A silicone resin-containing emulsion composition is prepared by emulsion polymerizing a solution containing a water-insoluble silanol group-bearing silicone resin and a radical polymerizable vinyl monomer and substantially free of an organic solvent. The emulsion may further contain a film-forming assistant having a boiling point of at least 100.degree. C. and soluble or uniformly dispersible in water. The emulsion can be coated and cured into a film having mar resistance, weather resistance, and chemical resistance.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a silicone resin-containing emulsion composition having film formability and capable of forming a cured film having mar resistance, weather resistance, and chemical resistance, a method for preparing the composition, and an article having a cured film of the composition.
2. Prior Art
From the contemporary concern about the environmental pollution and the standpoint of a safe working environment, the switch of dispersing media from organic solvents to aqueous systems is required in the paint and coating field.
In compliance with this requirement, coating emulsions obtained by emulsion polymerizing radical polymerizable vinyl monomers, as typified by acrylic resin systems, have been widely used as the base component of coating compositions because they have good film formability and chemical resistance. Such coating compositions, however, suffer from the essential lack of water resistance and weather resistance.
On the other hand, silicone resins obtained by hydrolysis and condensation of silane compounds attract attention as coating compositions because they are capable of forming films having high hardness, weather resistance, water resistance, heat resistance and water repellency. Nevertheless, the silicone resins are not only inferior in film formability, alkali resistance, and film flexibility, but also lack shelf stability because silanol groups have high condensation activity. The silicone resins are generally used as solutions in organic solvents, which suffer from the hazards of potential fire and explosion, toxicity to the human body, and environmental pollution. It is desired to have a silicone resin composition of the emulsion type.
Various attempts as described below have been made to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks although they are still unsatisfactory.
(a) An aqueous emulsion is obtained by emulsifying an alkoxysilane compound or a partial hydrolyzate/condensate thereof with the aid of various surfactants (see JP-A 213046/1983 corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,552,910, JP-A 197369/1987 corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,648,904, JP-A 115485/1991, and JP-A 200793/1991 corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,999,249). A system obtained by mixing this emulsion with another emulsion resulting from emulsion polymerization of a polymerizable vinyl monomer is also known from JP-A 344665/1994.
(b) An aqueous emulsion is obtained by forcibly mechanically pulverizing and dispersing a solventless solid silicone resin together with a chain-like silicon compound (see JP-A 247434/1995).
(c) An emulsion is prepared by emulsion polymerizing a radical polymerizable vinyl monomer in the presence of a water-soluble polymer resulting from hydrolysis of an alkoxysilane in water in the absence of a surfactant (see JP-A 60098/1996).
(d) A solid particle emulsion of graft copolymer is obtained by hydrolyzing and condensing an alkoxysilane mixture containing a vinyl polymerizable alkoxysilane into an aqueous emulsion containing a solid silicone resin, and adding a radical polymerizable vinyl monomer thereto, followed by emulsion polymerization (see JP-A 209149/1993 corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,405,691 and JP-A 196750/1995).
(e) An emulsion is prepared by emulsion polymerizing a radical polymerizable vinyl monomer into an emulsion, adding an alkoxysilane to the emulsion, and effecting hydrolysis and condensation, thereby introducing a silicone resin into emulsion particles (see JP-A 45628/1991 and 3409/1996 corresponding to EP 757059A).
(f) An emulsion is prepared by emulsion-polymerizing an alkoxysilane containing a vinyl polymerizable functional group together with a radical polymerizable vinyl monomer (see JP-A 9463/1986 and 27347/1996).
In the case of (a), active alkoxy groups are prone to hydrolysis with the lapse of time, forming in the system an alcohol by-product which is an organic solvent. Another drawback is that a relatively low molecular weight polymeric reactant converts into a high molecular weight compound. As a result, the emulsion becomes unstable due to the alcohol by-product and varies in degree of polymerization. That is, the emulsion shows unstable performance. If a large amount of surfactant is used to compensate for such drawbacks, then the coating experiences a substantial drop of film properties including hardness and water resistance. Since the system consists of a silicone resin alone, the drawbacks inherent to the silicone resin are left unchanged. Therefore, film properties are far from satisfactory.
Method (b) is by forcibly emulsifying particles of a solid silicone resin having a softening point together with a chain-like organopolysiloxane terminated with an OH group at each end with the aid of a surfactant. This method has the advantage that no organic solvent is contained. Nevertheless, since the solid silicone resin due to its high polarity is difficultly soluble in a liquid organopoly-siloxane of low polarity, the solid resin must be dispersed by means of a sand grinder mill. It is then difficult to divide the solid resin into fine particles, resulting in the disadvantage that the emulsion lacks stability. Also, since the solid resin has a relatively low silanol group content of 0.1 to 5% by weight, its curing requires a temperature as high as 200 to 300.degree. C., which means inferior workability to the organic solvent system. Due to the combined use of chain-like organopolysiloxane, the cured coating is good in water repellency, but has low hardness leading to poor mar resistance. Thus the coating is not fully durable.
Method (c) is by first simply hydrolyzing an alkoxysilane in water to form a water-soluble resin which does not contain a surfactant, then adding a surfactant thereto, and emulsion polymerizing a radical polymerizable vinyl monomer therein. This method also has the drawback that hydrolysis in water produces an alcohol by-product. The water-soluble silicone resin is partially taken into emulsion particles although a substantial portion thereof is left in water because of its high water solubility. Active silanol groups contained in molecules which are present in water tend to gradually condense, precipitating as a gel-like matter. As a result, the emulsion becomes unstable. Also the silicone resin component and the vinyl polymerizable component are not uniformly distributed in the cured film since their mutual solubility is essentially poor. Then film properties become poor.
In the case of (d), an alkoxysilane is hydrolyzed in water and an emulsion of a corresponding solid silicone resin is then formed therefrom. Utilizing vinyl polymerizable groups contained in the silicone resin as starting points, acrylic chains are grafted by emulsion polymerization. This method also involves the hydrolysis step of an alkoxysilane, which introduces an alcohol or organic solvent into the system. The emulsion stability is thus insufficient. This method intends to produce solid fine particles capable of imparting lubricity and water repellency, and produces composite particles in which a silicone resin serving for these functions is positioned at the center of a nucleus and acrylic chains contributing to the prevention of agglomeration of particles in water and an improvement in dispersion are grafted thereto. It is therefore preferred that both the components are non-uniformly distributed, the silicone resin undergoes full crosslinking within particles, and the silicone resin is rather free of silanol groups and remains inactive. Consequently, it is not envisaged to form a cured film from the emulsion.
Like the foregoing emulsions, the emulsion (e) has the drawbacks that since an alkoxysilane is post added to an emulsion of vinyl monomer, an alcohol by-product forms and the alkoxysilane is not completely taken into emulsion particles. The stability of the emulsion and the characteristics of a cured film are far from satisfactory. Owing to the post addition of an alkoxysilane, there is a possibility that more silicone resin is present on the outer shell side. Both the components are non-uniform within particles and in cured film. The mutual compensation of both the resins is thus insufficient.
In emulsion (f), an alkoxysilane having a vinyl polymerizable functional group is emulsion polymerized together with a radical polymerizable vinyl monomer. The alkoxy groups are restrained from hydrolysis and left intact. This suppresses the formation of alcohol by-product and changes of characteristics with time as found in the foregoing emulsions. However, it is difficult to introduce a large amount of the silicone resin component into a coating. Thus, the coating is not improved in weather resistance to a satisfactory level for exterior application.
In summary, the prior art well-known methods have not succeeded in providing a silicone resin-containing emulsion having advantages including (i) the absence of highly flammable alcohols having a low boiling point and other organic solvents, (ii) good emulsion stability, (iii) low temperature curing, and (iv) formation of a uniform cured film having improved characteristics including mar resistance, weather resistance, and chemical resistance.

Silicone resin-containing emulsion composition, method for making same, and article having a cured film of same


A new garden type Chrysanthemum plant named ‘CIFZ0022’ particularly distinguished by the large sized coral-pink, spoon-tip decorative-type inflorescences, large sized plant with a rounded and mounded habit, and a natural flowering response of early October.

The present invention comprises a new Chrysanthemum, botanically known as Chrysanthemum×morifolium, and hereinafter referred to by the variety name 'CIFZ0022'.
'CIFZ0022' is a product of a planned breeding program. The new cultivar has large sized coral-pink, spoon-tip decorative-type inflorescences, large sized plant with a rounded and mounded habit, and a natural flowering response of early October.
'CIFZ0022' originated from a hybridization made in December 2009 in a greenhouse in Tenjo, Columbia. The female parent was the unpatented, proprietary plant designated 'G0519L1', with purple, duplex-type flower, similar plant habit, but slightly smaller size, and a natural season response that is slower by two weeks when compared to 'CIFZ0022'.
The male parent of 'CIFZ0022' was the unpatented, proprietary plant designated as '06-M030', with light yellow, spider-shape inflorescences, that are somewhat smaller in size, a somewhat smaller overall plant habit, and a natural flowering response one week faster when compared to 'CIFZ0022'.
The resultant seed was sown in October 2010 and grown outdoors in Gilroy, Calif., USA. 'CIFZ0022' was selected as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross on Feb. 20, 2011 in Gilroy, Calif.
The first act of asexual reproduction of 'CIFZ0022' was accomplished when vegetative cuttings were propagated from the initial selection in April 2011 in a greenhouse in Gilroy, Calif.


Cordierite-forming green substrates having high wet strength are prepared from fine-particle size minerals, including about 5 to 30 weight percent of delaminated kaolin and, preferably, about 15 to 39 weight percent calcined kaolin. The other fine-particle size minerals utilized are preferably talc having a particle diameter of about seven microns or less and alumina having a particle diameter of about one micron or less.

This invention relates to a method for preparing high wet-strength green bodies of cordierite-forming admixtures, to a method for preparing cordierite substrates having high isostatic strength and to the admixtures of minerals and processing aids utilized to prepare such high wet-strength green bodies and cordierite substrates.
The exhaust gases emitted by internal combustion systems utilizing hydrocarbon fuels, such as hydrocarbon gases, gasoline or diesel fuel, can cause serious pollution of the atmosphere. Among the pollutants in these exhaust gases are hydrocarbons and oxygen-containing compounds, the latter including nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon monoxide (CO). The automotive industry has for many years attempted to reduce the quantities of gaseous emissions from automobile engine systems, the first automobiles equipped with catalytic converters having been introduced in model year 1975.
Catalytic converters often comprise cordierite substrates, onto which are coated noble metal catalysts. The cordierite substrates are typically in the form of a honeycomb body or multichannel monolith having substantially parallel cells or passages extending between open end faces thereof. The converter is placed in the path of the exhaust effluent of an automobile engine where the catalysts may act to convert hydrocarbons, CO and NOx to the non-toxic by-products water, carbon dioxide and reduced nitrogen species.
Those skilled in the art know that a sintered cordierite structure is typically made by mixing raw materials such as talc, kaolin clay, alumina, silica, aluminum hyroxide, various inorganic and organic binders and water to form a batch composition. See, for example, the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 3,885,977. This composition is then extruded into a honeycomb body. At this stage, before sintering, the honeycomb body is still wet and is frequently referred to as being "green". The term "green" is used in the art and in this application to refer to the state of a formed body or piece made of sinterable powder or particulate material that has not yet been fired to the sintered state. Only after firing at high temperatures does the structure obtain the strength and other characteristics of the final, desired ceramic product.
Manufacturers work continuously to optimize the characteristics of cordierite substrates to enhance their utility as catalyst carriers. At least in part because of a desire to lower exhaust backpressure in vehicles and thereby increase engine power, there has been a move to producing thinner-walled cordierite monoliths or honeycombs for use as catalyst carriers. It has also been desired to optimize the thermal shock resistance and strength of the cordierite substrates. It has been suggested, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,772,580, that these properties of cordierite structures can be enhanced by utilizing fine particles of both talc and kaolin in the preparation of
the cordierite. U.S. Pat. No. 4,772,580 suggests that the talc particles should have an average particle diameter of not greater than 7 .mu.m and the kaolin particles should have an average particle size of not greater than 2 .mu.m and not greater than 1/3 of the average particle diameter of the talc particles and other raw materials for producing the cordierite.
Although the use of such fine raw materials leads to improved sintered products, it also results in additional processing difficulties. It is important that the green honeycomb body, prior to firing, have good strength, termed wet strength, as some handling of the body is inevitable subsequent to extrusion and prior to firing. For example, if a distortion is introduced at the skin region extruded green body while it is being transferred to the drying process, it may cause structural imperfections in the body which will reduce the strength (e.g., the isostatic strength) of the final, sintered ceramic product. Unfortunately, experience has shown that the wet strength of green bodies prepared from fine raw materials is not as great as that of such bodies when coarser materials are used. As a result, it is more likely that imperfections will be introduced in the body during handling and that the final sintered products will have unacceptably low isostatic strength.
It must also be noted that, to manufacture thinner wall substrates, the slots in dies through which the batch composition will be extruded must necessarily be thinner. Such thin slots have very high impedances, resulting in significantly elevated pressures and torques. One might add more water to the batch composition to lower pressures and torques, but this would also be expected to further reduce the wet strength of the extruded green body.
There is, accordingly, a clear need for a means for preparing sintered cordierite structures which exhibit the thermal shock resistance properties of products currently made from fine raw materials, but which are more easily processed, which exhibit good wet strength in the green state and which, as a result, exhibit good isostatic strength in the final sintered state.


An adjustable adapter for a cable connector with a fixed cable takeoff direction, relative to the cable connector, includes an input member having first and second terminals. A connecting member having first and second bus bars is configured to selectively mate to the input member in at least two different connecting member positions relative to the input member. In each of the different connecting member positions, each of the first and second bus bars is in electrical communication with a respective one of the first and second terminals. The connecting member accepts at least one cable connector, which therefore has at least two different, selectable cable takeoff directions relative to the input member. An adapter plate may facilitate mating of the cable connectors to the connecting member and the connecting member to the input member. A third terminal and third bus bar may allow for cable connectors with three cables.

An electrical connection made by a connector has a fixed cable takeoff direction, which may be dependent on the design of the connector and the electrical unit to which it connects. Cables, especially large gauge, high-voltage cables (those having thicker diameter), are difficult to bend during installation. Large cables may have a minimum bend radius below which the cable cannot be bent and perform properly. Furthermore, the amount of sheathing or insulation may limit the ability of cables to achieve small-radius bends.

Variable direction cable connector adapter


The disclosed embodiments relate to a method and system for regeneration of a catalyst. The system includes an engine that creates an exhaust stream and a fuel supply adapted to supply a fuel stream to the engine. A reactor includes a catalyst and is in fluid communication with the engine to receive the exhaust stream. A sensor senses a system parameter and produces a signal corresponding to the system parameter. A controller receives the signal and directs at least a portion of the exhaust stream or at least a portion of the fuel stream to the catalyst to control a regeneration operation based on a value of the system parameter sensed by the sensor.

The present invention relates to a system and a method for improving performance of an exhaust gas after-treatment system, and more particularly to regenerating a catalyst to improve its NOx conversion efficiency.
Current emission control regulations necessitate the use of catalysts in the exhaust systems of automotive vehicles in order to convert carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and nitrogen oxides (NOx) produced during engine operation into harmless exhaust gasses. Vehicles equipped with diesel or lean gasoline engines offer the benefit of increased fuel economy. Such vehicles can benefit from exhaust after-treatment systems that employ one or more catalysts to assist in chemically converting NOx, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and other pollutants into less harmful compounds prior to discharge of the exhaust to the environment.
However, in such traditional catalyst systems, soot, hydrocarbons, and other undesirable species may adsorb on the surface of the catalyst, thus contaminating the catalyst and reducing its conversion efficiency. Periodically heating the catalyst systems to a temperature above the boiling point of hydrocarbons, or the regeneration temperature of soot, for a predetermined amount of time, can regenerate the catalyst by removing deposits of undesirable materials.
Known methods of regeneration may involve complex operations such as switching many streams of exhaust and activating many valves. Such systems employ complex subsystems such as cooling fans, multiple catalyst beds, and the like. Additionally, these systems also require valuable space, materials and additional fuel consumption. Therefore, there is need for an improved system and method for regeneration of catalysts.

Method and system for regeneration of a catalyst


An apparatus and method for controlling a laser system is disclosed which may comprise a spectrometer adapted to measure an unknown bandwidth of a spectrum of light emitted from the laser, which may comprise an optical bandwidth measuring unit adapted to provide as an output a measured parameter, which is indicative of a parameter of the unknown bandwidth of the spectrum being measured; a reported parameter computing unit adapted to compute a reported parameter of the unknown bandwidth of the spectrum being measured according to the formula: Reported Parameter(“RP”)=A*(Measured Parameter(“MP”))+C, wherein the RP and MP are a different type of parameter and the values of A and C are determined based upon calibration of the optical bandwidth measuring unit MP response for light of known valued of RP.

Spectrometers are well known for use in the measurement of both wavelength and bandwidth of light sources, e.g., lasers. The output of such a bandwidth meter for example is actually the result of measurement, e.g., utilizing a position sensitive detector, e.g., a photo diode array ("PDA") as is well known in the art. The bandwidth meter has its own response function that modifies the spectrum being measured during the measurement of the bandwidth.
However, as the requirements for more narrow critical dimension line features on, e.g. Ultra-Large-Scale-Integration ("ULSI") integrated circuit fabrication are ever increasing (decreasing critical dimensions), the demand for pure laser light at a particular short wavelength (Deep Ultraviolet—"DUV" and Extreme Ultraviolet—"EUV") and with purity defined by very narrowly controlled bandwidth around the center wavelength, the etalons used for such measurements are becoming much more susceptible to error due to the laser bandwidths required approaching the same bandpass as practical etalons in use. For, example on a recently released product of Cymer, Inc., the owner by assignment of the present application, the XLA 100, an on-board bandwidth meter utilized an etalon with a bandpass of about 0.12 pm and the laser provided an output generally between about 0.1 pm and 0.18 pm, discounting bandwidth resonance. The convolution then distorts the measured laser light, e.g., in bandwidth, in ways that now make or will soon make measurements of, e.g., the full width half maximum ("FWHM") insufficiently accurate for properly monitoring laser output.
Currently the output of the bandwidth meter used as an indication of the bandwidth of the measured laser light bandwidth is, e.g., a measure of a fringe width, e.g., at full width half maximum ("FWHM") of a fringe produced by the etalon optics less some constant error value sometimes called Etalon Resolution ("ER") or Etalon Correction ("EC"). This has been done, e.g., in lasers sold by the assignee of the present invention under the names of NL-7000 and ELS, employing EIS wave meters, utilizing a slope and intercept formulation of Spectrum FWHM A(fringe FWHM)+C, with A and C calculated in a calibration process, e.g., at the time of manufacture.
There is a need, therefore for an improved methodology.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and apparatus for measuring bandwidth of an optical spectrum output of a very small wavelength very narrow bandwidth high power laser


A medical system for facilitating the removal of body matter including solids, liquids and gases from a body cavity. The system includes mechanical energy applied to the interior surface of a catheter or other type of body drainage conduit to substantially inhibit the adherence of body matter to the catheter, thus minimizing the likelihood of blockage in the catheter. The mechanical energy may be provided by a rotating wire coil, reciprocating wire with collapsible cups or other device to substantially inhibit the adherence of body matter to the catheter and promote flow into a drainage and disposal system

During surgical procedures and post operative recovery periods, it is frequently necessary to drain solids, liquids and gases which may accumulate in a patient's chest cavity. This drainage process substantially reduces the accumulation of liquids and gases in the chest cavities, which can severely impede the medical procedure or prevent the patient from adequately breathing due to the pressure applied to the lungs. This drainage process is most commonly required during recovery from thoracic operations and during surgery as a result of trauma to the chest cavity such as from gun shot wounds or those associated with automobile accidents. The drainage is conducted through one or more catheters and/or a central drainage tube interconnected to the catheters.
During the removal of fluids, solids and other matter from the chest cavity, the catheters commonly become partially or entirely blocked as these materials adhere to the interior wall surface of the catheter and/or central drainage tube. This can create a significant problem during a medical procedure, and is most commonly addressed by the medical staff manually "stripping" or "milking" the catheter to promote the flow of the gas, liquids and solids. This cumbersome procedure is disruptive during a medical procedure (often 1-2 times per hour), takes significant time and may cause extreme discomfort to the patient since the catheter is generally sutured to the patient's surrounding tissue near the catheter access wound. Thus, when the stripping operation is performed, the catheter is often manipulated in a back and forth motion, thus putting tension on the sutures and the patient's interconnected tissue. Finally, the stripping operations may not be entirely effective depending on the nature of the injury or training of the medical staff, thus jeopardizing the patient's well-being and potentially requiring the replacement of the catheter or drainage tube during a medical procedure or during recovery.


A piezoelectric actuating device includes a carrier, at least a piezoelectric unit, at least a linked component and a moving component. The piezoelectric unit is disposed on the carrier and includes at least a piezoelectric buzzer. The linked component is disposed corresponding to the piezoelectric unit. One end of the linked component is attached to the piezoelectric buzzer. The moving component is connected with the linked component. When the piezoelectric buzzer is actuated, it can carry the linked component to move correspondingly so as to move the moving component. The piezoelectric actuating device has the advantage of low cost and can achieve the sub-nanometer scale actuating resolution.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to an actuating device and, in particular, to a piezoelectric actuating device.
2. Related Art
The nanometer-scaled precise position is a very important technology in the nanometer technical researches. It can be widely applied to various applications such as the scanning probe microscopy (SPM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), actuating stage for micro probe or micro tube, optical path structure with nanometer-scaled resolution, micro robot arm with nanometer-scaled resolution, or optical system stage.
Regarding to an atomic force microscope, the actuating stage thereof includes a piezoelectric tube actuator for achieving the desired nanometer-scaled resolution. However, the piezoelectric tube actuator is very expensive. Except for some large and rich labs, most colleges, schools, researchers, and labs can not afford it, so these units can only try to rent the expensive equipment for their researches and teachings.
Therefore, it is an important subject to provide a piezoelectric actuating device having the advantage of low cost and capable of achieving the sub-nanometer scale actuating resolution.


A hydrogen generator comprises a burner for generating a combustion gas, a reformer provided around the burner to generate a reformed gas containing hydrogen by a steam reforming reaction based on a feed material comprising a compound containing at least carbon and hydrogen and a steam, using heat transmission from a combustion gas generated by the burner, and an evaporator having an inner tube provided around the burner, an outer tube provided around the inner tube, and a bottom plate that closes a lower portion of a tubular space formed between the inner tube and the outer tube, the evaporator being configured to evaporate water supplied to the tubular space to generate a steam to be supplied to the reformer, wherein a water absorbing member having a water absorbing capability is provided in the tubular space.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates both to a hydrogen generator configured to generate a reformed gas by reacting a compound containing carbon and hydrogen with water and supply the reformed gas to a fuel cell configured to generate a power using hydrogen, and to a fuel cell system comprising the hydrogen generator.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a steam reforming reaction is employed as a method of generating hydrogen to be supplied to a fuel cell. The steam reforming reaction is to react a city gas and a steam as a feed material using a ruthenium catalyst at a high temperature of approximately 600° C. to 800° C. to generate a reformed gas containing hydrogen as a major component.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a configuration of the conventional hydrogen generator disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. 2002-187705. The hydrogen generator in FIG. 12 is multiple-concentric cylindrical. As shown in FIG. 12, the hydrogen generator is comprised of a plurality of tubes provided concentrically with one another, a burner 73 provided at a center within an innermost tube 93 to heat a feed material to generate a combustion gas 74 as a heat source for causing the steam reforming reaction to occur, a reforming catalyst layer 88 provided within a space formed by the tubes, a shift catalyst layer 87, a selective oxidization catalyst layer 86, and the like.
In the conventional hydrogen generator, first of all, water 72 for a reforming process (reforming water 72) is supplied to a heater 75 and heated by the combustion gas 74 flowing under the heater 75. As a result, the reforming water 72 is partially evaporated. And, the reforming water 72 partially evaporated moves downwardly through a connecting tube 76 and is delivered to a supply passage 77 of a city gas 71.
The combustion gas 74 flowing under the heater 75 is discharged to outside of the hydrogen generator as an exhaust gas 92 having low calories. At a portion where the connecting tube 76 and the supply passage 77 are connected to each other, the reforming water 72 in a partially evaporated state that has passed through the connecting tube 76 is mixed with the city gas 71 that has passed through the supply passage 77. The resulting mixture of the city gas 71 and the reforming water 72 is supplied to an evaporator 78.
The evaporator 78 is comprised of an outer tube 79, an inner tube 80, an intermediate tube 81 disposed between the inner tube 80 and the outer tube 79, and a bottom plate 82. Between the intermediate tube 81 and the outer tube 79, there are provided round bars 83 spirally wound. The round bars 83 form a spiral downward flow passage 84. In addition, between the inner tube 80 and the intermediate tube 81, an upward flow passage 85 is formed.
The downward flow passage 84 is heated up to a temperature between 100° C. and 150° C. by a generated gas flowing within the selective oxidization catalyst layer 86 provided outside of and in contact with the downward flow passage 84. Meanwhile, the upward flow passage 85 is heated up to a temperature between 250° C. and 350° C. by a generated gas flowing within a shift catalyst layer 87 provided inside of and in contact with the upward flow passage 85. Most of the reforming water 72, of the mixture of the reforming water 72 in the partially evaporated state and the city gas 71, is evaporated while flowing downwardly within the downward flow passage 84, and the reforming water 72 remaining unevaporated is completely evaporated while flowing upwardly within the upward flow passage 85. And, the feed gas containing the mixture of the steam and the city gas 71 is heated up to a temperature between 200° C. and 300° C. within the upward flow passage 85 and supplied to the reforming catalyst layer 88.
While flowing within the reforming catalyst layer 88, the feed gas is heated up to a temperature between 600° C. and 800° C. by a high-temperature combustion gas 74 flowing as a counter flow in a space within the tube on the inner side, thereby causing the steam reforming reaction to occur. As a result, the feed gas is converted into the generated gas containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and steam.
While flowing upwardly within a return flow passage 89, the generated gas is cooled to be approximately 350° C. by heat exchange with the feed gas flowing downwardly within the reforming catalyst layer 88 and then flows into the shift catalyst layer 87. Within the shift catalyst layer 87, shift reaction is conducted in such a manner that carbon monoxide contained in the generated gas reacts with the steam to be converted into carbon dioxide and hydrogen, thereby resulting in reduced concentration of carbon monoxide contained in the generated gas. This reaction is an exothermic reaction. The resulting reaction heat and sensible heat owned by the generated gas are used to evaporate the reforming water 72 moving upwardly within the upward flow passage 85 and to heat the generated steam and the city gas 71. At an exit of the shift catalyst layer 87, the generated gas is cooled to approximately 150° C. The generated gas is mixed with an air 90 for oxidation of carbon monoxide which is supplied from outside of the hydrogen generator. Thereafter, selective oxidation reaction is conducted using carbon monoxide remaining within the selective oxidation catalyst layer 86, oxygen contained in the air which is supplied externally, and the generated gas. As a result, a generated gas 91 containing a carbon monoxide at a concentration of 10 ppm or lower is delivered to the fuel cell.
The above-mentioned selective oxidation reaction is also the exothermic reaction. The reaction heat and the sensible heat owned by the generated gas are used to evaporate the reforming water 72 flowing downwardly within the downward flow passage 84 of the evaporator 78. At an exit of the selective oxidation catalyst layer 86, the temperature of the generated gas 91 is cooled to approximately 100° C.
Thus, within the evaporator 78, the reforming water 72 is evaporated by heating up to the temperature between 250° C. and 350° C. from the side of the inner tube 80 and by heating up to the temperature between 100° C. and 150° C. from the side of the outer tube 79, and the resulting steam is mixed with the city gas 71. And, the mixture of the steam and the city gas 71 are heated up to the temperature between 200° C. and 300° C.
The round bars 83 wound in a spiral shape within the downward flow passage 84 allows the reforming water 72 supplied to the downward flow passage 84 to move along the periphery of the inner face of the outer tube 79. Thus, in this configuration, a sufficient heat transmission area is ensured.
The reforming catalyst layer 88, the shift catalyst layer 87, the selective oxidation catalyst layer 86, and the evaporator 78 are integrated. This makes the hydrogen generator small-sized. In addition, since in the hydrogen generator, from a high-temperature portion to a low-temperature portion is arranged from a center portion to a peripheral portion thereof, loss of heat emission is thereby reduced. As a result, heat efficiency of the hydrogen generator is improved.
Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 13, there has been proposed an evaporator comprising a water absorbing member having a capillary force, as a technology intended to improve a capability of the evaporator included in the hydrogen generator for the fuel cell (see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. 2001-64658). This evaporator is of a plate type and is comprised of single evaporators layered in multiple stages. The evaporator is configured to evaporate a liquid fuel such as methanol and supply the evaporated fuel to a reformer.
FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a configuration of the evaporator included in the conventional hydrogen generator disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. 2001-64658. As shown in FIG. 13, this evaporator has a cylindrical evaporation chamber 115 within which liquid is evaporated. A cylindrical heating chamber 116 is provided on an outer peripheral side of the evaporation chamber 115 to be coaxially with the evaporation chamber 115. The evaporation chamber 115 and the heating chamber 116 are separated from each other by a separating wall 118.
A water absorbing member 119 is provided on a face of the separating wall 118 on the side of the evaporation chamber 115. The water absorbing members 119 is made of fabrics and porous-sintered material and has a capillary force. A liquid collecting member 111 is provided on an upper portion of the evaporation chamber 115, and a liquid distribution member 120 is provided on a lower portion thereof to supply a liquid fuel 113 supplied externally through a supply passage 114 to the water absorbing member 119.
The upper portion of the evaporation chamber 115 opens upwardly and a steam 10 generated within the evaporation chamber 115 is discharged from the upper portion to outside.
In the conventional evaporator configured as described above, the liquid fuel 113 that has passed through the supply passage 114 is supplied to the water absorbing member 119 through the liquid distribution member 120. As a result, the liquid fuel 113 spreads over the entire water absorbing member 119 by the capillary force of the water absorbing member 119. This increases an evaporation area of the liquid fuel 113, and therefore, the evaporation chamber 115 that has a relatively small volume is sufficient. Therefore, in the above configuration, the entire evaporator can be small-sized.
As described above, the conventional hydrogen generator in FIG. 12 is provided with the round bars 83 to form the spiral flow passage for sufficient heat transmission area of the downward flow passage 84. If there is a gap between the round bars 83 and the outer tube 79, and between the round bars 83 and the inner tube 81, then the reforming water 72 flows through the gap, and therefore, sufficient heat transmission area cannot be obtained. It is therefore necessary to arrange the round bars 83 without the gap between the round bars 83 and the outer tube 79, and between the round bars 83 and the inner tube 81. In some cases, it is necessary to fix the round bars 83 to a face of one of the tubes by welding or brazing without the gap and to press the other tube against the round bars 83. This makes manufacturing steps complex. In addition, manufacturing precision of parts requires strictness. Consequently, manufacturing cost becomes high.
In the case where the hydrogen generator is operated in a steady state, the evaporator 78 is heated to a temperature in the above-mentioned range from both of the inner and outer sides. During start, the hydrogen generator has an ambient temperature. So, in order to increase the temperature of the hydrogen generator, before the city gas 72 is supplied, the burner 73 is ignited to generate the combustion gas 74. The reforming water 72 is less likely to be evaporated because of its high evaporation latent heat. In addition, if the steam within the hydrogen generator is insufficient when the city gas 71 is supplied, then the city gas 71 is thermally decomposed to cause carbon to be deposited within the reforming catalyst layer 88, and to cause the catalyst to be thereby degraded. Therefore, it is necessary to supply the reforming water 72 before the city gas 71 to fill the steam within the hydrogen generator. Accordingly, in a short time after ignition of the burner 73, the reforming water 72 starts to be supplied. However, in the configuration in FIG. 12, since the evaporator 78 is not directly heated by the combustion gas 74, and is indirectly heated by conduction of heat from the center portion of the hydrogen generator and by the reforming water 72 heated by the heater 75, the evaporator 78 is incapable of generating the steam for some time after start. This follows that the reforming water 72 continues to remain within the evaporator 78. Long time is required to evaporate the reforming water 72 remaining within the evaporator 78. As should be appreciated from this, in the conventional hydrogen generator, start time becomes long.
On the other hand, since in the configuration in FIG. 13, the evaporator needs to be independently of the hydrogen generator, loss of heat emission occurs in a steam piping from the evaporator to the hydrogen generator and a piping through which a high-temperature fluid flows to the evaporator. For this reason, heat efficiency of the hydrogen generator is reduced.

Hydrogen generator and fuel cell system comprising the same

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


Systems and methods of manipulating discrete volumes of a first fluid in a second fluid are provided. In some embodiments, discrete volumes can be formed in a conduit. In other embodiments, addition fluid can be added to a discrete volume in a first conduit by injecting the addition fluid at a relatively higher pressure. In some embodiments, discrete volumes that normally would not coalesce can be manipulated to be merged together.

Discrete volumes of a first fluid separated from one another by a second fluid that is immiscible with the first fluid, can sometimes undesirably coalesce with one another. Efforts to prevent such coalescence of discrete volumes can render the addition of a miscible fluid to the discrete volumes unfeasible. It would be desirable to prevent coalescence between two such adjacent immiscible fluid discrete volumes yet permit the addition of a third or addition fluid into one or both of the adjacent discrete volumes.

Compositions, systems, and methods for immiscible fluid discrete volume manipulation


A supersonic propulsion system is provided. The supersonic propulsion system includes a plurality of systems for efficiently creating cyclic detonations and at least one rocket booster device. Each of the systems include at least a first initiator chamber configured to generate an initial wave, at least one main chamber coupled to the first initiator chamber. The main chamber is configured to generate a main wave and to output products of supersonic combustion. The products are generated within the main chamber. The main chamber is configured to enable the main wave to travel upstream and downstream within the main chamber when the first initiator chamber is located outside the main chamber. The system further includes an initial connection section located between the first initiator chamber and the main chamber that enhances a combustion process via shock focusing and shock reflection.

This invention relates generally to cyclic pulsed detonation combustors (PDCs) and more particularly, to a rocket booster, pulse detonation based supersonic propulsion system employing compact, low pressure-drop shock driven combustors.
In a generalized pulse detonation combustor, fuel and oxidizer (e.g., oxygen-containing gas such as air) are admitted to an elongated combustion chamber at an upstream inlet end of the pulse detonation combustor. An igniter (spark or plasma ignitor) is used to initiate a combustion process within the pulse detonation combustor. Following a successful transition to detonation, a detonation wave propagates toward an outlet of the pulse detonation combustor at supersonic speed causing a substantial combustion of the fuel and oxidizer mixture before the mixture can be substantially driven from the outlet. A result of the combustion is to rapidly elevate pressure within the pulse detonation combustor before a substantial amount of gas can escape through the outlet. An effect of this inertial confinement is to produce near constant volume combustion. The pulse detonation combustor can be used to produce pure thrust or can be integrated in a gas-turbine engine. The former is generally termed a pure thrust-producing device and the latter is generally a hybrid engine device. A pure thrust-producing device is often used in a subsonic or supersonic propulsion vehicle system, such as, rockets, missiles, and an afterburner of a turbojet engine. Industrial gas turbines are often used to provide output power to drive an electrical generator or motor. Other types of gas turbines may be used as aircraft engines, on-site and supplemental power generators, and for other applications.
A deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) process begins when a mixture of fuel and air in the chamber is ignited via a spark, laser or other source. A subsonic flame kernel generated from the ignition accelerates as the subsonic flame travels along the length of the chamber due to chemical processes and flow mechanics. As the subsonic flame reaches critical supersonic speeds, "hot spots" are created that create localized explosions, eventually transitioning the subsonic flame to a super-sonic detonation wave. The DDT process can take up to several meters of the length of the chamber, and efforts have been made to reduce the distance used for DDT by using internal obstacles, such as orifice plates or spirals, in the flow of a mixture of fuel and oxidizer within the chamber. However, the obstacles for cyclic detonation devices have a relatively high pressure drop and are cooled. Moreover, the detonation initiation, in the chamber with obstacles, occurs within a run-up length which ranges from and including 15 to 20 times a diameter of the chamber, and thus the run-up length increases with increasing chamber diameter. For practical propulsion systems, the run-up length due to this constraint can be prohibitively long.

Compact, low pressure-drop shock-driven combustor and rocket booster, pulse detonation based supersonic propulsion system employing the same


A composition useful as a bouyant putty comprises a continuous phase having a viscosity of greater than 100,000 cs and less than a viscosity corresponding to a penetration number of 500 containing a polydimethylsiloxane which is a mixture of a silicone fluid with a viscosity of not more 100,000 cs and a silicone gum possessing a penetration number of from 500 to 1500, and a discontinuous phase of hollow, gas-filled organic polymer microspheres.

i Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a composition comprising a homogeneous, viscous continuous phase and a discontinuous phase of hollow, organic polymer microspheres; the invention also relates to a buoyant putty of such composition in which sinkable objects can be wrapped or embedded to keep them afloat, for example if accidentally dropped overboard from a boat, and for other applications.
ii Description of Prior Art
Through being denser than the medium in which they have been immersed, many objects that would otherwise endure at least a brief wetting, are often irretrievably lost upon accidental release into deep, clouded or cluttered water, through sinking. Such accidental release may occur during the course of recreational or commercial activities; from a ship, boat, dock, shore, or the body of a wader or swimmer; into a pond, pool, canal, swamp, river, lake or ocean; objects commonly lost in such fashion include glasses, pens, watches, combs, coins, cards, keys, tools, instruments, utensils, jewelry, as well as rods, lures, hooks and other fishing accessories, that contain substantial quantities of metal, glass, ceramic, stone, bone, or most kinds of fibers, rubbers, resins or plastics, or even certain woods such as ebony.
Such losses are always annoying and often costly. It is often not practical, convenient or comfortable to keep such sinkable objects held or tied to a person, boat or shore at all times, nor to permanently incorporate low-density parts or materials into their design for the sole purpose of keeping them afloat in the event of accidental release. Certain buoys or other flotation devices exist of a shape or with accessories that allow them to be temporarily tied or fitted to particular types of sinkable objects during the use of these near water, to be later detached for easier transport or storage. One example of these is the "Aqua Float Rod Floater", from Marine Manufacturing Industries (M.M.I.) Inc., Ile des Soeurs (Montreal), PQ Canada, a "tubular split foam device that fits around a fishing rod between the handle and the first eyelet" (Marine Manufacturing Industries Inc., "Aqua Float: The Fisherman's Friend" (pamphlet), Montreal, PQ, Canada, 1995). Such devices, whether made of wood, plastic or other solid materials, that often contain either one or a few large enclosed spaces, or many small closed cells, that are filled with air or inert gas to reduce overall density, are often of size or shape unsuitable for use with other than a limited variety of sinkable objects. Even pieces of soft closed cellular foams, composed of elastic flexible material that imprisons numerous air bubbles in a permanent arrangement, for example some types of foam rubber or polyurethane, that can be wrapped around sinkable objects of various shapes, will tend to revert to non-wrapping shapes in an elastic manner unless restrained by ties, adhesives or envelopes. Also, though either rigid or soft foams can be cut to accomodate smaller sinkable objects, they cannot thereafter easily be re-joined for use with larger ones.
A better way to protect sinkable objects would use a material that is a putty of lowest possible density that can be inelastically deformed to a new stable shape that surrounds or otherwise holds a sinkable object without need for ties, adhesives or envelopes. Only a sufficient quantity of buoyant putty to float a smaller sinkable object need be detached from a larger mass; or, several such small quantities could be joined to be able to float a larger sinkable object, or to be stored or transported as a larger mass.
The lowest density that can be achieved with a homogeneous organic material that can be inelastically deformed, for example, unvulcanized rubber, oligoisobutylene or similar flowable hydrocarbon, is about 0.910 g/mL. Since this density is not much less than that of water, fresh water having a density of 1 g/mL, relatively large quantities of such material would be necessary to float most sinkable objects. To enable the greater buoyancy that would be necessary for practical applications, substantial quantities of air or other gas would therefore need to be incorporated, for the lowest possible overall density. However, a material that would be capable of inelastic deformation through flow would not be able to retain loose air bubbles, each of which would eventually break and release its air on contact with the outside surface, or merge on contact with other bubbles to form larger and still unstable voids, thus causing phase-separation within the mass, and even breaking it up to release a held sinkable object. Also, a flowable material that is homogeneous, even if buoyant, would continue to flow under even very mild forces, and thus would not be able to sufficiently retain a shape that could hold a sinkable object in the manner of a putty.
Surrounding each of many tiny air bubbles in its own light plastic membrane would allow them all to be retained, evenly dispersed, within the mass of a highly viscous fluid, yet allow them to slide past each other as a portion of the material is inelastically deformed to a new shape. Such a material would now be highly buoyant; moreover, it would have the desirable consistency and flow properties of a putty, by analogy with other heterogeneous composite mixtures that are putties.
A putty is generally formulated as a simple composite material that usually consists of a collection of discrete particles, such as powdered calcium carbonate as the discontinuous phase, suspended in a viscous liquid, such as oil as the continuous phase. A certain minimum force is required to overcome the static friction between the particles; below this critical force the material tends to retain the shape given it. This mechanical property has allowed "putties" or "caulks" to be used for centuries to seal small cracks in boats or housing, by forming a plug within a hole that, in contrast with flowable homogeneous materials, does not continue to flow out under gravity or water pressure. In general, the volume of viscous liquid in a putty must be sufficient to fill the voids between the particles, but not so much as to allow the particles to settle and the liquid to exude for the whole material to phase-separate. In the case of approximately spherical particles, the volume-to-volume ratio of continuous to discontinuous phases would thus be a function of geometry, that is independant of the average size of the particles, though a larger distribution of particle sizes makes for relatively less void space available to be filled by liquid. The same volume-to-volume ratio for a putty would be more or less independent of the chemical compositions of the two phases, though their weight-to-weight ratio would depend on their relative densities. A classic composition uses ca. 15% w/w (which corresponds to 34% v/v) of water-insoluble vegetable oil as continuous phase, with inorganic whiting (powdered calcium carbonate) as discontinuous phase; other compositions substitute Fuller's earth (clay) for the discontinuous phase. More modern compositions use low-molecular-weight polysulphides, silicones, or oligomeric hydrocarbons as the "oil" or "continuous" phase, and a wide variety of materials as "filler" or "discontinuous phase". Sometimes also the continuous phase consists of or includes monomer that can be cured to a rigid matrix after the desired shape has been formed.
The required qualities for a composition of matter that would be a buoyant putty to hold sinkable objects would be: lowest possible density for maximum buoyancy; malleability towards deliberate shaping by hand without the mass breaking or crumbling, yet sufficient stiffness that it does lose hold of a sinkable object through flow due to gravity or normal manipulation of the object; self-adhering and cohesive so that it does not crumble or break upon deliberate hand manipulation, and that it can be made to wrap around a sinkable object as a continuous ring or band and thus hold it against forces of gravitation or normal manipulation, yet not adhesive and not leaving either solid crumbs or liquid stains on hands and other surfaces; non-toxic towards handling or accidental ingestion; odourless and resistant to decay; inert and non-absorbant towards water; non-flammable and inert to air; not damaged by light, vibration or shock; retains essential mechanical properties within temperature of normal use, for example, -40.degree. C. to +40.degree. C.; long shelf and storage life without curing to a solid that cannot be shaped by hand, nor breaking down to a liquid that loses form due to mere gravity or normal manipulation of a held sinkable object; can be made brightly coloured, reflective, fluorescent or phosphorescent for easy location of held sinkable object on water surface; ease and low cost of production. Though able to function as a buoyant putty by itself, optionally such a composition of matter could also be enclosed in a flexible envelope which need not be impermeable to liquids, for example a woven or knitted fabric, that could also be fitted with ties or adhesives to better hold or contain a sinkable object.
The prior art has no examples that meet all these requirements together.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,459,959 to Daniel L. Paradis issued Oct. 24, 1995 describes a "Fish strike indicator composition" that is a moldable, buoyant composition comprising either unexpanded or expanded EXPANCEL.RTM. expandable thermoplastic microspheres dispersed in equal volumes of corn syrup or other sugar component, and hydrocarbon resin. While still in unexpanded form, the EXPANCEL.RTM. microspheres are mixed with the other components, then the entire composition is heated in a microwave oven to expand the microspheres to their final size and fill the package. This composition has the disadvantages of being sticky, subject to biodegradation, and detectably water-absorbing, which last the inventor suggests can be offset by adding hydrophobic silica--a relatively dense ingredient--in mass equal to the microspheres. This same patent also mentions "Strike Putty #835L", sold by ORVIS.RTM. Company of Manchester Vt. USA, a "clay like" material composed of glass microballoons and hydrocarbon resins, which has the disadvantages of relatively poor buoyancy (density 0.6 g/mL), and a tendency to absorb water on repeated or prolonged use.
U.S. Pat. 5,421,874 to Tony M. Pierce issued Jun. 06, 1995 describes a "composite microsphere and lubricant mixture" for use within flexible containers cushions and padding, in which the microspheres can be plastic and the lubricant can be silicone-based, possessing "a low specific gravity, low thermal mass, low coefficient of heat transfer, insulative and flotation qualities". This patent specifies that the lubricant must be a low-viscosity liquid, such as soapy water or other liquid of similar consistency, explicitely excluding more viscous "lubricants which impede rather than facilitate sliding and rolling movement of spherical objects with each other, such as stiff wax", so that the entire composite mixture has a "low shearing force threshold", being "quick to flow" that it may function as a cushioning material in a chair or bed without even temporarily-perceptible bumps, which would be a disadvantage for a buoyant putty that must be sufficiently stiff and strong to retain a sinkable object against gravity and normal manipulation of the object, and that thus requires a highly viscous liquid as the continuous phase. Again with the object of making the composition less stiff, this patent also specifies that the low-viscosity "lubricant means is present on the exterior surface of essentially all of said spherical objects, but in a quantity less than would cause dispersion of said spherical objects in said lubricant means", with a preferred embodiment of 1 g/mL liquids being mixed with plastic microspheres to give a "specific gravity for the composite mixture of about 0.2 to 0.25 or less", which composition would have the disadvantage in a buoyant putty of having a low cohesive strength for holding a sinkable object; mention of other embodiments with densities "above 0.50" clearly refers to compositions with denser continuous, for example, fluorocarbon, or discontinous, for example, solid or thicker-walled glass, ceramic or metal microspheres phases, rather than higher volume-to-volume ratio of continuous-to-discontinuous phases. This prior art would also have the disadvantage of the composition having to be confined in a liquid-impermeable flexible bladder or flexible container, to keep the mass from flowing or breaking apart due to low shearing force threshold and low cohesive strength respectively, and to block the exudation of its low-viscosity liquid.
Other U.S. Pat. Nos. namely, 5,362,543 to Lincoln P. Nickerson issued Nov. 08, 1994, 4,728,551 to Eric C. Jay issued Mar. 01, 1988, and 4,255,202 to Jack C. Swan issued Mar. 10, 1981, all describe "flowable pressure compensating fitting materials which are used in seating applications". Here the continuous phase is a low-viscosity oil or a more viscous mixture of oil with wax, fatty amide or denser colloidal silica that form a fine suspension in the oil, and the discontinuous phase consists of hollow glass or plastic microbeads to reduce overall density to some extent. In particular, the Nickerson patent teaches a continuous phase made of an oil that is a poly(dimethylsiloxane) of viscosity below 100 cstks, together with at least 3 wt % of a fatty amide thickener that is insoluble in the oil. All these materials have the disadvantage that the low-molecular weight oil is able to seep past the suspended wax microcrystals or fatty amide particles or colloidal silica that are meant to increase its apparent bulk viscosity, as well as past the microspheres, so as to collect at the surface of a portion of the material, thus requiring a liquid-impermeable flexible envelope to contain such exudation, and tending to exhibit phase-separation even within such envelope. For similar reasons, these materials also have the disadvantage of low cohesive strength for a buoyant putty holding a sinkable object.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,202,362 to Jules J. Hermale issued Apr. 13, 1993 describes a composite of silicone fluid and thermoplastic microspheres, but the silicone fluid is again of low viscosity (20,000 centistokes=20K cstks) that would mean low cohesive strength and exudation, and moreover contains reactive groups so that it can be cured to a solid mass upon injection into the ear, which would be disadvantageous for a moldable buoyant putty. Prior art U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,000,108 to Yokokawa et al issued Dec. 28, 1976 and 4,861,804 to Nakanishi issued Aug. 29, 1989 for polysiloxane-microsphere composites also employ polysiloxanes that are curable so as to crosslink to non-flowing gels with the same disadvantage.

Composition of poly(dimethylsiloxane) and microspheres


A control method and apparatus for a gas turbine generator is disclosed having multiple modes of operation dependent on generator output components including real power generated, reactive power generated, and power factor. The apparatus provides for selecting a high priority output component, a low priority output component, and a variable output component. Depending on the priority selected, stator temperature is controlled with either a var limiter controller or a MW limiter controller. Rotor temperature is controlled by limiting excitation current substantially independently of priority selection. Setpoint selection may be variable and includes desired MW, MVAR's, and Power factor. This invention allows control of the generator to produce the maximum MVAR's the generator is capable of producing while at the same time utilizing the remainder of the gas turbine output capability for MW generation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to gas turbine generators and, more specifically, to a unique control system for multiple mode regulation based on output priorities to optimize turbine generator operation.
2. Description of the Background
Collectively, turbines are used to drive over 95% of the electrical generating capacity in the world. Turbines may be driven by a variety of fluids. Commonly used fluids for driving turbines include steam raised in fossil fuel-fired boilers and hot air or combustion products.
In a synchronous generator plant, the turbine drives a synchronous generator that consists of a three phase stator winding and a wound rotor which carries DC excitation current to produce a rotating magnetic field. If the generator is isolated from the power grid, then the excitation current controls the voltage generated in the stator windings.
If the generator is connected to a power grid, the excitation current is used to regulate the power factor or reactive power generated. The grid voltage is a function of the net excitation of all the connected generators. A single generating unit may have little ability to influence grid voltage. In such cases, increasing the excitation above that required for matching the generator voltage to the grid voltage produces a lagging power factor. Decreasing the excitation below that required for voltage matching produces a leading power factor.
At least two general types of exciters are commonly used to provide excitation current for the rotor. Older rotating exciters consist of a DC generator connected directly to the main rotor for rotation with it. Commutation brushes may be used to supply DC current to the main rotor slip rings. Later rotating exciters are of an alternator style employing rectifiers. A voltage regulator is used with the rotating exciter to supply the exciter field current and thereby control the generator output.
Static exciters include high output SCR rectifiers that provide all the excitation required by the main rotor. These SCR rectifiers are supplied from a step down transformer on the output of the main generator. In this case, the voltage regulator signal determines the firing time of the SCR's and thereby controls the rotor excitation current.
The voltage regulator controls the generator excitation to achieve the voltage, MVAR's (mega-volt-amperes of reactive power), or PF (power factor) desired by the operator. In the past, voltage regulators may be provided with options to control voltage, PF, and MVAR's and to limit minimum and maximum excitation to protect both the exciter and generator from damage.
For power management purposes it is often desirable to over-excite the generator to produce MVAR's required by local loads. Thus, the reactive component of the local load is generated locally and does not have to be supplied through long power transmission lines, with high losses, from a remotely located main generating plant.
Substantial problems arise in generating power locally with respect to local generation of reactive loads. For instance, low power factors used to optimize MVAR output tend to cause overloading of the generators. This is because MVAR production creates large reactive currents which may damage stator or rotor windings even though MVAR production does not consume horsepower. Thus, the turbine may overload the generator relatively easily when operating in this mode. In a peaking turbine mode, it is often desirable to generate maximum MVAR's up to the limit of the generator. There is, at the same time, substantial economic incentive to utilize full gas turbine output because at this time the turbine operates at its highest efficiency. Load changes may also require significant changes in operation modes to optimize combinations of real and reactive power output. Generator capabilities may differ from anticipated ranges of operation for the generator due to many factors such as cooling efficiency, ventilation, and the like. Generator and turbine capacity will also vary significantly depending on ambient temperature conditions. For instance, if ambient temperatures are very low, increased turbine capability at low temperatures may result in overloading the generator when the gas turbine is operated for peak loading.
Thus, there has been a long felt need to economically solve the problems of efficient generation of power including those associated with locally generated reactive power output. Those persons skilled in the art will appreciate the present invention that significantly alleviates these and other problems.

Control method and apparatus for a turbine generator


A dough processing machine includes a first conveyor having an inlet end and an outlet end. The first conveyor is disposed to convey dough along a dough travel path in a direction downwardly offset from a generally horizontal line. A cutter is disposed at the outlet end of the first conveyor to cut the dough. First and second, generally opposed, movable supports are disposed relative to the dough travel path to support the dough along the dough travel path.

The present invention relates to a machine for processing food products. More particularly, the present invention relates to a machine for moving a food product along a processing line.
Food processing equipment, such as dough processors, are known. Similarly, conventional equipment exists for forming a rolled dough product. Such equipment typically provides a sheet of dough on a conveyor. Filling is applied to the sheet of dough and the dough is rolled with rolling equipment, such as Torpedo rollers. The rolled dough is provided as a continuous rolled dough cylinder, to a cutting apparatus which cuts the rolled dough cylinder to form a plurality of rolled dough pieces, each of which has filling rolled therein. The individual rolled dough pieces are provided to a packaging apparatus which packages the rolled dough pieces in cans or other suitable packages.
Conventional cutting machines have included guillotine-type cutters. This type of cutter has a knife which is moved in a reciprocating manner as the dough cylinder travels beneath the knife. The knife cuts the dough into individual rolled dough pieces which are moved by an outfeed conveyor to the packaging machine.
Some rolled dough products (or other food products) are fairly light weight, and are extremely soft. Therefore, as the cylinder of dough moves along the processing line, it can move about on the conveyor causing difficulty during the cutting operation. In addition, when the cylinder of dough is unsupported, the guillotine-type cutter tends to smash or flatten the dough pieces as they are cut.
Further, in conventional dough processing equipment, the dough is moved continuously as it is cut. This can result in the dough pieces cut from the cylinder being wedge-shaped. In other words, since the dough is moving continuously, the guillotine cutter essentially cuts at an angle across the cylinder of dough resulting in a wedge-shaped piece. This wedge-shaped piece can present problems in packaging.
Also, in conventional dough processing equipment, the guillotine cuts the dough on a flat, substantially horizontal surface. Thus, after the dough is cut into individual pieces, the pieces do not always lay down flat on the outfeed conveyor. This can also cause problems during packaging. If the dough products are not lying flat on the outfeed conveyor, they must be manually repositioned on the conveyor so that they are lying flat. However, since many rolled dough products are extremely soft, it is very difficult to manually handle the dough while still maintaining desired physical integrity.
Others have attempted to solve this problem with declining dough feeders. However, with these machines, the dough was clamped or instantaneously stopped prior to, and during the cutting operation while the conveyor continued to advance. Thus, the dough cylinder slipped against the drive conveyor and resulted in cutting problems and undesirable product characteristics.

Indexer for moving food along a processing line in a precise manner


An apparatus and method decode information signals which have been encoded using a tailbiting error-correction codeword. The method generally includes the steps of initializing a number of decoder states corresponding to all possible starting states of the encoder to have equal associated likelihood metrics. The metrics are updated to reflect a likelihood metric for each of the decoder states given the received information signals. Further information signals, representative of further coded symbols, are received and a decoder state having the highest associated likelihood metric is extended by updating the likelihood metric to produce new likelihood metrics for each possible hypothesized extended decoded information symbol, given the further received information signals. An assumed value for the extended decoder information symbol is appended to the symbol history for the extended decoder state. The method continues to receive further information signals and to extend the decoder state having the highest likelihood metric by hypothesizing additional information symbols to produce extended decoder states until a last information symbol coded in the tailbiting codeword has been hypothesized. Final metrics are computed for each of the corresponding extended decoder states and if one of the final metrics is indicative of the highest likelihood metric, then the symbol history of the associated decoder state is used as the decoded information.

The present invention is directed toward a method for decoding information signals and, more particularly, toward a method for decoding information signals that have been error-correction coded in cyclic blocks and/or have been received through a medium that introduces Inter-Symbol Interference (ISI), such block-cyclic decoders generally referred to as tailbiting decoders.
FIG. 1 illustrates in path form a prior art Stack decoding method, implemented by a prior art Stack decoder, for decoding continuously convolutionally coded signals. The method is described for steady-state operation after the Stack decoder has been operating for a relatively long time in relation to any special start-up operations. At the instant depicted in FIG. 1, the Stack decoder has tested a number of possible sequences represented by paths moving from left to right one symbol, or node, at a time. Every time a path is extended by one symbol, all possible values of the new symbol have to be considered, resulting in a new fork. If the symbols are binary symbols, or bits, that can take on only one of two values, then the forks each have two times corresponding to the next binary symbol being either a xe2x80x9c1xe2x80x9d or a xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9d. At each node just before a new fork is generated, a number of numerical quantities are stored in a memory (not shown) associated with the node. The quantities describe at least the path, or symbol history, by which the Stack decoder reached the node, and a cumulative probability value for that path.
For example, two probability values are depicted in FIG. 1, namely, a value P1 attached to a node 10 of highest probability, and a valve P2 attached to a node 12 of second highest probability. The description of the path can, for example, be a string of symbols representing which of the previous forks were taken to reach the current node plus the probability at the current node. Accordingly, at the node 10 the description may include the symbol string . . . 010101 and the probability value P1, while at the node 12 the description may include the symbol string . . . 00 and the probability value P2. Alternatively, the description can include the symbol corresponding to the last fork taken, plus a pointer to the preceding node at which that fork was taken. The latter is sometimes more memory-efficient as only one symbol need be stored at each node. If it is desired to reproduce the string of symbols along the path, a xe2x80x9ctrace-backxe2x80x9d operation may then be performed.
The prior art Stack algorithm shown in FIG. 1 proceeds by extending the path of highest probability by one symbol and re-evaluating the probabilities for the extended paths. The path is extended by creating two new branches (in the case of binary symbols) from the previous node 10 of highest probability (P1). The two new branches are represented by dashed lines in FIG. 1 and end in two new nodes 14 and 16 for which new probability values xP1 and yP1 are respectively calculated. The sum of the multipliers (x+y) does not equal unity because the particular path chosen to be extended may be incorrect. The result of a trial-extension of an erroneous path may thus provide further evidence that the erroneous path was incorrect, reducing the probability of the path from P1 to (x+y)P1. Multiplying this reduced path probability by the conditional branch probabilities x/(x+y) and y/(x+y), which do sum to unity, the probability for the two extended nodes xP1 and yP1 are obtained. The new probabilities xP1 and yP1 are then compared to the probabilities of other paths, particularly to the previous second highest probability P2, and to each other, to determine the node now having the highest probability which will be the next node extended to become two new nodes, and so forth.
Since multiplying the probability P1 by x and y, respectively, both of which must be less than unity, can only reduce the probability below P1, it often happens in the prior art Stack algorithm that the previously second highest probability P2 becomes the highest. When the node 12 having the probability P2 is extended instead of one of the new nodes 14 (xP1) or 16 (yP1), this is termed xe2x80x9cbacktrackingxe2x80x9d, as the relative probabilities provide a hint that the path passing through the node 10 (P1) may not have been the correct path, and that decoding should perhaps be resumed along a previously abandoned path. Noise is one of the factors which may lead a Stack decoder astray along an incorrect path.
It is a disadvantage of the prior art Stack algorithm that, under noisy conditions, much backtracking takes place with a consequent increase in processing. The prior art Stack algorithm suffers from the deficiency that backtracking to any previously abandoned node, however far back (e.g., 10, 50, 100 or even 1,000 bits), could in principle occur, leading to the amount of computation required to determine the best path being unbounded. Consequently there is a need for improved Stack algorithms that do not suffer to the same extent from this deficiency.
In the prior art, the Stack algorithm was envisaged for continuous decoding, such as continuous convolutional decoding. However, as has been mentioned in the prior art, for example in xe2x80x9cError Control Codingxe2x80x9d by Lin and Costello, (ISBN 0-13-283796-X), tail bits can be appended to a block of data prior to coding, the extra tail bits being transmitted so that the Stack decoder can end in a definitive end state. The use of tail bits adds additional redundancy and overhead to the transmission, causing the beginning and end bits to exhibit an improved error rate relative to bits in the middle of the transmission. This, however, may be of no utility since a lower error rate on all bits may be preferred, or alternatively, a transmission with lower overhead and therefore narrower bandwidth may also be preferred.
In a prior art decoding algorithm known as the Viterbi algorithm, the probability-indicating values are known as metrics. Because the Viterbi algorithm only compares probabilities for paths of the same length in symbols, indeterminate constants that add to, or multiply, the metrics do not affect the comparison, as they affect all paths alike. The Viterbi decoder can thus use simplified metrics which are the cumulative squared errors between hypothesized symbol coded values and received coded values. These simplified metrics are known as Euclidean distance metrics and are related to the logarithm of the reciprocal of the probability for the symbol sequence.
In the Stack algorithm, however, paths of different lengths must be compared, and the comparison is not then immune to additive terms that depend on the path length. Various methods are known to construct metrics for the Stack and similar algorithms that compare paths of different length. These metrics are generally Viterbi-type Euclidean-distance metrics modified by subtracting a value from the metric of a path every time the path is extended by one symbol. One such metric is known as the Fano metric which subtracts a value from the metric representative of the estimated mean square noise that is expected to be added per symbol extension, even to a correct path.
The present invention is directed toward overcoming one or more of the above-mentioned problems.
In a first embodiment of the present invention, a block of information symbols to be transmitted is generally regarded as a closed circle of information symbols. A coding algorithm is applied to the symbols lying in a segment of the circle to generate groups of coded symbols for each successive position of the segment, as the segment is moved around the circle one information symbol at a time. The groups of coded symbols are regarded as a closed circle of coded symbols corresponding to the closed circle of information symbols. The coded symbols are transmitted over a channel subject to error-inducing noise or other interference. This method of circular encoding is generally known as tailbiting.
A tailbiting, or Stack decoder according to the present invention receives the noisy signal and decodes it to reproduce the information symbol circle originally transmitted. The Stack decoder postulates information symbol sequences starting at any position around the circle, calculates likelihoods for the postulated symbol sequences by combining each sequence with corresponding soft-demodulated symbols, and extends the most probable sequence one symbol at a time until it either ceases to be the most probable sequence of those sequences tested, or until it extends completely around the circle. A sequence which successfully extends around the complete circle, and which remains the most probable sequence of those tested when the circle is complete, is the global optimum decoded sequence of the received signal. This is in contrast to prior art tailbiting Viterbi algorithms in which the most probable sequence among those sequences tested is not necessarily the global optimum.
In a second embodiment of the present invention, a coded or uncoded information symbol, or cyclic, block is modulated to form a transmitted signal block that is received at the decoder via a channel that introduces Inter-Symbol Interference (ISI). If desired, the inclusion of a short cyclic repeat of the transmitted signal by repeating a limited number of last-transmitted symbols of the block prior to the start of the transmitted signal block, or alternatively repeating a limited number of the first-transmitted symbols at the end of the block, or both, can force the ISI pattern to appear cyclic.
An inventive equalizing method for such signals includes postulating transmitted symbol sequences starting at any position within a cyclic block and calculating probabilities for the postulated sequences by combining the postulated symbols with the received signal. The most probable sequence is then extended successively by one symbol around the cyclic block until either it ceases to be the most probable sequence, or until the sequence extends completely around the cyclic block. A sequence which extends completely around the cyclic block while at the end still having the highest probability of all sequences tested is the global optimum equalization of the received signal. In this second embodiment of the invention, a tailbiting Viterbi equalizer may be used.
The inventive tailbiting Stack Algorithm used by the Stack decoder extends postulated sequences until the last symbol appended is the last symbol in the circle not previously postulated and adjacent to the first symbol postulated. There then remains a number Lxe2x88x921 of shifts of the decoding algorithm around the circle before it is once more in its starting position, where L corresponds to the constraint length of the encoder polynomials or the delay spread, in symbol periods, of a multipath channel. These Lxe2x88x921 final shifts are made to complete the likelihood calculation for the sequence and to use the remainder of the received signal samples, or soft-demodulated symbols, in the cycle that have not yet been processed. Once the last symbol in the circle is reached, the probability is updated L times in succession using previous values for the first Lxe2x88x921 symbols to obtain a xe2x80x9cfinalxe2x80x9d probability, or likelihood value, for the sequence. If the final probability value is still the highest probability value of all sequences tested, it is the global optimum decoded sequence and no other partial sequences need be extended. If not, the partial sequences having a higher probability are successively extended either until their probabilities fall below the already completed sequence of highest likelihood, or else until one of them becomes a complete circular sequence with a final probability that is greater than all other probabilities. Whenever a circular sequence is completed, all partial sequences having lower probabilities may be expunged to save memory, as they cannot be extended to obtain a higher probability (probabilities only decrease as the sequence is extended). The latter, desirable feature is not obtained in continuous, ie., non-circular, Stack decoders that do not ever reach a xe2x80x9cfinalxe2x80x9d probability.
The inventive Stack decoder may used to decode encoded and compressed digital speech data transmitted over a link subject to errors. Decoding may comprise decoding speech bits of lesser perceptual importance, and attempting to decode speech bits of high perceptual importance. When the Stack decoding algorithm for bits of higher perceptual importance fails to decode those bits within a given amount of time or given number of processor cycles, an erasure may be declared and passed to a speech decompressor which then uses previously correctly decoded speech data to construct an artificial fill-in waveform to mask the error event and thereby prevent unpleasant sounds, i.e., noise, interference, etc., from being heard by the listener.
Other aspects, objects and advantages of the present invention can be obtained from a study of the application, the drawings, and the appended claims.


A heat exchange jacket for attachment to an external surface of a pump motor having a bottom surface with a shape conforming to a curvature of the housing of the pump motor, a top surface joined to the bottom surface so as to define a heat exchange chamber therebetween, a fluid inlet connected to the top surface and communicating with the chamber, and a fluid outlet communicating with the chamber. The surface of the heat exchange jacket are formed of a polymeric material. The fluid outlet is positioned below the fluid inlet. The bottom surface has a curved shape with the top surface extending in concentric relationship therewith. The fluid inlet is positioned above the top surface and is located between a forward end and a rearward end of the top surface. The fluid outlet includes a first fluid outlet located on one side adjacent to the bottom of the heat exchange jacket and a second fluid outlet positioned on an opposite side of the heat exchange jacket adjacent to a bottom of the jacket.

Most spas, hot tubs, and therapy tubs which utilize jet nozzles to circulate water to the tub have a circulating system utilizing a motor with a centrifugal pump which takes a suction from the bottom of the tub and delivers the water through an electrical heat exchanger, or heater, to the discharge nozzles in the tub. The electrical heaters have heating elements which wear out and have electrical wires which may become grounded. The heater is controlled by a thermostat which regulates the tub water temperature. The Consumer Products Safety Commission states that the maximum temperature for a hot tub should not exceed 104.degree. F.
The commonly used thermostat is only accurate to within 3.degree. F. A person in the tub will usually experience an uncomfortable cooling effect as the water reaches the lower limit (less than about 100.degree. F.) to activate the heater, and then an uncomfortable rise in the water temperature as the heated water is discharged through the nozzles. Thus, the occupant is subjected to an endless cycle of cooling and heating as the heater cycles on and off. The constant cycling of the heater consumes significant energy and is expensive to operate.
The electric motor which powers the pump circulating the water produces heat during its operation which is roughly proportional to its horsepower rating. Typically, the coil of the motor will reach a temperature of about 196.degree. F. and the motor housing or casing will reach a temperature of about 155.degree. F. However, this energy is dissipated into the atmosphere by the motor casing and is wasted.
The present invention provides a means of recovering the wasted heat energy of the motor and utilizes it to heat the water being pumped and circulated to the tub. Thus, it eliminates the need for an electric heater which results in conservation of energy, reduction in the cost of operation of the heated tub, and maintains the tub water at a substantially constant and comfortable temperature.
The pumps used in water circulation systems in the pool and spa industry are required to be of the "100% drain" type. In other words, the system including the pump must completely drain all water out of the system to prevent growth of bacteria. The high pressure side of the pump is referred to as the discharge end and the low pressure side is referred to as the intake, or suction end of the pump. The standard combination pump/motor has the high pressure (discharge) connection above the mid-point (usually at the top) and above the low pressure (intake) pump connection.
The present invention utilizes the suction end of the pump to completely drain the water from the heat exchanger, thus the heat exchanger in accordance with the present invention meets the "100% drain" requirements of industry regulations.
There are several patents which disclose various heat exchange apparatus for motors, most of which are directed toward devices which merely cool an electric motor.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,127,530 discloses a cooling apparatus for motor driven pumps wherein the motor is of the type having a cooling fluid internally circulated within the rotor chamber of the motor. A sheet metal casing is installed around the motor housing and cooling fluid is pumped through through the casing to cool the motor. Alternatively, if additional cooling is required, a length of tubing bent in a serpentine coil with fittings at each end is placed between the motor housing and the sheet metal casing and the hot fluid from the internal cooling circuit of the motor is recirculated through the coiled tubing and exposed to the cooling fluid in the casing and back to the rotor chamber.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,862,120 discloses a fluid cooled electric motor housing. The housing or casing of the motor is a pair of concentric annular steel shells supported in spaced relation by a plurality of longitudinal, circumferentially spaced baffle ribs welded therebetween.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,516,044 discloses a motor cooling apparatus comprising a single piece or two-piece metal housing having a cylindrical cavity which surrounds the exterior of the motor. The side wall of the cylindrical cavity is provided with a series of pairs of parallel circumferentially incomplete grooves joined together at one end and enclosed by the exterior of the motor casing to form a water channel for cooling the motor.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,213,498 discloses a plastic heat exchanger which can be tightly faced on a cylindrical member to control the temperature of the member which comprises two plastic sheets separated by a plurality of parallel ribs fused thereto to form a plurality of channels, rectangular in cross-section and a pair of cylindrical channels connected at each end of the channels normal to the axis of the channels. The outer plastic sheet is provided with a layer of insulating foam.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,373, discloses a crescent shaped heat exchanger made of welded sheet metal plates conforming to the shape of the motor. The longitudinal (bottom) edges of the heat exchanger are inclined in opposite directions relative to a horizontal plane passing through the longitudinal axis. In other words, one side slides downwardly from front to back and the other side slopes downwardly from back to front. The lower end of each longitudinal end plate has a port so that water will drain toward both ports and water can be introduced through one port and discharged through the other. Since one pair of diagonally opposed corners of the heat exchanger are lower than the other diagonally opposed corners, the arc subtended by the inner curved plate is slightly greater than 180.degree. F. when viewed transversely. This configuration is suggested to allow the device to snap fit onto the upper surface of the motor. However, the welded sheet metal construction would make this extremely difficult or impossible.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,463, issued on Apr. 23, 1996 to Calaway et al., teaches a saddle-type heat exchanger for use in combination with motor driven fluid pumps of the type having a motor with an outwardly curved upper surface. The heat exchanger has an arcuate heat exchange jacket formed of an inner wall, an outer wall, and a spacer frame sealed therebetween which has an open center section defining a hollow enclosed cavity. The jacket is configured to engage the exterior surface of the pump motor for maintaining heat exchange contact between the pump motor and the cavity. The jacket has a fluid inlet and one or more outlets. A venturi cross having a pair of tubular extensions may be connected to the intake port of the pump with one extension connected to the jacket inlet and the other extension the jacket outlet to subject the jacket to negative pressure by the venturi cross to draw a portion of the fluid through the jacket cavity and recirculate it through the pump. Alternatively, a cross having a pair of tubular extensions may be connected to the intake port of the pump and both extensions connected to a pair of jacket outlets in combination with a supply tee connected to the high pressure discharge conduit and to the jacket inlet to subject the jacket to the pressure differential between the pump intake port and the pump discharge port to pass a portion of the pressurized fluid through the jacket cavity and recirculate it through the pump. The supply tee may contain a thermostat to open and close fluid flow through the jacket.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a heat exchange jacket for a fluid pump which has enhanced strength.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a heat exchange jacket that increases water turbulence on the interior of the jacket.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a heat exchange jacket that has a top port for delivering water through the entirety of the jacket.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a heat exchange jacket that more effectively distributes water flow throughout the interior of the jacket.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a heat exchange jacket that has improved thermal conductivity.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a heat exchange jacket which is easy to manufacture, easy to use, and relatively inexpensive.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification.

Heat exchange jacket for attachment to an external surface of a pump motor


A multiple product display stand is disclosed which is free-standing and generally rectangular in shape with a rearwardly inclined open front to more openly display the products to the consumer. The display stand has a means for presenting additional packaging to consumers so that they will be able to select and package a desired selection of the products being displayed upon one or more vertically spaced, rearwardly inclined shelves.

The present invention relates to display stands formed primarily from foldable sheet material such as paperboard or corrugated board to hold and to display packages of merchandise.
Display stands formed from foldable sheet material such as paperboard or corrugated board are well known for use in the display of merchandise items for sale in retail outlets. Such stands are quite versatile in that they can be designed to accommodate the needs of a particular product. Also these display stands are relatively inexpensive so that they can be discarded or recycled after they have served their purpose for the display and promotion of the selected product or merchandise.
A number of display stands have been disclosed which include vertically spaced shelves mounted on opposing side wall supports. While such stands have been effective for displaying the products for which they were designed, they do not provide a suitable vehicle for all products, particularly those requiring added structural strength for supporting the packages of product on display, or those the manufacturer or retailer desires to market in a unique or unusual fashion.


A process for covering at least a portion of an article with covering material, applying a wet material composition between the cover material and a core material of the article, and de-watering the wet material to form a reinforcing layer.

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for manufacturing covered articles.
Examples of reinforced materials are well-known in the art, including U.S. Pat. No. 5,728,458 to Sweeney entitled "Light-Weight High-Strength Composite Pad" and U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,968 to Sweeney entitled "Composite Structure With Waste Plastic Core And Method of Making Same," both of which are incorporated herein by reference. These examples disclose the use of core materials coated with reinforcing layers for multi-use pads, equipment pads, building panels, and other applications.
Typically, these prior art reinforced layered structures are formed by manual covering processes such as wrapping a core, trimming excess wrapping material, and attaching the material to or into the article with adhesive, physical bindings, or direct insertion into the article core. These manual steps can require a number of individuals, limit the quantity of articles that can be manufactured in a given time frame, and result in inconsistent products. Accordingly there is a need to automate the covering of articles.
The present invention answers this need by providing a covering apparatus and method that automates the covering process for manufacturing articles.

Process for dispersing a reinforcing layer in a layered article