A centralizer system is provided for use in a marine riser system, the centralizer being preferably heat-shrink fitted to an upset portion of a keel joint, the upset portion having tapered sections on the upper and lower ends that gradually blend into the outer diameter of the pipe used as the keel joint, the centralizer preferably comprising axially extending annular grooves in surrounding relationship to the upset portion, the grooves serving to permit forces acting on the centralizer to be redirected or dissipated to thereby prevent excessive buildup on a selected region of the upset portion adjacent the radial grooves.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to high-load centralizer systems and, more specifically, provides a system and method which in one preferred embodiment may be utilized as keel joint subject to substantial mechanical stresses in a marine riser system.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Marine risers have been utilized in the past with non-fixed connections to floating platforms and/or drill ships and/or wellheads that are maintained generally above the wellhead or in the vicinity of a plurality of wellheads. Stress joints may be utilized at the riser connections to the wellhead(s) and to the floating platform because large forces may be applied at these positions due to the relative movement between the wellhead and floating platform. The stress joint utilized at the floating platform is sometimes referred to as a keel joint because it extends through the bottom or the keel of the platform or other marine vessel. As used herein floating and/or offshore platform may refer to any marine structure for use with oil and gas wells. An example of a prior art keel joint is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,887,659 issued Mar. 30, 1999, to B. J. Watkins, which discloses an assembly including a protective sleeve spaced about an intermediate pipe of a riser which is adapted to extend through an opening in the bottom of a vertical compartment of a offshore rig for use in drilling or completing a subsea well, with a ball shaped portion on the upper end of the sleeve is closely received by ball shaped surfaces of the upper portion of the riser pipe, while a ball shaped part on the lower portion of the riser pipe is so received within the lower end of the sleeve to permit them to swivel as well as to move vertically with respect to one another.
A more general type of high stress marine riser interconnection is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,185,694, issued Jan. 29, 1980, to E. E. Horton which discloses a marine riser system which extends between a floating offshore platform and one or more well means in a seabed formation and which has riser end portions non-fixedly connected in to the floating platform and to wellhead structure at the well hole. Each end portion of the riser may be adapted to yield axially, laterally, and rotatively during movement of the riser relative to the platform and to the wellhead structure. Each end portion of the riser is provided with fulcrum or pivot contacts, which may preferably comprise centralizers, with hawse pipe carried by the platform and with hawse pipe or casing means provided in the wellhead structure. Bending stresses at the riser end portions or stress joints are reduced at the platform and at the wellhead structure by utilizing the non-fixed connection described therein.
Other attempts to control, reduce, minimize, and/or distribute forces applied to stress joints and/or keel joints are shown in the following documents:
U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,791, issued Jul. 23, 2002, to Pallini, Jr. et al., discloses an attachment which extends between an outer sleeve and an inner riser pipe where the pipe penetrates the keel of a platform. In one version, the attachment is a conically-shaped with a small diameter ring that engages the riser pipe and a large diameter ring that engages the outer sleeve. This attachment has elements that are very flexible in bending but relatively stiff and strong in axial load. Other versions include flat rings where lateral load is taken directly into tension and compression in the beams, allowing for relatively high lateral load transfer. Both the conically-shaped attachment and the flat ring have a number of variations that provide low bending stiffness but high axial stiffness of the elements. Depending on whether resistance to axial loads, lateral loads, or resistance to combination of both loads is desired, the attachment and the flat ring may be used alone or in combination. Other variations of the device provide two opposing conical shaped attachments or a conical and flat ring attachment installed together to provide load capability in both axial and lateral directions while still providing angular flexibility.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,205, issued Nov. 4, 1997, to J. E. Halkyard, discloses a stress relieving joint for pipe such as risers, tendons, and the like used in floating vessel systems wherein a vessel is subject to heave, pitch, and roll motion caused by wind, currents, and wave action; the pipe passing through a constraint opening in the vessel and connected to the sea floor and subject to bending or rotation at the constraint opening. The joint comprises a sleeve member of selected length with ends at opposite sides of the constraint opening and centralizing annuli or rings at sleeve member ends for providing spaced contact points or areas to distribute bending stresses imparted to the sleeve member at the constraint opening to the pipe at the sleeve member ends. A method of relieving or distributing stress in a pipe at a constraint location.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,677, issued Feb. 23, 1999, to Bavies et al., discloses a stress relieving joint for use with riser pipe in floating systems wherein a vessel is subject to variable motion caused by wind, currents, and wave action. The riser pipe has one end connectable to the sea floor and an upper portion adapted to pass through a constraining opening at the bottom of the vessel. A ball joint and socket assembly is removably attached to the keel at the constraint opening. A sleeve is attached at substantially its midpoint in the ball joint. Riser pipe received in the sleeve is provided with wear strips that reduces the rate of reduction in wear surface diameter.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,633,801, issued Jan. 6, 1987, to P. W. Marshall, discloses the apparatus of the present invention comprises a compliant structure for use in reducing bending stress at the ends of an elongated cylindrical tether which may, for example, be used to connect a floating platform supported by a body of water to the floor thereof. The apparatus comprises a plurality of tubular support members concentrically arranged about the elongated cylindrical tether at the tether's end connection. Each tubular support member is connected to each adjacent tubular support member in a manner that allows the entire assembly of tubular members to deflect in unison as the cylindrical tether deflects.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,467,545, issued Oct. 22, 2002, to Venkataraman et al., discloses a monolithic isolation stress joint is disclosed having a first conduit element, a first insulating joint assembly, and a stress joint connected to the first conduit element through the first insulating joint assembly. The stress joint is formed of a material which has advantageous elastic flexure characteristics but which is electrochemically active with respect to the first conduit element from which it is electrically isolated by the first insulating joint assembly. A second conduit element is connected to the stress joint through a second insulating joint assembly, the second conduit element being formed of a material which is electrochemically active with respect to the stress joint and which is electrically isolated therefrom with the second insulating joint.
U.S. Patent Application Publication 2002/0084077 A1, published Jul. 4, 2002, to Finn et al., discloses a spar type floating platform having risers passing vertically through the center well of a spar hull. A gimbaled table supported above the top of the spar hull is provided for supporting the risers. The table flexibly is supported by a plurality of non-linear springs attached to the top of the spar hull. The non-linear springs compliantly constrain the table rotationally so that the table is allowed a limited degree of rotational movement with respect to the spar hull in response to wind and current induced environmental loads. Larger capacity non-linear springs are located near the center of the table for supporting the majority of the riser tension, and smaller capacity non-linear springs are located near the perimeter of the table for controlling the rotational stiffness of the table. The riser support table comprises a grid of interconnected beams having openings therebetween through which the risers pass. The non-linear springs may take the form of elastomeric load pads or hydraulic cylinders, or a combination of both. The upper ends of the risers are supported from the table by riser tensioning hydraulic cylinders that may be individually actuated to adjust the tension in and length of the risers. Elastomeric flex units or ball-in-socket devices are disposed between the riser tensioning hydraulic cylinders and the table to permit rotational movement between the each riser and the table.
The above cited prior art does not disclose means for highly precise control of stresses and the distribution thereof in a centralized keel joint utilizing substantially solid metallic centralizers. Consequently, there remains a need to provide an improved centralizer system with improved centralizers and centralizer mountings that are not subject to the above problems. Those of skill in the art will appreciate the present invention, which addresses the above problems and other significant problems.

Shrink for centralizer assembly and method


A portable, solar powered golf ball warming device includes a hollow black tube as a warming chamber for golf balls. The black tube has separate elastomer loading and dispensing apertures disposed at opposite ends thereof. The black tube is disposed within a transparent housing which also supports a parabolic reflector shield. The parabolic reflector shield reflects solar energy to thereby warm the black tube. During sunny weather conditions, the device provides continuous heat to modern golf balls including those of two piece construction. The golf balls serially move within the warming device such that ambient air does not breach the warming chamber.

The present invention relates to the art of warming devices for warming golf balls. More particularly, the present invention relates to the art of portable warming devices for warming modern golf balls to improve performance characteristics during play.
The modern golf ball has undergone significant changes from its humble beginnings in the sixteenth century. In 1550, golf balls were made from wood and could travel a distance of up to 150 yards when struck. In the 1750s golf balls were made from leather, such as bull or horse hide, and stuffed with feathers. However, by 1850, golf balls were made in a one-piece construction from a rubbery substance known as "gutta percha."
By 1898, Coburn Haskell invented a "wound" golf ball which included a plurality of rubber strands wrapped around an interior core. By this time, golf balls were routinely being hit upwards of 200 yards. In 1921, the USGA (United States Golf Association) set a number of manufacturing criteria for golf balls including the requirement that no ball can weigh more than 1.62 ounces or be smaller than 1.62 inches in diameter.
Throughout the earlier part of this century, the USGA has frequently changed their criteria for golf ball construction and in 1942 adopted the initial velocity test to constrain the "liveliness" of golf balls to 250 feet per second, with a two percent tolerance. Since 1951, the USGA and the R&A (the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scotland) have agreed upon golf standards including golf ball and golf club dimensions. In the 1950s most golf balls were made from a "three-piece" construction including an inner core (first piece), a plurality of windings (second piece), and a rubbery outer layer (third piece).
By the 1960s, "two-piece" golf balls became increasingly popular due to increased distance from 5-iron club lofts. However, the two-piece golf balls still met the USGA criteria for traveling a set distance at driver lofts.
Today, the USGA has adopted an indoor test for golf balls which simulates outdoor performance by propelling golf balls into a screen which is 70 feet from a launch position. Ball construction has likewise changed, and today golf balls are manufactured in the two-piece and three-piece, i.e. "wound" variety.
Three-piece golf balls, generally considered as superior by better golfers, have a liquid center or a solid center made from an elastic material such as polybutadiene. Three-piece golf balls are usually wound with a rubbery thread and covered with a form of rubber, i.e. polyisoprene. The most popular form of rubber for the outer coating of three-piece golf balls is "balata," which denotes the trans isomer form of polyisoprene. The cover material for golf balls generally has a hardness of 50 to 75 Shore D, and an icosahedron or modified cuboctahedron dimple pattern which generally covers upwards of 80% of the outer surface area. Often a plurality of different dimple types are simultaneously disposed on a golf ball surface to form the dimple pattern.
Modern two-piece golf balls generally have a tough outer coating of "surlyn" or a "surlyn/lithium" composite. This composite is more resistant to cutting and deformation than a balata cover and exhibits improved performance when heated to well above normal ambient temperatures.
The heating of golf balls improves performance without harmful effects or deterioration of the ball. When sufficiently heated, a modern golf ball will generally travel farther and feel "softer" when hit with a golf club. This farther travel and more comfortable feel allows for more enjoyable play, especially during cool weather.
The generally accepted rules of golf, i.e. the "Rules," are promulgated by the United States Golf Association and are incorporated herein by reference. The Rules specifically disallow the use of artificial equipment during specified play. More particularly, Rule 14-3 provides in pertinent part that " . . . during a stipulated round the player shall not use any artificial device or unusual equipment . . . which might assist him or her! in making a stroke or . . . play."
Ever since golf balls have been manufactured from elastomer materials, a number of heat sources have been employed to warm golf balls and thereby enhance play. In fact, Walter Darden Hampton recognized that a portable golf ball heater may increase drive distance as early as 1942. Hampton, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,272,340, sets forth a chemically active heat pack which transmits heat to four golf balls disposed within a heat chamber. Hampton allows unidirectional upward movement of four golf balls within the heat chamber by way of insertion through cross-slit flaps. The cross-slit flaps are stiff and do not open under weight of the golf balls. However, undesirable ambient air enters the heat chamber during insertion and removal of the golf balls, and while the balls are at rest. Moreover, the chemical heating element only partially surrounds the heat chamber and a non-heated side of the heat chamber is not insulated against heat loss. Thus, golf balls stored within the heat chamber become heated unevenly.
Cohen, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,144,002, 4,967,062 and 5,057,670 sets forth a golf ball heating device which generates heat by electrical resistance from an external source. Cohen includes a divider which restricts movement of ambient air into the ball chamber during removal of a golf ball. However, the electrical resistance elements are an artificial means of heating golf balls and require a source of power. Cohen requires connection to an inconvenient electrical outlet or the use of batteries which must continually be replaced. Thus, Cohen does not meet the need for a portable golf ball warming device which does not require a source of power.
A number of prior disclosures suggest the use of chemically reactive heating composites as an alternative to electrical heat. For example, Roth, U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,011 and Parrott, U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,160 each use chemically reactive, disposable heating composites to supply continuous heat for approximately 4 to 6 hours. However, an inherent drawback of such devices is a constant need to replace the chemical heat pack. Hendricks, U.S. Pat. No. 4,545,362 includes a non-disposable, chemically reactive heat pack. However, the chemical heat pack of Hendricks is still considered artificial heat. Moreover, chemically reactive heat packs afford a maximum temperature of 127.degree. Fahrenheit or less.
Many prior art devices require golf ball insertion and dispensing arrangements which are detrimental to the conservation of heat within a warming compartment. Such devices often sacrifice the economy of hand movement as well. For example, Parrott '011 discloses a staged warming pathway through which golf balls are unidirectionally moved from top to bottom, with a bottom ball captured in an insulated cap. The insulated cap is then removed to release a warmed golf ball. However, this configuration does not allow heated air to rise through the warming compartment and therefore subjects only the topmost, i.e. last inserted, ball to receive the highest temperatures within the device.
Furthermore, many prior devices set forth inconvenient means of ball insertion and removal. Often times, two separate removable end caps are provided which require the use of two hands for the separate actions of: top cap removal, ball insertion, top cap replacement, bottom cap removal, ball retrieval, and bottom cap replacement. Many prior devices also require a complex arrangement of different components which increase manufacturing and assembly costs.
Gravatt, U.S. Pat. No. 3,497,676 sets forth a golf ball warmer using a combination of solar energy and battery power. Gravatt provides a small and portable arrangement. However, when a cover/absorption plate assembly is opened to remove a golf ball, all of remaining balls are subjected to ambient air, thereby permitting considerable heat loss from the ball compartment. Moreover, additional ball compartments are necessary for storing multiple balls during an extended round of golf.
Schroth, U.S. Pat. No. 3,720,197 sets forth another solar design for a golf ball warmer. An absorber plate conducts solar heat energy to a golf ball compartment, but opens through a hinge which allows heated air to escape. While Schroth provides a D.C. battery backup system, the maximum temperature of the applied heat is limited to approximately 134.degree. Fahrenheit. Moreover, clam-shell type absorption plates as used by Schroth necessitate that only one side of the golf balls receive the maximum generated heat. Consequently, the clam-shell type of solar golf ball warmers fail to warm golf balls in a symmetrical manner so as to ensure even heating throughout.
In view of the above, a need exists for a golf ball warming device which is self-contained, and provides a sufficient quantity of warmed golf balls throughout an extended round of play without dependence upon any artificial source of heat energy.
A further need exists for a golf ball warming device which facilitates simple and economic hand movement when loading and dispensing golf balls, and maintains heat within a golf ball warming chamber while denying exposure of the warmed golf balls to ambient air until required.
An additional need exists for a golf ball warming device which is simple in design, portable, and provides for higher temperatures as required to impart greater benefits to a modern golf ball having a two-piece construction.


A regulated charge pump, regulated by a plurality of capacitor boost stages and separate from the memory device supply voltage (Vcc), generates a regulated voltage (VSA) over a range of supply voltages. The regulated charge pump powers sense amplifier and differential amplifier circuits of the memory device to permit a low bit line bias voltage. The differential amplifier circuit generates a logical output to indicate a memory cell programmed state that is detected by the sense amplifier circuit.

I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to memory devices and particularly to supply voltages for sense amplifiers in a memory device.
II. Description of the Related Art
Memory devices are typically provided as internal storage areas in computers. The term memory identifies data storage that comes in the form of integrated circuit chips. There are currently many different types of memory.
One type is random access memory (RAM). This is typically used as the main memory in a computer system. RAM refers to memory that can be both written to and read from. This is in contrast to read only memory (ROM) that permits data to only be read. Most RAM is volatile meaning that it requires a steady flow of power to maintain its contents. When power is turned removed, the data in RAM is lost.
An electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) is a special type of non-volatile ROM that can be erased a byte at a time by exposing it to an electrical charge. EEPROMs comprise a large number of memory cells having electrically isolated gates (floating gates). Data is stored in the memory cells in the form of a charge on the floating gates. The charge is transported to or removed from the floating gates by programming and erase operations, respectively.
A flash memory is a type of EEPROM that can be erased and reprogrammed in blocks instead of one byte at a time. A typical flash memory device comprises a memory array that includes a large number of memory cells arranged in row and column fashion. Each of the memory cells includes a floating gate field-effect transistor capable of holding a charge. The cells are usually grouped into blocks. Each of the cells within a block can be randomly programmed by charging the floating gate. The charge can be removed from the floating gate by a block erase operation. The data in a cell is determined by the presence or absence of the charge in the floating gate.
The memory cells of at least the EEPROM and flash memory devices are coupled through a bit line (also known as a column) to a sense amplifier. When the particular cell is accessed through the row and column signals, that cell is coupled to one input of the sense amplifier. The other input of the sense amplifier may be connected to a reference voltage (Vref). The difference between the two voltages determines if the cell has been programmed. If the cell to be read is programmed, it has a greater voltage than the reference voltage. If the cell to be read is erased, it has a smaller voltage than the reference cell.
In a traditional sense amplifier or differential amplifier, the positive supply for the circuit is connected directly to the power supply for the integrated circuit, Vcc. Typical 1.8V memory devices have a Vcc range of 1.60V to 2.2V. Typical 1.5V memory devices have a Vcc range of 1.35V to 1.70V. This wide Vcc range can cause several problems with memory devices.
During low Vcc operation, the sense time gets slower as Vcc is reduced. The sense amplifier will eventually stop sensing when Vcc goes below a certain threshold.
Conversely, the sensing time improves as Vcc increases. However, as Vcc increases, the bit line bias to the memory cell also increases. Stressing the bit line with a bias voltage of greater than 0.8V for long periods of time can effectively change its VT. This may show up as a potential read disturb problem. There is a resulting need in the art for a sense amplifier scheme that removes both the low Vcc sensing problems as well as the high Vcc read disturb problem.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Low voltage sense amplifier for operation under a reduced bit line bias voltage


Method and support assembly configured to change from a stowing position to an operational position. The support assembly includes a head module; an actuator attached to the head module; a tail module; plural modules provided between the head module and the tail module to form a first branch and a second branch, each branch being connected between the head module and the tail module; and a cable system provided through the means for guiding of the plural modules and connected to the actuator for being wind up and unwind to change a distribution of the modules from an operational position to a stowed position.

1. Technical Field
Embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein generally relate to methods and systems and, more particularly, to mechanisms and techniques for providing a foldable support assembly for a seismic source.
2. Discussion of the Background
During the past years, the interest in developing new oil and gas production fields has dramatically increased. However, the availability of land-based production fields is limited. Thus, the industry has now extended drilling to offshore locations, which appear to hold a vast amount of fossil fuel. Offshore drilling is an expensive process. Thus, those engaged in such a costly undertaking invest substantially in geophysical surveys in order to more accurately decide where to drill in order to avoid a dry well.
Marine seismic data acquisition and processing generate a profile (image) of the geophysical structure (subsurface) under the seafloor. This profile is used by those trained in the field, to evaluate the presence or absence of oil and/or gas traps. Thus, providing a high resolution image of the subsurface is an ongoing process for the exploration of natural resources, including, among others, oil and/or gas.
During a seismic gathering process, as shown in FIG. 1, a vessel 10 drags an array of seismic detectors provided on streamers 12. The streamers may be disposed horizontally, i.e., lying at a constant depth relative to a surface 14 of the ocean. The vessel 10 also drags a sound source assembly 16 that is configured to generate an acoustic wave 18. The acoustic wave 18 propagates downwards toward the seafloor 20 and penetrates the seafloor until eventually a reflecting structure 22 (reflector) reflects the acoustic wave. The reflected acoustic wave 24 propagates upwardly until is detected by a detector on streamer 12.
An example of a sound source assembly 16 is illustrated in FIG. 2. The sound source assembly 16 includes a float 30 that is configured to float at the surface of the water. Plural sound sources 32 are suspended from the float by cables 34 having a predetermined length. Additional cables 36 may be used to connect the plural sources 32 to each other to minimize changes in the positions of the individual sources. The plural sources 32 may be an air gun or other known devices used in the art for generating sound waves.
For creating an accurate image of the subfloor of the ocean, not only the detectors but also the sound source should comply with various requirements. For example, the positions of the plural sound sources 32 are desirable to be unchanged relative to each other after each sound generation. In addition, it was observed that having more air guns produce a more powerful source. However, for generating a desired sound wave, the plural sound sources need to be distributed along various geometrical shapes. Thus, the size of the deployed sound sources may be larger than the size of the vessel's back deck capacity, which is a challenge for storing the sound sources on the vessel and deploying the sound sources from the vessel.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide systems and methods that avoid the afore-described problems and drawbacks.


The present invention relates to a method for producing optically active IHOG, which can in turn be used for the production of monatin. The present invention further relates to a method for producing optically active monatin, and aldolase used for these methods. As such, the present invention enables the synthesis of 4-(Indole-3-ylmethyl)-4-hydroxy-2-oxoglutaric acid with high optical purity, which is useful as an intermediate in the synthesis of optically active monatin, from indole pyruvic acid and pyruvic acid (or oxaloacetic acid).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a novel aldolase that produces 4-(indol-3-ylmethyl)-4-hydroxy-2-oxoglutaric acid (IHOG), which is a precursor of monatin, and methods for producing 4R-IHOG and 4R-monatin by the use thereof.
2. Discussion of the Background
4-(Indole-3-ylmethyl)-4-hydroxy-2-glutamic acid(3-(1-amino-1,3-dicarboxy-3-hydroxy-butane-4-yl)indole (hereinafter referred to as monatin) represented by the following structural formula is found in the root of the plant, Schlerochiton ilicifolius, and because of its remarkably high sweetness intensity is a compound that is anticipated to be a sweetener with a low caloric value (see JP-P-64-25757-A).

As shown in the foregoing structure, monatin has two asymmetric carbon atoms at positions 2 and 4. The naturally occurring stereoisomer thereof was reported to be a (2S, 4S) isomer. Three additional stereoisomers are possible, and it has been confirmed that each of them has sweetness intensity that is several ten to several thousand times greater than that of sucrose (Table 1).
TABLE 1OpticalSweetnessIsomer(vs. Sucrose)2R, 4R2700 times2R, 4S1300 times2S, 4R 300 times2S, 4S 50 times
As is shown in Table 1, in addition to the naturally occurring (2S, 4S)-monatin the other stereoisomers have the sweetness intensity with high scale factor. Particularly, (2R, 4R)-monatin has a remarkably high sweetness intensity, which is 2,700 times greater than that of sucrose. As such, the (2R,4R) stereoisomer is particularly promising as a sweetening agent or a sweetening agent ingredient (sweetener). Therefore, a critical demand exists for the development of a method for efficiently producing monatin with high content of (2R, 4R)-monatin.
To address this demand, the present inventors have developed a new method for synthesizing monatin by performing the following reactions (a) and (b) using commercially available indole pyruvic acid and pyruvic acid as reagents (International Publication No. 03/056026 Pamphlet).
(a) Reaction step of synthesizing a precursor keto acid (IHOG) by aldol condensation of indole pyruvic acid and pyruvic acid (or oxaloacetic acid).
(b) Reaction step of aminating position 2 of IHOG.

International Publication No. 04/018672 Pamphlet discloses aldolases derived from Pseudomonas taetrolens and Pseudomonas coronafaciens as enzymes that are useful for producing the precursor keto acid (IHOG) from indole pyruvic acid and pyruvic acid (or oxaloacetic acid) in the aldol condensation of (a) in the aforementioned synthetic route of monatin. These aldolases have also been found to catalyze a reaction for the production of a keto acid such as 4-phenylmethyl-4-hydroxy-2-oxoglutaric acid (PHOG) in addition to IHOG.
There are two isomers, 4R-isomer and 4S-isomer in IHOG. In order to efficiently produce the (2R, 4R)-monatin (i.e., the isomer with highest sweetness), it is desirable to preferentially produce IHOG of a 4R-isomer (4R-IHOG) (4S-isomer is referred to as 4S-IHOG) in the aldol condensation reaction of (a) in the aforementioned synthetic route of monatin, and obtain 4R-isomer-rich IHOG. A chiral molecule often exhibits a physiological activity that is different by each isomer, and it is also likely that IHOG exhibits different characteristics by each isomer. Thus, separately produced 4R— and 4S-isomers may be utilized for uses other than the use as the monatin precursor. Therefore, it would be highly beneficial to industry to develop a method for producing preferentially one isomer of IHOG (e.g., one of 4R-IHOG and 4S-IHOG).

Aldolase, and method for producing optically active IHOG and monatin


A semiconductor device of the present disclosure includes a semiconductor layer provided on a main surface of a substrate. A cell region is provided with a gate insulating film disposed on the semiconductor layer and a gate electrode disposed on the gate insulating film, and a wiring region is provided with a field insulating film disposed on the semiconductor layer and a gate wire disposed on the field insulating film. An end of the field insulating film has a convex shape in a cross section perpendicular to the main surface of the substrate, and an upper surface of the field insulating film is rougher than an upper surface of a portion of the gate wire below which the field insulating film is not disposed.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
From the viewpoint of stringency of power supply and global environmental protection, power semiconductor devices which can decrease power loss have recently attracted attention, and many development examples have been reported and put into practical use. In power semiconductor devices, a high voltage is applied between a gate electrode and a semiconductor substrate. Gate electrode wiring is not only used for active elements but also used as wiring for applying potential to gate electrodes. With respect to active elements, efforts are made to improve breakdown voltage by forming a depletion layer according to a proper design of a structure of a semiconductor substrate. On the other hand, a portion used as wiring requires a wide area for forming contact with upper-layer wiring and decreasing wiring resistance, thereby causing difficulty of countermeasure on the semiconductor substrate side. In these semiconductor devices, breakdown voltage is secured by forming a thick field insulating film between a gate wire and a semiconductor substrate as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent No. 3998288 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication Nos. 2006-128407 and 57-62542.
A LOCOS (Local Oxidation of Silicon) method is known as a general method for forming field insulating film.

Semiconductor device having gate wire disposed on roughened field insulating film

PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.


A centrifugal fan includes a main plate that is driven to rotate around a rotational axis, a shroud that is disposed so as to be opposed to the main plate, including an intake port for taking in air, and plural blades that are disposed upright between the main plate and the shroud. An adjacent distance between trailing edges of two adjacent blades is gradually decreased in the direction from the shroud to the main plate, at least from a certain point in the direction from the shroud to the main plate, and further, in each blade, an inclination of a negative pressure surface of the blade that extends from the main plate toward the shroud is smaller at least in the vicinity of the trailing edge than an inclination of a pressure surface of the blade that extends from the main plate toward the shroud.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a conventional centrifugal fan 1. The centrifugal fan 1 is comprised of a main plate 2 that rotates, a shroud 3 which is provided so as to be opposed to the main plate 2, and which has an intake port 39 for taking in air, and plural blades 4 which are connected and fixed between the main plate 2 and the shroud 3. Some of the blades 4 may have a hollow structure 5 in the inside for weight saving. When the centrifugal fan 1 rotates in a fan rotational direction 6 shown by an arrow around an rotational axis 17, an airflow 7 is taken in from the shroud side, and the pressure of the airflow 7 is increased while the airflow 7 passing through the blades from a leading edge 41 (also called a blade leading edge part) to a trailing edge 42 (also called a blade trailing edge part), and the airflow 7 is blown outside. Here, a part of the shroud 3 is omitted to make the diagram easy to see.
FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of a ceiling-embedded type air conditioner using a turbofan 1a. (a) of FIG. 14 is a diagram corresponding to a case wherein the turbofan la installed in a ceiling is viewed from below. (b) of FIG. 14 illustrates an X-X cross-section surface in (a) of FIG. 14. Both the turbofan la and a motor 10 that makes the fan rotate are included at a center of the inside of a unit that is made up of a top plate 8 and a side plate 9, and a heat exchanger 11 that exchanges heat with air is arranged in an approximately quadrangular shape so as to surround the turbofan la and the motor 10 in the periphery of the motor 10. A facing plate 12 that faces a room is arranged on a lower side of the unit, an air suction port 13 is placed at a center of the facing plate, and an air blow outlet 14 is placed around the air suction port 13, wherein a vane 15 that controls an airflow direction is installed. Air inside a room is heat exchanged by the heat exchanger after passing through the suction port and the fan, and is blown into a room according to a direction from the blow outlet to the vane, as shown by an arrow 16.
In recent years, efforts to reduce noise and save energy of a blower have been demanded, and there have been many ideas to realize them.
There is a technique to uniform a blow-off velocity distribution by gradually increasing a thickness of a lateral cross-sectional shape of a blade from a shroud side to a main plate side, and narrowing a distance between blades (Patent literature 1).
Further, there is a case example wherein by displacing (shifting) a junction position of a blade between a side plate and a main plate, and guiding a flow on the main plate side to the side plate side, a burble between blades is reduced, a wind velocity distribution is uniformed, and noise reduction is realized (Patent literature 2).
Further, there is an example wherein a blade surface on the main plate side and a shroud side is formed to slant in a rotational direction in order to uniform a wind velocity distribution in a direction of a rotational axis and decrease turbulent noise (Patent literature 3).


A system and method for self-organized inter-cell interference coordination are provided. A method for controller operations includes receiving signal power measurements at a controller, determining an interference level based on the signal power measurements, generating relationship information based on the interference level, and determining frequency reuse modes for communications controllers controlled by the controller based on the relationship information.

Inter-cell interference (ICI) may be considered to be interference at a cell due to transmissions originating in another cell. Usually, ICI occurs between adjacent cells of a communications system. As an example, relatively high-powered transmissions to and from a cell edge user (CEU) operating in a first cell may cause more interference to adjacent cells utilizing the same operating frequency than relatively lower-powered transmissions to and from a cell center user (CCU) operating in the first cell to adjacent cells utilizing the same operating frequency due to correspondingly higher power levels of the transmissions to and from the CEU.
FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art communications system 100. Communications system 100 includes a first enhanced NodeB (eNB) 105 and a second eNB 115. An eNB (also commonly referred to as a base station, communications controller, NodeB, and so forth) may control communications of User Equipment (UE) operating within its coverage area. For example, eNB 105 may have a coverage area illustrated in FIG. 1 as hexagon 110, while eNB 115 may have a coverage area illustrated as hexagon 120. Operating within hexagon 110 may be a first UE 125 and a second UE 130.
A coverage area of an eNB may be categorized based upon a distance to the eNB. For example, coverage area of eNB 105 (i.e., hexagon 110) may be categorized into two regions, with a first region being a cell center region (shown as circle 135) and a cell edge region (portions of hexagon 110 outside of circle 135, shown as region 140). Normally, UEs operating within a cell center region, such as UE 125, may receive transmissions made at a lower power level than UEs operating outside of a cell center region, such as UE 130, due to their closer proximity to an eNB serving the coverage area.
Furthermore, since transmissions made by UEs (i.e., uplink transmissions) operating with a cell edge region, such as UE 130, are usually made at higher power levels and the UEs are also located closer to neighboring (e.g., adjacent) eNBs, the transmissions may cause more interference to the neighboring eNBs. For downlink transmissions, UEs in a first eNB (e.g., a serving eNB) that are located closer to a neighboring eNB (i.e., an adjacent eNB) may experience high interference from transmissions of the neighboring eNB than UEs operating in a cell center region of the first eNB.
It is widely considered that ICI management will be a key technology for enhancing the performance of 3GPP LTE communications system and UE experience. ICIC is a simple and efficient ICI management scheme. Therefore, there is a need for ICI reducing techniques, of which, ICIC is one form. Generally, ICIC attempts to reduce and/or control ICI through the use of radio resource management (RRM) methods. Typically, ICIC takes into account information from multiple cells, such as neighboring cells, to control inter-cell interference. A usual ICIC strategy may be to determine resources available at a cell, which may then be scheduled (i.e., allocated) to users. ICIC in Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) communications systems, such as Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE) compliant communications system, have received considerable study.

System and method for self-organized inter-cell interference coordination


Improved rail clip support shoulders are less expensive than conventional shoulders. The rail seat includes a concrete rail tie; a pair of rail clip support shoulders cast in place in said rail tie each said shoulder having a rail face between its external sides; a pair of shoulder insulators each shaped to lie against the rail face of the rail shoulder; a pair of rail clips each having a base section adapted to seat within the rail clip support shoulder and a toe section adapted to seat on the rail base, the toe section comprising a pair of bifurcated arms extending from said base section and being bent in a curve so that the toes lie adjacent but beyond the base; the arrangement being such that the clamping force exerted by each installed clip is at least 8 kilonewtons and the leading edge of the base section of the rail clip first engages a loading incline on either side of the rail clip ramp, while the line of contact of the trailing edge of base section is on the concrete rail tie and the trailing edge does not contact the rail clip ramp in the support shoulder until at least 40% of the distance to fully install the clamp has been traveled.

Concrete ties have been in use in some parts of the world for a long time but it is only since 1985 that they have been able to provide cost benefits for use in North America relative to wooden ties.
One advantage of concrete ties is that the rail seats can be pre assembled with only a few components to be added on site when the rail is placed in position. The difficulty with this is that the pre assembled components can become dislodged during transport and some components still have to be positioned on the rail. The rail seats usually comprises a rail pad that is positioned below the rail, an abrasion resistant plate below the pad, rail clip support shoulders on the field and gauge sides of the rail, an elastic rail clip that seats in the support shoulder and bears down on the rail base and an insulator that lies between the rail and the rail clip and the support shoulder. The support shoulders are precast in the rail tie and the rail pad is fitted between each pair. Because the rail clips and insulators contact the rail when fastened they cannot be placed in position until the rail has been placed in position on the rail seat. Rail seat assemblies of this type have been generally described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,110,046, 5,551,633 and 6,604,690. The rail clips in these assemblies are either installed or loose and therefore had to be assembled on site. U.S. Pat. No. 6,367,704 proposed using a modified support shoulder so that the clip could be partially installed for transport purposes where it was retained on the shoulder and then able to be fully installed when the rail was placed in position. In this arrangement the insulators still needed to be placed in position manually before the clip could be fully installed. U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,330 discloses a bent rod rail clip with a two part insulator that enables the rail seat to be pre-assembled at the tie plant.
WO02/31264 discloses a rail clip that has an insulator encapsulating the toe of the rail clip that lies on the rail flange to avoid the need to insert the insulator separately.
One concern with concrete rail ties is the cost and it is desirable to reduce the cost of the assembled rail tie. One significant component in the cost of the rail tie is the clip support shoulder embedded in the concrete rail tie. This support shoulder needs to be durable and capable of withstanding the forces applied by the rail clip. The rail clip applies a high clamping force of 8 to 13 kilonewtons and this force is achieved by gradually displacing the toe of the clip from the base by driving the clip horizontally along a loading surface in the support shoulder. The clip reaction against the base of the support shoulder is very high and approaches pressures where metal pickup occurs. The force required to fit the clip is usually inversely linked to the length the clip travels within the shoulder. Thus the support shoulders are usually large to reduce the force needed to apply the clips and the size of the shoulders is proportional to their cost. When the support shoulders are designed to accept preloaded clips, as part of a partly assembled rail seat prior to the rail being fitted, extra travel distance is required because in the preloaded position the toe of the clip must be clear of the rail. This additional length increases the size and cost of the support shoulders.
It is an object of this invention to provide a rail clip shoulder that is less expensive and enables easier assembly of a rail seat with high clamping forces without compromising rail fastening performance.


An apparatus and a method for recognizing a character based on an input image is provided. The apparatus includes an input unit configured to receive the input image and a controller configured to select, from the input image, a region of image analysis to be used for image analysis, and to analyze the selected region of image analysis to determine a type of the input image, to apply, to the input image, an image effect for distinguishing a character region and a background region in the input image if the type of the input image indicates that the input image is obtained by photographing a display screen, to binarize output of the image effect according to the determined type of the input image, and to recognize a character from the binarized output of the image effect.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for recognizing a character, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for recognizing a character in a display screen image photographed by a camera.
2. Description of the Related Art
As smartphones become more popular, the use of applications for recognizing characters from an image obtained by photographing a document, a business card, and the like through a camera of a smartphone has increased. Here, an optical character recognition function from among functions used for recognizing a character may have a high probability of being utilized as a multi-modal software input panel that provides another basic input function to the smartphone, along with a touch keypad, a voice recognition, and the like.
A method of recognizing a character image photographed by a mobile camera provides a user with a function of transferring a result of the recognition to another user via an e-mail or a text message, a function of connecting to the Internet, and the like. Specifically, when a character displayed on a computer screen is recognized by photographing the character through the camera, a user may readily transfer various character information from a computer to a smartphone and use the information for various purposes, thus improving user convenience.
The method of recognizing a character on the computer screen through use of a mobile camera requires a technical method that is different from a conventional method for recognizing a book, a magazine, and the like. When a character displayed on a computer screen is photographed through use of a high definition mobile camera, the resolution of a camera image is usually greater than the resolution of the computer screen which results in image noise that deteriorates a character recognition performance on a location of each pixel. Thus, the use of a conventional character recognition system is limited and an operation of sharpening a computer screen image and converting a screen image having a low resolution into an image with a high resolution is not appropriate for a general camera-based character recognition system.

Method and apparatus for recognizing a character based on a photographed image


A slider comprises a main board and a brake plate. The main board has a bottom face facing to and movable on a snow ground, and has a rear end raised to an angle relative to the snow ground. The brake plate has a connecting portion connected with the bottom face of the main board at the rear end of the main board, and a shovel portion protruding from the connecting portion for shoveling into the snow ground. Additionally, the shovel portion has plural drain holes formed thereon for draining the snow shoveled by the shovel portion.

A conventional slider has a braking effect that is achieved by a sharp turning action of the slider. Thus, the braking effect is limited by a variety of fields and skills of a rider.
Various techniques for the braking effect to a slider are employed. One conventional technique is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,683, which discloses a ski brake assembly including a snow-engaging braking blade. The braking blade is driven by an electric motor through a blade drive assembly. Another conventional technique can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,152,007, which discloses a ski brake comprising plow means.
A further conventional brake device for a slider is disclosed in Taiwanese Patent Publication No. 530682. The brake device mainly comprises a pedal with a flat plate mounted on the slider. The flat plate is relative to the snow ground and provided for contacting with the snow ground so as to generate the braking effect. However, when the pedal is stamped on to cause the flat plate to contact with the snow ground, the flat plate is easily slipping on the snow ground. Accordingly, the braking effect is limited.
Therefore, it would be advantage of providing a simplified braking system to a slider without a need of extra power system. Additionally, it would also be advantage of providing a braking system to a slider that is easy to assemble and effective in brake.
From the foregoing descriptions, it will be seen that room exists for improvements in the slider with a brake device.


A product comprising an aluminum base alloy including about 3.8 wt. % copper, about 1.2 wt. % magnesium, about 0.3 to 0.6 wt. % manganese, not more than about 0.15 wt. % silicon, not more than about 0.12 wt. % iron, not more than about 0.1 wt. % titanium, the remainder substantially aluminum, incidental elements and impurities, the product having at least 5% improvement over 2024 alloy in fracture toughness, fatigue crack growth rate, corrosion resistance, and formability properties.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to aluminum alloys suitable for use in aircraft applications. More specifically, it relates to a method of making an improved aluminum product having improved damage tolerant characteristics, including improved fracture toughness, fatigue resistance, corrosion resistance, formability and surface roughness properties.
2. Description of the Related Art
The design of commercial aircraft requires different sets of properties for different types of structures. Depending on the design criteria for a particular airplane component, improvements in fracture toughness and fatigue resistance result in weight savings, which translate to fuel economy over the lifetime of the aircraft, and/or a greater level of safety. For example, a slower fatigue crack growth rate will require a longer time for a crack or flaw to grow to a size where it becomes "critical" leading to catastrophic failure; and higher fracture toughness means that a crack can grow to a longer length before it is critical.
Corrosion damage has been a perennial problem in today's aircraft, and the fuselage is the prime location for corrosion to occur. Improvements in corrosion resistance, therefore, are often sought with or without weight savings.
The issues of toughness, fatigue and corrosion all relate to structural integrity of the airplane. Formability, on the other hand, is a manufacturing concern. Sheets that are easier to bend, stretch and draw into various shapes reduce the cost of building an airplane because the scrap rate is reduced, and less labor is required.
For some time, heat treatable aluminum base alloy sheet and plate containing copper, magnesium and manganese has found considerable acceptance for various structural members. Such alloys generally contain 3.8 to 4.9 wt. % copper, 1.2 to 1.8 wt. % magnesium and 0.3 to 0.9 wt. % manganese and carries the Aluminum Association designation of 2024 alloy. This alloy is noted for its superior strength to weight ratio, its good toughness and tear resistance, and adequate resistance to general and stress corrosion effects.
Workers in the field have generally adapted the 2024 alloy for use in the construction of commercial aircraft. For example, one alloy used on the lower wing skins of some commercial jet aircraft is alloy 2024 in the T351 temper. Alloy 2024-T351 has a relatively high strength-to-density ratio and exhibits reasonably good fracture toughness, good fatigue properties, and adequate corrosion resistance. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,336,075 to Quist et al. and 4,294,625 to Hyatt et al. disclose an alloy which has a higher strength to density ratio, improved fatigue and fracture toughness characteristics over alloy 2024 while maintaining corrosion resistance levels approximately equal to or slightly better than 2024. Quist et al. and Hyatt et al. achieve their improvements by homogenizing the alloy at a moderate temperature, carefully controlling the hot-rolling and extrusion parameters and then natural age-hardening to produce a highly elongated, substantially unrecrystallized microstructure. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,213,639 to Colvin et al. discloses an alloy which has at least a 5.0% improvement over 2024 alloy in T-L fracture toughness or fatigue crack growth rate by re-heating the alloy prior to hot rolling.
There still remains a need, however, for an improved alloy that has increased fracture toughness, fatigue resistance, corrosion resistance and formability over alloy 2024. Accordingly, it is the primary object of this invention to provide such an alloy.

Aluminum-copper-magnesium-manganese alloy useful for aircraft applications


A soak or leaching tank installation which is intended to extract soluble constituents from insoluble materials, and more particularly, a horizontal flow soak tank for removing soluble components, such as sugars or oligosaccharides, from edible beans which are in a stage of being processed. A method is desired which utilizes a recirculating water system in conjunction with the soak apparatus or horizontal flow tank in order to leach solubles, such as sugars in the form of oligosaccharides and other potentially soluble components from insoluble materials.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to the provision of a novel and unique soak or leaching tank installation which is intended to extract soluble constituents from insoluble materials, and more particularly, relates to a horizontal flow soak tank for removing soluble components, such as sugars or oligosaccharides, from beans which are in a stage of being processed. More specifically, there is disclosed a method which utilizes a novel recirculating water system in conjunction with the inventive soak apparatus or horizontal flow tank in order to leach solubles, such as sugars in the form of oligosaccharides and other potentially soluble components from insoluble materials.
In general, soak or leaching tanks and methods for leaching or extracting soluble constituents from a variety of insoluble comestible and non-comestible materials as a function in the steps of processing the materials, are well known and highly developed in the technology, and have been and are employed in broad sectors of industry for many years. Among such leaching apparatus, there are presently employed leaching systems incorporating so-called upright columns in the form of vertical towers or the like, wherein there are contained stacks of comestible, such as edible beans which are to be soaked in order to extract unwanted or undesirable soluble constituents therefrom. In order to implement the foregoing, normally, heated water or other suitable liquid solutions are filled into the tower and caused to flow downwardly through a stack or pile of the material being treated. In essence, this type of vertical leaching apparatus has proven to be somewhat problematic in the use thereof, especially when applied to comestibles, such as beans. This is because encountered leaching or soaking conditions are not always uniform between the upper and lower layers of the vertical stack of beans, and are not always uniform horizontally across the bed of materials which are to be processed, thereby occasionally resulting in an uneven leaching of soluble constituents therefrom. This non-uniformity in the soaking conditions, at times, may adversely influence the taste and physical characteristics or textures of the processed beans. Moreover, the utilization of vertical leaching columns or tower-type soak tanks causes the lower layers of the beans to be subjected to the weight of a high superimposed column or stack of beans, damaging or even crushing the lower layers of the charge of beans. Additionally, the use of a vertical column or tower structure increases the stresses encountered by the supporting floor structure, inasmuch as the weight of the beans and the soak liquid, and that of the mechanical structure of the tower itself, is concentrated over a relatively smaller surface area, and thereby requires either expensive structural reinforcements and support flooring, or necessitates having to reduce the size of the vertical soak apparatus or towers. It has also been found that vertical columns tend to restrict swelling/expansion of the beans in the lower portions of the vessel. This, resultingly, adversely affects bean yield.
Nevertheless, although the bottommost beans or layers of beans may be crushed by the weight of liquid-swelled beans which are resting thereon, vertical tanks or tower constructions are frequently preferred because they are easy to empty by gravity upon the opening of a bottom valve.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
Different types of leaching or soaking apparatus which are presently employed for extracting or leaching undesired soluble components from various insoluble materials; for instance, comestibles such as beans to render them more digestible or coffee beans for purposes of decaffeination, are also subject to limitations preventing simple operative constructions which, without requiring heavy equipment expenditures, would facilitate a uniform and highly satisfactory degree of soaking and leaching of soluble constituents from insoluble materials on an economical commercial scale of production.
Rector, U.S. Pat. No. 2,309,139 discloses a process and apparatus for decaffeinating coffee in which a leaching or soaking step with the use of a fluid solvent in a downward flow is employed for the extraction of caffeine from the coffee beans and wherein the apparatus basically consists of a vertical columnar extraction unit. This, in essence, consists of the type of apparatus whereby, in its application, crushing of the solids is not particularly problematic, inasmuch as the coffee beans are to be comminuted in subsequent steps. Consequently, there is no critically in maintaining the product in its whole or undamaged physical condition, such as would be required for comestible beans.
Barger, U.S. Reissue Patent No. 31,913 discloses an extraction apparatus in the form of a vertical tower or column for the continuous extraction or leaching of oils and other soluble substances from solid or insoluble materials. This structure employs a vertical flow and sequence of screens for separation of the soluble and insoluble elements of the processed material.
Although various horizontal type of apparatus are also known in the technology for removing soluble constituents from particulate or insoluble materials, these are generally complex in nature and require the provision of a multiplicity of movable parts which would not be desired for the soaking or leaching treatment of relatively delicate comestible beans where it is intended to avoid any damage thereto while rendering the beans more digestible. Moreover, such types of equipment or installations for processing employing movable components are frequently difficult to operate and maintain, inasmuch as the components are subject to wear, and also necessitate a high energy input in order to achieve and maintain the desired soaking, extracting and leaching effects.
Thus, Bushman, U.S. Pat. No. 4,470,344 discloses a horizontal apparatus for the extraction of soluble oils from citrus peel wherein water spray nozzles are adapted to soak the solid components in order to extract the soluble oils therefrom. As illustrated, this horizontal soaking and leaching equipment necessitates the use of numerous movable components such as drive rollers or the like for continuous conveyance of the process materials.
Closmann, U.S. Pat. No. 1,973,247 discloses a horizontal drum for the extraction with liquid and through the steaming of raw unroasted coffee beans, wherein again this equipment necessitates the oscillation or semi-rotation of the drum. In this instance, the coffee beans which are arranged in screened sections in the lower half of the rotatable drum are compressed by upper layers of coffee beans. Although this action may cause some damage to the beans, this may be permissible with regard to coffee beans, but cannot be tolerated during the soaking of whole edible beans for rendering these more digestible through the extraction of solubles, such as oligosaccharides.
Moodie, U.S. Pat. No. 608,554; Swayze, U.S. Pat. No. 2,538,285; Giesse, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 2,703,274; and Rhodes, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,234,429, each disclose various types of horizontal leaching installations adapted for the removal of soluble components from particulate materials. However, these publications each utilize a plurality of movable components and drive elements, requiring extensive maintenance and energy consumption in moving the components while causing soluble substances to be leached from subdivided solids through the intermediary of liquids conducted through screens or filters. Basically, the foregoing installations require high levels of energy input in connection with implementing the leaching or soaking processes while operating movable and readily wearable process elements.
In order to clearly and unambiguously provide an installation which has the attendant advantages of being able to deliver high commercial production rates in the soaking of materials and extraction of soluble constituents from the insoluble portions thereof; for instance, extracting sugars from products, such as edible beans, to render them more digestible, the installation incorporates a novel and unique horizontal soak apparatus which eliminates the need for essentially any moving components, and wherein the process of extracting solubles is implemented through the circulation of heated water to soak and swell the beans. A high degree of effectiveness in the design of industrial soak tank equipment of this type is achieved in the attainment of large production capacities. As previously indicated, presently employed soak tanks are limited in throughput capacity by the vertical extents thereof, since taller tower-like tanks are more likely to cause bottommost layers of edible beans to be crushed by the pressure caused by the expansion of the stacked liquid-swelled beans. Although the drawbacks of this type of soak operation for removing solubles are well known in the technology, the vertical tanks are widely used inasmuch as they are easily emptied under gravity by merely the opening of a bottom valve.
As may be evident, it would be economically advantageous to construct large capacity soak tanks possessing lower heights and greater horizontal dimensions in order to avoid beans being subjected to crushing from high stacks of beans, particularly beans which have absorbed soak water and are consequently quite considerably increased in size, with such horizontal soak tanks being essentially known in the art. Subsequent to the beans having absorbed a sufficient amount of soak water, the water-swelled beans and any unabsorbed water containing extracted solubles are discharged. In this case, beans which are more digestible can be readily produced when the water is heated and recirculated through the beans. Nevertheless, a substantially uniform flow of water through a pile of beans is rather difficult to achieve and maintain, and pursuant to the state of the art, practitioners distributed soak water from either top-to-bottom or bottom-to-top through the installations. However, this approach, wherein the bean pile has to be supported by a small holed screen to enable substantially uniform water distribution, and wherein the equipment must possess the necessary physical supportive strength, substantial structural reinforcement is necessary. Such reinforcement, however, has a tendency to block distribution holes and create so-called dead zones downstream or upstream, which disrupt an even flow of the soak or leaching water. For example, a currently employed horizontal soak tank is that of a barley soak tank employed in a brewery, and wherein the goal is merely simple rehydration, reducing such prior art soak tanks to be adequate for their intended use. When it is desirable to produce more digestible beans, and wherein sugars and other solubles in the beans, such as oligosaccharides are to be extracted from the beans in a soak tank, commonly measured as brix-in-soak water, the soaking requirements demand that a careful and consistent time and temperature control over the flow of the soaking liquid, such as water, be implemented to extend substantially uniformly across a bean pile, such concepts are not able to be readily implemented with presently available installations. Thus, one example of a simple measurement of said uniformity of flow includes the temperature distribution across the bean pile following a change in the inlet water temperature. A second measure of the foregoing uniformity is the brix-in-soak water across said bean pile after the leaching of soluble constituents from the comestibles. Pursuant to a preferred embodiment, time temperature and soak water Brix are continuously monitored and employed to control the process.
Pursuant to the present invention, there is accordingly provided a horizontal soak tank for leaching or extracting solubles, such as oligosaccharides from edible beans, wherein the beans would not be crushed during a soak cycle within which each and every bean can be aqueously treated under different temperatures over successive periods of time, and wherein each bean of a charge of beans in the soak tank is imparted an identical treatment so as to provide for the desired uniformity in the soaking and water-absorption of the beans, particularly for the leaching of solubles therefrom, and without evidence of substantially any damage being sustained by the beans during the soak and leaching process in the tank. In order to achieve the foregoing, the horizontal tank is optionally connected to a balance tank for temperature and flow control containing a portion of the soak water to which temperature controls are imparted, in correlation with desired processing requirements, a suitable pumping arrangement facilitates temperature-regulated water to be pumped in laminar flow through the charge of beans in the soak tank, and in continuous flow returned to the balance tank over a specified time period. This soak cycle is repeated under varied conditions, both as to temperature and time, in circulating the flow through the soak tank, until the intended amounts of solubles have been extracted from the beans, rendering the latter potentially more digestible to a consumer, while retaining the desired texture and taste of the beans.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel horizontal soak tank facilitating the extraction of solubles from insoluble materials.
Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of a horizontal soak tank for the extraction of soluble constituents from edible beans through the use of a non-laminar flow of water through a screen arrangement in the soak tank.
Yet another object of the present invention resides in the provision of a horizontal soak tank as described herein, wherein soluble constituents comprising oligosaccharides are extracted from beans during a continuous cycle by a non-laminar flow of water through a system of screens in the soak tank in a sequence of controlled temperature, flow and time conditions.
A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of a method of extracting soluble constituents from edible beans utilizing the novel horizontal soak tank as described herein.

Soak apparatus for leaching soluble constituents from insoluble materials


A computer-implemented method for file-level replication may include 1) identifying a selection of at least one source file to replicate from a primary volume to a secondary volume, 2) identifying extent information that indicates a volume location of the source file within the primary volume, 3) identifying a volume offset within the primary volume of a write operation performed on the source file within the primary volume, 4) converting the volume offset to a file offset within the source file using the extent information, and 5) replicating the write operation and the file offset to the secondary volume. Various other methods and systems are also disclosed.

Many organizations rely upon data replication to improve the reliability, fault-tolerance, and/or accessibility of their applications and/or data. Data replication typically involves replicating data from a primary site or device (e.g., a production volume) to a secondary (e.g., backup and/or disaster recovery) site or device.
Many traditional replication systems may replicate data at the volume level (e.g., replicate a specified volume from a primary site to a secondary site). However, in some cases a replication administrator may wish to only replicate certain files within a volume (e.g., selected virtual hard disk files within a virtualization environment). While some traditional replication systems may replicate data at the file level, these replication systems may lack features, robustness, performance, quality of service, and/or ease of use of existing volume-level replication systems. Unfortunately, replication administrators who would prefer to perform file-specific replication may therefore face an undesirable dilemma of choosing between a powerful and robust volume-level replication system and a file-level replication system. Accordingly, the instant disclosure identifies and addresses a need for additional and improved systems and methods for file-level replication.

Systems and methods for file-level replication


A method for forming electrical interconnections in vias is provided by laser drilling vias in a composite that contains at least two circuitized organic polymeric substrates superimposed upon each other. The laser drilling causes metallic circuit lines contained within each substrate to melt and form a fused mass protruding a short distance out of the side of the drilled vias. Next, the drilled vias are plated with a conductive metal to thereby provide the interconnections.

Generally speaking, high density printed circuit boards are constructed with several electrically conductive layers separated by dielectric layers. Some of the conductive layers are utilized to supply power and ground voltages. The remaining conductive layers are patterned for electrical signal interconnections among integrated circuit chips. Layer-to-layer interconnections are achieved by means of through-holes plated with electrically conductive material. In high density printed circuit boards, it has been normal practice to provide interconnections between adjacent conducting layers, which interconnections are commonly known as "vias".
Recently, there have been various suggestions of providing circuitized sub-composites which in turn are then assembled and laminated together to form the desired printed circuit board or card. For example, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,854,038; 4,864,722 and 4,868,350, all assigned to International Business Machines Corporation, the assignee of the present application, disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
However, when employing laser technique to drill the interconnections, difficulties have been experienced in that it is necessary to provide a ring land having a relatively small etched center hole. In addition, in such arrangement, there is a tendency for the laser drilling to leave a residue of a thin layer of dielectrical material when drilling down to the buried layers of metal.

Method for forming electrical interconnections in laminated vias


A method for fluidizing a spent catalyst in a regenerator during a combustion process. The combustor includes a vessel and an air distributor. The air distributor includes an air grid and a plurality of first nozzles extending from the air grid. Spent catalyst is introduced into the vessel. Air is provided to the vessel via the plurality of first nozzles at a base combustion air rate. Additional air is provided to the vessels via a plurality of second nozzles of a fluffing air distributor at a fluffing air rate that is between 0.5 wt % and 10 wt % of the base combustion air rate to fluidize the catalyst. The second nozzles have outlets that are disposed below the air grid and above a bottom head of the vessel.

Numerous hydrocarbon conversion processes are widely used to alter the structure or properties of hydrocarbon streams. Such processes include isomerization from straight chain paraffinic or olefinic hydrocarbons to more highly branched hydrocarbons, dehydrogenation for producing olefinic or aromatic compounds, reforming to produce aromatics and motor fuels, alkylation to produce commodity chemicals and motor fuels, transalkylation, and others. Many such processes use catalysts to promote hydrocarbon conversion reactions. A particular example of a hydrocarbon conversion process employing a catalyst is a fluidized catalytic cracking (FCC) process.
FCC systems typically include a regeneration zone, many of which maintain a dense fluidized bed of catalyst particles through which an oxygen-containing regeneration gas, such as air, passes to combust coke. The coke forms as a byproduct of the cracking operation.
A common regeneration zone operation introduces the regenerator gas, e.g., air, into the bottom of the regenerator through a bottom closure of a regenerator vessel. An air distributor divides the introduced air and injects it into the catalyst bed at a multiplicity of points to obtain good air distribution. A particular example regeneration zone using an air distributor is a combustor style single stage regenerator (combustor style regenerator). This regenerator is particularly useful to achieve a low carbon level on regenerated catalyst that is uniform through the regenerated catalyst.
An example combustor style regenerator includes a lower combustor, an internal combustor riser, and an upper regenerator embodied in a disengaging vessel having cyclones. The combustor includes a metal vessel, e.g., carbon steel, having a bottom head at a base. The bottom head is insulated with a refractory lining material. To provide air for combustion, an air distributor is provided within the vessel above the bottom head, particularly at or near a lower tangent line of the vessel. A typical air distributor includes a hub that is in fluid communication with a plurality of nozzles disposed along an air grid, such as a pipe grid, mounted within the vessel. The nozzles are directed from the air grid into the vessel.
In an example combustion operation, air enters the combustor via a conduit centrally located in the bottom of the vessel that is in fluid communication with an air grid. The air grid divides the input air from the conduit to the plurality of nozzles, through which the air is injected into the interior of the vessel. Spent catalyst is introduced into the vessel near the base, for example via a spent catalyst standpipe leading to the vessel. At the bottom of the combustor the spent catalyst (e.g., from a reaction zone) mixes with the air and with (hot) recirculating catalyst from the upper regenerator, fluidizing the spent catalyst. The air is used to burn the coke off the fluidized spent catalyst as the fluidized spent catalyst moves up the combustor and the internal combustor riser.
During combustion, the region of the vessel above the bottom head and below the air grid becomes filled with unfluidized catalyst because the nozzle penetration may not be adequate to fluidize this region. This region can have a significant volume. For example, a distance of the vessel below the air grid and connected nozzles could be as much as two meters in larger size vessels. Unfluidized catalyst accumulates near the bottom head, and this accumulated catalyst acts as an insulator in addition to the refractory lining on the bottom head. This leads to very low skin temperatures of the vessel on the bottom head below the sulphuric acid dew point which could lead to corrosion of the vessel.
Therefore, there remains a need for effective and efficient processes for fluidizing spent catalyst.


A radiation image storage panel composed of a support sheet and a stimulable phosphor layer, in which the support sheet shows a light transmittance of not less than 70% in the wavelength region between 400 nm and 800 nm and a haze of 10 to 30 is favorably employed in a radiation image reading system employing a double-side reading system in which a stimulating step and an erasing step are simultaneously performed in parallel on the same storage panel.

A radiation image recording and reproducing method utilizing a stimulable phosphor described, for instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,239,968, is now practically employed. In the method, a radiation image storage panel comprising a stimulable phosphor (i.e., stimulable phosphor sheet) is employed, and the method comprises the steps of causing the stimulable phosphor of the panel to absorb radiation energy having passed through an object or having radiated from an object; sequentially exciting the stimulable phosphor with an electromagnetic wave such as visible light or infrared rays (hereinafter referred to as "stimulating rays") to release the radiation energy stored in the phosphor as light emission (i.e., stimulated emission); photoelectrically detecting the emitted light to obtain electric signals; and reproducing the radiation image of the object as a visible image from the electric signals.
In the radiation image recording and reproducing method, a radiation image is obtainable with a sufficient amount of information by applying radiation to the object at a considerably smaller dose, as compared with a conventional radiography using a combination of radiographic film and radiographic intensifying screen. Further, the radiation image recording and reproducing method using a stimulable phosphor is of great value especially when the method is employed for medical diagnosis.
The radiation image storage panel employed in the above-described method comprises a stimulable phosphor layer which is optionally provided on a support. Further, a transparent layer of a polymer material is generally provided on the free surface (e.g., surface not facing the support) of the phosphor layer to keep the phosphor layer from chemical deterioration or physical shock.
The stimulable phosphor layer generally comprises a binder and a stimulable phosphor (in the form of particles). The stimulable phosphor emits light (that is, gives stimulated emission) when it is excited with an electromagnetic wave (i.e., stimulating rays) after it is exposed to radiation such as X-rays. In more detail, the radiation having passed through an object or radiated from an object is absorbed by the stimulable phosphor layer of the panel in an amount proportional to the applied radiation dose, and a radiation image of the object is formed on the panel in the form of a radiation energy-stored image. The radiation energy-stored image can be released as stimulated emission by sequentially irradiating the storage panel with stimulating rays. The stimulated emission is then photoelectrically detected to give a series of electric signals, so as to reproduce a visible image from the electric signals.
In the radiation image recording and reproducing method, radiation image storage panels of other types such as those having a vacuum-deposited or sintered stimulable phosphor layer may be employed.
The radiation image recording and reproducing method is generally performed in a united radiation image recording and reading apparatus which comprises recording means (for applying a radiation having an image information to the radiation image storage panel to record the radiation image on the storage panel); reading means (for irradiating the stimulating rays to the storage panel having the radiation image to produce stimulated emission from the storage panel and photoelectrically reading the stimulated emission); erasing means (for applying an erasing light to the storage panel after the reading step is complete to remove a radiation image remaining in the storage panel); and transfer system (which is arranged between these means, for transferring the storage panel from one means to another means in predetermined order). Alternatively, the radiation image recording and reading apparatus may comprise two separated apparatuses, that is, a radiation image recording apparatus and a radiation image reading apparatus equipped with erasing means.
In any of the radiation image recording and reproducing systems, the radiation image storage panel is repeatedly employed after the remaining radiation image is erased.
In the radiation image recording and reproducing method, the radiation image recorded in the storage panel is generally read by applying the stimulating rays to one side of the storage panel and collecting light emitted by the phosphor particles by means of a light-collecting means from the same side (hereinafter referred to as "single-side reading system"). There is a case, however, that the light emitted by the phosphor particles should be collected on both sides of the storage panel. This is because the emitted light is desired to be collected as much as possible. There also is a case that the radiation image recorded in the phosphor layer varies along the depth direction of the layer and such variation of the radiation image should be detected. An example of the system for reading the radiation image from both sides (hereinafter referred to as "double-side reading system") is illustrated in FIG. 1 of the attached drawings.
In FIG. 1, the radiation image storage panel 11 is transferred (or moved) by a combination of two sets of nip rolls 12a, 12b. The stimulating rays such as laser beam 13 is applied to the storage panel 11 on one side, and the light emitted by the phosphor particles advances upward and downward (in other words, toward both the upper and lower surfaces). The downward light 14a is collected by a light collector 15a (arranged on the lower side), converted into an electric signal in a photoelectric conversion device (e.g., photomultiplier) 16a, multiplied in a multiplier 17a, and then sent to a signal processor 18. On the other hand, the upward light 14b is directly, or after reflection on a mirror 19, collected by a light collector 15b (arranged on the upper side), converted into an electric signal in a photoelectric conversion device (e.g., photomultiplier) 16b, multiplied in a multiplier 17b, and then sent to the signal processor 18. In the signal processor 18, the electric signals sent from the multipliers 17a, 17b are processed in a predetermined manner such as addition processing or reduction processing depending upon characteristics of the desired radiation image.
The radiation image storage panel 11 continuously advances in the direction indicated by the allow by means of the nip rolls 12a, 12b. Accordingly, the area of the storage panel which is subjected to the stimulating step (i.e., reading step) is subjected to an erasing step which uses an erasing lamp 20 such as a sodium lamp. In the erasing step, the radiation energy which still remains in the storage panel after being subjected to the reading step is almost completely released from the storage panel. Therefore, the radiation image storage panel having been subjected to the erasing step contains almost no latent image composed of the remaining radiation energy, and is favorably employed in the next cycle of the radiation image recording and reproducing method.
According to studies of the present invention on the radiation image reading system illustrated in FIG. 1 which comprises the successive stimulating and erasing steps applied in parallel on the same storage panel, it has been noted that the radiation image in that system sometimes suffers from noise. Therefore, the inventor has further studied the reason of noise observed in the reproduced radiation image, and discovered that the noise is produced by a portion of the erasing light which is applied on the adjacent area of the storage panel and then moves in a zig-zag mode in the horizontal direction within the transparent support of the storage panel along its plane to reach the area which is under stimulation.
The troublesome noise can be removed by not performing the reading step and the erasing step on the storage panel in parallel. However, the procedures of the combined reading and erasing step in parallel are very advantageous from the viewpoint of performing the radiation image recording and reproducing method quickly and efficiently. Such system is also advantageous because the whole apparatus can be constructed in a relatively small size.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,534,710 describes the use of a radiation image storage panel comprising a stimulable phosphor layer and an erasing light-diffusion preventive layer capable of allowing transmission of stimulated emission while preventing an erasing light impinged thereupon from diffusing within the preventive layer along the plane thereof in the radiation image reading system employing the double-side reading system which comprises the steps of exciting an area of the phosphor layer of the radiation image storage panel which has a radiation energy therein in the form of a latent image with stimulating rays to release the radiation energy from the phosphor layer as stimulated emission and simultaneously detecting photoelectrically the stimulated emission from both sides of the storage panel to obtain electric signals for reproduction of a radiation image; and applying an erasing light on the same area of the radiation image storage panel after completion of the above exciting and detecting step in parallel with a successive exciting and detecting step applied simultaneously on other area of the storage panel. The U.S. patent further describes that the erasing light-diffusion preventive layer of the above radiation image storage panel may be in the form of a colored layer capable of absorbing the erasing light, a layer diffuses the erasing light on the interface between said preventive layer and the stimulable phosphor layer, or an optical path-limiting layer capable of accepting only a light impinged thereupon at an incident angle of 30.degree. or more and guiding the accepted light to pass therethrough vertically.

Radiation image storage panel and radiation image reading method


A rocking type exercising apparatus includes a movable unit on which a user rides and a driving unit for causing the movable unit to perform a rocking motion. The driving unit is designed to drive the movable unit to rock in forward/backward directions of the user riding on the movable unit and to move the movable unit forward at a greater acceleration than when the movable unit is moved backward.

A rocking type exercising apparatus for providing a user with an exercising effect similar to a horse riding is an easy-to-use exercising apparatus that is widely used among users of various generations from children to elderly persons and is spread to general households as well as rehabilitation purpose medical facilities. Examples of the conventional rocking type exercising apparatus are disclosed in, e.g., Japanese Patent No. 3394890 and Japanese Patent Laid-open Application No. 2001-286578.
Japanese Patent No. 3394890 discloses a prophylactic training apparatus for lumbago that can realize rhythmical rocking motions using a parallel mechanism having a leeway of movement in six different directions or the like. Japanese Patent Laid-open Application No. 2001-286578 discloses a balance training apparatus that can realize a forward/backward rocking motion and a leftward/rightward rocking motion using a motor and a link.
The conventional apparatus noted above are designed to simulate the rocking motion of a user's body generated when riding on a horseback but take no account of the advancing movement resulting from the walking of a horse. Assuming that the afore-mentioned apparatus would make a user feel as if he or she moves forward, it will be possible to provide a more realistic exercise effect to the user.


A lead frame includes a die attach pad having a certain area with a portion of the area being adapted to receive and support an integrated circuit die. The lead frame also includes a plurality of leads for electrically connecting the integrated circuit die to other electrical elements external to the package. At least one of the leads is configured to have a portion of the lead overhang, but be spaced slightly apart from, the area of the die attach pad. The overhanging portions of the leads are positioned in close proximity to the die attach pad in order to improve the thermal transfer from the die attach pad to the leads during the operation of the integrated circuit package. A method of forming the lead frame includes the step of folding at least a portion of the lead frame which includes at least one of the leads such that the at least one lead is positioned with a portion of that lead overhanging, but being spaced slightly apart from, the die attach pad.

The present invention relates generally to integrated circuit (IC) packages and more specifically to lead frames for use in an integrated circuit package and methods of forming the lead frame.
In the IC packaging industry, there is continuous pressure to reduce the cost of packaging ICs. To accomplish this, a wide variety of package designs and assembly methods have been developed. One of the major concerns when designing integrated circuit packages is dealing with the heat generated by the integrated circuit die during its operation. The amount of heat generated by the die varies dramatically depending on the specific die used in the package. Therefore, in order to minimize the cost of producing a given integrated circuit package, the heat dissipating characteristics of the integrated circuit package should be designed to be sufficient to deal with the heat generated by the die of the package without adding any unnecessary cost to producing the package.
In a conventional IC package, the majority of the heat generated by the die is dissipated through the leads of the package. This is because the leads provide the best thermal path away from the die and the die attach pad on which the die is typically supported. Currently, in a situation in which the die generates more heat than can be properly dissipated through the leads of a conventional integrated circuit package, a heat slug or other such heat dissipating device is included in the package to improve the heat dissipating characteristics of the package. The die typically attached directly to the heat slug and one surface of the heat slug is left exposed when the package is encapsulated thereby providing a direct thermal path from the die out of the package. In an example, a package including a heat slug may have a thermal dissipating capacity one hundred times that of a conventional package without a heat slug. Although this approach substantially improves the heat dissipating characteristics of the package, it also increases the cost of the package. In many cases, this approach of adding a heat slug provides much more heat dissipating capability than is necessary and therefore unnecessarily increases the cost of the package. For this reason, it is desirable to provide a package that improves the heat dissipating characteristics of the package without adding all of the costs associated with providing a heat slug.
FIG. 1 illustrates one prior art approach to improving the heat dissipating characteristics of a package without adding a heat slug. This approach is referred to as the thermal coastline approach. In the thermal coastline approach, the die is supported on a die attach pad of a lead frame. The die attach pad and the leads are configured to increase the area of the ends of the leads which face the die attach pad in order to increase the thermal transfer from the die attach pad to the leads.
FIG. 1 is a partial diagrammatic plan view of a lead frame 10 using the thermal coastline approach. Lead frame 10 includes a die attach pad 12 and a plurality of leads 14 for electrically connecting a die (not shown) to other external elements. As illustrated in FIG. 1, leads 14 and die attach pad 12 are formed such that their edges, indicated by edges 16 and 18 respectively, face one another along a line that is at an angle A relative to the symmetrical axes of the lead frame indicated by center lines 20 and 22. When comparing this configuration to a conventional configuration, this angling of the edge surfaces of die attach pad 12 and the facing leads 14 increases the surface area of each of the edges 16 of the leads 14 that face edge 18 of die attach pad 12.
Since the amount of the surface area of the leads facing the die attach pad significantly impacts the heat dissipating characteristics of the lead frame, the above described configuration improves the heat dissipating characteristics of a package using this type of lead frame. However, this approach is limited by the amount that the surface area of the facing edges may be increased without creating other problems such as increasing the size of the package. Generally, the thermal coastline approach may provide an improvement of up to about 20 percent in the heat dissipating characteristics of a given package compared to a conventionally configured package that uses a lead frame with a square edged die attach pad and leads.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a package configuration having even greater thermal dissipating characteristics than the above described thermal coastline approach without requiring the use of a heat slug or any other such additional heat dissipating device. The present invention provides arrangements and methods of producing lead frames and integrated circuit packages which are capable of substantially improved heat dissipating characteristics compared with conventional packages that do not include a heat slug or any other additional heat dissipating device. The present invention accomplishes these improved heat dissipation characteristics without requiring the use of a heat slug or any other additional heat dissipating device.

Integrated circuit leadframe incorporating overhanging leads