An intelligent, self-protected control module which is a fully protected and configured as a multi-terminal device controlling a number of power field-effect transistors for delivering power to loads. The device can contain a central processing unit or logic, precision Hall-Effect based current sensors for precise measuring of bypass currents, temperature sensors, and input/output circuitry as well as an optional RF receiver. The inputs can incorporate de-bouncing techniques to prevent false turn on/off. Inputs can provide command signals for the processor or logic with built-in watchdog circuitry to monitor the input power supply. The CPU or logic can provide communications with external devices, generate alarms, generate control signals to turn-on/turn-off power MOSFETs, and analyze currents and temperature of each channel. Unlike an electromechanical relay, the present invention is free from arcing and sparking, there are no contact materials to wear, and it is noiseless. The present invention provides over-current protection by shutting down a troubled channel if it is overloaded. It provides protection to the load by limiting the bypass current to the preset value, or shutting the channel off in a case of over-current. The present invention provides over-temperature protection by shutting down an appropriate channel if any of the MOSFET's temperature reaches a predetermined value. The present invention can generate an output signal that is capable of driving an external indicator lamp if a problem has occurred. An optional RF receiver designed to receive a coded signal from a key-chain transmitter can provide a method of enabling the module to accept a control signal from the input remotely.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to electric power control and more specifically to self-protected, intelligent power control module. The present invention, in specific embodiments, can be used as a power control center for a vehicle such as a motorcycle, automobile, boat or airplane and many industrial and defense applications where protection of a load is essential.
2. Description of the Prior Art
For years, electromechanical relays have been used in a wide variety of power control and other electrical applications. These mechanical devices, which are built of a coil and contacts, have demonstrated considerable reliability; however, they suffer from numerous problems associated with having moving parts. In particular, mechanical relays are subject to arching and sparking. In applications where it is required to switch a high DC voltage, the cost of a mechanical relay grows very rapidly. The switching of the coil leads to destructive voltage spikes (a fly-back voltage), while considerable power is needed to activate the coil (sometimes ten watts or more). In addition, material fatigue can shorten the life of a mechanical relay, and reliability can suffer from shock and vibration. An average electromagnetic relay is normally related for around 900,000 cycles. A solid state relay, on the other hand, can perform 5,000,000 cycles in several hours. These types of mechanical issues can be of major concern when the relay is used in harsh environments. For example, many vehicles, such as cars, tractor/trailers, heavy vehicles and aircraft typically use numerous relays in their various systems. Many such relays are also exposed to environmental corrosive substances (liquids, gases and the like). These substances can cause mechanical corrosion that can lead to breakdown. Another severe problem with mechanical devices like relays is that they have only and abrupt on or off transition. This introduces additional large transitional spikes. Solid state devices, on the other hand, can be designed to make timed off and on transitions.
Modern solid state power devices can be built with internal protection using field effect transistors with integrated current and temperature sensing. This allows building self-protective power devices with low voltage field effect transistors. In the past, a low value series resistor was inserted in series with the load (or bypassing a portion of load current) to allow current measurement. However, the extra heat generated by the resistor can create a problem. In addition, the addition of the resistor increases the overall resistance of the channel thereby lowering efficiency. It would be advantageous to eliminate this resistor.
In many power applications, a fuse is a common safety device that protects the power source and the connective conductors in the case of a problem with the load. If the load suddenly starts to consume excessive power, it is well known in the art that the fuse is designed to burn out and break the circuit thus removing voltage from the load and preventing further current flow preventing further damage and any fire hazard. Quite often, it is not an easy task to select the proper fuse. Many times, initial (turn-on) transient current draw from a load is much higher than normal operation load current. This can be countered by either using a fuse with a much higher than needed rating or by using a device known as a slow-blow fuse. A slow-blow fuse times before blowing. These fuses generally cost more than regular fuses. The fuse itself, has no built-in protection and will generally be damaged from a spike or current draw higher than it's rating that lasts too long. It would be advantageous to have a power control module that presents a combination of a protective device with characteristics of a slow-blow fuse with the additional feature of turn-off when current exceeds a particular value for a particular time. This power control module could withstand higher surge currents and avoid damage by excessive current. This power control module should also minimize false disconnection.
An Inherent problem with a fuse is an un-restorable power disconnection due to an overload. A burned fuse must be replaced, and that takes a time and human involvement. The result is lost production time and/or increase costs. In some cases, when a spare fuse is not available, the replacement made from any available and untested conductor. This dangerous practice can result in substantial danger and/or damage. Some of the newer semiconductors and electronic fuses have somewhat improved reliability by temporarily disconnecting of current flow during overload. However, some of them only withstand several trips, and none of them inform of a problem with a load.

Self-protected, intelligent, power control module


A storage apparatus comprises a storage medium (27) on which information can be stored in form of electronic charge. The storage medium (27) comprises a plurality of separated electrically conductive charge-storing elements (4) on its surface. The apparatus further comprises a read/write head (28) with which the information can be written to and/or read from the storage medium (27). Additionally, it contains driving means (29, 30, 31) which serves to move the read/write head (28) and the storage medium (27) relatively to each other. The read/write head (28) comprises cantilever means (2) with an electrically conductive read/write tip (1) which is connected to read/write means (24). For writing, a charge-, voltage or current source (33) that delivers the electronic charge is provided. For reading, measure means (36) which measures the electronic charge is provided.

A storing apparatus and a storing method for storing digital information in the form of stored charges is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,132,934. The apparatus comprises a read/write head with a cantilever that carries an electrically conductive tip. Information is stored in form of trapped charges in an insulating layer. Therefore, an electric field is applied which serves to transport the charges into the insulating layer.
The charge sites are situated in a continuous insulating element and are separated from each other through the insulating property of the element. Hence the positions of the charges in the insulating element are not determined by the geometry of the insulating layer but by the position of the read/write head during the writing procedure.
Conductive elements are used as a possibility to provide tracks along which the read/write head is guided.

Storage apparatus and method utilizing a charge storage layer having discrete conductive charge-storing elements

International Business Machines Corporation


A vertically placed, lift generating wing is affixed adjacent to, and forward of the steering head of a bicycle, or pedal cycle. This results in a conversion into a wind powered, sail propelled, vehicle for use as recreational enjoyment, as well as a practical mode of transportation. The resulting sail bike utilizes a mast attachment bracket (8) to support a lift generating wing which is generally comprised of; sail (1), sail luff pocket (2), mast (3), boom (5), sail trim rigging (10), battens (14) and other rigging and fasteners. The sail bike can properly perform all of the functions characteristic of a true sailing vehicle, including; sailing throughout course headings of 270 degrees relative to the wind's direction, beating, reaching, and running, and it will also permit safe and immediate execution of all maneuvers common to sailing vessels, including tacking, jibing and continuous sail trimming. The advantage of the sail bike is in the simplicity of the design, the ease of set up, and in its highly efficient operation as a sailing vehicle.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to wind powered, sail propelled bicycles, or pedal cycles, especially those used for transportation or recreation.
2. Description of Prior Art
Sailing is defined within many authoritative references, and involves the use of wind power and sails to propel a sailboat. There is no definite term for a sailing bicycle, or a Sailbike.
A true, wind powered, sail propelled vehicle, must be capable of traveling on a course which includes all points of sail common to other successful sailing vessels, and this must include beating to windward, reaching and running before the wind. This course must include headings throughout 270 degrees relative to the winds' direction. Maneuvers that change the vehicles' direction must include tacking, and jibing, and these must be safely executed with immediacy, and without hesitation or delay. The variation of the winds' strength and direction also require that constant trimming adjustment be made to the sails' position. To prevent the sail from trapping the force of a powerful gust of wind, it must be capable of an immediate release all of the force of the wind, while in any position of operation, or during any maneuver. The requirements for sustained operation of the sail and the vehicle it powers must be within the physical limits of its operator.
Prior art in the field of sailing land vehicles indicate a variety of unique solutions have addressed the physical difficulties associated with the placement of a sail rig onto a bicycle, or pedal cycle. However, these previous attempts can be characterized as mechanically complicated devices that are quite unlike the simple sails, masts, and rigging found on successful contemporary sailing vessels, and they all fail to perform as a true sailing vehicle. These failures are categorized as follows:
1. They do not functionally or safely sail course headings throughout 270 degrees relative to the wind's direction, and their courses sailed do not include, beating, reaching, and running before the wind;
(a) evidenced by sails of other than wing shapes, that do not create adequate lift, and PA1 (b) evidenced by sails asymmetrically positioned about vehicles' longitudinal axis, and PA1 (c) evidenced by sails without a boom or supporting outboard spar, especially where these are sheeted to the center of the vehicle's longitudinal axis, and PA1 (d) evidenced by sails that cannot be properly trimmed or shaped to the changing configuration of the wind, and PA1 (e) evidenced by undersized sail areas. PA1 (a) evidenced by long booms or sails with long foot dimension, and PA1 (b) evidenced by vehicles with multiple sails, and PA1 (c) evidenced by sails positioned lower than the bicycle frame, and PA1 (d) evidenced by sails that require unusual efforts to trim or reposition, and PA1 (e) evidenced by sails that cannot be retrieved after being fully released. PA1 (a) evidenced by sails that cannot be continually viewed by the operator, and PA1 (b) evidenced by vehicles with multiple sails, and PA1 (c) evidenced by sail rigs that lack the proper sail trimming hardware, and PA1 (d) evidenced by automatic, self trimming apparatus. PA1 (a) evidenced by sails positioned lower than the bicycle frame, and PA1 (b) evidenced by sails located behind the operator. PA1 (a) evidenced by booms or sheets positioned above, and requiring the operator to manipulate, above the operators' head, and PA1 (b) evidenced by absence of proper mechanical purchase on sail trimming sheets, and PA1 (c) evidenced by long booms that generate large rotational forces, and PA1 (d) evidenced by unusual requirements to tether the operator's body to the sail. PA1 (a) evidenced by designs requiring unique non-standard bicycle frame configurations, and PA1 (b) evidenced by attachments that limit non-sailing uses of the bicycle, and PA1 (c) evidenced by attachments that are structurally inadequate to resist the applied forces. PA1 (a) evidenced by absence of any pedals, and PA1 (b) evidenced by long sail trim sheets.
2. They maneuver poorly and cannot tack or jibe quickly and safely;
3. They are not capable of continuous sail trimming;
4. They trap the wind and are unable to release it fully, while in any position or during any maneuver,
5. They require physical strength or balance, that the operator cannot perform or maintain over a sustained period of operation;
6. They do not attach readily to standard bicycles, or pedal cycles,
7. They interfere with the operator's simultaneous use of the vehicles means of pedal propulsion:
U.S. Pat. No. 94,731 (Couder, 1909) is a two sail, schooner type rig which cannot produce adequate lift necessary for beating to windward. The foresail utilizes no boom or pole and it's clew is sheeted directly to the longitudinal axis of the bicycle frame. The resulting angle of the sail will not generate sufficient lift for beating to windward, and must be held outboard, by hand, to function when reaching or running. There is no means to prevent the free end of the foresail spar from rotating vertically upward. This will loosen the jib luff tension, severely distort the jib's shape, and render the sail useless during up wind sailing. The foresail spar and the main mast rely on a friction clamp means to resist horizontal rotational forces at their attachment to the bicycle frame. Both are likely to fail. The main sail is located behind the operator, and cannot be continuously trimmed, nor fully release a gust of wind.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,038,166 (Deal, 1935) is a rear positioned sail, with a relatively long foot. To trim the sail a rider must operate a lever which is located behind their back. This lever has a very large negative mechanical relationship to the boom, and is likely to fail to function properly. The vehicle cannot be continuously operated, or continuously trimmed, and cannot perform a controlled tack or jibe maneuver. There is no evidence that the wind force in the mainsail can be fully released.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,836,176 (Yivisaker, 1974) is a small forward positioned, square shaped sail. Its symmetric shape requires the wind to pass over the sail from both its luff side and its leech side on alternating tacks. Lacking a means of reconfiguring the sails' draft location, it cannot develop lift and will not sail to windward. This lack of proper lift also renders this solution totally inadequate for reaching. In the running configuration, the sail's small shape is generally blanketed by the wind shadow from the riders' own body, and provides only a slight improvement for down wind sailing. The wind force in the sail cannot be fully released. The friction clamp means of attachment and sail trimming will not function if a larger sail or alternate sail shape is substituted.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,994,508 (Danner, 1976) is an asymmetrical, side-mounted rig, with an exceptionally long boom and long loose footed sail. This device unsuccessfully attempts to eliminate the operator's need to maintain continuous sail trim with an alternative, self trimming mechanical means. The rig also utilizes a spring mechanism at the mast step, and a boom that flexes but does not rotate. The fixed boom position along the longitudinal axis is set up for a beating configuration. However, the long loose footed sail is extremely inefficient for that purpose. The lack of standard sail sheet trimming eliminates the operator's ability to effectively control the sail's leech tension, which is an important sail trimming function. The lack of a movable outboard spar prevents the sail from being properly shaped or adjusted for running or reaching. There is no apparent means to release the wind force in the sail at any time.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,441,728 (Schroeder, 1984) is a rear-mounted circular sail rig. This sail cannot be continuously trimmed, and the wind force cannot be fully released. The non-wing shaped sail is not capable of generating proper lift. Therefore, the vehicle has is no potential to sail upwind, and reaching is severely restricted. The true sailing angle is likely limited to approximately ninety degrees of downwind sailing.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,557,495 (Kindermann, 1985) is an asymmetrical, front mounted sail rig, with a long footed sail and boom positioned next to the operator and extending nearly to the ground. This long boom creates a large rotational force in the sail which is difficult for the operator to control. To reposition this sail onto a new tack it is necessary to rotate the sail and a portion of the mast, vertically upward and over the operator's head. Consequently, it cannot be tacked or jibed while underway. To maintain sail trim, the rider's body must be tethered to the sail. When the sail is fully released while running, it swings uncontrollably forward and upward overhead, beyond the reach of the operator. When the sail is back winded, it is immediately pinned against the side of the vehicle and has no means to release. The mast attachment bracket relies on a friction clamp means to resist rotational forces and is likely to fail in all but light breezes. The overall sail design suffers in that it is fully symmetric about its mid-height point, from top to bottom. This is a result of the unusual requirement to rotate the sail's topside into the downward position as it tacks and jibes. The space required for the long boom to be fully extended outward in a running position, and then jibed from side to side will restrict the vehicle to roadways with a minimum of three meters of side clearance from obstacles.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,735,429 (Beck, 1988), is a rear-positioned sail rig with a wing like shape. This device unsuccessfully attempts to eliminate the operator's need to maintain continuous sail trim by an automatic self-positioning flexure means. As a result, the sail cannot be continuously trimmed, and there is no means to fully release the force of the wind. If the sail could be released while running it would swing forward striking, and pinning the rider against the vehicle. This system might permit limited upwind sailing success in light winds. However, there is no apparent means to control the sail or boom outward, and therefore it cannot reach, or run, or jibe properly.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,634,136 (Alexander, 1987) and 4,738,460 (Alexander, 1989) present design solutions which utilize sails mounted directly to the rider. Both are rear positioned rigs, mounted to the riders back, and suffer from many of the design flaws previously stated. They do not provide realistic sailing solutions.
Other Patents apply to sails mounted to other unique types of land vehicles. However, the nature of the design requirements and limitations of the performance criteria of a sailing bicycle, cycle and the like, make it unique from these other solutions.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,443,565 (Land, 1945) is a four wheel cycle, with a pedal means of propulsion. The unusual design uses a long, four sided truss-like frame. Steering is by means of a long tiller. The sail is a rear positioned, but forward facing. This solution has many of the previously stated problems associated with rear mounted sail rig. The configuration appears only possible of down wind sailing. Additionally, there is no adaptability to a standard bicycle or pedal cycle.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,986,722 (Patterson, 1976) is a unique non-standard two wheeled vehicle, with a forward positioned sail. This mast utilizes a permanently welded mast support bracket affixed to and made an integral part of this unique cycles' frame structure. There is no adaptive means suggested that permit its attachment to a standard bicycle. The mounting position and rearward raked slope of this bracket would prevent a standard bicycle handle bar from performing proper steering operations. As a result, this unique vehicle design requires a non-standard handlebar steering solution. The design also places a long footed sail and boom over the operator's head. This sail will develop a large rotational force about the vertical axis of the mast and over the operator's head, and which the operator has no physical means to overcome. The lack of standard sail sheet trimming eliminates the operators ability to effectively control the sail's leech tension, which is an important sail trimming function. This problem is compounded by the boom's length. To grasp the boom while running, the rider must operate the vehicle from a standing position. When the sail is fully released while running, it will swing uncontrollably forward and upward, fully beyond the reach of the operator. When beating, the operator must maintain pressure on the overhead boom in the physical equivalent of a continuous one arm pull-up. It appears that the vehicle is limited to use in only the lightest of breezes, and only by those operators possessing great physical strength. The non-standard cycle frame is lower than a conventional bicycle, and the necessary pedal means of propulsion has been omitted. The space required for the long boom to be fully extended outward in a running position, and then jibed from side to side, will restrict the vehicle to roadways with a minimum of four meters of side clearance from obstacles.
Thus, it can be concluded from the investigation of prior art, that no previous design exists, for a sail rig and its attachment to a standard bicycle, cycle, or the like, that can successfully utilize the wind's force to propel the vehicle, and that permit its full operation through all points of sail, and performance of all sailing maneuvers including tacking, jibing, and continuous sail trimming, with all of the safety and immediacy common to other sail vessels.
A need therefore exists for a bicycle or pedal cycle vehicle, with a sail rig and its attachments that can satisfy all of these stated criteria, and that can properly perform all of the functions characteristic of a true sailing vehicle for both recreational enjoyment and well as a practical mode of transportation.


A system and method for implementing a Quality of Service (QoS) fallback using Resource Reservation Protocol (RSVP) includes initiating a communication session with a QoS precondition between a first domain and a second domain. It is determined whether the second domain supports the QoS precondition. Intra-domain RSVP is established in the first domain if the second domain does not support the QoS precondition.

Internet Protocol-based communication services have become exceedingly popular and commonplace in today's communication environment. These communication services are enabled by various protocols and technologies. The practical difficulty in such an environment is a potential mismatch of the technology or protocol between communication systems. Such mismatches may prevent a communication session from being established.
Establishing Quality of Service (QoS) for a communication session may require domains of the communication session to support certain call signaling and preconditions, such as Resource Reservation Protocol (RSVP) and QoS preconditions. RSVP is an admission control mechanism that admits or denies requests for network resources that are needed for the communication session. A QoS failure may occur if the communication system does not support QoS preconditions and RSVP. The QoS failure may cause the session to be aborted and not allowed to proceed.

System and method for implementing quality of service fallback using resource reservation protocol


A shower unit 1 comprises a mixing chamber 2 having an inlet 7 for hot water, an inlet 27 for cold water, a jet or nozzle 5 connected to the inlet 27 for causing the cold water and to entrain the hot water to form a mixture for discharge from the chamber 2 to a shower head or rose 6 which forms an integral part of the unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a shower unit and particularly, though not exclusively, to a shower unit in which the hot water is gas heated.
2. Discussion of the Background
Gas heated hot water offers a relatively inexpensive source of sanitary water for domestic consumption e.g. for showering, bathing, dishwashing and other applications requiring hot water.
In many gas heated hot water systems, the heated water is stored in a hot water storage tank (a so-called cylinder) before it is distributed in a piped system to a point or points of usage. At the point of usage for instance a hot water tap, the hot water is discharged into an open vessel such as a bath or sink. The amount of hot water discharged is regulated by the hot water tap, the maximum flow rate of the water through which being controlled by such parameters as the pressure difference between the cold water supply cistern and the tap and the flow resistance in the piping arising from frictional and throttling losses caused by sudden changes of flow area or flow direction.
Conventional gas heated hot water shower systems are similarly designed in the manner described above except that the shower outlet is supplied with both hot and cold water from a mixing chamber incorporating a mixing valve to regulate the temperature of the water delivered by the shower head. In this case the hot and cold water are supplied separately from the same initial source, namely a cold water supply cistern, some water being heated for storage as hot water in the cylinder before delivery to the mixing valve. Owing to the need for a mixing valve, the amount of hot water discharged at the shower head is limited by the flow restrictions at the mixing valve and at the shower head in which a number of relatively small openings are provided to produce the showering effect.
Customer satisfaction with any shower system appears mainly to depend upon the pressure of delivery of the water at the shower head. In the cases where the flow resistance in the system is relatively high the water pressure at the supply point of a gas heated hot water system (i.e. the cylinder outlet) may be insufficient to overcome the resistance at the shower head and this may lead to a situation where the water flow through the shower head is below the satisfactory level demanded by the customer.
This problem can be overcome by the insertion of an electrically powered shower booster pump between the shower head and the cylinder outlet. The booster pump raises the pressure head of the hot water supply to such a level that it can produce a powerful shower well beyond the pressure level provided by any gravity feed system.
Such booster pumps are relatively expensive and can make such gas heated shower systems economically unattractive to the average customer.
GB Patent Specification Nos. 1570484 (Anderson), 1581724 (Wilson) , and 2190022A (Pringle) all disclose shower units which are designed to obviate the need for a booster pump. In general these types of shower units comprise a mixing chamber of the type having one inlet for connection to a supply of hot water, another inlet for connection to a supply of cold water and a nozzle or jet connecting the cold water inlet to the chamber and adapted to cause the cold water to entrain the hot water to form at least a partial mixture for discharge from the chamber to a shower head or rose.
In use the cold water is supplied at mains pressure which is more than adequate to provide entrainment of the hot water and subsequent adequate delivery pressure from the shower head.
In these units the mixing chamber is connected to the shower head by means of a pipe, usually of a flexible kind, to permit the height of the shower head to be varied.
The provision of a pipe increases the overall cost of the unit and, moreover, tends to increase the length of the flow path from the nozzle to the shower head leading to an increase in frictional effects and a consequent reduction in the suction effect of the faster moving cold water jet on the slower moving hot water stream.


This method of making a transformer core from strips of amorphous metal utilizes an arbor that has a longitudinal axis and an external surface surrounding the axis that includes a portion of concave configuration forming a depression in the external surface. A plurality of packets are assembled, each packet comprising a plurality of groups of amorphous metal strips, the groups in each packet (i) comprising many aligned amorphous metal strips and (ii) having transversely-extending edges that are staggered with respect to each other longitudinally of the packet. The packets are sequentially wrapped about the arbor in superposed relationship while the arbor is held against rotation, thereby building up a core form about the arbor. Each packet prior to its being wrapped about the arbor is located so that when wrapped, opposite ends of each group meet in overlapping relationship in a location angularly aligned with said surface portion of concave configuration.. Also provided is apparatus for carrying out the above core-making operations, as well as other closely related core-making operations.

This invention relates to apparatus for making an electric transformer core that comprises thin superposed strips of amorphous metal arranged in groups and surrounding the window of the core. The invention relates more particularly to apparatus for making a core of this type that is characterized by lap joints between the opposite ends of each of these groups.
A widely-used type of lap joint construction that has good magnetic properties is one in which the lap joints are angularly offset, or staggered, repeating in a stairstep fashion as one proceeds from the window to the outer periphery of the core. This type of construction is referred to herein as a step-lap, or distributed-lap, joint construction. Example of this type construction are illustrated in our U.S. Pat. No. 4,734,975 and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,096--Lee and Ballard, both of which are incorporated by reference in the present application. A disadvantage of this type of joint construction is that its use produces an extra build-up in the cross-sectional area of the core in the joint region, and this build-up typically appears as a "bump" projecting radially outwardly on the outer surface of the core. This bump tends to produce significant problems in the manufacture of the core, as will soon be described. The bump can be eliminated if the core employs so-called "short sheets", utilizing a short sheet each time the step pattern of the lap joints is repeated. Each of these short sheets is a partial-length lamination having one of its ends butted with the overlapping end of the last lamination of one step-lap joint pattern and the other of its ends butted with the underlapping end of the first lamination of the next step-lap pattern. The presence of these short sheets builds up the cross-section of the rest of the core to equal the cross-section of the joint region, thus eliminating the above-described "bump". But for reasons well known in the art, as explained, for example, in the foresaid U.S. Pat. No. 4,471,096--Lee and Ballard, by the presence of short sheets results in localized regions of high flux density which can produce undesirable saturation effects. We, therefore, avoid the "short-sheet" approach in constructing our core and utilize a different approach for eliminating, or at least significantly reducing the size of, the above-described outwardly projecting bump during the portion of the core-making process when such bump can cause significant manufacturing problems.
Some of the problems associated with the above-described outwardly-projecting bump are as follows. If the core is to be assembled from superposed thin strips of amorphous metal, the presence of the bump makes it very difficult to effectively guide and locate the edges of the strips during a conventional core assembly operation, e.g., one in which the amorphous strips are wrapped about a rotating arbor with assistance from a moving belt partially surrounding the arbor. Another problem resulting from the presence of the bump in such a core assembly operation is that the increasingly eccentric mass of the core form as it is built-up around the arbor limits the speed at which the arbor can be rotated, thereby limiting the speed of the assembly operation. Still another problem is the tendency for laminations to change angular position as the arbor rotates. In this latter respect, it is difficult to keep the inside arbor and the outside wrapping belt moving at the same angular speed, especially as the belt contacts the bump.
Another problem that is encountered when one attempts to construct a core of amorphous metal strips encircling the core window is that because the amorphous metal strips are very thin (typically only about 1 mil in thickness, which is only about 1/10 to 1/20 the thickness of conventional silicon steel strips typically used), a very large number of strips must be wrapped or otherwise assembled about the core window in order to achieve the desired build of the core. Individually wrapping this large number of strips about the core window would be an excessively time-consuming and expensive process. To avoid the need for individually wrapping this large number of strips, it has been proposed, for cores with lap joints, that the strips be simultaneously wrapped about the core window in groups individually made up of the number of strips suitable for one lap joint, e.g., 10 to 20 strips. It would be desirable if the strips could be simultaneously wrapped in much larger numbers, thus forming a plurality of lap joints, and in the case of the step-lap joint core, a plurality of lap joints offset by precise predetermined amounts. Using conventional methods of core assembly, it is difficult to simultaneously wrap, or otherwise assemble, this many amorphous strips with their ends precisely located to provide the desired precisely located step-lap joints.
One way of ameliorating some of the above-described problems of precisely locating the strips is to wet the strips prior to core assembly with a suitable liquid. The liquid tends to hold adjacent strips together through surface tension during assembly, blocking undesired displacement of the strips. Unfortunately, the use of such liquids may involve environmental problems, or could cause rusting of the amorphous metal, particularly if the liquid is not fully evaporable during the core-making process. It is therefore desirable to eliminate the need for such liquids during the core assembly process.

Apparatus for making a transformer core comprising amorphous metal strips surrounding the core window


Disclosed herein are template assembled synthetic protein (TASP) molecules that contain dendritic linkage units having the structure .psi. (CO--S--CH.sub.2 --CO--NH). Also disclosed are methods of preparing the template assembled synthetic proteins.

Since the time of Emil Fischer, it has been a goal of organic chemists to design and chemically synthesize proteins. In recent years there has been a growing interest in the de novo design of proteins, particularly helix-bundle proteins, and their production by means of chemical synthesis or recDNA-expression. Examples of helix-bundle proteins designed de novo are provided by M. Hecht et al. (Science, 1990, vol. 249, pages 884-891), by L. Regan et al. (Science, 1988, vol. 241, pages 976-978), by W. F. DeGrado et al. (Science, 1989, vol. 243, pages 622-628), and by N. E. Zhou et al. (Biochemistry, 1992, vol. 31, pages 5739-5746).
In some cases, unexpected results have been obtained in which the experimentally observed structure of synthetic helix bundles has been different than the intended structure because of the uncontrolled nature of non-covalent intermolecular association, e.g., see B. Lovejoy et al. (Science, 1993, vol. 259, pages 1288-1293). To avoid such problems, helix bundle proteins have been made by the preparation of covalent arrays linked through porphyrin molecules or through metal chelate complexes. Preliminary evidence indicates that the expected structures have been achieved, e.g., see T. Sasaki et al. (J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1989, vol. 111, pages 380-381) and R. M. Ghadiri et al. (J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1992, vol. 114, pages 4000-4002).
An alternative, earlier approach to the preparation of covalent peptide arrays of predetermined secondary and tertiary structure is the "template assembled synthetic protein" (TASP) concept, disclosed by M. Mutter (Peptides-Chemistry and Biology, Proceedings of the 10th American Peptide Symposium; Marshall, G. R., Ed.; Escom: Leiden, 1988; pages 349-353). A template molecule is used to covalently anchor arrays of secondary structural elements. The distinctive feature of the TASP approach is the nonlinear topology used; the molecule is made up of an array of branched polypeptides, rather than the folded linear polypeptide chain of natural proteins, e.g., M. Mutter et al., (Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. Engl., 1989, vol. 28, pages 535-554). It is anticipated that this elegant concept will have a profound effect on the de novo design of proteins.
However, conventional synthetic approaches for preparing TASP molecular assemblies are arduous and/or provide low yields. For example, both stepwise solid phase synthesis (SPPS) and protected segment condensation approaches have been employed with limited success. M. Mutter, M. et al. (J. Am. Chem. Soc., 1992, vol. 114, pages 1463-1470) discloses an example of a stepwise solid phase synthesis (SPPS) of a template assembled synthetic protein. In addition, B. Dorner et al. (Innovation and Perspectives in Solid Phase Synthesis, Roger Epton Ed.; Intercept Limited: Andover, 1992; pages 163-170) and by I. Ernest et al. (Tetrahedron Lett., 1990. vol. 31, pages 4015-4018) disclose examples of the protected segment condensation approach for synthesizing template assembled synthetic proteins. Only a minimal number of TASP molecules have been produced by arduous synthetic efforts, e.g. supra and M. Mutter et al. (Proteins, 1989, vol. 5, pages 13-21) and G. Tuchscherer (Protein Science, 1992, vol. 1, pages 1377-1386). Despite the exquisite care with which some of these syntheses have been performed, questions still remain with respect to TASP preparations as homogeneous molecular species of defined covalent composition. A convenient, direct general preparation of these molecules in unambiguous fashion would have great utility.
Recently, M. Schnolzer introduced the chemoselective ligation of unprotected peptide segments as a route to the total chemical synthesis of protein analogs of native (i.e. linear) topology (Science, 1992, vol. 256, pages 221-225). This approach uses unique, mutually reactive functionalities, one type on each segment, to covalently assemble long chain molecules from completely unprotected peptide segments. In this way, maximal advantage is taken of our ability to synthesize, handle, purify, and characterize unprotected peptides. Solubility problems are reduced and the target molecule is produced directly in the final unprotected form.


An apparatus for emitting a laminar flow of inert gas at a location inside a reduced-width, high-aspect-ratio (ratio of depth to width) weld groove. The portion of the gas distribution apparatus extending into the groove has a thickness less than the width of the weld groove and distributes inert gas which displaces the ambient atmosphere overlying the molten pool area at the bottom of the weld groove. The gas distribution apparatus may take the form of a tube, a planar array of mutually parallel tubes joined at the sides, a monolithic block having an elongated cross section with a parallel array of channels drilled or machined therein, or a support frame covered by a gas-permeable skin. To achieve a laminar flow, a gas diffusing structure is incorporated in each gas distribution tube. The gas diffusing structures include the following: a compression spring attached to the end of the gas distribution tube and having an opening which is covered by a porous or non-porous cover; a fine-mesh screen which is wrapped around the distal end of the gas distribution tube and having an opening which is closed by a porous closure; a metal wire wool or braided rope which is stuffed inside the tube; or a distal section of the tube is made from porous material and has an opening covered by a porous end cover.

Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) has led to the critical need for repair or replacement of many components and piping in boiling water reactors throughout the world. Welded joints have historically been the areas most likely to fail due to SCC because of their typically high values of tensile residual stress and their high degree of thermal sensitization in the HAZ. One solution to this problem is to replace components with new material having improvements in chemical composition. Due to the exceedingly high cost of replacing some components, the replacement must be durable. Replacements are generally an installation of newer SCC-resistant material joined to older, SCC-susceptible material, so it is highly desirable even for these cases that the joining process improve the residual stress and microstructural conditions in the older material, since the relatively low thermal efficiency, and the resultant effect of overheating, of conventional joining practices has often been one of the direct causes of the old component's failure.
Thus, there is a need for a mechanized welding process which will produce weld joints having very significantly improved SCC resistance. This can be accomplished using joint designs with deep but very narrow groove widths to minimize the amount of heat put into the weld material, thereby reducing the tensile residual stresses in the vicinity of the weld joint. Another benefit is an improvement in the SCC resistance of the microstructure of the heat affected zones (HAZ) adjacent to the weld.
In addition, there is a need for a welding method which decreases the welding time, and the corresponding man-rem personnel radiation exposure and production costs, associated with work on a "critical path" of an operating nuclear power plant. Conventional welding practices, including those used for field work, have relatively low overall thermal efficiency since a large portion of the heat goes into melting the required large volume of filler wire, rather than into fusing the walls of the joint together. This condition is a direct result of the unnecessarily wide joints used. In contrast, the use of very narrow weld grooves improves productivity due to the higher thermal and volumetric efficiencies of this new method, resulting primarily from the reduced heat input parameters and the reduced-width joint design, respectively.
An approach used in the welding industry to complete narrow groove joints on thicker material when the electrode and/or filler wire stickout beyond its means of support becomes excessive is to make the weld torch assembly as thin as practical, to fit within the joint and to be able to reach near or to the bottom, and then to make the joint width as narrow as possible consistent with this reduced internal torch width. Use of this style of internal torch still results in such a wide joint that other techniques must be resorted to in order to make the filler metal pool wet both sidewalls alternately, such as electrode tip lateral oscillation or magnetic arc lateral oscillation, or use of two or more passes per layer.
The approach of thinning the torch to fit within the joint (and in some cases thinning the viewing device as well) has the severe disadvantage of being limited in the amount of joint width reduction possible according to the reduced size of the torch, which typically includes provisions for an electrode holder, a weld gas cup/nozzle, a wire feed guide nozzle (for non-consumable electrode processes), water cooling flow circuits as required, and sometimes viewing camera optical components as well when used with remotely applied processes. The net result is a joint width which is considerably greater than desired to obtain a minimum weld width and therefore minimum weld volume which can be soundly completed with a minimum of heat input. Achieving these minimum values provides the correspondingly lower tensile residual stresses, reduced heat affected zone size and severity, and shorter filler material deposition time.
An improvement over the foregoing apparatus is to make a flat electrode blade which extends vertically downward into the weld groove from a torch block which remains outside the groove. An electrode blade of reduced thickness facilitates arc welding in a groove of reduced width. In the case of a narrow groove which is shallow, a gas cup may be arranged outside the groove to direct an inert gas or a mixture of inert gases into the groove. The gas cup has a gas lens incorporated therein for ensuring that the gas flow out of the gas cup and into the groove is substantially laminar. However, as the depth of the narrow groove is increased, it becomes increasing difficult to provide adequate gas coverage at the bottom of the groove, overlying the weld puddle. In addition, it is conventional practice to provide a gas cup having a width greater than the width at the opening of the weld groove. The result is that some of the shielding gas from the gas cup does not enter the groove, leading to shielding gas wastage and increased welding costs.

Apparatus for distributing cover gas in reduced-width groove during welding


Chromatic dispersion in a high speed CS-RZ WDM transmission system is reduced by providing tailored “precompensation” for individual and/or groups of optical signals. Such precompensation is achieved by passing the optical signals through a dispersion compensating elements, such as dispersion compensating fiber, within an optical multiplexer, i.e., prior to multiplexing the signals onto a single optical fiber. Additional dispersion compensation can be performed in optical amplifiers and within an optical demultiplexer downstream from the optical multiplexer.

Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) has been explored as an approach for increasing the capacity of fiber optic networks. In a WDM system, plural optical signals or channels are carried over a single optical fiber with each channel being assigned a particular wavelength. Such systems typically include a demultiplexer for separating and supplying the optical channels to corresponding optical receivers.
In order to increase system capacity further, data rates associated with each optical signal have increased. In particular, data rates have increased from 2.5 Gbits/second to 10 Gbits/second in commercially available systems, and 40 Gbits/second per channel systems are currently in development.
At relatively high data rates, such as 40 Gbits/second, different modulation formats have been considered for providing optimal transmission. One such format, known as Carrier Suppressed Return-To-Zero (CS-RZ), has been proposed for transmitting 40 Gib/second optical signals. In accordance with the CS-RZ format, the carrier or central wavelength of an optical signal spectrum is suppressed, while optical signal sidebands in the spectrum carry the transmitted data. CS-RZ optical signals have the advantage that they can be transmitted into fiber spans with a higher channel power than other conventional modulation formats before degradation occurs due to fiber nonlinear effects. See Miyamoto et al., Electronics Letters, vol. 35, no. 23, Nov. 11, 1999, pp. 2041-2042, incorporated by reference herein.
40 Gbit/second CS-RZ signals, however, are susceptible to chromatic dispersion, a non-linear effect in which spectral components of an optical signal propagate through the optical fiber at different speeds with higher frequency components traveling slower than lower frequency components. Chromatic dispersion can result in spectral components of one pulse arriving at a receiver at substantially the same time as a succeeding pulse, thereby causing degraded receiver sensitivity and a relatively high bit error rate.

WDM system having chromatic dispersion precompensation


The object of this invention is a food supplement based on NADH, Octocosanol and Vitamin E, which stimulates the generation of energy by the organism.

The object of this invention is a food supplement based on NADH, Octocosanol and Vitamin E, which stimulates the generation of energy by the organism.
NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide in a reduced form) is a physiological substance found in all living cells including human cells as an activating factor of various enzymes which catalyze oxidation and reduction reactions. In particular, the prime function of NADH is to stimulate cell breathing activity, while using up oxygen to form water and three molecules of ATP, an energy-rich compound available in all living cells.
NADH triggers the production of energy by generating ATP, and acts as a primary activating enzyme capable of controlling the oxidation and reduction mechanisms of the cells"" metabolic processes.
NADH is an extremely complex molecule and an essential element in drawing energy from foodstuffs. NADH is therefore a prime electron carrier in the oxidation of molecules generating energy within the cell. The greater the content of NADH in the cell, the greater the energy is produced.
As the most powerful antioxidant present in the body, NADH is capable of rigenerating other important antoxidants meant to protect the body at against the attack of free radicals. A few molecules of NADH can have a powerful effect on the body""s anti-oxidizing defenses against free radicals causing disease.
The lack of NADH translates to an energy deficiency on a cellular level, and its relative symptom is tiredness. Unfortunately, the NADH level found in the human body drops with age, and the same happens to the enzymes depending on NADH, in particular to those destined for producing energy.
NADH is found in all living cells, animal or vegetable. It is consequently also found in our daily food intake. Meat, poultry and fish contain the highest share of NADH. Vegetables, fruit and other vegetarian food have a much lower NADH content than meat. It should be noted that the major portion of the NADH absorbed with the food is destroyed by cooking. The situation would not be much improved even if our diets consisted of raw meat or fish, as most of the NADH found in these foodstuffs is destroyed by the gastric juices present in the stomach.
The foremost biological functions of NADH are as follows:
1. As a cellular fuel for generating energy,
2. As a key role player in regulating the cell and repairing DNA,
3. As a stimulator of the cellular immunity system,
4. As a powerful antioxidant,
5. As a stimulator of dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline.
Octocosanol is also present in the food supplement of this invention.
Octocosanol is a natural food element found in small quantities in vegatable oils and waxes, in alfalfa leaves, wheat and other germs.
The mechanism by which Octocosanol performs a marked ergogenic action (generating work or liberating energy) is not fully understood and is the subject of further studies.
The food supplement of this invention also contains Vitamin E.
Vitamin E is well known to exhibit antioxidant properties, which occur in the cell to protect a, number of important biological compounds from oxidation, such as the polyunsaturated fatty acids, Vitamin A, the carotenes, etc. It is particularly found in legumes and vegetable oils.
It has now been discovered that if NADH is associated with Octocosanol there is a surprising boost of the NADH""s ergogenic activity, and further that the addition of Vitamin E happens to have a stabilizing action on the NADH, so as to render the same less vulnerable to degradation.
The object of this invention is therefore a food supplement based on NADH, Octocosonol and Vitamin E, which may be utilized for stimulating the organism to generate energy under conditions of physical tiredness, in sports practices and/or in any situation expected to cause an expenditure of energy.
In particular, the NADH is present in the food supplement of this invention in a quantity of 1-15% by weight of the total, and preferably of 3-7% by weight of the total.
The Octocosonol is present in the food supplement of this invention in a quantity of 1-15% by weight of the total, and preferably of 3-7% by weight of the total.
The Vitamin E is present in the food supplement of this invention in a quantity of 2-15% by weight of the total, and preferably of 6-13% by weight of the total.
The food supplement of the invention may also eventually contain some amino-acids, such as adenosine in a quantity of 15% by weight, and other vitamins such as Beta Carotene oxidation inhibitor, in a quantity of about 5% by weight, and nicotinamide, a forerunner of NADH, in a quantity of about 10% by weight.
The food supplement may also contain some anti-oxidants and anti-radicals, such as grape extract, powdered red wine, resveratrol, lycopene, bioflavonoids from citrus fruit, alpha lypoic acid, carotenoids, selenium yeast, ubidecarenon (Q10 enzyme activator), dry whortleberry extract, reduced glutatione, dry sea pine barl extract, apple vinegar, dry gree tea extract, dry elder tree extract, and antocyanines from red oranges. Said anti-oxidants and anti-radicals may be present in the food supplement in a quantity of about 20-30% by weight, while the yeast is present at a level of about 150 mcg.
The association of NADH with Octocosanol turns out to be an important active energy deliverer as it was found in the reactions in vitro that were carried out in laboratory.
The Vitamin E addition turns out to be important for its anti-oxidizing and stabilizing effects on the NADH, as shown in the laboratory tests specified hereunder (see TEST FOR THE STABILIZING ACTIVITY OF VITAMIN E ON NADH).
The product described above may be administered with the addition of appropriate vehicles and in a variety of pharmaceutical forms such as hard or soft capsules or tablets. Because of the high instability of NADH, the preferred pharmaceutical form is that of a tablet coated with a gastrointestinal barrier, so as to be capable of overcoming the acidity of the stomach and of being absorbed at an intestinal level.
In order to produce this gastrointestinal barrier, it is for instance possible to use an acid copolymer free of isopropanol and methacrylates which is applied over the tablets mass by a suitable apparatus known as a rotating conditioner.
The rotating conditioner induces a cascading motion of the mass of tablets to be coated, during which the mass is wetted by a liquid holding the coating material in solution.
A current of air then allows the material to dry out. This achieves a first light protective layer; alternating wetting and drying phases complete the entire protective processe. Once the gastrointestinal protective coating is applied, the product is sampled and 10 tablets are immersed in an acid solution (at pH 4) at a constant temperature of 32 degrees C.
The tablets must remain intact for at least 90 minutes, the protection is otherwise inadequate, requiring a further coating step.
If the tablets exceed the threshold of 90 minutes, a countercheck is performed by immersing the 10 pills in a basic solution (at pH 7), at a constant temperature of 32 degrees C. The tablets must then dissolve within a time of 15-20 minutes.

Proenergetic food supplement based on NADH, octocosanol and vitamin E


The present invention relates to a speed variation transmission device for a motor vehicle powertrain comprising an epicyclic gear train (26) with a sun gear (36) and a crown (50) connected to shaft (12) of thermal engine (10) of said vehicle, as well as a planet gear carrier (58) connected by a motion transmission track (102) to drive axle (16) of this vehicle.

As better described in French patent No. 2,670,440, this vehicle comprises a powertrain with a thermal engine including a speed variation device and an electric machine connected to an electric battery. This system also comprises two clutches, a first clutch between the thermal engine and the electric machine, and a second clutch between the electric machine and the speed variation device.
Thus, when the vehicle is to be driven with a high torque over a wide speed range while limiting exhaust gas and noise generation, as in an urban site, the electric machine is preferably used for driving this vehicle.
On the other hand, the thermal engine is used for driving this vehicle for uses where a high driving power and a wide operating range are required.
Although satisfactory, this drive system however involves some significant drawbacks.
In fact, when only the electric machine is used to drive the vehicle, sufficient torque is required therefrom, not only to drive the vehicle, but also to overcome all the resistances (inertia, friction, . . . ) inherent in the vehicle and in the speed variation device.
A hybrid vehicle has also been proposed, notably in U.S. Pat. No. 6,344,008, wherein part of the speed variation transmission device comprises an epicyclic gear train with a crown, a sun gear and a planet gear carrier.
In this type of epicyclic gear train, it is difficult to control the direction of rotation of the various elements, which can go against the desired one. This leads to parasitic stresses and load torques that prejudice the smooth running of this epicyclic gear.
The present invention aims to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks by means of a simple and reliable speed variation device allowing the required speed level to be obtained.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Speed variation transmission device for motor vehicle powertrain and hybrid motor vehicle using same

Abstract: According to the invention, sun gear (36) and crown (50) are connected each to engine shaft (12) by a controlled coupling (28, 30) and to a fixed part (48a, 48b) of the vehicle powertrain by a one-way coupling (32, 34).


A robust system for entering a test mode in an integrated circuit, for example, a memory device, greatly eliminates the probability of unintentionally entering the test mode, yet provides a system of access through a precise address and control pin sequence. By using an existing control pin present on the integrated circuit as a clock signal input for a series of latches, the present scheme sets up a number of address with predetermined values in order to create a key that is correct only if all the addresses are at the correct values. The key, combined with the clock signal input, allows a test mode enable signal to pass through each latch in a series. By further requiring that the address sequence for the key be input during an otherwise "illegal" operation for the integrated circuit, the present scheme further ensures that unintentional entry to the test mode is avoided.

Complex integrated circuits, for example memory devices, programmable logic devices, etc., often include on-chip testing features which allow a designer (or customer) to verify operation of the integrated circuit prior to shipping (or use). To use these test mode features, the integrated circuit, or at least a portion of the functional circuitry which makes up the integrated circuit, must be placed in a test mode. In other words, the test mode must be activated.
In the past, test modes for integrated circuits have been activated in one of three ways. In some cases, test modes are entered by the application of "over-voltages" or "super-voltages" to one or more pins of the integrated circuit. In other cases, special test mode control pins are provided to allow activation of the test mode. In still further schemes, test modes may be entered through a unique addressing sequence applied to the integrated circuit.
Each of the above three schemes for entering a test mode presents potential hazards. With super-voltages, one always runs the risk of damaging sensitive circuitry contained on the integrated circuit. While the use of extra or special test mode activation pins avoids this problem, it requires that additional space be provided for the test mode control pins and may present compatibility problems. Address sequencing, although it avoids the problems of super-voltages and extra pins, presents a potential risk in as much as the user may inadvertently key the address sequence for entering the test mode without meaning to do so. Therefore, what is required is a method and apparatus for entering test mode of an integrated circuit which reduces the risk of unintentionally triggering the test mode and avoids the other problems presented by schemes of the past.

Test mode entrance through clocked addresses


The present invention provides a substrate aligning system which prevents particles or the like from attaching to a substrate such as a wafer used in the semiconductor manufacturing process, and adjusts the orientation of the substrate accurately within a short period of time. According to a substrate aligning system (A) as a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of rollers (220) push the peripheral portion of a wafer (W) from different directions to align the center of the wafer. While the center of the wafer is kept aligned by the rollers (220), the contacting portion (211) of a contacting member (210) contacts a chip (Wa) of the wafer (W). The contacting member (210) is then moved arcuately to rotate the wafer (W), thus adjusting the orientation of the wafer.

In the semiconductor manufacturing process, a circular substrate represented by a wafer is transported among a plurality of types of processing apparatuses and processed sequentially. Every time a substrate is to be loaded in each processing apparatus, its orientation must be adjusted in a predetermined direction. For this purpose, the substrate has a linear chip called an orientation flat, or a V- or U-shaped chip called a notch, in its peripheral portion, so as to indicate the orientation of the substrate. The orientation of the substrate is adjusted with reference to the chip.
As a technique for adjusting the orientation of the substrate, various types of techniques are conventionally proposed. For example, a method is proposed which holds a substrate by attracting its lower surface by a vacuum chuck and rotates the substrate. With this method, however, as a vacuum device comes into contact with the lower surface of the substrate, particles or the like attach to the lower surface of the substrate to influent the yield.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 12-133696 proposes a method of rotating a substrate by clamping it with a clamp. According to this method, while attachment of particles or the like to the substrate can be decreased, the substrate must be reheld several times to detect a chip in the substrate, prolonging the aligning.
According to the method proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-368065, a substrate is supported in a non-contact manner with the Bernoulli chuck method. One driving roller and a plurality of idle rollers contact a plurality of peripheral portions of the substrate. The driving roller is rotated to rotate the substrate. With this method, however, a slip may occur between the substrate and driving roller. Even when the driving roller is stopped, the substrate may rotate by the inertia. Thus, the amount of rotation of the substrate cannot necessarily be controlled easily, and the accuracy of adjustment of the substrate orientation is not always high.


A process for preparing a polymer having a 2,5-furandicarboxylate moiety within the polymer backbone and having a number average molecular weight of at least 10,000 (as determined by GPC based on polystyrene standards) includes a first step where a prepolymer is made having the 2,5-furandicarboxylate moiety within the polymer backbone, followed in a second step by a polycondensation reaction. Polymers so produced may have a 2,5-furandicarboxylate moiety within the polymer backbone, and having a number average molecular weight of at least 20,000 (as determined by GPC based on styrene standards), and an absorbance as a 5 mg/mL solution in a dichloromethane:hexafluoroisopropanol 8:2 at 400 nm of below 0.05.

From a presentation that may be found on http://www.incaweb.org/nato-asi_rsv/BUSCH_1.pdf by BUSCH, Rainer. Renewable Raw Materials for the Chemical Industry. NATO ASI "New Organic Chemistry Reactions and Methodologies for Green Productions". 30 Oct.-5 Nov. 2006, it is known to use 5-hydroxymethylfurane (5-HMF) as platform chemical for the preparation of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid. With respect to the synthesis of this platform chemical, Dr. Busch mentions the production of 5-HMF from glucose or fructose (renewables) and suggests the oxidation of 5-HMF into 2,5-FDCA. However, at the same time, Dr. Busch mentions that there is still much development work required. Moreover, Dr. Busch suggests the preparation of segmented thermoplastics from renewables, having hard block(s) composed of the polyamide of 2,5-dicarboxylic acid and 1,6-hexanediamine, and having soft block(s) composed of the polyether of 1,4-butanediol. Dr. Busch, on the other hand has not prepared any of the polymers suggested in his presentation.
In GB 621971 polyesters (and polyester-amides) are prepared by reacting glycols with dicarboxylic acids of which at least one contains a heterocyclic ring, such as 2,5-FDCA. In place of the dicarboxylic acids, the dialkyl or diaryl esters thereof may be used, in particular where acids are used which tend to be unstable and to develop carbon dioxide under the conditions of the reaction. Moreover, when using di-esters, it is of advantage to include in the reaction mixture an ester-interchange catalyst, as for example an alkali metal, magnesium or tin. Indeed, in Examples 1 and 2 of this reference, dimethyl-2,5-furandicarboxylate is reacted with an excess of ethylene glycol in the presence of sodium dissolved in methanol and magnesium. A crystalline mass product is obtained, which is then at a temperature of 190 to 220° C. and under reduced pressure converted into a polymer.
In HACHIHAMA, Yoshikazu, et al. Syntheses of Polyesters containing Furan Ring. Technol. Repts. Osaka Univ. 1958, vol. 8, no. 333, p. 475-480. it is mentioned that many aromatic polyesters are known, but only polyethylene terephthalate is in commercial production. In this paper polyesters are produced by condensation of 2,5-FDCA with various α,ω-glycols. According to this paper, ester interchange has proved to be the most convenient method for 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid polyesters, since the acid is difficult to be purified. The ester interchange reaction is promoted by the presence of a catalyst such as litharge, a natural mineral form of lead(II) oxide. The polymers made, however, were brown to greyish white.
In WO 2007/052847 polymers are provided, having a 2,5-furandicarboxylate moiety within the polymer backbone and having a degree of polymerization of 185 or more and 600 or less. These polymers are made in a two step process involving the esterification of the 2,5-FDCA with a diol first, and a second step involving polycondensation through an ester exchange reaction. The first step is carried out catalytically at a temperature within the preferred range of 150 to 180° C., whereas the polycondensation step is carried out under vacuum at a temperature within the preferred range of 180 to 230° C. A particularly preferred example of a catalyst effective in both steps is titanium alkoxide. Indeed, in the examples 2,5-FDCA is reacted first with a diol, using a tin catalyst and a titanium catalyst. The intermediate product is then purified by dissolving the same in hexafluoroisopropanol, reprecipitation and drying, followed by solid state polymerization at a temperature in the range of from 140 to 180° C. Not disclosed, but found by the current inventors, is that the intermediate product produced by the process of this reference is darkly colored. This is therefore the reason for the purification step. This essential purification step, and in particular when using hexafluoroisopropanol, is a serious drawback of this process, severely limiting the commercialization thereof. The problem vis-à-vis this recent development is to produce polymers having a 2,5-furandicarboxylate moiety within the polymer backbone, at high molecular weight and without colored impurities, without having to use a purification step.
In MOORE, J. A., et al. Polyesters Derived from Furan and Tetrahydrofuran Nuclei. Macromolecules. 1978, vol. 11, no. 3, p. 568-573. are described. Polymers were prepared using 2,5-furandicarbonyl chloride as monomer. As a result, polymers in the form of a white precipitate having a very low intrinsic viscosity (and hence low molecular weight) were obtained. In addition, a polymer was prepared from 1,6-hexane diol and dimethyl-2,5-furan dicarboxylate, using calcium acetate and antimony oxide as catalyst. The number average molecular weight was low (less than 10,000), whereas the molecular weight distribution was relatively high (2.54 instead of about 2). Moreover, the product was greenish. Again, from this reference it would appear near impossible to produce polymers having a 2,5-furandicarboxylate moiety within the polymer backbone, at high molecular weight and without colored impurities, without having to use a precipitation and/or purification step.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,014,957 thermoplastic moulding compositions of (A) 99.5 to 80% by weight, of at least one amorphous linear polyamide and (B) 0.5 to 20% by weight of at least one segmented thermoplastic elastomeric copolyester are disclosed. According to this patent segmented thermoplastic elastomeric copolyesters are known, which may be prepared from various dicarboxylic acids, including 3,4-FDCA.
In EP 0294863 A aromatic polyesters containing units with two carbonyl groups and having liquid crystalline properties are disclosed. The aromatic polyesters are characterized in that the polyesters contain heterocyclic units with two carbonyl groups. Preferably these units are derived from furandicarboxylic acid. The aromatic polyesters show a considerable reduction in melting temperature, rendering the polyester more processable. The heterocyclic unit acid can be a 2,5-FDCA, a 2,4-FDCA or a 2,3-FDCA or a derivative of these acids. The polyester according to this reference can be prepared in a process known per se, for example via condensation or esterification of the reactive derivatives of the components to be used. Preferably a condensation reaction is applied; the reaction of the monomers takes place between 50° C. and 350° C., preferably in an inert atmosphere such as nitrogen or argon, followed by a polycondensation reaction, at increased temperature and reduced pressure, which results in a polycondensate with the desired degree of polymerization. According to this reference it is possible to effect the condensation or esterification and the polycondensation reaction in the presence of a catalyst. Magnesium, manganese, sodium, potassium and/or zinc acetates are preferred.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,112,915 copolyetherester molding compositions are described that comprise a copolyetherester and a modifying amount of a modulus reducing rubbery interpolymer comprising a crosslinked (meth)acrylate rubbery phase and an interpenetrating, crosslinked styrenic resin phase. According to the reference, suitable thermoplastic copolyetheresters (A) include both random and block copolymers. In general these are prepared by conventional esterification/polycondensation processes from (i) one or more diols, (ii) one or more dicarboxylic acids, (iii) one or more long chain ether glycols, and optionally, (iv) one or more lactones or polylactones. Dicarboxylic acids (ii) which are suitable for use in the preparation of the copolyetheresters include aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, and/or aromatic dicarboxylic acids. 3,4-FDCA is mentioned as a suitable acid to be used.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,958,581 a polyester film made from a polymer having ethylene glycol moieties, isosorbide moieties and terepthaloyl moieties, and the method of making the film is described. The polyester of this reference may be formed by melt polymerization, which is carried out in two stages. First, the diols (e.g., ethylene glycol) are mixed with the dimethyl ester of the diacid (e.g., dimethyl terephthalate) in the presence of an ester interchange catalyst, which causes exchange of the ethylene glycol for the methyl group of the dimethyl esters through a transesterification reaction. The reaction is gradually heated to about 250° C. until methanol evolution stops. Preferred catalysts for ester interchange include Mn(OAc)2, Co(OAc)2, and Zn(OAc)2, where OAc is the abbreviation for acetate, and combinations thereof. The second stage of the reaction is commenced by adding a polycondensation catalyst. An example of a polycondensation catalyst is antimony (III) oxide, which may be used at a level of 100 to about 400 ppm.
The polycondensation reaction is typically carried out at a temperature from about 250 to 285° C. The current inventors found that when using these conditions when producing polymers having a 2,5-furandicarboxylate moiety within the polymer backbone, it was impossible to obtain a polymer having a high molecular weight without suffering from an abundance of colored impurities.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,737,481 a polymer comprising poly(alkylene-co-dianhydrosugar ester) dicarboxylate and its preparation is described. The processes of this reference avoid the problems created by the slow reaction rate for direct esterification or transesterification of isosorbide with terephthalic acid or dimethylterephthlate. Diacids that may be used in this process include 2,5-FDCA. The procedure, here described for isophthalic acid and isosorbide, involves heating a 0 to 100 mole % excess of isosorbide, with isophthalic acid in the presence of about 90-140 micrograms/g tin in the form of a suitable catalyst, such as n-butylstannoic acid under an inert gas atmosphere. The temperature is preferably from about 240 to about 260° C. and heating is continued until no further water evolves, typically for about 1 to 2 hours, indicating the end of the esterification reaction.
Catalysts that may be used in this process are generally known in the art, and include salts of U, Ca, Mg, Zr, Mn, Zn, Pb, Sb, Sn, and Ti, such as acetate salts and oxides, including glycol adducts, and Ti alkoxides and chelates.
The preferred molar ratio of catalyst to diacid is about 1:1,000 to about 1:7,300. A catalyst can also be used to enhance esterification or transesterification, and polycondensation catalysts are said to be particularly useful in transesterification.
From the above references, it would therefore appear that polymers and copolymers of 2,5-FDCA can be made by simply substituting terephthalic acid as diacid monomer and using 2,5-FDCA instead. However, the current inventors found that to be rather problematic.
In JP2008291244 a method for producing polyester resin including furan structure is provided. The method for producing a polyester resin including a furan structure comprises performing ester exchange reaction of a furan dicarboxylic dialkyl ester component with a diol component, and then performing polycondensation reaction in the presence of a titanium compound. A high-molecular-weight polyester resin can be produced using, as raw material, 2,5-furan dicarboxylic acid ester which is producible from a biomass raw material, and an industrially useful material excellent in heat resistance and mechanical physical properties can be thus provided. On the other hand, the molecular weight of the polyester resin leaves still much to desire, as does the polymerization time to achieve a reasonably high molecular weight.
Thus, the inventors found that polymers and copolymers having a 2,5-furandicarboxylate moiety within the polymer backbone, and polyesters in particular cannot be made at reasonably high molecular weight (number average molecular weight of at least 10.000) without suffering from byproducts that give rise to a yellow, greenish or brown color. On the other hand, the above references clearly show that there is a demand for polymers based on renewables to replace polyesters such as PET that are produced from petrochemicals. Thus, there is a need for a process for the production of polymers and copolymers having a 2,5-furandicarboxylate moiety within the polymer backbone which avoids the formation of such byproducts. This has now been achieved.

Process for preparing a polymer having a 2,5-furandicarboxylate moiety within the polymer backbone and such (co)polymers


A semiconductor device includes a first wiring comprising a first conductive material on a semiconductor layer, a second wiring comprising the first conductive material on the semiconductor layer, a third wiring comprising a second conductive material different from the first conductive material, and an insulation film on the semiconductor layer between the first wiring and the second wiring and between the second wiring and the third wiring. The second wiring is provided on at least two sides of the third wiring, and a mean free path of free electrons in the first conductive material is shorter than a mean free path of free electrons in the second conductive material, or the first conductive material shows quantized conduction and the second conductive material does not show quantized conduction. The first wiring, the second wiring, the third wiring, and the insulation film are in one wiring layer provided on the semiconductor layer.

In recent years, as semiconductor devices have been miniaturized, internal wirings in these devices have also been miniaturized. As the wirings have become smaller, a narrow line effect in which scattering effects caused by interfacial and grain boundaries in copper wirings of the related art begins to predominate, and wiring resistance consequently increases appreciably.
For this reason, wirings in the semiconductor devices according to the related art often fail to satisfy device specifications and/or meet performance targets. Therefore, it is preferable to use a material which is hardly affected by narrow line effects. However, since materials in which narrow line effects are hardly apparent generally have a high bulk specific resistance, when the same material is used for a wide wiring as used for narrow wiring, the wide wiring will have a high resistance and overall device performance may not be substantially improved.

Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof


A catalytic detector for a flammable gas comprises a substrate and a sensing structure suspended from the substrate. The sensing structure has a combined heating element and temperature sensing element in the form of a layer-deposited electrically conductive track terminating in at least two electrically conductive bridging leads. A catalytic bead is deposited over the temperature sensing element and that portion of the substrate which is directly beneath the sensing structure is etched away so as to isolate thermally the sensing structure with the temperature sensing structure being supported by the bridging leads. The electrically conductive track is sandwiched between a substrate adhesion layer for facilitating adhesion of the conductive track and a superstrate diffusion barrier layer. The invention extends to a method of manufacturing a gas detector and a sensing structure.

This invention relates to a catalytic gas detector, and to a method of manufacturing such a detector.
Catalytic gas detectors are used in the continuous monitoring of atmospheres to detect the presence of a low molecular weight flammable gases, such as methane. The principle of operation relies on the fact that small concentrations of hydrocarbon gases are cationically oxidized in air at elevated temperatures over a suitable catalyst such as palladium rhodium, platinum or iridium. The resultant exotherm reaction produces a temperature rise which is sensed by a sensor. There is a direct relationship between the degree of temperature rise and the proportion of combustible gas in the atmosphere being measured.
Sensors of the type described, which are commonly known as pellistors, comprise a coil of a noble metal, such as platinum, covered with a bead of porous catalytic material. The change in temperature referred to above leads to a change in resistance of the coil, which is detected in a Wheatstone bridge-type configuration of which the coil forms a part.
In the case of portable sensing instruments which are reliant on battery power, it is important that the power consumption of the pellistor be as low as possible.
There are two ways of achieving this end:
(i) By increasing the electrical resistance of the wire; PA1 (ii) By decreasing the amount of heat that is lost from the pelestor to its surroundings; PA1 a) a heating element; PA1 b) a temperature sensing element in the form of a layer-deposited electrically conductive track terminating in at least two electrically conductive bridging leads; PA1 c) a catalytic bead associated with the temperature sensing element, PA1 a) providing a substrate; PA1 b) depositing a heating and temperature sensing element in the form of at least one conductive track onto the substrate; PA1 c) etching away that portion of the substrate directly beneath the conductive track so as to define a cavity over which the conductive track is suspended, with bridging conductors extending between the conductive track and terminals on the substrate; and PA1 d) depositing a catalyst with a refractory carrier onto the conductive track so as to form a sensing structure supported by the bridging conductors. PA1 a) depositing a conductive track onto a substrate; PA1 b) preparing a catalyst comprising a noble metal on a refractory carrier by treating the catalyst with a catalyst precursor so as to form a slurry or paste; PA1 c) applying the slurry or paste to the conductive track by screen printing or stenciling; and PA1 d) calcining the slurry or paste in air.
In order to satisfy the first requirement, published UK patent application GB2238617A describes a thin wire in the form of a conductive track deposited on a non-conductive and thermally isolating layer, such as silicon nitride or silicon oxde, which is deposited upon the silicon substrate. Photolithographic processes are commonly used to define the conductive track or heater element. The bead is usually formed by the deposition of a material such as porous alumina on top of the heater element.
In order to satisfy the second requirement, the substrate beneath the isolating layer is generally etched away so that a suspended membrane is formed upon which the heater element is located, thereby increasing the thermal isolation of the heater element, which results in a significant decrease in power consumption. This is important for portable sensing instruments which are reliant on battery power.


There is disclosed, an optical subassembly includes a platform on which a laser and photodiode are mounted. The laser has a rear facet through which passes a small portion of the light emitted by the laser. The photodiode is mounted on the surface of the platform with a light admitting facet for receiving a portion of the light emitted from the rear facet of the laser being substantially perpendicular to the light emitting facet of the laser. The surface of the platform may include a channel. The channel may be tapered from a narrower end near the laser to a wider end near the photodiode, and may be coated with a light-reflective material.

Optical subassemblies on which a laser chip and photodiode are mounted on a platform typically have the light admitting surface of the photodiode aligned with and directly facing the back facet of the laser chip to receive a portion of the light emitted through the back facet of the laser chip. Since only a small portion of the light emitted from the laser chip is emitted through the rear facet, it is important to capture a substantial portion of the light emitted from the laser chip rear facet as input to the photodiode. To maximize the amount of light emitted from the rear facet of the laser that is captured by the photodiode, the light admitting surface of the photodiode has been positioned in the cone of diverging emitted light from the rear facet of the laser chip. Positioning one of the larger light admitting surfaces of the photodiode parallel to the light emitting rear facet of the laser chip results in the largest amount of light falling on the active region of the photodiode.
One problem in positioning the photodiode in this manner is that the photodiode must be first mounted on a carrier, which is in turn mounted on the subassembly. The carrier mounted photodiode is typically substantially taller than the other components, and tends to be the constraint for residual package height. This increases the cost and complexity of the subassembly, and necessitates wire bonding around comers of the photodiode.


A gaming system includes a plurality of linked gaming machines and a controller coupled to the gaming machines. The gaming machines are used for playing one or more wagering games having a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome. Each gaming machine includes at least one wager-input device for receiving a first type of wager, which allows the player to play the wagering game, and the second type of wager, which allows the player to be eligible for a progressive jackpot. The controller determines a first cumulative value of the first type of wagers, a second cumulative value of the second type of wagers, and a distributable wager pool that is derived from a portion of the first cumulative value and a portion of the second cumulative value. The distributable wager pool can fund the progressive jackpot.

Gaming machines, such as slot machines, video poker machines and the like, have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for several years. Generally, the popularity of such machines with players is dependent on the likelihood (or perceived likelihood) of winning money at the machine and the intrinsic entertainment value of the machine relative to other available gaming options. Where the available gaming options include a number of competing machines and the expectation of winning at each machine is roughly the same (or believed to be the same), players are likely to be attracted to the most entertaining and exciting machines. Shrewd operators consequently strive to employ the most entertaining and exciting machines, features, and enhancements available because such machines attract frequent play and hence increase profitability to the operator. Therefore, there is a continuing need for gaming machine manufacturers to continuously develop new games and improved gaming enhancements that will attract frequent play through enhanced entertainment value to the player.
One concept that has been successfully employed to enhance the entertainment value of a game is the concept of a "secondary" or "bonus" game that may be played in conjunction with a "basic" game. The bonus game may comprise any type of game, either similar to or completely different from the basic game, which is entered upon the occurrence of a selected event or outcome in the basic game. Generally, bonus games provide a greater expectation of winning than the basic game and may also be accompanied with more attractive or unusual video displays and/or audio. Bonus games may additionally award players with "progressive jackpot" awards that are funded, at least in part, by a percentage of coin-in from the gaming machine or a plurality of participating gaming machines. Because the bonus game concept offers tremendous advantages in player appeal and excitement relative to other known games, and because such games are attractive to both players and operators, there is a continuing need to develop gaming machines with new types of bonus games to satisfy the demands of players and operators.
In many current wagering games, the progressive jackpot is funded in part by taking a percentage of the total coin-in received in the wagering game. After the progressive jackpot is won, the progressive jackpot will be reset to some basic level (e.g., $1,000 or $5,000). Every time a player makes a wager, a percentage of the wager is allocated to the progressive jackpot, or divided in some predetermined way among the progressive jackpots, assuming there is more than one progressive jackpot. As one example, a gaming machine manufacturer leases the machines to a gaming establishment (e.g., casino) that operates the machines. When considering the total coin-in value, in a typical arrangement, about 88% of the total coin-in is used for funding the payouts of the basic wagering games operated at the machines, about 8% of the total coin-in is returned to the gaming establishment, and about 4% is returned to the gaming machine manufacturer. To fund the progressive jackpot(s), the gaming machine manufacturer uses about 30% of its proceeds (i.e., about 1.2% of the total coin-in) for the reset value and the incremental value added to the jackpots over time as players compete for the progressive jackpot. In other lease-type arrangements, the gaming machine manufacturer receives a flat fee per machine per day (e.g., $80/day) from the gaming establishment and a smaller percentage of the total coin-in (e.g., 1.5%), which the gaming machine manufacturer uses for the funding the progressive as outlined above.
In these types of arrangements, there can be some inequity. For example, the gaming machines often present an option as to whether the player is eligible for the progressive jackpot (e.g., the player must play all the paylines, or play the maximum wager for the machine). In those situations when a player plays the wagering game without being eligible for the progressive jackpot, that player's wager is still applied in the percentages listed above, such that the player's wager is still contributing to the progressive jackpot although the player is ineligible for it. This can lead to extra funds for the gaming machine manufacturer while lowering the machine's overall payback percentage for that player. Gaming machine operators do not prefer this either because the gaming machine manufacturer may be making extra margins at their players' expense.
Thus, there is a need for a new type of a progressive game wager-input system and wager-tracking system, which takes into account additional wagers that the players make at the gaming machine to be eligible for the progressive jackpot.

Wagering game for tracking various types of wager inputs


In a magnetic polarization device for a fuel supply circuit, comprising multi-pole bar magnets contained in a casing which has internal passage vanes for the fuel, each bar magnet is made up of a different number of contiguous bipolar magnetic segments with magnetic fields of increasing intensity from one end to the other, which are aligned axially with one another with like-directed magnetic polarities adjacent each other, and which have unlike-directed magnetic polarities corresponding to the ends of each bar, and one or more fluid-carrying bars made of a ferromagnetic material are arranged parallel to each multi-pole bar magnet.

It is known that, by improving the atomization of the jet of fuel and reducing the mean diameter of the injected droplets, the process of evaporation and/or heating to the temperature where combustion starts is accelerated, thus primarily ensuring a lower combustion temperature overall; this has a beneficial effect on the yield of the relative thermodynamic cycle and improves combustion overall, while reducing uncombusted and partially combusted components such as CO.
Magnetic-polarization devices are already known that subject the fuel, circulating in a feed circuit, to predetermined concatenated magnetic fluxes with permanent bar magnets, behind which the fuel is made to flow before it is injected.
An example is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,201,140:
In terms of its design and the arrangement of its parts, magnetic and non-magnetic, this kind of device calls for external shielding, which is expensive and difficult to produce, and achieves polarization results that are less good than those of the device of this invention owing to the different arrangement of the lines of flux, as will be further explained below. In particular, flux carrying members, that will be described below, are not present in any example of the prior art.
It is known that the most probable theory that accounts for the results mentioned above postulates that the polarization treatment reduces the electromagnetic forces of cohesion between molecules that have polar axes oriented in different ways.
As a result, better polarization of the molecules that make us the fuel corresponds to more energetic action of the magnetic fluxes which have a direction that varies abruptly as the fuel flows along the magnets; the molecules, whose polar axes tend to line up under the action of the external magnetic flux to which they are subjected, thus lose the order that creates the cohesion among the molecules themselves.
This is achieved with the device according to the invention which, as already mentioned, also turns out to be less expensive than those known to the current state of the art.

Magnetic polarization device for treating fuel


One or more stacking cabled I/O slots may be installed in a stacked arrangement on a computing device, such as in an I/O expansion socket of a computing device motherboard. Slot detection and population logic associated with each of the one or more stacking cabled I/O slots enables signaling from each installed stacking cabled I/O slot, in order for its presence and location relative to any other installed stacking cabled I/O slot to be identified to and recognized by the computing device. High speed data signals through an installed stacking cabled I/O slot are coupled to the computing device via a cable, while power and logic signals are exchanged between the computing device and the one or more stacking cabled I/O slots via connections to the I/O expansion socket.

Computing devices may be hardware-configurable to provide one or more input/output ("I/O") slots for attachment of a desired number of I/O devices. An I/O slot provides power to an attached I/O device as well as providing a high-speed data connection for communication between the computing device and the I/O device.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP