This invention is a single stage or a multi-stage apparatus for chemical, physical-chemical, and biological treatment and equalization of variable flows of influent material, wherein said influent material is processed in at least a single reactor or in a plurality of sequential reactors containing liquid and having influent, and having reactor connecting and effluent lines. The improvement to this apparatus comprises:. (1) using at least one reactor for flow equalization, the said reactor is a separate reactor or a reactor selected from the said plurality of sequential reactors, PA1 (2) providing the lower elevation flow transfer means attached to the said reactor connecting and effluent lines in the said selected reactors, PA1 (3) providing at least one higher elevation flow transfer means attached to the said reactor connecting and effluent lines in at least one of the said at least two selected reactors for the flow equalization, the said at least one of the said at least two selected reactor precedes the said other selected reactors in the plurality of sequential reactors.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to treatment of aqueous materials, particularly, wastewater, and wastewater sludges, and is related to single stage and multistage equalization basin-reactor systems treating variable influent flows.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Many water, wastewater, and other treatment systems have variable influent flows and concentrations. Process controls also produce variable flows and concentrations, for example, through recirculation of various process streams, dilution with the treated streams, by feeding the reagents, and by other control actions. The treatment efficiency depends on the ability of the treatment system to handle the variable characteristics of the influent flows. First, flow and concentration variations are reduced in the treatment system via equalization effects, which are related to the flow patterns and degree of mixing in equalization basins and reactors. Second, the concentration variations are also reduced due to the physical, chemical, physical-chemical, or biological matter transformations. High treatment efficiency and stability, and low capital and operating costs can be provided by utilizing appropriate combinations of flow and concentration equalization basins and reactors. Functions of flow and concentration equalization and materials transformation can be performed in separate flow equalization basins, usually, single or multiple tanks with variable volume of the liquid being treated, concentration equalization basins, single or multiple tanks with a variety of flow and mixing patterns, and in reactors of one or another type. Systems with multiple tank are usually arranged into multi-stage systems. The equalization and transformation functions can also be performed in a single flow-through tank.
For example, a single tank system known under trade name Biolac (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,287,062, 4,448,689, 4,797,212) combines flow equalization and treatment functions is a single aerobic reactor with a clarifier having a floating weir or a floating clarifier for collecting the clarified water. The weir flow is equal to or greater than the average design flow. Accordingly, the single reactor provides complete flow equalization. Such a reactor can be divided into sequential process zones (U.S. Pat. No. 5,472,611). However, with a single level floating weir or clarifier at the effluent discharge, this reactor functions as a single tank flow equalization basin. Single flow-through tanks with a single level discharge line and floating clarifiers or weirs handle flow variations in a small to moderate range well. For example, these tanks are used for equalizing variations of municipal wastewater flows within a day and industrial wastewater flows within a production shift or a day. However, the required volume of these tanks becomes very large when combined storm and municipal, or industrial, flows need to be equalized. In systems with variable flow recirculations, for example, for diluting or neutralizing the influent, the capacity of single level clarifiers installed for handling minimum to average flows is inadequate. Adding more clarifiers discharging at the same level causes problems with water distribution among clarifiers, or among collection means (such as weirs) in these clarifiers.
If another reactor is added downstream of the single tank equalization basin-reactor, the system becomes a multistage reactor. The downstream reactor will be operated at the constant (equalized) flow rate. The volume of the downstream reactor will stay constant, and it cannot be used for flow equalization. Corresponding depths (liquid level) fluctuations in the first reactor must accommodate all equalization requirements, and will be substantial.
An alternative treatment system for highly variable wastewater flows and concentrations is the sequencing batch reactor (SBR). In this system, usually, two or more single-tank reactors are installed and operated in the periodic mode: filling the wastewater influent, treatment, settling of the sludge, and decanting the wastewater effluent. SBR combines the functions of flow equalization, treatment, and sludge separation in one tank. However, in contrast to multistage systems, it is difficult or impossible to accommodate various process stages, like nitrification and denitrification. With influents having variable flows and concentrations, the end of the treatment period, or a functional treatment step (for example, nitrification) in the sequence of operations is difficult to detect. Accordingly, SBRs are often operated on a time clock set based on a worst case scenario. This results in grossly overdesigned SBR reactors.
The main objective of the present invention is to improve single stage and multi-stage treatment systems, by combining equalization and treatment of wastewater in at least two stages of the multiple stage treatment process. Thus improved systems retain all advantages of multistage systems when treating influents with variable flows and compositions and use more than one reactor for flow equalization. Other advantages will become apparent from the ensuing description of the invention.


A method and apparatus for preventing the accumulation of fines and the resulting formation of snowmen in a clinker cooler by applying short duration blasts of high pressure, high velocity air from openings in the cooler inlet grate. The cleaning air can be selectively supplied to a portion or portions of the cooler inlet grate. Monitoring may be provided to aid in the selective application of the cleaning air.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for preventing the formation of snowmen within a clinker cooler. The invention relates more specifically to a method and apparatus which allow the monitoring and selective application of short duration blasts of high-pressure, high-velocity air through openings in the stepped supporting surface of a clinker cooler, jostling the clinker and thereby disrupting the accumulation of fines which grow to form snowmen, and dislodging any such accumulations in the clinker bed.
2. Description of Related Art
In the production of cement, raw materials are combusted to produce cement clinker, typically in a rotary kiln according to known methods. U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,721, to Kupper. et al., for example, describes one method of producing cement clinker from fine-grained cement raw materials.
Kiln temperatures of 1400.degree. C. and above are common in the production of cement clinker. The temperature of the clinker as it is discharged from the kiln is typically approximately 1350.degree. C. As the clinker exits the kiln, it must be cooled rapidly. Most commonly, the hot clinker is discharged from the kiln onto a grate constructed to facilitate the introduction of cooling air to cool the clinker. The clinker is exposed to cooling air while on the cooler inlet grate, and is then typically discharged to a conveyor which transports the clinker to a grinder or milling device.
A variety of cooling grates for cooling cement clinker have been developed and are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,434,845 to Gaffney shows a clinker cooling chamber including a stepped grating onto which the hot clinker is discharged from the kiln. As the clinker moves downwardly, by gravity, along the grate, cooling air is introduced into the clinker pile through openings in the stepped surface.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,732,561 to Eiring, et al. shows a cooling apparatus wherein hot material such as clinker, discharged from a kiln, is conveyed by gravity over a step-like series of air-permeable carrier elements. Cooling air is introduced to the material through the carrier elements, and may be delivered in pulses to individual carrier elements or groups of carrier elements.
The clinker typically discharged from a kiln is generally spherical and approximately one to three inches in diameter. Along with the clinker, "fines" are discharged from the kiln into the clinker cooler. These fines comprise smaller particulate matter and can cause a number of undesirable effects within the clinker cooler. For example, the fines can cling to the surfaces of adjoining pieces of clinker in the cooler and cause the clinker to clump together. This is referred to as agglomeration or caking. Also occasionally discharged from the kiln are large lumps of coating which have broken loose from the interior surface of the kiln. These large lumps interfere with effective heat transfer within the cooler and disrupt clinker flow through the cooler.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,870,913 to Schneider seeks to prevent caking in the clinker cooler by providing a grate cooler comprising stepped layers of grate plates, the forward facing surfaces of the grate plates having nozzle-shaped cooling air openings oriented to inhibit caking between the grate plates. Because the air supplied to its nozzle openings is drawn from the cooling air supply, Schneider is intended to prevent caking of clinker in localized areas. Schneider's air flow is insufficient to jar or shock the clinker itself, and is unable to dislodge fines which have already adhered to the clinker.
A more severe problem than that of caking of the clinker is the formation of "snowmen" in the clinker cooler. Snowmen are formed when fines fall from the kiln above, onto the top surfaces of large lumps of kiln coating on top of the clinker bed within the cooler. Snowmen also sometimes form on the top surfaces of the clinker, especially when the clinker cakes together. As layer after layer of the fines fuse onto the lump of kiln coating, snowmen "grow" upwardly into stalagmite-like structures. In effect, the lumps of kiln coating act as "seeds" for the formation of snowmen. Left unchecked, these snowmen may eventually grow to reach the mouth of the kiln, thereby blocking the discharge of clinker from the kiln.
To date, several attempts have been made to prevent the formation of snowmen. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,350 to Tegtmeier, et al. discloses a reciprocating grate cooler having a hydraulic mechanism for driving the cooler inlet grate in a reciprocating manner. It is also known to provide a rotating ram and thrust bar, such as that shown by U.S. Pat. No. 4,732,561 to Eiring, et al., which is mechanically driven to break-up any deposits or encrustations on the clinker.
These and other known methods and devices have been found less than entirely satisfactory to remove lumps of kiln coating from the cooler inlet, or to prevent the formation of snowmen. This is, in part, because such devices suffer the disadvantage that, by their nature, they inherently incorporate moving parts. Due to the weight of the clinker and its abrasive nature, these moving parts are highly susceptible to wear and breakage, especially at the high temperatures commonly encountered within the cooler. Moreover, the presence of fines from the kiln within the cooler environment can lead to the clogging and jamming of moving parts. Also, because the large lumps of kiln coating tend to float or ride on the surface of the clinker bed, reciprocating scrapers or thrust bars, which operate entirely beneath the surface of the clinker bed, are incapable of removing them from the cooler inlet.
It has also been proposed to direct pulses of high pressure air onto the clinker from openings in the cooler walls or in refractory walls within the cooler. In some instances, this has proven successful in shearing off the tops of snowmen in the immediate vicinity of the air openings. The lower portions of the snowmen, however, remain in place on the clinker bed and serve as seeds for the formation of new snowmen. Furthermore, because the air openings are located generally at the outer periphery of the cooler, the air pulses are unable to affect snowmen or other accumulations nearer to the center of the cooler. Also, except for air pulses from openings in the headwall at the back of the cooler, it is not possible for such an apparatus to direct air pulses in the direction of clinker flow. This limits the ability of such devices to move large lumps of kiln coating any significant distance from the headwall. This arrangement also suffers the disadvantage that, once the air openings are provided in the cooler walls, their position is fixed. As the depth of the clinker bed varies, the location of these openings may render them ineffective.
Thus, it can be seen that there exists a need for a method of preventing the formation of snowmen by removing lumps of kiln coating from the cooler inlet. A need further exists for a method of dislodging snowmen, once formed, during cooling. Likewise, a need exists for the provision of an apparatus capable of carrying out these methods, without the need for moving parts, and which is not affected by variations in the depth of the clinker bed.
It is to the provision of such a method and apparatus that the present invention is primarily directed.

Method and apparatus for preventing formation of snowmen and removing lumps of coating in clinker coolers


To provide an illumination device in which there is no variation in light intensity distribution of the illumination device, and in which illumination spots, particularly light intensity spots, are not prone to occur in a read image in an image reading device, by maintaining a constant gap between a light source and an end face of a light guide. The illumination device includes: a light guide having an end face for taking in light, a diffuse reflecting surface for diffusely reflecting the light taken in from the end face, and a light exit surface for emitting the light that is diffusely reflected at the diffuse reflecting surface towards an irradiation surface. The illumination device further include a reflector having a diffuse reflecting surface that reflects light from the light source toward the one end face of the light guide. The light guide has, at the one end, a flange portion that abuts the reflector, the light source is mounted to a circuit board, and the reflector is held between the flange portion of the light guide and circuit board so as to maintain a predetermined gap between the light source and light guide.

Generally, as an image reading device of such a type, there is known an image reading device as disclosed in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, configured to irradiate a document fed onto or placed on a reading platen with linear light emitted from a light guide and to receive reflected light therefrom by a photoelectric conversion sensor, thereby reading an image of the document.
An illumination device mounted in the image reading device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a light source unit and a photoelectric conversion sensor on a scanning carriage that moves along a reading platen and receives reflected light of light emitted from the light source unit by the photoelectric conversion sensor. The photoelectric sensor, which is configured as a line sensor, reads an image on the platen in a line-sequential manner while moving in a scanning carriage moving direction (sub-scan direction) perpendicular to a reading direction (main-scan direction) of the photoelectric conversion sensor.
The light source used as a light source of the illumination device includes a white LED light source serving as a light emission source and a light guide that diffuses light from the light source uniformly in the main scan direction to serve as a rod-like luminous body and is required, in this case, to emit light uniformly in the main scan direction (longitudinal direction of the line sensor).
In order to meet the above requirement, the light source unit is configured as follows: the light guide is formed into a rod-like shape having a diffusion reflecting surface and a light exiting surface which are disposed opposite to each other in the can direction; a light source is provided at one end portion of an outer cover in which the light guide is housed; one end surface of the light guide housed in the outer cover is made to face the light source with a predetermined gap provided therebetween; and a reflecting surface serving as a pseudo light source (although a detailed description thereof is omitted) is formed at the other end surface of the light guide. The configuration described above allows light emitted from the light guide to uniformly enter the reading platen.
Further, an inner side surface of the outer cover at the one end portion thereof having the light source is sloped to allow the outer cover itself to serve as a reflector for guiding the light emitted from the light source to the light guide, thereby allowing the light from the light source to efficiently enter the light guide.
Further, the image reading device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes so-called a contact type optical system in which a SELFOC lens is provided for each sensor element in the line sensor. On the other hand, in an image reading device of so-called an optical reduction system that uses a condenser lens like an image reading device disclosed in Patent Document 2, intensity of light at both end portions of a reading area in the main scan direction is reduced according to the cosine fourth power law. In order to cope with this, in an image reading device of such a type, the gap between the light guide and light source and a position of the light source facing the light guide are adjusted so as to increase light intensity distribution characteristics at an irradiation surface (reading surface) by an amount corresponding to the attenuation caused due to the cosine fourth power law.
Thus, the light intensity distribution characteristics of the illumination device using the light guide need to be managed depending on usage thereof. Particularly, as described above, when the illumination device is used as the illumination device for the image reading device, the light intensity distribution characteristics thereof need to be managed such that the light emitted from the light guide and illuminating the reading platen becomes uniform linear light in the case of the illumination device of Patent Document 1 and such that the light emitted from the light guide and illuminating the reading platen becomes linear light having an intensity greater at the both end portions of the reading area in the main scan direction than at a center thereof in the case of the illumination device of Patent Document 2. In order to meet a condition that maintains a state the liner light based on the preciously set intensity distribution, it is essential to take into consideration, at designing, maintenance of the predetermined gap between the end surface of the light guide housed in the outer cover and the light source serving as a light emission source, position of the light source facing the end surface of the light guide, a shape of the light guide, light directivity of the light source, and the like.


A holding apparatus for holding a gutted poultry body/part during processing has a support body supporting the body/part, a fastening body for holding the support body and fastening the holding apparatus to a circulatingly driven transport unit, and a clamping device for securing the body/part to the support body. The clamping device has a hook for penetrating into soft parts and a clamping lever. The lever has a clamping jaw for clamping parts of the body/part against the hook lower side directed towards the support body. The hook lower side is spaced apart from the support body to form a free space for receiving the parts to be clamped. The clamping lever is movable, against a spring force, from a standby position into a clamping position, and back. The clamping lever also has a centring shoulder projecting into the free space when the clamping lever is in the standby position.

In the poultry processing industry, gutted poultry bodies or parts thereof are processed in appropriate apparatuses. For processing, the poultry bodies or parts thereof are to be positioned with respect to the respective processing tools. Usually, a plurality of holding apparatuses are fastened to a circulatingly driven transport unit, by means of which the poultry bodies or parts thereof are fed to one or a plurality of processing stations or are brought into the operating area thereof. For processing, the poultry bodies or parts thereof are automatically or manually mounted on and secured to the holding apparatus. This process is referred to overall as saddle-mounting. High-quality and yield-efficient processing of the poultry bodies or parts thereof requires secure and above all symmetrical saddle-mounting of the poultry bodies or parts thereof on the holding apparatus.
The holding apparatus described hereinbefore is known as a transport saddle and also comprises, in addition to the fastening body and the clamping device, which is usually associated with the fastening body, the support body which is generally releasably attached to or on the fastening body. The hook as a component of the clamping device is also attached to the fastening body, usually fixed, while the clamping lever for clamping in particular bone components of the poultry body or parts thereof is pivotably mounted on the fastening body. Mounting onto the support body can be performed by pushing and/or pulling.
Symmetrical and secure saddle-mounting of breast caps as a part of the gutted poultry body on the holding apparatus is particularly important. The breast caps to be processed have a breast cap carcass which comprises at least one breast bone, one pair of V-shaped coracoid bones arranged on the breast bone in the region of a breast plate and two breast fillets covering the breast bone. The breast plate is part of the breast bone which additionally comprises the so-called keel bone. Accordingly, in terms of the invention, the breast plate and keel bone form the breast bone which is T-shaped in cross-section. In this case, the breast plate forms the short stroke of the T, while the keel bone represents the long stroke of the T. The two coracoid bones extend from the breast bone, opening up outwards to form the V-shape. In the processing of breast caps, e.g. when obtaining breast fillets from the breast cap carcass or when cutting free the breast bone, saddle-mounting the breast caps securely and symmetrically on the support body is particularly important, as the knives, preferably two circular knives arranged at a distance from each other, which cut free the breast bone, have no guidance whatsoever through the (breast cap) carcass.
Until now, the poultry bodies or parts thereof, based on the example of obtaining breast fillets from the (breast cap) carcass, have been mounted on the holding apparatuses being transported past in a mounting direction predetermined by the design of the support body by an operator using a pushing and/or preferably pulling motion. For this purpose, the breast cap is moved with the neck side first, i.e. the breast cap carcass with the open side of the V-shaped arrangement of coracoid bones, in the direction of the hook facing contrary to the mounting direction, the hook being fixed and acting like a skewer at least during processing, which also includes mounting the breast cap on the holding apparatus. At the same time, the hook penetrates soft parts, i.e. the soft flesh of the breast cap or breast fillets. When the breast cap is saddle-mounted symmetrically, the breast plate located between the coracoid bones, which represents a cartilaginous/bony connection between the two coracoid bones in the region of the breast bone, is brought under the hook with a free end such that the breast cap lies with the free end of the breast plate between the support body and the hook, the hook pressing as it were on the free end of the breast plate of the breast cap carcass, while the breast bone with the (remaining) breast plate lies on the support body and the keel bone extends substantially perpendicular away from the support body, such that the breast fillets covering the breast bone point towards the processing station, for example towards the knives. In this position, the breast cap is not yet sufficiently secured to the support body.
Subsequently, i.e. with a time delay after complete insertion of the hook into the soft parts, the holding apparatus with the breast cap not yet sufficiently secured is transported further along the circulating transport unit, the holding apparatus thereby passing a cam member which results in the clamping lever being moved, e.g. via an actuating means controlled by the cam member, from the inside of the holding apparatus out of the standby position into the clamping position, the clamping jaw of the clamping lever pressing against the inner side of the breast cap from inside such that only then is the breast cap sufficiently secured with the breast plate between the clamping jaw of the clamping lever and the hook. In this context, from inside means that, in the standby position, the clamping lever is still covered by the support body, at least with regard to the clamping jaw.
On the one hand, the known holding apparatuses have the disadvantage that the hook can insert into the soft flesh of the breast fillets in an uncontrolled manner, i.e. without any guidance, during mounting of the breast caps. This means that the symmetrical alignment of the breast caps, which is fundamental to subsequent processing, depends on the operator in each case. As a result, the breast caps are sometimes saddle-mounted crookedly or asymmetrically. On the other hand, there is a risk that the breast cap is not sufficiently secured during transport of the holding apparatus from the position in which the breast cap is mounted to the position in which the actuating means moves the clamping lever out of the standby position into the clamping position and accordingly it can slip out of the position/location predetermined by mounting. In practice, this results in the two knives, which are arranged at a distance from each other for separating the breast fillets from the breast bone or when cutting free the breast bone, cutting into the flesh on one side next to the breast bone when in an asymmetrical position, i.e. not taking the breast bone into their midpoint as necessary and desirable. Another disadvantage is that actuating the clamping lever out of the standby position into the clamping position and back requires a complex mechanism, e.g. with a cam member and an actuating means, that takes up installation space.

Holding apparatus for holding a gutted poultry carcass or a part thereof during processing in a device for processing gutted poultry carcasses or parts thereof

NORDISCHER MASCHINENBAU RUD. BAADER GMBH + CO.KG


In a cordless telecommunications system with assured interoperability of cordless telecommunications applications, in particular a GAP-specific DECT system, having a cordless base station and having cordless mobile parts which are capable of telecommunication with the cordless base station via a radio interface wherein the number of mobile points exceeds the number of telecommunications channels which are available in parallel at the cordless base station, collective/group calls being possible while the interoperability of the cordless telecommunications applications remains ensured, mixed operation is implemented including a connection-based virtual-collective/group call and a connectionless collective/group call.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cordless telecommunications system with assured interoperability of cordless telecommunications applications and, more particularly, a GAP-specific DECT system with such assured interoperability.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In information systems having a message transmission path between a message source and a message sink, transmitting and receiving devices are used for message processing and transmission. In such devices:
(1) the message processing and message transmission may take place in a preferred transmission direction (simplex operation) or in both transmission directions (duplex operation),
(2) the message processing is analog or digital, and
(3) the message transmission via the long-distance transmission path takes place without wires based on various message transmission methods, such as FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access), TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) and/or CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), for example in accordance with radio standards DECT, GSM, WACS or PACS, IS-54, PHS, PDC etc. (see IEEE Communications Magazine, January 1995 pages 50 to 57; D. D. Falconer et al: xe2x80x9cTime Division Multiple Access Methods for Wireless Personal Communicationsxe2x80x9d).
xe2x80x9cMessagexe2x80x9d is a generic term which covers both the sense content (information) and the physical representation (signal). Despite a message having the same sense content, that is to say same information, different signal forms may occur. Thus, for example, a message relating to a subject may be transmitted:
(1) in the form of an image,
(2) as the spoken word,
(3) as the written word, or
(4) as an encrypted word or image.
The type of transmission for (1) . . . (3) is normally characterized by continuous (analog) signals, while, in the case of the type of transmission for (4), signals are normally discontinuous (e.g. pulses, digital signals).
Cordless telecommunications systems with assured interoperability of cordless telecommunications applications are DECT systems (Digital Enhanced (previously: European) Cordless Telecommunication; see (1): Nachrichtentechnik Elektronik 42 [Telecommunications electronics] (1992, Jan./Feb.), No. 1, Berlin, Del.; U. Pilger: xe2x80x9cStruktur des DECT-Standardsxe2x80x9d, [Structure of the DECT Standard], pages 23 to 29; (2): telcom report 16 (1993), Issue 1, J. H. Koch: xe2x80x9cDigitaler Komfort fxc3xcr schnurlose Telekommunikation, DECT-Standard erxc3x6ffnet neue Nutzungsgebietexe2x80x9d, [digital convenience for cordless telecommunication, DECT Standard opens up new fields of use], pages 26 and 27; (3): Philips Telecommunication Review, Vol. 49, No. 3, Sept. 1991; R. J. Mulder: DECT Universal Cordless Access Systemxe2x80x9d, pages 68 to 73), for which a CAP Standard (Generic Access Profile; see ETI-Publication prETS 300 444, April 1995, Final Draft, ETSI, FR) has been defined and agreed in order to ensure interoperability of cordless telecommunications applications on the basis of the DECT Standard.
According to the DECT Standard and on the basis of the illustration in FIG. 1, a maximum of 12 links using the TDMA/FDMA/TDD method (Time Division Multiple Access/Frequency Division Multiple Access/Time Division Duplex) may be set up in parallel to DECT mobile parts MT1. . . MT12 at a DECT base station BS via a DECT radio interface designed for the frequency band between 1.88 and 1.90 GHz. The maximum number of 12 links results from a number k of time slots or telecommunications channels (kxe2x89xa612) available for duplex operation of a DECT system. The links may in this case be internal and/or external. In the case of an internal link, two mobile parts registered at the base station BS, for example the mobile part MT2 and the mobile part MT3, may communicate with one another. In order to set up an external link, the base station BS is connected to a telecommunications network TKN via, for example, a telecommunications line unit TAE or a private branch exchange NStA. In the case of an external link, a mobile part, for example the mobile part MT1, can be used to communicate with a subscriber in the telecommunications network TKN via the base station BS, the telecommunications line unit ATE or the private branch exchange NStA.
If as in the case of the Gigaset 951 (Siemens cordless telephone, see telcom report 16, (1993), Issue 1, pages 26 and 27)xe2x80x94the base station BS has only one connection to the telecommunications line unit TAE or to the private branch exchange NStA, then only one external link can be set up. If, as in the case of the Gigaset 952 (Siemens cordless telephone; see telcom report 16, (1993), Issue 1, pages 26 and 27), the base station BS has two connections to a telecommunications network TKN, then, in addition to the external link to the mobile part MT1, another external link is possible from a lined-based telecommunications terminal TKE which is connected to the base station BS. In this case, it is also feasible for a second mobile part, for example the mobile part MT12, to use the second connection for an external link, instead of the telecommunications terminal TKE. While the mobile parts MT1. . . MT12 are operated from a battery or a rechargeable battery, the base station BS which is designed as a small cordless exchange is connected to a mains power supply SPN via a mains interface NAG.
Referring to the simple DECT system according to FIG. 1, which is preferably used for the private domain DECT system applications now available, for example in the public local domain, a number m of mobile parts, where m greater than k, are connected to a base station via the DECT radio interface.
The xe2x80x9cmxe2x80x9d mobile parts, wherein, for example, m=20, may include a number m1 of DECT mobile parts D-MT and/or a number m2 of GAP mobile parts G-MT (See FIG. 2), subject to the following condition;
m=m1+m2, in which case m1 xcex5 N0 where {m1=0}∉ N0 and m,m2 xcex5N1 where {m,m2=0,1}∉ N1
When the situation arises in such a DECT/GAP system in which a remote telecommunications subscriber signals from the telecommunications network TKN to a GAP base station G-BS (which may be designed, for example, as an antenna diversity base station) that the wishes to set up a telecommunications link to one of the mobile parts, the GAP base station G-BS must report this to the mobile parts, D-MT, G-MT allocated to it. This reporting takes place, for example, by the mobile parts D-MT, G-MT ringing (audible indication). Alternatively, other indication forms are also possible (for example visual indication).
On the basis of the GAP Standard, it is not possible for more GAP mobile parts G-MT to ring than the number of telecommunications channels k which are available via the GAP radio interface at the GAP base station G-BS. This is due to the fact that, based on the GAP Standard, ringing at the GAP mobile part G-MT is initiated only when a link has been set up between the GAP base station G-BS and the GAP mobile part G-MT via a message defined in the GAP Standard. This is a mandatory performance or service feature in the GAP Standard which must be supported by all GAP base stations G-BS and GAP mobile parts G-MT. This feature results in the individual GAP mobile parts G-MT allocated to the GAP base station G-BS being called more or less simultaneously (virtual-collective/group call; GAP call; connection-based call). If, in such a GAP system, the number of GAP mobile parts G-MT called is greater than the number of telecommunications channels k via the GAP radio interface available at the GAP base station G-BS (m2 greater than k), then a maximum of one telecommunications channel is free at the GAP base station G-BS for the first xe2x80x9ckxe2x80x9d GAP mobile parts G-MT. No connection may be set up by the other GAP mobile parts G-MT by which ringing can be initiated.
ETSI currently defines a connectionless collective/group call (collective/group ringing), but does not comply with the GAP Standard. This means that a GAP mobile part on a base station, for example a DECT base station, which uses this connectionless collective/group call will not ring.
Based on the document Components 31 (1993), Issue 6, pages 215 to 218; S. Althammer, D. Brxc3xcckmann: xe2x80x9cHochoptimierte IC""s fxc3xcr DECT-Schnurlostelefonexe2x80x9d [Highly optimized ICs for DECT cordless telephones], FIG. 3 shows the basic circuit design of the GAP base station G-BS according to FIG. 2. This include a radio section FKT, a signal processing device SVE having both a signal control section SST (which is designed as a time switch controller TSC with switching functions) and a signal conversion section SUT (which is designed as a CODEC and AD/DA converter), a clock generator TG, a microcontroller MIC, a line interface LSS to the telecommunications line unit TAE or to the private branch exchange NStA, and a power supply SVG. The microcontroller MIC contains, for example, a program module PGM in order to implement the connectionless collective/group call. The principle of the method of operation of the circuit design in conjunction with the mobile parts D-MT, G-MT is comparable with that of a DECT circuit design. The principle of the method of operation of the DECT circuit design is described, for example, in the document cited above.
An object of the invention present is to provide a cordless telecommunications system with assured interoperability of cordless telecommunications applications. In particular, such system is a GAP-specific DECT system (DECT/GAP system) having a cordless base station and cordless mobile parts which are capable of telecommunication with the cordless base station via a radio interface wherein the number of such parts exceeds the number of telecommunications channels which are available in parallel at the cordless base station. In addition a collective/group call is made possible while interoperability of the cordless telecommunications applications remains ensured.
The idea on which the present invention is based is for mixed operation of a connection-based virtual-collective/group call and a connectionless collective/group call to be implemented in a cordless telecommunications system (which processes and transmits messagesxe2x80x94such as images, spoken words, written words, encrypted words or images) with assured interoperability of cordless telecommunications applications of the type mentioned and explained initially, for example a GAP-specific DECT system (DECT/GAP system). In this case, a cordless mobile part [lacuna] is configured in the cordless base station, to which cordless mobile part a connection-based virtual-collective/group call (GAP call; connection-based call) goes and to which cordless mobile part a connectionless collective/group call (connectionless call) goes. To this end, the cordless base station has means which are appropriate designed for this purpose; for controlling connections for the cordless mobile parts. These means comprise, for example, a microprocessor which is in the cordless base station and has a program module designed for call control.
In an embodiment of the present invention, a GAP-specific DECT cordless telecommunications system with assured interoperability of cordless telecommunications applications is provided which includes a cordless base station having a quantity k of parallel telecommunication channels, a quantity m1 of first cordless mobile parts capable of communication with the base station and which respond and react to connectionless call messages, a quantity m2 of second cordless mobile parts capable of communication with the base station and which respond and react to connection-based call messages, a quantity m3 of third cordless mobile parts capable of communication with the base station and which respond and react to both connection-based call messages and connectionless call messages, wherein m1+m2+m3=m total cordless mobile parts and m is  greater than k, and a controller in the base station for controlling connections between the base station and the total cordless mobile parts wherein the total cordless mobile parts send a number j connection-based call messages and a number l connectionless call messages and wherein
(1) m=m1+m2+m3, in which case m1, m3 xcex5 N0 where n=0,1,2, . . . and m,m2 xcex5 N1=1,2,3, . . .
(2) m2xe2x89xa6kxe2x88x921, in which case k xcex5 N2 where n=2,3, . . .
(3) jxe2x89xa6kxe2x88x921, in which case k xcex5 N2 where n=2,3, . . .
In an embodiment, the number k of telecommunications channels available in parallel at the cordless base station is equal to 12.
In an embodiment, the number k of telecommunications channels available in parallel at the cordless base station is equal to 6.


A lubrication cooling system for an internal combustion engine positioned within an engine compartment of a personal watercraft for powering a water propulsion unit thereof, is disclosed. The lubrication cooling system lowers the temperature of the lubrication for the internal combustion engine of a personal watercraft. Preferably, the lubrication cooling system incorporates cooling the lubrication by introducing the lubrication cooler to a fluid such as forced air or ambient water.

The present invention relates to a cooling system for a lubricating system of an internal combustion engine. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cooling system for a lubricating system for an engine for use in powering a water propulsion device of a watercraft.
Personal watercrafts have become very popular in recent years. An enthusiasm for competition has grown with this popularity, and as a result personal watercrafts have become increasingly faster. Many personal watercrafts today are capable of traveling at speeds above 60 mph. To attain such speeds, such watercrafts are typically driven by high power output motors.
Typically, these high output motors are of the internal combustion type and are lubricated with a motor oil as known in the art. Running a motor at a very high output, however, generates a great deal of heat particularly in the lubrication system of the motor. If the motor is continually run in this manner the lubricant""s viscosity will break down and it will not be able to cool the engine properly. The viscosity break down could result in the engine overheating and eventually in full engine seizure.
It is therefore desired to provide a watercraft with a high output engine having a lubricating system which will not overheat and will provide proper lubrication for the engine.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided lubrication cooling system for a high output internal combustion engine particularly suited to watercraft applications. The watercraft is preferably of the personal watercraft variety, having an enclosed engine compartment which is accessible by exposing a maintenance opening under a seat.
The lubrication system includes a lubricant reservoir, means for delivering lubricant to the lubrication system, such as a pump, and a lubrication cooler mechanism comprising a heat exchanger cooled by either forced air or water. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the engine includes a lubrication collector at a bottom thereof, with a lubricant reservoir mounted in proximity to the engine. In this arrangement, lubricant is supplied from the reservoir through a supply line to a port in the engine. The lubricant passes through the engine to the collector and then flows through the lubrication cooler where it is cooled, as is known in the art. After the lubricant is cooled, it flows back to the reservoir.
In two other embodiments of the present invention, the lubrication cooler is located in the front of the watercraft advantageously in a position to be air cooled by the air forced through an air intake structure located on the front of the watercraft.
In another embodiment, the lubrication cooler is located in the engine compartment within a water jacket. The water jacket is cooled by a water supply from the propulsion unit. In a similar embodiment, the return water is pumped from the water jacket containing the lubrication cooler into a cooling system for the engine.
In an additional embodiment, the lubrication cooler is contoured into a ride plate of a hull of the watercraft and thus is water cooled. In a similar embodiment, the lubrication cooler is located on the inside of the engine compartment with one side exposed to a water inlet area whereby the lubricant is cooled from the ambient water passing thereby.
Further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention over the prior art will become apparent from the detailed description of the drawings which follows, when considered with the attached figures.


A cable assembly includes a terminal crimped to a conductor. The terminal has a plurality of crimps spaced from one another and a transition crimp disposed therebetween. A method includes deforming the terminal about the conductor to define the plurality of crimps having different crimp heights, and deforming the terminal about the conductor to define the transition crimp between each of the plurality of crimps. The transition crimp has a crimp height different than each of the plurality of crimps.

Electrical devices are commonly connected together using some type of electrical cable assembly that includes an electrical conductor (such as conductor or coax cable assembly) and a conductive terminal. The terminals are generally metal tubes or a U-shaped metal that is squeezed around the conductor. The crimping action effectively reforms the terminal around the conductor to form a strong electrical and physical connection. Often, the reliability of the electrical device depends in part on the quality of the connection created between the terminal and the conductor (i.e., the "crimp"). Thus, crimping not only provides for electrical connectivity, but also provides a mechanical connection for protection against torsional and tensional forces. These forces can damage the terminal or the conductor and disrupt the electrical connection.
Most commonly, crimped connections have been used to attach copper conductors to terminals. However, due to the lower cost and weight of aluminum, conductors formed from aluminum or aluminum alloys are becoming a prevalent alternative to copper. The same types of crimped connections that are commonly used for copper, however, don't always perform well with aluminum-based materials because of the corrosive products that accumulate on the surface of the terminal and/or conductor that can impede the electrical connection and weaken the physical connection.
Known crimp-style connections tend to use the force or pressure of the crimping action alone to make the electrical and mechanical connections between the terminal and the conductor. This force, however, tends to damage or break either the conductor or the terminal. If less crimping force is used to prevent damage or breakage, the electrical or mechanical connections may not be adequate for the needs of the system. Moreover, creating an effective electrical connection between the terminal and the conductor using a pressure contact method is impeded by various corrosion products on the surface of the terminal and the conductor.
Various methods have been employed to overcome these impediments, but few have been successful in high volume manufacturing environments. Making an electrically stable contact with the conductor for long periods of time and over many different environmental factors generally includes overcoming surface corrosion on both the conductor and the terminal by breaking through corrosion products to expose non-corroded portions of the conductor, removing the corrosion products on the surface of the terminal, and electrically connecting the non-corroded portions of the conductor and terminal to one another in a manner that will be physically stable over time, temperature, and other environmental changes. This type of connection is especially difficult when aluminum conductor is used due to the low hardness of the aluminum combined with corrosion products on the aluminum, which are often much harder than the aluminum itself.
Thus, there is a need for a connector that provides a firm electrical and mechanical connection without causing damage or breakage to the conductor and/or terminal, and can overcome connection impediments due to corrosion.


An extendable-length, spine immobilizing backboard is disclosed. The backboard is collapsible to the length of a standard backboard for ease of storage and for use in supporting and transporting patients of average height, and a lower portion is telescopically extendable from an upper portion so as to adjustably accommodate patients of above average height. The upper and lower portions are joined by side shafts that telescopically insert into hollow tubes so as to form hand rails on either side of the backboard, and by a flat, rigid central extension that is slidably insertable into a central cavity so as to provide patient support across a gap between the upper and lower portions. The backboard can be collapsed to a length that is six feet, and extended to a length of eighty inches. In some embodiments, the backboard is wider than a standard backboard, being preferably 21 inches wide.

When emergency medical personnel respond to the scene of an accident, it is often necessary for them to immobilize the spine of a patient so as to avoid any chance of aggravating a possible spinal injury while transporting the patient to a medical facility. This must be done with care, due to the delicate nature of spinal injuries, but it also must be done quickly, since the patient may be in need of urgent medical attention that can only be provided at a hospital or other medical facility.
So as to safely transport a patient with a possible spinal injury, emergency medical vehicles typically carry a spine immobilizing backboard. The backboard must be rigid, and strong enough to carry a full-sized adult male without sagging or breaking. Most backboards used by emergency and rescue professionals are 72″ (6′) long. These boards are sufficient for the transporting most patients up to 6′ tall, but are not suitable for someone that is more than 6′ 6″ in height, since the feet and calves of the patient will extend beyond the end of the board, possibly resulting in the application of unwarranted stress and possible injury to the lumbar region of the spinal column. Backboards with lengths up to 80″ (6′ 8″) exist, but due to their cumbersome size they are used mostly at specific, fixed locations, such as professional sporting arenas.
When a very tall patient is the object of an emergency response, the patient is typically placed on a spine immobilizing backboard of standard length in preparation for transport to a hospital. Once the patient is on the standard backboard, if it is determined that the standard backboard is too short, a "pediatric spine board" is often placed on top of the standard backboard and positioned underneath the head and torso of the patient. However, this entire procedure typically provides inferior support for the patient, and it can require up to 15 minutes to complete, as compared to an average of 5 minutes or less when immobilizing and transporting someone of average height.
The typical 18 inch width of a standard backboard is sometimes also insufficient for use with large patients, making it difficult to grasp and hold the handles provided along the sides of the backboard.


There is provided a supporting rim structure of an open-ended tampon applicator for firmly supporting a tampon pledget that has been assembled in the applicator. The applicator supports the pledget around an intermediate section between its insertion end and its rear portion so that the insertion end is exposed outside of the applicator and the rear portion is inside of the applicator. In particular, the rim structure firmly supports the pledget against an axial force subjected to the pledget by a forming tool that forms the insertion end of the pledget into a rounded, hemispherical shape and yet readily allows the pledget to eject from the applicator. The rim structure has a shape that tapers angularly inward from the body of the applicator to form a rigid brace that counters the axial force subjected by the forming tool. Thus, while preventing the insertion end of the pledget from receding back into the applicator, the rim structure allows the pledget to easily eject from the applicator.

I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to tampon assemblies. More particularly, the present invention relates to a supporting rim structure of an open insertion end tampon applicator that provides for an improved method for forming a rounded insertion end of a tampon pledget assembled therein.
A tampon assembly, including a tampon pledget and a tampon applicator, may have a rounded insertion end to facilitate the insertion of the tampon pledget into a vagina. The rounded insertion end may be formed on the applicator, such as a petal tip applicator, or a pledget that is positioned in the applicator, such as an open insertion end applicator.
For a petal tip applicator, curved flexible petals at the insertion end of the applicator enclose and cover a pledget within the applicator. Alternatively, for an open insertion end applicator, a pledget having a rounded insertion end extends from a blunt open end of the applicator. Since the exposed edge of a blunt, open end applicator may be uncomfortable to a user, a pledget having a rounded insertion end is positioned in front of the blunt open end to provide better comfort.
For open insertion end applicators, when forming a rounded shape at the insertion end of a pledget, a strong axial force must be applied to the fibers of the pledget to achieve a true rounded, hemispherical shape. Since this axial force tends to exceed the columnar strength of the pledget, the pledget requires both axial and radial support about its outer surface during formation of the rounded insertion end. Existing methods utilize special apparatuses for providing the necessary axial and radial support to the pledget during formation of its rounded insertion end. Since the insertion end is formed before placement of the pledget within the applicator, the pledget must then be carefully inserted and secured in the applicator without damaging the formed insertion end. Such insertion can be very difficult.
II. Description of the Prior Art
Processes for providing support to the outer surface of a tampon pledget as its rounded insertion end is formed are known. For such processes, the rounded insertion end is formed before the pledget is positioned within a tampon applicator. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,077,231 to C. A. Fourness, et al., which issued on Apr. 13, 1937; U.S. Pat. No. 2,799,055 to J. A. Carrier, which issued on Jul. 16, 1957; U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,915 to J. A. Voss, which issued on Aug. 15, 1972; and, U.S. Pat. No. 4,685,178 to T. Nakanishi, which issued on Aug. 11, 1987.
Also, placement of a pledget in an applicator so that its insertion end projects beyond the insertion end of the applicator is also known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,355,628 to V. Calhoun, which issued on Aug. 15, 1944; U.S. Pat. No. 2,386,590 to V. Calhoun, which issued on Oct. 9, 1945; U.S. Pat. No. 3,999,549 to R. P. Poncy, et al., which issued on Dec. 28, 1976; and, U.S. Pat. No. 4,077,408 to J. L. Murray, et al., which issued on Mar. 7, 1978. Each provides a pledget having a curved or semi-curved insertion end that is exposed at one end of the applicator.
Further, a special rim that supports a dispensed product, such as a suppository, in an applicator is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,677,465 to J. A. Voss titled Applicator Tubes For Suppositories and the Like, which issued on Jun. 6, 1972. The patent provides a suppository dispenser having segments at the forward end of a cylindrical applicator that drop into a reduced neck portion of the suppository at right angles. Since the suppository is a substantially rigid item, the segments simply prevent the suppository from slipping out of the applicator and are designed to flare outward when the suppository is ejected from the applicator.
Although U.S. Pat. No. 3,667,465, cited above, suggests that its applicator may be used for tampon pledgets, it requires the formation of a substantially rigid neck portion and a tapered rear face that add to the complexity and cost of manufacturing such a pledget. Also, the patent provides that the back end of the suppository is tapered to facilitate insertion into the applicator from the insertion end, thus avoiding any damage to the insertion end of the suppository. However, the patent presumes that the insertion end is formed before placement within the applicator and does not provide a way to insert the suppository or pledget through the back end, opposite the blunt open end, of an applicator. In addition, this patent does not describe or suggest a method for forming a rounded insertion end of a suppository or pledget.
Short segments formed at the forward end of an applicator are known for tampon pledgets as well as suppositories. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,717,149 to B. P. Morane titled Injector Package For Catamenial Tampon, which issued on Feb. 20, 1973, provides short segments or petals at the blunt, open insertion end applicator which petals cover the insertion end of the pledget. Thus, similar to a petal tip applicator, the segments or petals are essentially confined to the forward edge of the pledget and do not provide any support to the pledget in the applicator.
Accordingly, none of the above patents describe or suggest a device or method for forming a rounded insertion end to a tampon pledget after the pledget has been assembled in the open insertion end of the tampon applicator.

Supporting rim structure of an open insertion end tampon applicator used to post form an insertion end of a tampon pledget


Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing an insert sheet for an automobile interior material. The method includes: forming a surface treatment layer on a carrier film; forming a pattern-printed layer by printing a heat-resistant and light-resistant resin on the surface treatment layer to a thickness of 2 to 5 microns; forming an adhesive layer by laminating an acrylic adhesive on the pattern-printed layer to a thickness of 1 to 3 microns; laminating the adhesive layer such that the adhesive layer is placed on the surface of a base layer to which a transparent ABS sheet is applied, and heating the adhesive layer to combine the adhesive layer with the base layer; and removing the carrier film.

Insert decorative sheets are used for interior materials of vehicles, cases of home appliances, and the like, and various patterns and metallic textures have been realized and used through gravure printing in the related art. However, vehicle manufacturers continuously require special designs for indirect illumination effects with LED lighting.
Thus, in embodiments of the present invention, an insert sheet employs a transparent ABS sheet as a base substrate to realize a product through which light from an LED can pass, has a design pattern diversified through printing of various patterns, and allows injection molding using the transparent ABS sheet when assembling an interior part of a vehicle, thereby improving transmittance of LED lighting.

Insert sheet for an automobile interior material, and a production method for the same


An accessory mounting system comprises a vertically aligned bracket configured to mate with a top corner block and a bottom corner block disposed below the top corner block of a pre-configured shipping container. A shaft may mount to the vertically aligned bracket and may have a first section slidable into a second section. In some examples, an accessory may be coupled to the shaft. The accessory may be elevated above a top plane of the pre-configured shipping container when the first section is slid at least partially out of the second section and the accessory mounting system is in an extended position. The accessory may be disposed next to the pre-configured shipping container when the first section is slid at least partially into the second section and the accessory mounting system is in a retracted position.

Pre-configured shipping containers, such as International Organization for Standardization (ISO) compliant containers, have many uses. For instance, pre-configured shipping containers may be shipped to and setup at a remote site for use as portable shelters. Military camps (e.g., field offices, field hospitals, barracks, kitchens, mess halls, command posts, etc.) disaster relief shelters, decontamination stations, holding cells, communication centers, laboratories, and schools are just some remote sites that may implement pre-configured shipping containers. Some shipping containers have pre-configured corner blocks for lifting the containers and, in some instances, linking the containers together during shipping and/or storage.
When establishing a remote site, additional layers of infrastructure may also be setup. For instance, a security system, a power system, a communication system, a plumbing system, and/or the like may be shipped to the remote site and setup to establish a fully functioning remote site.
The additional infrastructure layers often include additional hardware and/or supporting structures (e.g., tripods, trailers, booms, towers, weighted base foundations, etc.), adding to the total amount of equipment and weight to be shipped. Furthermore, remote sites are often reconfigured, upgraded, and/or relocated. Once setup, some additional infrastructure equipment may be difficult to access and modify, making reconfigurations burdensome.


An apparatus and a method for monitoring an optical transmission line. An optical pilot signal of a predetermined duration is transmitted along said optical transmission line and a return signal is sent back from a signal returner along the same transmission line corresponding to at least part of said optical pilot signal. The signal returner is positioned at a predetermined point along the optical transmission line. An optical detection apparatus detects said optical pilot signal and also detects said return signal. A monitoring unit receives detection signals from said optical detection apparatus and determins the time relationship between the predetermined duration of the optical pilot signal and the round-trip transit time of the optical pilot signal. A first monitoring signal is generated when the determined time relationship has a predetermined value, and at least one further monitoring signal is generated in other cases.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for monitoring an optical transmission line, and in particular for monitoring the safety of such.
In fibre-optical telecommunications there is an ever present demand for increases in optical data transmission rates and fibre-optical transmission distances. Attempts to meet the former demand typically involve an increase in the number of WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexed) or DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexed) optical channels used to transmit data along optical transmission lines, which typically requires transmission at high optical power levels in order to provide acceptable signal levels in each such channel. Similarly, attempts to meet the later demand requires the use of optical sources and/or optical amplifiers of increasingly high power, and increasingly intense pump sources therefor.
Accordingly, when using such high optical power levels it is preferable to employ a reliable safety mechanism for shutting-down the optical sources and/or optical amplifiers of a telecommunications line should the optical transmission line become broken or disconnected.
The high optical powers present in the transmission line may well be harmful to the human eye at least, and shutdown is generally desirable not only to render the system safe but also to notify of the break itself.
Typically, any acceptably reliable safety mechanism should have an equivalent failure rate no greater than 500 FITs (Failures In 109 hours) in the detection of a break in a transmission line and the subsequent shut-down of the optical source for that line.
Many current safety mechanisms employ an optical splitter positioned on a transmission line at a predetermined point remote from the optical source. The splitter removes from the optical transmission line a small portion of the radiation passing along it. A loop-back optical fibre is connected to the output of the optical splitter and to an associated safety control unit which controls the optical source in dependence upon the loop-back signals being received via the loop-back fibre. If the loop-back signal is lost, as would be the case if either the loop-back fibre breaks or the optical transmission line breaks at a point between the optical source and the splitter, the optical source is shut down.
It will be readily appreciated in requiring a dedicated loop-back optical fibre, safety mechanism such as those described above are relatively expensive to produce in that additional fibres and optical splitters must be provided. Indeed, to implement the system within an N-fibre optical cable would require dedicating N/2 of those fibres to looping back the signals carried upon the other N/2 fibres. Thus, only half of the fibres within the cable would be available for data transmission.

Apparatus and method for monitoring an optical transmission line


A semiconductor device includes a memory cell array area, a peripheral circuit area on a periphery of the memory cell array area, and a boundary area having a specific width between the memory cell array area and the peripheral circuit area, the memory cell array area including a cell area including nonvolatile semiconductor memory cells, linear wirings extending from inside of the cell area to an area outside the cell area, and lower layer wirings in a lower layer than the linear wirings in the boundary area and electrically connected to the linear wirings, and wiring widths of the lower layer wirings being larger than widths of the linear wirings, the peripheral circuit area including a patterns electrically connected to the linear wirings via the lower layer wirings, the boundary area failing to be provided with the linear wirings and a wiring in same layer as the linear wirings.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a semiconductor device including a nonvolatile semiconductor memory.
2. Description of the Related Art
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory is one of the semiconductor memory devices. Recently, there have been strong demands for the nonvolatile semiconductor memory as a data storage device. Typical nonvolatile semiconductor memories are NOR type flash memory and NAND type flash memory.
To increase the storage capacity of the flash memories, the miniaturization of device elements is in progress. Especially, as the NAND type flash memories have advantages in miniaturization, their storage capacity is being made larger.
A NAND type flash memory comprises a memory cell array area and a peripheral circuit area provided around the memory cell array area (Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 11-31799). The memory cell array area comprises a relatively simple and periodic line-and-space pattern (L & S pattern). The L & S pattern is suitable for miniaturization. Therefore, enhancing the ability of an exposure apparatus makes it possible to form a memory cell array area including dense and large-capacity memory cells. On the other side, as the peripheral circuit area is generally made of irregular patterns, it is not suitable for miniaturization.
In the current process of NAND type flash memory, when the memory cell array area and the peripheral circuit area are exposed at the same time, the miniaturization of the patterns in the memory cell array area is limited by pattern forming capability of the peripheral circuit area.


A pellet fuel burner includes a compact thermally insulated firebox for providing hot gases to a boiler, furnace or dryer. The apparatus includes a grate that includes a reciprocating arm for removing clinkers and ash from the grate. Pellet fuel feed is provided by a hopper that is isolated from the firebox by an airlock. A combustion air manifold is provided around the firebox to preheat primary and secondary combustion air.

Hydronic space heating systems comprise a boiler that delivers hot water throughout an area to be heated. Current applications include wall mounted radiators or tubes embedded in the floors of residences or industrial sites for distributing the hot water throughout the home or building. A substantial portion of boilers for hydronic heating systems are oil or gas fired, using an external burner that generates hot gases and delivers the hot gases to a boiler to elevate the temperature of the water. Such oil and gas burners have been developed to a high level of sophistication to provide safe, reliable, and efficient burning of the fuel, with extremely low levels of emissions.
Combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and natural gas generates substantial quantities of carbon dioxide. This contributes to the environmental problem of "global warming" that results from the excessive build-up of these "greenhouse gases." Wood is commonly used as a residential heating fuel in areas where wood is readily available and economical. Use of wood has some obvious drawbacks due to the need for frequent manual loading of the fuel, storage of the fuel, variability in the moisture of the fuel and the need to remove ashes resulting from the combustion of the fuel.
Wood pellets, a dry, processed, wood fuel made from waste sawdust, chips, etc., can be an economical and environmentally safe fuel substitute for fossil fuels for the purpose of residential and industrial space heating. In contrast to fossil fuels, which contribute to the buildup of greenhouse gases, wood is considered a "renewable fuel" that contributes no net buildup of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
The use of these wood pellets in heating stoves is widespread. One example of such type of stove is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,488,943, by the applicant of the subject application. In these types of wood stoves, which are generally free standing or fireplace inserts, the wood pellets are combusted to provide hot gas which is passed through a heat exchanger to transfer thermal energy to room air that occupies the opposite side of the heat exchanger. Users of these types of pellet fuel heating stoves find them desirable because of the aesthetic advantages of a natural flame that is readily visible through the door of the stove.
The attractiveness of wood as an alternative to fossil fuel has led to the development of several hydronic heating systems that employ boilers that are fueled by wood pellets. These systems provide an environmentally friendly alternative to existing fossil fueled boilers. In those instances where the boilers themselves do not need to be replaced, the user must decide whether his or her desire for a burner fueled by a renewable fuel is outweighed by the cost of replacing an otherwise satisfactory fossil fuel burner. Given the large number of fossil fuel boilers in use, it would be desirable if a hot gas generator fueled by wood pellets was available which could be used to replace the fossil fuel burner of existing boilers. This would avoid the cost of replacing the entire boiler unit and would result in less waste of valuable resources. There have been attempts to design pellet fuel burners that would replace fossil fuel burners in existing boilers; however, such designs generally attempt to place the actual burner grate within the boiler. This approach suffers from the drawback that a specific burner design is required for each unique boiler design.
In hydronic heating systems, the heat transfer efficiency from the hot gases produced by the combustion of fuel to the boiler decreases proportionately to the quantity of air used in the combustion process. Oil burners typically utilize 15%-30% excess air above theoretical "stoichiometric" requirements and generate emissions of carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide on the order of 50 parts per million. First generation designs of boilers using wood pellets as a fuel use 200% excess air or higher and can emit carbon monoxide levels in excess of 500 parts per million.
With the concern for "global warming" and the push to implement alternative fuel sources which are renewable and environmentally friendly, prior designs of burners using wood pellets as a source of hot gases for hydronic heating systems have met limited acceptance because of the high levels of excess air required, lower efficiencies, high levels of carbon monoxide they emit, and the need for numerous designs to correspond with the multitude of boiler designs, even though they employ a renewable fuel source.

Pellet fuel burner for heating and drying systems


An information handling system, having a programmable clocking system for clocking data in and out of a processor, includes a processor, having one or more buses connected thereto, wherein a processor clock, and a clock for each of the buses connected to the processor, may be operating at different clock rates relative to each other, the programmable clocking circuit for generating bus clock signals with predetermined cycle skew eliminates the need to distribute separate clock signals across the processor chip. The clock generation circuit uses signals available on the processor integrated circuit for functional operation and tests. Further, flush and hold signals control predetermined latches in the clock generator circuit.

Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to information handling systems and, more particularly, to information handling systems having means for controlling a number of clocks operating at different frequencies.
In modern, very large scale integrated (VLSI) circuit processors, the control of timing of data sampling becomes very complex. In some systems, a processor clock might be operating at a first frequency, a first bus clock may be operating at a second frequency, which may have an integer or fractional frequency relationship to the processor clock, and a third bus may be operating at a third frequency which may have a different integer or fractional frequency relationship to the processor clock.
The problem is compounded by the fact that a particular processor integrated circuit may be used in many different information handling systems where it must interface to other data support systems which may be running at different clock speeds. A second problem relates to the first. This is that data arrival time at a processor input may vary depending on the system clock rate of the processor.
Consider, for example, a prior art system having a clock timing as illustrated in FIG. 1.
For a given processor clock rate, the time during which data input to the processor may be valid could vary greatly depending upon a number of delay factors in the system. For example, in the Prior Art example of FIG. 1, a maximum permissible delay could cause the data valid window to begin after the rise of a second cycle of the processor clock and end sometime after the rise of a third cycle of the processor clock. The data sampling must occur within this data valid window based on the maximum possible delay in the system.
The system must also accommodate the permissible minimum delay in the system data path which could result in a data valid window beginning during a first half cycle of the first cycle of the processor clock and ending during the first half cycle of a second cycle of the processor clock.
As can be seen from FIG. 1, in this set of circumstances, in order for a data sampling point to be within the data valid window for maximum delay as well as the data valid window for minimum delay, the sampling point must occur approximately at the quarter cycle point in the second cycle of the processor clock. At that time, the data valid window under maximum delay and the data valid window under minimum delay would have a portion of the windows overlapping each other.
An attempt to sample data at the rise or fall of the processor clock in either maximum data delay or minimum data delay, does not capture valid data for both maximum and minimum delay situations.
The data sampling problem described above is complicated by systems in which one or more buses operating in conjunction with a processor are operating at integer or fractional clock speed ratios with respect to the processor clock speed. For example, a fractional clock speed ratio of 3:2 or 5:2 between the processor clock and a bus clock results in clocking which varies between processor and buses from cycle to cycle. For example, with a 3:2 clock speed ratio as between the processor clock and the bus clock, if the processor clock is running at 200 megahertz, the bus clock would be running at 133 megahertz, meaning that a five nanosecond cycle time for the processor clock would have to be coordinated with a 7.5 nanosecond bus clock. This results in rising edges of the processor clock and the bus clock being coincident once every three cycles.
An additional system complication may occur as a result of simultaneous switching of clocks. If, for example, two bus clocks, are operating at different ratios with respect to a processor clock, switch at the same time, an unusually high load will occur on the power supply perhaps causing power supply voltage drop.

Information handling system including apparatus and method for controlling clock signals operating at different frequencies

International Business Machines Corporation


A method of generating a phase value representative of a phase of a complex signal that includes an in-phase component and a quadrature-phase component includes determining a first sign for a first value and a second sign for a second value based on a quadrant occupied by the complex signal. The in-phase component is multiplied by the first value with the first sign, thereby generating a first multiplication result. The quadrature-phase component is multiplied by the second value with the second sign, thereby generating a second multiplication result. The first multiplication result, the second multiplication result, and a bias value are added, thereby generating the phase value for the complex signal.

Frequency shift key (FSK) and phase shift key (PSK) demodulators typically make use of some technique for determining a phase of a complex signal. The hardware for implementing some phase determination techniques can be relatively complex, with a relatively large bit-width. Some of the techniques are vulnerable to frequency offsets due to the frequency drift between the transmitter's and the receiver's local oscillator and some have a quadratic dependency on amplitude variation. Some of the approaches for determining the phase of a complex signal use lookup tables, which need a relatively large amount of memory space.

Generating a phase value for a complex signal


The object is to provide a lightened semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof by pasting a layer to be peeled to various base materials.

In recent years, attention has been paid to a technique of comprising a thin film transistor (TFT) by using a semiconductor thin film (thickness around several to several hundreds nm) formed on a substrate having an insulating surface. The thin film transistor is widely applied to an electronic devices such as IC or an electro-optical device, and has been rapidly developed especially as a switching element of an image display device.
Various applications using such an image display device are expected, and in particular utilization for a portable device draws attention. At present, although a lot of glass substrates or quartz substrates are used, these are easily broken and heavy, which are defects. In addition, a glass substrate or a quartz substrate is difficult to enlarge and unsuitable in a mass production. Therefore, forming TFT element on a substrate with flexibility, representatively, on a flexible plastic film is attempted.
However, it is inevitable to lower the highest temperature of a process because the heat resistance of a plastic film is low, and as a result, it is impossible to form TFT with electric properties as favorable as the time forming on a glass substrate, which is the present state. Therefore, a high performance liquid crystal display device or light-emitting element using a plastic film is not realized.
In addition, a peeling method for peeling a layer to be peeled existing over a substrate through an isolation layer from the substrate, has been already suggested. For example, the patent document 1 and the patent document 2 describe a technique of separating a substrate by providing an isolation layer of amorphous silicon (or polysilicon) and irradiating a laser light through the substrate to release hydrogen contained in the amorphous silicon to form air gap. Moreover, the patent document 3 gives a description of sticking a layer to be peeled (in the publication, called a layer to be transferred) to a plastic film with the use of this technique to complete a liquid crystal display device.
However, in the aforementioned method, it is essential to use a highly transparent substrate, and irradiation of a relatively large laser light is required to pass through the substrate and then to release hydrogen contained in the amorphous silicon, which cause some damage to a layer to be peeled. Further, in the aforementioned method, in a case of forming an element on an isolation layer, hydrogen contained in the isolation layer is diffused and decreased if a heat treatment at a high temperature is carried out in the process of manufacturing the element. As a result, there is a possibility of insufficient peeling even if a laser light is irradiated at the isolation layer. Therefore, there is a problem that a process after forming the isolation layer is limited to keep the amount of hydrogen contained in the isolation layer. Although the aforementioned publication gives a description of forming a light-shielding layer or a reflection layer in order to prevent the layer to be peeled from being damaged, in that case, it becomes difficult to fabricate a transmission type liquid crystal display device. Moreover, in the aforementioned method, it is difficult to peel a layer to be peeled with a large surface.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-125929
Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-125931
Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-125930

Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract: In the present invention, a layer to be peeled is formed on a substrate, then a seal substrate provided with an etching stopper film is pasted with a binding material on the layer to be peeled, followed by removing only the seal substrate by etching or polishing. The remaining etching stopper film is functioned as a blocking film. In addition, a magnet sheet may be pasted as a pasting member.

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd


A memory module is configured to communicate with a memory controller. The memory module comprises DDR DRAM devices arranged in multiple ranks each of the same width as the memory module, and a module controller configured to receive and register input control signals for a read or write operation from the memory controller and to output registered address and control signals. The registered address and control signals selects one of the multiple ranks to perform the read or write operation. The module controller further outputs a set of module control signals in response to the input address and control signals. The memory module further comprises a plurality of byte-wise buffers controlled by the set of module control signals to actively drive respective byte-wise sections of each data signal associated with the read or write operation between the memory controller and the selected rank.

The present disclosure relates generally to memory subsystems of computer systems, and more specifically to systems, devices, and methods for improving the performance and the memory capacity of memory subsystems or memory "boards," particularly memory boards that include dual in-line memory modules (DIMMs).
Certain types of computer memory subsystems include a plurality of dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) or synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM) devices mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB). These memory subsystems or memory "boards" are typically mounted in a memory slot or socket of a computer system, such as a server system or a personal computer, and are accessed by the processor of the computer system. Memory boards typically include one or more memory modules, each with a plurality of memory devices (such as DRAMs or SDRAMs) in a unique configuration of rows, columns, and banks, which provide a total memory capacity for the memory module.
The memory devices of a memory module are generally arranged as ranks or rows of memory, each rank of memory generally having a bit width. For example, a memory module in which each rank of the memory module is 64 bits wide is described as having an "×64" or "by 64" organization. Similarly, a memory module having 72-bit-wide ranks is described as having an "×72" or "by 72" organization.
The memory capacity of a memory module increases with the number of memory devices. The number of memory devices of a memory module can be increased by increasing the number of memory devices per rank or by increasing the number of ranks. Rather than referring to the memory capacity of the memory module, in certain circumstances, the memory density of the memory module is referred to instead.
During operation, the ranks of a memory module are selected or activated by control signals that are received from the processor. Examples of such control signals include, but are not limited to, rank-select signals, also called chip-select signals. Most computer and server systems support a limited number of ranks per memory module, which limits the memory density that can be incorporated in each memory module.
The memory space in an electronic system is limited by the physical addressable space that is defined by the number of address bits, or by the number of chips selected. In general, once the memory space is defined for an electronic system, it would not be feasible to modify the memory space without an extensive design change. This is especially true for the case in which a memory space is defined by a consortium, such as the Joint Electron Device Engineering Council (JEDEC). A problem arises when a user's application requires a larger addressable memory space than the memory space that the current electronic system is designed to support.
In developing a memory subsystem, consideration is always given to memory density, power dissipation (or thermal dissipation), speed, and cost. Generally, these attributes are not orthogonal to each other, meaning that optimizing one attribute may detrimentally affect another attribute. For example, increasing memory density typically causes higher power dissipation, slower operational speed, and higher costs.
Furthermore, the specifications of the memory subsystem may be guided by physical limitations associated with these attributes. For example, high thermal dissipation may limit the speed of the operation, or the physical size of the memory module may limit the density of the module.
These attributes generally dictate the design parameters of the memory module, usually requiring that the memory system slow down operation speed if the memory subsystem is populated with more memory devices to provide higher density memory cards.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Memory module with controlled byte-wise buffers


A wedge mounting bracket for a log splitter includes a mounting plate and a female slot into which a corresponding male adapter of the wedge is received. In particular, a replaceable wedge includes a knife edge and a male adapter configured to be slideably received within the female slot of the mounting bracket. A through hole in the wedge is configured to align with a corresponding through hole in the mounting bracket to releasably secure the wedge within the mounting bracket using a nut and bolt assembly. In this way, the wedge may be conveniently removed from the log splitter for sharpening, while leaving the load bearing mounting hardware intact.

Conventional log splitters include a platform for receiving a log to be split, a cutting wedge, and a powered mechanism configured to urge the wedge against and into the log to thereby split the log. In presently known log splitters, the wedge is welded to a base plate or otherwise immovably secured to the log splitter chassis, rendering it impractical to remove the wedge for sharpening.
U.S. Patent Publication 2013/0000785 A1 published Jan. 3, 2013 describes a log splitter having a safety release member operable by a first hand of a user, and a splitter activation member operable by a second hand of the user, such that simultaneous operation of both the safety release member and the splitter activation member are required to enable operation of the log splitter. However, the safety release member and the splitter activation member are separated from each other by a significant distance to prevent one-handed operation of both the safety release member and the splitter activation member. This disadvantageous in that it can be cumbersome and physically taxing for the user.
Log splitters capable of operating in both a horizontal and vertical orientation are available from Iron & Oak located in Rogers, Minn. However, many presently known dual orientation log splitters are not well suited for bumpy or otherwise uneven terrain.
Finally, existing tractor drawn log splitters are subject to tipping when turning corners while being transported, in part due to weight shifting of the fluid within the tank which supplies the hydraulic actuator.
Systems and methods are thus needed which overcome the foregoing and other limitations of the prior art.
Various additional features and characteristics will also become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background section.


A system and method for verifying proximity to a computational tag by receiving a first token from a server and transmitting the first token to the computational tag. The computational tag can verify the first token and generate a second token based on the first token where the second token includes a signature of the computational tag. The computational tag can transmit the second token to the mobile device and the mobile device can transmit the second token to the server. The server can verify the second token and allow access to a messaging service based on the verification of the second token.

Electronic messaging can allow a user to communicate with anyone that has access to the same computer network from any location. Examples of electronic messaging can include one-to-one communication, such as email, text messaging, and instant messaging, and one-to-many communication, such as electronic bulletin board systems, internet forums, websites, blogs, and newsgroups.
Generally, most forms of electronic messaging allow for near complete anonymity between users. While many users may find such anonymity beneficial, it can also make such forms of electronic messaging susceptible to frauds, scams, and other issues.
Accordingly, messaging systems that can provide relative anonymity while still providing proof that a user is at, for example, a particular location within a particular time-window may be desirable.
Therefore, methods and systems for providing messaging services can be improved by providing strong physical presence and temporal verifications.

Methods and systems for messaging with physical presence and temporal verifications


A manufacturing procedure control method. The method executes tests during transport for object lots. The object lots are carried on a transport vehicle during transport. The object lots that pass the tests are loaded in a manufacturing tool. If a load port and a tag reader are provided on the transport vehicle, additional tests can be performed during transport of the object lots.

The present invention relates to manufacturing procedure control methods, and in particular to methods and systems for testing control.
A common procedure in manufacturing object lots, such as semiconductor manufacturing materials, includes sequential steps of dispatching, transporting, testing, loading, and processing. Productivity depends on the degree of automation in manufacturing procedure control. For high-technology manufacturers, such as semiconductor manufacturers, manufacturing tools are expensive. Therefore, certain tests of object lots prior to loading in a manufacturing tool are performed to ensure that all the loaded object lots are ready for processing. For example, a MES track in check verifies if the object lots are matched with the records in a MES (Manufacturing Execution System) database. A constraint check verifies if the operating parameters of the object lots are correct.
The mentioned tests are typically time-consuming. Thus, object lots may remain idle for an excessive period of time in front of a manufacturing tool for testing, meanwhile, the manufacturing tool is idle while waiting to conduct the tests. Clearly, implementation of a continuous manufacturing procedure is a critical issue.
Some applications have been developed to improve manufacturing procedures. The disclosed applications primarily focus on manufacturing equipment. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,351,723 discloses a failure diagnostic method for diagnosing equipment failure based on an operating state thereof. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,351,723, operating parameters are obtained in time series and selected for calculation. A value of a deviation process capability is calculated according to the operating parameters and the failure of the equipment is determined based on the value of the deviation process capability.
The improvement seen in the manufacturing tool testing, however, cannot contribute significantly to the entire manufacturing procedure.

Manufacturing procedure control method and system

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.


A fuel module including a fuel filter located on a valve block 10 and having a replaceable filter insert 14 in a filter housing 11. The fuel module also has a manually-operable feed pump 31, a connection 8, located on the valve block 10, for fuel supply, a connection C for fuel return, two connections A, D for a mechanical feed pump and a connection E to the injector pump, the manually-operable feed pump 31 containing two identically-constructed valves 23, 24.

This invention relates to a fuel module, in particular for incorporation in a motor vehicle.
A fuel module of this general type is known from Tuckey, U.S. Pat. No. 5,415,146 (=DE 4,443,621). This known module comprises an electrical fuel pump, and is disposed in a container for a fuel tank of a vehicle. A filter at the base of the fuel tank has an outlet which is connected to the main pump inlet, so that the pump can draw fuel directly out of the fuel tank. A further fuel outlet in the container connected to the pump inlet is controlled by a valve which opens the second fuel outlet when the main pump outlet runs dry due to lack of fuel in the fuel tank. A filter member above the second fuel outlet filters fuel flowing from the container to the pump inlet when the valve is open. A disadvantage of this arrangement is that the filter member can only be replaced after the fuel tank has been opened. This involves considerable expenditure of time and effort for disassembly and reassembly.
In addition, it is necessary with a fuel module to provide a manual pump. This manual pump has the purpose of supplying fuel to the fuel system, after the latter has been totally emptied, until the mechanical fuel pump is again capable of functioning.
A fuel filter element is known from Brun, published European Patent Application No. EP 664,391. This filter element is connected to a simple manual pump. A disadvantage of this system, however, is that the pump is sensitive to external influences, and that there is a risk that it can be damaged.