A photosensitive polymer composition comprising, in admixture, a polymer predominantly comprising a recurring unit of the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein x is a tri- or tetravalent organic group, Y is a divalent organic group, and n is equal to 1 or 2 and a compound having a urea bond of the formula (II): ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 is a group having a functional group capable of forming a dimer or polymer upon exposure to radiation, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group is shelf stable and applicable as relatively thick coatings having sufficient photosensitivity to form semiconductor element surface protective films.

In the recent years, polyimide resin materials are used as protective films on semiconductor elements such as transistors, IC'S and LSI's as well as interlayer insulating films between multi-layer wirings. The polyimide resin materials utilized for such purposes are subject to fine working steps of forming through holes or the like as always required in the manufacture of semiconductor elements. For the purpose of completing the fine working process more effective, attempts were made to develop polyimide resin materials which could also be used as photosensitive heat-resistant material.
There were proposed several materials including
(1) a composition comprising a polyamic acid and a bichromate (JP-B No. 17374/1974), PA1 (2) a composition comprising a compound obtained by introducing a photosensitive group into the carboxyl group of a polyamic acid through ester linkage (JP-B 30207/1980), PA1 (3) a composition comprising a compound obtained by reacting a polyamic acid with an epoxy-containing compound having a photosensitive group (JP-A 45746/1980), and PA1 (4) a composition comprising a polyamic acid and an amine compound having a photosensitive group (JP-B 145794/1979). It is to be noted that Japanese Patent Publication is abbreviated as JP-B and Japanese Patent Application Kokai as JP-A.
Composition (1) has a very short pot life and forms Polyimide films having chromium ion left therein. Composition (2) forms polyimide films having chloride ion left therein because a dehydrochlorination reaction is used to introduce a photosensitive group. Therefore films of both compositions (1) and (2) suffered from a purity problem. In composition (3), a photosensitive group can be introduced into the base compound through ester linkage without contaminating it with an ionic impurity, but at a very low rate of introduction which leads to low sensitivity in practical applications. Composition (4) is advantageous in that no ionic impurities are introduced and a sufficient amount of photosensitive group can be introduced, but has some disadvantages. In a prebaking step of volatilizing the solvent from a photosensitive Polymeric solution before exposure, the photosensitive component can be partially volatilized off. A problem also arises in forming thick films. As the solvent volatilizes off in the prebaking step, the photosensitive component becomes a poor solvent for the polyamic acid, causing the resulting films to be whitened leading to difficulty in subsequent steps.


A check valve with a housing and a first flapper rotatable about an axis between open and closed positions includes a first spring mechanism operatively positioned between a static component and the first flapper. When the first flapper is in the closed position there is a distance between the first spring mechanism and either the static component or the first flapper.

The present embodiments relate to valves and, more particularly, to swing check valves.
A check valve is a type of valve that generally allows fluid to flow through the check valve in only one direction. A swing check valve utilizes at least one flapper or disc which rotates (i.e., pivots) about an axis between open and closed positions. When in the closed position, the flapper sits on a housing of the check valve and blocks a flow of fluid through the check valve. When the flow of fluid into the check valve reaches a sufficient pressure (i.e. the cracking pressure), the flapper opens by rotating about the axis. Swing check valves are generally designed for a specific cracking pressure depending on the application. When the fluid pressure drops below the cracking pressure and/or back pressure occurs, the flapper then rotates back to the closed position, preventing fluid from flowing back into the swing check valve.


A system for the generation of Electricity from Thermal Energy using the thermal magnetic properties of a Ferromagnetic, Electrically Conductive Material (FECM) in one or more Magnetic Fields. A FECM is exposed to one or more Magnetic Fields. Thermal Energy is applied to a portion of the FECM heating the FECM above its Curie Point. The FECM, now partially paramagnetic, moves under the force of the one or more Magnetic Fields. The movement of the FECM induces an electrical current through the FECM, generating Electricity.

For decades there has been a constant search for methods, techniques, and equipment for the generation of Electricity. Although there have been significant advances in large scale energy generation, there has been little success in converting Thermal Energy (heat) to Electricity, especially solutions capable of operating on small temperature differences. Furthermore, current large scale Electricity generation systems discard significant Thermal Energy that could be used to produce additional Electricity, increasing the overall efficiency of the system.
The Stirling Engine, developed in 1816, is one method of generating Electricity from Thermal Energy. The Stirling Engine can achieve a rather high efficiency, up to 80% of the Carnot efficiency, limited only by non-ideal properties of the working gas and engine materials.
Stirling Engines use a closed cycle system having a trapped gas, "working fluid," commonly air, hydrogen or helium. The engine is sealed and the engine passes through a cooling phase, a compression phase, a heating phase, and an expansion phase. The engine moves through the various phases as the "working fluid" is heated by an external heat source and cooled by a cold source, commonly a heat exchanger. Changes in gas temperature causes a corresponding change in gas pressure, while the motion of the engine causes gas to be alternately expanded and compressed. The motion produced by the engine can be attached to an Electric Generator to produce Electricity.
Therefore, the greater the temperature difference between the hot and cold sources, the greater the power output of the Stirling Engine. Stirling Engines can run on low temperature differences, for example, the difference between room temperature and a human hand can be used by a Stirling Engine to produce about 1 watt. However, these systems are large, heavy and inefficient for the miniscule power they produce.
Unfortunately, Stirling Engines require both input and output heat exchangers designed to contain the pressure of the working fluid at high temperatures while resisting corrosive effects of the heat source and of the atmosphere. Furthermore, at low temperature differences between the hot and cold sources, Stirling Engines do not produce enough energy to justify their cost, weight and size. Stirling Engines also have a number of disadvantages such as the need to warm up, creating a delayed start, and the necessity for an Electric Generator to convert the generated mechanical energy into Electricity, thereby increasing the size of the system, while decreasing efficiency.
Turbines are commonly used to extract Thermal Energy from a pressurized steam converting it to Mechanical Energy. The Mechanical Energy commonly drives an Electric Generator to produce Electricity. Although these systems are commonly used, they generally rely on high pressure, high temperature steam, which cannot be produced from small thermal sources, or small temperature differences. While efficient for larger energy production, Turbines are not suitable for small scale energy production.
Stirling Engines and Turbines convert Thermal Energy into Mechanical Energy, which, unfortunately, must go through another conversion via an Electric Generator or similar device to convert the Mechanical Energy into Electricity.
Electric Generators convert Mechanical Energy into Electricity using electromagnetic induction. Electric Generators use mechanical energy to rotate a coil about a permanent or powered magnet. Smaller Electric Generators, using permanent magnets, are generally about 40% efficient. With smaller, more powerful rare-earth magnets, efficiency can be increase to about 60%.
More efficient Electric Generators, using a field coil in place of a permanent magnet to generate a magnetic field, can achieve efficiencies of up to 90%. A battery is generally used to power the field coil before a sufficient amount of Electricity is generated by the Electric Generator itself. This external source makes field coil based Electric Generators bulky and unsuitable for smaller designs.
Unfortunately, Electric Generators decrease the efficiency of a system while also adding weight and bulk, for example the weight and bulk of a permanent magnet or field coil.
Magnetohydrodyamic (MHD) generators are another method of transforming Mechanical Energy from Stirling Engine or Turbine based systems into Electricity. Generally in MHD systems, a conductive fluid is pumped by Mechanical Energy in the presence of a magnetic field. Similar to the conductive winding of an Electric Generator, a current is induced in the liquid, generating Electricity. Typically, MHD systems are about 17% efficient, making MHD systems undesirable for larger scale energy production.
Other systems similar to the one described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,191,901, hereby fully incorporated by reference, utilize a MHD design using the thermal expansion properties of a liquid. In these systems, thermal energy is applied to a sealed liquid. As the liquid is heated by thermal energy it is driven by free convection and moved a reduction in density of the heated liquid, which pushes the liquid through the system. Unfortunately, these systems have very poor efficiencies and result in an over complicated, over-sized and heavy solution for the energy they produce.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,510,397; 2,881,384; and 2,915,652, hereby fully incorporated by reference, describe devices capable of generating Electricity from temperature differences from thermionic emission within solid state devices. These devices commonly use two semiconductors, an anode and a cathode. The cathode is constructed of a material having a higher work function than the anode. Application of sufficient heat to the cathode causes thermionic emission, causing a small percentage of emitted electrons to reach the anode (moving from the higher work function of the cathode to the lower work function of the anode). Unfortunately, these systems are plagued by low power generation, and poor efficiency.
Generally, electrons freed by thermal energy at the cathode are motivated to traverse to the anode only by the different work functions. The presence of a cloud of free electrons in the anode, tend to repel electrons emitted from the cathode, known as the Space Charge Effect. This phenomenon limits electron movement between the cathode and anode to only those having a high enough velocity to pass through the Space Charge, significantly reducing efficiently. Although small, these systems have been unable to achieve any sizable power generation and are too cost prohibitive given the power they produce.
The foregoing solutions utilize substantially mature technologies. It is desirable to have a new method of generating electricity from thermal energy capable of maturing into methods and devices having properties unachievable by current methods.
Therefore it is desirable to generate Electricity in a compact, efficient manner from small temperature differences. Furthermore, it is desirable to have a system capable of directly producing Electricity without the need of an Electronic Generator, adding weight, size, while reducing efficiency.

Thermal to electricity conversion using thermal magnetic properties

United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy


A method, computer system, and a computer program product for ensuring integrity of records in a NoSQL database including a first table and a second table is provided. The present invention may include the first table having first records representing respective first entities and the second table having second records representing respective second entities. The present invention may include using a hash table associating each second entity of the second table with the respective hash or summary hash values of first records for reading the second records of the second table.

The present invention relates generally to the field of computing, and more particularly to databases.
A not only structured query language ("NoSQL") database provides a mechanism for storage and retrieval of data that is modeled in means other than the tabular relations used in relational databases. NoSQL databases store many to many relationships by storing them redundantly (e.g., in NoSQL databases there are no referential integrity). It is the responsibility of database designer to ensure that the denormalized database does not become inconsistent. However, this increases the risk that the data of the NoSQL database may get out of sync with one another.

Ensuring integrity of records in a not only structured query language database

International Business Machines Corporation


A method for operating a gas turbine engine, including a first compressor, a second compressor, and a turbine, coupled together in serial flow arrangement. The method includes channeling compressed airflow discharged from the first compressor through an intercooler having a cooling medium flowing therethrough, operating the intercooler such that condensate is formed in the intercooler from the compressed airflow, and channeling the condensate to an inlet of the first or second compressor to facilitate reducing an operating temperature of the gas turbine engine.

This invention relates generally to gas turbine engines, and more specifically to methods and apparatus for operating gas turbine engines.
Gas turbine engines generally include, in serial flow arrangement, a high-pressure compressor for compressing air flowing through the engine, a combustor in which fuel is mixed with the compressed air and ignited to form a high temperature gas stream, and a high pressure turbine. The high-pressure compressor, combustor and high-pressure turbine are sometimes collectively referred to as the core engine. Such gas turbine engines also may include a low-pressure compressor, or booster, for supplying compressed air to the high pressure compressor.
Gas turbine engines are used in many applications, including in aircraft, power generation, and marine applications. The desired engine operating characteristics vary, of course, from application to application. More particularly, when the engine is operated in an environment in which the ambient temperature is reduced in comparison to other environments, the engine may be capable of operating with a higher shaft horse power (SHP) and an increased output, without increasing the core engine temperature to unacceptably high levels. However, if the ambient temperature is increased, the core engine temperature may rise to an unacceptably high level if a high SHP output is being delivered.
To facilitate meeting operating demands, even when the engine ambient temperature is high, e.g., on hot days, at least some known gas turbine engines include an intercooler heat exchanger positioned between the booster compressor and the high pressure compressor to facilitate reducing the temperature of the air entering the high pressure compressor. Using an intercooler facilitates increasing the efficiency of the engine while reducing the quantity of work performed by the high pressure compressor. However, when the intercooler is operated during relatively hot day and/or humid operating conditions, water condenses out of the intercooler airstream into the bottom of the intercooler. Consequently, the water is removed from the engine cooling cycle which may result in both an output power and an efficiency of the gas turbine engine being reduced.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Gas turbine cooling systems and methods of assembly


A system and method for rewarding a customer's loyalty to a retail establishment and encouraging regular customer visits by offering a progressive discount on their purchases includes a point of sale (POS) controller that determines a loyal customer's discount. The value of the discount is dependent upon the customer visiting the retail establishment on a regular basis. A customer's visits are tracked, and the customer is provided with a discount that is incremented by a pre-defined value if the customer visits at least once every pre-defined period. The discount may only be incremented once in every pre-defined time period and may be negated if the customer did not visit at all during the pre-defined time period. Coupons that are representative of the discount earned by the customer may also be offered. If the coupon is redeemed within the pre-defined time period, a new coupon is issued having a higher discount value of a pre-defined value. If the coupon is redeemed after the pre-defined time period has expired, the customer receives no discount on the current purchase and is issued a new coupon at a pre-defined minimum discount value.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to frequent shopper systems and more particularly, to frequent shopper systems that reward loyal customers with increasing discounts for regularly visiting a retail establishment.
2. Description of the Related Art
The grocery store industry is a lucrative and highly competitive one. There are approximately 75 large supermarket chains in the United States. The large variety of supermarket chains provides many choices from which to choose from, thus forcing each supermarket chain to aggressively pursue marketing strategies to attract customers and induce customer loyalty to their chain. In an attempt to attract consumers, the grocery store industry has employed a number of different promotions. Despite the supermarkets efforts, customer loyalty is no longer inherent due to the increased competition.
The conventional methods of attracting and developing customer loyalty used by a supermarket chain include television and radio advertising to promote their stores. In addition, some stores offer free standing inserts (FSIs), coupons, and loss leaders in order to attract consumers. These strategies, however, erode the gross margin without retaining the stores best customers. Furthermore, weekly advertised specials and coupons by their very nature only attract customers for a given time period. Since the specials or discounts vary from week to week, there is no guarantee or likelihood that a store will be discounting exactly what the consumer is interested in buying every grocery trip. Most consumers, therefore, scan the weekly advertisement of every grocery store in their area before doing their weekly grocery shopping and choose to go to the store that most meets their needs.
Many supermarket chains also have established "superstores" to provide increased convenience for the customers with at least the intent to attract more consumers. These superstores attempt to provide one-stop shopping for consumers by providing a greater variety of goods and services typically not found in conventional supermarkets, such as bakeries, video rental, banking services, automotive parts and recreational equipment. The advantage that these superstores have to attract customers, however, has been tempered by the increased popularity of these type of stores among the different supermarket chains.
Another attempt to attract customers is the implementation of a frequent shopper card program. This program provides a customer with a frequent shopper card that is presented at the time of purchase. Presentation of the card enables the customer to receive special weekly discounts on specific items purchased. Essentially, these programs act as a paperless coupon redemption system.
The frequent shopper card programs are also used to track a customer's shopping habits. The frequent shopper card includes a customer identifier that enables the retailer to identify, record and track a frequent shopper's purchases. The customer's shopping history is then used to perform targeted marketing functions, such as compiling mailing lists and sending out advertising material or printing out point-of-sale (POS) coupons to the customer.
While the frequent shopper card program may succeed in attracting the consumer to the store on an occasional basis, the program does not successfully ensure the loyalty of the consumers. Since most stores have a frequent shopper card program, consumers simply acquire one of these cards for every chain in their area and go to the one that offers the better specials on any particular week or is the most convenient at any given time. The program does not provide any incentive (i.e., reward or penalty) for visiting the store on a consistent basis.
With the considerable number of supermarket stores in any given area, there exists a need for systems and processes which provide a supermarket the ability to reward a customer for consistent patronage to the supermarket and to promote and reinforce the customer's loyalty.

System and method for tracking and establishing a progressive discount based upon a customer's visits to a retail establishment


A retrofittable kick panel to be installed over the insulation of the inner walls under the dashboard of an automobile to form a suitable acoustic chamber for audio speakers. It includes a plate like base member having a raised portion with a central opening therethrough which opening is surrounded by a mounting rim for mounting of a audio speaker. Adjacent to the raised portion are a plurality of louvers to providing fresh air access to the passenger seats and the floor location of the automobile. In use, the base member is installed over the side wall insulation and fresh air duct under the dashboard of an automobile, forming an acoustic chamber which will receive the audio speaker. Wiring is routed to the chamber from one audio channel of the radio or other audio equipment and to an audio speaker which is then mounted on the annular rim after the removal of any felt installation material that would interfere with the speaker's magnet.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to the field of kick panels for a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to the field of kick panels for the mounting of large, high quality speakers in vehicles.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The installation of speakers in automobiles is well known in the prior art and oftentimes the speakers are mounted in the kick panels adjacent to the legs of the driver and front seat passenger. In general the purpose of kick panels is to provide a finished surface for the portion of the walls of the passenger compartment in the area under the dashboard. Usually such panels are made of hardboard or heavy resilient plastic in order to withstand the occasional impact of passengers' shoes. Another purpose of kick panels is to provide a covering for a layer of heavy fiber insulation that provides sound deadening to protect the passengers from sounds from outside the automobile. Such soundproofing material is usually about one inch thick and fills the cavity created by the kick panel and the outside wall or front fender.
Another purpose which kick panels serve is to provide a mounting surface for fresh air vents. Automobile manufacturers have traditionally found it convenient to mount a fresh air vent in the upper portion of a kick panel. The vents are usually simple grills attached to the kick panel. Fresh air is fed to the back of the grill by way of an air duct that fits into a channel cut into the one inch layer of insulation between the panel and the outside wall of the automobile.
It has been a common practice for an owner of an automobile who wishes to improve his sound system to install new speakers in the kick panels. In general, such installations were convenient and provided certain advantages over the factory supplied speaker. The location of the speakers at the outermost perimeter of the automobile and adjacent to the passengers provided the maximum in stereophonic effect. Also, placing the kick panels under the dashboard makes the speaker retained therein easily accessible for running wiring from a radio located in the dashboard.
The installation of speakers in kick panels can also be problematic. The installer is confronted with several limitations that restrict the choice of speakers which may be installed. The depth of the audio speaker that may be used is limited by the distance from the surface of the kick panel to the outside wall of front fender of the automobile. In most cases this dimension is about one to one and one fourth inches. This limitation, in turn, restricts the diameter of the speaker cone. In many cases the size of the cone becomes limited to a diameter of four inches which results in poor sound quality. To overcome this problem owners may purchase larger, specially shaped, speakers that produce better sound. In addition to the increased cost, these speakers can cause a new problem: the fresh air vent must be sacrificed or moved to a different location.


A method, system, and product are disclosed for displaying directory information and dynamically updated contact information for one or more people in response to a directory search. A user submits a query criteria when the directory search is requested. A search of the directory information is first executed utilizing the query criteria to return a first result set. A search of dynamically updated contact information is then executed using the first result set to produce a second result set. A final result of the directory search request is then produced by coalescing the first and second result sets. This final result includes both directory information and dynamically updated contact information for each person whose name was included in the final result.

The present invention relates to a computer system, and more particularly to a method, system, and product for providing calendar-based dynamic contact information as an enhancement to directory search results.
Calendars, and electronic calendars in particular, often contain a wealth of information about their owner. For example, an individual may use an electronic calendar to maintain information about his work schedule, his meetings and other appointments, his vacation and business travel plans (including when he will be away, which flights or other transportation he will use, where he can be reached while away, who he may visit while away, etc.), phone calls that need to be made at particular times, and so forth. Examples of electronic calendaring systems include Microsoft Outlook 2000, Lotus Organizer, and Lotus Notes. Such systems are quite popular among users. "Outlook" is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Lotus Organizer and Lotus Notes are trademarks of Lotus Development Corporation.
Use of electronic calendaring systems for purposes such as scheduling meetings of multiple persons is known in the art. For example, an invitation list may be created for a particular meeting, and a calendaring software application may then use this list to check each invitee's calendar for available time periods. A meeting may then be scheduled during a time period in which all, or some majority, of the invitees have sufficient time available on their calendar. However, it is desirable to more fully exploit the information stored in the calendaring system.
An automated system is described in the Applicants' related patent applications whereby electronic calendar-based engines are used to drive other software applications and agents, such as software agents that respond to e-mail and telephone calls and provide automated responses regarding the recipient's current availability. The automated system maintains a database of dynamically updated contact information for a plurality of people or other entities as trucks or airplanes. The automated system accesses the dynamic contact service in order to determine a recipient's current availability. For example, the automated system may determine, utilizing the dynamic contact database, when the person is out of the office and could automatically generate the appropriate responses to incoming e-mails, telephone calls, etc., during the duration that the person is out of the office.
The automated system obtains information about a person's status, such as "in the office", "out of the office", "outside working hours", etc., from the individual's calendar. The automated system then combines this status information with preferences specified by this person that describe how the person could be contacted most immediately, an alternate contact, the frequency with which the person accesses voice mail and/or e-mail, and other information. The combined information obtained from the calendar and the preferences information is either stored in the dynamic contact database or derived real-time.
Directories and directory searches are known in the art. Directory information typically includes a person's telephone number, address, a fax number, and other information that tends to change very infrequently. People may execute directory searches to retrieve this static directory data for a person or group of people many times in an attempt to contact the person via telephone, in-person, or by some alternative means. While obtaining the information from the directory can be easily accomplished using the directory search capabilities, contacting the people may not be as easy. The problem associated with contacting people can be best appreciated by an example.
Suppose a user utilizes a Knowledge Management (KM) system to obtain a list of experts in a particular field. The KM system provides a list of twenty names. The user must then use the directory to obtain the phone numbers for these people. The user may then attempt to call each of these twenty people. If the user is unable to reach any of these people by telephone, the user must then attempt to locate the people, such as by reading their calendars or contacting their managers.
Therefore, a need exists for a method, system, and product that enhances directory search results with calendar-based dynamic contact information.

Calendar-enhanced directory searches including dynamic contact information


The present invention provides a novel dairy product comprising naturally secreted mammalian milk which comprises at least about 0.3% long chain omega-3 fatty acids/g of total milk fatty acids. A method of obtaining the milk is also provided which includes feeding a supplement to a mammal comprising a source of long chain omega-3 fatty acids that comprises at least about 2-10% long chain omega-3 fatty acids wt/wt and a protectant that protects against fatty acid biodehydrogenation.

Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (LCn-3FA) are important nutrients necessary for maintaining human health from conception to childhood and throughout life. DHA, an important LCn-3FA, is a major component of nerve, brain and eye tissue. DHA has been associated with a variety of human health benefits including the prevention and management of cardiovascular disease in adults, improved visual acuity in infants, management of inflammatory disease in adults and help with attention deficit disorder. Other LCn-3FA that have been shown to have beneficial physiological effects when consumed, include EPA and DPA.
The diets of people in many countries and cultures have been shown to be deficient in LCn-3FA. The American Heart Association recommends the daily consumption of fish or fish oil supplement for adults to achieve a combined DHA and EPA intake of about 900 mg/day. The current mean intake of DHA and EPA (combined) for adults in North America (which includes about one fish serving every 10 days) is approximately 130 mg/day or 14% of the target intake.
LCn-3FAs have been shown to be required nutrients for optimal maturation of visual and cortical function in human infants. Evidence suggests that breast-fed infants exhibit enhanced cognitive development over formula-fed infants, and it has been suggested that the deficiency of LCn-3FA such as DHA in infant formulas and cow's milk may be linked to cognitive development.
To address these issues, it would be desirable to add LCn-3FA and/or sources of LCn-3FA to ingestable formulations. However, several characteristics make the inclusion LCn-3FA in good tasting food a challenge. LCn-3FA such as DHA, EPA, and DPA are typically derived from fatty fish and are often used in the form of fish oil with the attendant flavour and odour being major barriers to use. Additionally, these fatty acids contain multiple conjugated double bonds and, thus, are extremely susceptible to oxidation and rancidity rendering their purification, concentration and storage very difficult As a result, LCn-3FA-containing oil from fish, or in vitro cultured algae, which is subjected to concentration, purification, and anti-oxidation is very costly to produce, further limiting its use.
Various LCn-3FA-containing nutritional supplements have been developed. These are usually provided in a compressed tablet or capsule format. While these supplements do provide health benefits, they are still associated with a fishy flavor. An increasing area of interest is food products such as spreads like margarine, instant powder concentrates, liquid egg preparations and bread-containing LCn-3FA. It has been found, however, that while food products with strong flavors and/or sweetness can significantly mask the unpleasant fishy taste, milder tasting products are unsuitable for this type of enrichment due to poor palatability. In addition, encapsulated oil tends to separate, particularly from liquid products.
Bovine milk and dairy products play an important role in human health and nutrition. The Canada Food Guide recommends the daily consumption of dairy products for people of all ages. Consumption of milk is particularly important for children. In fact, milk is the primary source of fatty acids for children. Thus, it would be desirable to provide LCn-3FA-enhanced dairy products for consumption. However, addition of exogenous fish oil to milk results in a foul taste.
Several attempts have been made to provide milk-like products or other products that contain LCn-3FA.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,976,606 provides a process for producing a DHA-containing tofu or soybean milk drink, or a dry powder thereof that is stable and inexpensive. A DHA-containing fish oil emulsion is prepared by mixing soybean milk with DHA-containing fish oil at a weight ratio of 1:0.2 to 1:1, and stirring the mixture. The soybean milk drink can be produced by further diluting this emulsion with soybean milk to give a predetermined DHA concentration. DHA-containing tofu can be produced by coagulating the soybean milk containing this emulsion with the addition of a coagulant. Since the same soybean milk as the starting material of tofu or soybean milk drink is used as an emulsifying agent, even if DHA is contained at a high concentration, this does not influence the taste or properties of the product. A dry powder can be obtained by freeze-drying, vacuum drying or spray-drying this tofu or soybean milk drink as required.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,428,832 relates to a process for the preparation of a PUFA-containing food, such as an infant formula, in which a composition comprising a PUFA is added at a late stage of the infant formula preparation process. In this way, the PUFA's are minimally exposed to conditions during the process that induce degradation of the PUFA's.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,596,302 provides methods for providing nutrition and for enhancing neurological development of preterm infants. Also disclosed is an improved nutritional composition containing specified amounts of DHA and arachadonic acid (AA), as well as the respective precursors thereof, fatty acids, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and linoleic acid (LA). The method involves feeding these nutrient-enriched formulae for an extended feeding regimen, typically until at least 3 months corrected age (CA), preferably to 6 or even 12 months CA.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,727,373 discloses a microbial polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-containing oil with a high triglyceride content and a high oxidative stability. In addition, a method is described for the recovery of such oil from a microbial biomass derived from a pasteurized fermentation broth, wherein the microbial biomass is subjected to extrusion to form granular particles, dried and the oil then extracted from the dried granules using an appropriate solvent.
United States Patent Application No. 2004/0131727 provides dairy products containing fish-oil originated EPA and/or DHA which exhibits oxidation and emulsification stability. The milk is acidified by addition of an acid, fermented milk, or acidified milk containing any of the milk acidified by addition of an acid and the fermented milk. The acidified milk contains EPA and/or DHA as fish oil, preferably purified fish oil or fish oil containing EPA and/or DHA in an adjusted amount. The acidified milk is produced through an emulsification process. Preferably, the emulsification is performed after a fermentation process of the acidified milk process through a two-stage emulsification process.
United States Patent Application No. 2003/0211221 describes a composition comprising a polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and a protective fat, wherein the PUFA comprises an omega-3 PUFA, omega-6 PUFA or a combination thereof. The protective fat may be a triacylglycerol containing at least two and preferably three saturated fatty acids, or a functional derivative thereof.
United States Patent Application No. 2004/0265462 provides an infant milk formula having long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, sialic acids, and cholesterol.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,624 describes the use of triglycerides containing fatty ester moieties that include arachidonic acid (AA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in enteral nutritionals or nutritional supplements. These triglycerides are derived from lipid mixtures which have high levels of sterols and phosphorous. A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises an infant or enteral nutritional that comprises a lipid source derived from egg yolk. The lipid source derived from egg yolk is prepared by transesterification or hydrolysis, subjecting the mixture to distillation, and esterification with glycerin to result in a triglyceride containing the desired fatty acids of AA and DHA and little or no sterols and phosphorus.
Milk fat is synthesized either from FA which are taken up from the blood (60%) or by de novo synthesis in the mammary gland (40%). LC n-3 FAs are not synthesized by ruminant tissues, so the concentration of LCn-3FA in milk is dependent on how much is ingested (from the diet) and on the amount that flows out of the rumen unaltered. The rumen, however, is a site of intense microbial lipid metabolism. Under normal conditions, unsaturated FAs like LC n-3 FAs are hydrogenated by the rumen microbial population via a process called biohydrogenation. This results in a very low level of LC n-3 FAs reaching the small intestine where they can be absorbed.
During the various steps of lipid biohydrogenation (hydrolysis, isomerization and hydrogenation) in the rumen, numerous intermediate compounds are produced. Research has shown that some FA isomers (e.g. trans-10, cis-12 CLA) can cause significant milk fat depressions (up to 25% reduction) even when small amounts reach the small intestine. The presence of certain FA in the mammary gland is thought to interfere with enzymes (Acetyl CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, stearolyl CoA desaturase) involved in de novo fatty acid synthesis. Thus, the problem of getting milk enriched for LC n-3 FAs without causing a significant decrease in total milk fat levels is not easily solved.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,932,257 describes a feed additive, for milk-producing livestock such as cows, comprising a source of DHA and an inhibitor of microbial degradation of DHA in the rumen comprising feathermeal. While administration of this feed additive to cattle results in a milk product that contains DHA, greater levels of DHA in milk are desirable
Accordingly, despite the foregoing, there remains a need to develop a food product comprising elevated levels of one or more long-chain omega-3 fatty acids.


A networked system that provides group play features for respective end users of a plurality of game machines is provided. The gaming machines may be connected together through a peer-to-peer environment or through a network controller or other device. An eligibility score may be maintained by each gaming machine, and the eligibility score indicates eligibility to participate in the group-play bonus feature. The group-play bonus feature is initiated when a triggering event is detected. Intermediate and final results of the group-play bonus feature are provided by the eligible gaming machines to all other eligible gaming machines. Each gaming machine apportions a bonus award from a bonus pool associated with the group-play bonus feature to each player.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to wagering games, gaming machines, networked gaming systems and methods, in particular to wagering games, gaming machines, networked gaming systems and methods having group play feature games.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the prior art, various types of gaming machines have been developed with different features to captivate and maintain player interest. In general, a gaming machine allows a player to play a game in exchange for a wager. Depending on the outcome of the game, the player may be entitled to an award which is paid to the player by the gaming machine, normally in the form of currency or game credits. Gaming machines may include flashing displays, lighted displays, or sound effects to capture a player's interest in a gaming device.
Another important feature of maintaining player interest in a gaming machine includes providing the player with many opportunities to win awards, such as cash or prizes. For example, in some slot machines, the display windows show more than one adjacent symbol on each reel, thereby allowing for multiple-line betting.
Some gaming machine games today include one or more progressive prize awards. In some configurations, the progressive prize may have a small probability of a player winning it; thus making it possible to have a larger progressive prize. In other game configurations, the progressive prize may be a small amount; thus allowing the player to win the progressive prize more frequently. In most typical game configurations, the player wins the progressive prize as a result of a specific game outcome within the primary or main game.
Feature games of various types have been employed to reward players above the amounts normally awarded on a standard game pay schedule. Generally, such feature games are triggered by predetermined events such as one or more appearances of certain combinations of indicia in a primary game. In order to stimulate interest, feature games are typically set to occur at a gaming machine on a statistical cycle based upon the number of primary game plays. To further stimulate excitement during feature game play, some feature games allow for group play of the feature game, that is, simultaneous play of a game common to more than one gaming machine in which multiple players either compete for a feature award or awards or a share of a common award. A common problem with these types of games is that the individual players often have different playing styles and habits, including how much each typically wagers and how fast they play. This can lead to an unfair advantage in cases where the group play feature game prize structure may favor those who have contributed the most to the potential award by wagering more, wagering more often, or both.
While gaming machines including group play feature games have been successful, there remains a need for group play feature games that provide all participating players with enhanced excitement and an increased opportunity of winning.

Coordinating group play event for multiple game devices


A learning automaton can be trained to merge data from input data streams, optionally with different data rates, into a single output data stream. The learning automaton can learn over time from the input data streams. The input data streams can be low-pass filtered to suppress data having frequencies greater than a time-varying cutoff frequency. Initially, the cutoff frequency can be relatively low, so that the effective data rates of the input data streams are all equal. This can ensure that initially, high data-rate data does not overwhelm low data-rate data. As the learning automaton learns, an entropy of the learning automaton changes more slowly, and the cutoff frequency is increased over time. When the entropy of the learning automaton has stabilized, the training is completed, and the cutoff frequency can be large enough to pass all the input data streams, unfiltered, to the learning automaton.

Merging data from multiple data streams can be difficult if the data streams have different data rates. For example, processing involved with knowledge discovery can end up being weighted by a data stream having a relatively high data rate, because such a data stream can have more data than a comparable data stream with a relatively low data rate.
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. The configurations shown in the drawings are merely examples, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

Learning automaton and low-pass filter having a pass band that widens over time


A urea reactor tray having a base plate; and a number or quantity of hollow cup-shaped members, which project vertically from the base plate along respective substantially parallel axes perpendicular to the base plate, and have respective substantially concave inner cavities communicating with respective openings formed in the base plate; the tray having a number or quantity of first cup-shaped members, each of which extends axially between an open top end having the opening, and a closed bottom end, and has a lateral wall with through holes substantially crosswise to the axis, and a bottom wall which closes the closed bottom end and has no holes.

As is known, urea is produced industrially using processes whereby carbon dioxide reacts with ammonia to form ammonium carbamate, which decomposes into urea and water.
A typical reactor therefore contains a gaseous phase and a liquid phase flowing in co-current flows inside a pressurized reaction chamber.
Conversion of ammonia and carbon dioxide to ammonium carbonate and ultimately urea is enhanced (i.e., to increase urea output) using tray reactors.
Urea tray reactors substantially comprise a normally cylindrical shell, which extends substantially along a normally vertical axis, and is fitted inside with elements (i.e., trays) defined by respective metal sections shaped and/or perforated to divide the reaction chamber into compartments and form specific paths for the substances inside the reactor.
Certain known trays are perpendicular to the vertical axis of the reactor, and equally spaced along the axis to the full height of the reactor.
The trays are very often perforated (i.e., have holes variously arranged and possibly of different shapes and/or sizes).
In one embodiment, the trays are configured to be inserted through the manhole reactors are normally provided with, so they can also be fitted to existing reactors and/or removed and replaced. For which reason, the trays are normally made in a number or quantity of parts that fit together.
The trays have various functions, and in particular:                maximize the hold time of the light (faster) phase;        distribute the reactants as evenly as possible along the reactor section, to prevent 'back-mixing';        enhance mixing of the gaseous and liquid phases; and        reduce 'bubble size' to improve diffusion of the ammonia in the carbon dioxide.
Numerous urea reactor tray designs and configurations are known.
Urea reactors with perforated trays are described, for example, in European Patent No. 495418, European Patent No. 781164, U.S. Pat. No. 6,444,180 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,165,315.
Other tray designs for other applications are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,070,360 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,222,040.
Certain known configurations—particularly those in certain of these patent documents specifically configured for producing urea—indeed provide for increasing output by reducing back-mixing and load losses, by ensuring substantially even distribution of the light (gaseous) and heavy (liquid) phases by providing preferential paths for each of the two phases, and by enabling non-intrusive (non-impact) mixing between one tray and another.
Certain known solutions, however, still leave room for improvement.
Generally speaking, certain known solutions fail to provide for thorough mixing of the light and heavy phases (both including supercritical fluids), which, because of the difference in density, tend to flow along separate preferential paths defined by the configuration and arrangement of the trays, and in particular by the shape, location, and size of the holes in the trays.
This drawback also impairs final conversion of the reactants, thus reducing urea output.

Urea reactor tray, reactor, and production process


A propeller assembly is provided for mounting on a propeller shaft of a watercraft. The propeller assembly includes a housing structure having a plurality of blades projecting radially therefrom. A bushing assembly translates rotational movement of the propeller shaft to the housing structure. The bushing assembly includes a spindle having an inner surface that meshes with the outer surface of a propeller shaft and a resilient bushing molded over the spindle. A plurality of spaced, longitudinally extending keys extend along the outer surface of the spindle. In the event that the propeller blades become fixed during operation of the watercraft, the keys fragment from the outer surface of spindle so as to disengage the spindle from the housing structure. In such manner, damage to the engine and to the drive system of the marine vehicle may be avoided.

It is known to propel a marine vehicle utilizing a propeller assembly mounted on a rotatable drive shaft. The propeller assembly includes a plurality of propeller blades extending radially from a central hub. A motor rotates the drive shaft that, in turn, rotates the propeller blades propelling the marine vehicle through the water. Typically, the propeller assembly is constructed as a unit wherein the propeller blades and the central hub are mounted or removed from the drive shaft in unison. Alternatively, in order to reduce the time and costs associated with replacing the propeller blades, it has been contemplated to provide a propeller assembly for a marine engine wherein the propeller blades project from a propeller housing that is removable from a central hub.
By way of example, Chen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,967,751 discloses a marine propeller assembly that includes a central hub secured to the propeller shaft and having three or more axially extending keys on the outer surface thereof. A propeller housing includes an inner surface having three or more pairs of lobes for forming keyways that receive the keys of the central hub. A retainer disc is threaded on a propeller shaft and includes a plurality of angularly spaced ears for engaging with the lobes on the inner surface on the propeller housing in order to prevent the propeller housing from being disengaged from the central hub.
While the advantages of a removable propeller housing are readily apparent, it can be appreciated that it is often highly desirable to retain the propeller assembly on the propeller shaft in such a manner as to prevent any unnecessary movement of the propeller assembly that may reduce the overall efficiency of the drive system of the marine vehicle. However, during such circumstances when the propeller blades engage a fixed object in the water such as a rock or the like, it is highly desirable to prevent the abrupt stoppage of the drive shaft of the marine vehicle in order to prevent damage to the drive system. In addition, it may be necessary to disengage the drive shaft of the marine vehicle from the propeller housing in order to prevent damage to the drive system.
Therefore, it is a primary object and feature of the present invention to provide a hub assembly for a propeller which permits limited continued rotation of the spindle and propeller shaft before disengaging the propeller shaft from the central hub and propeller assembly.
It is a further object and feature of the present invention to provide a propeller assembly that may be simply and easily mounted on and removed from the drive shaft of a marine vehicle.
It is a still further object and feature of the present invention to provide a hub assembly for a propeller which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
In accordance with the present invention, a propeller assembly is provided for mounting on a rotatable propeller shaft of a watercraft. A housing structure extends along a longitudinal axis and has an inner surface defining passageway therethrough. The inner surface includes a first portion being a first radial distance from the longitudinal axis and a second portion being a second radial distance from the longitudinal axis. A spindle is receivable in the passageway of the housing. The spindle has an inner surface defining a passageway for receiving the propeller shaft therethrough and an outer surface. A longitudinally extending key extends along the outer surface of the spindle. The key includes a radially outer surface being a third radial distance from the longitudinal axis. The third radial distance is greater than the first radial distance and less than the second radial distance.
A bushing is molded over the outer surface of the spindle. The bushing includes an outer surface engageable with an inner surface of the housing structure. The bushing is formed from a resilient material and has a generally square-shaped cross section and rounded corners. The key fragments from the outer surface of the spindle in response to a predetermined force thereon. The inner surface of the spindle includes a plurality of longitudinally extending splines.
The inner surface of the housing structure has a generally square-shaped cross section. The inner surface of the housing structure is defined by first and second spaced sidewalls. The first and second sidewalls are generally parallel to each other. The inner surface also includes third and fourth spaced sidewalls. The third and fourth sidewalls are generally parallel to each other and are generally perpendicular to the first and second spaced sidewalls. The inner surface of the housing structure is further defined by a first rounded corner interconnecting the first and third sidewalls; a second rounded corner interconnecting the third and second sidewalls; a third rounded corner interconnecting the second and fourth sidewalls; and a fourth rounded corner interconnecting the fourth and first sidewalls.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a propeller assembly is provided for mounting on a rotatable propeller shaft of a watercraft. The propeller assembly includes a housing structure extending along a longitudinal axis. The housing structure includes an outer surface and an inner surface defining a cavity having a polygonal-shaped cross-section defined by at least one corner and at least one sidewall. A bushing assembly is receivable in the cavity of the housing structure. The bushing assembly includes a spindle and a bushing. The spindle has an inner surface defining a passageway for receiving the propeller shaft therethrough and an outer surface having a longitudinally extending key extending therealong. The key extends radially from the outer surface of the spindle toward a first corner of the at least one corner of the inner surface of the housing structure. The bushing is molded over the spindle. The bushing has an outer surface engageable with the inner surface of the housing structure.
The bushing is formed from a resilient material. The inner surface of the spindle includes a plurality of longitudinally extending splines. The outer surface of the housing structure has a plurality of circumferentially spaced blades projecting therefrom. The inner surface of the housing structure has a generally square-shaped cross section. The at least one sidewall of the inner surface of the housing structure includes first, second, third and fourth sidewalls. The first and second sidewalls are generally parallel to each other. The third and fourth sidewalls are generally parallel to each other and are generally perpendicular to the first and second spaced sidewalls. The at least one corner of the inner surface of the housing structure includes a second corner interconnecting the third and second sidewalls; a third corner interconnecting the second and fourth sidewalls; and a fourth corner interconnecting the fourth and first sidewalls.
In accordance with a still further aspect of the present invention, a propeller assembly is provided for mounting on a rotatable propeller shaft of a watercraft. The propeller assembly includes a housing structure extending along a longitudinal axis. The housing structure includes an outer surface and an inner surface defining a cavity. The inner surface is defined by first, second, third and fourth sidewalls. The first and second sidewalls are generally parallel to each other. The third and fourth sidewalls are generally parallel to each other and are generally perpendicular to the first and second spaced sidewalls. A first rounded corner interconnects the first and third sidewalls. A second rounded corner interconnects the third and second sidewalls. A third rounded corner interconnects the second and fourth sidewalls. A fourth rounded corner interconnects the fourth and first sidewalls. The propeller assembly also includes a bushing assembly. The bushing assembly includes a spindle and a bushing. The spindle has an inner surface defining a passageway for receiving the propeller shaft therethrough and an outer surface having a plurality of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending keys extending therealong. Each key of the spindle is directed toward a corresponding corner of the inner surface of the housing structure. The bushing is molded over the spindle. The bushing has an outer surface engageable with the inner surface of the housing structure.
The bushing is formed from a resilient material and the inner surface of the spindle includes a plurality of longitudinally extending splines.


An improved fast neutron detector fabricated with alternating layers of hydrogenous, optically transparent, non scintillating material and scintillating material. Fast neutrons interact with the hydrogenous material generating recoil protons. The recoil protons enter the scintillating material resulting in scintillations. The detector is optically coupled to a photomultiplier tube which generates electrical pulses proportional in amplitude to the intensity of the scintillations, and therefore are an indication of the energy of the fast neutrons impinging upon the detector. Alternating layers of materials are dimensioned to optimize total efficiency of the detector, or to optimize the spectroscopy efficiency of the detector. The scintillating material is preferably ZnS, and the hydrogenous material is preferably plastic. The detector is ideally suited for well logging applications and fast neutron monitor applications.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is directed toward an improved fast neutron detector, and more particularly directed toward the optimization of the detector efficiency when used in logging of earth formations penetrated by a borehole and for a variety of applications.
2. Background of the Art
In the context of this disclosure, xe2x80x9cloggingxe2x80x9d is defined as the measure of a parameter of material penetrated by a borehole, as a function of depth within the borehole.
There are many types or classes of borehole logging systems. These classes include, but are not limited to, electromagnetic, acoustic and nuclear systems. Each class of logging system typically comprises a xe2x80x9csourcexe2x80x9d which emits energy into the surrounding formation, and one or more xe2x80x9cdetectorsxe2x80x9d which measure energy returning from the formation. Detector responses, when properly analyzed and processed, yield formation and borehole parameters of interest.
Any type or class of logging system typically comprises a source and detector system with sufficient depth of investigation to penetrate the logging instrument housing, penetrate the immediate borehole region, enter the surrounding earth formation, interact with the formation, and induce some type of response which returns to the borehole and the logging instrument to be detected and analyzed. Nuclear logging systems typically involve the use and measure of gamma radiation and neutron radiation. These types of radiation have greater depths of penetration in comparison to protons, alpha particles and beta particles. As a result, nuclear logging instruments typically comprise a source of neutrons, or a source of gamma radiation, one or more neutron detectors, or one or more gamma ray detectors, or some combination of these different types of sources and detectors.
Logging instruments are typically conveyed along a borehole by means of a wireline or drill string thereby creating a xe2x80x9clogxe2x80x9d of formation parameters as a function of depth within the borehole. Borehole conditions are harsh in that temperatures and pressures are high. Components within a logging instrument, such as detectors, are subjected to these environmental conditions as well as vibration and impacts resulting from the conveying of the instrument along the borehole. As an example, nuclear detectors used in logging applications must be able to withstand these harsh conditions of the borehole environment including temperatures which can reach 175 degrees Centigrade (xc2x0 C.) or higher.
All nuclear logging systems involve the measure of statistical nuclear processes. As a result, statistical significance of the measurement is of prime importance since it directly affects the statistical precision of one or more parameters of interest computed from the measurement. Statistical precision improves as the number of detector events increases. It is therefore very desirable to maximize the efficiency of nuclear detectors used in borehole logging operations. Furthermore, space is often limited in downhole instrumentation making it of utmost importance to maximize detector efficiency for a given geometry allowed in the design of the instrument.
Attention will now be directed toward prior art neutron detectors. Liquid scintillators have been used to detect high energy or xe2x80x9cfastxe2x80x9d neutrons. These scintillators also respond to impinging gamma radiation. Neutron and gamma ray xe2x80x9ceventsxe2x80x9d generate different pulse shape responses from liquid scintillators. Pulse shape discrimination methods therefore provide means for separating fast neutron and gamma ray induced responses in liquid scintillator detectors. Fast neutron and gamma ray measurements can be made with a single liquid scintillator detector. Liquid scintillators are relatively efficient. Unfortunately, liquid scintillators consist of flammable mixtures, and some mixtures have very low flash points. For these reasons, liquid scintillators are not desirable for high temperature, high pressure downhole applications.
Gas filled detectors, such as detectors containing relatively high pressures of helium-4 (4He), have been used as fast neutron detectors. These detectors are relatively rugged, and can withstand relatively high temperatures encountered within the borehole. Because the detectors are gas filled rather than liquid or solid, their detection efficiency is relatively low, and therefore not particularly desirable for downhole applications where statistical significance of measured detector response is of prime importance.
Plastic scintillators are relatively efficient neutron detectors, rugged in construction, and able to operate at temperatures of at least 175xc2x0 C. These detectors are, however, responsive to both fast neutrons and gamma radiation. Neutron and gamma ray events can not be delineated by the shape or amplitude of pulses produced by the detector. The crystal anthracene, a hydrocarbon, is another type of solid material used in fast neutron detectors but, like the plastics, can not separate fast neutron from gamma ray events using pulse shape or pulse amplitude discrimination.
Stilbene and p-terphenyl crystals are fast neutron detectors and are reported to produce pulses which can be separated into fast neutron and gamma ray events. This class of detector does not have the flammability of the liquid scintillators. The crystals are, however, not rated as operable at temperatures of 175xc2x0 C. The crystals are also difficult to fabricate, and availability is questionable with the only known source being Russia.
A fast neutron detector potentially suitable for downhole applications is an activated zinc sulfide scintillator combined with a nonscintillating plastic. The activated dopant is preferably silver (Ag) but other elements, such as copper (Cu) may be suitable or even better activators depending on the application of the detector. Activated zinc sulfide will be denoted by the symbol xe2x80x9cZnSxe2x80x9d in the remainder of this disclosure, with the understanding that the dopant can consist of a variety of materials. The non scintillating plastic can be any hydrogen rich material that is optically transparent and that possesses suitable mechanical properties.
Geometrically, the detector is constructed with a ZnS cylindrical core surrounded by alternating and concentric cylinders of plastic and ZnS. The scintillator detector was first introduced by Emmerich in 1954 (W. S. Emmerich., Review of Scientific Instruments, vol. 25, page 69 (1954)). Neutron and gamma ray events can be separated by pulse amplitude discrimination. Fast neutron detectors of this type are offered commercially by the Bicron division of Saint-Gobain International Ceramics, Inc. The material in not flammable, and it is thought that the detector can meet a 175xc2x0 C. temperature rating with some modifications. The main disadvantage of this type of detector for borehole applications is the relatively small volume, with corresponding reduction in detector efficiency. Furthermore, efficiency is not maximized for specified detector volumes, and in particular for specified detector geometry of diameter D and length L. Detector volume is restricted by the lack of light transparency of ZnS, with scintillations within the ZnS element only being able to reach an optically coupled photomultiplier (PM) tube through the transparent plastic component of the detector. The plastic component of the detector contains hydrogen (H). As with other H containing fast neutron detectors, the material responds to fast neutrons impinging upon the detector by the proton recoil process, with recoil protons generating scintillations within the ZnS component of the detector. Detector response is further enhanced by a threshold (n,p) reaction with 32S as reported by Birks (J. B. Birks, The Theory and Practice of Scintillation Counting, Pergamon Press, page 548, Oxford, 1964). This reaction introduces additional neutron induced proton flux within the ZnS scintillation material thereby increasing the efficiency of the detector.
Measures of fast neutrons are used in many prior art well logging systems to determine formation and borehole parameters of interest. In these prior art systems, fast neutron fluxes are typically measured inefficiently, and in many cases are determined indirectly in that the other parameters are measured and used to compute fast neutron fluxes.
The prior art contains patents teaching various apparatus and method for measuring and applying neutron and gamma ray measurements to obtain parameters of earth formations penetrated by a borehole. Patents thought to be the most relevant to this disclosure are summarized as follows:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,122,339 to Harry D. Smith, Jr. et al discloses a logging system that irradiates, with fast neutrons, earth formations penetrated by a borehole. Fast neutron population is measured indirectly from inelastic scatter gamma radiation detected with a gamma ray detector during bursts of fast neutrons from a pulsed neutron source. An epithermal neutron detector is used to measure epithermal neutron population following each neutron burst. The inelastic scatter gamma ray measurement is then combined with a fast neutron/epithermal neutron ratio to determine formation porosity.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,122,340 to Harry D. Smith, Jr. et al discloses a logging system using epithermal and fast neutron detectors. A stilbene scintillation crystal is used to detect fast neutrons. Measurements of fast and epithermal neutrons are combined to determine formation porosity.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,134,011 to Harry D. Smith, Jr. et al discloses a logging system comprising one epithermal and one fast neutron detector. Formation porosity is determined by making a dual spaced fast to epithermal neutron measurement using a continuous source of fast neutrons. Stilbene is used in the fast neutron detector with a spacing from the neutron source of 40 to 80 centimeters (cm). Pulse shape discrimination is used to separate gamma ray events from fast neutron events.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,152,590 to Harry D. Smith, Jr. et al discloses a logging system which is very similar to the system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,134,011 summarized above. A thermal decay rate measurement is added.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,605,854 to Harry D. Smith, Jr. disclosed a logging system wherein earth formation is irradiated with fast neutrons. A single fast neutron detector is used to measure a resulting neutron energy spectrum by an unfolding process. The patent does not disclose specific detector type, and whether or not gamma ray discrimination is achieved.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,631,405 to Harry D. Smith, Jr. discloses a dual spaced fast/epithermal neutron porosity logging system. Fast neutrons are measured at a short spacing with respect to a fast neutron source, and epithermal neutrons are measured at a long spacing with respect to the neutron source. Measurements are combined to obtain formation porosity.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,068,532 to Malcolm R. Wormald et al discloses a system wherein fast neutrons are detected for the purpose of providing coincident-timing information in lieu of using a pulsed neutron source. The detector is not used to produce borehole logging information, although logging is mentioned in one application.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,008,067 to John B. Czirr discloses a method for monitoring the output of fast neutrons from a neutron source element of a well logging apparatus. The detector comprises a scintillator containing oxygen. The 16O(n,p)16N reaction induced by 14 MeV neutrons produces delayed and very large amplitude pulses resulting from the sum of detected beta-decay energy and the 6-7 MeV gamma radiation from the decay of 16N. These pulses can be separated from other neutron and gamma ray pulses.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,207,953, assigned to the assignee of the present application, discloses a logging system in which fast neutrons and inelastic scatter gamma rays are measured and combined to determine formation porosity (and therefore density), and also combined to determine formation liquid saturation. A liquid scintillator is identified for fast neutron detection, providing both fast neutron and inelastic gamma ray counts by pulse shape discrimination. An alternate plastic scintillator and gamma ray detector combination is also taught in the event that a liquid scintillator is not suitable for a particular application. Fast neutron energies are distinguished by use of pulse height discrimination to provide borehole size compensation for air filled boreholes.
In view of the above discussion of prior art, it is apparent that an improved detector for directly measuring fast neutron fluxes in harsh borehole environments is needed. Furthermore, it is apparent that a fast neutron detector with efficiency maximized for a given detector geometry is also needed. This disclosure addresses both of these needs.
A geometrically optimized fast neutron detector is fabricated of alternating regions of non scintillating, hydrogenous, optically transparent material and scintillation material. The interfaces between alternating regions are critical to the detector""s fast neutron response. One geometry comprises alternating, concentric, right cylinders of activated ZnS scintillator material and non scintillating plastic. The ZnS activator can be Ag or Cu or any other suitable activator. Again, the symbol ZnS is used to denote activated zinc sulfide, which can be activated with a variety of dopants. The detector, however, is not limited to cylindrical geometry and may utilize alternate types of scintillator material. The plastic denotes a material that is rich in hydrogen (H) and that is optically transparent. Fast neutrons interact with the plastic producing recoil protons which enter the ZnS scintillation material. The ZnS material is normally potted with a binder such as epoxy, which also contains H. Therefore, some proton recoils will also occur within the ZnS scintillator region. Protons create scintillations within the ZnS, and a portion of this light escapes the ZnS, enters the transparent plastic, and is detected by a photomultiplier (PM) tube which is optically coupled to the detector. The PM dynode string is electrically connected to pulse amplification circuitry. Recoil proton energy is a function of fast neutron energy impinging upon the plastic component of the detector. The intensity of the scintillation is a function the energy of recoil protons entering the ZnS scintillation material. The amplitude of the pulse from the amplification circuitry of the PM tube is a function of the intensity of the scintillation. The number of output pulses is a measure of fast neutron flux, and the amplitude of the pulses is a measure of fast neutron energy. Pulse amplitude is also affected by the position at which the proton recoil reaction occurs within the plastic material. This effect must be considered in using the detector in fast neutron spectrometry systems, as will be discussed in more detail in a
subsequent section of this disclosure. Recoil protons have a limited range within the plastic materials. Only proton recoil events occurring near a plastic-ZnS interface will enter the scintillation material and therefore create a scintillation. ZnS is not light transparent. As a result, only proton scintillation events occurring near a ZnS-plastic interface enter a transparent plastic cylindrical annuli, and are eventually detected by the PM tube and recorded as a fast neutron event.
There is also evidence that additional proton flux is generated within the ZnS scintillation material by fast neutrons through the 32S(n,p)32P reaction. These protons also create scintillations within the ZnS material.
For a given overall detector diameter D, efficiency can generally be increased by decreasing the radial wall thickness of the ZnS and plastic cylinders, thereby increasing the ZnS-plastic surface area. If, however, the wall thickness of the plastic cylinders is decreased too much, the cylinders cease to become an efficient source of recoil protons, and further cease to become a scintillation xe2x80x9clight pathxe2x80x9d to the PM photocathode. Furthermore, if the radial wall thickness of the ZnS cylinders is decreased too much, the cylinders will not scintillate all entering recoil protons. Stated another way, the ZnS and plastic cylinder wall thicknesses for maximum detector efficiency is a xe2x80x9ctrade-offxe2x80x9d, and these dimensions must be optimized for a given detector diameter D. Detector efficiency can also be increased by increasing the length L of the detector. Length is also a trade-off parameter in that excessive length can decrease the detector""s gamma ray rejection capability, and further decrease the efficiency of the plastic annuli as light paths to the PM photocathode.
The geometrically optimized ZnS/plastic fast neutron detector is ideally suited for use in any downhole instrument in which a measure of fast neutrons is desired. One application is disclosed in the previously referenced U.S. Pat. No. 6,207,953, assigned to the assignee of the present application, and hereby incorporated in this disclosure by reference. The logging system uses measures of fast neutrons and inelastic scatter gamma rays, which are combined to determine formation porosity (and therefore density), and also combined to determine formation liquid saturation. A pulsed neutron generator provides a source of fast neutrons. Sodium iodide is a suitable inelastic gamma ray detector, wherein the detector is wrapped with a thermal neutron absorbing material such as cadmium to prevent neutron activation of the crystal. A ZnS/plastic detector is used to measure fast neutrons, wherein the geometry of the detector is optimized for maximum efficiency for the space available for the detector within the instrument or logging xe2x80x9ctoolxe2x80x9d. A ratio of fast neutron energies is determined by use of pulse height discrimination to provide borehole size compensation for air filled boreholes. As mentioned previously, both impinging fast neutron energy and the position at which a neutron induced proton recoil event occurs within the plastic component of the detector affect measured pulse amplitude. It is necessary to account for proton energy loss, commonly referred to as xe2x80x9cdE/dxxe2x80x9d, as the proton moves from the plastic component into the scintillation component, as will be discussed subsequently.
The geometrically optimized detector is suited for use as a monitor of output from fast neutron sources. This application is not only applicable to well logging apparatus and methods, but also applicable to a wide range of analytical and testing methods and apparatus which use fast neutron sources.

Geometrically optimized fast neutron detector


In certain applications, differential amplifiers with infinite common mode rejection ratios are desirable. However, resistance mismatches due to imperfections in the manufacturing create finite common mode rejection ratio in differential amplifiers degrading their performance. Disclosed are apparatus and method for improving the common mode rejection ratio of practical differential amplifiers.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to electronics, and more particularly, to improving the common mode rejection ratio of differential amplifiers.
2. Description of the Related Art
A differential amplifier 106 shown in FIG. 1 ideally amplifies only the difference between the voltages Vip and Vin; however, a practical differential amplifier also amplifies the common mode input voltage. The common mode rejection ratio (CMRR) of a differential amplifier is a performance metric defined as the ratio of the differential gain of the differential amplifier over its common mode gain. What is needed is a differential amplifier with an improved CMRR.

Apparatus and methods for improving common mode rejection ratio


There is disclosed a process for recovering sodium bicarbonate and forming ammonium sulfate from a source containing sodium sulfate. The method involves contacting the sodium sulfate in solution with carbon dioxide and a compound containing ammonia. Sodium bicarbonate is precipitated in high purity form from the solution. It is important to maintain the temperature of the source solution at or above 32.degree. C. This provision eliminates contamination of hydrates or ammonium bicarbonate components. The filtrate of the sodium bicarbonate reaction can be further processed to yield an ammonium sulfate product in the concentrated liquid or precipitated form in high purity. The basic process can be expanded to be combined with a conventional Claus process for sulfur recovery as a Tail Gas Unit, or can be further employed in a wet and dry scrubbing process for FGD schemes.

There have been numerous processes previously proposed for the manufacture of alkaloid carbonate, various sulfates, and the desulfurization of flue gases. One of the primary difficulties with the known procedures for manufacturing, for example, sodium bicarbonate and ammonium sulfate is the fact that a pure product is difficult to obtain when one employs the methods previously set forth in the art.
Typical of the previously proposed methods in this art is U.S. Pat. No. 3,846,535, issued Nov. 5,1974 to Fonseca. The Fonseca reference teaches a method for absorbing sulfur oxides from gaseous mixtures containing sulfur oxides. A sodium bicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate absorbent is employed to achieve this result and the absorbent is regenerated. The Fonseca reference delineates how calcium sulfate may be produced for wallboard, landfill and other such products, but fails to teach a method for producing either pure sodium bicarbonate or ammonium sulfate in purity levels suitable for commercial sale and further for flue gas desulfurization. The Fonseca disclosure indicates that only 67% of the theoretical amount of sodium bicarbonate obtained has an 87% purity therefore leaving a continuous process imbalance without external sodium bicarbonate supply.
A further limitation in the Fonseca reference is that there is no teaching concerning a source of ammonium ions to enhance the effectiveness of the process and result in desirable production of ammonium sulfate and sodium bicarbonate.
Demonstrative of the imprecise teachings in the reference regarding the procedure to achieve the most desirable process and quality products is the passage in column 3 beginning at line 52, wherein it is indicated:
"The aqueous ammonium sulfur oxide mixture produced by the precipitation of sodium bicarbonate can optionally be oxidized and recovered as ammonium sulfate. The ammonium sulfate is useful as a fertilizer and for numerous other industrial purposes."
If this were practiced, there would be a deleterious effect to the overall directive of producing sodium bicarbonate and ammonium sulfate.
Further prior art in this file includes that taught in Canadian Patent No. 543,107, issued Jul. 2, 1957, to Downes. The reference teaches a method of separating polybasic acids from their aqueous solutions and the recovery of ammonium sulfate from aqueous solutions. The disclosure indicates that the treatment of sodium sulfate for the production of sodium bicarbonate and ammonium sulfate may be achieved by exposing the aqueous solution of sulfate to ammonia and carbon dioxide. The result is the precipitation of sodium bicarbonate. Although the Downes method is useful to recover the sodium bicarbonate, there is no teaching in the disclosure concerning how an uncontaminated product of sodium bicarbonate and ammonium sulfate, since these are reciprocal salt pairs capable of the formation of a double salt which can be produced by following the method. In addition, the method as set forth in this reference would appear to be susceptible to the formation of hydrates one being known as Glauber salt when using these salt pairs.
Stiers, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,493,329, issued Feb. 3, 1970, teaches a method of making sodium carbonate. The Stiers method is a co-precipitation method and cannot provide for selective precipitation of desired products since the salts are reciprocal salts and form a double salt. In the Stiers method, the desire is to remove the sulfate anion to use it for the transportation of sodium cations from sodium chloride to the bicarbonating process as sodium sulfate. In addition to the above, the Stiers process involves the continuous recycling of the mother liquor which requires that the ammonium sulfate in the liquor be continuously removed or reduced from the process stream. If the ammonium sulfate reaches a saturation point in the bicarbonating stage, ammonium sulfate will co-precipitate with the sodium sulfate in the form of a double salt compound or two inseparable salts.
Stiers demonstrates a process to generate two salts and double salts rather than a pure single salt, the lafter being much more desirable from a commercial point of view.
Canadian Application Serial Number 2,032,627, offers an innovative technique to produce the desirable pure products. This method employed a number of evaporative and cooling techniques to alter the solubility of sodium sulfate and ammonium sulfate in solution and selectively precipitate the desired pure components. Lab bench scale batch testing of this method demonstrated effective results, however, continuous pilot scale testing clearly identified undesirable limitations to the process as specified. More specifically, the process is difficult to operate in a consistent and continuous mode and as such is highly susceptible to ammonia sulfate contamination with sodium sulfate, resulting in a commercially undesirable double salt product.
In greater detail of the teachings of the Canadian application, it is taught that brine remaining after screening sodium sulfate has a temperature of 95.degree. C. to 60.degree. C., the solubility of ammonium sulfate is decreased while the solubility of sodium sulfate increases. The result is that more ammonium sulfate precipitates while keeping sodium sulfate in solution.
By following the teachings, the mixed solution is supersaturated with sodium sulfate due to evaporation at 95.degree. C. and specifically results in the production of double salt when the ammonium sulfate crystallization step of 60.degree. C. is attempted as a continuous process.
In view of what has been previously proposed in the art, it is clear that a need exists for a process of recovering sodium carbonate compounds and the formation ammonium sulfate from a source of sulfate which overcomes the limitations regarding purity, precipitation, selectivity and other such limitations and reduces sulfur emissions from industrial facilities. The present invention is directed to circumventing the previously encountered difficulties of reciprocating salt pairs and employing the improved process for flue gas desulfurization and inorganic value recovery.

Method for production of sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate and ammonium sulfate from sodium sulfate


A keg is formed from (A) a shaped jacket or liner forming a container, obtained from at least two nonsymmetrical parts (1a, 1b) welded together, one of the parts containing an opening provided with a neck, and (B) a filling/tapping device (3) positioned in the neck of the opening. The part of the container with the filling/tapping opening contains a riser or peripheral skirt (13) having a height at least equal to that of the outer part of the filling/tapping device and, optionally, sufficient to contain at least one cut-out forming a handle, and while the neck of the opening contains a part (9) extending inside the lumen of the jacket and having a limited diameter at its end (10), so as to permit passage and maintenance of the tapping device (3), and containing at least one other opening (11), advantageously on the periphery of the opening for passage and maintenance of the tapping device.

The invention concerns the transportation, storage and supply of beverages, notably carbonated beverages such as beer and the like, to soft drink manufacturers and/or to the consumer. It concerns, in particular, a container, also referred to below as "keg," for transporting, storing and drawing off beverages under the effect of pressure.
The invention thus especially concerns a keg for one-time use or a disposable keg and, in particular, a disposable keg for liquids under pressure, notably for beer.
To simplify matters, the invention will be described below with reference to a beer keg, but it is clear that this use in no way limits the scope and range of the invention. The invention more generally applies, in fact, to any liquid intended to be tapped from a keg, which tapping can then be carried out under the own pressure of the liquid contained in the keg and/or under the pressure of a gas introduced in the latter on the tapping operation, as, for example, in racking wine with nitrogen under pressure.
Patent FR-A 2,719,285 describes a container for fluid under internal pressure, consisting of the combination of a chamber for the fluid, an outer jacket defining a space with said chamber and a layer of a material filling said space. According to working variants of that product, the outer jacket and the material filling said space can be made of the same material and have a structure cast in one piece. Tapping of the liquid in that container can be carried out in the traditional matter by means of a plunger tube of known type, which contains the openings necessary for entry of the tapping gas, while the liquid drawn off is extracted through the plunger tube of said pipe.
According to patent EP-A 0,162,117, containers are known which are utilized as washable and reusable beer kegs, consisting of two halves formed by injection molding and welded together along a line forming a median peripheral line of the keg thus formed. The keg in question contains a plunging collar which constitutes a tapping pipe head support and which either forms one and the same piece with the upper part of the keg, and, in that case, all of the pipe head pieces must be forcibly mounted at the top, with the risk of deformation and loss of tightness, or is a piece attached and glued or welded, and in that case, the pipe head assembly must be mounted from the inside, before welding of the second half of the keg to the first half.
As for patent FR-A 2,776,637, it describes a container for one-time use with tapping pipe, in which the chamber for the fluid and the filling and/or tapping device present a monolithic structure. The pipe is not held inside the container. It is tightly joined to the neck of the container by fastening on the latter as soon as it is hot-stripped and under the effect of the shrinkage that said neck undergoes on cooling.
A need therefore existed for a container useful notably as a beer keg, having a simple structure in order to make it possible to lower its production cost and containing means for filling and/or tapping its contents. A need further existed for such a beer keg which could be a disposable keg, that is, non-reusable and the materials of which could, however, be recycled. It has now been found that these objectives can be accomplished, together with others which will become more apparent from the description that follows, thanks to a container for fluid, preferably for liquid under pressure, constituting a keg made of thermoplastic material and shaped preferably by injection molding, containing within its space an arrangement of means capable of making possible filling with a fluid, preservation and transportation of said container, as well as tapping of the fluid by pressurization of the interior volume of said container.

Cask for drawing off liquids under the effect of pressure


An inkjet printer includes a housing, a first ink tank provided outside the housing, the first ink tank configured to store ink, a carriage having a second ink tank provided inside the housing, the second ink tank configured to store the ink, and a tube bundle obtained by bundling a plurality of tubes by which the second ink tank and the first ink tank are coupled. The housing is provided with a paper exit through which a sheet in the housing passes, the tube bundle passes through the paper exit, and a tube alignment direction of the tube bundle at the paper exit intersects with a sheet surface normal direction of the sheet at the paper exit.

The present disclosure relates to an inkjet printer and an ink supply unit.
Typically, as described in JP-A-2013-198992, an inkjet recording device is known which includes a recording head and an ink accommodating unit provided outside a housing of the inkjet recording device. Further, the inkjet recording device includes a tube configured to guide ink in the ink accommodating unit to a recording head, and the tube couples the ink accommodating unit and the recording head via a notch provided on a side wall of the housing.


A device includes process mitigating timing (PMT) circuitry. The PMT circuitry allows for adjustment of a clock signal while compensating for process variation within the PMT circuitry. The PMT circuitry may include process mitigating buffer (PMB) circuitry. The PMB circuitry may utilize replica circuitry and a calibrated resistance to generate a calibrated bias voltage. The calibrated bias voltage may be used to drive component buffer circuits to create a calibrated current response. The calibrated current response may correspond to a selected output impedance for the component buffer circuits. The select output impedance may be used in concert with a variable capacitance to adjust a clock signal in manner that is independent of the process variation within the PMT circuitry.

Rapid advances in electronics and communication technologies, driven by immense customer demand, have resulted in the worldwide adoption of high bandwidth technologies. Examples of such technologies include optical fiber networks, high speed wire-line and wireless networks. Improvements in signal processing and analysis techniques, including signal synchronization, will continue to enhance the capabilities, and hence adoption, of these technologies.


A new and useful apparatus for use in the installation of a composite building panel. The apparatus comprises a corrugated member adapted to be adhered to the panel to form a back face of the panel when so adhered, anchor integral with the corrugated member and extending longitudinally from an upper portion of the corrugated member and lock integral with the corrugated member and extending longitudinally from a bottom portion of the corrugated member. The lock engageable with the anchor of an adjacent panel has the corrugated member as a back face.

Builders and home owners are frequently looking for just the right exterior surface for their buildings. Currently, however, the choice of finishing systems available is fairly restrictive. Two of the more popular choices in tenus of appearance are brick and stone. However, natural stone is simply too expensive for use on anything other than a small number of applications where the market can bear the cost. Even brick has become too expensive for the low and middle class housing market. As such, builders typically look to cheaper vinyl and aluminum siding as the alternative. However, those materials are rarely considered as pleasing exterior finishes. Therefore, there exists a demand for an affordable alternative product, one which is aesthetically pleasing, requires little maintenance and, most of all, is easy to install, either during the building stage or as a renovation project.
In its co-pending Canadian Patent Application Ser. No. 2,107,847, applicant describes a composite building panel which meets this demand. The present invention is related to an apparatus for use in the installation of a composite building panel such as that described in applicant's co-pending Canadian patent application and to a method of using that apparatus in the installation of such a panel.
The prior art describes apparatus and methods of installing a variety of sheet wall panelling, building tiles and concrete slabs using discrete clips and adhesives. Reference is made for example to U.S. Pat. No. 2,120,195, of Valenti, issued Jun. 7, 1938, U.S. Pat. No. 90,924 of Fisher issued Jan. 12, 1905, Canadian Patent No. 686,819 of Medow, issued May 19, 1964, Canadian Patent No. 385,572 of Wardle, issued Apr. 19, 1939 and Canadian laid-open Patent Application Ser. No. 2,022,601 of Francis, filed, Aug. 2, 1990. However, none of these references is directed towards an apparatus and method capable of use in the installation of a composite building panel similar to that of applicant's co-pending Canadian patent application.

Apparatus and method of installation of a composite building panel