A tracer solution suitable for use in measuring flow velocities in a borehole, includes: a) a gadolinium salt of a carboxylic acid of general formula ##STR1## where R is an alkyl of not less than four carbon atoms, typically C4 or C5 alkyl, and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are hydrogen or an alkyl group, typically hydrogen, methyl or ethyl; b) a free branched-chain carboxylic acid such as an excess of the acid used to form the Gd salt; and c) a non-polar solvent such as hexane or heptane. The Gd content of the solution should be not less than about 50 g/l and is best when it is as high as possible, for example greater than 100 g/l, and the viscosity should be less than 20 cP.

The fluids produced by a hydrocarbon well typically comprise a hydrocarbon (oil) phase and an aqueous (water) phase and sometimes a gas phase. One of these phases, often the aqueous phase, is continuous and the other phase is dispersed therein. Knowledge of the proportions of these phases and their flow velocities is required to determine the flow rates from the well of the various phases. Many methods have been proposed for determining flow velocities in single-phase phase or multi-phase flows. One particular approach which is applicable to measuring flows in wells is to introduce tracers into the flow and to measure the passage of these tracers past a measurement station to make a measurement of the flow. One example of a tracer technique is the introduction of a saline solution into the flow and the measurement of the change in electrical conductivity as the tracer passes the measurement station. However, problems can arise due to the natural salinity of the formation water and such a technique only measures the aqueous phase and so cannot be used in isolation to provide all of the required measurements in a hydrocarbon well. As an alternative to saline solutions, radioactive tracers have been used to measure single-phase and multi-phase flows. These tracers can be made either oil-soluble or water-soluble and so the technique can be used to measure both phases in a hydrocarbon well. One example of the use of radioactive tracers to determine water flow behind casing (outside the well) is found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,784,828. An example of a tool used to make such measurements of flow inside hydrocarbon wells is the Tracer Ejection Tool of Schlumberger which is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,166,215 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,166,216. Minor amounts of suitable radioactive tracer such as iodine 131 are periodically discharged into the continuous-phase well fluid at a selected depth location in the well. Thereafter, by simultaneously measuring the level of radioactivity above and below that location, measurements are obtained which are representative of one or more dynamic flow characteristics of the continuous phase. These measurements are based on the travel time of the tracer from the location where it is discharged into the flow to the measurement stations. Since the ejection of radioactive materials into the fluids that are subsequently produced from the well is often considered undesirable, alternative methods using nuclear radiation techniques have been proposed. These alternative techniques produce short-lived activation components in the flow to provide the radioactive material which is detected, but which is no longer radioactive by the time the fluids are produced from the well. An example of this is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,233,508 in which the fluid being monitored is irradiated with neutrons such that oxygen atoms are transformed into radioactive nitrogen atoms which decay by emitting .gamma. radiation which is detected at the measurement station. This method of activating a component of the flow only measures the aqueous phase since the oil phase does not include a significant concentration of oxygen atoms which become activated by neutron radiation. Further examples of the use of tracer ejection or activation techniques for measuring flows in wells are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,047,632 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,306,911.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,617 (incorporated herein by reference) discloses a method of measuring the flow velocity of one phase in a multi-phase flow, comprising the steps of creating a nuclear radiation environment around a measurement location in the flowing fluid at which radiation is detected; ejecting a tracer into the flowing fluid upstream of the measurement station which affects detection of the radiation at the measurement location as it passes; making a time-based measurement of the radiation at the measurement location to include passage of the tracer so as to determine the effect of the tracer on the detection of radiation; and using the time-based measurement to determine the flow velocity. A suitable tracer suggested for such a method is a gadolinium-containing compound. Suitable oil miscible tracers include gadolinium brine-in-oil emulsions and Gd tagged organic compounds which can also be oil-soluble. Brine-in-oil emulsions can be prepared using mineral oil, GdCl.sub.3 brines, and a surfactant such as EMUL-HT. A suitable oil-soluble tracer has the general formula Gd(RCOO).sub.3 wherein R is typically CH.sub.3 (CH.sub.2).sub.4. An alternative version of the tracer includes six additional CH.sub.2 groups.
To be effective as a tracer in such a technique, it is necessary that the tracer include a relatively high concentration of gadolinium. It is known that high concentrations of transition metals such as lead, cobalt and manganese can be dissolved in non-polar organic solvents using naphthenic and related acids. The resulting compounds have been used in a variety of applications, including drying agents in paint, insecticidesibiocides and anti-knock additives in gasoline. A common feature of transition metal carboxylates is that their viscosities can be very high, even when dissolved in hydrocarbons at low concentrations; some heavy metal carboxylates have been used as lubricating greases. High viscosity is highly undesirable for a tracer for use in a technique such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,617 since it prevents injection of controlled quantities into the flow and dispersion of the tracer throughout the oil phase prior to measurement.
THE ALKALINE-EARTH & HEAVY METAL SOAPS pp 66-69, S. B. Elliot (Reinhold Publishing Corp. NY, USA, 1946) proposes a number of compounds as "dispersion agents" or "flow agents" for use in modifying the viscosity of heavy metal soaps. These compounds have been found to modify the viscosity of the compounds and prolong shelf life. However, none of these applications involve elevated temperatures or conditions similar to those found in oil wells.
Oil-soluble lanthanide compounds have been proposed for various uses. U.S. Pat. No. 4,755,469 discloses the use, as an oil-soluble tracer, of a Group VIB, Group VIIB or lanthanum series rare earth salt of a fatty acid having 5-35 carbon atoms. It is proposed to add the tracer to an oil to be traced and oil samples taken at a remote location and analyzed to see if the tracer, and hence the original oil, is present at that location. The analysis techniques proposed are typical laboratory analyses and the metal in the tracer is chosen so as to be readily distinguished from common formation fluid components. U.S. Pat. No. 4,522,631 discloses a diesel fuel soluble compound of a rare earth metal (including Gd) for use as a fuel performance modifier. The compound typically has 3-25 carbon atoms and metal carbonyls are preferred. These compounds, together with an oxygenated compound such as an alkylcarbitol, aldehyde, ketone, alcohol or ether, are added to the fuel to provide a solution of 0.001-0.1 wt % rare earth in fuel.
None of the prior Gd compounds have been found suitable for use in a tracer flow velocity measurement technique.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a Gd compound in a form which is oil-soluble and has sufficient Gd content to be useful as a tracer in flow velocity measurement technique. Such a tracer ideally will have relatively low viscosity which is retained even though the tracer may be subjected to elevation of temperature or temperature cycling prior to use.

Oil-soluble tracer solutions containing gadolinium compounds


A system for a vehicle, comprising of a diesel engine having an intake system and an exhaust system, a first EGR loop coupled between said intake system and said exhaust system and having a first valve and a first cooler located therein, a second EGR loop coupled between said intake system and said exhaust system and having a second valve and a second cooler located therein, and a control system operating the first and second valves in a first condition where both valves provide EGR flow to the engine, and at least temporarily increasing flow in the first EGR loop and decreasing flow in the second EGR loop when EGR flow is decreased to a condition where buildup in one of said coolers is increased.

Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) systems may be used in diesel internal combustion engines to reduce NOx emissions. In the combustion chambers, the recirculated exhaust gas acts as an inert gas, thus lowering the flame and in-cylinder gas temperature and decreasing the formation of NOx. Further, EGR systems may include coolers to cool the exhaust gas before it is introduced into an intake manifold of a diesel engine.
One approach to utilize multiple EGR loops is described in U.S. 2005/0028515. In this system, an exhaust control apparatus is applied to an internal combustion engine in which intake sides of a plurality of cylinder groups are connected to a common intake passage and exhaust sides thereof are connected to different exhaust passages. The system includes an exhaust gas flow amount adjusting device for causing a flow amount of exhaust gas, which is discharged through each of the exhaust passages of the cylinder groups, to be changed, an exhaust gas flow amount difference estimating device for estimating a difference in an exhaust gas flow amount between the exhaust passages of the cylinder groups, and an exhaust gas flow amount control device for controlling the exhaust gas flow amount adjusting device so as to reduce the estimated difference in the exhaust gas flow amount.
However, the inventors herein have recognized a disadvantage with such an approach. In particular, at low mass EGR flows and/or low EGR gas temperatures, solids such as soot, lacquer, tar, etc. may build up in the EGR cooler over a period of time. This build up can reduce gas flow, increase pressure drop, and reduces cooling efficiency.
The above issue may be solved by a system for a vehicle having a diesel engine with multiple EGR loops, where a control system is provided to adjust operation of valves in the EGR loops in a first condition where both valves provide EGR flow to the engine, and then at least temporarily increase flow in the first EGR loop and decrease flow in the second EGR loop when EGR flow is decreased to a condition where buildup in one of said coolers is increased. In this way, the buildup in the loop having increased flow can be reduced via the increased flow rate, flow velocity, and/or temperature, and the buildup in the second loop can be reduced by reducing the amount of flow, or possibly reduced by stopping the flow. Further, by coordinating the adjustments in this way, the engine can still receive the desired total amount of EGR flow dictated via the current operating conditions.
In addition, by selective placement of EGR inlets and/or outlets, sufficient mixing of EGR with fresh air may be provided. For example, one or more EGR inlets may be position in an intake manifold upstream of a split of flow to separate cylinder groups or banks.
In an alternative approach, the above issues may be addressed by a method of operating an engine having a first exhaust gas recirculation loop and second exhaust gas recirculation loop, the loops having respectively a first and second valve located therein and a first and second cooler located therein. The method comprises during a first condition, operating with both the first and second valves providing at least some flow; and during a second condition, operating with the first valve providing more flow to the first cooler than during said first condition and the second valve providing less flow to the second cooler than during said first condition.
Note that the above examples may include various modifications. For example, more than two EGR loops may be provided, and the loops may be provided in different relative locations, such as one loop being operated at a higher pressure level than the other due to turbocharger operation.
Further, it may be possible to alternate the operation of the EGR loops during the second condition, for example, to provide even aging and buildup reduction of the loops and engine cylinders, for example. However, if one loop is more prone to build up, that loop can be operated proportionally more often, or longer, with the higher flow.
Further still variations may also be used as described in more detail herein.

Alternative left/right bank EGR loop operation to improve fouling resistance during low mass flow engine mode


Compositions comprising activatable recombinant neurotoxins and polypeptides derived therefrom. The invention also comprises nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, and methods of making such polypeptides and nucleic acids.

Neurotoxins, such as those obtained from Clostridium botulinum and Clostridium tetani, are highly potent and specific poisons of neural cells, and other cells when delivered within such cells for therapeutic purposes. These Gram positive bacteria express two related but distinct toxins types, each comprising two disulfide-linked amino acid chains: a light chain (L) of about 50 KDa and a heavy chain (H) of about 100 KDa, which are wholly responsible for the symptoms of these diseases. The holotoxin is synthesised in vivo as a single chain, then nicked in a post-translational modification to form the active neurotoxin comprising the separate L and H chains.
The tetanus and botulinum toxins are among the most lethal substances known to man, having a lethal dose in humans of between 0.1 ng and 1 ng per kilogram of body weight. Tonello et al., Adv. Exp. Med. & Biol.389:251-260 (1996). Both toxins function by inhibiting neurotransmitter release in affected neurons. The tetanus neurotoxin (TeTx) acts mainly in the central nervous system, while botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) acts at the neuromuscular junction and other cholinergic synapses in the peripheral nervous system; both act by inhibiting neurotransmitter release from the axon of the affected neuron into the synapse, resulting in paralysis.
The tetanus neurotoxin (TeTx) is known to exist in one immunologically distinct type; the botulinum neurotoxins (BoNT) are known to occur in seven different immunogenic types, termed BoNT/A through BoNT/G. While all of these types are produced by isolates of C. botulinum, two other species, C. baratii and C. butyricum also produce toxins similar to /F and /E, respectively. See e.g., Coffield et al., The Site and Mechanism of Action of Botulinum Neurotoxin in Therapy with Botulinum Toxin 3-13(Jankovic J. & Hallett M. eds. 1994), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Regardless of type, the molecular mechanism of intoxication appears to be similar. In the first step of the process, the toxin binds to the presynaptic membrane of the target neuron through a specific interaction between the heavy (H) chain and a cell surface receptor; the receptor is thought to be different for each type of botulinum toxin and for TeTx. Dolly et al., Seminars in Neuroscience 6:149-158 (1994), incorporated by reference herein. The carboxyl terminus of the heavy chain appears to be important for targeting of the toxin to the cell surface. Id.
In the second step, the toxin crosses the plasma membrane of the poisoned cell. The toxin is first engulfed by the cell through receptor-mediated endocytosis, and an endosome containing the toxin is formed. The toxin then escapes the endosome into the cytoplasm of the cell. This last step is thought to be mediated by the amino terminus of the H chain, which triggers a conformational change of the toxin in response to a pH of about 5.5 or lower. Endosomes are known to possess a proton pump which decreases intra endosomal pH. The conformational shift exposes hydrophobic residues in the toxin, which permits the toxin to embed itself in the endosomal membrane. The toxin then translocates through the endosomal membrane into the cytosol.
The last step of the mechanism of botulinum toxin activity appears to involve reduction of the disulfide bond joining the H and light (L) chain. The entire toxic activity of botulinum and tetanus toxins is contained in the L chain of the holotoxin; the L chain is a zinc (Zn++) endopeptidase which selectively cleaves proteins essential for recognition and docking of neurotransmitter-containing vesicles with the cytoplasmic surface of the plasma membrane, and fusion of the vesicles with the plasma membrane. TeTx, BoNT/B BoNT/D, BoNT/F, and BoNT/G cause degradation of synaptobrevin (also called vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP)), a synaptosomal membrane protein. Most of the cytosolic domain of VAMP extending from the surface of the synaptic vesicle is removed as a result of any one of these cleavage events. Each toxin (except TeTx and BoNT/B) specifically cleaves a different bond.
BoNT/A and /E selectively cleave the plasma membrane-associated protein SNAP-25; this protein, which is also cleaved by BoNT/C1 (Foran et al., Biochem. 35:2630-2636 (1996)), is predominantly bound to and present on the cytosolic surface of the plasma membrane. BoNT/C cleaves syntaxin, an integral protein having most of its mass exposed to the cytosol. Syntaxin interacts with the calcium channels at presynaptic terminal active zones. See Tonello et al., Tetanus and Botulinum Neurotoxins in Intracellular Protein Catabolism 251-260 (Suzuki K. & Bond J. eds. 1996), the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference as part of this specification.
Both TeTx and BoNT are taken up at the neuromuscular junction. BoNT remains within peripheral neurons, and blocks release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from these cells. Through its receptor, TeTx enters vesicles that move in a retrograde manner along the axon to the soma, and is discharged into the intersynaptic space between motor neurons and the inhibitory neurons of the spinal cord. At this point, TeTx binds receptors of the inhibitory neurons, is again internalized, and the light chain enters the cytosol to block the release of the inhibitory neurotransmitters 4-aminobutyric acid(GABA) and glycine from these cells.
Because of its specifically localized effects, minute doses of BoNT have been used since 1981 as therapeutic agents in the treatment of patients suffering from dystonias, including strabismus (misalignment of the eye), bephlarospasm (involuntary eyelid closure) and hemifacial spasm. See e.g., Borodic et al, Pharmacology and Histology of the Therapeutic Application of Botulinum Toxin in Therapy with Botulinum Toxin 119-157 (Jankovic J. & Hallett eds. 1994), hereby incorporated by reference herein. Of the seven toxin types, BoNT/A is the most potent of the BoNTs, and the best characterized. Intramuscular injection of spastic tissue with small quantities of BoNT/A has also been used effectively to treat spasticity due to brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy. The extent of paralysis depends on both the dose and volume delivered to the target site.
Although the L chain is the moiety responsible for neural intoxication, it must be delivered to the neural cytoplasm in order to be toxic. Similarly, the single chain holotoxin pro-forms exhibit relatively low toxicity until they are cleaved at one or more peptide bonds in an exposed loop region between their H and L chains to create the fully-active mature neurotoxins. As implied in the mechanism provided above, the H chain of each neurotoxin is essential for cell receptor binding and endocytosis, while both the L and the H chains (and an intact disufide bond) are required for translocation of the toxin into the cytoplasm. As indicated above, the L chain alone is responsible for the toxicity caused by inhibition of acetylcholine secretion.
Despite the clear therapeutic efficacy of clostridial neurotoxin preparations, industrial production of the toxin is difficult. Production of neurotoxin from anaerobic Clostridium cultures is a cumbersome and time-consuming process including a multi-step purification protocol involving several protein precipitation steps and either prolonged and repeated crystallisation of the toxin or several stages of column chromatography. Significantly, the high toxicity of the product dictates that the procedure must be performed under strict containment (BL-3). During the fermentation process, the folded single-chain neurotoxins are activated by endogenous clostridial proteases through a process termed nicking. This involves the removal of approximately 10 amino acid residues from the single-chain to create the dichain form in which the two chains remain covalently linked through the interchain disulfide bond.
The nicked neurotoxin is much more active than the unnicked form. The amount and precise location of nicking varies with the serotypes of the bacteria producing the toxin. The differences in single-chain neurotoxin activation and, hence, the yield of nicked toxin, are due to variations in the type and amounts of proteolytic activity produced by a given strain. For example, greater than 99% of C. botulinum type A single-chain neurotoxin is activated by the Hall A C. botulinum strain, whereas type B and E strains produce toxins with lower amounts of activation (0 to 75% depending upon the fermentation time). Thus, the high toxicity of the mature neurotoxin plays a major part in the commercial manufacture of neurotoxins as therapeutic agents.
The degree of activation of engineered clostridial toxins is, therefore, an important consideration for manufacture of these materials. It would be a major advantage if neurotoxins such as BoNT and TeTx could be expressed in high yield in rapidly-growing bacteria (such as heterologous E. coli cells) as relatively non-toxic single-chains (or single chains having reduced toxic activity) which are safe, easy to isolate and simple to convert to the fully-active form.
With safety being a prime concern, previous work has concentrated on the expression in E. coli and purification of individual H and L chains of TeTx and BoNT; these isolated chains are, by themselves, non-toxic; see Li et al., Biochemistry 33:7014-7020 (1994); Zhou et al., Biochemistry 34:15175-15181 (1995), hereby incorporated by reference herein. Following the separate production of these peptide chains and under strictly controlled conditions the H and L subunits can be combined by oxidative disulphide linkage to form the neuroparalytic di-chains. Unfortunately, this strategy has several drawbacks.
Firstly, it is not practical to express and isolate large amounts of the individual chains; in particular, in the absence of the L chain the isolated H chain is quite insoluble in aqueous solution and is highly susceptible to proteolytic degradation. Secondly, the in vitro oxidation of the individually expressed and purified H and L chains to produce the active di-chain is very inefficient, and leads to low yields of active toxin and the production of many inactive incorrectly folded or oxidized forms. The purification of the correctly folded and oxidized H and L chain-containing toxin is difficult, as is its separation from these inactive forms and the unreacted separate H and L chains.
It would therefore be useful and advantageous to express clostridial neurotoxins as inactive (or less active) single-chain forms, to eliminate the need for the time-consuming and inefficient reconstitution of the constituent chains, to maintain solubility of the protein chains, to reduce protein misfolding and consequent susceptibility to protease attack, to improve toxin yield, and/or to provide a simple method for the purification of the toxin.
Additionally, it would be useful to engineer these toxins to provide single-chain, modified neurotoxin molecules having novel therapeutic properties and/or longer duration of action, or toxic or non-toxic forms for use as transport molecules capable of delivering a therapeutic moiety to nerve or other cell types. By expressing such proteins as a single chain, the yield and purification of the engineered proteins would be vastly improved.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


The present invention provides a process for generating an aqueous solution containing at least one active bromine compound comprising the steps of: electrolyzing an aqueous solution containing bromide ions until bromate ions are formed in said aqueous solution; and introducing to the aqueous solution containing bromate ions an acid to generate an aqueous solution containing at least one active bromine compound. The present invention also provides an apparatus for generating an aqueous solution containing at least one active bromine compound. The aqueous solution containing the active bromine compound(s) generated using the process and apparatus of the present invention may be used for water treatment and the recovery of precious metals such as gold.

This invention relates to an improved process for generating an aqueous solution containing at least one active bromine compound which may be used for water treatment and the recovery of precious metals such as gold.
The electrogeneration of bromine is well known. The typical process for electrogenerating bromine is described in European Patent Application Publication No. 476,862, published Mar. 25, 1992, filed in the name of Great Lakes Chemical Corporation. In that process, an aqueous solution containing sodium bromide is electrolyzed at a controlled acidic pH to produce the desired bromine solution. The oxidation of the bromide ion to bromine at acidic pH yields 1.0 g bromine equivalent per 1.0 g bromide. Volatile hydrogen is also formed which must be ventilated by some means. This process for generating bromine is inadequate, however, since the yield of bromine per starting bromide material is low due to the chemistry of the reaction, and some of the bromine is invariably lost during ventilation of the volatile hydrogen gas.
Equivalent bromine in the form of hypobromous acid also has been formed by electrolyzing a solution containing a combination of chloride and bromide ions as described in European Patent No. 391,924, issued Mar. 25, 1992, to Cogent Limited ("the Cogent Limited EP Patent"). In that process, the optimal yield of hypobromous acid is generated by starting with an initial molar ratio of chloride:bromide of 4:1, and controlling the rate and period of electrolysis. This process is not adequate for generating bromine, however, because bromate, which has no biofouling control capabilities, is invariably formed. The Cogent EP Patent suggests that the formation of unwanted bromate may be minimized by reducing the period of electrolysis.
Aqueous bromine also may be formed from an aqueous mixture of bromide-bromate salts without electrolysis by acid addition as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,222,276, issued Dec. 7, 1965 to L. E. Belohlav and J. R. Underhill, Lafayette ("the Belohlav U.S. Patent"). Such a process for producing bromine on-site, however, is also not adequate because it is not economical and requires the transportation of hazardous (oxidizer) bromate.
The present invention provides an improved process for generating bromine which (1) substantially eliminates the formation of bromine gas at controlled acidic pH thus minimizing excess bromide consumption and reducing raw material costs; (2) substantially eliminates unwanted bromate contamination in the final bromine solution; and (3) does not require the transportation of hazardous (oxidizer) bromate.


A heat-dissipating interposer includes an insulating base, a plurality of conductive pillars and a thermal conducting frame. The insulating base includes a first surface and an opposite second surface. The conductive pillars are arranged on the insulating base. The conductive pillars protrude from the second surface. The height of the conductive pillars relative to the second surface is greater than the thickness of the insulating base. The thermal conducting frame is placed on the second surface and receives a heat-generating component. The interposer can be used in a package on package structure.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to packaging structures for semiconductor devices, particularly to an interposer and a package on package (POP) structure including the interposer.
2. Description of Related Art
In order for a POP structure to attain a high density integrated layout and a small area installation, two electric elements are electrically connected by a plurality of solder balls. The diameter of the solder ball may be in the range from 200 um to 300 um which is quite large. It is difficult to reduce the volume of the POP structure due to the large diameters of the solder ball and the large size of contact pad corresponding to the solder ball. The structural strength and integrity of the connection between the solder ball and the contact pad is not optimal due to the large diameter of the solder ball. So, the reliability of POP structure is not good. In addition, the bottom one of the two electric elements is usually provided between two circuit boards. Heat created by the bottom electric elements is hard to dissipate due to undesirable insulation given by the two circuit boards.
What is needed, therefore, is a POP structure that can overcome the described limitations.

Interposer and package on package structure


An improved deep wiper closure for open head shipping containers wherein the closure exhibits an upwardly opening channel in the closure structure between a wiper wall and a riser wall, the riser wall connecting the wiper wall with a planar central panel of the closure. Angled ribs, each preferably integrally attached to only one of the walls, are disposed in the channel to provide controlled flexure between the walls under extreme side impact conditions.

Plastic closures, typically injection molded from polyethylene, have been used for many years in combination with open head shipping containers. Such closures typically provide a "plug fit" with the container; i.e. the closure structure defines a circular, inverted U-shaped channel which opens downwardly to receive the top edge of the container therein. When applied to a container, the inside wall of the channel lies against the inside surface of the container. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,711,364 to Ilija Letica.
In closures intended for heavy duty usage, this inside wall, called a "wiper", can extend quite far into the container. In such designs, it is desirable to form another vertical circular wall, herein called a "riser wall", inboard of the wiper so that the center panel of the closure is placed closer to the top of the container wall; this effectively increases the container interior volume. In this case an upwardly opening U-shaped channel is formed between the wiper wall and the riser wall.
In prior art closures, bridge ribs have been formed integrally with and extending radially between the wiper wall and the riser wall to provide very high radial rigidity in the structure of the closure. It has been found, however, that these integral and radial bridge ribs act as stress concentrators in the event of extremely high side loads that are typically created when a container is inadvertently dropped on its side in a filled and sealed condition. Such extreme loads occasionally cause fracturing of the radial bridge ribs and/or the center panel of the closure structure, thereby creating a loss of structural integrity in the closure and possible spoilage or contamination of the contents within the container.


The present invention provides an optical system having an array of light emitting semiconductor devices to performing an operation that have multiple characteristics associated with performing the operation. The array includes at least one detector located within the array to selectively monitor multiple characteristics of the light emitting semiconductor devices and is configured to generate a signal corresponding to the selected characteristic. A controller is configured to control the light emitting semiconductor devices in response to the signal from the at least one detector. At least one of the multiple characteristics may be concentrated at an area of the array and the at least one detector may be located within the array at the area of the array to selectively monitor characteristic that is concentrated at the area of the array.

Light-emitting semiconductor devices may be arranged in various configurations, such as arrays, for lighting applications. These applications generally have associated parameters (e.g., a photoreaction may entail provision of one or more levels of radiant power, at one or more wavelengths, applied over one or more periods of time). In these applications, the light emitting semiconductor devices generally are employed to provide radiant output and otherwise operate in accordance with various, desired characteristics, e.g., temperature, spectral distribution and radiant power. At the same time, the light emitting semiconductor devices typically have certain operating specifications, which specifications generally are associated with the light emitting semiconductor devices' fabrication and, among other things, are directed to preclude destruction and/or forestall degradation of the devices. These specifications generally include operating temperatures and applied, electrical power.
Arrays of light emitting semiconductor devices have been constructed which provide for monitoring selected of the array's characteristics. Providing such monitoring enables verification of the array's proper operation and, in turn, determination as to whether the array is operating in any way other than properly. An array may be operating improperly with respect to either/both the application's parameters or/and the array's specifications.
Monitoring also supports control of an array's operation. Control, in turn, may be employed to enable and/or enhance the array's proper operation and/or performance of the application. Monitoring the array's operating temperature and radiant output supports control of the array, directly or indirectly, including through adjustment(s) in applied power and cooling (such as through a systemic cooling system). This control may be employed to enable and/or enhance balance between the array's radiant output and its operating temperature, so as, e.g., to preclude heating the array beyond its specifications.
Using control of the array in enabling/enhancing performance of an application may be illustrated via example. In this example, an array is used that is understood to include light emitting diodes (LEDs). Moreover, the application is understood to require provision, in sequence, of light in the red, then green and then blue spectra, at three respective energy levels, while maintaining a select temperature range relating to the work piece. In performing this application, control may again be directed to the array's applied power and to cooling, e.g., by a systemic cooling system. The control is again responsive to the monitoring of the array's operating temperature and radiant output. With this monitoring, the system is enabled to sense the energy applied to the work piece for the first wavelength, compare that energy to the respective energy level, while continually monitoring the temperature. If the temperature approaches its maximum, control may be employed to increase cooling, to decrease the radiant power, or both, while continuing to gauge the applied energy. Once the energy level for the first wavelength is reached, control powers off the LEDs associated with the first wavelength and powers on the LEDs associated with the next sequential wavelength, and so on.
Conventional approaches for monitoring and controlling an array typically propose to mount detectors around the array's perimeter or otherwise proximate to, but separate from the array. In doing so, the detectors detect radiant output or temperature associated with the whole, or relatively large portions of, the array. Moreover, responsive to such detection, the array generally is controlled as a whole, or in relatively large portions. Also, conventional industry approaches may use various detectors, alone or in combination: in some cases, only photo detectors are used; in other cases, only temperature sensors are used; in still other cases, both photo detectors and temperature sensors are used and, in still other cases, some other combination of detectors is used.
An example of conventional monitoring and control of a LED array is found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,078,148, to Hochstein, entitled Transformer Tap Switching Power Supply For LED Traffic Signal (the "'148 Patent"). The '148 Patent, generally, proposes to monitor and control a traffic signal's LED array using a single LED light detector, together with a controller, wherein the LED light detector is disposed proximate to the array (but not part of the array) so as to measure the luminous output of (i) one or more of the array's LEDs or (ii) a so-called "sample" LED which is not part of the array, but performs similarly. Responsive to that measurement, the '148 Patent proposes that the controller provide for selection from among a plurality of taps of a transformer, thereby adjusting the voltage applied to the LED array as a whole and maintaining the luminous output of the traffic signal's LED array. The '148 Patent also proposes (a) provision of a measurement device for measuring the temperature of the LED array generally, (b) selection of a tap responsive to such measurement and (c) associated adjustment of the voltage applied to the LED array as a whole.
Another example of conventional monitoring and control of a LED array is found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,683,421, to Kennedy et al., entitled Addressable Semiconductor Array Light Source For Localized Radiation Delivery (the "'421 Patent"), the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference as if recited in full herein, for all purposes. The '421 Patent proposes to monitor and control a photoreaction device that includes a LED array, a photo sensor and a temperature sensor. The photo sensor is proposed to preferably comprise semiconductor photodiodes that provide continuous monitoring of the light energy delivered to a work piece, so that irradiation may be controlled.
In one embodiment of the '421 Patent, the LED array is proposed to have an associated output window positioned above the LED array. The output window is proposed to be selected so that a small percentage of the LED array's light energy (typically less than 10%) is internally reflected within the window. This internally reflected light is proposed to be measured by the photo sensor. Not only is this reflected light measured, it is expressly specified that this configuration minimizes or prevents light energy reflected from the work piece or from external sources from being detected by the photo sensor. In order to measure the internally reflected light, the photo sensor is proposed to be positioned and configured for that function, e.g., using a series of photo sensors positioned around the perimeter of the output window. Moreover, it is expressly specified that this measurement using the series of photo sensors will detect changes in average optical power.
This embodiment has disadvantages. As an example, only average optical power is detected. That is, the window captures the internally reflected light from the entire array, which captured light is provided to the sensors. Accordingly, the sensors cannot determine where the LED array's radiant output may be improper and, as such, cannot make adjustments except across the entire array. As well, by seeking to minimize or prevent detection of light energy reflected from the work piece or from external sources, control based on such light energy is precluded.
In another embodiment, the '421 Patent proposes to employ optical fibers between columns of LEDs in the array. The '421 Patent proposes that these fibers, preferably, will be made of material which is able to receive sidewall light emissions from the LEDs of the adjacent column of the LED array. The '421 Patent further proposes that, as to each fiber, the received sidewall light emissions are directed through internal reflection toward a respective photo sensor, the photo sensor being positioned at the perimeter of the array, disposed at the end of the fiber. Apparently, as in the previous embodiment, each photo sensor will measure such light, detecting changes in average optical power.
This embodiment has disadvantages. Again, only an average optical power is detected. Average optical power is again understood in that each fiber captures internally reflected light from the plurality of LEDs disposed across an entire dimension of the array, which captured light is provided to the respective sensor. The respective sensor cannot determine where the LED array's radiant output may be improper across the implicated dimension and, as such, cannot make adjustments except across the entire set of LEDs associated with that fiber. In addition, because the fibers are disposed among the LEDs, in the plane of the array (i.e., so as to capture sidewall light emissions), use of the fibers precludes or degrades use of optics that, desirably, collect and collimate all or substantially all of the radiant output of each LED (such optics include, e.g., a grid of reflectors as proposed by the '421 Patent or a plurality of micro-reflectors in which individual LEDs are mounted, preferably on a one-to-one basis). As well, by detecting only sidewall light emissions, control based on detecting other light energy associated with the array is precluded.
In yet another embodiment, the '421 Patent proposes to position about a LED array a temperature sensor and a plurality of photo detectors. However, the '421 Patent omits to describe the disposition of the temperature sensor or the photo detectors relative to the plane of the LED array. It may be inferred that, as in the embodiment set forth above, the photo detectors are positioned above the array in association with a light guide, e.g., an output window. This inference follows as the '421 Patent expressly specifies that the LED die are arranged in a shape approximating a "filled square", which arrangement would leave no space for the temperature sensor or the photo detectors in the plane of the LED array.
This embodiment has disadvantages. With photo detectors positioned in association with the output window, disadvantages include those set out above respecting other embodiments using light guide(s) to collect detected output radiation. On the other hand, if a sensor or photo detector were placed in the LED array's plane, the sensor or detector would be disposed between the rows and columns of the LED array, contemplating having substantial space between the LEDs of the array. Such space generally is not desirable (i.e., typically, it is desirable to employ densely-packed LED arrays, wherein space between rows and columns of LEDs typically is insufficient to accept interposition of a semiconductor device, such as conventionally-sized sensor or detector).
In still another embodiment, the '421 Patent proposes to group the LEDs of the array into alternating rows, such that the odd rows would form one group and the even rows would form a second group. The '421 Patent further proposes that the odd rows would be energized as a group to emit light energy, including sidewall light emissions, and that the even rows would function, as a group, as a photo sensor (i.e., by generating a current proportional to the intensity of the impinging sidewall light emissions from the one group of odd rows). The '421 Patent further proposes that, the respective functions of the odd and even rows may be switched, so that the odd rows operate as the detecting group, while the even rows operate as the emitting group.
This embodiment has disadvantages. Again, average optical power is detected. Average optical power is again understood in that the detecting LEDs, as a group, detect the sidewall light emissions from the emitting group, which emitting group includes all the LEDs of all non-detecting rows of the entire array. The detecting group of LEDs cannot determine where the LED array's radiant output may be improper across any one or more rows of the emitting group and, as such, cannot make adjustments except for the entire group of emitting LEDs. As well, by detecting only sidewall light emissions, control based on detecting other light energy associated with the array is precluded. In addition, because of the potential for relatively substantial reduction of radiant output, it is generally not desirable to use any entire row in the LED array solely to detect, let alone using half of all rows of the LED array for detection.
Accordingly, there is a need for apparatus, systems and methods that employ detectors to monitor selected characteristics of a light emitting semiconductor devices, such as LED arrays. In addition, there is a need for such apparatus, systems and methods that so monitor, while minimizing or eliminating impact on the radiant output that otherwise might result from provision of detectors and related devices and/or structure. Moreover, there is a need for such apparatus, systems and methods that respond to variations and improvements in the light emitting semiconductor devices, including, as examples, where each LED of an LED array is mounted in a respective micro-reflector that collects and collimates the mounted LED's light and/or where the LED array is a dense array. Moreover, there is a need for such apparatus, systems and methods that respond to the applications employing such light emitting semiconductor devices, including, as examples in use of an LED array, by characterizing the LED array's operating characteristics specific to the application and/or by providing for control of the LEDs so as to enable or enhance performance of the application. Generally, there is also a need for apparatus, systems and methods that employ detectors to monitor and enable control of selected characteristics of light emitting semiconductor devices, such as LED arrays and, in doing so, avoid entirely or substantially the disadvantages associated with conventional approaches.

LED array having array-based LED detectors


A process and apparatus for the separation of vaporous heavy metal compounds from a carrier gas wherein the heavy metal compounds are cooled and desublimed. An apparatus for carrying out this process has a melting furnace with a discharge opening for a gas/ vapor mixture, which leads to a cooling device.. Vaporous heavy metal compounds can be separated from a carrier gas on a large industrial scale. In addition, the apparatus for carrying out this process is easy to operate. The gas/vapor mixture is turbulently mixed immediately after the discharge from the furnace in a mixing section with cold air and is thus cooled. During this cooling, the vaporous heavy metal compounds desublime and are filtered as particles in a filter.

1. Field of the invention
The invention starts from a process for separating vaporous heavy metal compounds from a carrier gas and desubliming them, in which the vaporous heavy metal compounds formed in a melting furnace are discharged together with the carrier gas as a gas/vapor mixture from this melting furnace and then desublimed. In particular, it also relates to an apparatus for carrying out this process, having a melting furnace with heating elements, in which a carrier gas forms a gas/vapor mixture with the vaporous heavy metal compounds, and having a discharge opening for the gas/vapor mixture, which leads to a cooling device.
2. Discussion of Background
It is known that vaporous heavy metal compounds can be discharged from melting furnaces by means of a carrier gas. When cooling of the discharged gas/vapor mixture then takes place in a cooling device, the vaporous heavy metal compounds are desublimed and a precipitate deposits in the cooling device. This precipitate must be removed from time to time, which can be carried out only by scraping out, with a comparatively large manual effort. This precipitate can be processed further only after this has been done. This process is too involved for large-scale industrial application.

Process for separating vaporous heavy metal compounds from a carrier gas and apparatus for carrying out the process


A semiconductor integrated circuit of a low power consumption type has modules (1) to which various supply voltages are provided. In each module (1), cells (3) are grouped into cell rows or cell columns. Only one of a wire (7) of a high supply voltage and a wire (5) of a low supply voltage is formed on each cell row or cell column in the module (1). Various supply voltages are provided into the target cell (3) through the electrical wires (5, 7).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor integrated circuit of a low power consumption type, and more particularly, it relates to a semiconductor integrated circuit of a low power consumption type that is capable of operating under a plurality of supply voltages.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, there have been significant advancements in architectures of semiconductor integrated circuits for processing various kinds of data such as image, video, and audio signal. Furthermore, a power consumption of semiconductor integrated circuits has been rapidly increased. For example, there are some processor chips in MPU (Microprocessor unit) and DSP (digital Signal Processing) whose power consumption becomes approximately more than several Watts from approximately several tens mW in 1980.
When the power consumption of a chip of a semiconductor integrated circuit is more than several watts, it is difficult to contain the chip in a plastic package that is relatively cheep in cost. This causes to increase the cost of packaging and cooling. Recently, since movable devices such as portable telephone devices and the like are the object of public attention all over the world and widely used, it is required to reduce a power consumption of a chip of a semiconductor integrated circuit so that the movable devices using a battery can be operated for a long time period. Under this circumstance, it becomes the important problem to reduce a power consumption of LSIs.
There are various technical approaches to reduce a power consumption of a CMOS circuit, for example, to reduce a load capacity and a switching probability. In general, because the power consumption is in proportion to the square of the voltage potential of a power source, it is more effective to reduce the voltage potential of the power source. However, when the voltage potential of the power source is reduced, the delay time of operation in a circuit is increased and the processing performance of the LSI is also decreased because the magnitude of a drain current in transistors is decreased.
In conventional techniques, various kinds of methods have been proposed in order to maintain the processing performance of the LSI.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of modules 21 and 23 incorporated in a conventional semiconductor integrated circuit 9. This conventional semiconductor integrated circuit 9 operates under different supply voltages in a same semiconductor chip, namely having modules as a low power cell region 21 designated by fine lines and modules as a high power cell region 23 designated by solid lines. It is thereby possible to reduce a power consumption of a semiconductor integrated circuit according to this configuration of the conventional semiconductor integrated circuit in which a supply voltage to be desired is changed per module.
However, this conventional configuration of the conventional semiconductor integrated circuit causes a case in which it becomes difficult to keep a desired operation speed in a module when the entire voltage potential for driving this module is reduced. For example, the driving performance of a cell in this module to drive a device as a large load located in the outside of this module is decreased and a delay time is increased by reducing the magnitude of the supply voltage. When this cell is on a signal line (as a critical pass) having a strict timing, the entire performance of the chip of the semiconductor integrated circuit is reduced.
In addition, a time required for switching gates incorporated in this cell becomes long, and the power consumption of this cell corresponding to the increasing of the magnitude of a penetrate current is also increased. Furthermore, this bad influence affects the following circuits because this cell generates bad signal outputs and provides the bad signal outputs to the following circuits. The generation of the bad signal outputs causes to increase a signal delay and a power consumption in the following circuits.
Thereby, the conventional semiconductor integrated circuit has a drawback in which it is difficult to obtain a desired merit or the performance of the conventional semiconductor integrated circuit becomes greatly low by reducing the magnitude of the supply voltage, because the magnitude of the supply voltage is changed per block or per module in the conventional semiconductor integrated circuit.

Semiconductor integrated circuit of low power consumption type


An adaptable vehicle driveshaft support apparatus comprising an elongated rigid main body having a first end and a second end, a first rigid arm extending from the first end of the elongated rigid main body with the first rigid arm including a driveshaft-supporting bracket thereon, a second rigid arm extending from the second end of the elongated rigid main body with the second rigid arm having a driveshaft supporting bracket thereon, and a mounting device attached to the main body for securing the rigid main body to a lifting device.

Large automobile vehicles such as trucks having front engines and rear wheel drive typically require long driveshaft to transmit torque from the engine to the rear wheels. In larger truck, design rule dictates that the aforementioned driveshaft comprises not one continuous shaft but at least two segmented shorter shaft joined together by universal joints.
During the life span of these large vehicles, various parts of the vehicle connected to or involving the driveshaft may need to be repair or replaced. During the process of repair or replacement of these parts, a mechanic may need to remove the driveshaft from the vehicle. The removal of the driveshaft from the vehicle is traditionally perform by the mechanic having to go underneath the vehicle and support an end of the driveshaft by hand while the mechanic unlocks or unbolts the end of the driveshaft from the vehicle. If required, the mechanic then performs a similar task at the opposing end of the driveshaft.
One of the main problems associated with the aforementioned task is that due to the size and length of larger vehicles such as trucks and semi-trucks, their driveshaft can weigh up to several hundred pounds. As such, it can often times be difficult and dangerous for a mechanic to go underneath the truck and remove the driveshaft from the vehicle and in most situations, multiple hands are required to help support the end of the driveshaft while the mechanic unlocks the end of the driveshaft from the vehicle. There thus is a need for a device that helps support the driveshaft of vehicles during the maintenance, repair and/or removal process of the driveshaft of these vehicles.


Application debug protocols that require waiting for responses between each request may be adversely affected if significant latency exists between a test device executing an application and a remote device used to debug the application. To address this, the test device is connected to a separate device that receives requests from the remote device. When a first request is received, the separate device determines other requests that are related to the first request, sequentially sends the other requests to the test device, and receives a response after each request, using a wired connection affected by less latency than communication with the remote device. The separate device then sends each of the requests and responses to the remote device for storage. When the remote device prepares to send a subsequent request, if a response can be determined using the stored data, the stored data is used to determine the response locally.

An application may function differently at different locations, on different devices, and under different network conditions. Acquiring information about the performance of a device at a remote location or using a remote network may be useful to improve performance of the application under different conditions than those locally available to an application developer. However, the exchange of data with a device associated with a remote location or network may be affected by significant latency, which may cause the acquisition of useful information to be difficult or impossible. For example, a debugging protocol used to communicate with a device at a remote location may require exchanges of individual requests and responses, each of which may be affected by significant latency.
While implementations are described in this disclosure by way of example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the implementations are not limited to the examples or figures described. It should be understood that the figures and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit implementations to the particular form disclosed but, on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope as defined by the appended claims. The headings used in this disclosure are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to) rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words "include", "including", and "includes" mean "including, but not limited to".

Systems for exchange of data between remote devices


An object of the present invention is to provide a resistive nonvolatile memory element having an electric current path which can be realized by a simple and convenient process, and capable of allowing for micro-fabrication.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a resistive nonvolatile memory element in which nanoparticles are used, and a method for producing the element in which a protein-inorganic nanoparticle complex is used.
2. Related Art
Although resistive memory elements are expected as one of novel nonvolatile memory elements, problems of needs for forming process (process of applying a high voltage after producing the element to initialize the characteristics of the element), and a large variation of characteristics among the elements are often caused. The forming process is considered as a process for forming a local electric current path inside the element, and the differences of the states of the produced electric current paths are believed to be responsible for such variation of characteristics. In addition, reduction of the electric current value required for the memory operation would be preferable since electric power consumption in connection with the memory driving can be reduced. When the electric current density of the element can be reduced, the electric current value to be required can be decreased even with elements having an identical size. The term "electric current density of element" herein means the electric current density of the element, as a whole, i.e., a value derived by dividing the electric current value required for the element operation by the area of the entire element, unless otherwise described in particular.
In order to solve the problems of needs for the forming process and variation of characteristics, techniques of constricting an electric current by forming a local electric current path inside the element beforehand, or arranging fine structures that will lead to triggering of the electric current path formation have been already reported so far. Since constricting of the electric current path reduces the electric current density of the element, it also results in an effect of reducing the electric power consumption.
Patent Document 1 discloses a structure provided with a recessed part or a protruding part on the interface between a resistive layer and an electrode. In addition, a structure including metal fine particles arranged on the top of the protruding part (FIG. 2) has been disclosed. According to Patent Document 1, the voltage of the electrical pulse required for resistance alteration can be reduced, and variation of the electrical pulse width can be suppressed.
Patent Document 2 discloses a structure provided with a resistive layer between a first electrode having a nanochip (ultrafine projection) and a second electrode. Furthermore, a structure provided with a material of different type between a nanochip and a resistive layer (FIG. 3) has been disclosed. According to Patent Document 2, bipolar switching performance can be improved, whereby weak electrical pulse can be used with a low voltage.
Patent Document 3 discloses a structure having a resistive layer between two electrodes, with one electrode being provided with a protruding electrode material. According to Patent Document 3, electric power consumption in writing/erasing can be reduced, and thus a memory element can be formed with favorable reproducibility which achieves stable switching operation without occurrence of failure in writing due to low resistance.
In Nonpatent Document 1, a structure including on a bottom electrode, an insulating layer having micropores in part (mazelike nanogap insulator), and a resistive layer and an upper electrode arranged thereon has been disclosed. According to Nonpatent Document 1, high speed writing/erasing is enabled without need of the forming process.
Unlike control of the electric current path described above, a technique of increasing the rate of resistance change and also suppressing the variation thereof by increasing the region of the crystal interface of the resistance-altering material, thereby making the crystal size uniform has also been already reported.
Patent Document 4 discloses a structure in which a resistive layer and a laminating film having an electric resistivity different from that of the resistive layer are alternately laminated. Furthermore, a structure in which crystals of the resistive layer are arranged which were grown from the metal particles on the electrode as crystal cores (FIG. 4) has been disclosed. Also, a structure in which metal particles (island growth cores) are arranged via a surface tension-adjusting film having a tunnel effect on an electrode (FIG. 5) has been disclosed. According to Patent Document 4, the ratio of electric resistivity in the high resistance state and the low resistance state (CER value) can be increased by providing a large number of junction interfaces, and also variation of the CER value can be depressed by making the crystal size uniform.
In addition, a technique of use of a resistance-altering material in combination with arrangement of fine particles utilizing a protein has also been reported.
Patent Document 5 discloses a structure formed by arranging fine particles on a columnar electric conductor embedded in a dielectric material utilizing ferritin. According to Patent Document 5, reliability with respect to insulation between top and bottom electrodes can be enhanced. In Patent Documents 8 and 9, nonvolatile resistive memory elements having a layer structure of: bottom electrode/resistive layer/tunnel barrier layer/upper electrode have been disclosed.
Patent Document 1: pamphlet of International Publication No. 2005/041303 (particularly, FIG. 6)
Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2006-203178
Patent Document 3: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2007-180473
Patent Document 4: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2007-180174 (particularly, paragraph number 0065)
Patent Document 5: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2006-210639
Patent Document 6: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2006-196601
Patent Document 7: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2004-111734
Patent Document 8: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2007-288008
Patent Document 9: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2008-021750
Nonpatent Document 1: Ogimoto et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 90 (2007) 143515

Resistive nonvolatile memory element, and production method of the same

Abstract: The resistive nonvolatile memory element of the present invention includes first electrode 203, oxide semiconductor layer 204a which is formed on the first electrode 203 and the resistance of which is altered depending on the applied voltage, metal nanoparticles 204b having a diameter of between 2 nm and 10 nm arranged on the oxide semiconductor layer 204a, tunnel barrier layer 204c formed on the oxide semiconductor layer 204a and on the metal nanoparticles 204b, and second electrode 206 formed on the tunnel barrier layer 204c, in which the metal nanoparticles 204b are in contact with the oxide semiconductor layer 204a.


A computer accessory device—USB sharer includes a multiplexer, which is connected to a computer host, a human interface device (HID) chip, which is connected to one output end of the multiplexer, a device output end, which is connected to another output end of the multiplexer; and a busyness detection module, which is connected to the middle of the HID chip and the device output end. The USB sharer may reach a sharing function of “N to 1” by applying N−1 sets of “2 to 1” sharer, in which, at least one “2 to 1” sharer's output end is connected to the device output end and, for other N−2 sets of “2 to 1” sharer, of which at least one output end is connected to the input end of another “2 to 1” sharers.

Computers use a web connection that includes hardware and software in order to resource share. For example, the accessory devices such as computer hard disc data and printer, etc., have been popular solutions in today's technology market. However, for the user of non-enterprise_systems, especially for the common home computer, this web device is very expensive. Even for a small venture with its own investment or offices, the users can not afford the construction of an entire web. Because of insufficient budget, this sort of customer is in need of common computer devices.
For instance, the printer the most popular computer accessory device is scarce for every computer as each user is matched with a printer respectively, so the requirement for a shared common device is very important in consideration of economic effectiveness. Therefore, the industry is concerned with how to supply cheaper and faster accessory devices.
The prior art's technique is to manipulate a printer's input/output switch by hand and since its operation is manual, it is very inconvenient. It is more convenient to apply the software in the user's host for switching the printer. However, the internal elements of this kind of switching device are very tedious. It must use more controlling chips to reach the purpose of control. For instance, a "2 to 1" switch uses at least two universal serial buses (USBs) and the controlling software programs are very complicated and expensive.
Please refer to FIG. 1, which is an example of a system illustration of a "2 to 1" device according to the prior arts. The hosts AP0 and AP1 of the user side, through the output ports of the terminal of a universal serial bus (USB), may be connected to a sharer 11, which is passed and transferred by a multiplexer 15 to make the host AP1 of the connection side connected to a universal serial bus-hub 12 (USB-HUB). The hub itself has a controlling IC, which is connected to a USB controlling chip 13 and a USB output end 16. Through a device connection port 17, a further connection is made to an external USB accessory device, such as the devices of printer, digital camera, etc. (not shown in the figure), while the host AP0 of non-connecting side is then connected to a USB controlling chip 14.
Device output end 16 may be randomly connected to the external USB device, such as: printer, mouse, or scanner, etc. However, the USB controlling chip must be installed at the computer side and controlled under both the relative driving program defined by the USB controlling chip and the software responsible for switching, so the switching instruction may be directly transferred through the USB controlling chip from the AP0 or AP0 host of the user side to order the multiplexer to switch the computer of the connection side, (e.g., switching the original host AP1 to the host AP0).
Sharer 11 of the "2 to 1" type applies two USB controlling chips and one hub IC and, similarly, a "3 to 1" sharer needs three USB controlling chips and one hub IC and, in the same way, a "N to 1" sharer has to use N pieces of USB controlling chips and one hub IC. Besides, using a greater number of applied parts, its controlling software is also more complicated, and it has a restriction caused by the specifications, such as USB 1.1 being unable to be incompatible with USB 2.0.
In addition to the above shortcomings, the prior sharer also has certain popular problems. For example, when a switching instruction is executed, the original host of the connection end—such as AP1 using the accessory device—must be ordered to be off line, then the host AP0 of the connection end may make a connection order, such that a problem is created for the user. For example, if the user shuts off the host AP1 that is still on line with a printer, then it is impossible for another user of the host AP0 to use the printer commonly, and the user of the host AP0 must restart the host AP1 to make a cutting off order, such that he can then make an on line order from the host AP0. This procedure is more inconvenient than switching by hand.

Simplified USB sharer having a busyness detection circuit


A storage system performing an overwrite, a host system controlling the storage system, and an operating method of the storage system, wherein the storage system includes a memory device; and a controller that receives new data and an overwrite request from the host system, wherein the overwrite request includes a first logical address for old data and a second logical address for the new data, and performs an overwrite operation by writing the new data corresponding to the second logical address to the memory device and invalidating the old data corresponding to the first logical address according to the overwrite request.

The inventive concept relates generally to storage systems, and more particularly, to storage systems performing an overwrite operation. The inventive concept also relates to host systems controlling such storage systems and operating methods for storage systems.
When updating data, a file system, such as Ext4 (i.e., a journaling file system and 4th extended filesystem for Linux), overwrites new data at an original location of old data. This approach is referred to as an in-place update. In contrast, a log-structured file system (LFS) uses an out-of-place update approach, in which old data is invalidated and new data is written at a different location than an original location of the old data.
Because a logical address of old data is different from a logical address of new data in an LFS during a data update, the old data is not invalidated in relation to a write request including the address of the new data. As a result, an additional operation is required to invalidate the old data. The execution of this additional invalidation operation wastes storage system resources and occupies valuable host system cycles.

Storage system performing overwrite, host system controlling storage system, and operating method for storage system


A pinch valve is provided with a main body (10) accommodating a tube body (11), a cylinder body (2) having an upper cylinder portion (17) and a lower handle support portion (3), a piston accommodated in the cylinder portion, a pressing piece (9) fixed to the piston for pressing the tube body, a cylindrical handle (1), a hollow stem (4), and a piston pusher (5, 6). The handle has a female screw portion, and a male screw portion having a pitch larger than the pitch of the female screw portion and adapted to be screwed with the female screw portion formed on the handle support portion. The stem has a male screw portion adapted to be screwed with the female screw portion of the handle on outer periphery, and is accommodated in the cylinder body. The piston pusher is inserted into the stem so that the bottom end surface thereof comes into contact with the top end of the piston and is urged toward the piston by a spring.

The applicant invented a pinch valve, improved over the conventional pinch valve, which is extremely compact, enhances the durability of a tube body laid inside during valve opening/closing operations, and enables fine adjustment of the flow rate and filed an application for it previously (Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-179027). Explaining this structure with reference to FIG. 8, it is provided with a cylinder body 52 having a cylinder portion 61 having a female screw portion 60 for adjustment of the opening degree at the top inner periphery thereof and an air port 62 communicating with the bottom end of the cylinder portion 61, a cylindrical handle 54 having at a bottom outer periphery thereof a male screw portion 63 adapted to be screwed with the female screw portion 60 of the cylinder body 52 for adjustment of the opening degree, a disk-shaped spring carrier 55 sandwiching the spring 53 with the top end surface of the recess 64 of the handle 54, a connecting bar 56 engaged with the top of the handle 54 and having a bottom end surface connected with the spring carrier 55 so that the spring 53 is sandwiched between the handle 54 and the spring carrier 55, a piston 57 sliding up and down against the inner pheriphery of the cylinder portion 61 in a sealing manner and having a connecting portion 66 suspended from the center of the piston 57 so as to extend in a sealing manner through a through hole 65 formed in the center of the bottom surface of the cylinder body 52, a pressing piece 58 fixed to the bottom end of the connecting portion 66 of the piston 57, and a tube body 59 comprised of an elastic member held inside the body 51 and pressed against the pressing piece 58.
The operation of this pinch valve will be described below. When the handle 54 is turned in the opening direction in a fully closed state wherein the valve is fully closed as shown in FIG. 8, the bottom end surface of the spring carrier 55 is raised via the connecting bar 56. Along with this, the fluid pressure of the fluid flowing through the inside of the tube body 59 and the elastic force of the tube body 59 cause the pressing piece 58 to be pushed up. As a result, the piston 57 rises and the tube body 59 becomes the intermediate opening degree. On the other hand, when compressed air is supplied from the air port 62 to the first space portion 67 in a state wherein the valve is adjusted to the intermediate opening degree, the pressure of the compressed air causes the piston 57 to start to rise while sliding at its periphery against the inner periphery of the cylinder portion 61. Along with this, the top end of the piston 57 rises while compressing the spring 53 via the spring carrier 55 and the pressing piece 58 rises via the connecting portion 66 suspended from the piston 57. Finally, the top end surface of the pressing piece 58 reaches the top end surface of the oval slit formed at the bottom end surface of the cylinder body 52, whereupon the rise of the piston 57 and the pressing piece 58 stops and the pinch valve becomes the fully opened state.
Further, when the supply of air from the air port 62 to the first space portion 67 is stopped and the valve is opened to the atmosphere in the fully opened state, the piston 57 starts to descend due to the resiliency of the spring via the spring carrier 55 abutting against the spring 53 Along with this, the pressing piece 58 also descends via the connecting portion 66 suspended from the piston 57. Finally, the bottom surface of a flange 68 of the connecting bar 56 reaches the bottom surface of the recess 64 formed at the top of the handle 54, whereupon the descent of the piston 57 and the pressing piece 58 is stopped and the pinch valve is adjusted to an intermediate opening degree. By adjusting the opening degree of the handle 54 in this way, it becomes possible to finely adjust the flow rate.
However, in a pinch valve of the above configuration, the adjustment of the stroke of the pressing piece for adjusting the opening degree of the tube body is proportional to the amount of turning of the handle 54 and the proportional constant of the same is determined by the pitch of the male screw portion of the handle. Therefore, to adjust the stroke more precisely, adjustment by an extremely small angle of rotation is necessary. This results in the large operation error and therefore makes fine adjustment difficult. To enable finer adjustment, it is sufficient to make the pitch of the male screw portion of the handle 1 smaller, but making the pitch smaller causes problems in strength and in processing precision and therefore is limited.

Asahi Organic Chemicals Industry Co., Ltd.


A sleeve-type pipe joint 10 has a joint body 11 having a cylindrical projection 12 adapted to be inserted into a pipe 40 to be connected; a ring member 20 having a larger inner diameter than an outer diameter of the pipe 40; and a resiliently deformable, cylindrical sleeve member 30 moved into a space between the ring member 20 and the pipe 40, at least one of an inner surface of the ring member 20 and an outer surface of the sleeve member 30 being provided with a tapered portion, such that when the sleeve member 30 is moved into the ring member 20, the sleeve member 30 is deformed inward, resulting in tight connection of the inner surface of the pipe 40 to the outer surface of the cylindrical projection 12. When the ring member 20, the sleeve member 30, and the joint body 11 are assembled, the ring member 20 and the sleeve member 30 resist detachment from the assembled pipe joint 10.

Resin pipes made of polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutene, polyvinyl chloride, etc. have widely been used as fluid-conveying pipes such as gas pipes, running water pipes, etc. There are various methods for connecting these resin pipes, and the most widely used method is a type in which a nut is screwed to a joint body, a mechanical connecting method comprising mounting a locking ring member and a packing between the joint body and the nut, and screwing the nut with a wrench to compress the locking ring member and the packing to achieve sealing.
However, the above mechanically connectable pipe joint is disadvantageous in that it is impossible to confirm after the fastening operation whether or not the pipe is fully inserted into the pipe joint, and that it is also difficult to confirm how tight the nut is fastened, resulting in unevenness in the performance of the pipe connection. The confirmation of how well the pipe joint is connected is only a leak test after the fastening operation. Even if the connected pipe joint has passed the leak test conducted for a short period of time after the fastening operation, the detachment of the pipe from the pipe joint and leak are likely to take place during a long period of use.


In some embodiments, methods of stimulating fluid intake in a subject in need thereof are described. The methods can comprise stimulating a nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-positive neuron of the median preoptic nucleus (MnPO). In some embodiments, methods of inhibiting fluid intake in a subject in need thereof are described. The methods can comprise inhibiting stimulation of an nNOS-positive neuron of the MnPO.

Dynamic thirst circuits integrate the homeostatic-instinctive need and its consequent drinking behavior to maintain internal water balance. The precise regulation of water intake plays a significant role in maintaining body fluid homeostasis. The initiation of water drinking is triggered by internal fluid imbalance in animals such as water depletion. In contrast, drinking termination rapidly occurs when animals ingest a sufficient amount of water, which generally precedes the absorption of ingested fluid. To achieve such accurate fluid regulation, the brain monitors both internal water balance as well as fluid ingestion on a real-time basis.


A production method of a porous resin or an intermediate therefor, which comprises a step of producing a styrene-acyloxystyrene-divinylbenzene copolymer comprising suspension copolymerization of a styrene monomer, an acyloxystyrene monomer and a divinylbenzene monomer using an organic solvent and water, and a step of converting the styrene-acyloxystyrene-divinylbenzene copolymer to a styrene-hydroxystyrene-divinylbenzene copolymer, wherein a chain transfer agent is added to the suspension copolymerization system.

Conventionally, as polystyrene porous resins, hydroxystyrene-polyene copolymers (JP-A-52-23193 and JP-A-58-210914) and copolymer resins obtained by copolymerization of alkoxystyrenes, aromatic polyvinyls and aromatic vinyl compounds (JP-A-5-86132) are known. Beads made of these porous resins have been mainly applied to ion exchange resins, absorbents and the like. In these uses, adsorption of the largest possible amount of a substance is considered to be right, and therefore, conventional development guidelines of porous resin beads include attaching as much amount as possible of functional groups and increasing the specific surface area to the highest possible amount, thus aiming toward enhanced ability to adsorb a substance per unit volume of porous resin beads. Moreover, these porous resin beads are used as reaction fields to efficiently carrying out chemical reactions. In this case, to increase the amount of a substance synthesized by chemical reaction, it is preferable to make the porous resin beads swell in an organic solvent to a certain degree. However, when plural organic solvents are exchanged to perform chemical reactions, different degrees of swelling of the porous resin beads in each organic solvent give rise to a problem of, for example, changes in the pressure of the inside of columnar reaction containers having given volumes and the like. Therefore, the development of a porous resin showing smaller changes in the degree of swelling due to the kind of organic solvents has been desired.


A system for processing rules on data elements is described. The system includes a memory queue configured to receive and store a listing of data elements and a rule processing engine configured to apply one or more processing rules to one or more data elements. The rules processing engine further includes a rule condition processing engine configured to apply a condition to a data element and store the data element in the memory queue if the condition is satisfied and a rule action processing engine configured to iteratively perform an action on the elements stored in the memory queue.

The present invention relates generally to the field of database managing updates of large quantities of data elements. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method for applying a rule to a large number of data elements where the data elements satisfy a condition associated with the rule.
Large number of data elements may be created where each data element represents a discrete item, concept, class of items, etc. The data elements may be associated with a plurality of data element fields. The data elements and data element fields may have been created over time, by a different set of users, represent a wide variety of objects, etc. such that a variety of structures may be associated with the data element and/or the data element fields.
It may be necessary to apply a general rule to a large number of the data elements despite the different type of data elements and/or data element fields. A user is often required to define a large number of rules to account for the wide variety of structures. Further, the user must utilize a large amount of processing time implementing the rule for each particular structure.
What is needed is a system and method for implement rule processing for data elements where the data elements satisfy a condition independent of the particular data element structure. What is further needed is such a system and method configured to reduce processing overhead associated with the data element rule processing.

System and method for processing data elements in retail sales environment


A computer system has a processor coupled to a cache controller, uses page mode memory devices and performs page hit detection on the processor local bus. Column address and data values are latched by a memory controller on memory write operations to allow early completion of the cycle so that the next cycle can partially overlap. This allows the use of economical memories and yet have zero wait state page hit operation.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to computer systems using dynamic random access memories and more particularly to computer systems using page mode operation dynamic random access memories.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Personal computer systems having been getting faster and more powerful at a rapid rate and yet more speed and power is always being demanded. To this end 32 bit microprocessors with even higher clock rates have been employed. However, processor speed has readily outstripped the speed of economical memory devices. To run many current processors without wait states requires 25 nsec memories. These memory devices are prohibitively expensive to be used as the main system memory, so two avenues are available.
The first possibility is to use the fastest, economically feasible memory devices in the main system memory and just bear the performance loss, hoping that other considerations are more important. Operating the memory devices in page mode where only a column address needs to be supplied if the row address is the same as the previous access, referred to as a page hit, improves the situation, but generally not enough to meet demands. The second avenue available is the use of a cache memory system which uses a small amount of high speed, zero wait state memory which contains a copy of portions of the data stored in the main memory. By properly sizing and organizing the cache memory, in excess of 90% of the memory accesses can be run out of the cache memory, this percentage being referred to as the hit ratio. The slower main memory is accessed only when the data is not in the cache, which is called a miss operation. The use of a cache memory system allows more economical memory devices to be used for main memory because the speed factor is not as critical because of the lower percentage of accesses to the main memory.
Even the improvement provided by using cache memory has not been sufficient to meet performance demands. The cache memory systems used in personal computers generally resulted in the location of the main memory on a bus separated from the processor, which resulted in delays of operation relative to a system not having this additional bus when access had to be made to the main memory in cache miss instances. Page mode main memory device operation has been combined with a cache memory system to improve the performance during cache miss cycles, but this still resulted in the inclusion of wait states in accesses to main memory, generally two wait states in page hit cases.


Data are written to plural parallel data tracks of a data storage medium by arranging a data stream into plural streams of data sets. Each stream of data sets is allocated to a corresponding respective group of parallel data tracks. A plurality of the data sets are written to the plural data track groups, such that in each data stream, each data set commences at substantially the same position along a length of the linear data storage medium, as a data set of another of the streams.

Prior art tape data storage devices write 8 separate physical tracks in parallel as a tape data storage medium is drawn past a write head. Eight separate write heads are simultaneously used for writing data, and 8 read heads are simultaneously used for reading back data stored on the tape data storage medium.
Referring to FIG. 1 herein, there is illustrated schematically a prior art arrangement for writing 8 physical tracks of data simultaneously in parallel, and for reading 8 physical tracks of data simultaneously in parallel from a linear tape data storage medium.
The prior art read/write arrangement comprises a host computer 100 which supplies data to a tape read/write head 101 via a write channel, and which receives data read back from the tape head via a read channel; an interface component 102 for interfacing with the host computer, the interface component implemented as an integrated circuit chip comprising an SCSI protocol engine, a burst buffer, and a burst manager component; a formatter component 103, the formatter component comprising a logical formatter 104 and a physical formatter 105; and a main buffer memory 106 for temporarily storing blocks of data to the tape read/write head; a signal processing component 107 which is downstream of the formatter component in the write channel; and a pre-amplifier component 108 which amplifies signals prior to writing onto a tape data storage medium via the tape write head 101, and which processes signals read from the read head 101 in the other direction, as they are read back from the tape, before they are input into the formatter.
Referring to FIG. 2 herein, there is illustrated schematically in plan view an array of 8 read/write elements arranged in a read/write head, along with 8 physical data tracks recorded on an elongate linear tape data storage medium. The read/write elements are capable of being electronically converted to either read data from a physical data track, or write data to a physical data track. Each read/write element comprises a read head and a write head, and depending upon the direction of the tape and whether a read or write operation is being carried out, the read part of the read/write element or the write part of the read/write element is active, whilst the remaining part of the read/write element is de-activated. Therefore, each read/write element is capable of being electronically controlled to perform either a read operation or a write operation. The tape data storage medium can move in either of a first direction or a second direction relative to the read/write elements, as shown by the arrowhead in the figure. When writing data in a first direction A, the tape moves in the first direction A relative to the read/write head, and data is written by a first plurality of write elements in a first column 200 and the written data is immediately re-read by a first plurality of the read elements in a second column 201, which follow the write elements.
When writing in a second direction B, the first row of write elements 200 can be electronically converted to read components, and the second column 201 of read components are electronically configured to be write components. In this case, writing of data is performed by the second column of write components and re-reading of the written data is performed by the first column 200 of read components.
To improve the performance of the prior art devices, it is desirable to improve the read and write speed from a read/write head onto a tape data storage medium.
There is the issue of how to increase the data transfer rate for writing to and reading from a tape data storage medium for product. Since the prior art devices have a tape speed past the read/write heads of over 4 meters per second, increasing the tape speed any further in order to increase the data transfer rate is technically difficult.

Writing data to a storage medium in data sets commencing at a same position along the storage medium

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.