According to one embodiment, a developing apparatus and method comprises moving a first nozzle from a scan start position to a scan end position, with holding a second nozzle for supplying a rinse solution to be adjacent to the scan start position for the first nozzle, while supplying a developing solution from the first nozzle onto a wafer being rotated; and supplying the rinse solution from the second nozzle onto the wafer being rotated.

As to developing a resist film on a semiconductor wafer, there is a method which scans a developing solution nozzle in a radial direction of the semiconductor wafer while having the developing solution nozzle jet a developing solution to the surface of the semiconductor wafer with the semiconductor wafer being rotated, thereby forming a developing solution film over the surface of the semiconductor wafer.

Developing apparatus and developing method


A system and method are provided for generating an adaptive clock signal, configured to track prevailing operating conditions within an integrated circuit. The method comprises transmitting a first signal edge to a row of cells within a memory instance, waiting for two or more selected cells within the row of cells to propagate corresponding responses based on the first signal edge, and generating a memory delay signature signal edge based on the corresponding responses. The adaptive clock signal is generated based on the delay signature signal edge.

A typical integrated circuit includes an on-chip power distribution network that is configured to provide a specified supply voltage to circuit elements fabricated within the integrated circuit. Transient operating and loading conditions may cause certain endpoints of the distribution network to exhibit supply droop, whereby the endpoint provides a lower voltage than the specified voltage. A lower supply voltage may increase propagation delays of signals through the circuit elements. Conventional integrated circuits are designed to accommodate supply droop by including an additional voltage margin in the supply voltage to ensure that each circuit element operates according to a specified propagation delay when the voltage provided to the circuit element is within the voltage margin.
A given subsystem of circuit elements may be configured to perform certain operations within the integrated circuit. The subsystem may exhibit a certain propagation delay, which dictates a maximum operating speed for the subsystem. A typical integrated circuit includes a plurality of such subsystems, whereby the longest propagation delay among the plurality of subsystems defines the overall operating speed of the integrated circuit.
In many applications, operating the integrated circuit at a maximum system performance level within a constrained power budget is desirable. To achieve maximum system performance (i.e., minimizing the longest propagation delay), the voltage margin is set to a value that substantially guarantees an adequate supply voltage for operation at the maximum system performance level. A consequence of setting the voltage margin in this way is that system performance levels may be achieved at the expense of power efficiency.
Thus, there is a need for addressing this issue and/or other issues associated with the prior art.

System and method for a dynamic voltage controlled oscillator


An object is to provide a communication device which can transmit different information for each lane in vehicle-to-roadside communications, while allowing vehicles to perform highly accurate position location. A communication device, placed on roadside, for transmitting information to a plurality of lanes, comprises a plurality of transmission means for respectively transmitting information to the plurality of lanes, and control means for causing the plurality of transmission means to simultaneously transmit common information to all the lanes and, during when the common information is not simultaneously transmitted, causing transmission means for a specific lane in the plurality of transmission means to transmit specific lane information having a content related to the specific lane while stopping transmission means for a lane adjacent to the specific lane in the plurality of transmission means from transmitting information; wherein the common information to be simultaneously transmitted contains at least a part of information making a line identifiable in the specific lane information in addition to information having a content common in all the lanes.

As car navigation devices have been becoming widespread, the VICS (Vehicle Information Communication System) has come into use, while road traffic information such as traffic jam information has been supplied as VICS information to vehicles. For supplying the VICS information to the vehicles, vehicle-to-roadside communications and FM multiplex communications have been carried out. In the case of vehicle-to-roadside communications, optical beacons and the like are provided on the roadside, while receivers corresponding to the optical beacons and the like are mounted to the vehicles. In the case of an optical beacon, a head for transmitting/receiving data is provided in each lane and downlinks the VICS information common in all the lanes to each lane simultaneously.
It has further been contemplated to utilize optical beacons in order to assist driving by vehicle-infrastructure cooperative services. In an example of the vehicle-infrastructure cooperative services utilizing optical beacons, a vehicle performs position location according to data received from an optical beacon and calculates a distance from the vehicle to a stop line according to the position location. Then, the vehicle acquires signal information and carries out various driving assistances according to the information about the distance to the stop line and the signal information. The signal information includes cycle information about color lights and right-turn lights and the like, while details of information vary among lanes such as straight-through lanes and right-turn lanes. Therefore, for performing the vehicle-infrastructure cooperative services, information must be set for each lane, while it is necessary for the optical beacons to downlink different kinds of information from respective heads for the lanes, so as to provide different services for the respective lanes.
However, a part of a downlink area of a head corresponding to each lane of an optical beacon enters its adjacent beacon. Therefore, when the heads transmit different data for the respective lanes, the data may interfere with each other because of leakage from adjacent lanes, thus causing errors in reception, whereby necessary data may not be received totally. Hence, the communication device described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-182190) transmits common data common in all the lanes to all the lanes and then, during when transmitting lane-specific data to a given lane, stops transmitting data to its adjacent lanes (i.e., performs time-division transmissions between lanes), thereby preventing data from interfering with each other between the lanes. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-86662 also discloses a communication device on the roadside.


A method for separating and recovering ultrafine particulate solid material from a suspension or slurry of the solid material and a hydrocarbon liquid by precipitation or flocculation of a heavy fraction of the hydrocarbon liquid with an effective amount of a precipitation or flocculation agent such that the precipitated heavy fraction encapsulates the particulate solid material. The method further comprises coking the precipitated heavy fraction and grinding the coked product to an ultrafine size.

Catalysts have been used widely in the refining and chemical processing industries for many years. Hydroprocessing catalysts, including hydrotreating and hydrocracking catalysts, are now widely employed in facilities worldwide. These hydroprocessing catalysts typically produce increased yields, faster reaction times, and improved product properties when compared with prior (non-catalytic thermal) processes for converting crude oils into refined products.
Hydroprocessing catalysts typically employed in commercial application today are classified as "supported" catalysts. These catalyst supports, which are generally molecular sieves such as SAPO's or zeolites, are often composed of materials such as silica, alumina, zirconia, clay, or some hybrid of these. A more expensive material, which imparts much of the actual catalytic activity, is impregnated on the support. These catalytic materials typically include metals such as nickel, molybdenum, and cobalt. In some cases platinum, palladium, and tungsten may be used.
Recently, a new generation of hydroprocessing catalysts has emerged. These catalysts do not require a support material. The catalyst is instead comprised of unsupported, micron-sized catalyst particles, such as molybdenum sulfide or nickel sulfide. These catalysts, due to factors such as increased surface area and other factors not discussed here, are many times more active than traditional supported catalysts. Performance is greatly improved during conversion operations when compared to traditional supported catalysts. One area in which these highly active, unsupported catalysts are currently being employed is vacuum residuum hydrocracking. In the process of being utilized in residue hydrocracking service, these unsupported catalysts often suffer a high amount of metals (specifically vanadium) and coke deposition, which increases the need for fresh makeup catalyst.
One drawback to both supported and unsupported catalysts is their cost. Typically, replacement costs for an expensive noble metal catalyst may be a major operating expenditure item in a refinery or chemical plant. A market has thus emerged to reclaim spent catalysts, and specifically spent hydroprocessing catalysts, so that the valuable metals can be recycled. The current high price of various metals has driven this need even further. Several spent catalyst reclaimers are currently in business at various locations around the world. Unfortunately, however, these roasting (or pyrometallurgical) based reclaimers are designed to recover metals from supported catalysts.
Due to the high concentrations of valuable metals, specifically molybdenum and nickel, used in this new generation of unsupported catalysts, a need has been identified for an economical unsupported catalyst metals recovery process which depends upon a feedstock of spent catalyst free of oil for the greatest efficiency in catalyst recovery. Co-pending patent application, Ser. No. 11/192,522 discloses a novel process for the removal of metals from an unsupported spent catalyst. In this method the unsupported spent catalyst is subject to leaching reactions. Vanadium is removed as a precipitate, while a solution comprising molybdenum and nickel is subjected to further extraction steps for the removal of these metals. In this process it is important to provide an oil free recovered catalyst as a starting material for metals recovery and catalyst regeneration. The present invention addresses this need and provides a novel and economical method for removal of all hydrocarbon liquid materials from spent hydrocracking catalysts as a preliminary step to recovery of metals from the spent catalyst. Accordingly, the present invention is generally directed to a novel method for separating and recovering ultrafine particulate solid material from a suspension of the solid material and a hydrocarbon liquid comprising: (i) precipitation or flocculation of a heavy fraction of the hydrocarbon liquid such that the precipitated heavy fraction encapsulates the particulate solid material, (ii) separating the heavy fraction from the light fraction by centrifugation and, (iii) coking the precipitated combination to remove essentially all liquid hydrocarbon materials from the solid material to provide a dry solid material suitable for metals recovery and catalyst regeneration processes.
Various methods for separating fine catalyst solids from hydrocarbon liquids resulting from hydroconversion processes are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,008,001 to Kitamura et al. discloses a method for separating catalyst solids from heavy oil that, in one embodiment, consists of centrifuging the oil and catalyst slurry and heat drying the resulting catalyst cake at temperatures and/or retention times limited so as to prevent or minimize coking of the remaining heavy oil. In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,511,937 to Bearden et al. discloses a method for recovering deasphalted oil and solvent deasphalted rock from a slurry hydroprocessing system and calcining the deasphalted rock at an extremely high temperature of about 1200° F. to produce an ash catalyst precursor which is recycled back to the slurry hydroprocessing system. In yet another example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,974,824 to Spena et al., discloses a system and method for recovering a catalyst from a slurry comprising the catalyst and residual hydrocarbons by heating the slurry to vaporize the hydrocarbons in a heater preferably designed to prevent coking. In a final example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,732,664 to Martini discloses a method for separating finely divided solid particles from a hydroprocessing liquid comprising precipitating asphaltenes from the hydroprocessing liquids whereby the precipitation process promotes the agglomeration of the solid particles and removing the agglomerated particles from the liquid by centrifugation. Drying of the solid product obtained from the centrifuge underflow is mentioned as a method for removal of the remaining hydrocarbon liquids.
It is an object of the present invention to improve upon the above disclosed methods of separating catalyst particles from a hydrocarbon liquid slurry thereof, which invention is further described below.

Process for recovering ultrafine solids from a hydrocarbon liquid


A connector is provided having an outer housing, an inner housing and a seal. The seal includes a first sealing device that positioned between the outer housing and the inner housing such that a mating connector receiving gap is provided between an inner side of the outer housing and the first sealing device.

In electrical engineering and electronics, there are known a large number of electrical socket and/or pin or stud connectors, referred to below as electrical (plug type) connectors, counter-(plug type) connectors or (counter-) connection devices, which serve to transmit electrical voltages, currents and/or signals with the greatest possible range of currents, voltages, frequencies and/or data rates. In particular, in the automotive sector, such connectors must temporarily or permanently ensure correct transmission of electrical power, signals and/or data under dirty, damp and/or chemically aggressive conditions. Owing to a large range of applications for such connectors, a large number of specially constructed socket and/or pin connectors are known.
Such known electrical connectors or the connector housings thereof may be assembled on an electrical line, a cable, a cable harness or an electrical device, such as, for example, on/in a housing or on a printed-circuit board of an electrical or electronic device. For the former, the component is usually referred to as a (counter-)connection device. If a connector is located on a line or a cable, it is usually referred to as a floating (plug type) connector, a plug or a coupling; if it is located on/in an electrical/electronic device, it is usually referred to as a flush type plug or a (flush type) socket. Furthermore, a mating connector is often also referred to as a plug receiving member, particularly when the mating connector has a support collar which is intended to ensure a more robust connection between a plug type connector and the mating connector, that is to say, the plug receiving member.
Transmission of data is nowadays becoming increasingly significant, high demands with regard to the data transmission being a decisive factor in almost every industrial sector, such as, for example, the computer or the automotive industry. In this instance, in addition to electrical connectors, wide product ranges of optical and electro-optical connectors which ensure high rates of data transmission are required. For instance, in a motor vehicle, for example, entertainment and infotainment data are exchanged not only electrically but also via an optical bus. For these and also other electrical and/or optical data transmission technologies, connectors and connection devices are required which electrically and/or optically couple or connect together the electrical, electro-optical and/or optical components.
Furthermore, for example, for electrical charging stations, connectors or couplings are required which supply electrical current to batteries for various applications. Thus, there are required, for example, electrical connectors for supply units such as, for example, a wall box in a garage, on a carport or on a wall region or electrical charging stations for electric and/or hybrid vehicles, by means of which the batteries of the motor vehicle can be charged with electrical power. To this end, the electrical connector must again permanently and reliably prevent the introduction of moisture and dirt and ensure problem-free transmission of the electrical charging current and other electrical or electronic signals for controlling the charging operation of the battery(ies).
U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,032 discloses a sealed electrical plug type connector for electronic control of an automatic gear mechanism of a motor vehicle. A two-piece housing of the plug type connector includes an outer hosing which may engage an inner housing that acts as a retention member for electrical contact devices. When the inner housing is assembled in the outer housing, the inner housing which is provided with the contact devices is moved forward from one side through an opening of the outer housing, into the housing and engaged therein. The contact devices of an electrical line become arranged in the plug type connector. Remote from an insertion face, the plug type connector and the individual wires of the line are sealed with respect to the environment by means of a rubber seal. A connection of the plug type connector with a mating connector must additionally be sealed.

Connector, in particular an electrical connector


A therapeutic exercise program for treating a patient whose abnormal condition, regardless of its nature and origin, is indicated by a resting heart pulse rate that deviates from the normal resting rate and a maximum heart pulse rate obtainable by physical exertion that deviates from the normal maximum rate, i.e., compromised range and flexibility. At the outset of the program, the patient is tested to determine his initial heart pulse range extending between his resting and maximum heart pulse rates to provide a base line for the program. In the course of the program, the patient whose heart beat is continuously monitored while exercising, undergoes a series of exercise-relaxation cycles. During each cycle, the exercising patient expends a surge of energy giving rise to a high pulse peak rate, the patient then relaxing to complete the cycle. This energy surge induces in the patient's heart a pendulum effect, causing the pulse rate to swing down from the peak rate to a resting rate below that in the initial range. The temporal conditions under which the program is conducted and its duration are such as to bring about a progressive rise in the maximum pulse rate attainable by the patient and to expand his range and increase the flexibility whereby at the conclusion of the program, the patient's maximum heart pulse rate and resting pulse rate approach those of an individual free of the abnormal condition.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates generally to therapeutic exercise techniques, and more particularly to a therapeutic exercise program in which a patient having an abnormal condition undergoes a series of exercise-relaxation cycles in the course of which the patient's heart wave is modulated to improve his condition.
2. Status of Prior Art
The human heart consists of two pumps having similar outputs, one pump sending blood through a pulmonary network, the other through the systemic network of the body. The human heart pumps the entire blood contents of the body through its chambers every minute. In mechanical terms, the heart exerts between 35-50 foot-pounds of pressure every minute. During strenuous exercise, it may exert as much as 500 foot-pounds.
A heart beat or pulse is one complete pulsation of the heart. A typical infant has a heart rate at rest of 130 beats per minute. This rate thereafter slows down so that in adulthood the rate at rest is about 70 beats per minute. When an increased demand is made upon the heart, the heart pulse rate quickens and the heart also pumps more blood with each beat, so that the heart output can be nearly doubled from its normal resting output.
Physical activity requires the expenditure of energy, and with exercise the heart pulse rate of a child may rise as high as 200 beats per minute, the rate dropping to about 80 when the child lies down. With aging one experiences a progressive decline in the maximum heart pulse rate. In exercise physiology, the rule of thumb is that an individual's maximum heart rate is 220 minus his age. Hence for a 50 year old individual, his attainable maximum pulse rate is 220−50 which is 170 beats per minute.
My prior U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,430 discloses an exercise technique for inducing relaxation to counteract the adverse physiological and psychological effects of chronic stress on an individual. In this technique the individual being treated is coupled to a heart beat monitor and his heart beat is constantly monitored and displayed to him as he goes through a conditioning exercise session constituted by successive exercise-relaxation cycles running for a predetermined period.
In the course of each cycle, the individual while operating a stationary bicycle, a rowing machine or other exercise apparatus, is required to raise his level of exertion, as indicated by his perceived heart pulse rate, to a peak representing a predetermined safe upper limit, following which he is must decrease his exertion until he reaches a lower limit at which a recovery-relaxation response takes place. The upper and lower limits are determined by the individual's existing capacity for exercise and defines his target heart rate zone.
My prior exercise technique whose purpose is to relieve mental stress is grounded on the premise that the exertion experienced in exercise and the recovery therefrom entail physiological and psychological processes that effectively corresponding to stress and relaxation.
The present state of medical knowledge with regard to chronic diseases is such that no single cause or cure therefor has yet to be found. Chronic diseases have been imputed to a multitude of factors such as structural abnormalities, gene mutation and altered levels of chemicals, e.g. chloresterol, calcium, T-4 cells, etc. This is the current basis for biochemical testing of a patient's condition. Behavioral factors also come into play in producing such disorders as obesity, clinical depression and sleep abnormalities. Also taken into account in the etiology of diseases are environmental factors including pesticides, exposure to high voltage power lines and atmospheric pollution.
The current practice in treating patients who suffer from abnormal organic conditions involve the use of drugs, radiotherapy and surgical intervention, biofeedback and stress reduction being used to treat behavioral abnormalities.
The concern of the present invention is with treating patients having an abnormal condition which regardless of its cause and nature, is indicated by a depressed heart state, characterized by a resting heart rate that deviates from the normal resting rate and a maximum heart rate that deviates from the normal maximum rate. I have found that patients who suffer from various diseases, clinical depression, anorexia, and a host of other abnormalities, all exhibit a depressed heart condition. The extent to which the heart is depressed and impairs the patient's health varies from patient to patient. But it is this common denominator that is the foundation for an exercise program in accordance with the invention, whose objective is to lift this depression and restore the well being of the patient.


This invention relates to a method of forming a three-dimensional (3D) dosimetric map in a solid translucent or transparent polymer and to an article of manufacture comprising a polymer formulated to capture data imparted by incident penetrating radiation. The present invention provides a method of preparation of a solid translucent or transparent polymer matrix capable of detecting and displaying a dose or doses of penetrating radiation by forming within the polymeric matrix a 3D dosimetric map which is measurable and quantifiable by various known procedures. The dosimetric map is representative of the 3D distribution of the dose or doses of the penetrating radiation to which the polymer had been exposed and can be quantified at high spatial resolution, thereby providing an accurate, stable, storable record in three dimensions of the radiation exposure or dosing event(s).

Dosimeters were developed in order to provide a means of reliably and reproducibly measuring the extent, degree, and distribution of penetration of radiation into media of interest. "Dosimeter" is defined herein as a device designed to undergo changes upon exposure to penetrating radiation, the changes being detectable and quantifiable by the practitioner, and the changes being indicative of the amount and distribution of the incident radiation contained in that exposure. "Penetrating radiation" is defined herein as electromagnetic energy having the form of particles or waves which permeates to some extent a medium of interest in the application. Energy deflected, reflected, or otherwise repelled from the surface of the medium is not penetrating; whereas energy absorbed, transmitted, or in any other sense passing into or through the medium is defined as penetrating. Penetrating radiation may be of natural origin (including, but not limited to sunlight, alpha particles, beta particles, gamma radiation, and other examples of the electromagnetic spectrum) or may be manmade (including, but not limited to neutron radiation, proton radiation, photon radiation, e-beam radiation, high-intensity x-radiation, carbon ion beam radiation, UVA light (400 nm–320 nm), UVB light (320 nm–290 nm), UVC light (290 nm–100 nm), and laser light). It has long been of importance to monitor the extent, degree and distribution of the penetration of this sort of radiation into various media in order to measure and assess the effects of exposure upon materials and humans.
Dosimeters have been known for over five decades. (See Day, M. et al., Nature 1950; 166:146–147 Day, M., Phys Med Biol. 1990; 35:1605–1609; Hoecker, F. and Watkins, I., Int J Appl Rad Iso. 1958; 3:31–35; The radiochromic effect and its chemical mechanisms have been studied as a means of radiation dosimetry (see McLaughlin, W. L., Trans. Am. Nucl. Soc. 1968; 11:460; McLaughlin, W. L. and Kosanic, M., Int. J. Appl. Radiat. Isot. 1974; 25:249; McLaughlin, W. L. et al., Riso Report M-2202, Riso National Lab., Roskilde, Denmark, 1979; Kosanic, M. M. et al., Int. J. Appl. Radiat. Isot. 1977; 28:313; Bobrowski, K. et al., J. Phys. Chem. 1985; 89:4358.). Previously it was shown that radiation can be monitored by exposure of two-dimensional films, plates, or flat composites made from, inter alia, photographic emulsions (silver halide on cellulose and advancements on this art: Becker, K., Solid State Dosimetry, CRC Press, Cleveland, Ohio, 1973, pp. 231–237), thermoluminescent materials (lithium fluoride formulations and advancements on this art, McKinlay, Thermoluminescence Dosimetry, Chapter 4, Adam Hilger Ltd., 1981), phosphate glass, phosphor-containing materials, gels or films containing radiochromic dyes (McLaughlin, W. et al., Radiat. Phys. Chem 198; 18:987–989). Sunlight dosimeters have been described, see Petkov, I. and Nunzi, J. in Third Internet Photochemistry and Photobiology Conference, Nov. 24–Dec. 24 2000; Diffey, B. Photochem. Photobiol. 1994; 60:380–382; Parisi, A. et al., Phys. Med. Biol., 1997; 42:77–88; Diffey, B. et al., Br. J. Dermatol., 1997; 97:127–130; Rahn, R. and Lee, M., Photochem. Photobiol. 1998, 68:173–178.
Examples of "reporter compounds" of the invention. Leuco dyes are defined herein as compounds which undergo a structural change: 1) upon the absorption of penetrating radiation, or 2) by the action of a local decrease in pH brought about by the liberation of H+ ions caused by the absorption, by the medium or by an added activator molecule, of penetrating radiation, or 3) or by the action of radical species generated by the absorption of radiation by the medium or by an added activator molecule. The structural change gives rise to a corresponding change in one or more optical properties of the leuco dye. The change or changes in optical properties can be, but is not limited to, a shift in the absorption spectrum in the IR or the UV-visible range, for example such that the "leuco" or starting structure is colorless and the radiation-transformed structure is colored; or the induction of fluorescence or phosphorescence. Examples of leuco dyes are photochromic dyes, radiochromic dyes, pH-indicating dyes, and radiographic dyes. Leuco dye systems are well known in the literature. Leuco dyes in their reduced leuco form, when properly chosen, can form the basis of color image forming systems. Radiographic imaging based on crosslinking of organic molecules by absorbed radiation has been described (Kosar, J., Light-Sensitive Systems, Wiley, N.Y., 1965; pp. 158–193, MacLaughlin, W. L., in Manual on Radiation Dosimetry, Holm, N. and Berry, R., eds., Dekker, N.Y., 1970, pp. 129–177). Use of tetrazolium dyes in radiographic imaging in colloids and aqueous gels has been reported Zweig, J. I. et al., Cancer Treatment Rep. 1977; 61:419–423). Leuco dye systems are further discussed in Kosar's Light Sensitive Systems, pp. 367, 370–380, 406, (1965), Wiley and Son, Inc., N.Y.; and Chemistry and Applications of Leuco Dyes R. Muthyala, ed., (1997), pp. 1–3, 47–53, 67–74, 97–98, 125–127, 159–162, 207–208, Plenum Press, N.Y. Leuco dyes in solution have been used for dosimetry (Farahani, M. et al., Appl. Radiat. Isot. (Int. J. Radiat. Appl. Instrum. Part A) 1990; 41:5–11. Leuco dyes have been incorporated in polymer films and evaluated as two-dimensional dosimeters: Sidney, L. N. et al., Radiat. Phys. Chem. (Int. J. Radiat. Appl. Instrum., Part C) 1990; 35:779–782; Khan, H. M. et al., Radiat. Phys. Chem. (Int. J. Radiat. Appl. Instrum., Part C) 1991; 38:395–398; and U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,936,276; 3,370,981; 3,609,093; 3,710,109; 3,743,846; 3,903,423; 4,829,187; and 5,117,116. Films containing dyes or dye precursors have been employed as routine dosimeters for food irradiation, sterilization of medical products, and radiation processing (MacLaughlin, W. L. in Sterilization by Ionizing Radiation, Gaughran, R. and Goudie, A., eds., Multiscience, Montreal, Vol. I, 1974; Humphries, K. and Kantz, A. Radiat. Phys. Chem. 1977; 9: 737; Kantz, A. and Humphries, K., Radiat. Phys. Chem. 1979; 14: 575). Leuco dyes in organic solvents have been irradiated using halocarbons as activators. See MacLachlan, A., J. Phys. Chem. 1967; 71:718–722; Miyaji, T., et al., J. Photopolym. Sci. Technol. 2001; 14:225–226; UK Patent Application GB 2182941A). pH-Indicating dyes have been admixed with polyvinyl chloride to produce polymers which give a color reaction upon irradiation due to HCl liberated by a radiolytic process (U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,743,846 and 3,899,677; Ueno, K., Radiat. Phys. Chem. 1988; 31:467–472). Leuco dyes formulated with photo acid generators in solvent systems have also been described. See Tokita, S., et al., J. Photopolym. Sci. Technol. 2001; 14:221–224.
Another form of radiochromic dye based on polydiacetylenes has been described. In this system, a colorless dispersion of monomeric species is polymerized upon exposure to radiation, resulting in the development of colored regions, or regions having otherwise altered optical properties. Film formulations utilizing this technology have been commercialized (GafChromicTM Films, International Specialty Products, Wayne, N.J.). A review of dosimeters formed by these films has appeared (Niroomand, A. et al., Med. Phys. 1998; 25:2093–2115).
It was found that by stacking, laminating, layering, or organizing dosimeter films into a three-dimensional shape, a heterogeneous system could be fabricated which approximates a 3D dosimeter. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,661,310; 5,430,308; 5,130,065; 5,123,734; 5,104,592; 5,096,530; 5,076,974; 5,059,359; 5,059,021; 5,058,988; 5,015,424; 4,999,143; 4,996,010; 4,929,402; 4,394,737 and 4,575,330 disclose variants of this technology. Some of the disadvantages of utilizing multiple thin films or plates to measure penetrating radiation in a three-dimensional volume are: difficulty in designing, manufacturing, assembling, positioning and securing several discrete films or plates; limitations in size and shape of the fabricated dosimeter due to its inherent composite nature; difficulty and time-consumption of disassembly of the fabrication, identification of the original location of each film or plate, and scanning data from each distinct film or plate; inherent error in measurement due to the unavoidable heterogeneity of the dosimeter due to its composite nature.
Another approach to the fabrication of a 3D dosimeter uses the employment of aqueous gels containing materials to interact with incident penetrating radiation to give species which could later be detected and quantified. Dosimeters containing ferrous salts ("Fricke solution") have been utilized in mapping penetrating radiation (Fricke, H. and Hart, E. "Chemical Dosimetry" in Radiation Dosimetry Vol. II, Chapter 12, Attix, F. et al. ed., Academic Press, New York, 1966). Aqueous gels containing Fricke dosimeter solution in combination with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques have been disclosed (Gore, J. C., et al., Phys. Med. Biol. 1984; 29:1189–1197;). In this approach, the radiation-induced oxidation of ferrous to ferric ions in solution could be detected by a change in the water proton spin relaxation times, T1 and T2, and the changes were large enough to be mapped with high spatial resolution by MRI when the Fricke solution was dispersed in a gelatin or agarose gel. (Gore, J. C., et al., Mag. Res. Imaging, 1984; 2:244; Schulz, R. J., et al., Phys. Med. Biol. 1990; 35:1611–1622). A similar dosimeter based on ferrous sulfate and agarose gel was described. (See Olesson et al., Appl. Radiat. Isot. 1991; 42:1081–1086; Appleby, A. and Leghrouz, A., Med. Phys. 1991; 18:309–312.) Some disadvantages associated with the use of this approach are the rapid diffusion of oxidized ions resulting in an inherent limitation to stability and resolution of the image, the necessity for relatively high dose rates and long radiation times, and unpredictable behavior in small volumes.
New Fricke systems with improved diffusion parameters have been developed. (See Chu, K et al., Phys. Med. Bull. 2000; 45; 955–969.) Reviews of MRI-mediated dosimetry are provided in MacDougall ND, et al., Phys Med Biol. 2002; 47(20):R107–21 and in McJury, M. et al., Br. J. Radiol. 2000; 73(873):919–29.
Another conventional approach was aqueous gels containing materials to interact with incident penetrating radiation relates to the use of a composition including droplets of superheated liquid encapsulated in a host gel. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,143,274 and 4,350,607 disclose a radiation detector and dosimeter which is based on the fact that a sufficiently finely-dispersed liquid suspended in a host liquid of high viscosity or gel is stable at temperatures above its normal boiling point for long periods of times. Radiation and particularly neutron radiation of sufficient energy and intensity, upon coming in contact with such droplets can trigger volatilization. The volume of vapor evolved then serves as a measure of radiation intensity and dosage. Some disadvantages of utilizing such a dosimeter include the difficulty in manufacture wherein the superheated liquid is gaseous at room temperature; the limitation that high-energy radiation, e.g. neutron radiation, is necessary to affect volatilization; the inherent low resolution potential of the measurement of gas volumes.
Still another approach utilizing uniformly dispersed droplets of a very high vapor pressure liquid within an aqueous gel is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,779,000 which discloses a dosimeter for gamma rays, microwaves, and other low linear energy transfer (LET) radiation. Upon interaction with low-level radiation the droplets "explode" into volatilized gas, and observation of bubbles in the medium serves as detection. In another approach, a 3D dosimeter was fabricated from an aqueous gel containing molecules which polymerize with each other in the presence of radiation, thus forming a detectable and quantifiable image. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,321,357 and 5,633,584 disclose systems in which soluble monomers are induced to polymerize only in those portions of the dosimeter experiencing radiant or mechanical energy. The resulting polymeric portions induce a change in the relaxation rate of nearby water molecules, allowing visualization and quantitation by MRI. Some disadvantages accompanying use of this invention include the potentially serious toxicity of components used to prepare the article, difficulties in the manufacture wherein oxygen must be necessarily excluded, and the need for expensive MRI instrumentation for the interpretation of results.
Other systems have been disclosed in which a 3D dosimeter has been fabricated utilizing a polymeric matrix containing therein materials which are altered in their optical properties through exposure to incident penetrating radiation. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,319,210 and 5,498,876 provide a dosimetry method characterized by the steps of storing information in a three dimensional optical memory element, then exposing the optical memory element to neutron or other high LET radiation to alter the information stored in the optical memory element as a function of the radiation to which the optical memory element is exposed, and then retrieving the altered information from the optical memory element for subsequent analysis. The altered information is used to provide a measure of both the radiation dose and energy. Some disadvantages associated with the practice of this invention for 3D dosimetry include the necessity and limitations of obtaining a pre-formulated commercial polymer doped with light-sensitive chemical; difficulty in utilizing the process wherein the dosimeter is exposed by high-energy radiation in a separate process subsequent to the capture of data in the optical memory unit; the need for a third process to retrieve altered information in order to measure and quantify the original radiative event(s). A similar system for optical storage of data in three dimensions was described. (See Parthenopoulos, D. and Rentzepis, P., Science 1989; 245:843–845.) U.S. Pat. No. 6,621,086 relates to utilizing color-forming materials imbedded in an aqueous gel which, upon exposure to radiation, form permanent insoluble colored areas to be used for quantification of the original radiation dose levels. Some of the disadvantages of utilizing this invention include the limitation of employing aqueous gels, the high relative cost of the color-forming tetrazolium salts, and the relative insensitivity of the method. A 3D data storage system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,288,861 wherein active photoreactant molecules dispersed in a fluid media are simultaneously or sequentially excited by two discreet optical beams trained at a target location within the media, giving rise to a photochemical reaction which produces physical or refractive index inhomogeneities. The data is scanned in a second operation.

Three-dimensional dosimeter for penetrating radiation and method of use


Apparatus and method for rapidly heating one or more reactants for use in a fuel reformer. The apparatus includes a combustion section having an outer wall enclosing a combustion chamber and a catalyst disposed within the combustion chamber. A heat recovery section is in fluid communication with the combustion section and has an outer wall defining a heat recovery chamber. At least one heat exchanging element is located within the heat recovery chamber having an inlet for receiving a fuel reforming reactant and an outlet for directing a heated reactant out of the heat recovery section. The combustion section is elevated relative to the heat recovery section such that heated combustion gases are displaced down into the heat recovery section. The housing has an internal diameter of less than about 10 inches, or alternatively, has a length and a diameter in a ratio of between about 7:1 and about 4:1.

Fuel cells provide electricity from chemical oxidation-reduction reactions and possess significant advantages over other forms of power generation in terms of cleanliness and efficiency. Typically, fuel cells employ hydrogen as the fuel and oxygen as the oxidizing agent. The power generation is generally proportional to the consumption rate of the reactants.
A significant disadvantage which inhibits the wider use of fuel cells is the lack of a widespread hydrogen infrastructure. Hydrogen has a relatively low volumetric efficiency and is more difficult to store and transport than hydrocarbon fuels currently used in most power generation systems. One way to overcome this difficulty is the use of reformers to convert hydrocarbons to a hydrogen-rich gas stream that can be stored or used locally as a feed for fuel cells.
Hydrocarbon-based fuels, such as natural gas, LPG, gasoline, and diesel, require conversion processes to be used as fuel sources for most fuel cells. Current art uses multi-step processes combining an initial conversion process with several clean-up processes. The initial process is most often steam reforming (SR), autothermal reforming (ATR), catalytic partial oxidation (CPOX), non-catalytic partial oxidation (POX) or a combination thereof. The clean-up processes usually comprise a combination of desulphurization, high temperature water-gas shift, low temperature water-gas shift, selective CO oxidation, or selective CO methanation. Alternative processes include hydrogen selective membrane reactors and filters.
Despite the above work, there remains a need for a simplified fuel processing system for converting a hydrocarbon fuel to a hydrogen rich gas stream for use with a fuel cell. A practical obstacle facing any solution to this problem is the need to rapidly start-up the reforming reactor and the various catalyst beds that may be used in the reforming process. Where autothermal reforming is desired, there is also the need to rapidly pre-heat the reforming reactants to their autothermal temperature(s) and to maintain those temperatures throughout the reforming process. Similarly, where steam reforming is used, the rapid and reliable generation of steam is also required.
The present invention addresses the need for a fuel reformer that is capable of rapid start-up and maintaining a more stable temperature profile during the operation of the reformer.

Method and apparatus for rapid heating of fuel reforming reactants


The invention deals with an electrochemical system for compressing gases and/or for producing gases by electrolysis, consisting of an electrochemical compressor stack (1) having layering of several electrochemical cells, which are separated from one another in each case by bipolar plates (3; 3′), wherein the bipolar plates have openings for media supply and media discharge (5a, 5b) for the electrochemical cells and the electrochemical cell stack can be placed under mechanical compressive strain in direction (6) of the layering. The bead arrangements (7; 7′) are resilient and are provided at least in some regions to seal the openings (4, 5a, 5b) and/or an electrochemically active region (10) of the electrochemical cells.

Electrochemical compressor systems may be, for example electrolysers, which by applying a potential, in addition to producing, for example water and oxygen from water, compress these gases at the same time under high pressure.
In addition, electrochemical compressor systems, such as for example electrochemical hydrogen compressors, are also known, to which gaseous molecular hydrogen is supplied and the latter is compressed electrochemically by applying a potential. This electrochemical compression is available particularly for small quantities of hydrogen to be compressed, since mechanical compression of hydrogen would be considerably more expensive here.
Electrochemical systems are known, in which an electrochemical cell stack is constructed with layering of several electrochemical cells, which are separated from one another in each case by bipolar plates. The bipolar plates thus have several tasks:                electrical contacting of the electrodes of the individual electrochemical cells and conveying the current to the adjacent cell (series connection of the cells),        supplying the cells with reactants, such as for example water or gases and, for example removal of the reaction gas produced via an appropriate distributor structure,        conveying the heat being produced during generation in the electrochemical cell, and        sealing off of the various media ducts or cooling ducts with respect to one another and externally.
The bipolar plates have openings for cooling or media supply and media discharge for media supply and media discharge from the bipolar plates to the actual electrochemical cells (these are for example MEA (Membrane Electron Assembly) having a gas diffusion layer, for example made from a metal mat, orientated in each case towards the bipolar plates).
Difficulties regularly result here particularly with regard to the gas diffusion layer. It has been conventional hitherto to design the seal between the bipolar plates or between bipolar plates and the electrochemical cell in that an elastomer seal is placed, for example in a groove of the bipolar plate. By exerting compressive strain (for example by means of tension bands) on the electrochemical cell stack, pressing of the seal then takes place, as a result of which a sealing effect should be achieved for the openings.
It is now a problem for the inserted gas diffusion layer that it may be designed as a fibre mat (with metal fibres) or metal mesh. Fibre mats which are conventional in industry have a theoretical thickness of, for example 1 mm, but the manufacturing tolerance is ±100 μm. The metal fibres which construct the mat are themselves only slightly resilient. In addition, it is also not recommended to compensate production tolerances of the fibre mat by compressing the mat, since the gas permeability of the mat layer is thus severely diminished and hence operation of the electrochemical cell is restricted. On the other hand however, it is necessary to exert a minimum pressure on the entire gas diffusion layer by the bipolar plate, so that there is an adequate passage of current through the gas diffusion layer. It can thus be summarised that for the current elastomer seals, either a non-perfect seal or non-optimum operation of the electrochemical cell was thus to be accepted. In addition, particularly for electrochemical cells operated using molecular hydrogen, permeation losses of H2 occur which diffuse through the elastomer seal.
As a first aspect, the object of the present invention is therefore to achieve a secure seal of the openings in an electrochemical cell stack with as low costs as possible.
This is achieved by an electrochemical compressor system according to the invention.
By providing bead arrangements, which are resilient at least in some regions, for sealing the openings, a secure seal is achieved over a long resilient path of the bead arrangement. Openings are thus understood to mean virtually any region to be sealed in the present application. This may be, for example a passage opening for a reaction fluid (for example H2 or water) or a cooling agent. However, it may also be, for example the electrochemically active region, in which for example the gas diffusion layer is arranged or screw holes are provided. The resilient bead arrangement always permits compensation of production tolerances of, for example gas diffusion layers, in a wide tolerance range and nevertheless provision of an optimum sealing effect.
A very advantageous embodiment of the invention envisages that the bead arrangement is designed for microsealing with a thin coating having a thickness between 1 μm to 400 μm. The coating is advantageously made from an elastomer, such as silicone, viton or EPDM (ethylene/propylene-diene terpolymer), application is preferably effected by a screen-printing process, tampon-printing process, spraying or by CIPG (cured in place gasket; that is elastomer introduced at the site of the seal as liquid which is cured there.). These measures ensure that, for example hydrogen diffusion is reduced to an extremely low degree by the seal, since the height of the permeable material is adapted to a minimum. Attempts are thus made not to recover additional geometric height, but only to provide roughness compensation for microsealing.
A further advantageous embodiment of the invention envisages that the bead arrangement contains a full bead or a half bead. It is thus also possible within a bead arrangement to provide both forms, since depending on the course of the bead arrangement in the plane, other elasticities may prove useful, for example that in narrow radii a different beading geometry is useful than for straight courses of the bead arrangement.
An advantageous development of the bead arrangement envisages that the bead arrangement is designed at least in some regions as a half bead constructed around the electrochemically active region and open is around the latter in some regions. It is thus attached so that it is open towards the high-pressure side, thus ensuring that by increasing the internal pressure, the increase in contact pressure of the bead against the sealing surface of the next bipolar plate (or the membrane lying therebetween) is achieved. Since the electrochemical compressor stack is stabilised externally by end plates which are held together using tension bands or the like, yielding of the stacked individual plates is only possible to a limited extent. There is no "elastic expansion" of the entire arrangement but only a rise in contact force in regions of the seal so that there is even self-stabilisation of the seals or of the entire arrangement. The half bead is thus designed so that by increasing pressure in the system (this internal pressure may be over 200 bar, preferably over 700 bar, particularly preferably over 1,000 bar up to 5,000 bar) in the electrochemically active region, surface pressure directed in the direction of the electrochemical compressor stack is increased so that tightness problems are excluded and thus a quasi "self-stabilising" system is provided with regard to the seal.
A further advantageous embodiment envisages that the bead arrangement is made from steel. Steel has the advantage that it can be processed very cost-effectively using conventional tools, in addition, for example methods for coating steel with thin elastomer layers are well tested. The good elasticity properties of steel facilitate the good design of the long resilient sealing region of the invention according to the invention. There is thus the particular possibility that the bead arrangement is attached to the bipolar plate. There is thus firstly the possibility that the bipolar plate is designed as a whole as a steel moulding (which is possibly provided with a coating for corrosion resistance or conductivity in some regions). However, it is also possible that the bipolar plate is designed as a composite element of two steel plates with a plastic plate lying therebetween. However, in each case the good manufacturing possibilities of steel may be utilised, it is possible to make the bead arrangement within a manufacturing step which is taking place in any case (for example embossing of a flow field, that is a "stream field"). Very low costs are thus produced, also no additional sources of error are provided by extra components, such as for example additionally inserted elastomer seals.
Nevertheless, it is also possible according to the invention to provide the bead arrangement made from other metals, such as for example steel, nickel, titanium or aluminium and alloys thereof. The choice, which metal is to be preferred, thus depends, for example also on the required electrical properties or the required degree of corrosion resistance.
It thus becomes possible to adapt the compression characteristic of the bead, for example to a gas diffusion layer. However, this does not have to apply only to gas diffusion layers, the bead line may generally be well adapted to components having low elasticity. The beaded seal can be designed flexibly and hence in addition can be applied well and without high retrofitting costs for all producers of electrochemical compressor systems.
A further advantageous embodiment envisages that the bead arrangement has a stopper, which limits compression of the gas diffusion layer to a minimum thickness. It is thus an incompressible part of the bead arrangement or a part, the elasticity of which is very much lower than that of the actual bead. This ensures that the degree of deformation is limited in the bead region, so that there cannot be complete flat pressing of the bead.
A further advantageous embodiment envisages that the bead arrangement is arranged on a component which is separate from the bipolar plate. This is particularly favourable when the bipolar plates consist of material which is unsuitable for bead arrangements. The separate component is then placed on the bipolar plate or integrated by adhesion, clicking-in, welding-in, soldering-in or moulding-in, so that overall a sealing connection is produced between the separate component and the bipolar plate.
Finally, a further advantageous embodiment envisages that the bead arrangement is designed from an elastomer roll. Such a bead can be applied by a screen-printing process or tampon printing. It serves both for microsealing and for macrosealing. The roll also assumes the function of path adaptation on a gas diffusion layer.
A further advantageous development envisages that the electrochemical compressor system is designed as an electrolyser. Here, water introduced on one side of the electrochemical cell is cleaved electrochemically into molecular hydrogen and oxygen. Membranes made from Nafion or similar proton-conducting systems are used for this, but separators may also be used, which contain, for example PTFE foams soaked with potassium hydroxide. Also porous ceramic structures, soaked with potassium hydroxide, are possible separators, for example structures based on Nextel or also hydroxide-conducting structures. The contact forces (surface pressures of the seal in the main direction of the electrochemical cell stack) may lie between 0.1 and 200 N/mm2, preferably over 10 N/mm2, particularly preferably over 50 N/mm2.
A further advantageous development envisages that the electrochemical compressor system is a hydrogen compressor, which oxidises molecular hydrogen introduced on the first side of a proton-conducting electrochemical membrane to H+ and reduces it again on the second side back to molecular hydrogen, wherein the molecular hydrogen there is subjected to a higher pressure on the second side than on the first side due to the sealing and spatial arrangement. The operating temperature should lie here between 0 and 100° C., conceivably also 0-200° C. or 0-550° C. Hydroxide-conducting structures or even known proton-conducting polymer membranes (for example made from Nafion) may be used here as membranes.
Of course other gases may also be compressed correspondingly for a suitable choice of ion conductor, for example oxygen with hydroxide-conducting structures.
Overall it should be remembered that the present electrochemical compressor system should at the very best tolerate very high pressures which are significantly higher than for other electrochemical mechanisms. The prevailing gas pressure in the electrochemically active region should be able to be without leakage losses at least 100 bar, preferably over 200 bar, particularly preferably over 500 bar.
A second aspect of the present invention is concerned with the object of achieving secure sealing of the openings in an electrochemical cell stack with as low as possible costs, wherein also safe supply of media for cooling and for operation of the electrochemical cell (in particular O2 or air or H2) from the openings to cooling cavities or towards the electrochemically active regions of the electrochemical cell should be guaranteed safely. This aspect can be applied to any electrochemical systems, such as for example fuel cells or the above-mentioned electrochemical compressor systems.
This object is achieved in that resilient bead arrangements are provided around the openings of at least one bipolar plate, wherein perforations for conducting liquid or gaseous media are arranged on at least one flank of the bead arrangements. An electrochemical compressor system (or for a fuel cell system) consisting of an electrochemical cell stack (or a fuel cell stack) having layering of several electrochemical cells (or fuel cells), which are separated from one another in each case by bipolar plates, wherein the bipolar plates have openings for cooling or media supply and media discharge for the electrochemical cells (fuel cells) and the electrochemical cell stack (or fuel cell stack) can be placed under mechanical compression strain in the direction of the layering, wherein resilient bead arrangements are provided around the opening of the bipolar plate, wherein perforations for conducting liquid or gaseous media are arranged on at least one flank of the bead arrangements, is thus shown here.
It is thus particularly advantageous that first of all sealing of the openings is generally achieved by the bead arrangement when applying a mechanical pressure in the direction of layering of the electrochemical cell stack, which sealing is cost-effective and provides good tolerance compensation. Specific supply or discharge of cooling agents into corresponding cooling agent cavities and also secured media supply and media discharge is also additionally facilitated by the perforations in the flanks of the bead arrangements. It is no longer necessary that the bead has to be completely interrupted in order to supply or discharge cooling agents or operating media quasi orthogonally to the direction of layering of the electrochemical cell stack (which coincides here with the direction of an interface duct). Hence it is already possible in the production of these bipolar plates to provide the corresponding perforations which lead later to media supply in the finished electrochemical compressor system. It is thus advantageous that such perforations can be easily produced on a large scale, flow resistances and the stiffness of the bead arrangement etc. may be preset precisely by varying the perforations.
In particular cost-effective production of a bipolar plate or of parts of the bipolar plate is possible in that a metal plate is provided with holes first of all and then mechanical shaping of the perforated plate takes place to produce the bead arrangement so that the previously introduced holes are perforations in at least one flank of the bead arrangement. Of course it is however also possible to first emboss the profile of the bipolar plate and then to introduce the perforations, for example using laser processing, punch supply etc.
Hence, it may be said by way of summary that the value of the invention lies in that simplified media supply to the active region of the bipolar plate is possible. "Tunnelling" of a seal is not necessary, since the media supply in this case takes place through the sealing system itself. This is firstly space-saving and secondly facilitates higher volume and weight capacities of the electrochemical cell. The invention is available particularly for metallic bipolar plates for PEM electrochemical cells, which are constructed in most cases from two embossed metal sheets which are flatly connected to one another. The media water, in some cases cooling water, and the gases thus have to be effectively sealed with respect to one another. If the seal of a metallic bipolar plate is designed as a bead construction, the bead is in most cases severely flattened at the points through which media should flow into the active region. Support for the membrane is not present at these points, which may lead to gas leakages ("cross-over") or to the collapse of the membrane into the supply channel. However, if perforations are introduced into the flanks of the bead, and permit the media, for example hydrogen, air, distilled water, to flow transversely through the bead into the flow field region of the bipolar plate, the bead is able to rest against the membrane uninterrupted. Clean sealing of the media flows is thus achieved. The perforations may thus be designed more advantageously as circles or also as ovals in order not to noticeably change the spring characteristic of the bead. Sealing between the fluid flows occurring in the electrochemical cell is guaranteed by a design of the second metallic plate adapted to the bead construction in the region of media passage. The beads may thus be designed as full beads or half beads. Furthermore, media passage may take place through the bead with connected ducts. This is advantageous especially for guiding the cooling medium. It may thus be guided more easily between the anode and the cathode plates.
A further advantageous development envisages that the perforations in the flank plane may have a circular, oval or angular cross-section. The flow properties of fluids guided through these perforations may be influenced first of all by this shaping and the appropriate number of perforations per flank plane. In addition, the stiffness of the bead arrangement can also thus be controlled for stress in the direction of layering of the electrochemical cell stack, since the corresponding geometrical moments of inertia are also co-influenced by shaping of the perforations.
A particularly advantageous development envisages that a duct is connected to a perforation, wherein the duct is connected to the bead interior and is closed at least towards the bead outer surface. This ensures that the perforations are not guided directly from the bead interior to the outside, but that specific delivery through a duct, for example in the hydrogen gap of the bipolar plate, is possible; the introduction of oxygen into the cathode of the electrochemical cell is thus prevented. It is particularly advantageous in terms of production technology that these ducts may also be co-embossed at the same time as embossing of the bipolar plate (when it consists, for example of metal), alternatively, of course the later or earlier attachment of individual ducts is possible.
A further development envisages that the perforations are open towards the electrochemically active region of the electrochemical cell. This is applied in particular to introduce media, such as hydrogen. Of course different variants next to one another at the same time are also possible in a single bipolar plate, that is those perforations which are connected to ducts and those perforations which have no ducts.
An industrially particularly promising embodiment envisages that the bipolar plate is constructed from two (metal) plates, which has a cavity lying therebetween for cooling agent and/or passing of media gases, such as H2. The interior of this bipolar plate may thus also be divided into segments, for example into those which serve on the one hand for guiding cooling agent and on the other hand for distributing media gases. This segmenting may thus be provided by connecting regions of the two plates, which are designed for example as a welding or soldering.
A further advantageous development envisages that the bead arrangement contains a "full bead" or a "half bead". For the full bead there is thus the option of providing perforations on one or on both flanks. Whether a half bead or a full bead is required, depends, inter alia, on the required stiffness or also on the geometry of the opening.
The bead arrangement is available particularly for bipolar plates which consist of metals, such as steel, nickel, titanium or aluminium and alloys thereof. The bead arrangements may thus be part of a topography embossed in the bipolar plate. However, it is also possible to arrange the bead arrangement on a component which is separated first of all from the bipolar plate, and is then placed later in particular on bipolar plates made from metal, plastic, graphite or the like or connected to the bipolar plate by adhesion, clicking-in, welding-in, soldering-in or moulding-in.
A further advantageous development envisages that the bead arrangement is coated for microsealing. This guarantees, for example with an elastomer layer which is applied for example by a screen-printing process the outer side of the bead arrangement, that microsealing is provided against media passage. This elastomer coating also has the additional effect that in the case of a polymer membrane placed on this coating, a "floating" or "gliding" fixing is provided, which ensures that this membrane of the electrochemical cell remains fixed on the one hand even for size changes in the region of 10% and on the other hand shows no cracks due to too rigid fixing.
A further advantageous development envisages that an electrochemically active region of the electrochemical cell is arranged in an essentially closed chamber, which is limited essentially annularly laterally by a bead arrangement. This means that a bead arrangement is possible not only for sealing openings of the bipolar plate, but that also "total sealing" of the interior of the electrochemical cell stack is possible.
A particularly advantageous development envisages that the bead arrangements have essentially the same stiffness for stresses in the direction of layering of the electrochemical cell stack in the perforated and the non-perforated flank regions. Adjustment of the same stiffness may thus take place in different ways. It may take place, for example by means of a flank angle which varies along the course of the bead arrangement (for example a steeper flank angle in the perforated flank regions) or by a suitable material distribution (that is for example thicker wall thicknesses in the immediate surrounding region of the perforations). For example steels having a maximum tensile strength of Rm of 300 to 1,100 N per mm2, preferably 600 to 900 N per mm2 may be used. These steels have a modulus of elasticity between 150,000 and 210,000 N per mm2.

Electrochemical system with fluid passage integrated within a sealing bead


Bathing preparations comprising a soluble aluminum carboxylate exhibit excellent dissolvability into bath water.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a bathing preparation, and more particularly to a bathing preparation having an excellent ability of being dissolved (hereinafter referred to as "dissolvability") into bath water, providing an excellent feel to users during bathing and after bathing, and providing excellent bathing effects; a bath containing such a bathing preparation; and a method of bathing using such a bath.
2. Discussion of the Background
Conventionally, various compositions have been known as bathing preparation compositions, and among them, compositions containing so-called hot spring ingredients, which are obtainable from hot spring water, have widely been used. Examples of such hot spring ingredients include sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, sodium hydrogencarbonate and potassium aluminum sulfate (from alum spring).
Among various spring waters, alum spring water contains aluminum ions, which are positive ions, and sulfate ions, which are negative ions, as main ingredients. It is well known that alum spring water provides various bathing effects, such as astringency to the skin and mucous membrane, and treating of chronic skin diseases such as conjunctivitis and inflammation of the mucous membranes, and that the alum spring water is also effective for treating hyperhidrosis of the hands and legs and varicosis.
Accordingly, various attempts have been made to use aluminum sulfate as an ingredient of a bathing preparation.
However, when a large amount of aluminum sulfate is incorporated into a bathing preparation, the following problems arise: The color of bath water cannot be controlled when the bathing preparation is dissolved in the bath water, because of sulfate reduction bacteria existing in the bath water. Further, since aluminum sulfate is sparingly soluble in bath water, it doesn't meet the requirements of complete dissolvability. Moreover, when aluminum sulfate is incorporated into a so-called carbon dioxide bathing preparation, which contains carbonate and acid as main ingredients, the aluminum sulfate coheres in the bath water upon use, thereby producing floating substances on the surface of the bath water.
Therefore, there remains a need for a bathing preparation which has the same bathing effects as those of alum spring, has an excellent dissolvability into bath water, and gives an excellent sensation to users during bathing and after bathing.


A method of reusing an existing emblem from a vehicle. The method includes the steps of providing the identification of the existing emblem. From there, the dimensional characteristics of the existing emblem can be determined. The determined dimensional characteristics are then turned into a plurality of perforations through an adhesive sheet so that they correspond to the dimensional characteristics of the existing emblem. The existing emblem can then be applied to the adhesive sheet, and in turn, can be attached to a vehicle by way of the adhesive sheet. An entire library of templates corresponding to the dimensional characteristics of a plurality of existing emblems can be created.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The disclosure relates in general to automotive emblem assembly, and more particularly, to replacement automotive emblem assemblies that are utilized when body panels are damaged but wherein the original automotive emblems are virtually undamaged and can be reused.
2. Background Art
Vehicles have a number of emblems that are positioned on the body panels at various locations. This includes the name of the car marque, the model number, the engine size, trim levels, and other descriptors (i.e., fuel injection, turbo, compressor, automatic, among others).
Whereas decades ago, these emblems included studs that extended into openings in the body panels and were either coupled to the body panel on the inside surface of the body panel, or interference fit to the opening itself. At times, these emblems were made from metal or plastic. Thus, the emblems were easily reusable in that they could be reused as needed or as desired as long as they were not damaged.
Over the past two decades, there has been a move from such emblems as described above to emblems that include an inner adhesive material which bonds the emblems to a body panel. With such emblems, there are no openings in the body that are prone to rust. In addition, the adhesive forms a tight bond which is generally impervious to liquids and the like. Additionally, the emblems are overwhelmingly made from plastics (and in some instances, painted plastics, or metal plated plastics).
Problematically, these newer adhered emblems are typically not reused, but are discarded in the event that they are removed from the automobile. For example, if there is body work to be completed which is in proximity to adhered emblems, the emblems are removed with certain adhesive removal products that are commercially available. They are then replaced with new emblems when the repair is completed. In addition, when an entire body panel is removed and replaced, the emblems are merely left on the panel that is removed.
The reason that such emblems are not reused is that it is difficult to properly and expeditiously replace the adhesive that is placed on the surface of the emblem. It is the adhesive replacement which is so difficult to properly apply which renders the removed emblems useless, even when the emblem itself has no damage.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a manner in which automotive emblems that are coupled with adhesive to the body of a vehicle can be reapplied with an adhesive in an expeditious manner and, therefore be reusable.
This object as well as other objects of the present invention will become apparent in light of the present specification, claims, and drawings.


The present disclosure relates to performing attribution channel modeling in real time using touchpoint data that corresponds to a user-specified set of channels and is retrieved from a database using a user-specified attribution model. For example, in one or more embodiments, a system stores raw data in an attribution database that comprises an aggregator and a plurality of nodes. In particular, each node stores touchpoint data associated with a different user. Upon receiving a query, the system can, in real time, retrieve subsets of the touchpoint data that corresponds to a user-defined set of distribution channels in accordance with a user-specified attribution model. The system then combines the subsets of touchpoint data using the aggregator and generates the digital attribution report using the combined data.

Advancements in software and hardware platforms have provided a variety of improvements in systems that enable digital content providers to manage campaigns for generating, providing, and distributing digital content across client devices. For example, attribution systems can analyze the effect of a campaign on the occurrence of a particular event (e.g., how the campaign influenced consumers to purchase a product). In particular, an attribution system can apply an attribution model to data representing consumer interactions with the digital content of a campaign (i.e., touchpoint data) and determine a percentage of event occurrences that can be attributed to different elements of the campaign, such as emails or banner advertisements distributed to the consumers or a website hosted or managed by the digital content provider.
Despite these advantages, conventional attribution systems have several technological shortcomings that result in inflexible and inefficient operation. For example, conventional attribution systems are often inflexible in that they rigidly collect data for predetermined attribution models and a predetermined set of marketing channels. In particular, many conventional systems preconfigure a database to store touchpoint data required by an attribution model for a set of marketing channels previously selected by an administrator. Indeed, conventional systems often pre-process the stored data before an administrator requests a report. Consequently, the conventional systems are often incapable of applying any other attribution models to the data or performing an attribution analysis for other marketing channels. To illustrate, a conventional system may configure a database to store consumers' first interaction with digital content (i.e., first touch) in order to model consumer interactions using a first touch attribution model as selected by an administrator. However, the system would be unable to apply any other attribution models if the user then desires to model the consumer interactions using a different attribution model (e.g., a last touch model). Similarly, a conventional system may configure a database to store consumers' interactions with digital content served via email and targeted advertisements. However, the system would likely be unable to apply an attribution model to any other marketing channels as such data would not have been pre-collected or pre-analyzed.
In addition to flexibility concerns, conventional attribution systems are also inefficient. For example, conventional systems typically struggle to efficiently adapt to changing administrator requests. In particular, because conventional systems are often unable to apply attribution models to touchpoint data unless a database has been preconfigured for those models, such systems often must reconfigure the database to accommodate any newly applicable models. Consequently, the conventional systems often require additional computing resources (e.g., processing time and power) in order to reconfigure the database accordingly.
These, along with additional problems and issues, exist with regard to conventional attribution systems.

Performing query-time attribution channel modeling


A code read apparatus optically reads, by manual scanning, a two-dimensional code recorded on a recording medium. The code comprises a plurality of blocks having dot patterns arranged in accordance with multimedia information. An area sensor of an imaging section of the code read apparatus outputs an image signal in accordance with a clock signal generated by a clock generator. The area sensor is constructed and the clock signal is determined such that a maximum scan speed V of 160 mm/s to 200 mm/s, at which the code can be read at the time of manual scanning, is achieved, the maximum scan speed being given by ##EQU1## where m=the number of blocks in one imaging screen in the scan direction, lm=the length of one block in the scan direction, and t=the imaging cycle.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a code read apparatus for reading codes recorded on a recording medium such as paper, and more particularly to a manual scanning code read apparatus for optically reading, by manual scan, code patterns recorded on a recording medium such as paper. Such code patterns are optically readable and represent so-called multimedia information including audio information such as sound and music, video information obtained from a camera, a video apparatus, etc., and digital code data obtained from a personal computer, a word processor, etc. The read code patterns are reproduced as original multimedia information.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is a conventional system for use in reading information recorded on an optical recording medium to thereby reproduce original information.
For example, optical cards and optical (magnetooptical) disks are known as conventional optical recording media. In general, a mechanical scan system, i.e. an automatic scan system, is adopted to scan a detection element over such optical recording media. Specifically, in a system wherein an optical card is used as an optical recording medium, the optical card is reciprocally moved at a predetermined speed, thereby causing the detection element to scan relative to the optical card. In a system wherein an optical (magnetooptical) disk is used, the optical (magnetooptical) disk is rotated at a predetermined speed, thereby causing the detection element to scan.
In general, these conventional detection elements for optical recording media detect an area with a size less than the width of a recording track and less than the interval of recording pits. Specifically, a "point" sensor is moved relative to an optical recording medium to trace the recording track. Thus, "length" information is reproduced as "time" information. In this case, since an error in speed of the optical recording medium is equal to an error in length (interval) of recorded information units, an allowable variation in speed is on the order of several-ten percent or less, The allowable variation, though, depends on variation frequency.
Normally, canceled the speed variation is by adopting a self-clock system in which sync clocks are produced from reproduced data. In fact, however, the degree of allowance is still on the order of several-ten percent.
Accordingly, the optical recording medium must be driven by a servo-controlled driving mechanism, and cannot be driven manually. This results in an increase in cost and size of the apparatus.
On the other hand, a bar-code reader for reading bar codes recorded on a recording medium such as paper is known as a manual scan apparatus. The bar-code reader, too, cannot read bar codes unless the scan speed is within a predetermined range. In addition, since the operator cannot easily make the bar-code reader scan data at a speed within a predetermined speed range, the probability of achieving a successful reading using the manual scan type bar-code reader is not particularly good. Thus, the manual scan type bar-code reader has not been widely accepted in the market.

Manual scanning apparatus for reading an optical code representing multimedia information


A film re-shaping device for orienting and re-shaping the end of a filmstrip in a desired configuration having, a base, an alignment post mounted on the base, an elongated metal lower die plate with an guide hole for positioning the die plate over the alignment post, formed in the desired end-of-filmstrip configuration, a film guide mounted on the die plate for aligning an edge of the filmstrip, a film edge spring for keeping the filmstrip against the film guide, a spring loaded roller attached to the base for bearing on the filmstrip and flattening the filmstrip against the die plate surface, and an elongated metal upper punch plate having an guide hole for positioning the punch plate over the alignment post and aligning the plates accurately with each other, formed at the film re-shaping end in the desired end-of-filmstrip configuration, whereby the filmstrip is captured between the upper and lower plates, is described. The device has a raised rib formed along the bottom of an outer edge of the end of the punch plate for shearing the filmstrip, removing the damaged portion of the filmstrip and re-shaping the undamaged portion of the filmstrip in the desired end-of-filmstrip configuration. A method of re-shaping the end of a filmstrip using the device is also described.

Currently the leading and trailing ends of photographic film, such as 35 mm film, are square cut during splicing and heat seal splicing tape is applied to join the filmstrips together for continuous processing and printing in a large photo finishing laboratory. At finishing the filmstrip is cut into strips, for example strips of four frames, and returned to the customer along with an attached film splice label. A new photographic system is contemplated which requires the film to be returned to a cartridge, for example the customers original cartridge. This will require filmstrip geometry to be retained by reforming the end of the filmstrip after processing of the spliced film. One method of accomplishing this function is to remove the splice tape by cutting and then re-shaping the cut ends. By cutting the spliced film to remove the splice tape rather than using thermal desplicing methods, concern that adhesive residue on the film ends is being returned to the customer which might cause a future problem in the cartridge is eliminated.
As part of the attachment or detachment process for films, it may be required for the photographic system to accurately and reliably sense the physical end of a filmstrip. This may be necessary to insure that the filmstrip is completely unwound from a film cartridge prior to the detachment operation or the filmstrip is fully positioned prior to an attachment operation. For these functions, the exposed image area of the filmstrip is not important. Most film features (i.e. perforations and holes) are intended as features that identify individual exposure frames or the end of the exposure area and not the physical end of the filmstrip. Technologies exist to sense tension in a web or film features that relate to the exposure area of a film but both schemes are deficient in that sensing of the physical end of the filmstrip is not absolutely confirmed.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,499,202 discloses a machine for cutting a continuous roll of unexposed movie film into controlled lengths for loading into film cartridges and re-shaping the leading and trailing ends of the cut film to facilitate its loading into a cartridge. A punching assembly is provided which simultaneously punches the leading end of the rolled filmstrip and the trailing end of the next filmstrip to be rolled.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,586,258 discloses a method and an apparatus for loading unexposed photographic film in tape form into a cassette. After a length of film is wound onto the cassette the film is stopped and cut to provide a trailing end for the film in the cassette and a leading end of new film to be inserted in a new cassette. A punch is provided for punching the leading end to provide an anchoring means for attaching to the cassette spool.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,854,357 discloses a method and an apparatus for removing an imperfect portion of a web to form trailing and leading web portions, and splicing the web portions to form a continuous perfect web. The apparatus comprises knife blades for separating the imperfect portion and a guiding member for aligning the leading web end with the trailing web end in position to be spliced.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,131,040 discloses an apparatus, for forming holes in the end of a printing blanket, in the form of a template having a locating hole for disposing around a locating pin, holes for receiving a punch, and a clamp for clamping the template against the blanket at a location remote from the locating pin.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,505,039 discloses a seaming tool, for trimming the ends of adjoining floor covering materials to form a joint, in the form of a template which is positioned over the material to be trimmed. A stop is provided to position the template along an end of already laid floor covering and the edge of the material to be trimmed is manually trimmed against the edge of the template.
In the present application the term "end-locating distance" defines a length corresponding to the distance, in a photographic film having a filmstrip exposure area on a portion of the film and a filmstrip trailing end, which is greater than the length of the filmstrip remaining inside a corresponding film cartridge with a spool core to which the trailing end is attached when the film is fully withdrawn and is still attached to the spool core and less than the distance from the end of the exposure area to the physical end of the filmstrip trailing end.


A lens, a light source module and a lighting device are provided. The lens includes a lens body and at least two positioning columns. An inner end of the positioning column is connected with the lens body, and an outer end is a free end. A direction from the outer end to the inner end of the positioning column is a first direction. The positioning column includes at least three positioning segments which are sequentially distributed in the first direction. A plane perpendicular to an axis of the positioning segment is a projection plane, and a projection of the positioning segment on the projection plane is a first projection, an area enclosed by an outer contour line of the first projection is a first area, and the first areas of at least three positioning segments are sequentially increased in the first direction.

A lighting fixture includes a light source and a lens. After a traditional lighting fixture is assembled, a distance between the light source and the lens is fixed and cannot be adjusted, so that a beam angle of the lighting fixture cannot be adjusted according to different application scenarios. For example, under the application scenario having high requirements on light condensing, if the light condensing effect of the lighting fixture is poor, the emitted light is relatively divergent, then it's unable to adjust the beam angle of the lighting fixture, which results in inconvenience.
The existing technology also proposes a lighting fixture in which the lens is connected with a lamp housing, and a position of the lens is changeable by adjusting a position of the lamp housing, so as to achieve the purpose of adjusting the distance between the lens and the light source. However, such an adjustment structure is complex and the adjustment process is cumbersome.