A container of the present invention for use of ink jet recording liquid is arranged to store recording liquid to be supplied to an ink jet recording head. This recording liquid container comprises the container main body, and an absorber holding recording liquid contained in the interior of the container main body, and the absorber is constituted by the fiber having its elongation percentage (Japanese Industrial Standard JIS-L1015) of 250% or less. With the elongation percentage of the fibrous absorber manufactured by the thermal processing which is defined within a specific range, it becomes possible to suppress the dimensional changes before and after the execution of the thermal processing, as well as to make the difference smaller between the higher and lower densities on the surface layer and the central portion of the fibrous absorber, respectively, hence providing a highly uniform absorber.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an absorber which is utilized as means for storing ink for use of an ink jet recording apparatus that records by discharging ink, and also, to a container for ink jet recording liquid that uses such absorber. More particularly, the invention relates to an absorber using the fibrous material whose elongation percentage is made within a specific range. The invention also relates to an ink jet liquid container using such absorber.
2. Related Background Art
Conventionally, from the viewpoint of a better ink supply performance for the ink jet recording head, it has been generally practiced to arrange the structure of an ink tank for use of ink jet recording, for adjusting the pressure exerted on the ink which is stored in the ink tank. The pressure thus exerted is termed as the xe2x80x9cnegative pressurexe2x80x9d, because this pressure is to make the pressure at the discharge port unit negative against the atmospheric pressure.
As one of the easiest methods for generating such negative pressure, an ink absorber is arranged in the ink tank for the utilization of the capillary force created by the absorber. Particularly, urethane sponge or some other foaming material is used as the ink absorber in consideration of the ease in forming a porous structure having a single hole ratio that presents an excellent ink holding capability. However, the foaming material, such as the urethane sponge, has each of foaming cells separated individually through a membrane in the status of its manufacture as it is, which requires the additional process to remove the membrane to make the urethane sponge usable as the ink absorber. Also, due to the chemical stability and other properties provided for the foaming material itself, there is a fear that an eluted substance is created depending on the kinds of ink that may be used. For that matter, restriction is imposed upon the kind of ink to be used.
In recent years, for the solution of the problems discussed above, it has been proposed to structure the ink absorber with a thermally fused felt which is one of fibrous materials as disclosed in the specification of Japanese Patent Laid-Open Application No. 07-323566.
Nevertheless, the ink absorber formed by thermally fused fibers as disclosed in the specification of the aforesaid patent laid-open application may present considerable changes in the dimension of the outer configuration of the absorber before and after the heat treatment to fuse the fibers themselves by the application of heat. In other words, the contouring dimension of the ink absorber is greatly shrunken after the execution of the heat treatment. If the ink absorber thus shrunken is inserted into the ink tank for use, the dimension of the ink absorber becomes smaller than the inner dimension of the ink tank to make it easier for the ink absorber to move in the ink tank. Then, if, for example, the ink tank is given a shock or the like, the ink absorber is displaced (to shift) in the ink tank to place the ink absorber away from the ink supply port of the ink jet head. As a result, the ink supply performance of the ink jet head is significantly lowered in some cases. Also, if the ink absorber is formed by laminating at least two kinds or more of fibrous blocks, there is a possibility that gaps are formed between the fibrous blocks of the ink absorber after the execution of the heat treatment in some cases. Then, ink is not allowed to move smoothly between the fibrous blocks due to the gaps thus formed, besides those problems discussed above. Therefore, the amount of remaining ink is increased in the ink absorber or the ink supply performance of the ink jet head is remarkably lowered in some cases. Moreover, the ink, which cannot be retained by the ink absorber, tends to reside in the space between the fibrous blocks, and there is a fear that ink leaks out from the ink tank when it is affected by the environmental (atmospheric pressure) changes or shocks that may take place.
The present invention is designed in consideration of the problems discussed above. It is an object of the invention to provide a thermally fused fibrous absorber which has a smaller heat shrinkage usable as an ink absorber capable of holding in stably and performing ink supply reliably, as well as to provide a container for storing ink jet recording liquid.
The inventors hereof have ardently studied and carried out experiments in order to achieve the aforesaid objectives. As a result, it is ascertained that the elongation percentage of the fiber, which should be used, exerts influences on the status of the absorber after having been thermally fused.
The present invention is based upon such knowledge, and it is characterized in that a fibrous absorber is formed by overlapping fibrous blocks at least a part of which is fused and bonded, and that the fiber that forms this absorber has the elongation percentage (Japanese Industrial Standard JIS-L1015, 1992 and/or 1994 edition) of 250% or less.
Here, it is preferable to satisfy the condition of 0.5 D (denier)xe2x89xa6Axe2x89xa610 D (denier) where the fineness of the fiber constituting the absorber is given as A. Also, it is preferable that given the fibrous length of the fiber constituting the absorber as L, the condition of 10 mmxe2x89xa6Lxe2x89xa6150 mm is satisfied.
Further, it may be possible to structure the absorber by laminating at least two or more fibrous blocks. Also, it is possible to use the absorber formed by polyolefin fibrous materials most suitably.
Also, in order to achieve the objectives described above, a container of the present invention for use of ink jet recording liquid is arranged to store recording liquid to be supplied to an ink jet recording head. This recording liquid container comprises the container main body, and an absorber holding recording liquid contained in the interior of the container main body, and the absorber is constituted by the fiber having its elongation percentage (Japanese Industrial Standard JIS-L1015) of 250% or less.
In this respect, it is preferable to satisfy the condition of 0.5 D (denier)xe2x89xa6Axe2x89xa610 D (denier) where the fineness of the fiber constituting the absorber is given as A. Also, it is preferable that given the fibrous length of the fiber constituting the absorber as L, the condition of 10 mmxe2x89xa6Lxe2x89xa6150 mm is satisfied.
Further, it may be possible to structure the absorber by laminating at least two or more fibrous blocks. Also, it is possible to use the absorber formed by polyolefine fibrous materials most suitably.
With the elongation percentage of the fibrous absorber manufactured by the thermal processing being defined within a specific range, it becomes possible to suppress the dimensional changes before and after the execution of the thermal processing, as well as to make the difference smaller between the higher and lower densities on the surface layer and the central portion of the fibrous absorber, respectively, hence providing a highly uniform absorber. Also, it becomes possible to avoid forming the gaps between fibers, thus providing the absorber that may present more stability with respect to the ink supply and holding performance thereof. Furthermore, even for the absorber of such a is type in which a plurality of fibrous blocks are laminated, it becomes possible to provide the absorber having no gaps created by the presence of boundaries that may be peeled off.
With the absorber described above, it is possible to manufacture an container for ink jet recording liquid having an excellent ink supply stability.

Absorber and container for ink jet recording liquid using such absorber


A low friction hanger system for reducing the lateral force required to move a hanger on a rod. The system includes a friction reducing element located between a hanger hook of the hanger and a supporting rod. The friction reducing element can include a roller or low friction material either integral with the hanger hook or retrofitted thereto. The friction reducing element can also include low friction material on the rod which is either integral therewith or retrofitted thereto. Optionally, lateral force displacement magnets or laterally extending arms will aid in the lateral displacement the hanger relative to other hangers.

When one looks at magazines or television programs that highlight closets, one might notice that the clothes are typically shown hanging very neatly and separated and evenly spaced to give a tidy and organized appearance. In reality, very few people have closets where the clothes naturally hang the way they are depicted in the magazines. If one were to look at most people's closets, one would notice that more than likely the clothes are clumped together with the hanger tops close and angled in a way that gives a disorderly appearance. In addition, when the user attempts to move clothes that are hanging in the closet in an effort to remove a particular article, sometimes a great amount of force and balance is required, particularly if many articles of clothing are to be shifted. This can be difficult, particularly for the elderly and the handicapped, and can make it very difficult to remove clothes, especially if the closet is full of hung items.
Besides using hangers to hang garments, there are other applications for hangers and rods, such as using hangers to hang other items, including hanging storage bags for prescription medications in pharmacies, folders for papers, just to name a few.
An important objective of a commercial outlet, such as a clothing store or boutique, is to make browsing through the products as easy as possible. While the invention is clearly not limited to garment hangers and a system, herein the example clothing on garment hangers will be used. With current hanger systems, many garments will hang on the same rack, which can require many hung garments to be moved when seeking to view and/or remove a specific garment. Also, in the case of circular clothing racks, a large number of units of hung clothes may need to be shifted. It stands to reason that if garments can be moved on a hanger with less effort, this will be advantageous since it will help a customer to view potential purchases more easily, making that customer less likely to walk away without first looking through everything they came to see. Many stores have employees who, as a part of their responsibilities, have to constantly move garments in an effort to cater to their customers. If the moving of multiple garments can be made easier and require less effort, this may lessen the possibility of repetitive physical stress to the employees which can in turn increase employee productivity and job satisfaction.
There accordingly remains a need for a system for making it easier for people to keep hanged items more evenly spaced apart from each other and easier to move on hangers on the rack.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Low friction hanger system and hangers for use therewith


A debugger includes: a break detecting circuit which, when the state of a microprocessor core corresponds to a previously set condition, generates a break request signal for requesting a transition of the microprocessor core to a debug state; a trigger detecting circuit which, when a predetermined signal of additional hardware corresponds to a previously set condition, generates a trigger request signal for requesting observation of the predetermined signal; and, an execution control circuit which, when the trigger request signal has been transmitted, outputs a trigger signal for observing the predetermined signal by means of a logic analyzer and outputs a break signal for causing the microprocessor core to transition to the debug state.

Recently, as a result of the progress of semiconductor processing technologies, integration of a large number of transistors on a semiconductor chip has been possible, so that LSI devices called SoC devices can be realized, in which an entire system is packaged within a single chip.
The requirement is not only that SoC devices be capable of high performance but also that these devices be flexible enough to accommodate new specifications and demands. To deal with this, a SoC device usually employs an architecture in which a general-purpose microprocessor core (which will be simply referred to hereinbelow as a processor core) is provided as a base and improved performance is achieved by the addition of a co-processor and a hardware-accelerator (which will be simply referred to hereinbelow as an accelerator) and by the use of a multi-core configuration while flexibility is realized by controlling the co-processor and accelerator based on the software (user programs) stored in the processor core.
For example, in non-patent document 1 (Ricardo E. Gonzalez, "Xtensa: A Configurable and Extensible Processor", IEEE MICRO Magazine, Volume 20, Issue 2, March-April 2000, pp. 60˜70.), non-patent document 2 (Steve Leibson/James Kim, "Configurable Processors: A New Era in Chip Design," IEEE Computer Magazine, Volume 38, Issue 7, July 2005, pp. 51-59) and patent document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2004-288203), processor cores as SoC devices that permit functional extension by adding co-processors and accelerators are exemplified.
When such a SoC device is debugged, it is necessary to simultaneously debug both the software (user programs) for operating the processor core and the additional hardware such as co-processors, accelerators and the like for realizing additional functions. ICEs (In-Circuit Emulators) are well known as tools that are used to debug software (user programs). Logic analyzers are well known as tolls that are used to debug hardware.
An ICE provides a debug environment in which the processor core provided on a SoC device is abstracted in the programming model level. More specifically, this provides functions such as reading/writing of the internal register provided for the processor core, reading/writing of the system memory, execution control (start of execution from a designated address and stop at one of break points) and the like, as described in non-patent document 3 (Shigetoshi Yamamoto/Kazutoshi Arimatsu, "An installed device and debug environment", CQ Publishing Co., Ltd., Interface, March 2002, pp. 49-53). It should be noted that in the ICE, hardware-level information is hidden from the user.
A typical ICE configuration will be described using FIG. 1.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional ICE used as a debugger of user programs.
As shown in FIG. 1, ICE unit 6 includes break detecting circuit 7 to realize execution control of processor core 2. Break detecting circuit 7 monitors the state of processor core 2 (which will be simply referred to hereinbelow as the processor state), such as the value on the program counter of processor core 2, instruction words being executed, and the like. When the processor state coincides with the previously designated break condition, specifically, when the value on the program counter reaches the previously set value or when a well-known trap instruction is executed, the circuit outputs a break signal (hereinafter, occurrence of a break signal will be called "a software mode event") so as to cause processor core 2 to transition from the execution state of a user program to the debuggable state (debug state) of the user program. Here, the trap instruction may also be called, software interrupts, debug instruction, break instruction or the like.
ICE UI (User Interface) 8 sets up the break condition on which break detecting circuit 7 is caused to output a break signal, in accordance with operations from the user. ICE UI 8 also implements reading and writing of the internal register of processor core 2 being debugged, in accordance with operations from the user. At this time, ICE unit 6 executes the process, based on the software for reading from, and writing to, the internal register of processor core 2 being transitioned to the debug state, or the system memory, to thereby assist the user to debug the user program.
For example, on pp. 13-40 in non-patent document 4 ("ARM1156T2F-S Technical Reference Manual, Revision: r0p0", ARM Limited, 2005, internet <URL: http:/www.arm.com/pdfs/DD10290C_arm1156t2fs_r0p9_trm.pdf>), there is disclosed a processor of ARM Limited, Britain, known as an embedded processor core, which realizes the function of an ICE unit by making a transition to software controller, called "Monitor target", when an interrupt signal called "Debug exception" occurs.
A logic analyzer, as described in, for example, non-patent document 5 (Nobutaka Arai "the operational principle of a logic analyzer", CQ Publishing Co., Ltd., Transistor Technology, July 2003, pp. 128-134), is a device for monitoring and recording the temporal change (waveform) of a predetermined signal (observed signal) designated by the user. A typical logic analyzer configuration will be described using FIG. 2.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a logic analyzer used as a conventional hardware debugger.
As shown in FIG. 2, logic analyzer unit 20 includes trigger detecting circuit 12, trace memory 13 and logic analyzer UI 14.
Trigger detecting circuit 12 compares the user-designated trigger condition with a predetermined input signal, and generates a trigger signal when these coincide with each other (hereinafter, occurrence of this trigger signal will be called "a hardware mode event").
Trace memory 13 stores the observation signals before and after the occurrence of a trigger signal as it is, out of the observation signals output from additional hardware 3. However, the observation signals to be stored into trace memory 13 may be optionally subjected to the least necessary processes such as being shaped in waveform, being synchronized with a predetermined sampling clock and the like.
Logic analyzer UI (User Interface) 14 sets up the trigger condition on which trigger detecting circuit 12 is caused to generate a trigger signal, in accordance with operations from the user. Logic analyzer UI 14 also displays signals that are stored in trace memory 13.
FIG. 3 shows how the software (user programs) operating on processor core 2 integrated in SoC device 1 and additional hardware 3 are debugged using an existing ICE and logic analyzer. FIG. 3 shows the manner in which the processor state is read out from processor core 2 integrated in SoC device 1 by ICE unit 6 and shows the situation in which the signals to be observed (observed signals) are monitored from additional hardware 3 such as co-processor 4, accelerator 5, etc., by logic analyzer unit 20.
Since in this simultaneous debugging using ICE unit 6 and logic analyzer unit 20, ICE unit 6 and logic analyzer unit 20 are independent devices, the lack of sufficient cooperation between these devices leads to a problem in which it is difficult to achieve efficient debugging based on the cooperation of ICE unit 6 and logic analyzer unit 20.
As an example using cooperation of ICE unit 6 and logic analyzer unit 20, technology described in non-patent document 6 ("Debug by cooperation of a logic analyzer and an ICE)", CQ Publishing Co., Ltd., Interface, October, 2000, p. 108) is well known. Non-patent document 6 describes an example in which a break signal for the co-processor, which is output from the ICE, is used as a trigger signal for the logic analyzer, and in which the times corresponding to the execution history ("History window of WATCHPOINT" in non-patent document 6) stored in the ICE are displayed with the signal waveform of the observation signals, on the logic analyzer.
As stated above, since, in the conventional debugger, the ICE used for debugging user programs and the logic analyzer used for debugging hardware are independent devices, the lack of sufficient cooperation between these devices leads to a problem in which it is difficult to achieve efficient debugging based on the cooperation of these devices.
Although the above cited non-patent document 6 describes an example in which a software mode event is used as a trigger signal for the logic analyzer, no method is shown for using a hardware mode event as a break signal for the ICE unit. Therefore, a problem occurs in which, even if it is desirable to stop operation of the entire system by causing the processor core to transition to the debug state when an internal signal from the additional hardware or when an external signal has reached a particular state, it is impossible to execute this activity.
In this way, since the existing ICE and logic analyzer are not sufficient enough to cooperate with each other, a problem occurs in which it is difficult to debug a SoC device that operates based on the cooperation of hardware and software (user programs).

Debugger and debugging method for debugging a system-on-chip device including a microprocessor core


According to the embodiments, there are provided semiconductor memories that are mounted individually on two sides of a mounting board; a controller that is mounted either on an obverse side or a reverse side of the mounting board, and performs read and write control of the semiconductor memories; and a connector that is deviated in a lateral direction from the controller so as not to overlap the controller, is mounted either on the obverse side or the reverse side of the mounting board, and transfers a signal exchanged between the controller and outside.

Along with miniaturization of a memory module, the pin pitch of a connector used for the external connection has become smaller. For this reason, when a cable for testing is frequently inserted into and removed from a connector for the purpose of testing the memory module, the connector may wear out or collect metallic particles thereon, which sometimes causes poor contact of the connector.
For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-302278 discloses a method for mounting a semiconductor chip for memory and a semiconductor chip for controller on a main surface of a base substrate for a semiconductor memory card and electrically connecting test pads to the semiconductor chip for memory through wiring of the base substrate.


A distributor assembly for hydroprocessing a hydrocarbon mixture of hydrogen-containing gas and liquid hydrocarbon is presented. The distributor assembly has a circular plate with a plurality of hollow risers bound thereto for distributing hydrogen-containing gas and liquid hydrocarbon through openings in the circular plate member. Each of the hollow risers has a tubular opening in its associated side. The distributor assembly is connected to an internal wall of a reactor. A method is also presented for hydroprocessing a hydrocarbon feed stream comprising flowing a mixture of hydrogen-containing gas and liquid hydrocarbon into a reactor zone to produce evolved hydrogen-containing gas; and flowing the mixture of hydrogen-containing gas and liquid hydrocarbon through a plurality of tubular zones while admixing simultaneously therewith the evolved hydrogen-containing gas.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a gas-pocket distributor assembly for distributing a mixture of liquid hydrocarbons and hydrogen-containing gas(es). More particularly, the present invention provides for an improved gas-pocket distributor assembly, a reactor containing the improved gaspocket distributor assembly, and a method for hydroprocessing a hydrocarbon feed stream.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Hydroprocessing or hydrotreatment to remove undesirable components from hydrocarbon feed streams is a well known method of catalytically treating such heavy hydrocarbons to increase their commercial value. "Heavy" hydrocarbon liquid streams, and particularly reduced crude oils, petroleum residua, tar sand bitumen, shale oil or liquified coal or reclaimed oil, generally contain product contaminants, such as sulfur, and/or nitrogen, metals and organo-metallic compounds which tend to deactivate catalyst particles during contact by the feed stream and hydrogen under hydroprocessing conditions. Such hydroprocessing conditions are normally in the range of 212 degree(s) F to 1200 degree(s) F (100 degree(s) to 650 degree(s) C.) at pressures of from 20 to 300 atmospheres. Generally such hydroprocessing is in the presence of catalyst containing group VI or VIII metals such as platinum, molybdenum, tungsten, nickel, cobalt, etc., in combination with various other metallic element particles of alumina, silica, magnesia and so forth having a high surface to volume ratio. More specifically, catalyst utilized for hydrodemetallation, hydrodesulfurization, hydrogenitrification, hydrocracking, etc., of heavy oils and the like are generally made up of a carrier or base material; such as alumina, silica, silica-alumina, or possibly, crystalline aluminosilicate, with one or more promoter(s) or catalytically active metal(s) (or compound(s)) plus trace materials. Typical catalytically active metals utilized are cobalt, molybdenum, nickel and tungsten; however, other metals or compounds could be selected dependent on the application.
Because these reactions must be carried out by contact of a hydrogen-containing gas with the hydrocarbon feed stream at elevated temperatures and pressures, the major costs of such processing are essentially investment in vessels and associated furnaces, heat exchangers, distributor plate assemblies, pumps, piping and valves capable of such service and the replacement cost of catalyst contaminated in such service, and the cost of assembling the equipment. Commercial hydroprocessing of relatively low cost feed stocks such as reduced crude oils containing pollutant compounds, requires a flow rate on the order of a few thousand up to one hundred thousand barrels per day, with concurrent flow of hydrogen at up to 10,000 standard cubic feet per barrel of the liquid feed. Vessels capable of containing such a reaction process are accordingly cost-intensive both due to the need to contain and withstand corrosion and metal embrittlement by the hydrogen and sulfur compounds, while carrying out the desired reactions, such as demetallation, denitrification, desulfurization, and cracking at elevated pressure and temperatures. Pumps, piping and valves for handling fluid streams containing hydrogen at such pressures and temperatures are also costly, because at such pressures seals must remain hydrogen impervious over extended service periods of many months. It is also cost-intensive to insure that all of the equipment including distributor plate assemblies are assembled and/or manufactured correctly. It is important in such prior art distributor plate assemblies that they are essentially perfectly level to immunize flow distribution of the hydrocarbon feed streams from their sensitivity to the levelness of the distributor plate assembly.
As particularly distinguished from prior known methods of hydroprocessing, the method and apparatus in U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,908 to Stangeland et al more specifically provides a system wherein downward plug-flow of the catalyst bed is maintained over a wide range of counterflow rates of a hydrocarbon feed stream and hydrogen gas throughout the volume of the substantially packed catalyst bed. Such packed bed flow maintains substantially maximum volume and density of catalyst within a give vessel's design volume by controlling the size, shape and density of the catalyst so that the bed is not substantially expanded at the design rate of fluid flow therethrough.
The prior art does not disclose or suggest the above enumerated and pertinent features of either the total system or significant portions of such a system in U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,908 to Stangeland et al, as disclosed by the following patents:
Jacquin et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,312,741, is directed toward a catalyst replacement method in a hydroprocessing system by controlling the feed of hydrogen gas at one or more levels. Catalyst, as an ebullated bed counterflows through the reactor but is slowed at each of several levels by horizontally constricted areas which increase the hydrogen and hydrocarbon flow rates to sufficiently locally slow downward flow of catalyst. While local recycling thus occurs at each such stage, rapid through-flow of fresh catalyst, with resultant mixing with deactivated or contaminated catalyst, is suppressed. The ebullating bed aids simple gravity withdrawal of catalyst from the vessel. Improvement of the disclosed system over multiple vessels with valves between stages is suggested to avoid the risk of rapid wear and deterioration of valve seals by catalyst abrasion.
Kodera et al, U.S. Pat. No. 3,716,478, discloses low linear velocity of a mixed feed of liquid and H.sub.2 gas to avoid expansion (or contraction) of catalyst bed. By low linear velocity of fluid upflow, gas bubbles are controlled by flow through the packed bed, but the bed is fluidized by forming the bottom with a small cross-sectional area adjacent the withdrawal tube. This assists discharge of catalyst without backmixing of contaminated catalyst with fresh catalyst at the top of the single vessel. The range of bed level in the vessel is from 0.9 to 1.1 of the allowable bed volume (.+-.10%) due to fluid flow through the bed. A particular limitation of the system is that flow of the fluids undergoing catalytic reaction is restricted to a rate that will not exceed such limits, but must be adequate to ebullate the bed adjacent the catalyst withdrawal tube. Alternatively, injection of auxiliary fluid from a slidable pipe section is required. The patentees particularly specify that the diameter of the lower end of the vessel is smaller to increase turbulence and ebullation of catalyst adjacent the inlet to the catalyst withdrawal line. Fluidization of catalyst is accordingly indicated to be essential to the process. However, the disclosed gas flow rates are well below commercial flow rates and there is no suggestion of temperatures or pressures used in the tests or the size, density or shape of the catalyst.
Bischoff et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,571,326, is directed to an apparatus for withdrawing catalyst through the center of a catalyst bed counterflowing to a liquid hydrocarbon and gas feed stream. The system is particularly directed to arrangements for assuring uniform distribution of hydrogen gas with the liquid feed across the cross-sectional area of the bed. Such uniform distribution appears to be created because the bed is ebullating under the disclosed conditions of flow. Accordingly, considerable reactor space is used to initially mix the gas and hydrocarbon liquid feeds in the lower end of the vessel before flowing to other bottom feed distributors. The feeds are further mixed at a higher level by such distributor means in the form of "Sulzer Plates" or a "honeycomb" of hexagonal tubes beneath a truncated, conical, or pyramidal-shaped funnel screen. The arrangement may include an open ramp area parallel to the underside of the screen between the tube or plate ends. Further, to maintain gas distributions along the length of the catalyst bed, quench gas is supplied through upflowing jets in star-shaped or annular headers extending across middle portions of the vessel. The arrangement for withdrawal of spent catalyst requires ebullation of at least the lower portion of the bed. As noted above, added vessel space for uniform mixing of hydrogen and feed before introducing the fluids into an ebullated bed, as well as an ebullating bed, increases the required size of the hydroprocessing vessel, increases catalyst attrition, increases catalyst bed mixing and substantially increases initial, and continuing operating costs of the system.
Bischoff et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,639,354, more fully describes a method of hydroprocessing, similar to U.S. Pat. No. 4,571,326, wherein similar apparatus obtains uniform ebullation through the vertical height of a catalyst bed, including a quench gas step.
Meaux U.S. Pat. No. 3,336,217, is particularly directed to a catalyst withdrawal method from an ebullating bed reactor. In the system, catalyst accumulating at the bottom of a vessel and supported on a flat bubble-tray may be withdrawn through an inverted J-tube having a particular ratio of the volume of the short leg of the J-tube to the longer leg. The diameter of the J-tube is suited only to flow of catalyst from a body of catalyst ebullated by the upflowing hydrocarbon feed and gas.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,444,653 and 4,392,943, both to Euzen, et al, disclose removal systems for catalyst replacement in an ebullating bed. In these patents, the fluid charge including hydrocarbon containing gas is introduced by various arrangements of downwardly directed jets acting laterally against or directly onto the conical upper surface of the bed support screen or screens. Alternatively, the feed is introduced through a conical screen after passing through a distributor arrangement of tortuous paths or a multiplicity of separate tubes to mix the gas and liquid feed over the conical screen. Such arrangements use a considerable volume of the pressure vessel to assure such mixing.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,730,880 and 3,880,569, both to Van der Toorn, et al, disclose a series of catalytic reactors wherein catalyst moves downwardly by gravity from vessel to vessel through check valves. As noted above, such valves require opening and closing to regulate the rate of flow, or to start and stop catalyst transfer, with catalyst in the valve flow path. Feed of process fluids is either co-current or countercurrent through the catalyst bed.
Van ZijIlLanghaut et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,259,294, is directed to a system for continuous or periodic replacement of catalyst by entrainment of the catalyst in oil pumped as a slurry either to withdraw catalyst from or to supply fresh catalyst to, a reactor vessel. Reacting feed is suggested to be either co-current or countercurrent with catalyst flow through the reactor. Valves capable of closing with catalyst in the line, or after back-flow or slurry oil, are required to seal off the catalyst containing vessel at operating temperatures and pressures from the receiving reactor vessel, or isolate the catalyst receiving lock hopper from the withdrawal section of the vessel.
Carson, U.S. Pat. No. 3,470,900, and Sikama, U.S. Pat. No. 4,167,474, respectively illustrate multiple single bed reactors and multi-bed reactors in which catalyst is replaced either continuously or periodically. The feed and catalyst flow co-currently and/or radially. Catalyst is regenerated and returned to the reactor, or disposed of. No catalyst withdrawal system is disclosed apart from either the configuration of the internal bed support or the shape of the vessel bottom to assist gravity discharge of catalyst.
One of the basic principles and teachings of Stangeland et al in U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,908, is that by specifically selecting the size, shape, and density of the catalyst pellets, combined with appropriate control of process liquid and gas velocities, random motion and backmixing of the catalyst can be minimized, and plugflow characteristics of the catalyst downward and the liquid and gas flow upward, maximized. Stangeland et al economically utilizes space within a hydroprocessing vessel over a wide range of processing rates without substantial random motion or ebullation of a packed bed of catalyst during high counterflow rates of the hydrocarbon feed and a hydrogen containing gas through the packed bed, while maintaining continuous or intermittent replacement of catalyst for plug-like flow of the bed through the vessel. Such plug flow with high processing rates is obtained by Stangeland et al by selecting the size, shape and density of the catalyst particles to prevent ebullation and bed expansion at the design flow rate so as to maximize the amount of catalyst in the vessel during normal operation and during catalyst transfer. Catalysts are selected utilizing data gained while studying catalyst bed expansion, such as in a large pilot plant run, with liquid hydrocarbon, hydrogen and catalyst at the design pressures and flow velocities within the available reaction volume of the vessel. Catalyst is removed from the bed by Stangeland et al through laminar flow of the catalyst particles in a liquid slurry system in which the liquid flow line is uniform in diameter, and substantially larger than the catalyst particles, throughout the flow path between the reactor vessel and a pressurizable vessel including passageways through the flow control valves.
However, the method and apparatus disclosed by Stangeland et al in U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,908, as well as the methods and apparatus(es) taught by the above-identified prior art patents relating to U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,908 to Stangeland, et al, all teach and/or suggest a distributor plate assembly that should be essentially level in a reactor vessel containing the distributor plate assembly. Flow distribution of a hydrocarbon feed stream passing through a distributor plate assembly is sensitive to the levelness of the distributor plate assembly within the reactor vessel. Even for a perfectly level plate, gas flow would pulse because of sloshing and varying liquid level. If the distributor plate assembly is not level, distribution of the hydrocarbon feed stream throughout an associated catalyst bed within the reactor vessel is affected. Also, these prior art hydroprocessing methods and apparatuses are saddled at times with hydrogen-containing gas bubbles that are too large, which also could affect the distribution of the hydrocarbon feed stream throughout a catalyst bed within the reactor vessel. Therefore, what is needed and what has been invented is a method and an apparatus or distributor assembly that is capable of producing an excellent, steady and smooth flow of a mixture of a gas, (e.g. a hydrogen-containing gas) and a liquid (e.g. a liquid hydrocarbon) into a chamber (e.g. a plenum chamber) without the indicated deficiencies associated with the prior art methods and apparatuses.

Gas pocket distributor for hydroprocessing a hydrocarbon feed stream


A "no touch", two state switch is controlled by light emitted thereby which is reflected back to the switch to actuate or deactuate the switch when reflected by a hand or other object spaced from but adjacent to the switch.

Mechanical toggle-type switches requiring manual contact to operate are in widespread usage. Operation of such devices by persons with wet hands can be hazardous since physical contact with the toggle or handle is necessary. Also, physically impaired persons may have difficulty grasping or manipulating the moveable switch element.
While "no touch" switches are known, such devices typically operate on the principle of switching when an object passes between a source of light and a remote receptor for such light. Such an approach is not practical for use in many operating environments, including the home, as substitutes for simple toggle-type utility switches. A light receptor would have to be placed a considerable distance from the photoelectric or other light source and inadvertent or unwanted actuation of the switch is highly probable. For example, although such prior art arrangements may be suitable in situations where one wishes to actuate a switch when a person's body passes between the source of light and the receptor, such an arrangement would be impracticable if one plans to replace a normal toggle-type switch and its function. That is to say, prior art "no touch" switch devices do not allow the flexibility required insofar as individual switch actuation is concerned. For example, one may not desire to have a particular light or appliance associated with the switch actuated every time he or she passes through a room.
The following patents are believed to be representative of the current state of the prior art with respect to "no touch" switch devices: U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,791, issued Jan. 17, 1995, U.S. Pat. No. 5,008,529, issued Apr. 16, 1991, U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,158, issued Nov. 22, 1994, U.S. Pat. No. 5,142,199, issued Aug. 25, 1992, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,594,238, issued Jan. 14, 1997.

Control switch apparatus operable by an object placed adjacent thereto and spaced therefrom


A casing with housing space for retaining a first gear and a second gear in a condition where the tooth tips and both side surfaces slide, comprises a main casing which retains the first gear in a manner which allows rotation but restricts movement in the axial direction, and a gear holder which can move in the rotating shaft direction in the main casing and which rotatably retains the second gear. The main casing contains a biasing member which applies a biasing force to bias the gear holder to one side in the rotating shaft direction, and a piston which is acted on by hydraulic pressure and presses the gear holder on the other end side in the rotating shaft direction to counteract the biasing force. The gear holder is acted on by the hydraulic force from the piston to counteract the bias from the biasing member and moves in the rotating shaft direction according to the hydraulic force so that the engagement width between the first gear and the second gear which is retained by the gear holder is changed.

The capacity of this type of gear pump is determined by the tooth depth and tooth width or the like, and the discharge flow rate is determined by the capacity and the rotational speed of the gear (pump rotational speed). If the gear pump is used for instance as an oil pump which supplies lubricating oil to an vehicle engine, the capacity of this oil pump is set such that the quantity of oil required for lubrication can be provided even when the output of the driving engine and the rotational speed of the pump are low. Therefore, if the engine output and the rotational speed of the pump increase, the discharge flow rate will be excessive compared to the required amount, the unadjusted high drive force will be consumed by the oil pump, which may lead to loss of engine output.
A known gear pump which resolves this problem is a variable capacity gear pump where one or both of the drive gear and the driven gear are moved in the axial direction in order to reduce the gear engagement width and the capacity as the pump rotational speed increases (for instance, Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No. 2000-120559 and S57-73880). The gear pump of patent application 2000-120559 has a construction where two side plates on either side in the axial direction of the driven gear are provided, the support shaft of the driven gear is supported by both side plates, a biasing force is applied to the back surface of one side plate, and a pressing force which counteracts the biasing force is applied to the back surface of the other side plate based on the discharge fluid pressure. Thereby the driven gear which is between the two side plates will move in the axial direction to a position which balances the pressing force and the biasing force such that the gear engagement width is changed based on the discharge fluid pressure.
Conventionally, when the pressing force and the biasing force are balanced and the driven gear is stopped, the pressing force and the biasing force will act on the side plates in opposing directions to the driven gear, and therefore the support shaft must support the resistance to the load based on the pressing force and the biasing force. Therefore when the pressing force and the biasing force increase such that the side plates cannot provide resistance to this load, the side plates will move relative to the support shaft and will directly push against the side surface of the driven gear, and thereby a large sliding resistance will occur between the driven gear and the side plate, and the mechanical efficiency of the pump may be reduced.


A datagram relaying apparatus includes a plurality of protocol terminating units, and a destination determining processor. The destination determining processor includes a path selecting section which determines a transfer destination route for a stream of packets received from any of the protocol terminating units. The path selecting section determines whether or not transfer of the received stream of packets to the transfer destination route is in an inhibition state, and selects another transfer destination route when the transfer of the packet to the transfer destination route is in the inhibition state.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a datagram transfer apparatus and a datagram transfer method for executing a transfer destination determining process.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, the allocation of a load to a plurality of resources has been mainly developed in a field such as a load distribution within a client side proxy server firm on Web and selection of a rendezvous point in PIM-SM (Protocol Independent Multicast-Sparse Mode) that is one of multicast routing protocols. On the other hand, recently, the quick increase of Internet traffic makes data transmission in sufficient traffic difficult, even if only a TDM (Time Division Multiplexing) rate is increased in a link between routers, as in OC (Optical Carrier)-48 or OC-192. For this reasons a configuration in which a plurality of DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexer) channels are set in parallel is already introduced in North America.
FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration in which a plurality of DWDM channels are set in parallel. Referring to FIG. 1, data transfer apparatuses 100a to 100f have optical wave communication apparatuses 101a to 101f, respectively. The data transfer apparatuses 100a to 100f are connected by the plurality of optical wave channels through the optical wave communication apparatuses so that an optical wave link is established. Therefore, in FIG. 1, a router receiving a packet needs to select a router to be next transferred and additionally to select one of a plurality of paths connected to the selected router.
As another technique for data transmission in a sufficient throughput, an MPLS (MultiProtocol Label Switching) based traffic engineering is studied. This technique is aimed at optimization of load balance in a network or speed-up of a fault recovery in a complicated IP backbone network to which a recent topology technique is applied. For this purpose, a plurality of label switching paths (LSP) are set between an input router and an output router in the same area to accurately control a load without conventional destination address based transfer and a shortest path routing. FIG. 2 shows the configuration of a network of the MPLS-based traffic engineering as mentioned above. Referring to FIG. 2, two routers are used as an input router and an output router and two of LSP1 and LSP2 are allocated between the input router and output router. Also, a distribution ratio allocated to each LSP is set such that LSP1:LSP2=60%:40%. Therefore, a stream that reaches the input router and is transferred to the output router is divided to have the ratio of 3 to 2.
In the above next generation network, one or more paths are set for the same next hop router. For this reason, if different paths are allocated to packets forming the same flow, delay times in packet transmission are different for the respective routes. Therefore, there may be a case that an order of packets to be received by an end user is different from an order at a transmission source. In such a case, a re-transmission process may be carried out when packets including TCP segments such as a TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) session are transmitted through different paths so that the order is changed. The thus-retransmitted traffic is the additionally necessary traffic, which is not originally necessary. Therefore, the traffic amount is increased to thereby cause a network throughput to be deteriorated. Moreover, the change of a packet order in a real time session such as VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) causes deterioration in the transmission quality to an end user.
Therefore, in a router in a next generation network, it is important to allocate the same path to the packets of the same stream. Here, as a technique for allocating the same path to the packets of the same stream, a Hash-Threshold method disclosed by D. Thaler is known.
This Hash-Threshold method extracts a result after a HASH operation is carried out to flow identification data for identifying a flow included in a header of a received packet, as "Key". A CRC16 operation and the like may be considered as an example of the Hash operation. Therefore, this operation result implies the degeneration of the flow identification data, and is used when a transfer path is allocated to the flow in the following process. Also, in the Hash-Threshold method, if N kinds of next hop routers are present, a space defined in "Key" is divided into a plurality of sub-spaces in accordance with a distribution ratio of traffic, so that regions are defined.
Therefore, a boundary value between the regions is compared with "key" that is degeneration of the flow identification data and one of the regions to which the received packet belongs is specified. Then, the packet is transferred to a next hop router corresponding to the specified region. Therefore, a load is distributed.
FIG. 3 shows a specific example of such a method. Referring to FIG. 3, there are four kinds of next hop routers as a transfer destination of a packet. A space defined in "Key" is divided into four spaces. Also, boundary values between respective spaces are 16383, 32767 and 49151. In addition, it is supposed that a value of "Key" calculated by carrying out the CRC16 operation to a bit sequence of a total of 64 bits of an IP destination address (32 bits) and an IP Src address (32 bits) serving as data for identifying a packet is 35000. In this case, the value of 35000 that is the calculated "Key" is greater than the boundary value of 32767 and less than 49151. Therefore, a transfer destination is determined to be a next hop router 3, and the packet is transferred.
Through the above-mentioned operation, the Hash-Threshold method can attain "keeping of Packet Order" in the above-mentioned end user in the configuration in which a plurality of paths are listed as candidates with regard to a certain flow. Therefore, it is ensured that the same path can be allocated to the packets of the same flow.
However, the Hash-Threshold method has several problems represented as follows.
At first, a first problem is a problem that it is difficult to attain the Hash-Threshold method at a high speed in hardware. That is, in the Hash-Threshold method, it is necessary to read out a threshold data of "(transfer destination candidate count)-1" when a transfer destination candidate is solved in accordance with a flow identification data. For this reason, if there are 32 transfer destination candidates in maximum, it is necessary to read out the threshold hold data of 31 kinds within a minimum packet process time for arrival of each packet. Therefore, it is necessary to frequently carry out a memory access. This results in a problem that its process requires a long time.
A second problem is that the number of flows cannot be suppressed in which it is necessary to change allocation paths when the increase/decrease of parallel paths and the change in a load distribution ratio between the parallel paths are induced. Here, a rate of the flows having the allocation paths to be changed to the whole flows is referred to as "deterioration rate".
The above-mentioned problems imply that in a datagram transfer apparatus, especially, in the router for the above-mentioned next generation Internet, it is important to minimize the number of flows having the allocation path to be changed because of the increase/decrease of those parallel paths and the change in the load distribution ratio between array paths, namely, to minimize "deterioration rate". Therefore, "keeping of packet order" in the end user is important not only to protect a deterioration of a network throughput but also to improve a communication quality to the end user.
On the contrary, the reason why the order of the packets is not kept is that the packets of the same flow reach the end user through different routes. The reason why the packets of the same flow reach the end user through the different routes is that the different paths are allocated to the packets of the same flow.
For example, in the MPLS traffic engineering, there may be a case that a predetermined load allocation to LSP is changed in order to keep a load balance in a whole network. Similarly, on a plurality of channels set in parallel, if a load distribution of the best effort traffic is attained by using a non-reservation band, there may be a case that the load distribution ratio is changed in correspondence to a variation of a reservation band.
Moreover, in a network using a future WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplex), a case is expected in which the number of parallel channels is increased because of switching between wavelength channels in accordance with a traffic variation, in addition to a reduction in the number of parallel channels caused by a communication fault or a maintenance.
In this way, the change of the load allocation to LSP, the change of the load distribution ratio to match with the variation of the reservation band, and the decrease/increase of the parallel channels cause the router to inevitably change the allocation of the path to the stream. Here, the change of the allocation of the path implies that the stream after the change is transmitted through a route different from a transmission route prior to the change. Therefore, a timing of a reception of the end user is deviated by a difference of a delay time peculiar to each route.
Therefore, naturally, when the flows for allocation paths to be changed are increased, namely, the so-called "deterioration rate" is increased, the order of the packets in the end user cannot be kept, which brings about the adverse influence such as the severe deterioration in the communication quality.
The process of the occurrence of the adverse influence in the Hash-Threshold method will be described below in detail by using the actual example shown in the drawings.
Referring to FIG. 4A, it is supposed that the equal load distribution by four next hop routers is attained to a space defined in a stream identifier. At this time, it is supposed that a fifth next hop router is newly added and the setting is changed such that the load distribution is equally carried out by the five next hop routers. In this case, the usage of the load distribution method according to the Hash-Threshold method results in the following problem. That is, besides a region in which a transfer destination is changed to a next hop router 5, the regions such as a region in which a transfer destination is changed from a next hop router 1 to a next hop router 2, a region in which a transfer destination is changed from the next hop router 2 to a next hop router 3 and a region which a transfer destination is changed from the next hop router 3 to a next hop router 4 is 30% of the whole region. Such a useless change of a transfer destination makes the transfer order of the packets impossible. This results in a problem that a throughput is largely deteriorated in the TCP traffic and the like.
If it is tried to theoretically solve the above-mentioned problems, it may be considered that the setting of regions shown in FIG. 4B can eliminate the region in which the transfer destination is uselessly changed except the next hop router 5. However, irrespectively of the existence of such theoretical concept, the reason why the above problems are present is that the Hash Threshold method directly compares the value of the boundary between the next hop routers with "Key" obtained as the operation result. For this reason, the Hash Threshold method can select the region to be allocated to one next hop router only in a continuous manner. This results in the problem of the occurrence of the unnecessarily many regions in which the transfer destination is changed. Hence, this leads to a problem of the increase of the "deterioration rate".
In conjunction with the above description, a routing apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Laid Open Patent Application (JP-A-Heisei 7-115434). The routing apparatus in a packet telecommunication network in which a transmission route of packets from among a plurality of routes in accordance with a predetermined order of priority levels. In the routing apparatus, a first route registering section stores ones having higher priority levels of the plurality of routes in the order of higher priority levels. A second route registering section stores ones of said plurality of routes other than said routes having higher priority levels in a predetermined ratio. A first route read section reads said routes from the first route registering section in the order of priority levels every time a call is originated. A first route selecting section determines whether the route read out by the first route read section could transmit the packets, to select the route, which can transmit the packets. A second route registering section sequentially updates a read start point each time a case where a route cannot be selected by the first route selecting section occurs, and reads the routes from the second route read section in order. A second route selecting section determines whether or not the route read out by the second route read section could transmit the packets, to select the route, which can transmit the packets.
Also, a server apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Laid Open Patent Application (JP-A-Heisei 10-198642). In this reference, the server apparatus is composed of a plurality of back-end servers 12 in which server processes 21 are provided to process a request of a client. Also, the server apparatus is composed of a front-end server 11 which receives a request from the client and which includes a request transfer control mechanism 113 for transferring the received request to an appropriate ones of said back-end servers 12. The request transfer control mechanism 113 determines said appropriate back-end servers 12 to which requests from the clients to the same service should be transferred, using the identification data of the clients. Therefore, the processing of one kind of service is distributed the plurality of back-end servers to improve the processing performance.
Also, a routing method is disclosed in Japanese Laid Open Patent Application (JP-A-Heisei 11-239181). In this reference, a connectionless packet transmission network is composed of a central processor and a plurality of router units provided at a plurality of nodes and connected with the above central processor. The central processor executes a process composed of a step of previously storing a loop from each of the router units to a destination and all routes without an excessive way, of a step of calculating a distribution ratio to all of the routes to a produce a routing table, using an evaluation function which contains a delay time of the packet from a transmission origin to the destination and a usage rate of the maximum load router unit having a maximum load in the packet transmission network, such that the value of the evaluation function is smaller, and of a step of transmits the routing table to each of the router units. Each of the router units executes a process composed of a step of storing the routing table transmitted from the central processor and of a step of routing an input packet using the stored routing table.

Datagram relaying apparatus with load distributing function


Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for transcoding and providing resources. A query is received. A resource is generated, and the resource, when processed by a client device, causes the client device to perform various operations. The operations include displaying a search result having an associated landing page and detecting user interaction with the search result. The operations include, in response to detecting user interaction with the search result, displaying a first portion of the landing page that is embedded within the resource and requesting, over a network, a second portion of the landing page. The operations include receiving the second portion of the landing page, and loading the second portion of the landing page. The generated resource is provided in response to the query.

Internet search engines aim to identify resources (e.g., web pages, images, text documents, multimedia content, etc.) that are relevant to a user's needs and to present information about the resources in a manner that is useful to the user. Users typically submit queries that indicate the information the users desire to retrieve. In response to the user-submitted queries, search engines then provide search results that identify resources or other information.


The process and system of the invention converts carbonaceous feedstock such as coal, hydrocarbon oil, natural gas, petroleum coke, oil shale, carbonaceous-containing waste oil, carbonaceous-containing medical waste, carbonaceous-containing hazardous waste, carbonaceous-containing medical waste, and mixtures thereof into electrical energy without the production of unwanted greenhouse emissions. The process and system uses a combination of a gasifier, e.g., a kiln, operating in the exit range of at least 700° to about 1600° C. (1300–2900° F.) to convert the carbonaceous feedstock and a greenhouse gas stream into a synthesis gas comprising mostly carbon monoxide and hydrogen without the need for expensive catalysts and or high pressure operations. One portion of the synthesis gas from the gasifier becomes electrochemically oxidized in an electricity-producing fuel cell into an exit gas comprising carbon dioxide and water. The latter is recycled back to the gasifier after a portion of water is condensed out. The second portion of the synthesis gas from the gasifier is converted into useful hydrocarbon products.

The burning of fossil fuels in boilers to raise high temperature, high-pressure steam that can be used to power turbo-electric generators produces a problem source of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, e.g. methane, ozone and fluorocarbons. This fossil fuel combustion, especially of coal, needs a technological fix to avoid the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases with their attendant undesirable release to the earth's atmosphere resulting in the absorption of solar radiation known as the greenhouse effect. Much of the world depends on coal for power. There have been significant efforts to develop clean coal technologies to greatly reduce the release of acid gases, such as sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides. However, to date none of these clean coal programs aim to eliminate the emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases. Efforts to use pure oxygen in power plants and gasification systems to avoid the diluting effects of nitrogen and to achieve higher efficiency suffers from the unacceptable cost of requiring an air separation plant and the problems of excessive temperatures in oxygen-fed combustion turbo-generators.
There is also widespread effort to increase the efficiency of power plants by utilizing advanced thermodynamic combined cycles, more efficient turbo-generators, improved condensers and cooling towers, and similar systems. A small portion of this effort involves the use of fossil fuel gasification processes, which are highly efficient because they avoid combustion and large combustion product emissions. Finally there is an effort by Westinghouse (Corporate literature, "SureCell®" 1996) and others to combine the use of advanced high temperature turbo-generators and fuel cells to accomplish conversion to electricity at about 70% instead of current conventional combined cycle power plants of about 47%.
Today there is worldwide concern that the atmospheric buildup of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases will start to have serious environmental consequences for the earth's tropospheric temperature, global rainfall distribution, water balance, severe weather storms, and similar consequences. Technological solutions are being demanded throughout the world.
The worldwide research establishment, encouraged by government funding from various agencies, continues to be focused on identifying commercially attractive gas separation technologies to remove carbon dioxide from stack gases and also attractive chemistry that will utilize this carbon dioxide as a raw material to manufacture useful products. This has, indeed, been a very large challenge with poor successes as summarized by the review papers; see Michele Aresta, and Eugenio Quaranta, "Carbon Dioxide: A Substitute for Phosgene," Chem. Tech. pp. 32–40, March 1997. and Bette Hileman, "Industry Considers CO2 Reduction Methods", Chem & Engr. News, pg. 30, Jun. 30, 1997. Trying to scrub the CO2 from stack gases and trying to chemically react the recovered CO2 clearly is not the right path of research because of the technical difficulty and the process expense of reacting carbon dioxide.

Process and system for converting carbonaceous feedstocks into energy without greenhouse gas emissions


A closed forced air system cools the electronic circuitry in a control console of an x-ray inspection station directed to food products in containers. A U-shaped tubular duct located beneath the console enclosure has both upwardly-directed ends attached to the bottom panel of the enclosure with openings provided for airflow communication, thus creating a closed loop air passageway. A pair of electric fans are installed at the upper ends of the U-shaped duct in manner to circulate air flow through the loop. Air in the enclosure, warmed by the electronic control circuitry, is drawn by one fan down into one arm of the U. The duct acts as a heat dissipater, and cool air at the opposite arm of the U is drawn by the other fan back up into the enclosure. The bottom of the U-shaped duct is attached to a front region of a support platform at the floor level and thus the arms of the U serve as a front pair of supports. A straight tubular support strut, extending from the enclosure down to a rear portion of the platform as a rear support, may serve as a wiring conduit.

X-rays have been used for inspection purposes for many years especially for the ability to detect impurities with higher density than the substance under test. Typically a shielded head-end unit including an x-ray source and an x-ray sensor is deployed onto a production line conveyor along which containers of food and beverages are moved through the head-end unit where they are automatically inspected in sequence.
Typically the x-ray source, sensor and conveyor driving mechanism are controlled from a control console which is located nearby in a separate enclosure and which usually includes a microprocessor along with electronic control and logic circuitry for administering the inspection program. This equipment consumes substantial electrical power and thus produces corresponding heat, which if not removed effectively, can expose the electronic circuitry to excessively high temperature, risking loss of reliability or even failure and shutdown due to thermal stress.
Many types of modern electronic equipment such as desktop computers rely on one or more air fans to remove excessive heat from components that are heat-producing and/or temperature-sensitive. Such cooling systems are typically "open" systems that draw air in from the surrounding room environment. Unfortunately, particularly in industrial environments, the air often contains dust, dirt and/or other contaminants to the extent that a filter is required on each fan. Even with a filter, there can be frequent need for maintenance which can include disassembly of the equipment to at least clean or replace the filter, and often it becomes necessary to clean the internal components, and particularly the fan blades which can become loaded with extraneous material and rendered ineffective.
Typical available electronic control equipment is packaged in enclosures of either desktop or rack-mounted type; however the production line environment often does not have suitable desktop space available in the desired location, and rack-mounting may be considered unacceptable due to cost or other reasons.

X-ray food inspection console support and cooling system


An image processing apparatus includes a histogram computation section that for a plurality of images with different light exposure amounts captured, computes for each of the images a histogram of the number of pixels a light exposure amount ratio computation section that, based on a degree of similarity between a profile of a first histogram computed from a first image out of the plurality of images and a profile of a second histogram computed from a second image out of the plurality of images, computes as a light exposure amount ratio a ratio between a light exposure amount for the first image and a light exposure amount for the second image, and a pixel value adjustment section that adjusts the pixel values of pixels contained in one image out of the first image and the second image based on the light exposure amount ratio.

Normally, when image capture is performed with an imaging apparatus such as a digital camera, limitations to the dynamic range of image sensors result in occasions arising in which there is white out of background, and faces of people are in-filled in black due to, for example, backlighting.
In order to eliminate such white out and black in-fill, a commonly known method to broaden the dynamic range is to synthesize together images captured with plural different image capture conditions that have different light exposure times. In such a method, for example, a short light exposure time image is captured set with a fast shutter speed, and a long light exposure time image is captured set with a slow shutter speed. Then, after performing brightness matching such that the brightness of the long light exposure time image and the short light exposure time image are equivalent, the long light exposure time image and the short light exposure time image are synthesized together by using the bright region of the short light exposure time image and using the dark region of the long light exposure time image. As a result, an unnatural join occurs in the brightness of the synthesized image when brightness matching has not been accurately performed, leading to a deterioration in quality of the synthesized image.
Moreover, when two images with different image capture times are synthesized together as described above, sometimes positional misalignment arises due to camera shake between the two images, and sometimes subject blur occurs due to the subject moving. If images in which camera shake and subject blur have occurred are employed to perform synthesis, then double images appear of the subject, with a deterioration in the quality of the synthesized image. There is a method proposed to eliminate quality deterioration of a synthesized image caused by such camera shake and subject blur by detecting camera shake and subject blur between two images, and then applying a correction during image synthesis. In such a method, an image is synthesized by performing alignment during image synthesis by translation movement of an image by the detected camera shake amount, or by using appropriate pixel values from out of the short light exposure time image and the long light exposure time image in the subject blur region.
A known detection method for such camera shake and subject blur is implemented based on differences in brightness values between two images. There is a need to accurately perform brightness alignment between the two images when camera shake or subject blur is detected based on the brightness value differences. When brightness alignment is not accurately performed, sometimes a large difference in brightness values also arises in regions that have not moved, and sometimes camera shake and subject blur are falsely detected, and inappropriate correction processing performed during image synthesis results in a deterioration in quality in the synthesized image.
As described above, there is a need to perform accurate brightness alignment during synthesizing together the short light exposure time image and the long light exposure time image. The light exposure amount ratio between the light exposure amount of the short light exposure time image and the light exposure amount of the long light exposure time image, which is needed in order to perform this brightness alignment, may be derived from image capture conditions such as the shutter speed. However, there is a possibility of the light exposure amount ratio in the actual captured image being different to the light exposure amount ratio in the derived image capture conditions due to changes in the lighting source environment or errors in the setting values.
There is a proposal for deriving the light exposure amount ratio from actual captured images. For example, there is a proposal for a method in which the light exposure amount ratio between the long light exposure time image signal and the short light exposure time image signal is detected for each of blocks that are formed by portioning up the captured image. In this method, based on the detected light exposure amount ratio for each of the blocks, gain adjustment is performed by block on the long light exposure signal and the short light exposure signal to broaden the dynamic range.
There is also a proposal to compare the peak value detected by a detection section against a threshold value, and to control the light exposure time of the short light exposure time. When the comparison result is within a fixed range, the light exposure time is further controlled such that the peak value matches the threshold value. In such a method, in the threshold values for the peak value detected by the detection section, values are set to widen the gradation of a high brightness subject. Moreover, gain control processing and gamma correction setting is performed by an AGC section so as to give a wide gradation of the short light exposure time image from the histogram distribution of the short light exposure time images. Even in synthesis processing between the short light exposure time image and the long light exposure time image, synthesis is performed at a predetermined rate matched to respective patterns out of patterns of histogram distributions.

Image processing apparatus, method and imaging apparatus


A Data Storage Device (DSD) includes a flash memory for storing data. Portions of the flash memory are grouped into logical groups based on at least one of a number of Program/Erase (P/E) cycles and a physical level location of the portions of the flash memory. A command performance latency is monitored for each logical group, and at least one polling time for each respective logical is set based on the monitored command performance latency for the logical group. The at least one polling time indicates a time to wait before checking whether a portion of the flash memory in the logical group has completed a command.

Data Storage Devices (DSDs) are often used to record data onto or to reproduce data from a storage media. One type of storage media includes a flash memory, such as a NAND flash. In such DSDs, a controller may need to wait for one command to complete, such as a command to erase a block of NAND memory or to perform a write command, before another command in the same die can be performed, such as a read command. The controller waits before issuing the next command to the die until a status from the die indicates that the die is ready or available to perform the next command. In some cases, the controller may receive the status of the die from a dedicated pin on the die. However, as the size of DSDs has increased with more NAND flash dies, using dedicated pins to determine whether a die is busy has become impractical, because there are not enough pins or connections to the controller for each die.
A more recent method of determining whether a die is busy includes the use of status polling. In this approach, the controller sends a status request on a memory bus to the die to determine if the die is busy. The controller typically waits for an initial time period or an initial polling time following a command to the die before requesting a status. The status request may be repeated at a particular frequency or interval polling time until the die returns a ready status.
If polling times are too short, resources of the DSD are wasted with the preparation, tracking, and bus traffic created by excessive polling requests. On the other hand, if polling times are too long, the efficiency or performance of the flash memory is wasted in terms of the number of commands that can be performed in a given time period (e.g., Input/Output Operations Per Second (IOPS)), since the flash memory dies are generally available to perform the next command before receiving the controller's last status request.


This invention relates to a device and a method for sampling of milk. The device includes a collecting member (15, 15′) arranged to receive milk samples from a milk line (1), which is arranged to transport milk from one animal (3) at a time, and a passage (8a, 12″, 13) arranged to allow a milk flow from the milk line (1) to the collecting member (15, 15′). The device comprises flow means (11, 19) arranged to provide a milk flow, from the animal (3), through at least a part of the passage (8a, 12″, 13) at least a time period before a milk sample is to be taken in order to rinse at least the part of the passage (8a, 12″, 13) from milk residues from a previously milked animal.

The present invention relates to a device and a method for sampling of milk from an animal the milk of which is to be tested, wherein the device comprises a collecting member arranged to receive milk samples from a milk line, which is arranged to transport milk from one animal at a time, and a passage arranged to allow a milk flow from a milk line to the collecting member.
Sampling of milk is performed in order to analyse the quality of the milk. Thereby, the content of particular substances and the existent of bacterium in the milk of individual cows may be analysed. Usually, tubes having a relative small inner diameter are used for delivering milk samples from a milk line to a milk analysing device. Inevitably, milk residues from previous samplings are stored as a thin film along the inner walls of such tubes. Thereby, the amount of milk forming this film is not negligible in relation to the whole amount of milk in a sample. Consequently, the risk is obvious that milk samples conveyed in such tubes comprise a relatively high percentage of milk from previously milked cows. Thereby, the result of the analysis of a milk sample from a specific cow may be influenced of milk from previously milked cows.
Somatic cell count (SCC) defines the number of white cells per millilitre of milk. SCC scores are used as an international standard in determining the quality and the price of the milk. In order to determine the number of somatic cells in a milk sample, it is extremely important that the milk sample does not contain milk residuals from the previously milked cow, so-called carry over. In such a case, the measurement result could be completely incorrect. In an automatic milk arrangement, it is a desired to provide an automatic analysis of the number of somatic cell in the milk from individual cows. In this case, it is a problem to provide a quick and effective washing of the passage, through which milk samples are delivered to a milk analysing device.
WO 92/15196 shows an apparatus for sampling of milk from a milk line. The apparatus comprises a by-pass line comprising a pump, a timer, a sampling valve, and a test actuator. A milk flow is obtained in the by-pass line during a test period when the timer is set in a position, which initiates activation of the pump. Thus, a milk flow through the by-pass is here obtained during the sampling time period. There is a big risk that milk residues from a previous milked cow in the by-pass line are mixed with the milk sample of the cow, which is to be tested. In an embodiment of this invention, the milk is guided into the by-pass line via an inlet opening in a collector. After the milk has passed through the by-pass line, it is guided back to the milk line, via an outlet opening, to the collector. The outlet opening in the collector is positioned at a small distance downstream of the inlet opening. Especially at a low milk flow in the milk line, it is an obvious risk that milk from different cows is mixed in the collector and milk from previously milked cows is guided back into the inlet opening of the by-pass line.
DE 23 54 820 shows a milk line having an extension between a first container and a second container. A conduit has an extension between these containers in parallel with the ordinary milk line. A sampling device is arranged to allow sampling of the milk in the conduit. The sampling device, which has a relatively complex construction, is arranged to discharge milking samples from the conduit, via a branch conduit, to a sample container.

Device and a method for sampling of milk


An electrostatic spray device that maintains a consistent charge-to-mass ratio in order to maintain a consistent target spray quality is disclosed. During steady state conditions, the high voltage power supply adjusts the output voltage level in response to changing environmental and/or operating conditions. During transient conditions such as start-up, shut-down and changing flow rate conditions, the high voltage power supply ensures that the charge-to-mass ratio is maintained. During, start-up, for example, the high voltage power supply charges the high voltage electrode to a predetermined voltage level before the product is delivered to the charging location. During shut-down, the product delivery is stopped before the high voltage power supply shuts off power to the high voltage electrode, and during changes in product flow rate, the voltage level of the high voltage electrode is adjusted to maintain a consistent charge-to-mass ratio. The present invention also prevents afterspray by discharging the stored charge remaining in storage elements of the high voltage power supply.

Known portable electrostatic spray devices often suffer from poor, inconsistent spray quality when the charge-to-mass ratio of the product varies outside of a predetermined range. This may occur during transient conditions such as start-up and shut-down, or during steady state conditions such as when environmental conditions vary the load seen by the electrostatic spray device. In start-up conditions, for example, if the electrostatic spray device is allowed to begin spraying before the power supply circuit has fully charged the electrode to a desired potential, then the charge-to-mass ratio of the resulting spray may be below a desired level and may result in a poor quality spray exhibiting larger than desired droplet sizes and uneven spray patterns. Alternatively, after the electrostatic spray device has been turned off, charge stored in capacitive elements of the device may still be present and result in an after-spray condition until the charge in the capacitive elements has dissipated enough to stop a continuing flow of product from the nozzle of the electrostatic spray device. Further, during operation changes in environmental conditions such as humidity may significantly change the load seen by the high voltage power supply. Changes in the load will also affect the charge-to-mass ratio of the product and will alter the characteristics of the product spray.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,549,243 issued to Owen (the "Owen reference") describes an electrostatic spraying apparatus that can be held in the human hand for applications such as graphic work where it is desired that the area to which the spray is applied can be precisely controlled (Col 1,11 5-9). A feature of the device disclosed in the Owen reference is that provisions may be made with said device for varying the potential applied to the nozzle, for example by varying the generator output, e.g. the frequency of production of high voltage pulses and/or their magnitude. The Owen reference discloses that this is advantageous since it enables fine, narrow, sprays to be produced (Col. 6, 11 37-42). Although the Owen reference does recognize a benefit for changing the output of the high voltage generator, the reference does not disclose sensing a spray load and adjusting the output of a high voltage power supply in response to a changing spray load. Nor does the Owen reference disclose providing user adjustable flow rates or for synchronizing the output of the high voltage power supply with the product flow rate to consistently obtain an optimal charge-to-mass ratio.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,884 issued to Noakes (the "Noakes reference") presents an electrostatic sprayer designed such that potential surface leakage paths along which current may leak from the HT generator are sufficiently long to allow the use of a generator having a smaller than conventional maximum current output (Abstract). The benefit of reducing the current output required from the generator enables it to be built less expensively (Col 1, 11 12-14). Further, the Noakes reference identifies that the majority of the current supplied by the high voltage generator is surface leakage and unwanted corona discharge, only a portion being current actually used to charge the spray (Col 1, 11 33-37). The solution set forth by Noakes is to limit the surface leakage paths and to account for the leakage current in the current produced by the HT generator. An inherent problem with predicting the losses from the HT generator arises when operating a device in varying atmospheric conditions. With a change in atmospheric conditions (e.g. increased humidity) loses associated with corona discharge and surface leakage can either increase or decrease. To ensure that a particular device is capable of operation in a variety of atmospheric conditions, the device would need to be designed to function in the worst possible atmospheric condition (i.e. atmospheric condition corresponding with the highest corona discharge or surface leakage current). This would require operating a power supply for the worst case atmospheric condition thereby generating a significant amount of extra energy in atmospheric conditions that are not the worst case atmospheric conditions. Operating the power supply in this manner leads to an excess drain on battery power and increasing the possibility of charge build-up within the device leading to increased shock potential.