The present invention generally includes an ozone generation system with a power supply that measures the rate of energy delivered to the ozone generation cell. While changing voltage, frequency or current will likely affect the rate of energy delivery, current, frequency and voltage provide a very poor and unreliable control for an ozone generation cell. It is only through control of the rate of energy delivery that consistent, reliable ozone generation is possible. Based upon the measurements of the rate of energy delivery as measured at the ozone generation cell, compared to the rate of energy delivery supplied, the rate of energy delivery supplied can be adjusted to improve ozone production and control.

This invention relates to an ozone generation system and a method for generating ozone.
Ozone is widely used to cleanse/purify water and to cleanse/purify foods. Ozone generators are used in food packaging plants where ozone treated water is sprayed onto food moving down an assembly line so that any bacteria on the food is removed. Additionally, ozone treated water may be used in restaurants to clean dishes as well as to cleanse employees hands.
One of the problems with ozone generation is actually generating the ozone itself. One ozone generation method is the corona discharge cell. A corona discharge cell generally comprises two electrodes having a dielectric material sandwiched therebetween. Additionally, a space is present between the two electrodes. Specifically, when generating ozone, oxygen gas is passed into a space between two electrodes that are spaced apart by a dielectric material. The ozone is generated in the space. At lower power levels delivered to the cell, the amount of ozone generated tends to be low, but the efficiency of converting the oxygen to ozone tends to be good. Conversely, at higher power levels, the amount of ozone generated is higher than at low power, but the efficiency of converting the oxygen to ozone tends to be less than at the lower power. Electrically controlling generation of ozone has proved a challenge because the load presented by the cell is somewhat unstable, dependent on temperature, dependent on pressure, and even dependent on recent history of cell use. In addition, such cells rely on AC power, and power factor itself is subject to considerable variation depending on conditions. Attempts to control the generation of ozone by variation of voltage, current, or even frequency do not generally result in stable power or production of ozone. It is clear that there is a correlation between parameters such as voltage, current, frequency and ozone generated, but results are not adequately consistent or predictable. Varying voltage, current and/or frequency has worked very well with ordinary electrical loads, but not with ozone generation cells.
What happens when varying voltage, current and/or frequency is that, an unknown quantity of ozone is generated. There are a number of ozone applications that require the precise dosing of ozone. Precise dosing of ozone requires that the ozone reactor cell power supply output vary in a precise and repeatable way in response to a high-resolution input control such as from a PLC.
A typical application requiring precise dosing is the disinfection and sanitization of bottled water. Some natural water sources contain bromide ion, which when oxidized, will form a potentially carcinogenic byproduct known as bromate which is currently a regulated contaminant. Bottled water producers must precisely control their ozone dosing˜there is a fine line between not getting enough ozone for the disinfection and sanitization requirements and getting too much ozone that may form bromate. The precision variable and repeatable power supply is thus mandatory for water disinfection and sanitization, as well as many other industrial applications in water treatment, beverage, food and thousands of other industrial processes requiring disinfection, oxidation and sanitization.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for generating ozone at a rate that is predictable, repeatable, and stable.

Ozone cell power supply apparatus and method


A noise eliminator for a fuel cell, where an outer shell has a reception section in which a sound absorption material is placed between the outer shell and an inner pipe and has a water discharge section that is positioned so as to face a lower portion in the vertical direction of the inner pipe and in which the sound absorption material is not placed between the outer shell and the inner pipe. The water discharge section receives water flowing into the outer shell and allows the water to flow to the outside of the outer shell. Although the water discharge section receives water flowing into the outer shell, the sound absorption material inside the noise eliminator does not absorb the water from the water discharge section and does not contain it because there is no sound absorption material in the water discharge section.

In a fuel cell, a fuel gas supplied to an anode and an oxidizing gas supplied to a cathode react to generate electricity in an electrolyte film, and at the same time as this, moisture is generated. The generated moisture, together with the fuel gas and the oxidizing gas not used for the reaction, is discharged as the exhaust of the fuel cell from a specified exhaust system connected to the fuel cell. In the exhaust system as stated above, there is a case where airflow noise of a relatively high frequency, such as 500 to 2000 Hz, is generated. In order to reduce this airflow noise, a sound absorption type noise eliminator, internally filled with a sound absorption material (sound elimination material), such as glass wool, is often mounted in an exhaust system of a fuel cell vehicle or the like.
The noise eliminator as stated above includes, for example, a sectional structure shown in FIG. 7. This noise eliminator 100 includes an inner pipe 102 through which exhaust from the fuel cell flows, and an outer shell surrounding this, and a sound absorption material 106 such as glass wool is filled between the inner pipe 102 and the outer shell 104. Plural sound transmitting holes 108 are formed in the peripheral wall of the inner pile 102. The sound radiated from the sound transmitting holes 108 to the sound absorption material 106 repeats scattering and interference in the sound absorption material 106, and is attenuated, so that the sound is absorbed by the sound absorption material 106.
A large amount of generated moisture is contained in the exhaust of the fuel cell. There is a case where this moisture is condensed in the inside of the noise eliminator and is dropped or water condensed at the exhaust system upstream side flows into the noise eliminator, and the water is collected in a lower part (hereinafter referred to as a bottom section) in the vertical direction of the noise eliminator. In this case, there is a case where the sound absorption material filled on the bottom section of the noise eliminator adsorbs and holds the water (hereinafter referred to as "contains water"), so that the specified sound absorption performance cannot be exhibited, and the noise eliminating performance of the noise eliminator is lowered.
As prior art to deal with this, for example, JP-A-2002-206413 proposes a noise eliminator 120. As shown in FIG. 8, in the noise eliminator 120, the inside of the noise eliminator 120 is divided up and down in the vertical direction by a partition plate 124 having a continuous hole 122, so that a sound absorption chamber 126 and an expansion chamber 128 are formed. An inner pipe 130 having sound transmitting holes 136 is disposed in the inside of the sound absorption chamber 126, and a sound absorption material is filled so as to surround the inner pipe 130. With this structure, even if the sound absorption material 126 below the inner pipe 130 in the vertical direction contains water, the water can be dropped to the expansion chamber 128 through the continuous hole 122 of the partition plate 124. The water dropped to the expansion chamber 128 is sequentially discharged to the outside of the noise eliminator 120 through a conduit pipe 134.
However, in the noise eliminator shown in FIG. 8, although the water is dropped to the expansion chamber from the sound absorption material at the lower side of the sound absorption chamber, there is a problem that a region where the sound absorption material contains water becomes wide. The water contained in the sound absorption material includes water flowing in from the exhaust system upstream side along the inner wall of the inner pipe, and water condensed on the inner wall of the inner pipe and dropped. The inflow water as stated above is dropped through the sound transmitting holes of the inner pipe and is contained especially in the sound absorption material existing below the inner pipe. The sound absorption material containing water is fibers having a small diameter, such as glass wool, and a gap between the fibers is also usually small. Since the capillarity occurs in the fibers as stated above, there is a case where water is drawn and contained in not only the sound absorption material below and around the inner pipe, but also the sound absorption material above the inner pipe.
As stated above, in the noise eliminator shown in FIG. 8, by the exhaust flow flowing in from the sound transmitting holes of the inner pipe, water can be dropped to the expansion chamber to some extent from the sound absorption material containing water, however, since the region containing water is wide in the filled sound absorption material, it has been difficult for the sound absorption material to exhibit the specified sound absorption performance.
Then, the invention has an object to provide a noise eliminator having such a structure that in a sound absorption material existing in the inside, a region containing water becomes narrow.


A topical composition containing one oily outer phase and two aqueous inner phases, one of which is a gel and a process for its preparation. In a preferred embodiment, the topical composition is a sunscreen emulsion containing one or more sunscreen filter substances.

The present invention relates to a novel topical composition consisting of one oily outer phase and two aqueous inner phases, and to a process for the preparation of said composition.
The invention is applicable especially in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical or veterinary field or in the detergent field.
The final texture of traditional emulsions with an oily outer phase is unpleasant for the consumer, having a greasy feel, being difficult to spread and having a sticky effect.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Topical compositions with an oily outer phase and process for their preparation


The present invention relates to a heat-fusible woven fabric hook-and-loop fastener including a woven fabric hook-and-loop fastener obtained by using a weft yarn in which a sheath component is a polyester-based hot melt resin (B) and a heat-fusible resin layer formed of a polyester-based hot melt resin (A) formed on the back surface of the woven fabric hook-and-loop fastener, wherein the heat-fusible resin layer is fused to a warp yarn only, and the melting point of the polyester-based hot melt resin (B) is higher than the melting point of the polyester-based hot melt resin (A) by 50 to 110° C. The heat-fusible woven fabric hook-and-loop fastener has excellent flexibility before being fused to an adherend, can be firmly fused and fixed to an adherend such as a fabric or a soft vinyl chloride sheet, and has excellent flexibility and high engagement force even after being fused and fixed.

Conventionally, as one of means for attaching one of two objects to the other, a method of attaching two objects to each other is used in which a hook type hook-and-loop fastener having a hook type engagement element is fixed to the surface of one of the two objects, a loop type hook-and-loop fastener having a loop type engagement element is fixed to the surface of the other object, and the hook type engagement element and the loop type engagement element are engaged with each other by superposing the engagement element surfaces of both the hook-and-loop fasteners.
When the two objects (so-called adherends) are a fabric or a resin sheet, the hook-and-loop fastener is fixed to the surface of each object by sewing with a thread or bonding with various types of adhesives. In the case of such a fixing method, there are problems such as perforation of the adherend, destruction of the adherend due to application of a large force to the perforation, problem of toxicity and environmental load of an organic solvent contained in the adhesive, and time required for drying and solidification of the adhesive.
As an alternative fixing method in place of such a method, a method is used in which a fusible resin (so-called hot melt resin) is applied to the back surface of a hook-and-loop fastener (the surface opposite to the surface on which an engagement element is erected, hereinafter the same), the hot melt resin-applied surface of the hook-and-loop fastener is superposed on the surface of an adherend, and the back surface of the adherend is heated to melt the fusible resin, thereby fixing the hook-and-loop fastener to the surface of the adherend.
For example, PTL 1 discloses that the back surface of a woven fabric hook-and-loop fastener having an adhesive layer made of a hot melt adhesive on the back surface is superposed on the back surface of an artificial leather (adherend) and heated and pressed to fix the hook-and-loop fastener to the back surface of the artificial leather via the adhesive layer.
In the conventional woven fabric hook-and-loop fastener, a yarn for an engagement element woven into the woven fabric may be pulled out from the woven fabric due to the tensile force when the engaged hook type engagement element and the loop type engagement element are disengaged from each other. In order to prevent this, an adhesive called a back coat is applied to the back surface of the woven fabric hook-and-loop fastener. However, the adhesive in the back coat is penetrated into the woven fabric and is solidified, thereby hardening the entire woven fabric hook-and-loop fastener. When a hot melt resin is further applied to the back surface of such a hardened woven fabric hook-and-loop fastener, the woven fabric hook-and-loop fastener is further hardened into a plate shape. Therefore, when the adherend is a fabric, a resin sheet, or the like, the portion to which the woven fabric hook-and-loop fastener is attached becomes extremely hard, and the flexibility, touch feeling, appearance, and the like of the fabric or the resin sheet are significantly impaired. Further, when the adherend has a complicated curved surface, it is difficult to make the hard plate-shaped woven fabric hook-and-loop fastener faithfully follow such a curved surface.
PTL 2 discloses a woven fabric hook-and-loop fastener having a hot melt resin layer on the back surface as a technique for solving the problem when a hot melt resin is further applied to the back surface of such a woven fabric hook-and-loop fastener coated with a back coat. That is, PTL 2 discloses that a woven fabric hook-and-loop fastener is produced using a yarn containing a hot melt fiber as a weft yarn, a molten layer of a polyolefin-based hot melt adhesive is superposed on the back surface, the hot melt fiber of the weft yarn is melted by the heat of the molten layer, and a yarn for an engagement element woven into the hook-and-loop fastener is fixed to the woven fabric.
Certainly, when this technique is used, it is not necessary to apply an adhesive referred to as a back coat which has been generally performed in the related art, and it is possible to simplify the process and prevent the woven fabric hook-and-loop fastener from being hardened by the back coat resin. However, in order to melt the hot melt fibers forming the weft yarn, it is necessary that the heat of the hot melt adhesive applied to the back surface reaches the inside of the woven fabric sufficiently. For this purpose, it is necessary for the hot melt adhesive applied to the back surface to penetrate into the woven fabric. As a result, the amount of the hot melt adhesive remaining on the back surface of the woven fabric hook-and-loop fastener becomes small, and the heat fusion with the adherend becomes insufficient.
When the amount of the hot melt adhesive applied to the back surface is increased in order to increase the amount of the hot melt adhesive remaining on the back surface of the woven fabric hook-and-loop fastener, the amount of the hot melt adhesive penetrating into the woven fabric hook-and-loop fastener is increased accordingly, and as a result, the woven fabric hook-and-loop fastener becomes hard, and the effect of omitting the back coat treatment is reduced by half.
Further, when the fiber forming the woven fabric hook-and-loop fastener is a polyester-based fiber excellent in dimensional stability due to water absorption and light resistance, the polyolefin-based hot melt adhesive used in PTL 2 has a problem that the adhesive force with the hook-and-loop fastener is not necessarily high.
As described above, in the technique of PTL 2, the hot melt fiber forming the weft yarn of the hook-and-loop fastener needs to be melted by the heat of the hot melt adhesive applied to the back surface. Therefore, since the melting point of the hot melt fiber needs to be substantially the same as or lower than the melting point of the hot melt adhesive, it is necessary to use a hot melt fiber having a relatively low melting point. Actually, in PTL 2, a hot melt fiber having a melting point of 80 to 150° C. and a low-melting resin having a melting point close to 80 to 140° C. are used as a hot melt adhesive to be applied to the back surface.
When the melting point of the hot melt fiber used for the weft yarn is low, the hot melt fiber is melted again by the heat generated when the hot melt adhesive layer on the back surface of the hook-and-loop fastener is melted and the hook-and-loop fastener is attached to the adherend. As a result, the fixing of the yarn for an engagement element becomes insufficient, and since the rising of the engagement element from the surface of the hook-and-loop fastener base fabric is prevented by the molten hot melt fibers, the engagement force of the hook-and-loop fastener is decreased, and further the form of the hook-and-loop fastener may be impaired.
When the hot melt adhesive layer applied to the back surface is melted to fix the woven fabric hook-and-loop fastener to the adherend, a high-frequency welder is generally used industrially. If the time required for the hot melt resin to melt and solidify is long, the productivity is decreased and the molten hot melt resin is penetrated into the woven fabric of the hook-and-loop fastener before solidifying. Therefore, the hook-and-loop fastener is hardened and the amount of the hot melt resin contributing to fixing to the adherend is reduced, resulting in insufficient fixing. Further, it is necessary to prevent the shape and engaging ability of the obtained hook-and-loop fastener from being impaired until the molten hot melt resin is solidified, which requires an extra device and process.

Heat-fusible textile hook-and-loop fastener


A word line WLA of A port is activated based on a clock signal ACLK, and a word line WLB of B port is activated based on a port setting signal RDXA indicating that A port is a selected state. In addition thereto, a bit line of B port is precharged. A state in a simultaneous access operation is reproduced by activating the word line WLB during a time period of activating the word line WLA regardless of a delay difference of the clock signal and maintaining Vds of an access transistor of A port at a constant value.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device with a multiport RAM macro accessible from plural ports, particularly relates to a semiconductor device including a test circuit for setting a test condition for the RAM macro.
2. Description of Related Art
A multiport RAM macro accessible from plural ports can be accessed to a memory cell independently and asynchronously from respective ports. There is also a case in which while carrying out an operation of reading data from a certain port for the memory cell, an access is made from other port to the same memory cell. Hereinafter, this is referred to as a simultaneous access operation from the plural ports to the same memory cell.
An explanation will be given of the simultaneous access operation to the same memory cell in a dual port RAM. FIG. 7 is a memory cell circuit diagram of a dual port RAM. A memory cell M1 of a dual port RAM is constituted by two driver transistors of MN1 and MN2, and load driver transistors of MP1 and MP2. Further, transistor MN3, MN4, MN5 and MN6 are access transistors for switching accesses from the respective ports to the memory cell M1.
An explanation will be given of the simultaneous access operation to the same memory cell from A port and B port when the memory cell M1 holds "0" data (NODE1 is at "L" level, NODE2 is at "H" level) in such a dual port RAM.
In a read operation from A port, a word line WLA becomes an active level and the access transistors MN3 and MN4 are turned ON. When NODE2 is at "H" level, the driver transistor MN2 is turned ON, and a charge of a bit line DTA precharged to a power supply voltage is drawn along a broken line. At this occasion, when the memory cell M1 is accessed through B port, a word line WLB of B port becomes an active level, and the access transistors MN5 and MN6 of B port are turned ON. Although a charge of a precharged bit line DTB is drawn similar to the charge of the bit line DTA, by being MN3 and MN5 turned ON simultaneously, in comparison with the case of being either one of MN3 and MN5 turned ON, a potential level of NODE1 is elevated. By elevating the potential level of NODE1, drain-source voltages Vds of the access transistors MN3 and MN5 are lowered, as a result, a speed of drawing the charge of the bit line DTA is retarded. Therefore, a sufficient read time period cannot be ensured within a set cycle and data reading becomes uncertain.
On the other hand, JP-A-2006-134379 describes a method of firmly carrying out data-read operation even in the above-described case of selecting the same row address at the same cycle. FIG. 9 shows a dual port RAM described in JP-A-2006-134379. According to the dual port RAM, when the same row address is selected by accesses from plural ports, a control signal RP outputted by a read control circuit 116a of one port for memory access is transmitted also to a write control circuit 106a of other port, and a delay is produced in controlling other port such that an access transistor for the port is not activated simultaneously. JP-A-2006-134379 describes a method of controlling timings of outputting activating signals of ports different from each other in this way.
However, a write operation is retarded until data is read firmly in a read operation by controlling timings of outputting the activating signals of the different ports, and therefore a cycle time is deteriorated.
When the above-described control of timings of outputting the activating signals is not carried out in order to avoid deterioration in the cycle time, it is made necessary to set the power supply voltage to be high in order to normally operate the RAM macro even in the simultaneous access operation from the plural ports to the same memory cells.
The power supply voltage necessary when the simultaneous access operation is carried out is provided with a characteristic as shown by FIG. 8 for an access delay difference between ports. In FIG. 8, the abscissa designates an access delay difference between the ports, the ordinate designates a power supply voltage necessary for a normal operation. Here, a delay value 0 indicates that a time period of making an access from A port and a time period of making an access from B port are quite the same, a left side of the delay value 0 indicates a case in which an access of B port precedes an access of A port, and a right side of the delay value 0 indicates a case in which an access of B port is delayed from the access of A port. As shown by FIG. 8, it is known that the highest power supply voltage is needed when the time periods of making accesses from A port and B port are the same.
Therefore, in order to guarantee such a power supply voltage, a situation in which time periods of making accesses from plural ports are quite the same needs to be reproduced in testing the multiport RAM macro. However, clock signals supplied to the respective ports are provided with a delay difference among the signals and it is difficult to operate the clock signals supplied to the respective ports completely simultaneously. Further, word lines of the respective ports are activated in accordance with such clock signals, and therefore, time periods of bringing word lines of the plural ports at active levels cannot be made to coincide with each other. Further, it is also difficult to set such that the time periods of bringing the word lines of the plural ports at the active levels are overlapped the most.
A power source standard in testing can also be corrected based on the characteristic of the power supply voltage as shown by FIG. 8. For example, as shown by FIG. 8, assuming that a difference of a delay between respective ports is a, by setting the power supply voltage to be high by b, a power supply voltage standard under the worst condition can be set. When a skew between ports is c′, a voltage to be corrected inherently is to be small since measurement is carried out at a vicinity of the worst condition. However, an actual delay amount is unknown in testing, and therefore, when a power supply voltage standard higher by an amount b′, is set by assuming the delay amount as a delay amount a′, an excessive power supply volgate is guaranteed.


A versatile label preparation method includes preparing double thickness label sheet assemblies. Each sheet assembly has a divisible backing sheet and a divisible label sheet. The label sheet is coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive and is mounted on the backing sheet. The label sheet assembly is divided into a plurality of sections by lines of microperforations extending through both the label sheet and the backing sheet. Each of the sections has a plurality of die cut labels thereon. The die cuts extend through the label sheet but not through the backing sheet. Each of said sections of the label sheet assembly have a line of flexibility along one edge thereof for facilitating feeding through a laser printer. A user divides the sheet into sections, with each section including at least one label on the backing sheet. The user adjusts the feeding mechanism on a laser printer to the width of the section sheets of labels and prints the labels on the sections of the label sheet assembly. A method for printing cards includes forming and printing a sheet of card stock which is divided into subsections by lines of microperforations. Each subsection includes a closed pattern of microperforations defining a removable card.

Laser printers and ink jet printers have spawned a wide variety of options for personal printing that have not existed previously. A personal computer user can now prepare text on a word processing program and print the text directly onto sheets that pass through the laser or ink jet printer. Such sheets may consist of labels applied to a backing sheet, or may be made of card stock for cutting into business cards. The sheets are typically 81/2.times.11 inches in dimension and may be fed into the laser or ink jet printer through a standard paper tray.
With experience, users have encountered difficulties with full-sized sheets of labels. The sheets typically cannot be run through a laser printer more than once because excess toner tends to build up on the blank areas of the sheet. Furthermore, the complex paper path that the sheet must follow tends to distort the desired flat surface of the sheet on subsequent passes through the printer, particularly if some labels have been removed. Consequently, if only a small number of labels are to be printed, the rest of the labels are wasted and the user ends up paying for labels that are never used.
With the introduction of adjustable manual feed guides such as those found on the Hewlett Packard LaserJet II, III and IV laser printers and other printers, users may now print on envelopes or other sheets smaller than the typical 81/2.times.11 inch full sheet size. For example, many laser printers may print sheets that are as small as 5 inches long and 3 inches wide. However, to print a smaller number of labels than those provided on a full-sized sheet, a user would have to manually cut the full-sized sheet down to size.

Method of printing a divisible laser label sheet


Downlink spectral capacity of an eMBMS cell to be maximized for the eMBMS users. In one embodiment, supplementary eMBMS cells may be used together with a primary cell, in which the supplementary eMBMS cells broadcast only eMBMS content and the primary cell is used for uplink and downlink signaling. The primary cell may perform signaling for the corresponding supplementary cells. In this manner, signaling relating to configuring of the eMBMS cells may be offloaded to the non-eMBMS primary cell and eMBMS specific services can be fully utilized from the eMBMS cells. In a second embodiment, an eMBMS cell may be a standalone eMBMS cell that is not associated with a primary cell. In this embodiment, self-contained eMBMS signaling is defined. Additionally, eMBMS data may be broadcast in specified MBSN subframes. In this manner, a device, such as an eMBMS-only device, can independently receive eMBMS services.

Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services (MBMS) is a point-to-multipoint interface specification for existing and upcoming Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) cellular networks, which is designed to provide efficient delivery of broadcast and multicast services, both within a cell as well as within the core network. When delivered through a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, MBMS may be referred to as Evolved MBMS (eMBMS) Target applications for eMBMS include mobile television and radio broadcasting, live streaming video services, file delivery, and emergency alert services. Mobile video streaming is particularly foreseen to generate significant network data traffic in the future.
Existing eMBMS implementations can be limited in mixed carrier deployment scenarios where, on the same carrier, both unicast and eMBMS transmissions can occur concurrently. For example, one limitation is that maximum eMBMS spectral capacity of a cell may be limited to below 100 percent (e.g., 60% for Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) and 50% for Frequency Division Duplex (TDD)) utilization for eMBMS purposes. Additionally, existing specifications may not specify how eMBMS services can be received from a standalone eMBMS cell when no other cell (e.g., a primary cell or "PCELL") is present.
As an example, assume a television service provider would like to transmit eMBMS television services, using maximum spectral capacity, to television consumers. The television consumers may receive the video corresponding to the television services from one or more standalone eMBMS cells. The standalone eMBMS cells may not need to provide any uplink and/or unicast services. It would be desirable for the standalone eMBMS cells, when providing the television services, to use the maximum possible spectral capacity.

Increase of spectral capacity of eMBMS-cell when deployed as a supplementary downlink carrier


The disclosure relates to the field of the storage of toxic wastes, in solidified form, without the creation of any pollution, on appropriate artificial sites. Briefly, a concrete raft is cast on a ground stabilized in depth, said concrete raft being constituted by slabs having joints between them and being arranged in a diamond moulding. This raft can support a tight-sealing material. Wastes are then piled up on the raft in maintaining the shape of a tumulus-like mound, the positioning being done under the protection of a movable cover comprising a travelling crane provided with rolls of plastic film.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of the storage of wastes and to the depositing of these wastes in appropriate artificial sites.
It relates to a new method of storage where the risks of pollution by toxic wastes are minimized to the utmost, as well as to a corresponding installation.
The many difficult problems raised by waste dumps or tips into which various, often harmful, wastes are poured are known. Environmentalists often associate the very term "waste dump" or "tip" itself with the pollution of ground, surface water, underground water and surrounding air.
2. Description of the Prior Art
At present the different wastes, especially industrial wastes, barring nuclear wastes which constitute a specific case, are placed in large cavities of variable depths. A system such as this entails numerous drawbacks. These drawbacks include: the impossibility of making a visual check on the wastes and on their progress; the great difficulty and the high cost of taking samples for the periodic analyses that are normally necessary; the knotty problems raised by the need for quantitative and qualitative follow-up measures; the signs of the changes undergone by the stored wastes, such as leaching product, the presence of malodorous and even explosive gases; the need, when the discharge produces intolerable pollution, to remove the stored wastes and process them, which leads to difficult and costly operations; finally the understandable climate of suspicion that grows among the surrounding populace.
There is therefore an imperative and pressing need for storage systems and facilities wherein harmful wastes can be piled up without polluting the ground, water or air.
The invention makes it possible to meet these requirements and is also geared to other aims, notably: the visual checking of wastes, the checking of the changes undergone by these wastes as well as the periodic analysis of the leaching product of the wastes during rainfall, the possibility of conveying wastes during periods of rainfall or snowfall without any risk of causing pollution; finally high security of storage of wastes with respect to the mechanical and the physical aspects of the ground used as a substrate for wastes as well as the stability, in time, of the means used for the protection of the wastes.

Method and installation for the storage of solidified wastes


The present invention relates to a transporting apparatus comprising a sludge scraping and sludge transporting arrangement comprising primarily a scraping and transport element to be arranged in a simple and rational way in a sedimentation basin in water treatment plants, characterized of a) a series of sliding tracks to be arranged to the bottom of a sedimentation basin, b) a drawing rod to be arranged for a to- and fro movement, c) at least two outer rods arranged in parallel to said drawing rod.

The use of cable-drawn scrapers or scraping apparatus has also been suggested, in which one or more cables pull a wagon or sledge which holds the scraper at or near the bottom of the basin in a repeating to-and-fro motion. (SE-B-423 968; U.S. Pat. No. 2,866,557; U.S. Pat. No. 2,768,749; U.S. Pat. No. 4,090,966; GB-A-1 504 518). The technology is an improvement over the state of the art concerning chain-driven scrapers, in that it has a significantly simpler, lighter and cheaper construction. Meanwhile, the system means that different equipment must be used to turn the scraper blade and control its rotation from a vertical to a horizontal position and vice versa under the reciprocating movement caused by the cables. The scraper blade, which comprises a metal blade which is arranged with its edge in the transport direction and most often is provided with a rubber edging strip, extends across the width of the basin, at right angles to the direction of transport. Under the reciprocating movement of the scraper blade, the slurry is stirred up, however, to give so-called sludge escape, due to turbulence building up behind the blade and maximum efficiency cannot therefore be reached. The loads on the apparatus also mean that it must be made of metal, and to prevent corrosion from eating away the apparatus too quickly, it must be manufactured in a more acid-resistant material, which increases costs.
An apparatus in a sedimentation basin and the like for displacement of slurry and sediment collected on the bottom of the basin is known from SE-C-454,140, in which transport means is arranged to be moved back and forth near the bottom of the basin, whereby slurry and sediment is displaced by the reciprocating movement to one end of the basin, whereby the transporter consists of a mat comprising means with a wedge-shaped triangular cross-section, said means being arranged substantially perpendicular to the direction of travel of the transporter, and the point of the wedge is arranged in the return direction while the base of the wedge is arranged in the forward direction.
A transport element of a reciprocating scraper is also known from EP-B-O 532 484 for moving slurry in sedimentation basins and the similar objects in water purification plants, said element having a cross-section which has a downwardly-facing surface, a substantially curved convex surface and a substantially vertical concave surface, said concave surface being arranged in the forward, transporting direction.
All transport of slurry takes place with these elements placed in a perpendicular relationship to the longitudinal direction of the transporter, either a chain, net or rod move over the bottom of the sedimentation basin, whereby the chain moves continuously in one direction, and the net and rod move back and forth.
Previous transport elements have always been welded to longitudinally directed draw track, net and the similar on the top of these, which welding on one hand requires special training for the authorization of personal skilled in welding, and on the other hand creates tensions between the different materials, which leads to the fact that the transporting element bends and thereby carry out a less efficient transport. Often layers of sludge are built up underneath the transporting element, which sludge will not become transported but will become compressed and lifts the whole scraping transporter.


A trench shoring or shielding unit, for securing the sidewalls of an earthen formation, trench or excavation, includes a plurality of adjustable, vertically arranged panels forming a protective wall. As a shielding unit, two opposing protective walls are spaced and attached by at least two spreader bars. Each adjustable panel has opposing top and bottom ends, a C-shaped channel traversing the panel's height, and opposing side edges that inter-engage with the side edges of adjacent panels. Further, each adjustable panel is attached to at least one of two or more whalers along an inner surface of the panel by a clamp-like fastener having a bolt passing through the whaler and into the C-shaped channel of the corresponding panel. The inter-engaging side edges are segmented, preferable concave and convex, so that adjacent adjustable panels inter-engage to resist lateral torque or twisting that may be caused by shifting or collapse of the excavation.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a trench shielding unit for securing the sidewalls of a trench or excavation from cave-in, and particularly to a trench shielding unit having adjustable vertical panels to improve access and protection of workers and to underground utilities traversing the excavation area.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In construction, it is often required to excavate underground utilities such as water, gas or sewer lines, pipes, cables, drainage conduit and/or culverts, by digging ditches, trenches and the like of various lengths and depth. Trench shielding units are often used to protect workers and property from cave-ins or landslides by safeguarding against shifts or the collapse of the walls of the excavation. In fact, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations require that any excavation over five feet deep be properly shielded to prevent cave-ins or to protect workers inside an excavation in the event of a cave-in.
By contrast, shoring is often used as a more permanent landscaping structure to prevent the sidewall of earthen formations from moving or collapsing, so as not to damage nearby building foundations, shorelines, walkways, bridges, roadways or other architectural structures. More particularly, the positive supporting of a sidewall in this field is called "shoring" while the protection against collapse is called "shielding."
As previously stated, the current practice in the construction industry is to use a trench shielding unit inside an excavation to protect workers, equipment and underground structures. These units are generally open between opposing walls and at the bottom so that digging can continue while the unit is in place. Of course, the top of the unit is also open for easy access by workers and machinery for removal of dirt or other debris, as well as pipe, equipment and/or tools.
Generally, the structure of a trench unit includes opposing side panels to hold the excavation in place. Additionally, the trench unit has a plurality of bars or beams, more commonly referred to as spreader bars, that transverse the lateral width of the trench unit to hold opposing side panels in spaced relationship. Upon completion of the excavation work, the trench unit is either removed or abandoned in place, and the excavation site is filled.
There are a variety of trench units in use, such as, for example, U.S. Pat. No. Re. 30,185 to Griswold which shows a typical trench shield assembly having protective sidewalls maintained in space relation by spreader bars. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,290 to Viollaz shows another such shielding unit having legs which telescopically adjust to provide clearance about a structure traversing the trench. Further yet, the shoring unit shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,021,868 to Farrag et al. describes a lightweight unit that can be assembled above ground and lowered into the excavation to accommodate access to utility pipelines traversing the excavation area, in addition to protecting the worker from sidewall collapse. None of these systems, however, is able to accommodate easily and quickly unplanned obstructions or unanticipated traversing structures passing through the trench.
This invention improves the current field of trenching units by providing opposing sidewalls having a plurality of interengaging panels that are easily adjustable vertically without sacrificing structural strength and reliability of the unit.

Trench shield with adjustable vertical panels


Novel perhydrates having utility as surfactants and bleaching agents are obtained by reacting an anhydrous amine oxide or an amine oxide monohydrate with hydrogen peroxide in such proportions as to provide a compound corresponding to the formula RR'R"NO.multidot.xH.sub.2 O.multidot.yH.sub.2 O.sub.2 in which R is a primary alkyl group containing 8-24 carbons; R' is methyl, ethyl, or 2-hydroxyethyl; R" is independently selected from methyl, ethyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, and primary alkyl groups containing 8-24 carbons; x is 0 or 1; y is 1 or 2; and x+y is .ltoreq.2.

It is known that many surfactants are useful in cleaning formulations, such as hard surface cleaners and solid or liquid laundry detergents. Among the surfactants which have been found to be particularly useful in these applications are mixed amine oxides, i.e., amine oxides in which the organic groups attached to the amino nitrogen include at least one long-chain group and at least one short-chain group.
The amine oxides employed in the cleaning compositions are most commonly dilute aqueous solutions, since they are ordinarily synthesized as such; but they are sometimes solids obtained by spray-drying, evaporating, or after-treating the dilute solutions.
As taught in copending applications S. N. 07/591,425 (Borland et al.)now U.S. Pat. No. 5,075,501, 07/591,426 (Smith et al.-I) now U.S. Pat. No. 5,130,488, and (Case AM-6292-A) (Smith et al.-II) Ser. No. 07/724,127 (now abandoned), solid amine oxides which have advantages over the dilute solutions and over the solids obtained by previously-known techniques can be produced by preparing the amine oxides completely or partially in dihydrate form and, if desired, then converting the product to an oxide containing a lesser amount of water, e.g., the monohydrate or anhydrous form.
The amine oxides and other surfactants employed in cleaning compositions are frequently employed in conjunction with bleaching agents, such as sodium percarbonate or perborate -- materials which are not surface-active themselves. It would be advantageous to develop a material which could serve both as the surfactant and the bleaching agent in such compositions.
Oswald et al., Journal of the American Chemical Society, Mar. 1963, pp. 651-657, teach that lower trialkylamine oxides can form unstable hydrogen peroxide adducts which are highly soluble in water and alcohol and only slightly soluble in ether, acetone, and benzene and some of which are crystallizable.


A portable solar energy generation system has a solar energy receiver having a plurality of solar cells for converting solar energy into a DC voltage. A solar tracking mechanism enables the solar energy receiver to track a position of the sun with respect to the solar cells and to position the solar cells responsive thereto. Power circuitry generates at least one output voltage to power an electronic device responsive to the DC voltage. A housing contains each of the solar energy receiver, the solar tracking mechanism and the power circuitry in a portable configuration.

Since the advent of portable radios, the variety and quantity of battery operated portable electronic devices have grown unabatedly. The introduction of mobile telephones and personal organizers having powerful computing capacity, numerous software applications and internet access have increased the widespread use of portable electronic devices. Increasing functionalities and applications such as games and online social networking enabled by high speed wireless internet access results in greater device usage by individuals causing the devices to become fixtures within individual's lifestyles. Increased usage results in faster depletion of a devices battery power.
Portable devices such as mobile telephones, tablets etc. are exemplary of a growing market segment commonly referred to as "lifestyle electronics" and such devices consume electricity that is provided via rechargeable built in or removable batteries. The problem is that such devices are by design intended to be portable and compact in size and are thus limited in the size and storage capacity of their batteries. Additionally, users do not want to carry multiple batteries for each device that they are using and it is not uncommon to find a user carrying multiple devices at all times. This provides a need for portable solar electricity generators to be used by users that do not wish to burden themselves with carrying multiple, heavy back up batteries. Additionally, these portable solar electricity generators provide users with the ability to not be tethered to fixed electrical AC or DC outlets.
Numerous manufacturers have introduced portable battery back up systems for use in charging electronic devices either by providing additional batteries that supplement the electronic device battery or will charge the electronic device battery itself. Typically, batteries need to be charged via an AC electrical outlet as its electrical charge is depleted and some manufacturers have provided battery chargers that derive their energy from the sun via flat photovoltaic panels. Such systems employ various photovoltaic (PV) panels that are interconnected and foldable into compact packages but require user assembly to interconnect the battery charger/battery to the photovoltaic panels and the battery to the AC inverter. This is a cumbersome arrangement that requires a user to be knowledgeable and dexterous. Additionally, these photovoltaic panels typically do not deliver the rated power advertised by the manufacturer because the photovoltaic panels are stationery whereas the sunlight shifts throughout the day. Hence, there is a need for solar energy systems that utilizes a sun tracking mechanism in conjunction with the photovoltaic panels. More importantly, in order to be of utility to users traveling with multiple personal lifestyle devices such sun tracking solar energy receivers must provide ample power for their multiple devices. Thus, there is a need for a device capable of generating sufficient power to power such devices directly from the sun or subsequently from built in batteries when the sun is no longer available. Currently available portable photovoltaic panel based solar chargers do not have the ability to generate sufficient power to provide real time power to user devices.

Portable modular sun-tracking solar energy receiver system


An elongated carrier for golf clubs or the like having a longitudinal axis and adapted for substantially upright positioning on the ground, the carrier having upper, intermediate and lower supports, a plurality of substantially round tubular holders of semi-rigid plastic material, held in fixed, substantially parallel, juxtaposed relationship by the supports with the bottom ends thereof being affixed to the lower support, the lower support providing a floor for the holders the ends of which lie substantially in the same plane on the floor which is oriented substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of the carrier, a plurality of spikes affixed to the lower support and extending substantially axially and outwardly therefrom and adapted to penetrate into the ground to support the carrier in a substantially upright posture, and a handle affixed to the upper support and extending generally longitudinally of the carrier and outwardly from the outer surface of the upper support, the handle having a hand grip segment oriented at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of from about 5.degree. to about 35.degree., the grip segment being positioned slightly forward of the center of gravity of the carrier in its loaded condition and thus adapted to lie substantially horizontally when the carrier is being supported by the hand of a user and is at an upwardly tilted attitude. The carrier can also feature an easy-to-use protector device for covering the spike ends.

Present day golfing typically involves the transportation of heavy golf bags by means of electric carts, hand pulled carts or caddies. Except for the caddies however, cart paths or other pathways must be available for the cart which rules out the use, for example, of many of the short cuts through perhaps somewhat difficult terrain which the golfer finds convenient. Moreover, it is frequently the case that a golfer wishes to play a more casual or extemporaneous round, perhaps just a few holes, and thus has no desire for carts or caddies. In such an event, the golfer may wish to use a reduced number of clubs in a light bag which can be carried without onerous physical effort and in areas which would be difficult for carts to traverse. Even the use of such a light bag has its drawbacks however, one of which is that the bag usually has to be placed (more often tossed) on the ground after a club has been selected. This often results in the club heads being banged around with each other or against the ground and becoming damaged or at least scratched up. Also, the club heads or head covers and the bag quite frequently will become soaked and coated by wet grass, leaves, twigs and other flora of the course. In addition, bending over to pick the bag up can also, for some people, be a bothersome task.


An engine exhaust nozzle comprises a plurality of CMC staves attached to one or more support rings arranged axially. The support rings provide a circumferential load path between the staves and for attaching the exhaust nozzle to the metallic engine components. The staves are fixed to the support rings with a spacing intended to accommodate for relative movement due to the difference in CTE for the CMC and metallic components and due to thermal gradients through the wall thickness. The resulting apparatus is lightweight, relieves the nozzle of thermal stresses, and is easier to manufacture and repair.

Recent advances in ceramic matrix composite (CMC) technology is opening up new applications. Traditionally, these materials have been very costly to produce and had exhibited relatively low strength and toughness. Recent advances have reduced manufacturing costs and improved the strength and toughness of these material systems. These improvements along with the ability of CMCs to perform at elevated temperatures makes the use of CMCs viable for use in aircraft engines and other high temperature applications. CMCs offer the potential for lower weight components and the use of higher operating temperatures than can be achieved with traditional metallic components.
CMC and metallic components that make up an airplane may be subjected to extreme thermal conditions, wherein the structure must be capable of withstanding relatively high thermal loads in a variety of conditions. Parts of the engines, in particular, may be subjected to temperatures in excess of 1300° F. Due to its strength-to-weight ratio and its resistance to thermal stresses CMC materials are increasingly used in such parts. The joining of CMC and metallic components presents a problem, however, as CMCs in general have a much lower coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) than metals. This results in thermal stresses at joints between the CMC and metallic components, which in turn could lead failure of the CMC component.
One component that is of particular concern is the engine exhaust nozzle. Generally, airplane engine exhaust nozzles have a fixed exit area. In the past the exhaust nozzle has been made of metal, but in the continuing effort to shed excess weight and enable higher gas temperatures, engine exhaust nozzles using CMC materials are now being investigated. Implementing a CMC nozzle faces several challenges. Nozzles are generally made in a single piece. As the engine temperature increases, the metallic engine interface expands at a greater rate than the CMC exhaust nozzle, resulting in thermal stresses that can cause failure of the CMC component. Thermal gradients through the wall thickness also induce high stresses in a continuous hoop (or ring) structure (as an exhaust nozzle) limiting the structural capability. Finally, although CMCs are more resistant to cracking than monolithic ceramics, they are still much more prone to damage than metallic structures.


The present disclosure relates to a system, comprising: a first server computing device configured to store various application data relating to the system, and control a first plurality of modules to simultaneously establish multiple logically separate and secure networks within a self-supported computing environment; a second server computing device configured to control a second plurality of modules to perform out-of-band management of the system; and a third server computing device configured to control a third plurality of modules to control inbound and outbound data traffic of the logically separate and secure networks. The system is scalable by at least adding additional one or more first server computing devices to host additional application data within the self-supported computing environment's secure configuration and logical separation of networks while maintaining the second and third server computing devices.

Networks involving securely exchanging information among multiple separate bilateral and/or multilateral external stakeholders via, e.g., data separation has historically been limited to physically separating hardware components for validating information separation. Cloud computing efficiencies, within software defined networks and software defined data centers, are therefore not realized to the maximum extent practicable due to physical separation requirements for secure cryptographic network information sharing. Often, policies require physical separation based on the sensitivity levels specified by the governing organization.
Accordingly, there is a need for enabling multiple networks to be configured and dynamically re-provisioned on a single platform environment to support autonomous and simultaneous network hosting with secure cryptographic separation of data.

System and method for providing a dynamically reconfigurable integrated virtual environment


Improved salt tolerant cultivars of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) are provided having enhanced germination and plant vigor properties in saline soil conditions. The preferred cultivars, ZS-9491 (ATCC 209015) and ZS-9592 (ATCC 209014), were derived from a cross of known alfalfa germplasms with subsequent recurrent selection for pre- and post-germination viability.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is broadly concerned with improved salt tolerant alfalfa cultivars. More particularly, the invention pertains to novel field selected cultivars of Medicago sativa L. which exhibit enhanced germination and plant vigor when grown in salty soils.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L., also known as lucerne) is one of the world's most valuable forage legumes. It is grown for hay, pasture and silage, and is valued highly as a livestock feed. Alfalfa originated in the Near East, in the area extending from Turkey to Iran and north into the Caucasus. From the great diversity of forms within the genus Medicago, two species, M. sativa and M. falcata, have become important forage plants. These species are mainly tetraploid, with 32 chromosomes, although diploid forms are known. Alfalfa species are composed of ecotypes, population complexes adapted to the environment of a given climatic region or to definite habitats within a region.
Alfalfa is a herbaceous perennial legume characterized by a deep tap root showing varying degrees of branching. Erect or semi-erect stems, bearing an abundance of leaves, grow to a height of 2-3 feet. The number of stems arising from a single woody crown may vary from just a few to 50 or more. New stems develop when older ones mature or have been cut or grazed. Flowers are borne on axillary racemes which vary greatly in size and number of flowers. Flower color is predominantly purple, or bluish-purple, but other colors occur. The fruit is a legume, or pod, usually spirally coiled in M. sativa. Seeds are small, with about 220,000/lb., and the color varies from yellow to brown. Alfalfa is widely adapted to temperature and soil conditions, save for humid tropical conditions. Reproduction in alfalfa is mainly by cross-fertilization, but substantial self-pollination may also occur. Cross-pollination is effected largely by bees.
The commercial production of seeds for growing alfalfa plants normally involves four stages, the production of breeder, foundation, certified and registered seeds. Breeder seed is the initial increase of seed of the strain which is developed by the breeder and from which foundation seed is derived. Foundation seed is the second generation of seed increase and from which certified seed is derived. Certified seeds are used in commercial crop production and are produced from foundation or certified seed. Foundation seed normally is distributed by growers or seedsmen as planting stock for the production of certified seed.
Although alfalfa production is widely distributed, essentially all commercially available cultivars have very poor salt tolerance. As a consequence, it is very difficult to achieve adequate alfalfa yields (or even stands) in salty soil found in areas such as Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. Salt tolerant varieties have heretofore not been available on the commercial market. Certain salt tolerant germplasm releases have been made which are useful in variety development. One such prior germplasm release, AZ-Germ Salt II was a laboratory development and has been noted for its ability to germinate in saline environments.
There is accordingly a real and unsatisfied need in the art for improved salt tolerant alfalfa cultivars which have the necessary degree of germination capacity and post-germination vigor which will make it possible to extend substantial alfalfa production to high salt soils.

Dobrenz, personal representative; by Matthew


A fluid distributor comprising: a fluid inlet, a first outlet connected to the inlet by a first fluid communication channel, a second outlet connected to the inlet by a second fluid communication channel, an actuator comprising a movable piston capable of moving between an initial position and a switched position; a first deformable diaphragm, in contact with the first end of the piston, and configured to close the first channel when the piston is in its switched position; a second deformable diaphragm, in contact with the second end of the piston, and configured to close the second channel when the piston is in its initial position.

With the development of autonomous motor vehicles, an increasing number of cameras and sensors are being incorporated into vehicles to analyze their environment and assist driving. These cameras and sensors are placed at multiple points around the perimeter of the vehicle and must be cleaned regularly to guarantee the assistance remains reliable. It is important for the cleaning to be able to be activated on demand and independently for each camera or sensor, so as not to jeopardize the assistance and to maintain good control of the vehicle.
From the prior art, the document WO2018188823 is known, which proposes a line for distributing cleaning liquid in a vehicle, the line being intended to feed a plurality of nozzles for ejecting the liquid. The distribution line is equipped with a plurality of valves, each being associated with a nozzle and electrically set to an open or closed state by a control unit so as to supply the nozzle or alternatively to block the supply of liquid to the nozzle. Such a distribution line configuration allows for an individualized and independent supply to each nozzle. However, it requires a long linear length of distribution line to conduct the liquid to each nozzle in the vehicle.
To limit the length of the distribution line, document WO2019029915 proposes a single liquid distribution line, positioned along all the points of the vehicle requiring an ejection nozzle. Each nozzle comprises hydraulic connection members on the distribution line and an actuating device, such as a solenoid valve, which is electrically set to an open or closed state so as to open or, respectively, shut off the fluid communication between the distribution line and the nozzle. The disadvantage of this solution is that each nozzle must be combined with an actuating device, which is not economical. In addition, the space occupied by each nozzle is relatively significant due to the associated actuation device.

Fluid distributor for a vehicle fluid distribution system and process of ejection of a fluid using such a system


The invention relates to a cross-connection arrangement for a telephone exchange. The arrangement includes a frame (1), a number of frame-mounted subscriber-associated connection pins (24, 24') in one or more terminal units (2a), and a number of frame-mounted telephone-exchange-related line-circuit-associated connection pins in one or more terminal units (3a'). The terminal units are disposed close together and have necessary jumpers (23) for connecting selected subscriber connection pins with selected telephone-exchange connection pins via contact devices (33, 34) connected to the ends of said conductors. The contact devices (33, 34) and the conductors (31, 32) extend into an open space (26) defined by a bar (20) to which the subscriber terminal units (2a) are related.

Cross-connection arrangements adapted for telephone exchanges or private branch exchanges and including a frame that carries line interface boards are known to the art. These cross-connection arrangements take-up a large volume of space in relation to the total telephone exchange space of a complete telephone exchange.
Thus, it is known that about 80% of the total volume of a modern telephone station is taken-up by line interface boards and the cross-connection or jumpering arrangement connected thereto.
In this regard, it is known to coordinate line circuits belonging to a telephone exchange on circuit boards (designated line boards or line interface boards), i.e. printed circuit boards on which discrete components are mounted, and to position these circuit boards in the close proximity of the cross-connection arrangement.
It is also known to structure-up remaining functions of a telephone exchange with additional printed circuit board assemblies and/or line interface boards and the like within one or more frames and to provide means whereby said boards are able to coact electrically with the line circuits and their printed board assemblies.
It is also known to arrange the line circuit board in a line circuit board magazine and line circuit board cabinet and to allocate an infrastructure that is the same for remaining parts and functions of the telephone exchange, i.e. selectors and processors.
In order to be able to connect each of the line circuits on the line interface boards with a selected subscriber, there is either required a so-called cross-connection, designated MDF (Main Distribution Frame) or an exchange-internal "cross-connection", i.e. a facility in which each line circuit can be redistributed to a selected subscriber internally in the exchange.
The lines extending from subscribers are normally coordinated in cables and each terminated with a respective connection pin disposed in terminal units. The lines belonging to the telephone exchange are also terminated from the line circuits with a respective connection pin arranged in a terminal unit. This connection is normally a two-wire connection.
Such terminal units are normally mounted in an individual infrastructure and often comprise carriers in the form of U-bars or rails.
With regard to the distinctive features of the present invention, it is known to use two (or more) conductors that have end-related contact devices so as to be able to readily connect, as "jumpers", pairs of connection pins in a selected subscriber-related connection-pin arrangement with pairs of connection pins in a telephone-exchange-related connection pin arrangement included in requisite terminal units.
These conductors have been allowed to pass through the shortest distance between separate connection-pin arrangements and selected connection pins therein, and have therewith often been caused to pass transversely across intermediate terminal units.


An apparatus for use in splitting and cutting wood is provided, including a frame having a log support for holding a log to be split and cut, a vertically extending frame for holding a removable wedge or axe head connected to a manually operable drive means for engaging the wedge on an upper portion of a log for cutting and splitting the log.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved apparatus for the simultaneous cutting and splitting of wood into smaller pieces through the application of constant force of a splitting wedge onto the surface of a wood piece when in use.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various log splitting devices have been devised and used for splitting logs such as conventional hand tools such as saws and axes or hand held wedges which are driven into a log in order to split the wood. Such devices, while inexpensive, require skilled manual labour, significant physical exertion and are very time intensive with regard to the use of hand tools. Other log splitting devices which have become fairly commonplace for splitting logs include large hydraulic cylinders which, generally speaking, is powered by an electric or gasoline engine and are typically aimed at commercial use, complex and expensive.
Typical of the prior art is Canadian Patent Application 2,146,291 (abandoned), which broadly teaches an automotive mechanical or manually actuated jack for use in splitting wood. As illustrated, the device includes a conventional automotive mechanical jack to which an axe head is attached. The mechanical jack, during the act of splitting the log or piece of wood, raises the base of the device and the wood to force the piece of wood into the axe head, such that the axe contacts and cuts into the center of the piece of wood to split the log.
Another reference typical of the prior art is U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,795 to Bunn, which generally teaches the use of a conventional automotive jack for use in a log splitting apparatus. Bunn generally discloses an apparatus which includes the use of any type of jack arranged such that the wedge member is attached to the jack member and when manually actuated, the jack member moves downwardly such that the wedge splits the wood from a central point of the log. The jack is manually raised or lowered by means of the jack handle or lever.
Other background references include U.S. Pat. No. 1,283,195 to Hunter, which discloses a motorized log splitting device, which includes a wedge which is forced into the center of a log to be split. U.S. Pat. No. 111,333 to Fitch discloses a log splitter, mounted in a horizontal orientation, to impart a force to the piece of wood to be split, including wood retaining means. U.S. Pat. No. 6,092,572 to Green, which discloses a vertically oriented wood splitter using a manually operated hydraulic jack, where the jack is raised using a lever or handle member to raise the piece of wood to force the wood into the axe head.
Other references include U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,855 to Graham; U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,726 to Sieverin and U.S. Pat. No. 4,102,373 to Winiasz; all of which disclose powered horizontal and vertical splitters, which force the head of an axe or other wedge shaped device into the center of the log to be split.
Despite past attempts in this field, there remains a need for a simple, portable, cost efficient log splitter which is sufficiently powerful to cut or split pieces of wood or logs, and yet is simple and lightweight in construction. Preferably, such an improved wood splitting device has the ability to be easily and quickly dismantled for easy transportation and set up, simple to use and also to place in storage when not in use, for example home use or camping.


In a receiver for processing a VSB modulated signal containing terrestrial broadcast high definition television information including data packets, the received signal is converted to a digital signal (19), demodulated (22) and equalized by an adaptive channel equalizer (34). An equalized signal is processed by decoding networks including a Reed-Solomon FEC error detecting and correcting network (44). The equalizer filter coefficient step size is dynamically adjusted during the adaption process as a function of the packet error rate. A local microcontroller (60) monitors the packet error rate at the Reed-Solomon error detector and instructs the equalizer to adjust the coefficient step size in a direction to reduce the packet error rate.

This invention concerns adaptive channel equalization of an image representative signal which may be processed by an image processing and display device such as a television receiver.
The recovery of data from modulated signals conveying digital information in symbol form usually requires three functions at a receiver: timing recovery for symbol synchronization, carrier recovery (frequency demodulation to baseband), and channel equalization. Timing recovery is a process by which a receiver clock (timebase) is synchronized to a transmitter clock. This permits the received signal to be sampled at the optimum point in time to reduce the chance of a slicing error associated with decision-directed processing of received symbol values. Carrier recovery is a process by which a received RF signal, after being frequency downconverted to a lower intermediate frequency passband (e.g., near baseband), is frequency shifted to baseband to permit recovery of the modulating baseband information.
Many digital data communications systems employ adaptive equalization to compensate for the distortion effects of changing channel conditions and disturbances on the signal transmission channel. The equalization process estimates the transfer function of the transmission channel and applies the inverse of the transfer function to the received signal so as to reduce or eliminate the distortion effects. Channel equalization typically employs filters that remove amplitude and phase distortions resulting from a frequency dependent time variant response of the transmission channel, for example, to thereby provide improved symbol decision capability. Equalization removes baseband intersymbol interference (ISI) caused by transmission channel disturbances including the low pass filtering effect of the transmission channel. ISI causes the value of a given symbol to be distorted by the values of preceding and following symbols, and essentially represents symbol xe2x80x9cghostsxe2x80x9d since ISI includes advanced and delayed symbols with respect to a reference symbol location in a given decision region.
An adaptive equalizer is essentially a digital filter with an adaptive response to compensate for channel distortions. Several well-known algorithms are available for adapting the filter coefficients and thereby the filter response to converge the equalizer. In the process of converging the equalizer coefficients, large step sizes are typically used to allow the coefficients to converge faster during an initial adaptation stage, while small step size changes are used at other times to prevent the coefficient values from changing rapidly. The present invention is directed to a process that supports the efficient use of such step size changes.
In accordance with the principles of the present invention, adaptive equalization is facilitated by dynamically changing the equalizer filter coefficient step size during the adaption process as a function of the packet error rate such as may be evidenced by the output of an FEC error detecting and correcting network.


Architecture that provides a data profile computation technique which employs key profile computation and data pattern profile computation. Key profile computation in a data table includes both exact keys as well as approximate keys, and is based on key strengths. A key strength of 100% is an exact key, and any other percentage in an approximate key. The key strength is estimated based on the number of table rows that have duplicated attribute values. Only column sets that exceed a threshold value are returned. Pattern profiling identifies a small set of regular expression patterns which best describe the patterns within a given set of attribute values. Pattern profiling includes three phases: a first phases for determining token regular expressions, a second phase for determining candidate regular expressions, and a third phase for identifying the best regular expressions of the candidates that match the attribute values.

Data integration and data cleaning applications need analytical tools to understand the characteristics of the contents and also the structure among columns of the data. Such analysis is critical before a cleaning query or a data exchange query can be designed for the data. Indeed, many data exchange tools often assume and exploit the existence of constraints that hold for the data being integrated. Unfortunately, traditional data analysis tools fall short for tasks that explore the contents and structure of the data such as the task of finding all columns with a large fraction of null values or all (almost) key columns in a given relation. In general, data quality metrics are hard to define because data quality can be domain/application specific.
One well known approach to defining data quality is using data profiling. A data profile is a collection of elements each of which is an aggregate statistics of the data, such as number of rows in the Customer table, number of distinct values in the State column, number of NULL or missing values in the Zip column, distribution of values of the City column, whether or not "name, address" is a key, etc. Indeed, there are several tools already available that allow profiling a data source, but while such tools are already useful, fall short in many ways. For example, the tools do not provide efficient and scalable key discovery for tables and fail in the ability to extract pattern profiles from the data.

Key profile computation and data pattern profile computation


Methods and apparatus utilizing hydrogen peroxide are useful to reduce NOx, SOx and mercury (or other heavy metal) emissions from combustion flue gas streams. Continuous concentration of hydrogen peroxide to levels approaching or exceeding propellant-grade hydrogen peroxide facilitates increased system efficiency. In this manner, combustion flue gas streams can be treated for the removal of NOx, SOx and heavy metals, while isolating useful by-products streams of sulfuric acid and nitric acid as well as solids for the recovery of the heavy metals.

Control of emissions from fossil fuel combustions sources addresses a major environmental problem. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Clean Air Act regulates the emissions from fossil fuel-fire power plants. Initial regulations were focused on oxides-of-nitrogen (NOx) and oxides-of-sulfur (SOx) emissions, but newer regulations will include provisions to control heavy metals (Hg, etc.) and carbon dioxide.
Gas streams from combustion processes are often scrubbed, i.e., contacted with water, to remove many of their contaminants. However, these scrubbing processes often produce hazardous waste streams that must be dealt with.
For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated below that will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for alternative methods and apparatus for treating combustion gas streams.

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration


An oscillator signal stabilization method is provided for a radio transceiver, for example. In the present stabilization method, amplitude variation of a radio frequency oscillator signal generated by a frequency-adjustable oscillator signal generator is stabilized in an adaptive compensation circuit having adjustable compensation parameters. The stabilized oscillator signal is fed from the compensation circuit to one or more frequency dividers for frequency division. The compensation circuit is configured to stabilize signal variations caused by component non-idealities and, thereby, prevent undesired frequency division errors in the frequency dividers.

A typical frequency mixer implemented in a radio transceiver comprises a phase-locked loop (PLL) to provide an oscillator signal having a first frequency and one or more frequency dividers dividing the frequency of the oscillator signal output from the PLL to a desired frequency (or frequencies). The output signal of a selected frequency divider is then used for up converting a transmission signal to a desired radio frequency and/or down converting a reception signal from the radio frequency to a baseband.
The performance of a frequency divider is highly dependent on the degree of variation in the level of an input signal. High signal level variation may cause the frequency divider to perform undesired frequency divisions resulting in a distorted oscillator signal in an output of the frequency divider. The degree of the signal level variation may depend on temperature, frequency band, and frequency range supported by the frequency mixer. Signal wires may also cause additional signal variation. For example, jitter is an abrupt and unwanted variation in signal characteristics, such as an interval between successive pulses, the amplitude of successive cycles, or the frequency or phase of successive cycles. Jitter may very well affect the accuracy of rising and falling edges of a digital signal and, thereby, degrade the performance of the frequency divider.
Frequency dividers are typically implemented by digital logic circuits such as counters or flip-flops. Emitter-coupled logic is also known to be used in the frequency dividers. High variation in the input signal of the frequency divider may cause the counter to make a count at an undesired moment, thereby causing an erroneous frequency division. A conventional solution to compensate for the errors caused by signal variation is to deliver the input signal into the frequency divider at a sufficiently high fixed signal level. The problem with this solution is high power consumption and highly variable frequency division performance in cases where the frequency mixer supports a wide frequency range. In the latter case, the high signal level may not be sufficient to fully compensate for a frequency-dependent signal variation. Additionally, the power consumption is a critical factor in devices relying on batteries.


An exterior light fixture includes a housing configured to be mounted to an exterior vertical wall. A luminaire is connected via a projecting arm to the housing and powered by electrical wires running therethrough. The housing includes a rotatable door which, when rotated from a closed position to an open position, exposes a ground fault interrupter circuit providing preferably three-pronged sockets to deliver grounded, protected AC current for consumer use.

The present invention relates to wall lamps, especially exterior wall lamps.
There are various categories of lighting apparatus. One broad division of these apparatus is interior versus exterior lighting. A second broad division concerns the voltage used in such lamps, e.g. lamps which are powered by standard alternating current which in the United States is typically 120 volts AC versus low-voltage or direct-current lighting. The present invention concerns lighting which is powered by standard voltage, alternating current supply
It is known to combine a lighting fixture with an electrical outlet. Thus, Miller U.S. Pat. No. 4,816,969 shows a wall mounted lighting fixture adapted to be placed over a bed, such as in a hospital for example, and includes electrical sockets 17 on a side face thereof. This does not, however, solve the problem of providing a convenient source of lighting on exterior surfaces of edifices such as homes, stores, restaurants and the like.
Humphrey U.S. Pat. No. 6,871,985 discloses a post lamp for outdoor lighting. This is not, however, a permanent fixture and is not a wall fixture nor any other kind of permanently-mounted fixture. Instead, it is portable and requires its own electric wire to extend to a power source. At the top of the pole is a luminaire, and at the base of the pole is an electric socket.
DeKay U.S. Pat. No. 4,713,734 discloses an interior wall lamp assembly having an elongated hollow conduit carrying and concealing electric current-carrying wires connected at the bottom end of the hollow conduit to an AC plug so that the device can be plugged into a wall socket. The device includes adhesives or Velcro fasteners to adhere the elongated member to a vertical wall. A projecting arm extends from the top of the elongated conduit to a lamp socket or the like. DeKay shows an auxiliary electric socket 11 mounted along a side wall of the elongated hollow conduit,
Simon U.S. Pat. No. 3,188,379 illustrates a weatherproof electrical installation with a pivotally-attached hood apparatus. This, however, provides no lighting function and is, by definition, not a wall lamp. An alternative arrangement for protecting electric sockets in outdoor use is Sanner U.S. Pat. No. 4,266,266 which, like Simon, is not a light source but rather an outdoor electric socket fixture having downward facing sockets.
None of these patents, however, provides an exterior wall lamp which also provides a source of protected AC current for other uses. None of these solves the problem of needing access, around the outside of a house or other building, to standard AC power without adding extra, separate fixtures dedicated thereto.
An object of the present invention is to increase the utility of an exterior wall lamp fixture to provide a source of AC power for other applications and, preferably, while preserving esthetic features of the fixture.


An integrated circuit and method of fabricating the integrated circuit. The integrated circuit, including: one or more power distribution networks; one or more ground distribution networks; one or more data networks; and fuses temporarily and electrically connecting power, ground or data wires of the same or different networks together, the same or different networks selected from the group consisting of the one or more power distribution networks, the one or more ground distribution networks, the one or more data networks, and combinations thereof.

As the size (surface area) of integrated circuits has increased and as the number of devices it is possible to form per unit area has increased, it has become possible to incorporate ever-larger circuit networks within integrated circuit chips, which require ever more protection from charge induced defects. Conventional charge protection schemes, such as the incorporation of electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuits are directed to protection of the integrated circuit chip after fabrication is complete, but not while the integrated circuit is being fabricated. Therefore, there is a need for new and improved methods and structures to prevent charge induced yield loss during fabrication of integrated circuit chips.

Method and structure to prevent circuit network charging during fabrication of integrated circuits

International Business Machines Corporation


The invention disclosed relates to an improved solvent extraction/soil remediation process for the concurrent removal of hydrocarbon contaminants, and fixation of heavy metals. The improvements include selecting the metal fixation agent for improved hydrocarbon extraction efficiency, and reducing the number of extraction stages to four or five by breaking down and reforming the soil agglomerates between stages,

This application relates to a method for soil remediation, and in particular to the concurrent removal of hydrocarbon contaminants and heavy metal fixation.
Contamination of soil by hazardous organic pollutants and/or heavy metals is a serious environmental problem facing the global community. Over time, these pollutants, trapped in the soil matrix, leach through inadequate holding facilities and migrate deep into the earth, finally making their way to groundwater aquifers. Once contaminated, these aquifers carry the toxins through the ecological system, bringing them into the food chain.
Typically, both heavy metals and hydrocarbon contaminants are associated with the finer particle fractions of soils and sediments. Most techniques for the removal of metals involve contacting the soil with an aqueous solution. Similarly, some processes remove hydrocarbon contaminants by aqueous washing methods. For fine textured, high clay soils these techniques tend to produce intractable sludges having poor solid-liquid separation characteristics. Other soil cleaning technologies, such as thermal desorption, are also poorly suited for treating fine textured top soils because of adverse effects on the associated humic matter or soil mineralogy. In such cases the treated soil may have to be landfilled or used as subsoil because of impaired soil fertility.

Method of soil remediation by concurrent removal of hydrocarbons and fixation of heavy metals


An image sensor unit includes: a plurality of sensor substrates that are connected in a main-scan direction and that are provided with sensor chips in the main-scan direction, the sensor chips converting light from an original to electric signals; and a plurality of rod-lens arrays that are connected in the main-scan direction and that are provided with a plurality of rod lenses in the main-scan direction, the rod lenses focusing the light from the original on the sensor chips, wherein connection positions between the plurality of sensor substrates are arranged at positions not overlapping with connection positions between the plurality of rod-lens arrays. A decrease in reading accuracy of an image can be reduced even if short constituent members are connected in the main-scan direction to form an elongated image sensor unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image sensor unit, an image reading apparatus, and an image forming apparatus. Particularly, the present invention relates to an image sensor unit, an image reading apparatus, and an image forming apparatus used to read a large original (large-sized original) and the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
Readable lengths (hereinafter, "read lengths") of originals are generally about A4, B4, and A3 sizes in an image sensor unit used in an image reading apparatus or an image forming apparatus. In recent years, an elongated image sensor unit that can read large originals in A2, A1, and A0 sizes exceeding the read length of A3 size is used in an image reading apparatus, such as an electronic white board.
In the elongated image sensor unit, a plurality of short sensor substrates can be connected in a main-scan direction, or a plurality of short rod-lens arrays can be connected in the main-scan direction to reduce cost. Patent Document 1 discloses an image sensor including a plurality of short rod-lens arrays that are continuously arranged throughout a predetermined read length.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2005-217630
In the image sensor unit used in an electronic white board and the like, an image to be read includes large characters, and reading accuracy is not a problem. However, in an image sensor unit or the like used to read a large map and the like, fine reading accuracy is demanded as in reading of an original in general size.
When a plurality of short sensor substrates and a plurality of short rod-lens arrays are connected to the image sensor unit that requires fine reading accuracy, the sensor substrates to be connected and the rod-lens arrays to be connected need to be accurately connected. On the other hand, even if the sensor substrates to be connected and the rod-lens arrays to be connected are connected within an acceptable connection error, there is a problem that the reading accuracy is reduced in some cases if connection positions between the sensor substrates and connection positions between the rod-lens arrays are closely arranged.

Image sensor unit, image reading apparatus, and image forming apparatus


Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for workflow decision management. Embodiments include maintaining a device state history; identifying a device usage pattern in dependence upon the device state history; identifying a workflow scenario in dependence upon the device usage pattern; identifying a workflow in dependence upon the workflow scenario; executing the workflow including: sending, to an intermediate message validation service, a message to be forwarded to a device to administer at least one value of an attribute of the device; determining, by the intermediate message validation service, that the message is valid; and forwarding, by the intermediate message validation service, the valid message to the device.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of the invention is data processing, or, more specifically, methods, systems, and products for workflow decision management.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventional networks contain various networked devices. User's often use the various devices, or adjust particular settings of the devices, in accordance with consistent patterns and scenarios of device usage. Despite routinely using devices according to these consistent patterns and scenarios of device usage, conventional networked devices still often require user intervention to change attribute values of a device. It would be advantageous if there were a method of workflow decision management that used workflows to change in values of device attributes in a network in dependence upon identified patterns of usage and identified scenarios that did not require user intervention.

Workflow decision management with intermediate message validation