A locomotive engine cooling system has a pair of radiator banks having substantially the same cooling capacity. The system has separate engine and aftercooler coolant loops and assigns one of the radiator banks exclusively to each of the loops, with the maximum cooling capacity being less than that required to absorb an engine heat load in a predetermined, warmed-up mode of operation but greater than that required to absorb an aftercooler heat load in the same predetermined, warmed-up mode of operation. To balance the system, a linking conduit directs a portion of the hot coolant exiting the engine to a conduit leading directly to the aftercooler radiator to supplement the maximum cooling capacity of the engine radiator with a predetermined portion of the maximum cooling capacity of the aftercooler radiator in absorbing the engine heat load. A return flow conduit from the aftercooler radiator to the engine may be a common coolant tank, a separate conduit or both. A valved conduit in parallel with the linking conduit selectively provides additional coolant flow from the engine to the aftercooler radiator to absorb additional heat from the engine for engine temperature limiting at higher loads and/or ambient temperatures. The arrangement simplifies connections to the radiators for reduced cost, improves cooling system efficiency, reduces thermal stresses in the radiators, and permits linking valve operation in a preferred closed condition in normal, warmed-up operation.

Most modern railroad locomotives are of the diesel-electric variety, in which a diesel engine drives electrical generating apparatus to power one or more electric motors to turn the locomotive wheels. The engine is typically turbocharged and includes an aftercooler to remove the heat of compression from the turbocharged air before it enters the engine. The engine cooling system, which circulates a liquid coolant through an engine coolant loop to remove heat from the engine, is supplemented by an aftercooler coolant loop to remove heat from the aftercooler.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,705, Turbocharged Engine Cooling Apparatus, issued Feb. 4, 1997, describes cooling apparatus for a diesel electric locomotive which employs separate engine and aftercooler coolant loops, each with its own radiator and pump apparatus and separate coolant conduits but sharing a single coolant tank. The loops are also connected by a linking conduit connecting the outlet of the aftercooler radiator with the inlet of the engine coolant pump. A valve in the linking conduit can be closed to prevent linking coolant flow; and the system is designed to operate in that manner under normal conditions, with the engine radiator and conduits sized to provide sufficient cooling for the engine and optional oil cooler in normal, warmed up operation while the aftercooler radiator provides cooling of the turbocharged air for maximum fuel economy and low emissions. The engine radiator is not designed to provide sufficient engine cooling for extremely hot running conditions, but the valve can be opened as necessary in such conditions to admit low temperature coolant from the aftercooler coolant loop to the engine cooling loop for extra engine cooling, with return flow through the coolant tank.
In such a locomotive engine, however, the engine provides a much greater heat load than the aftercooler; and such a cooling system designed for operation under normal conditions with a closed linking valve thus requires significantly greater cooling capacity in the engine radiator than in the aftercooler radiator. Due to size and shape constraints in the crowded locomotive body, it is customary to provide the radiators in two long, narrow banks of equal size, the banks being aligned side by side and extending fore/aft with respect to the locomotive, as seen in FIG. 2 of this document. Several fans are positioned above the radiator banks to maintain and control cooling air flow through the radiators; and efficient design dictates that these fans are arranged in a fore/aft alignment over the radiator banks and that each affects air flow through both radiator banks simultaneously. The flow tubes of each radiator bank are divided between the engine and aftercooler coolant loops in a ratio (e.g. 3:1) determined to provide a greater cooling capacity in the engine coolant loop than in the aftercooler coolant loop, so as to balance the different heat loads in normal, warmed up operation. This requires a conduit arrangement to provide coolant from each loop through portions of each radiator bank; and this arrangement is complex and expensive due to the extra pipes and expansion joints required.
The conduction of coolant from each loop to each radiator bank also produces thermal stresses in the radiator banks which must be limited. The flow tubes of a radiator bank are attached at each end to plates; and thermally induced elongations of the tubes will differ between those tubes conducting hotter coolant from the engine coolant loop and cooler coolant from the aftercooler coolant loop. Such different elongations produce rotational torques on the end plates which stress the tube/plate joints and can thus cause radiator damage if the temperature difference between the engine and aftercooler coolant loops becomes too great. The need to limit this temperature difference is a control constraint that places an otherwise unnecessary limit on the use of the aftercooler to increase fuel economy and decrease undesirable emissions at cooler temperatures and thus prevents optimal operation of the engine.
This cost and complexity in flow conduits and control limitations could be reduced or eliminated if one of the radiator banks were dedicated totally to the engine coolant loop and the other were dedicated totally to the aftercooler coolant loop. But this would unbalance the system, since the engine would provide a heat load to the engine radiator bank up to three times greater than the aftercooler provided to the aftercooler radiator bank of similar size and cooling capacity. In addition, the flow tubes of the radiator banks have a maximum flow rate, beyond which they are subject to cavitation damage. Therefore, assuming the system has been designed for coolant flow rates making efficient use of the radiator banks, the larger heat load provided to the engine radiator bank can not be absorbed by further increasing the coolant flow rate through the bank. Thus, the system as described would have insufficient cooling capacity in the engine cooling loop and unused excess cooling capacity in the aftercooler cooling loop to operate with the linking valve closed in normal, warmed up operation. Although the linking valve could be kept open in normal operation to provide linking coolant flow for additional engine cooling, this is not desirable. The linking valve used in the aforementioned system is typically a ball type valve; and extended operation in a single, partly opened position tends to shorten the life span of such a valve. Furthermore, such operation would reduce the operational control range of the valve and allow the possibility of engine overheating if the valve is accidentally closed completely. Moreover, the system as a whole is not optimally designed for such operation. All coolant exiting the engine passes through and is cooled by the engine radiator before being mixed with coolant from the aftercooler; and the hottest coolant in the system, which is found at the outlet of the engine, is thus not directly involved in the mixing. This can produce hotter engine temperatures for a given linking valve opening and slower response to increasing engine temperature.


In an image-recording device, a cartridge has a first chamber and an outlet. A mount body includes a tank, first and second sensors. The tank has an inlet, and a second chamber. The liquid in the first chamber flows into the second chamber via the outlet and the inlet. The first sensor outputs a first signal when a level of the liquid in the second chamber is higher than a first position, and outputs a second signal when the level is lower than the first position. The second sensor outputs a third signal when the level is higher than a second position higher than the first position, and outputs the fourth signal when the level is lower than the second position. A controller controls a notification device to issue a notification if a condition based on the first and second signals is satisfied.

There is known in the art an image-recording device provided with a cartridge, and a tank. The cartridge is mounted in the image-recording device. Liquid accommodated in the cartridge is supplied to the tank. When the quantity of liquid stored in the tank of this type of image-recording device becomes low or when the tank runs out of liquid, a new cartridge is mounted on the tank. The new cartridge then supplies liquid to the tank.
In this type of image-recording device, a sensor has conventionally been provided in the tank for detecting the residual quantity of liquid therein. By providing a plurality of sensors in the tank, the residual quantity of liquid can be detected in greater detail. For example, a known recording device has three electrodes. The recording device can detect that the tank is full when detecting that the electrodes conduct electricity, and detect that the tank ran out of ink when not detecting that the electrodes conduct electricity.

Image-recording device issuing notification concerning quantity of liquid in tank


A firearm such as a semiautomatic pistol or handgun includes a barrel and a slide with a front aperture for rearward movement of the slide around the barrel during cycling of the slide between forward and rearward positions. A wire bushing is provided between the outer diameter of the barrel and the inner diameter of the aperture of the slide for positioning the barrel within the aperture during cycling. The wire bushing is a spring-like, generally round or O-shaped member (e.g., a bent metal wire) mounted within a groove provided in the slide aperture, with portions of the bushing being bent to lie out of the groove for contacting the barrel. The wire bushing reduces the tolerances between the slide and the barrel, thereby improving operation of the firearm, improves re-location of the barrel within the slide, provides for easier maintenance, and reduces mass, cost, and complexity.

In the operation of certain tilting barrel Browning-type semiautomatic pistols or handguns, a slide element is cycled relative to a frame between battery and retired positions via the firing of cartridges. As a cartridge is fired, the slide is driven rearward into the retired position. A spring provides for the return of the slide in the forward direction and in the process replenishes the handgun with a fresh cartridge stripped from a magazine.
As the slide is driven rearward, an aperture in the front of the slide allows the slide to move rearward around the barrel. The barrel is supported at its rearward end via a lug on the barrel, the rearward portion of the lug being ramped to receive the next cartridge in preparation for firing. Tolerance between the slide and the lug allows the slide and the barrel to be decoupled as the slide moves rearward. When the slide moves rearward, the forward end of the barrel moves upward, which facilitates the feeding of a fresh cartridge.
In order to locate the position of the barrel within the slide from shot to shot, clearances must exist between the outer diameter of the barrel and the inner diameter of the aperture of the slide through which the barrel is received every time the slide is cycled (either manually or during firing). Various methods exist for locating the barrel within the aperture. One method incorporates spherical bushings or bearings into the aperture of the slide at the points of contact. Such bushings or bearings, while being effective to consistently locate the barrel during cycling, generally complicate the structure of the handgun, add mass, are costly, and make the gun difficult to assemble. The use of spherical bushings typically requires that large tolerances exist between the points of contact on the slide and the barrel.

Wire bushing for use with a firearm barrel


A phase locked loop circuit includes a delay compensation circuit and a phase change circuit. The delay compensation circuit is adapted to generate a delay clock signal by delaying a phase of a first output clock signal by a second phase, the phase of the first output clock signal having a phase leading a phase of an input clock signal by a first phase, and the second phase corresponding to a delay compensation time greater than a period of the input clock signal and greater than the first phase. The phase change circuit is adapted to change the second phase to the first phase and to generate a feedback clock signal having a phase synchronized with the phase of the input clock signal in response to the first phase, wherein the first phase is a phase corresponding to a remainder time resulting from the delay compensation time being divided by the period of the input clock, and wherein the quotient is an integer.

1. Field
Exemplary embodiments relate to electronic circuits, and more particularly, to a phase locked loop circuit, a semiconductor memory device including a phase locked loop circuit, and a method of operating a phase locked loop circuit.
2. Description of the Related Art
A phase locked loop circuit compares a phase of an input clock signal with a phase of a feedback clock signal, and controls the two signals so that phases of the two signals are synchronized with each other. A phase locked loop circuit may be used in a semiconductor integration circuit such as a semiconductor memory device.
A phase locked loop circuit may include a phase detector, a charge pump circuit, a loop filter embodied by a low pass filter, and a voltage controlled oscillator.
The phase detector detects a phase difference between an input clock signal and a feedback clock signal output from the voltage controlled oscillator. The charge pump circuit charges electric charges in the loop filter or discharges the electric charges charged in the loop filter in response to an output signal of the phase detector. The voltage controlled oscillator outputs a feedback clock signal synchronized with an input clock signal in response to a voltage corresponding to electric charges charged or discharged in the loop filter.

Phase locked loop circuit, method of operating phase locked loop circuit and semiconductor memory device including phase locked loop circuit


Expansile hydrogel intraocular lenses are heated above their elastic deformation temperatures and deformed into an elongated configuration having at least one reduced dimension suitable for insertion through a small surgical incision. The lenses are allowed to cool in this configuration and retain the deformed shape prior to surgical implantation. Following implantation the lenses hydrate into an enlarged elastic form reassuming the original lens configuration of full capsule size.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to intraocular lenses suitable for implantation using small incision surgical techniques. More particularly, the present invention involves hydrogel intraocular lenses and methods for their deformation in a dehydrated state to a size which is sufficiently reduced for their small incision implantation following cataract surgery. Subsequent to surgical implantation, the deformed lenses hydrate within the ocular environment to full sized lenses.
2. Description of Related Art
Since the early 1940's optical devices in the form of intraocular lenses have been utilized to replace the natural physiological crystalline ocular lens in humans and other mammals. Typically, the intraocular lens is implanted within the ocular environment immediately after surgically removing the natural lens which has become opaque or otherwise damaged by cataract formation or injury. For decades the most prevalently utilized materials for forming intraocular lenses were acrylates or methacrylates and particularly polymethylmethacrylate, a rigid, glassy polymer.
More recently developed surgical techniques and improved instrumentation have made it possible to remove the opaque or damaged natural lens through incision sizes as small as 2-3 mm. This contrasts sharply with earlier methods which involved forming incisions up to 9 or 10 mm in length in order to remove the natural lens and insert the intraocular lens. Because small incision surgery is much less traumatic for patients and decreases complications and healing time, this technique has become the method of choice for a large number of ophthalmic surgeons.
Since full-size intraocular lenses have diameters in the range of 8-13 mm, far exceeding the 2-3 mm incision size, the standard rigid polymethylmethacrylate lenses are not suitable for direct implantation through the reduced incision sizes. Thus, a number of different intraocular lens designs and materials have been developed for use in connection with small incision surgical techniques. One approach utilizes the concept of preparing lenses from elastomeric materials such as silicones and thermoplastic polymers Prior to surgically inserting the elastomeric lens, the surgeon rolls or folds the lens so that it is reduced in size for passing into the eye through a smaller incision. Once placed within the eye, the lens unfolds or unrolls to its full size.
One problem associated with these elastomeric lenses is the possibility that permanent deformation or crease marks may occur when the lens is folded or rolled. This is especially a concern at the center of the lens optical zone where most of the rolling or folding deformation take place.
Another approach to providing a small incision intraocular lens is suggested in U.S. Pat. No. 4,731,079. This reference discloses an intraocular lens formed of a polymer having a softening (or glass transition) temperature less than 42.degree. C. and preferably about body temperature. The lens can be heated to above its softening temperature and deformed by compression or elongation to reduce at least one dimension. Then, by cooling the lens at a temperature substantially below its softening temperature, the lens will remain in the deformed configuration until it is warmed. Ophthalmic surgeons can implant the deformed lens and once the lens warms to body temperature it returns to its original configuration.
A major problem associated with these intraocular lenses is the restricted number of polymers available for preparing the lenses. Polymethylmethacrylate has a glass transition temperature above 100.degree. C. and thus cannot be used to form these lenses. Most acrylates and methacrylates have similarly high glass transition temperatures. Through formulating the lenses with plasticizers will lower the glass transition temperature, the presence of plasticizers in intraocular lenses is generally unacceptable to most surgeons because of potential leaching problems. Alternatively, water is a suitable plasticizer, however, only small amounts of water, typically less than 10%, can be utilized in the polymers to place the glass transition in the appropriate range. Thus, typical hydrogels which have much higher amounts of water are not suitable for fabricating the deformable lenses.
An additional drawback with this suggested small incision intraocular lens is the added degree of surgical complexity required to deform the lens into its small incision configuration. The lenses are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,731,079 as being packaged in a form that requires the implanting surgeon to warm, deform, and cool the lens immediately prior to its implantation. This procedure is considerably more involved than traditional lens implantation techniques.
Another suggested approach for small incision lens implantation involves implanting hydrogel intraocular lenses in their smaller dehydrated state. Once the implanted dehydrated lens is secured within the eye it reportedly hydrates and swells in the aqueous ocular environment. A significant problem associated with this approach is the large amount of swelling required to produce an effective lens diameter. In order to fully swell the lens from a diameter of about 3 mm to about 6 mm the lens must swell 8 times by volume. This translates to a lens which is 85% water. For larger full sized intraocular lenses the swell volume is much higher. Since most hydrogels are structurally very weak at these high water contents, many surgeons are reluctant to implant them. Also, these high water content hydrogels have very low refractive indices of around 1.36 and in order to achieve suitable refractive powers the hydrogel lens must be thicker in the optic portion. As a result, a dehydrated hydrogel intraocular lens that will fit through a desirably small incision will not swell to a sufficiently large hydrated size to effectively function as an intraocular lens. This problem is compounded if larger, full size intraocular lenses are desired that have optic diameters greater than 6 mm. Alternatively, in order to produce a hydrated lens having a sufficient optic diameter the dehydrated hydrogel lens must be larger than desirable for a small incision implantation procedure.
Alternatively, U.S. Pat. No, 4,919,662 suggests rolling or folding hydrogel intraocular lenses in their elastic hydrated form, and then dehydrating the lenses at lower temperatures to fix the rolled or folded lens configuration at a size suitable for small incision implantation. Once implanted, these lenses hydrate and swell to the original lens configuration. Unfortunately, this method has the disadvantage of requiring the handling of fully hydrated lenses during the deforming process. Unfortunately, hydrated lenses have relatively weak tear strengths and handling the lenses causes frequent tearing damage.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,954 discloses expansile hydrogel intraocular lenses which are formed by simultaneously deforming and dehydrating hydrogel intraocular lenses prior to implanting the lenses in their dehydrated state. Lenses subjected to this treatment swell to about 180% of their reduced size. For example, lenses deformed or compressed to a diameter of 3.2 mm will swell to only about 5.8 mm. Thus, while providing some advantages over simply implanting dehydrated lenses, the method and lenses described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,954 do not result in full sized implanted intraocular lenses of over 8 mm.
As those skilled in the art will appreciate, each of these prior art small incision lens approaches requires an intraocular lens having generally circular, radially extending flange-type haptics as opposed to traditional filament style haptics. This is because the hydrogel materials do not have sufficient strength to stabilize the lens optics when shaped in conventional filament haptic forms. Thus, it is desirable to utilize lenses having full sized optics with diameters greater than the traditional 6 mm known in the art in order to provide lenses that stably remain in position following implantation.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide expansile hydrogel intraocular lenses suitable for small incision implantation.
It is an additional object of the present invention to provide full sized expansile hydrogel intraocular lenses and methods for their production.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide methods for fabricating small incision expansile hydrogel intraocular lenses which are suitable for packaging and storing in their reduced size.

Process for fabricating full sized expansile hydrogel intraocular lenses


An integrated fuel system component (10) comprising a fuel pump (52), a fuel filter (30) axially mounted directly below and around the lower portion of the fuel pump, and a spiral-wound fuel line (84) composed of a heat-conductive material mounted concentric to the upper portion of the fuel pump, minimizing the space required for installation. A fuel cooling system encloses the pump housing (70) and the fuel line in sealed chambers (66, 68) through which a liquid coolant is circulated to cool both the fuel pump and the fuel contained within the fuel line. A fuel pressure regulator (104) located between the fuel line and a fuel outlet (100) returns fuel to a fuel reservoir (24) located below the fuel filter, thereby providing a closed loop system. By combining the fuel pump, fuel filter, liquid cooling system, and pressure regulator into a single unit, the integrated unit minimizes vapor lock induced by heat, and optimally houses the fuel system components within a minimal volume of space.

This invention relates to fuel delivery components for use with water-cooled internal combustion engines in a marine environment, and more specifically to a water-cooled fuel pump, fuel filter, and fuel-pressure regulator assembly.
Generally, internal combustion engine propulsion systems adapted for marine use are water-cooled, and external engine components are housed within sealed enclosures to prevent moisture damage. Typically during operation, these components generate excess heat which may damage the components if not dissipated, a condition which is exacerbated by the sealed enclosures within which the components are housed. The need to reduce the volume of space on a marine craft occupied by the engine and its associated components has led to the development of multi-functional engine components which combine several individual components into a single sealed enclosure or housing. However, as engine components are grouped together, other problems may arise, for example, in fuel system components, the problems of excess heat dissipation and vapor lock must be addressed.
Several dual component combinations for use with internal combustion engine fuel systems are shown in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,835,822, to Mickle et al., discloses directing a cooling water supply around a heat sink and fuel pump enclosed within a sealed housing, thereby cooling fuel pump and the fuel flowing within. By cooling the fuel pump and the fuel, the risk of vapor lock conditions in the fuel lines caused by excessive heat is reduced. However, as shown in the '822 patent, the heat sink abuts only the outer surface of the fuel pump, and is not configured to optimally cool the fuel itself.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,231,967, to Baltz et al., discloses mounting a fuel pump and coaxially aligned fuel filter directly to an engine block by use of a housing. The fuel pump is located downstream from the fuel filter in the fuel system, and the filter is mounted such that the configuration simplifies maintenance and shields the underside of the fuel pump from fire. While this configuration is useful in minimizing space occupied in the engine compartment by the fuel filter and fuel pump, the proximity of the units to the engine block can lead to problem with dissipation of excess heat generated by the fuel pump, and the absorption of heat directly from the engine block.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,331, to Swanson discloses a device in which a liquid-cooled fuel pump incorporates a vapor separator module to reduce vapor lock created by both the absorption of excess heat in the fuel, and the vibration associated with the operation of marine internal combustion engines. The '331 device directs a liquid coolant over a casing comprising modular cavities, one cavity being a fuel reservoir and another cavity housing the fuel pump. The fuel reservoir is bathed by the coolant prior to fuel entering the pump, thereby reducing the intake temperature of the fuel. The device disclosed in the '331 patent is remotely located from both the tank and the engine and hence requires additional enclosures within the boat hull, and additional fuel lines. This to the complexity of the boat, both in building and servicing,
Accordingly, in the attempt to reduce the amount of space occupied by components of marine propulsion systems, and in particular, internal combustion engines, there is need for a combination fuel pump, fuel filter, and fuel regulator capable dissipating excess heat to reduce the occurrence of fuel system vapor lock.


A data structure is dynamically displayed within a graphical user interface with an initial setting information. User input that provides instructions to adjust the setting information is received. The received user input is parsed to identify a position portion, a motion portion, and a magnitude portion. The setting information is adjusted based on the received user input. The data structure is dynamically displayed according to the adjusted setting information.

The present invention relates generally to the field of data processing, and more particularly to utilizing a graphical user interface for navigating within a data structure.
Graphical user interface (GUI) is a type of user interface that allows a user to interact with an electronic device through manipulation of graphical icons and visual indicators. GUIs may be used in many types of electronic devices, such as smart phones, tablets, laptops, gaming devices, and desktop computers. GUIs are intended to simplify an end user's interaction with a software program with common graphical icons referred to as widgets, thereby increasing the usability of an electronic device.

Displaying a hierarchical data structure within a graphical user interface

International Business Machines Corporation


Methods comprising conveying a downhole tool within a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, wherein the downhole tool comprises a first pump and a second pump, and wherein at least one operational capability of the first and second pumps is substantially different. A fracture is initiated in the subterranean formation by pumping fluid into the formation using the first pump. The fracture is propagated in the subterranean formation by pumping fluid into the formation using the second pump.

Reservoir well production and testing involves drilling subsurface formations and monitoring various subsurface formation parameters. Drilling and monitoring often involves using downhole tools having electrical, mechanical and/or hydraulic devices. Pump systems are utilized to power downhole tools using hydraulic power. Such pump systems may be configured to draw hydraulic fluid from a reservoir and pump the fluid at a particular pressure and flow rate. The pump systems can be controlled to vary output pressures and/or flow rates to meet the needs of particular applications. In some example implementations, pump systems may also be utilized to draw and pump formation fluid from subsurface formations. A downhole string (e.g., a drill string, a wireline string, etc.) may include one or more pump systems depending on the operations to be performed using the downhole string.


A dispensing device for free-flowing or pourable products, in particular in a refrigeration device. Said dispensing device has a feed pipe for a pourable product, comprising an exit opening and a shut-off flap that is situated at the exit opening, and an outlet for the free-flowing product, said outlet being attached to the flap and displaceable with the latter.

The present invention relates to a dispensing device for free-flowing or pourable products, especially a dispensing device for cooled water and ice in a refrigeration device.
Refrigeration devices with built-in ice makers and a dispensing device for ice or cooled water are enjoying increasing popularity. In general these dispensing devices have an exit opening for ice and a water outlet which are accommodated on the outside of the refrigeration device so that a user can obtain water and ice without having to open a door.
There are different designs of dispensing device known for refrigeration devices which allow a container at one and the same location to be filled both with water and also with ice. In a first known design a vertical feed channel for ice has an exit opening, below which a container to be filled is placed, and is filled with ice from a sideways direction. This falls freely in the feed channel into the container. In an upper area of the feed channel, away from the path of the ice, is located an outlet for water. The water likewise falls vertically through the feed channel into the container. Since the outlet may not block the path of the ice, it must be arranged high above the container, which means that water falls from a great height and there is the danger of splashing. The feed channel also forms a heat leak via which heat can get into the interior of the refrigeration device, which increases its energy consumption.
Another solution is to arrange the outlet for water offset to the side of an exit opening for the ice and to align it so that an angled stream of water is produced that hits the opening of a container to be filled just like the ice. This however regularly leads to the last drops of the filling process no longer hitting the container but falling down to the side of the latter.

Dispensing device for free-flowing or pourable products


Some demonstrative embodiments include apparatuses, devices, systems and/or methods for controlling an antenna scheme of one or more antennas. For example, a controller may be configured to control an antenna scheme of one or more antennas of a mobile device for wireless communication based on a position of a lid of the mobile device relative to a base of the mobile device.

A mobile device, e.g., a laptop computer, a notebook computer, an Ultrabook computer, a tablet computer, a tablet personal computer (PC) or the like, may be able to communicate via one or more antennas.
The mobile device may include a base and a lid. For example, the base may include, a keyboard, a hard disk drive, and/or a touch pad, and/or the lid may include a display, a touch screen, and/or webcam.
The lid may be movable between two or more positions with respect to the base.
In a first example, the lid may be movable between an open position, e.g., when the lid is at an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to the base, and a closed position, e.g., when the lid is at an angle of about zero degrees with respect to the base.
In a second example, the lid may be movable between the open position and a detached position ("tablet position"), in which the lid is detached from the base.
In a third example, the lid may be movable between the open position, and a folded position ("tablet PC position"), in which the lid is folded over the base.

Apparatus, system and method of controlling one or more antennas of a mobile device


A system may include a compressor, a heat exchanger and an ITM. The compressor is configured to receive an air stream and compress the air stream to generate a pressurized stream. The heat exchanger is configured to receive the pressured stream and indirectly heat the pressurized stream using heat from an oxygen stream from an Ion Transport Membrane (ITM). The ITM is configured to receive the heated pressurized stream and generate an oxygen stream and the non-permeate stream, wherein the non-permeate stream is passed to a gas turbine burner and the oxygen stream is passed to the heat exchanger.

Hydrocarbon and carbonaceous feedstock can be converted into H2 and CO synthesis gas mixtures with varying ratios of H2 to CO. Feedstock may include coals, natural gas, oil fractions, bitumen and tar-like refinery wastes, pet-coke and various forms of biomass. The synthesis gas mixtures can be converted into valuable hydrocarbons and chemicals using catalytic processes. The synthesis gas can also be converted to H2 by reaction of the CO component with steam over a catalyst followed by CO2 removal to produce a fuel gas which can be burned in a gas turbine combined cycle power production system resulting in power production with CO2 capture. The conversion of synthesis gas to valuable hydrocarbon and chemical products generally requires a large additional amount of power to be provided to the process and this can be produced from a gas turbine system. The conversion of these fuels to synthesis generally requires large volumes of oxygen which is typically used in a partial oxidation of the feedstock. This oxygen can be produced in a high temperature oxygen ion transport membrane system which separates oxygen from a high pressure high temperature air stream by diffusion from a region of high oxygen partial pressure to low oxygen partial pressure. The source of the high pressure high temperature air stream can be the compressed air stream produced in a gas turbine. It is the objective of this invention to disclose a method of integrating an oxygen ion transport membrane with a gas turbine using a hydrogen rich carbon depleted fuel gas to produce simultaneously power and pure oxygen with high efficiency. It is apparent that the integration of ITM O2 production modules with existing unmodified gas turbines requires an external air compressor supplying part or all of the air flow required for O2 production.
It is the objective of this invention to propose a system which will allow all the fuel gas combustion heat used for air preheating to be recovered at the gas turbine combustion heat input level so that recovered heat can produce electrical power at 55% to 60% net efficiency.
It is a further objective of this invention that the fuel gas is effectively diluted with a nitrogen rich diluent and supplied at a temperature below 500° C. without loss of efficiency caused by transferring heat to the steam system.
It is a further objective of this invention to ensure that the oxygen content of the diluent stream is reduced to a concentration at the ITM exit which will never give any safety hazard when diluent and H2 or (H2+CO) fuel gas at elevated temperature are mixed.
It is a further objective of this invention that the mixture of H2 or (H2+CO) fuel gas and diluent is within the necessary LHV value for satisfactory combustion in a gas turbine. The range would be for LHV values to be greater than about 120 Btu/scf and that the diluted fuel gas mixture would be at the maximum temperature allowed by the gas turbine vendor.
Previous methods for optimizing the integration of a gas turbine and an Ion Transport Membrane which diffuses pure oxygen from a pressurized heated feed air stream have been described in references 1, and 2 which all have disadvantages compared to the present invention as described below.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Generating power using an ion transport membrane


The present invention provides an exposure apparatus which expose a substrate, the apparatus including an illumination optical system configured to illuminate a mask using light from a light source, a projection optical system configured to irradiate the substrate with light from a pattern on the mask, an adjustment unit configured to adjust an oxygen concentration in a space between the projection optical system and the substrate, an obtaining unit configured to obtain data of illuminance of light applied to the substrate, and a control unit configured to control the adjustment unit so as to set the oxygen concentration in the space to a predetermined concentration value based on the data of illuminance obtained by the obtaining unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an exposure apparatus and a device fabrication method.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are available various types of methods of manufacturing a color filter such as a dyeing method, printing method, electrodeposition/electrolysis method, and pigment dispersion method. Among these methods, the pigment dispersion method has been the mainstream because of its manufacturing stability and simplicity. A photosensitive acrylic method as a typical pigment dispersion method forms a pattern by photolithography on a color resist containing an acryloid-based photosensitive resin and having both a coloring function and a photosensitive function.
A color resist is a negative resist. For this reason, irradiating the resist with exposure light will generate radicals contributing to a reaction and photopolymerize a polymer, thereby making it insoluble to a developer. Note however that the pigment components contained in the color resist easily absorb exposure light and the generated radicals are trapped in oxygen in air. This tends to hinder a photopolymerization reaction. In order to obtain predetermined pattern dimensions (shape), therefore, it is necessary to increase the dose (exposure energy), leading to a decrease in throughput.
Under the circumstance, there has been proposed a technique of forming (applying) a film made of polyvinyl alcohol (oxygen shielding film which shields against oxygen) on a resist. Such a technique may cause a pattern defect due to the poor wettability of the oxygen shielding film on the resist. In addition, adding the step of forming an oxygen shielding film will increase the cost. Furthermore, it is not possible to control the oxygen concentration even by forming an oxygen shielding film. This reduces flexibility with respect to accuracy control on pattern dimensions when forming a fine pattern.
On the other hand, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-195445 has proposed a technique of exposing a resist in a low oxygen state upon blowing nitrogen (gas) against the resist without forming any oxygen shielding film made of polyvinyl alcohol on the resist. A technique of exposing a resist upon changing the oxygen concentration in accordance with the type of resist has also been proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-96859.
A conventional technique like that disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2011-96859 performs exposure upon obtaining an optimal oxygen concentration for each resist by experiments and the like and registering each oxygen concentration in a recipe. In this case, if the illuminance of exposure light on a substrate decreases due to a decrease in the transmittance of an optical system or a decrease in the emission intensity of a light source, the photopolymerization reaction on the resist may change. If the photopolymerization reaction on the resist changes, even exposure with an optimal oxygen concentration obtained in advance may not obtain predetermined pattern dimensions because of a decrease in the illuminance of exposure light. It is therefore conceivable to optimize pattern dimensions by increasing the dose. This will, however, decrease the throughput.

Exposure apparatus and device fabrication method


In a centrifugal pump for liquids, in particular for blood in extracorporeal circulation, comprising a containment body for an impeller having the shape of a disk and comprising magnets inside it and having, on both faces, blades adapted for making contact with the liquid; the containment body has at least one liquid inflow connection, which is connected to ducts for conveying the liquid proximate to the center of the impeller on both sides thereof, and at least one liquid outflow connection; the containment body is shaped so that it can be removably inserted in a seat defined in a fixed base within which there is at least one magnet arranged so as to face the seat and being connected to means adapted for rotating it so as to rotationally entrain the impeller.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to centrifugal pump for liquids, in particular for blood in extracorporeal circulation.
2. Background of the Disclosure
It is known that in extracorporeal blood circuits shunted from a patient, particularly during certain operations, circulation is ensured by a pump which is inserted in the circuit, and the known art essentially provides two types of pump: peristaltic pumps and centrifugal pumps.
Centrifugal pumps essentially comprise a body for the containment of an impeller whereto a magnet is rigidly associated; said magnet is adapted for being rotated, thus rotationally entraining said impeller, by a second rotating magnet contained in a fixed base provided with a seat for the accommodation of said impeller containment body; said centrifugal pumps have considerable functional advantages with respect to peristaltic pumps, in particular as regards safety against high increases in pressure at the outlet end and as regards the possibility of sending air to the patient.
The constructive forms of centrifugal pumps present in the known art, however, are not devoid from disadvantageous characteristics, the first whereof is related to fluid mechanics: the presence of regions in which the blood is stagnant occurs in known pumps, with negative consequences from the point of view of the flow conveyed by the pump and from a strictly medical point of view.
A second disadvantageous characteristic in known centrifugal pumps is furthermore constituted by the presence of sealing gaskets which are adapted for preventing the access of blood to a chamber in which the magnet rigidly associated with the impeller is present; said sealing gaskets, which notoriously constitute a delicate element which is often the source of malfunctions, are arranged in a region in which the flow of liquid is not particularly active, and are therefore in bad functional conditions due to the overheating to which they are subjected.
In known centrifugal pumps, the sterilization operation also has problems, since it is necessary to resort to the adoption of sophisticated sealing gaskets in the method which uses a sterilization gas when one wishes to avoid resorting to the method which uses gamma rays, which compels a selection of special materials.
The aim of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a centrifugal pump for liquids, in particular for blood in extracorporeal circulation, having optimum characteristics from the fluid mechanics point of view and wherein all problems related to liquid tightness are eliminated. Within the scope of the above described aim, the invention is to provide a centrifugal pump suitable for any sterilization treatment without having to resort to particular contrivances.

Centrifugal pump for liquids, in particular for blood in extracorporeal circulation


An elastomeric fabric load bearing surface having a non-linear force/deflection profile. In one embodiment, the load bearing surface includes multiple layers, at least one of which is an elastomeric fabric. The various layers cooperate with one another to define a non-linear force/deflection profile. In one embodiment, the load bearing surface includes an upper layer of elastomeric fabric and a lower layer of elastomeric fabric, and the two layers are stretched in different directions. In a second aspect, the load bearing surface includes at least one layer of elastomeric fabric that follows a non-linear pattern. In one embodiment of this second aspect, the fabric defines a body-supporting surface and includes a plurality of undulations away from the body-supporting surface.

The present invention relates to load bearing surfaces, and more particularly to elastomeric fabric load bearing surfaces, such as the seat or back of a chair or bench, or the support surface of a bed, cot or other similar body-supporting product.
There is a continuing effort to develop new and improved load bearing surfaces for use in body-supporting applications, such as the support surfaces in seating, cots and beds. It is desirable for load bearing surfaces to be, among other things, comfortable, durable and relatively inexpensive to manufacture and assemble.
There is an increasing use of elastomeric load bearing fabrics in the seating industry. For example, there are a variety of office chairs available from well-known suppliers that include seat and back portions manufactured from elastomeric fabric. In a conventional application of this type, a layer of elastomeric fabric is stretched across a frame over an opening. In use, the elastomeric fabric elastically deflects to provide a resilient, somewhat cushion-like response to a load. Elastomeric load bearing fabrics are typically manufactured from a weave of elastomeric monofilaments and multifilament yarns, but may include other woven and non-woven constructions. For example, some elastomeric fabrics are woven entirely from elastomeric monofilaments (i.e. the fill yarns are replaced by elastomeric filaments). Elastomeric load bearing fabrics provide a comfortable, elastic, ventilated surface. Although elastomeric fabric surfaces can be quite comfortable in many applications, they are not ideal in all body-support applications. Conventional elastomeric fabric surfaces typically deflect like a sling when a load is applied. Some ergonomists refer to this type of deflection as "hammocking" and consider it undesirable because it can cause the hips to rotate upward. This rotation of the hips can cause discomfort, particularly over extended periods. To minimize the degree of hammocking, many elastomeric fabric surfaces are stretched even more tightly than might otherwise be desired. Although this can reduce the amount of deflection that occurs under load (and therefore reduce the degree of hammocking), it can have an unintended negative impact on comfort. More specifically, stretching the fabric tighter will reduce the cushion-like feel of the surface making it feel more like a tightly stretched drum.
Accordingly, there remains a need for an elastomeric fabric load bearing surface that overcomes the limitation of existing constructions.


When an information seller registers personal information in an information manager, the information seller transmits the personal information from an information seller terminal 10 through a network 100 to an information manager terminal 20, and the information manager accumulates the personal information in a data base 26. When a personal information buyer purchases personal information from the information manager, the buyer transmits a personal information purchase request from an information buyer terminal 30 through the network 100 to the information manager terminal 20, and the information manager terminal 20 searches the data base to transmit the personal information corresponding to the request through the network 100 to the information buyer terminal 30.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a personal information buying/selling method for buying/selling personal information by using a network such as the Internet or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
Personal information such as the name, age, distinction of sex, address, family make-up, occupation, personal history and property of each individual is important information which are needed as marketing data or the like by many enterprises. Usually, such personal information is not targeted as buying/selling articles, and it is general to each enterprise that the personal information is created on the basis of various nominal lists or by accumulating client information needed by an individual enterprise.
However, since the method of buying/selling personal information has not been hitherto established, there are many cases that personal information of each individual is stolen from him/her without individual's knowledge or it is used without individual's permission, resulting in occurrence of social problems.

Personal information buying/selling method


A device for distributing air in a cargo aircraft includes using an air distribution system which is connected to a cargo deck. The air distribution system includes a source for bleed air, at least one air conditioning unit for treating the bleed air, a mixing unit which receives an air supply of recirculation air exiting the cargo deck and treated bleed air from the air conditioning unit, and at least one shut-off valve between the mixing unit and the cargo deck in order to interrupt or completely release the air supply to the cargo deck. A control unit establishes a desired air volume balance for the current operating state of the air distribution system and adjusts the flow volume through the at least one air conditioning unit such that the pressure prevailing in the mixing unit remains at a constant, predetermined value for all operating states.

Shutoff valves are provided in air distribution systems of conventional cargo aircraft in order that the air supply to the cargo compartment or the cargo compartments, also called cargo decks, can be shut off in the event of a fire in the cargo compartment. Passenger aircraft do not have shutoff valves of this kind, as the air supply cannot be shut off in these aircraft, even in the event of a fire in the passenger compartment, as breathing air would otherwise no longer be available to the passengers. The above-mentioned shutoff valves, which are integrated into cargo aircraft, are so-called two-position valves, i.e. they are either completely closed in order to interrupt an air supply to the cargo compartment or completely open in order to release the air supply to the cargo compartment. If there is no abnormal occurrence (fire, etc.), a constant volume of fresh air is therefore supplied to the cargo area of a conventional cargo aircraft irrespective of the transported cargo. As is usual in aircraft construction, this fresh air comes from the engine or the engines of the aircraft and is also called bleed air, as it is bled or tapped from a compressor stage of the aircraft turbines. As a result, the production of bleed air of this kind costs fuel, for the bleed air volume is no longer available to the aircraft engine for combustion and must therefore be post-produced by the aircraft engine.
The object of the invention is to minimize the bleed air requirement of a cargo aircraft in order thus to reduce its operating costs.

Device and method for distributing air in a cargo aircraft


A submerged gas processor in the form of an evaporator or a submerged gas reactor includes a vessel, a gas delivery tube partially disposed within the vessel to deliver a gas into the vessel and a process fluid inlet that provides a process fluid to the vessel at a rate sufficient to maintain a controlled constant level of fluid within the vessel. A weir is disposed within the vessel adjacent the gas delivery tube to form a first fluid circulation path between a first weir end and a wall of the vessel and a second fluid circulation path between a second weir end and an upper end of the vessel. During operation, gas introduced through the tube mixes with the process fluid and the combined gas and fluid flow at a high rate with a high degree of turbulence along the first and second circulation paths defined around the weir, thereby promoting vigorous mixing and intimate contact between the gas and the process fluid. This turbulent flow develops a significant amount of interfacial surface area between the gas and the process fluid resulting in a reduction of the required residence time of the gas within the process fluid to; achieve thermal equilibrium and/or to drive chemical reactions to completion, all of which leads to a more efficient and complete evaporation, chemical reaction, or combined evaporation and chemical reaction process.

Submerged gas evaporators, submerged gas reactors and combination submerged gas evaporator/reactor systems in which gas is dispersed within the liquid phase, referred to generally herein as submerged gas processors, are well known types of devices used in many industries to perform evaporation and chemical reaction processes with respect to various constituents. U.S. Pat. No. 5,342,482 discloses a common type of submerged combustion gas evaporator, in which combustion gas is generated and delivered though an inlet pipe to a dispersal unit submerged within the liquid to be evaporated. The dispersal unit includes a number of spaced-apart gas delivery pipes extending radially outward from the inlet pipe, each of the gas delivery pipes having small holes spaced apart at various locations on the surface of the gas delivery pipe to disperse the combustion gas as small bubbles as uniformly as practical across the cross-sectional area of the liquid held within the processing vessel. According to current understanding within the prior art, this design provides desirable intimate contact between the liquid and the combustion gas over a large interfacial surface area while also promoting thorough agitation of the liquid within the processing vessel.
Because submerged gas processors do not employ heat exchangers with solid heated surfaces, these devices provide a significant advantage when compared to conventional evaporators or chemical reactors when contact between a liquid stream and a gas stream is desirable. In fact, submerged gas processors are especially advantageous when the desired result is to highly concentrate a liquid stream by means of evaporation.
However, many feed streams, prior to reaching a desired concentration and/or while undergoing chemical reactions, produce solids in the form of precipitates that are difficult to handle. These precipitates may include substances that form deposits on the solid surfaces of heat exchangers used in conventional evaporators and reactors, and substances that tend to form large crystals or agglomerates that can block passages within processing equipment, such as the gas exit holes in the system described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,342,482. Generally speaking, feed streams that cause deposits to form on surfaces and create blockages within process equipment are called fouling fluids.
Additionally, common problems within conventional evaporation and chemical reaction systems used for processing fouling fluids include deterioration of the rate of heat transfer over time due to the buildup of deposits on solid heat exchange surfaces and equipment malfunctions related to blockages in critical locations such as gas outlet pipes. These common problems adversely affect the efficiency and costs of conventional processes in that the potential for buildup of deposits and blockages necessitate frequent cleaning cycles to avoid sudden failures within the evaporation or reaction equipment.
Additionally, most evaporation and chemical reactor systems that rely on intimate contact between gases and liquids are prone to problems related to carryover of entrained liquid droplets that form as the vapor phase disengages from the liquid phase. For this reason, most evaporator and reactor systems that require intimate contact of gas with liquid include one or more devices to minimize entrainment of liquid droplets and/or to capture entrained liquid droplets while allowing for separation of the entrained liquid droplets from the exhaust gas flowing out of the evaporation zone. The need to mitigate carryover of entrained liquid droplets may be related to one or more factors including conformance with environmental regulations, conformance with health and safety regulations and controlling losses of material that might have significant value.
Unlike conventional evaporators and reactors where heat is transferred to the material being processed through heat exchangers with solid surfaces, heat and mass transfer within submerged gas processors take place at the interface of a discontinuous gas phase dispersed within a continuous liquid phase. Compared to the fixed solid heat transfer surfaces employed in conventional evaporators and reactors, fouling fluids cannot coat the heat transfer surface within submerged gas processors as new surface area is constantly being formed by a steady flow of gas which is dispersed within the liquid phase and remains in contact with the liquid for a finite period of time before disengaging. This finite period of time is called the residence time of the gas within the evaporation, or evaporation/reaction zone.
Submerged gas processors also tend to mitigate the formation of large crystals because dispersing the gas beneath the liquid surface promotes vigorous agitation within the evaporation or the evaporation/reaction zone, which is a less desirable environment for crystal growth than a more quiescent zone. Further, active mixing within an evaporation or reaction vessel tends to maintain precipitated solids in suspension and thereby mitigates blockages that are related to settling and/or agglomeration of suspended solids.
However, mitigation of crystal growth and settlement is dependent on the degree of mixing achieved within a particular submerged gas processor, and not all submerged gas processor designs provide adequate mixing to prevent large crystal growth and related blockages. Therefore, while the dynamic renewable heat transfer surface area feature of submerged gas processors eliminates the potential for fouling liquids to coat heat exchange surfaces, conventional submerged gas processors are still subject to potential blockages and carryover of entrained liquid within the exhaust gas flowing away from the evaporation zone.
Direct contact between hot gas and liquid undergoing processing within a submerged gas processor provides excellent heat transfer efficiency. If the residence time of the gas within the liquid is adequate for the gas and liquid temperatures to equalize, a submerged gas processor operates at a high level of overall energy efficiency. For example, when hot gas is dispersed in a liquid that is at a lower temperature than the gas and the residence time is adequate to allow the gas and liquid temperatures to attain the adiabatic operating temperature for the system, all of the available driving force of temperature differential will be used to transfer thermal energy from the gas to the liquid. The minimum residence time to attain equilibrium of gas and liquid temperatures within the evaporation, reaction or combined reaction/evaporation zone of a submerged gas processor is a function of factors that include, but are not limited to, the temperature differential between the hot gas and liquid, the properties of the gas and liquid phase components, the properties of the resultant gas-liquid mixture, the net heat absorbed or released through any chemical reactions and the extent of interfacial surface area generated as the hot gas is dispersed into the liquid.
Given a fixed set of values for temperature differential, properties of the gas and the liquid components, properties of the gas-liquid mixture, heats of reaction and the extent of the interfacial surface area, the residence time of the gas is a function of factors that include the difference in specific gravity between the gas and liquid or buoyancy factor, and other forces that affect the vertical rate of rise of the gas through the liquid phase including the viscosity and surface tension of the liquid. Additionally, the flow pattern of the liquid including any mixing action imparted to the liquid such as that created by the means chosen to disperse the gas within the liquid affect the rate of gas disengagement from the liquid.
Submerged gas processors may be built in various configurations. One common type of submerged gas processor is the submerged combustion gas evaporator that generally employs a pressurized burner mounted to a gas inlet tube that serves as both a combustion chamber and as a conduit to direct the combustion gas to a dispersion system located beneath the surface of liquid held within an evaporation vessel. The pressurized burner may be fired by any combination of conventional liquid or gaseous fuels such as natural gas, oil or propane, any combination of non-conventional gaseous or liquid fuels such as biogas or residual oil, or any combination of conventional and non-conventional fuels.
Other types of submerged gas processors include hot gas evaporators where hot gas is either injected under pressure or drawn by an induced pressure drop through a dispersion system located beneath the surface of liquid held within an evaporation vessel. While hot gas evaporators may utilize combustion gas such as hot gas from the exhaust stacks of combustion processes, gases other than combustion gases or mixtures of combustion gases and other gases may be employed as desired to suit the needs of a particular evaporation process. Thus, waste heat in the form of hot gas produced in reciprocating engines, turbines, boilers or flare stacks may be used within hot gas evaporators. In other forms, hot gas evaporators may be configured to utilize specific gases or mixtures of gases that are desirable for a particular process such as air, carbon dioxide or nitrogen that are heated within heat exchangers prior to being injected into or drawn through the liquid contained within an evaporation vessel.
Regardless of the type of submerged gas processor or the source of the gas used within a processor, in order for the process to continuously perform effectively, reliably and efficiently, the design of the submerged gas processor must include provisions for efficient heat and mass transfer between gas and liquid phases, control of entrained liquid droplets within the exhaust gas, mitigating the formation of large crystals or agglomerates of particles and maintaining the mixture of solids and liquids within the submerged gas processing vessel in a homogeneous state to prevent settling of suspended particles carried within the liquid feed and/or precipitated solids.


A layered construction for application to a device or substrate or placement in an enclosed space for use in decontaminating the underlying surface or enclosed space comprises a cathode, an electrolyte layer, an anode and a protective surface layer. A compound that can be electrically decomposed to release on demand and over an extended period of time, an oxidant is included in the layered structure, preferably in the electrolyte layer. Preferred compounds are those which can release halogen ions which react with various different chemical or biological contaminants which may contact the protective layer, destroying, or devitalizing the contaminants.

The surfaces of devices, and particularly electronics enclosed within or behind a protecting structure, such as a control panel, or a enclosing case, are particularly difficult to decontaminate once exposed to contaminating or toxic chemical or biological agents. The difficulties result in part from the inability to gaining access to the enclosed space and, after access is accomplished, introducing any decontaminating agents into small spaces in or behind the devices or components thereof. Still further, many decontaminating agents are delivered as aqueous solutions. The aqueous solvent can also be detrimental to the functionality of the device being decontaminated, causing the electrical components to short circuit and metal components to oxidize (rust).
There are numerous examples of decontamination agents that can be applied to a contaminated surface after the surface has been exposed to a contaminant. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,566,574 covers a composition including a solubilizing agent for the contaminant, particularly cationic surfactants, and at least one reactive compound that attacks or neutralizes the contaminant. Published US Application 2004/0045479, and its parent U.S. Pat. No. 6,057,488, discloses the use of finely divided metal oxides of hydroxides, which are applied to contaminated surfaces. There are also examples of coatings of various different compositions. For example, Published US Applications 2004/01109853 and 2004/0109853 disclose a coating containing a phosphoric acid triestester hydrolase. U.S. Pat. No. 6,566,574 to Tadros et al discloses materials delivered as foams, sprays, liquids, fogs or aerosols to neutralize chemical or biological agents already contaminating a surface.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,562,885 to Moorehead et al is directed to a substance capable of devitalizing hazardous biological agents and deactivating hazardous chemical agents comprising an activated anion exchange resin having a particle size in the range of about 0.1-300 microns, the resin particles being iodinated by exposure to a sufficient amount of an iodine-substance absorbable by the anion exchange. The resin particles absorb the iodine-substance converting the resin particles into activated resin particles. The iodine-substance is selected from the group consisting of I2 (i.e., diatomic iodine), and polyiodide ions having a valence of −1. The activated resin particles are placed into contact with the biological or chemical agent after contamination as a dry aerosol, by dust coating, or by admixing the particles with a carrier to form a coating. The activated resin particles can also be applied to the surface of an object, providing a continuously active coating (active once applied; can not be activated at will or when the contamination is present).
U.S. Pat. No. 5,639,452 to Messier discloses a disinfectant substance comprising an iodine impregnated ion exchange resin which is a demand-type broad spectrum resin-polyiodide disinfectant useful in sterilizing fluids, and particularly a polyiodide that leaves behind nondetectable or otherwise acceptable residual diatomic iodine in treated fluids. U.S. Pat. No. 5,431,908 to Lund also teaches a method of preparing halide-impregnated ion exchange resins useful in purifying fluids such as water.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,236,703 is directed to a polymeric substrate, such as rubber or latex, that incorporates povidone-iodine which acts as a controlled release biologically active agent.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,920 discloses a liquid disinfectant composition which can be used to coat surfaces of a substrate with a polymeric film to impart prolonged germicidal properties to the coated surface by inclusion of phenols, or quaternary ammonium salts.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,798,870 is directed to hydrohalide-polyhalides or quaternary halide-perhalide salts which are bound to polymeric surfaces, such as a fabric or polymer film, using a vinylpyridine as a binding agent.


Side attachment assemblies are provided for mounting an instrument panel cross car support beam structure or the like to right and left hand cowl panels of a vehicle body. Each attachment assembly includes a support member mountable on one of the cowl panels and including an upwardly facing planar supporting surface; an end member mountable on an end of the support beam and including a lower supported surface engaging the supporting surface of the support member and a pair of acutely angled longitudinally spaced locking surfaces extending upward from the supported surface; a wedge member engaging at least one of the locking surfaces of the support member, the other of the locking surfaces engaging a mating surface on one of said wedge member and the support member for retaining the end member on the supporting surface of said support member; and a fastener urging the wedge member toward the support member and holding the wedge member against at least one of the locking surfaces of the end member to maintain all of the members in assembly. Various alternative embodiments are disclosed.

It is known in the art relating to automotive vehicle bodies to provide a cross car beam mounting or forming a part of an instrument panel assembly which is supported in the vehicle solely by attachment to the cowl side panels of the body. The beam may be a simple member or a complex structure, such as an aluminum or magnesium casting designed to integrate into the assembly additional components such as a vehicle heating, ventilating and air conditioning system, steering column and accelerator and brake controls, as well as other items usually mounted in the vehicle instrument panel or dash. Conventional means of assembling such cross car beams utilizing multiple nuts and bolts can be difficult to align and generally requires attachment from inside the vehicle body. An alternative arrangement provides wedge shaped slides on the vehicle's side pillars which receive wedge shaped end plates on the ends of a cross car beam, allowing installation of the beam by sliding the plates forward into the wedge slides. A single screw then attaches the beam ends to the pillars, but attachment of the assembly is still required from inside the vehicle body.

Instrument panel cross beam side attachments


An improved media filtration apparatus includes an upper tank having an end wall and lower filtrate compartment, filter media interposed between the upper tank and filtrate compartment for filtering dirty liquid as it is communicated from the upper tank into the filtrate compartment, a conveyor for indexing the filter media in the upper tank, and a hold down mechanism including a frame having a plurality of lower rotatable spools for carrying and guiding the conveyor along the tank end wall and a skid plate extending generally vertically between the spools for urging the filter media between the hold down mechanism and tank end wall to prevent contaminant migration between the end wall and filter media.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,761,226, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, discloses a media filter filtration apparatus having an upper filter tank. The upper tank includes an imperforate end wall and a perforate floor provided with a lower filtrate compart-ment covered with a filter media. The lower compartment is connected to the intake of a pump. The filter media, either a paper web or a fibrous filter aid, is supplied from a roll or spool of the media and moved downwardly along an end wall of the tank and across the floor where the media is pulled by a chain and slat conveyor. The filter media is indexed, that is moved, and subsequently removed, when contaminated by advancing the conveyor after any vacuum is relieved.
Typically, the chain and slat conveyor follow fixed shoes or wheels around a rear radius path adjacent the imperforate end wall. Normal tolerances associated with the conveyor prevent it from being held tightly against the filter media, end wall and floor. A take-up mechanism may be operated in connection with the indexing of the media to take-up the contaminated filter media.
In this arrangement, particulate in the dirty liquid get between the end wall of the tank and filter media and are free to be received into the lower filtrate compartment through the perforate floor of the tank. These particles contaminate the filtrate, reducing the performance and efficiency of the filtering device.
During start-up and replacement of media rolls, old media is torn in several places and knotted together with a replacement roll of filter media. The knotted section must make its way to the discharge side of the apparatus before integrity of the filter is restored.


The invention relates to a method and apparatus for bending a glass sheet. A glass sheet heated close to its softening temperature is supported on a ring mould and the glass sheet is allowed to bend by gravity. If necessary, the bending can be assisted mechanically. Air is circulated from a furnace section (1.1) above a glass sheet (7) to be bent into a furnace section (1.2) below the glass sheet so as to produce a different pressure effect on the opposite sides of a glass sheet (7). This pressure effect is used to support the glass sheet which is also heated over its central area to a sufficient temperature for bending and/or tempering, said temperature being sufficiently high that, without said support provided by the pressure effect, the central glass sheet area would bend and sag excessively downwards. The generation of pressure effect can be intensified by fitting the furnace with a ceiling (3) which includes an opening (3.1) for positioning said ring mould (6) together with its glass sheet (7) in alignment therewith.

The present invention relates to a method for bending a glass sheet, said method comprising the following steps:
a glass sheet is heated in a bending furnace close to its softening temperature, PA1 a heated glass sheet is supported on a ring mould, and PA1 a glass sheet is allowed to bend by gravity. PA1 a bending furnace fitted with heating devices for maintaining the furnace temperature sufficiently high for bending a glass sheet and PA1 a ring mould for carrying a glass sheet to be bent in the bending furnace.
The invention relates also to an apparatus for bending a glass sheet, said apparatus including:
The invention can be applied in association with various types of furnace plants. In one main type, a glass sheet supported on a ring mould is carried from on furnace section into another by increasing temperature in successive furnace sections. In the final section, a sufficiently high temperature is reached for bending. In another main type, a glass sheet is heated in a furnace fitted with rollers and is then lifted from the rollers e.g. by means of an overhead vacuum pick-up and lowered on top of a ring mould brought thereunder, whereafter the bending can be effected upon the ring mould in the furnace or in a separate bending section downstream of the furnace.
Regardless of a type furnace employed, a problem with bending effected on ring moulds has been the control of temperature and bending in various sections of a glass sheet. If the overall temperature of a glass sheet is increased to a sufficient level in order to effect the bending of difficult-to-bend margianl sections, the central section of a glass sheet is also softened to the extent that it bends and sags too far downwards.
It is prior known to overcome this problem by applying a more powerful heating effect to the marginal sections of a glass sheet for the sufficient bending thereof, but the central area of a glass sheet is left to be substantially colder (e.g. 580.degree. C.) for avoiding its excessive bending and sagging downwards. However, a resulting drawback in this method is that it is not possible to produce properly tempered glass since for a proper tempering effect the entire area of a glass sheet should be heated to over 600.degree. C., preferably to the temperature of appr. 610.degree.-620.degree. C.
An object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for bending a glass sheet on a ring mould substantially gravitationally while simultaneously heating the entire area of a glass sheet to a sufficient temperature for bending and, if necessary, also for tempering.
A particular object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for controlling and regulating the gravitational bending of the entire area of a glass sheet in a manner independent of the normal interrelation between gravity and temperature. An additional feature of the invention is a possibility of focusing the heating effect on the areas critical in terms of bending.
These and other objects of the invention to be described in more detail hereinafter can be achieved on the basis of the characterizing features set forth in the annexed claims.

Method and apparatus for bending a glass sheet


A devolatilizer apparatus and method for devolatilization of viscous polymer liquids yields polymer products with very low levels of residual volatile components. A stream of liquid polymer is dropped through a first vacuum chamber, thereby removing a portion of the volatile components. The stream is collected at the bottom of the first chamber, and is re-circulated to a manifold and liquid distributor assembly in a second chamber in the same vessel. The stream flows by gravity through the second chamber, which is maintained at a higher level of vacuum than the first chamber. Improved devolatilization is accomplished by exposing the polymer liquid to multiple stages of vacuum in a single vessel. The first chamber may be located generally above the second chamber, but in the same vessel, with the stream falling through the second chamber a first time before re-circulation to the manifold.

In the manufacture of monovinyl polymers such as styrene homopolymer, elastomer modified styrene homopolymer, styrene copolymers with acrylonitrile, methacrylic acid esters, and maleic acid derivatives, both with and without elastomeric modification and acrylic polymers, by a continuous polymerization method, it is necessary to remove a fraction of volatile components such as un-reacted monomers, solvents, and impurities from a viscous polymer liquid composed of these volatile components and the polymer product. To accomplish such removal, producers of the named polymers widely practice a step in the manufacturing process known in the industry as devolatilization.
Devolatilization is required for polymer products entering the general consumer market in order to eliminate odors from the small quantities of volatile components that remain in the polymer after production, and to meet the technical requirements of polymers that are used for food-contact applications.
Devolatilization is generally completed in one or more stages involving heating and exposing the viscous polymer solution stream to elevated temperatures and to reduced pressure, or vacuum, where the volatile components are vaporized and removed from the purified polymer. The degree of removal of the volatile components from the polymer product is typically greatly restricted by a combination of the high viscosity of the liquid polymer stream, and the general desire to reduce the duration of polymer exposure to the elevated temperatures that are required for effective devolatilization. These restrictions motivate producers of such polymers to employ a variety of devices to improve the distribution and exposure of viscous polymer streams to vacuum, thereby obtaining a final polymer product with minimum levels of volatile impurities.
The distribution and exposure of the viscous polymer liquid to vacuum is improved with two general types of liquid distribution devices. The first such distributor device relies on pressure generated in upstream equipment to force the viscous polymer liquid stream through a manifold and thence through a plurality of flow channels which may take a variety of shapes, the intent of which is to maximize the surface area of viscous liquid exposed to reduced pressure, and will be referred to herein as a "pressurized distributor." The second such distributor device relies on gravity to distribute the viscous stream over and/or through the distributor to form one or more streams or strands. This second device may be an open pipe discharge; or discharge over one or more flat or tilted plates, shaped plates, sieve plates or assemblies, slotted plates or assemblies; or a combination of the previously named plates or assemblies with weirs that serve to add residence time. These types of distributors are referred to herein as "gravity distributors."
Some manufacturers use only one heating step for all stages, while others use a heating step before each distribution and vacuum exposition stage. Additionally, the incorporation of a small fraction of a highly volatile stripping agent such as steam or methanol between stages is sometimes practiced.
Gordon et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 3,853,672 (Dec. 10, 1974), disclose an apparatus for an improved falling strand devolatilizer. The devolatilizer includes a shell and tube heat exchanger whose tubes discharge as falling strands into a first vessel operating under a level of vacuum provided by a gas pump attached to the first vessel. The first vessel is connected to a second, independent vessel that operates at a higher degree of vacuum, via an actuated valve that controls the flow from and level in the first vessel. Each vessel is designed and constructed as a separate vessel. The claims include a liquid pump to empty the second vessel, a level sensor in the first vessel, and a level controller. The claims are also limited to vessels with generally tapering lower regions terminating at a discharge port.
Hagberg, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,928,300 (Dec. 23, 1975), discloses a process for devolatilizing polystyrene in essentially the same device disclosed by the Gordon patent above. Hagberg claims a process for devolatilizing styrene homopolymer that minimizes the oligomer content in said styrene homopolymer by exposing the tubes of the shell and tube heat exchanger to various levels of vacuum in the first vessel, and passing the polymer solution by gravity and differential pressure to the second vessel that operates at a fixed, higher level of vacuum. Hagberg shows a reduction of styrene oligomer content in the product from 1.7% to 1.2% by adjusting the first vessel pressure from 760 to 50 mm Hg absolute.
Hagberg, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,966,538 (Jan. 29, 1976), discloses the apparatus for the Hagberg patent above (which is essentially the same as the Gordon patent), differing only in modifying the method of attachment of the heat exchanger to insert the discharge tubesheet into the first vessel. The patent also claims the embodiment of this heat exchanger and vessel combination where the second vacuum vessel is not used.
These three aforementioned patents have in common a design whereby the viscous liquid enters the first vacuum vessel through a heat exchanger whose tubes discharge the liquid directly into the first vessel as partially devolatilized falling strands. Further, the liquid passes from the first vessel by gravity and differential pressure through a valve into a second vacuum vessel, which is maintained at a higher vacuum relative to the first vessel.
Newman, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,294,652 (Oct. 13, 1981), discloses an improvement to the apparatus of the above-described Gordon and Hagberg patents. In particular, the second vacuum vessel is partitioned into two compartments with a means of circulating viscous liquid from one side to the other. A baffle is used to divert the flow to one compartment, and a weir is used to separate the tank bottom into two compartments of substantially equal size. The circulated material may be transferred through an orifice to increase the surface area of the falling viscous liquid during devolatilization. The main objective of this patent is to modify the apparatus and process of Gordon and Hagberg to allow the incorporation of steam as a stripping agent to the second vacuum vessel.
McCurdy et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,439,601 (Mar. 27, 1984), disclose a multistage devolatilization apparatus that comprises a heater followed by two vacuum vessels operating at less than atmospheric pressure. The second vessel operates at a pressure below the first vessel. The vaporized volatile components that are removed from the second vacuum vessel are recombined with the vaporized volatile components from the first vacuum vessel. The arrangement of the heater and the first vacuum vessel is not specified. The method in which the material passes from the first vessel into the second vessel is not specified, and neither is the means for allowing the recombining of vapor from the first and second vessels. This apparatus can be operated with or without heating between the first and second vessels. The use of a third vacuum vessel is provisionally claimed. The main intent of the apparatus in the McCurdy patent is to allow condensation of all removed vapor by means of normal cooling water rather than by means of refrigerated water, thereby saving operational costs.
Ando et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,537,954 (Aug. 27, 1985), disclose a three-stage devolatilization process for removing volatile components. Each stage is specified as consisting of a vertical foaming preheater and one vacuum vessel. The third stage is operated at a pressure of 50 Torr or less in the presence of a highly volatile stripping agent, such as steam.
All of the above process and apparatus systems have drawbacks and limitations. In some cases, the limitations relate to the degree of devolatilization that can be accomplished. In other cases, the limitations relate to the kinds of liquid that can be effectively devolatilized with a specific system or piece of equipment. In each case, two or more separate vessels are required to serve as the vacuum devolatilizers, which leads to an expensive and bulky apparatus.
These and other difficulties experienced with the prior art systems have been obviated in a novel manner by the present invention.
The applicants conducted extensive research and investigations, including computer modeling and testing various sizes of the apparatus, towards improving the apparatus employed in a continuous unit operation, by the use of a single vessel to achieve equal or better devolatilization results than systems using two separate vessels.
It is, therefore, an outstanding object of the present invention to provide apparatus and methods that increase the degree of devolatilization of polymers achieved by the system.
Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus and method that reduce the equipment space required to effectively devolatilize a liquid stream.
Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus that is less expensive to build than previous systems.
Another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus and methods that increase the range of kinds and physical properties of liquid streams that the system can effectively devolatilize.
Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus and method for retrofitting existing equipment or systems to increase the removal of volatile compounds from polymers.
Another object of the invention to provide a devolatilization system that is less expensive to operate and maintain than previous systems.
With these and other objects in view, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention resides in the combination of parts set forth in the specification and covered by the claims appended hereto, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed may be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Apparatus and method for removing volatile components from viscous liquids


Provided is a sound processing device including: a sound input unit for dividing an input sound into predetermined time units; a sound processing unit for encoding the input sound thus divided; a noise detecting unit; and an output control unit for replacing encoded data on the input sound with silent data according to detection results of the noise detecting unit. Also provided is an input sound processing method including: encoding an input sound; judging whether or not the input sound contains a noise; and replacing a noise portion contained in the encoded input sound with silent data.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sound processing device and a method therefor, and more particularly to a sound processing device for canceling an input noise, a method therefor, and a computer program product therefor.
2. Description of the Related Art
In an electronic device such as a microphone having an audio input unit, various noises alone or along with a desired audio may be inputted into the audio input unit. The various noises include a noise generated due to an operation of the electronic device. In a portable communication device such as a cellular phone, a microphone is disposed in the vicinity of a key operation unit. Therefore, a sound generated due to a key operation may be inputted into the microphone and sent to a communication counterpart.
For example, JP 3,420,831 B and JP 60-173600 A each disclose a method of suppressing and canceling a noise inputted through a microphone. Other known methods include a method of extracting a noise from an inputted sound and generating a sound wave having an inverse phase to the noise, thereby suppressing the noise.
However, know noise canceling processings increase a processing time required for a sound data processing. In other words, the sound data processing delays by a time required for the noise canceling processing.

Sound processing device and input sound processing method


The analysis method allows analysis of samples with high sensitivity, irrespective of interelectrode distance. The method includes: a step of applying a voltage between a first electrode pair such that an electric field is formed in a direction intersecting a migration direction of a sample; a step of placing a solution, including an electrochemically active molecule that produces a redox reaction at the electrode pair, between the first electrode pair; a step of causing the sample to migrate; and a step of measuring an amount of change in current flow between the first electrode pair.

Conventionally, methods for analyzing diverse types of samples, and determining various characteristics of such samples using current measurement techniques, have been under development.
For example, techniques for analysis of DNA nucleotide sequences are used not only in scientific research, but also in numerous other fields, such as in medical treatment, drug development, and criminal investigation, with increasing interest in the development of such techniques. Therefore, previously, techniques are being developed for analyzing DNA nucleotide sequences by measuring electrical current.
For example, techniques are being developed for performing sequencing employing a single molecule of DNA, by detecting short-lived interruptions in ionic current that occur as a single-stranded DNA passes through nanopores formed by proteins embedded in cyclodextrin (see, for example, Non-patent Documents 1 and 2).
However, these techniques have many issues, such as: (1) pore size cannot be changed; and (2) such systems are unstable since the nanopores are formed by proteins. The development of techniques different from such techniques has therefore been desired.
Under these circumstances, a sequencing theory has been proposed based on transverse electron transport. This theory is based on principles regarding detection of a characteristic transverse conductivity of each nucleotide as nucleotides pass through the interior of a nanoscale space between a pair of electrodes. This conductivity relates to the different HOMO-LUMO gap of each nucleotide.
Specifically, when single-stranded DNA passes through a nanopore interior, a tunneling current is produced between an electrode pair, the electrode pair having a nanoscale interelectrode distance and provided at the edges of the nanopore, through each nucleotide constituting the single-stranded DNA. Then, each of the nucleotides constituting the single-stranded DNA can be directly identified, without labeling, by measuring the current value of the tunneling current (see, for example, Patent Document 1).


Systems and methods for creating an extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) instance document are provided. In one embodiment, a business document production application displays a portion of a business document containing business data that is intended to be tagged; and concurrently a tagging application manager integrated with the business document production application displays a portion of an XBRL taxonomy. Responsive to a user input event corresponding to a selection of an XBRL attribute and corresponding to a request to map the selected XBRL attribute to a selected cell or range of displayed business data, (i) XBRL markup information is created by forming an association between the selected XBRL attribute and the selected business data; and (ii) the business data is signified as having XBRL markup data by providing an associated visual indication. Then, an XBRL instance document is generated based on the XBRL markup information and the business data.

XBRL provides a standard for allowing business data to be exchanged among different computer systems and software applications. XBRL is based upon the extensible Markup Language (XML) and has been developed by a consortium of companies and organizations worldwide (such as accounting firms, trade organizations, software vendors, financial institutions and governments). XBRL provides a basis for users to "tag" or "mark up" data within business documents with standardized classifications or definitions which span a multitude of industry reporting and accounting standards and allow a variety of software applications to understand the meaning and context of the information. As just one example of the use of XBRL, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has recently begun a pilot program in which the filing of SEC reports in XBRL is encouraged.
As summarized on the XBRL International website:
"The idea behind XBRL is simple. Instead of treating business information as a block of text—as in a standard internet page or a printed document—it provides an identifying tag for each individual item of data. This is computer readable. For example, company net profit has its own unique tag.
The introduction of XBRL tags enables automated processing of business information by computer software, cutting out laborious and costly processes of manual re-entry and comparison. Computers can treat XBRL data "intelligently": they can recognize the information in a XBRL document, select it, analyze it, store it, exchange it with other computers and present it automatically in a variety of ways for users. XBRL greatly increases the speed of handling of financial data, reduces the chance of error and permits automatic checking of information.
Companies can use XBRL to save costs and streamline their processes for collecting and reporting financial information. Consumers of financial data, including investors, analysts, financial institutions and regulators, can receive, find, compare and analyze data much more rapidly and efficiently if it is in XBRL format.
XBRL can handle data in different languages and accounting standards. It can flexibly be adapted to meet different requirements and uses. Data can be transformed into XBRL by suitable mapping tools or it can be generated in XBRL by appropriate software."
While the foregoing quote from the XBRL Web-site notes a number of benefits associated with the association of XBRL attributes with data in a business document (which is also known as "tagging"), the accountants and other individuals that generate the business documents for which XBRL tagging is appropriate typically have to associate tagging information with data in their business documents via text/XML editing tools, such as "Microsoft Notepad," or by using complex XBRL-based stand-alone applications that require user to copy/paste, re-key or import data before being able to convert to XBRL.
Consequently, there is a need for tools that allow individuals that generate business documents to associate XBRL attributes with data or locations in their documents that avoids the tagging of information manually via tools like text/XML editors or by using XBRL-based stand-alone applications that are typically difficult for many of the individuals that generate business documents to learn and/or use.