies or an increased density of characteristic frequencies as it is obtainable by applying the ideas of the invention, can be used for a general decrease of the occuring maximal vibration or deformation amplitudes, preferably in combination with a dislocation of the vibration energy into less disturbing frequency ranges.

Sliding body, in particular a ski or runner


A mixing device having a chamber is provided. The chamber includes an inlet, a main body, and a flow axis. The main body is configured for containing a fluid circulating generally along the flow axis. The inlet is configured to receive at least one fluid stream and is oriented in a flow plane generally perpendicular to the flow axis. A plurality of mixing channels that each receive portions of the fluid stream from the inlet are provided. The plurality of mixing channels are each oriented along the flow plane and have unequal distinct lengths configured to release the portions of the fluid stream into the chamber at discrete time intervals.

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a mixing device, and particularly to a mixing device having a plurality of mixing channels that each include unequal distinct lengths.
A gas engine burns methane to produce mechanical energy. During standard or normal engine operation, the gas engine produces exhaust gas with a relatively low concentration of methane (e.g., about 500 ppm), which is passed directly to a catalyst. The methane is generally converted or oxidized into carbon dioxide and water by the catalyst.
In the event the gas engine misfires, a fuel-air mixture having a relatively high amount of methane (e.g., about 45,000 ppm) is released from a cylinder of the gas engine, and travels into an exhaust gas manifold. As the methane is oxidized in the catalyst, a relatively high amount of heat is produced within the catalyst, due to the elevated amount of methane in the exhaust gas. Specifically, there is a possibility that the catalyst may experience elevated temperatures above 900° C., which adversely affects the mechanical stability of a catalyst washcoat. The elevated temperatures may also create sintering of precious metals in the catalyst, which may decrease the conversion efficiency of the catalyst. Moreover, the elevated temperatures may also cause the catalyst to melt, which can affect channel structure of the catalyst.
Various devices currently exist to mix two or more streams of fluid (e.g., gas or liquid) together. For example, if multiple liquid streams need to be mixed, an agitator may be provided to create additional turbulence. In another example, if multiple gas streams need to be mixed, a flow strainer may be provided to create turbulence. However, these approaches have several drawbacks. Agitators tend to mix the multiple liquid streams together in a horizontal direction, which requires a relatively large mixing chamber volume. In some circumstances, providing an agitator may not be possible, due to the limited amount of space available and packaging constraints. Also, flow strainers create a relatively large pressure drop, especially at higher flow rates. Moreover, in the event a misfire situation occurs, flow strainers do not usually uniformly mix the methane with the exhaust gas.

Mixing device having a plurality of mixing channels


An image interpolation apparatus receives an image signal in the frequency domain. The image signal is supplied to a filter circuit. The output of the filter circuit is transformed by a two-dimensional fourier transformation circuit into a filtered image signal in the spatial domain. The filtered image signal is linearly interpolated by an interpolation circuit to enlarge or reduce the image representing the image signal. The filter circuit, the fourier transformation circuit and the interpolation circuit are under the control of a processor. The processor sets the filter circuit a filter function representing the inverse of the modulated transfer function of the interpolation circuit to compensate for the degradation caused by the modulated transfer function of the interpolation circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image interpolation apparatus which can minimize degradation of a spatial resolution caused by interpolation performed when an image is enlarged/reduced by affine transformation or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
As an example of affine transformation, an image enlarging/reducing is performed. Enlargement of an image by means of affine transformation is performed as in the following two cases: a case wherein, as shown in FIG. 1, the display size of an image is not changed but the number of pixels (each represented by a square) is increased with respect to an original image (in this case, the display size of each pixel is reduced); and another case wherein, as shown in FIG. 2, both the display size of an image and the number of pixels are increased (in this case, the display size of each pixel is not changed). New pixel data generated by enlargement processing (affine transformation) is obtained from the pixel data of an original image data by interpolation. When reduction of an image is to be performed, interpolation is also performed.
Such interpolation includes 0th-order (nearest neighbor) interpolation, 1st-order interpolation (linear interpolation), higher-order (3rd, 5th, 7th, . . . ) interpolation, Lagrange's interpolation, spline interpolation, and sinc interpolation. Linear interpolation advantageously allows simple processing. An advantage of higher-order interpolation, e.g., sinc interpolation is that high-precision processing can be performed.
Linear interpolation in which a number of pixels of the image is increased four times will be described below with reference to FIG. 3. Referring to FIG. 3, four pixel data of an original image shown on the left side are respectively denoted by reference symbols a to d. Assume that the original image is subjected to affine transformation to increase the number of pixels four times without changing the display size in the same manner as described with reference to FIG. 1, and an enlarged image shown on the left side in FIG. 3 is obtained. In the enlarged image, pixel data between the pixels a and c is interpolated as (a+c)/2 on the basis of the two pixel data. Similarly, pixel data between the pixels c and d is interpolated as (c+d)/2; pixel data between the pixels b and d, as (b+d)/2; pixel data between a and b, as (a+b)/2; and pixel data in the center of the pixels a, b, c, and d, as (a+b+c+d)/4. Pixels indicated by hatched portions in FIG. 3 are respectively interpolated by using adjacent pixels in the vertical and horizontal directions. In sinc interpolation, new pixels of an enlarged image are interpolated by means of a convolution integration of sinc function and surrounding pixels of the original image.
Linear interpolation and sinc interpolation can be considered as filter processing. Degradation of a modulation transfer function characteristic (to be referred to as an MTF characteristic hereinafter) by an interpolation filter will be described below. FIG. 4A shows an MTF characteristic M.sub.O in an original image. FIG. 4B shows the MTF characteristic of an affine transformation circuit (interpolation filter), in which a characteristic H.sub.L is obtained by linear interpolation and a characteristic H.sub.S is obtained by sinc interpolation. As indicated in FIG. 4B, the MTF characteristic H.sub.L of the linear filter exhibits a low-pass filter characteristic in which a high-frequency gain is degraded, whereas the MTF characteristic H.sub.S of the sinc interpolation filter exhibits a frequency characteristic in which a gain is kept constant and not changed from a zero frequency to a Nyquist frequency fn. For this reason, an MTF characteristic M.sub.S ' of an image upon affine transformation using the sinc interpolation filter is substantially the same as the MTF characteristic M.sub.O of the original image, as shown in FIG. 4C. However, an MTF characteristic M.sub.L ' of an image upon affine transformation using the linear interpolation filter exhibits degradation in a high-frequency range due to the low-pass filter effect.
The degradation of the MTF characteristic in the high-frequency range causes degradation of the spatial resolution of an image. For this reason, if the display size of an image is enlarged by affine transformation using the linear interpolation filter so as to perform diagnosis of details, the image is defocused and the diagnosis of details is difficult to perform. In affine transformation using the sinc interpolation filter, although degradation of a spatial resolution can be prevented, the processing time for interpolation is 10 or more times longer than that in affine transformation using the linear interpolation filter. As described above, in the conventional interpolation techniques for enlargement of images, simple linear interpolation results in poor spatial resolution, and if sinc interpolation is performed to improve the spatial resolution, the processing time is greatly prolonged. This equally applies to reduction of images and to other interpolation processing for enlargement/reduction of images other than affine transformation.

Apparatus to improve image enlargement or reduction by interpolation


A line arrester, which is articulately suspended from a transmission or distribution network and on which a stabilizing device is arranged. The stabilizing device increases the mass-moment of inertia of the line arrester so as to contract movements of the line arrester deviating from the vertical line. The stabilizing device has a mass center which substantially conforms to a vertical line which passes through the mass center of the line arrester.

The present invention relates to a transmission line-mounted surge arrester (hereinafter referred to as line arrester) with a stabilizing device for use in air-insulated power transmission lines in high-voltage transmission or distribution networks, that is, in electric networks with voltages from a few kilovolts up to several hundred kilovolts. The present invention also relates to a method in and use of such a stabilizing device.
Line arresters exhibit a non-linear current-voltage characteristic in that their conductivity increases non-linearly with the voltage. Modern line arresters comprise series-connected blocks of substantially zinc oxide which are enclosed in a porcelain or polymer insulator. At normal voltages across the blocks, their conductivity is practically zero, but at high voltages the blocks become electrically conductive. To prevent overvoltages, such as switching overvoltages or overvoltages caused by lightning strokes, from propagating in air-insulated transmission lines, line arresters are connected, at regular intervals, to the conductors of the transmission line. If over-voltages reach switchgear, they may damage electrical apparatuses or force circuit breakers to trip, thus destroying large parts of the electric network.
Line arresters have an elongated shape and are electrically connected at one of their ends to one of the conductors of the transmission line and at their other end to ground potential. In a commonly occurring mounting arrangement, the line arrester is articulately suspended from a point of attachment on the transmission line. The line arrester is suspended vertically in the transmission line and is connected, at its lower end, to ground, normally via a conducting wire, so-called slack. In the following, line arrester means a line arrester which is articulately suspended from an attachment point of a transmission line. According to this mounting arrangement, the line arrester, while being influenced by external forces from, for example, wind or earthquakes, may be brought to oscillate or swing, the longitudinal axis of the line arrester thus being forced to deviate from the vertical line. Due to this deviation from the vertical line, there is a risk that the phase-to-phase and phase-to-ground distance for the transmission line falls below the prescribed smallest distance.
A first object of the presents invention is to provide a stabilizing device for a line arrester, articulately suspended from an attachment point of a transmission line, by means of which the above-mentioned problems with deviation from the vertical line may be reduced.
A second object of the present invention is to provide a method in a stabilizing device for a line arrester, articulately suspended from an attachment point of a transmission line, by means of which the above-mentioned problems with deviation from the vertical line may be reduced.
The first object according to the above is achieved by arranging at least one stabilizing device at the line arrester by means of which the mass-moment of inertia of the line arrester is increased. In order to retain the orientation of the line arrester in the vertical line, the mass centre of the stabilizing device shall substantially conform to the vertical line which passes through the mass centre of the line arrester.
When a line arrester is subjected to a wind load, the wind influences the line arrester with a torque which strives to rotate the line arrester from the vertical line. To counteract this torque, at least one stabilizing device is arranged at the line arrester and by adapting the mass of the stabilizing device, the geometrical shape and/or location of the stabilizing device at the line arrester, the mass-moment of inertia of the line arrester may be adapted to the external forces which are expected to influence the line arrester. The expected forces then depend on the location where the line arrester is mounted; for example, strong winds may be expected along coasts and in valleys. With knowledge of this, the mass-moment of inertia of the line arrester may be adapted such that the longitudinal axis of the line arrester does not deviate from the vertical line by more than a given maximum angle. In most cases, the maximum angle may be allowed to be 15xc2x0 without the phase-to-phase and phase-to-ground distance falling below the prescribed minimum distance.
The mass of the stabilizing devices, the shape and/or location of the stabilizing devices at the line arrester may also be adapted to the type of line arrester at which the stabilizing device is arranged. For example, line arresters of various sizes may be caused to have the same mass-moment of inertia by individual adaptation of the stabilizing device of the respective line arrester.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the stabilizing device comprises a weight which is attached to the lower end of the line arrester. By dimensioning the mass of the weight, the mass-moment of inertia of the line arrester may be adapted to the external forces which are expected to influence the line arrester. A weight with a large mass gives a greater mass-moment of inertia than a weight with a small mass and the resistance of the line arrester to deviate from the vertical line thus increases. By arranging the weight at the line arrester such that the mass centre of the weight substantially conforms to the vertical line which passes through the mass centre of the line arrester, the orientation of the line arrester in the vertical line is retained also when no wind load occurs.
By arranging the stabilizing device at the line arrester, the natural frequency of the line arrester is changed. This can be made use of for increasing the capacity of the line arrester to resist periodically recurring gusts of wind of a certain frequency. The line arrester is then arranged with at least one stabilizing device with which the mass-moment of inertia of the line arrester is adapted such that the natural frequency of the line arrester is brought to deviate from the frequency of the periodically recurring gusts of wind.
The second object according to the above is achieved by arranging the line arrester with at least one stabilizing device which increases the mass-moment of inertia of the line arrester.

Stabilizing device for a transmission line-mounted surge arrester


A call management method includes receiving an incoming call and transferring the call to an intended recipient device. If the recipient device does not answer the incoming call, the call is transferred to an intranet gateway. If the intended recipient is logged on to the intranet or is otherwise accessible on the network, the intranet gateway determines the network location of the intended recipient and transfers the call to the intended recipient. If the intended recipient is inaccessible, the incoming call is transferred to a call recordation system.

In standard Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) systems, it is well know to manage incoming calls using a Private Automated Branch Exchange (PABX) to transfer calls to the intended recipient. FIG. 1 is a simplified schematic diagram of a prior art Enterprise context where an enterprise 11 has a PABX 12 which routes incoming calls 1 to telephones 13a, 13b etc. Details of the operation of the PABX are not discussed in detail as they are considered within the knowledge of one skilled in the art.
When an incoming call 1 is received from the PSTN network 10, the PABX 12 diverts 2 the call to the required extension. If the phone 13 at the extension is unanswered, the PABX 12 switches the call to the voicemail system 14 whereby the caller is invited to leave a voicemail for the intended recipient. In most enterprises the telephones are standard analog or digital devices.
In enterprises employing an intranet, voice-over-IP (VoIP) phones may be used with enhanced flexibility. This situation is shown in FIG. 2 where a call 1 is received by way of a standard PSTN network 20. However, in this case, communications within the enterprise 24 are effected by specific VoIP phones 22a, 22b etc. The VoIP gateway 21 receives the incoming call 1 and depending on the intended recipient, transfers 2 the call via the intranet 25 to the required VoIP phone 22. Communication over the intranet 25 is via TCP/IP data transmission as is know in the art. If the incoming call is unanswered, the call is diverted to the voicemail system 23 and a suitable notification sent to the recipient's VoIP phone.
While such VoIP systems present significant improvements in flexibility, dedicated VoIP phones are more expensive than standard PABX devices, such as analog or digital telephones. It would therefore be desirable to provide a system which not only provides for efficient call and voicemail handling analogous to the VoIP approach, but one which is backwards compatible with legacy telephone systems. It would also be desirable to provide a telecommunications system which is adaptable to systems having existing disparities between the technical level of an enterprise Information Technology (IT) infrastructure and its telephone system. For example, such a disparity may occur where an enterprise has an intranet, and retains a legacy PABX-based telephone system. It is a further object of the invention to provide additional functionality which leverages the functions of VoIP systems when coupled with an intranet and standard PABX-based systems, particularly in the context of voicemail handling.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


Gateways providing connectivity for respective private IPv4 networks to an IPv6 network establish communications between IPv4 nodes in the private network. Network address translation-protocol translation (NAT-PT) state entries are created by gateway pairs enabling translation of IPv4 packets between first and second IPv4 nodes in respective first and second IPv4 private networks into IPv6 packets for transmission via the IPv6 network. Each NAT-PT state entry specifies the IPv6 addresses for the first and second IPv4 nodes, and the IPv4 addresses used to identify the first and second IPv4 nodes in the corresponding private IPv4 network. Each gateway is configured for generating the IPv6 address for each local IPv4 node based on prepending its corresponding assigned private IPv4 address with a corresponding prescribed IPv6 prefix assigned to the gateway. Hence, gateways can dynamically establish communications between private networks without tunneling protocols, enabling deployment of latency-sensitive applications such as Voice over IP.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to interoperability between IPv4 nodes via IPv6 networks. In particular, the present invention relates to enabling a first IPv4 node of a first private network to connect with a second IPv4 node of a second private network, via an IPv6 access network, without the necessity of tunneling between the first and second private networks.
2. Description of the Related Art
Virtual private networks (VPNs) have become an increasingly popular technique for enabling host computers to remotely access a corporate network in a secure manner. VPN connections enable users of the host computers to enjoy advantages such as telecommuting, reducing the reliance of corporate network access using an on-site host computer. Efforts are underway by the Layer 3 Virtual Private Networks (13vpn) Working Group to provide solutions for supporting provider-provisioned Layer-3 (routed) Virtual Private Networks (L3VPNs).
Conventional VPNs have relied on connections via the Internet, implemented as a public IPv4 network. However, such reliance introduces numerous well known performance issues, including bandwidth and latency limitations, and potential exposure to unreliable and malicious entities, especially in cases where queries need to be sent (e.g., Domain Name Service (DNS) queries) need to be sent to locate a destination VPN server providing the VPN service.
Additional problems arise in cases where a VPN connection is attempted via an access network, for example in the cases where an IPv4 host computer in a private network attempts to access a destination via an IPv6 access network. Proposals are underway by the Next Generation Transition (NGTRANS) Working Group of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), renamed as the IPv6 Operations (v6ops) Working Group, to enable network nodes to transmit IP packets, generated according to IPv6 protocol as specified by the Request for Comments (RFC) 2460, across an IPv4 network. For example, RFC 3056 proposes an interim solution (referred to herein as "the 6 to 4 proposal") of sending IPv6 packets as payload for IPv4 packets, where an interim unique IPv6 address prefix is assigned to any node that has at least one globally unique IPv4 address. The 6 to 4 proposal specifies that an IPv6 node has an IPv6 address that contains an assigned IPv4 address, resulting in an automatic mapping between the IPv6 and IPv4 addresses. Hence, the IPv6 node can easily encapsulate the IPv6 packet with an IPv4 header based on extracting the assigned IPv4 address from within its IPv6 address.
Concerns arise in the event that an IPv6 node is coupled to a private IPv4 network having a Network Address Translator (NAT). NATs perform a Layer-3 translation of IP-Addresses, so that public Internet addresses map to private IP addresses, as described in detail by the Request for Comments 1918 (RFC 1918). This mapping has allowed enterprises to map a large number of private addresses to a limited number of public addresses, thus limiting the number of public addresses required by Internet users.
As described in RFC 3056, however, if an IPv6 node is coupled to an IPv4 network having a NAT, then the NAT box "must also contain a fully functional IPv6 router including the 6 to 4 mechanism" in order for the 6 to 4 proposal to still be operable in the IPv4 network having the NAT. However, the modification of existing NATs to include IPv6 routers to include the 6 to 4 mechanism may not be a practical solution.
Further, the IPv4 addresses of the 6 to 4 protocol are assumed to be global public addresses. Hence, if an IPv6 node (i.e., a correspondent node) wants to communicate with a roaming mobile IPv6 node, the 6 to 4 address of the roaming mobile IPv6 node must be a global public address, not a private address.
Another NAT-based proposal for enabling IPv4 hosts in an IPv4 network to access IPv6 hosts in an IPv6 network is described in RFC 2766, entitled "Network Address Translation—Protocol Translation (NAT-PT). The NAT-PT provides a combination of network address translation and protocol translation based on a pool of IPv4 addresses for assignment to IPv6 nodes on a dynamic basis as sessions are initiated across IPv4-IPv6 boundaries. However, the description of the NAT-PT in the RFC 2766 assumes that IPv4 addresses are unique.
Commonly-assigned, copending application Ser. No. 10/875,811, filed Jun. 25, 2004, entitled "ARRANGEMENT FOR REACHING IPv4 PUBLIC NETWORK NODES BY A NODE IN AN IPv4 PRIVATE NETWORK VIA AN IPv6 ACCESS NETWORK," the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference, describes an arrangement that enables an IPv4 node to access an IPv4 public network via an IPv6 access network. The IPv4 node is able to send an IPv4 packet to an IPv4 destination via the IPv6 access network, based on translation of the IPv4 packet into an IPv6 packet for transmission via the IPv6 access network. The IPv4 packet is translated into the IPv6 packet by a local gateway. The IPv6 packet has an IPv6 source address that includes a prescribed address prefix assigned to the local gateway, and an IPv4 address of the IPv4 node. The IPv6 packet also includes an IPv6 destination address that includes a second address prefix assigned to a remote gateway, and a second IPv4 address of the IPv4 destination. The IPv6 packet is converted by the remote gateway into an IPv4 packet for reception by the IPv4 destination via an IPv4 network. Hence, the IPv4 node is able to communicate with an IPv4 destination residing on another IPv4 network via the IPv6 access network, without the necessity of generating an IPv6 tunnel between the local gateway and the remote gateway.

Private network gateways interconnecting private networks via an access network


In a semiconductor device, an input buffer for buffering an input signal to provide an internal signal includes a reference voltage adjusting unit configured to receive a reference voltage and to output a first reference signal having a potential level higher than that of the reference voltage and a second reference signal having a potential level lower than that of the reference voltage, a multiplexing unit configured to selectively output one of the first and second reference signals as a newly selected reference signal in response to the internal signal, a differential amplification unit configured to amplify the input signal by comparing the input signal with the newly selected reference signal outputted to generate an amplified input signal, and an internal buffer configured to output the internal signal by buffering the amplified input signal.

A semiconductor device is fabricated by semiconductor technologies such as a silicon wafer forming technology, and a logic design technology and so on. A final product through a semiconductor fabricating process is a chip of a plastic package type. The chip may be fabricated with different logics and functions according to a purpose for use thereof. Most of important semiconductor chips configuring an application system are assembled to a printed circuit board (PCB) and several driving voltages for driving the chips are supplied thereto.
All semiconductor devices including semiconductor memory operate according to input/output signals having specific purposes. Namely, operations of the semiconductor device are carried out in response to a combination signal of input/output signals. An output signal of a certain semiconductor device may be used as an input signal of another semiconductor device in the same system.
An input buffer is a part buffering a signal applied from an external circuit and providing the buffered signal into the semiconductor device and there is a static input buffer as the simplest type. The static input buffer consists of a PMOS transistor and an NMOS transistor connected in series between a power supply voltage and a ground voltage. The static input buffer has an advantage that the configuration is very simple, however, tolerance against a noise is weak, and, an input signal having large amplitude is required. Namely, the large amplitude between a logic high level and a logic low level of the input signal is required. Therefore, the static input buffer is not proper to be applied to a device, which the amplitude of input signals is small or a high operation frequency is required. Accordingly, an input buffer of a differential amplification type, which has a high tolerance against a noise and is easy to be applied to a high frequency, is suggested.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a conventional input buffer of a differential amplification type. In particular, the input buffer 100 of the differential amplification type includes a differential amplification unit 11 and an internal buffer 12. The differential amplification unit 11 compares an input signal applied to a positive terminal (+) thereof with a reference voltage signal applied to a negative terminal (−) thereof. The internal buffer 12 buffers an output from the differential amplification unit 11 and issues an internal signal INT.
FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating the differential amplification unit 11 in FIG. 1. As shown, the differential amplification unit 11 includes a differential amplifier 11A and an inverter 11B. The differential amplifier 11A includes a first NMOS transistor MN1, a second NMOS transistor MN2, a first PMOS transistor MP1, and a second PMOS transistor MP2 to form a current mirror. The reference voltage Vref is applied to a gate of the first NMOS transistor MN1, and the input signal IN is applied to a gate of the second NMOS transistor MN2. The differential amplifier 11A further includes a third NMOS transistor MN3, which is coupled between ground and the first and second transistors MN1 and MN2. A buffer enable signal is applied to the gate of the transistor MN3 for a bias. Third and fourth PMOS transistors MP3 and MP4 forming a current mirror are coupled to the first and second transistors MP1 and MP2, respectively, in parallel. The buffer enable signal buffer_en is applied to the gates of the third and fourth PMOS transistors MP3 and MP4.
The inverter 11B includes a pull-up PMOS transistor MP5 and a pull-down NMOS transistor MN4. An output signal of the differential amplifier 11A is commonly applied to the gates of the pull-up PMOS transistor MP5 and a pull-down transistor MN4.
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating the internal buffer 12 in FIG. 1. The internal buffer 12 includes a first inverter INV1 and a second inverter INV2 coupled in series. The number of the inverters in the internal buffer 12 may be adjusted.
For example, an operation of the input buffer of the differential amplification type will be described by referring to FIGS. 2 and 3. When the input signal IN is applied to an input terminal of the differential amplifier 11A, the differential amplifier 11A will be operated according to states whether the voltage level of the input signal IN is higher or lower than that of the reference voltage signal Vref because since the voltage of the input signal IN is higher or lower than the reference voltage signal Vref. The reference voltage signal Vref is a static voltage, which always maintains a constant voltage level. The reference voltage signal Vref may be provided through a specific input pin from an external circuit or may be generated in the semiconductor device.
A constant current I1 flows at the first NMOS transistor MN1 receiving the reference voltage signal Vref. A current flowing at the second NMOS transistor MN2, which is symmetrically configured with the first NMOS transistor MN1, is determined by the voltage level of the input signal IN. In particular, the differential amplifier 11A determines a voltage level of an output node N1 according to a comparison result between the currents I1 and I2.
If the current I2 is relatively higher than the current I1, the voltage level of the output node N1 decreases. Finally, a signal of a logic high level is outputted via the inverter 11B. In this case, the input buffer 100 issues a signal of a logic high level. On the other hand, if the current I2 is relatively lower than the current I1, an output of the inverter 11B becomes a signal having a logic low level. In this case, the input buffer issues a signal of a logic low level. The buffer enable signal buffer_en is disabled to a logic low level at a power-down mode or a self-refresh mode so that the input buffer is inactivated to a precharge state and, in other modes, the buffer enable signal buffer_en is adjusted to a logic high level so that the input buffer is activated.
The input buffer 100 basically plays a role of an interface for transmitting signals between an internal circuit and an external circuit of a semiconductor device. Therefore, an input buffer configured to rapidly transmit signal variation at an input terminal is required. The semiconductor device performing an amplification operation with high gain is suggested to rapidly transmit signals.
Because the reference voltage signal Vref having a constant potential level is always supplied to the gate of the first NMOS transistor MN1 in the input buffer 100 of the differential amplification type illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the current I1 flowing at the first NMOS transistor MN1 is fixed. Therefore, high amplitude of the input signal IN is required for a rapid operation. Generally, however, small amplitude of an input signal is required to improve signal integration and rapidly vary a voltage level of a signal in a system operated with a high speed.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Input buffer of differential amplification type in semiconductor device


A levee and barrier module for fluid control and containment is provided including an outer module shell and a module-to-module connection system to attach adjacent outer shells. The outer module shell, being in the general shape of a prism or prism with curvilinear section, is formed by opposing side walls and two opposing end walls, and is configured to enclose or support filler material. The two opposing end walls are configured with end apertures. The outer module shell defines a top aperture and a bottom aperture. When modules are placed end to end in a levee structure the end apertures allow filler material communication horizontally between adjacent modules. The bottom aperture allows filler material communication with the earth below the module. The top aperture allows filler material to be added to the module, as well as visual observation of, and maintenance of, the amount of contained filler material.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to levees and barriers for the control and containment of water in open channels or in naturally or artificially occurring bodies of water, or of water otherwise lying on the earth's surface, and more particularly it relates to levees and barriers of modular construction.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Floods can have a devastating effect, both in economic loses and in lives disrupted or lost. Numerous attempts have been made to solve the water containment and control problem, yet each solution is deficient in some area.
The most common solution for water control problems involves the use of earthen embankments or levees made of soil. While earthen levees are economical to install, the motion of the water causes rapid deterioration, as the levee has no structure or armor to protect it. Also, particularly in some soils, subsidence reduces the height of the levee over time. Because of subsidence and because of damage due to water and wave action, the initial financial investment vanishes as the earthen levee deteriorates over a period of a few years. Also, as there is no structure beneath the soil, during floods the soil beneath the foundation of the levee may weaken or even form a liquefied zone, undermining the stability of the levee. Additionally, because the earthen levee is generally triangular in cross section, the levee must be quite wide at the bottom to have enough stable soil at the top to withstand water motion. Furthermore, an earthen levee cannot be easily built while in a flood, emergency, or repair situation. For example, if a levee along a river is inspected and found to be substandard, an earthen levee cannot be built in the water of the river around the defective portion to allow full access to both sides for repair of the substandard section. It would be advantageous to have a water control or levee system that was sturdier and more long lasting, that preserved more of the initial financial investment, that provided more structure or anchoring to combat the weakening of the foundation of the levee, that did not require such a large base compared to the height, and that could be constructed while in a flooding or repair situation.
When the earthen levee height is limited by weak natural soils or reduced by subsidence, additional height can be gained by driving corrugated steel sheet piles into the levee crest to form a floodwall. This method does provide more structure, as the sheet piles can be driven deeper vertically for more stability. However, several problems remain. If the supporting earthen levee with the floodwall subside, it is not easy to raise the height. The soil beneath the foundation of the levee may still weaken, destabilizing the levee. Because the floodwall is typically built with the sheet piles driven into earthen embankments, the floodwall is still wide at the bottom, which is especially troublesome when space is limited as in a city or near structures. Nor can the floodwall be easily constructed to a partial height to provide some protection, and then, as finances allow, be finished to a full height, which would be beneficial.
Accordingly, there is an established need for an effective, sturdy, long-lasting levee and barrier system and module that provides more structure or anchoring to combat the weakening of the foundation of the levee, that preserves more of the initial financial investment after subsidence, that reduces the required base size, that can be readily constructed while in a flooding or repair situation, that is configured to allow more height to be quickly and easily added to the levee should the need arise, and that can be constructed to a partial height to provide partial protection until finances allow completion to a full height.

Flood levee and barrier module and system


Provided is a wavelength conversion member, a light emitting device, and a method of manufacturing the light emitting device, with which leakage of unconverted light and contamination of an upper surface of an electrode are prevented, and restriction on a position at which the electrode is to be provided on the light-emitting element is eliminated. The wavelength conversion member provided on a light extracting side of a light-emitting element having an electrode on the light extracting side and configured to convert a wavelength of outgoing light from the light-emitting element includes: a wavelength converting plate having a phosphor excited by the outgoing light, and a through-hole penetrating between a front surface and a back surface so as to correspond to the electrode; and a via electrode made of a conductive material filled in the through-hole, and having an upper surface exposed at the front surface of the wavelength converting plate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wavelength conversion member for converting a wavelength of light emitted from a light-emitting element, a light emitting device including the wavelength conversion member, and a method of manufacturing the light emitting device.
2. Description of Related Art
Typically, a light emitting device has a structure which employs a wavelength conversion member such as YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet) glass. The wavelength conversion member used for such a light emitting device is to convert a wavelength of light emitted from a light-emitting element and is disposed on a light extracting side of the light-emitting element.
JP 2008-166740A and JP 2007-80876A respectively illustrate a wavelength conversion member which is, in a case where an electrode of a light-emitting element is disposed at the light extracting side, configured such that an upper surface of the electrode is exposed at a front surface of the wavelength conversion member so that the wavelength conversion member can be bonded to the upper surface of the electrode by wire bonding.
The wavelength conversion member illustrated in JP 2008-166740A includes a through-hole which penetrates through the front surface and back surface so that the electrode of the light-emitting element is inserted into the through-hole of the wavelength conversion member to expose the upper surface of the electrode which is inserted in the through-hole at the front surface of the wavelength conversion member. In a plurality of wavelength conversion members illustrated in JP 2007-80876A an end of each wavelength conversion member is formed with a cutout shape So that abutting the ends of the plurality of wavelength conversion members allows the cutouts constitute a through-hole penetrating in a thickness direction. Ends of the plurality of wavelength conversion members are engaged so as to hold the electrode from both sides. Thus, the upper surface of the electrode which is in the through-hole is exposed at the front surface of the wavelength conversion member.
However, in the case where a through-hole is formed in the wavelength conversion member as described in JP 2008-166740A and JP 2007-80876A, there is a necessity to consider a tolerance for securely accommodating the electrode in the through-hole at the time of designing. Accordingly, in the conventional wavelength conversion member, a gap may be produced between the wavelength conversion member and the electrode, and unconverted light may leak through the gap around the electrode. In addition, with the configuration disclosed in JP 2007-80876 A, it is extremely difficult to engage the end portions of the wavelength conversion members precisely with each other so as not to produce a gap between the wavelength conversion members. Accordingly, unconverted light may leak through the connecting portion between the wavelength conversion members.
Further, according to the configuration disclosed in JP 2008-166740 A, in the case where an adhesive material is applied on the light extracting side of a light emitting element so that the wavelength conversion member can be adhered, the adhesive agent may stick to the upper surface of the electrode. The sticking of the adhesive agent results in contamination of a bonding pad, which may prevent the wire from attaching to the bonding pad.
Moreover, in the case where the wavelength conversion member is to be disposed on a light-emitting element which has an electrode disposed on an outer circumferential end side of an upper surface of the light-emitting element, and where a through-hole is formed in the wavelength conversion member as in a known device, a cutout shape is formed in an outer circumferential end of the wavelength conversion member. In this case, as the wavelength conversion member does not encircle the entire outer circumference of the electrode, which may result in unconverted light leaking through the part of the outer circumference of the electrode that is not encircled by the wavelength conversion member. Accordingly, in order to manufacture a wavelength conversion member the electrode on the upper surface of the light-emitting element has to be arranged at a position where the wavelength conversion member encircles the entire outer circumference of the electrode of the light-emitting element. Thus, the electrode cannot be arranged at the outer circumferential end-side of the light-emitting element.

Wavelength conversion member, light emitting device, and method of manufacturing light emitting device


A memory system is provided that includes a first memory array including a first memory cell, a second memory array including a second memory cell, and a memory controller configured to determine a threshold voltage of the second memory cell to compensate a drift of a threshold voltage of the first memory cell and/or determine an offset voltage of the second memory cell to compensate an offset voltage of the first memory cell.

Memory is widely used in various electronic devices such as cellular telephones, digital cameras, personal digital assistants, medical electronics, mobile computing devices, non-mobile computing devices and data servers. Memory may be non-volatile memory or volatile memory. A non-volatile memory allows information to be stored and retained even when the non-volatile memory is not connected to a source of power (e.g., a battery).
One example of a non-volatile memory is reversible resistance-switching memory, including magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) memory elements, phase change memory elements, reversible resistance-switching random access memory (ReRAM) memory elements, and other resistance-switching memory elements, in contrast to some other memory technologies that store data using electronic charge.
Generally, reversible resistance-switching memory includes a large number of memory cells formed on a semiconductor substrate, where each memory cell represents one bit of data. For MRAM memory, a bit of data is written to a memory cell by changing the direction of magnetization of a magnetic element within the memory cell, and a bit is read by measuring the resistance of the memory cell (low resistance typically represents a "0" bit, and high resistance typically represents a "1" bit). As used herein, direction of magnetization is the direction of orientation of the magnetic moment.
Although reversible resistance-switching memory is a promising technology, numerous design and process challenges remain.

One selector one resistor RAM threshold voltage drift and offset voltage compensation methods