A latching arrangement for a refrigerator door includes a striker unit, a first latch arm and a second latch arm. The striker unit is secured to a cabinet of the refrigerator. The first latch arm is interconnected to the door for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis between a latched position and an unlatched position. In the latched position, the first arm releasably engages a first striker portion of the striker unit. The second latch arm is interconnected to the door for pivotal movement about a generally vertical axis between a latched position and an unlatched position. In the latched position, the second latch arm releasably engages a second striker portion of the striker unit.

Vehicles including but not limited to recreational vehicles ("RVs" in the United States and "Caravans" in Europe), tractor trailers, airplanes, boats, trains, and the like often incorporate refrigerators for the comfort and convenience of the occupants. Such refrigerators conventionally include magnets for retaining the door in a closed position. In addition, some known refrigerators incorporate manually operated latches to further prevent unintended opening of the door during periods of vehicle travel, for example.
While such conventional latching arrangements for refrigerator doors have proven to be satisfactory for their intended use, they are all associated with limitations. For example, most known latching arrangements must be manually actuated and thereby may not always be used. Additionally, many known latching arrangements are not conveniently located and require undesired motion to activate. Furthermore, known latching arrangements do not allow for the door to be secured in an ajar position so as to facilitate proper ventilation during periods of non-use.
Accordingly, it remains a need in the pertinent art to provide a refrigerator door latching arrangement that overcomes the limitations associated with the prior known arrangements, including but not limited to those disadvantages discussed above.

Latching arrangement for a refrigerator door


A method for performing an oilfield operation on a reservoir, including: obtaining a user objective identifying the oilfield operation; obtaining a set of input data; selecting a workflow in response to the user objective, where the workflow comprises a build model module and a tune model module; generating a 1D model of the reservoir using the build module, where the 1D model includes multiple per unit of depth properties; generating a 3D model of the reservoir by distributing the plurality of per unit of depth properties in 3D; calibrating the 3D model using the tune model module, modular dynamic tester transient test data, and a historical response of the reservoir; forecasting a response of the reservoir to the set of input data by applying the first set of input data to the 3D model; and using the response to perform the oilfield operation.

The subject matter of the embodiment(s) described in this specification pertains to a Single Well Predictive Model (SWPM)/Modular Dynamics Tester (MDT) complex analysis workflow and, in particular, to an SWPM-MDT Workflow which will function to perform simultaneous analysis of multiple formation tester transients and well tests with an integrated well model.
Generally speaking, during the execution of software in a processor of a computer system for the purpose of generating a final desired product, it is often necessary to execute a first software module in the processor of the computer system to produce a first product and then, separately and independently, execute a second software module in the processor in response to the first product to produce a second product, and then, separately and independently, execute a third software module in the processor in response to the second product to produce the final desired product. In order to produce the final desired product, it may be necessary to separately and independently execute in the processor of the computer system a multitude of software modules in order to produce the final desired product. The aforementioned execution of the multitude of software modules, in a separate and independent fashion, is very time consuming and is a very laborious task. Accordingly, there exists a need for a 'software based computer system' (hereinafter called the 'Single Well Predictive Model' or 'SWPM') that will: (1) automatically produce a first specific workflow comprised of a first plurality of software modules in response to a first set of user objectives and automatically execute the first specific workflow in response to a first set of input data to produce a first desired product, and (2) automatically produce a second specific workflow comprised of a second plurality of software modules in response to a second set of user objectives and automatically execute the second specific workflow in response to a second set of input data to produce a second desired product. When the SWPM software based computer system is utilized, there would no longer be any need to separately and independently execute the first plurality of software modules of the first workflow in order to produce the first desired product, and there would no longer be any need to separately and independently execute the second plurality of software modules of the second workflow in order to produce the second desired product. As a result, a considerable amount of processor execution time would be saved and, in addition, there would no longer be any need to perform the aforementioned laborious task of separately and independently executing a plurality of software modules in order to produce a final desired product. The aforementioned 'software based computer system', known as the 'Single Well Predictive Model' or 'SWPM', is adapted for use in the oil industry. In the oil industry, ideally, all production activities performed in connection with a well should utilize any knowledge concerning the reservoir (e.g., timely pressure interference and rock heterogeneity) adjacent to the well being drilled. However, as a result of the absence of a common three-dimensional (3D) predictive model that can be used not only by reservoir engineers but also by production/drilling/well services engineers, the gap between the reservoir knowledge and day-to-day well decisions remains one of the most significant sources of inefficiency in field management and in field operations. Due to a similar gap between reservoir modeling and production modeling, it is our understanding that clients rarely utilize much of the data that has been acquired—they certainly don't maximize what can be interpreted from that data. Furthermore, most of the reservoirs do not have a realistic reservoir predictive model. It is estimated that only 20% of producing reservoir fields have a reservoir model. This indicates that most of the reservoir fields are operated on the basis of knowledge about individual wells. There are a number of reasons for this, chief among them being: the need for necessary experienced personnel, the need for 'fit-for-purpose' software, the sheer size of the reservoir models, and the time required.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a 'Single Well Predictive Model' or 'SWPM' software based computer system that will enable a company's staff to get closer to well operations while empowering them with fast interpretation tools utilizing all available data and 3D reservoir models built around a specific well thus enhancing the quality of decisions in field management. The 'SWPM' software based computer system represents an opportunity for a company to differentiate itself in the market by 'adding value', where such value is added by introducing a new interpretation service (i.e., the SWPM software) to the company's current and future data acquisition tools and services. In addition, the 'real-time capability' associated with the 'Single Well Predictive Model (SWPM)' software based computer system will be appreciated and utilized significantly in the oil industry because the oil industry as a whole is rapidly progressing toward an 'on-time' and 'data-to-decision' work environment. Finally, the attributes of the 'SWPM' software based computer system, including integration and interactiveness and intuitiveness, will be considered when the next generation of 'field predictive models' is created. In addition, there exists a need for an interactive and intuitive flow simulation based 'Single Well Predictive Model (SWPM)' which is used for the purpose of integrating static and dynamic measurements with completion data that can be used by non-reservoir simulation experts. The SWPM will enable the building of 3-D comparative prediction models starting from 1-D information (i.e. from the well). The SWPM will read the formation information of the subject well and create a reservoir flow model for the selected drainage area of the well. From 1 D to 3D, property creation will be done stochastically and then fine-tuned with respect to the available dynamic data of the well. Once the most likely reservoir properties are estimated, SWPM can be used to investigate various predictive scenarios, such as customizing completion strategy, investigating drilling strategy, predicting well performance considering the impact on the reservoir, demonstrating the value of additional data on decision making, and demonstrating the value of new technologies. SWPM will be built around optimized workflows including, petrophysical property estimation, static model construction, model tuning, drilling, completion, production, or intervention. Ease of use and intuitiveness are of utmost importance. SWPM will be used either sequentially in elapsed time mode, or in fully automatic real-time mode.
In addition, Interval Pressure Transient Testing (IPTT) along the wellbore using multi-probe or packer-probe formation testers is increasingly used as a means of formation evaluation. These tests usually have durations on the order of hours and they investigate volumes within "tens of feet" radially and vertically along the well. Multiple transient tests with overlapping volumes of influence are common in a well. Currently, each of these transient tests is analyzed independent of each other using mainly analytical multi-layer models. When their volumes of influence overlap, it then becomes an iterative procedure. The whole interpretation process then takes considerable time and effort. Analysis of interval pressure transient tests using numerical simulation has also been pursued. Numerical modeling can be well suited for complex geometries (i.e. fractures intersecting packer zones) and multiphase flow but usually such numerical modeling is more complex to set-up. Following Interval Pressure Transient Testing, the well may later be Drill Stem Tested (DST) and/or may have an Extended Well Test (EWT). Combined interpretation of interval pressures transient tests and conventional well tests is not common and poses another difficulty since conventional tests have extended radius of investigation. The reservoir model must honor the increased vertical resolution near the wellbore defined by IPTT's and deeper lateral information inherent in long-term transient well tests. It is also common to acquire pressure vs depth data in open and cased hole with formation testers. In developed reservoirs, such data gives valuable information on differential depletion, compartmentalization and vertical communication. Incorporation of pressure vs depth profiles within the analysis impose a third level of difficulty (and scale) since pressure variations along a well usually reflects depletion of various zones combined with wider scale connectivity information. In this specification, an embodiment is presented that pertains to a 'Single Well Predictive Model (SWPM)/Modular Dynamics Tester (MDT) Workflow' (hereinafter, the 'SWPM-MDT Workflow'), wherein multiple Interval Pressure Transient Tests (IPTT's), conventional well tests [e.g., Drill Stem Tests (DST) and Extended Well Tests (EWTs)], and Pressure vs Depth profiles are analyzed simultaneously using a numerical 'reservoir response model' that is generated by the Workflow when the Workflow is fully executed by a processor of a computer. A starting point of the 'SWPM-MDT Workflow' is responsive to a set of 'interpretation results' which are generated when a reservoir petrophysics analysis is performed along the borehole. This is reduced to a series of flow units with average petrophysical properties. These flow units, with average properties, are used to populate a numerical three-dimensional model. This starting model is updated to honor all transient (IPTT, DST, EWT) data as well as pressure vs depth profiles simultaneously. An End Result, which is generated or constructed when the aforementioned SWPM-MDT Workflow is fully executed by a processor of a computer, is a 'reservoir response simulator' (or a 'reservoir response model' or a 'single-well reservoir model') which: will honor dynamic data, will reflect and honor all measured data at different scales, and can be used to study alternative completion and production scenarios. The analysis method described in the embodiments set forth herein which are associated with the below described 'SWPM-MDT Workflow' will: reduce the time and effort that is required to analyze multiple Interval Pressure Transient Tests (IPTT) and provide a means of integrating both long term tests and pressure vs depth data.

Method and system and program storage device for generating an SWPM-MDT workflow in response to a user objective and executing the workflow to produce a reservoir response model


A bearing split outer ring for mounting in a bearing housing, the split outer ring having a first portion subtending somewhat more than 185 degrees of arc and a second portion subtending somewhat less than 185 degrees of arc. The first and second portions of the split outer ring being sized with respect the bearing housing to provide an interference fit therein. In another aspect of the present invention, this is accomplished by providing a method of assembly of a housed bearing. The assembly steps comprise providing a split outer ring with two unequal portions, retaining the split outer ring over an inner raceway with rolling elements therebetween to form a subassembly, positioning the subassembly in a housing base such that the ends of the outer ring are all contained within the housing base, and thereafter, mounting a housing cover over the subassembly.

This invention relates generally to rotary bearings with split rings and, more particularly, to a split outer ring for a housed antifriction bearing.
Many applications, such as line shafting, for example, require bearings that are installed radially rather than axially, over the end of a shaft. Such bearings used in the main bearing positions of two-cycle and four-cycle engines typically use split (or fractured) outer rings. To avoid fretting of the outer rings and to reduce wear of the bearing seats, the outer rings are made oversize to engage the bearing seats with a moderate interference fit.
The normal assembly procedure is to place a split cage and roller assembly, or other complement of rolling elements, on the crankshaft journal and then install the split outer ring over them. A snap ring or wire ring may be placed around the outer ring to hold the halves together. The crankshaft with the split outer ring and rolling elements is then fitted into bearing seats in the engine block. A cover providing the other half of the bearing seat is then installed over the split outer ring, and the assembly is bolted together.
Traditionally, the outer ring is split in two places 180 degrees apart. A dowel pin in the engine block engages the split outer ring to locate the race axially and to orient the split. Typically the ring splits are oriented so they are located 10 to 30 degrees from the parting line between the engine block and the cover.
Fitting the split outer ring in the engine block causes the halves of the outer ring to shift out of alignment as one half is compressed radially inward by the interference fit while the other half is free and not compressed. When the cover is installed and bolted to the engine block, the split surfaces of the outer ring bind together. This can result in mismatch of the outer ring at the split locations, causing undesirable noise or premature fatigue failure of the outer ring or rolling elements.
Some manufacturers have tried to overcome this problem by installing the outer rings with the ring split plane 90 degrees to the split line between the engine block and cover. Such a configuration is unsatisfactory because the split portion of the outer ring is then located in the most heavily loaded part of the load zone.
The foregoing illustrates limitations known to exist in present split bearing rings. Thus, it is apparent that it would be advantageous to provide an alternative directed to overcoming one or more of the limitations set forth above. Accordingly, a suitable alternative is provided including features more fully disclosed hereinafter.

Bearing split outer ring and method of assembly


A method for removing radioactive contaminants from a given surface. An acidic solution having a pH of less than 3.0, and preferably less than 1.5, of a complex substituted keto-amine, and a mixture of a saturated and unsaturated lower alcohol (e.g. isopropyl alcohol and propargyl alcohol), and concentrated acid is applied to a contaminated surface. The solution is left on said surface for a time sufficient to remove the radioactive contaminants into the acidic solution and then removed. The acidic solution containing the radioactive contaminants is preferably neuralized by an alkaline material to a pH of between 5.5 and 9.0. Removal of thorium contamination from railcars is one useful application of the invention. The method of the present invention has the effect of removing substantially all of the radioactive contaminants from a previously contaminated surface.

The present invention relates generally to a method for decontamination of surfaces. More particularly, the present invention relates to using an acidic solution to remove radioactive contaminants from a given area, location or surface.
Contamination of various areas or surfaces from radioactive or other unwanted materials is a common problem. The contamination of an area or surface may occur as a result of contact with a radioactive isotope during transport, storage, use in a nuclear reactor, mining operations, or a variety of other industrial or military processes. In recent years, methods have been explored to reduce or remove such contaminants from various areas or surfaces and equipment so that such items or areas may be put back into use and the contaminants be disposed of safely. These methods have met with varying success and often present trade-offs between decontamination of the surface or area and the toxicity of the waste product containing the radioactive contaminant.
One method of removing radioactive materials is to physically wash the contaminated area or surface with water and an optional surface-active agent. However, such methods are generally limited to physical separation of contaminants that are not physically or chemically adhered to surfaces or areas. Thus, this method does not work well where the contaminants are chemically bound to a solid surface or structure.
For example, a number of methods have been developed to remove radioactive contaminated scale or rust deposits from metal surfaces. The radioactive substances are removed in a solution that is transported at safe levels for disposal. However the concentrated radioactivity found in scale or rust adhering to surfaces presents increased danger and cost in removal and disposal. Depending on the type of scale or rust deposit either acidic or basic treatments may be appropriate. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,200,117, 5,049,297 and 5,824,159 illustrate typical approaches to removing radioactive substances in these situations.
Another method for removing contaminants from surfaces or areas, which are not necessarily limited to deposited scales, is known generally as acid leaching. In acid leaching methods, a strong acid is used to dissolve radioactive contaminants from the surface into solution. The resulting solution is removed and disposed of leaving a clean, or at least a reduced amount of radioactive contaminants, on the surface. Such acid leaching processes may or may not use chelating agents.
Chelating agents have been the subject of much research in this area and include ligand or binding agents such as oxalate, citrate, gluconate, picolinate, EDTA, hydrazines with a carboxylic acid, and hydroxamic acids. Acidic and basic solutions containing a chelating agent are used to dissolve and bind contaminants depending on the characteristics of the surface and the contaminants. When used to remove radioactive substances from contaminated areas, the chelating agent is thought to have the effect of stabilizing certain dissolved radioactive contaminants to keep them in solution. Several of these methods use concentrated carbonate solutions to recover uranium, thorium, radium, technetium, and other actinides.
With several of these methods, a separate ion-exchange process is used to purify the resulting solution to make disposal of the radioactive contaminants easier.
In addition n to these challenges, other considerations include providing a decontaminating agent and method which is not excessively corrosive and is easy to prepare and use. Further, the solution containing removed contaminants should preferably be easily disposed of in compliance with state and federal regulations. It would therefore be a significant advancement and contribution to the art to provide a method which is a simple, economic, and an effective way of removing substantially all of radioactive contaminants from various surfaces or areas.
While many methods for removing radioactive or other unwanted contaminants have been developed there remains the need for improved decontamination methods which speed up the decontamination process and remove substantially all of the radioactive contaminants.
The present invention relates to the removal of radioactive contaminants from a surface or area using a highly acidic solution which includes a complex substituted keto-amine
The present invention provides a method for removing radioactive contaminants from a surface or area comprising the steps of: forming a solution containing a complex substituted keto-amine, a mixture of saturated and unsaturated lower alkanols, e.g. isopropyl alcohol and propargyl alcohol, and a concentrated acid or acid mixture to form an acidic solution; applying the keto-amine, lower alkanol mixture and acidic solution in such a manner as to contact the contaminants on the surface or in the area such that at least a portion of such radioactive or other contaminants migrate into the acidic solution; collecting the contaminant rich acidic solution for further treatment or disposal.
In accordance with a more detailed aspect of the present invention, the concentrated acid is selected from strong acids consisting of the group hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfurous acid, bromic acid, iodic acid, nitric acid, perchloric acid, oxalic acid, aqua regia (nitrohydrochloric acid) and mixtures thereof. In a more detailed aspect, the resulting acidic solution using one of the above acids has a pH of less than 1.5.
In accordance with yet another more detailed aspect of the present invention, the method is used to remove radioactive contaminants, and particularly those found in the actinide and lanthanide series such as thorium, uranium, and plutonium. Exemplary of radioactive contaminants, some of which are in the actinide and lanthanide series, are Actinium-227, Americium-241, Americium-243, Antimony-124, Antimony-125, Barium-133, Beryllium-7, Bismuth-207, Cadmium-109, Calcium-45, Carbon-14, Cerium-139, Cerium-141, Cerium-144, Cesium-134, Cesium-135, Cesium-137, Chromium-51, Cobalt-56, Cobalt-57, Cobalt-58, Cobalt-60, Copper-67, Curium-242, Curium-243, Curium-244, Curium-247, Europium-152, Europium-154, Europium-155, Gadolinium-153, Germanium-68, Gold-195, Hafnium-181, Hydrogen-3(Tritium), Iodine-125, Iodine-126, Iodine-129, Iodine-131, Iodine-133, Iridium-192, Iron-55, Iron-59, Lead-210, Manganese-54, Mercury-203, Neptunium-237, Nickel-59, Nickel-63, Niobium-94, Plutonium-236, Plutonium-238, Plutonium-239, Plutonium-240, Plutonium-241, Plutonium-242, Plutonium-243, Plutonium-244, Polonium-210, Potassium-40, Promethium-147, Protactinium-23 1, Radium-223, Radium-224, Radium-226, Radium-228, Ruthenium-106, Samarium-151, Scandium-46, Selenium-75, Silver-108 m, Silver-110 m, Sodium-22, Strontium-85, Strontium-89, Strontium-90, Sulfur-35, Tanalum-182, Technetium-99, Thallium-204, Thorium-natural, Thorium-228, Thorium-230, Thorium-232, Tin-i13, Uranium-232, Uranium-233, Uranium-234, Uranium-235, Uranium-236, Uranium-238, Uranium-natural, Uranium-depleted, Yttrium-88, Yttrium-91, Zinc-65, Zirconium-95 and associated decay products thereof.
By xe2x80x9csurfacexe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9careaxe2x80x9d is meant the presence of a contaminant on or about a surface or area that may include solid structures, such as trucks, equipment, and the like, particulate, compressible or linear solids such as soils, wires, gauzes, steel wool and the like. xe2x80x9cAreaxe2x80x9d may also be used to define a location which may be inclusive of liquids such found in ponds, tanks, open or enclosed containers and is inclusive of such containers. In most instances, all contaminants will be associated in, on, attached to, embedded in or associated with a solid having a surface area.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the method is applied to a solid surface or area as defined above which comprises metal, plastic, glass, concrete, wood, soil, or any other material.
In general, the method comprises applying the acid solution, as hereinafter defined, in such a manner as to contact the radioactive contaminant and remove it from the surface or area to which it is associated into the solution. Such application techniques may be by spraying, wiping, soaking, immersing and the like. Once applied to a surface it is important that the solution be removed before the solution dries on the surface. Otherwise, the radioactive contaminant would not be removed. Hence, the time the solution is on the surface may be relatively short or long, depending on the drying time and application process. It may be more efficient to sequentially apply more than one application and removal step to adequately remove the radioactive decontaminant from the surface and the length of time between the application and removal steps may vary from a few seconds to several minutes depending on the condition of the surface and the amount radioactive contaminant to be removed. Any suitable removal technique, such as a squeegee, wiper blade, gravity flow, and the like may be used to remove the solution from the surface.
Finally, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention the collected acidic solution containing the removed radioactive contaminant may be treated to reduce the pH. The collected acidic solution may be treated by adding sodium hydroxide or any other suitable neutralizing agent to obtain a pH of greater than about 5.5, and preferably about 7 to form a waste solution.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows.
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to exemplary embodiments, and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.
As used herein, xe2x80x9con the surfacexe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cfrom the surfacexe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cin the areaxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cfrom the areaxe2x80x9d and the like is intended to cover removal of radioactive particles that are on, near, physically attached to, chemically attached to, embedded in or otherwide associated with the solid surface or area. As such, the method of the present invention allows for removing and dissolving any radioactive particles which are susceptible to contact with the decontamination solution regardless of the physical association or location of such particles in connection with such surface. One surface of particular importance is a porous metal surface, i.e. a surface which has been oxidized, e.g., contains rust, to which radioactive particles have become attached or embedded.
As used herein the term xe2x80x9cacidic solutionxe2x80x9d is intended to mean an aqueous acidic solution containing a keto-amine and a mixture of lower alcohols having two to five carbon atoms. One alcohol is saturated and is preferably isopropyl alcohol. The other alcohol is unsaturated and is preferably propargyl alcohol.
As used herein, percentages refer to weight percentages unless otherwise specified. Further, one should note that the term xe2x80x9cbetweenxe2x80x9d is used herein to identify a range and without the modifier xe2x80x9caboutxe2x80x9d does not include the limit of the identified range. For example, xe2x80x9cbetween 0% and about 3%xe2x80x9d includes values ranging from about 3% by weight, as would be understood in the art down to, but not including 0%.
The present invention provides a method for removing radioactive contaminants from a contaminated surface or area. A previously noted a decontamination solution is formed containing a complex substituted keto-amine, and alcohol mixture which is preferably isopropyl alcohol and propargyl alcohol, and concentrated acid. The concentrated acid may be strong a acid such as hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfurous acid, bromic acid, iodic acid, nitric acid, perchloric acid, oxalic acid, aqua regia and mixtures of such strong acids. Hydrochloric acid exhibits particularly good results and may be used in a concentrated aqueous solution of about 32% to 38% hydrochloric acid. The currently used concentration for hydrochloric acid is 37% with the balance being water. The complex substituted keto-amine preferably has the molecular formula C33H45NO2. Cl H and may also be identified by the CA Index chemical name 2-Butanone, 4-[[[(1R,4aS,10aR)-1, 2,3,4,4a,9,10,10a-octahydro-1, 4a-dimethyl-7-(1 -methylethyl)-1-phenanthrenyl]methyl](3-oxo-3-phenylpropyl)amino]-, hydrochloride (9Cl). The aqueous acid solution contains between about 0.1 to 2%, and preferably between about 0.4 to 0.6%, of the complex substituted keto-amine, about 0.1 to 0.5% of the saturated lower alcohol (e.g. isopropanol) and 0.1 to 0.5% of the unsaturated lower alcohol (e.g. propargyl alcohol) with the remainder being the concentrated acid sufficient to provide a pH of 3.0 or below and preferably of 1.5 or below. Other complex substituted keto-amines that are functional for the same purpose may also be utilized.
The contaminated surface may be cleaned and prepared to remove any dirt, oil, dust, or other debris prior to the decontamination. If the surface contains organic materials, such as oils or certain surfactants, it may be preferably to clean the surface with other appropriate materials, solvents or cleaning agents such as acetone, methylethyl ketone, steam, strong surfactants, etc. The use of water and/or steam is acceptable, however the use of surfactants was shown to reduce the effectiveness of the present invention. As noted above, the contaminated surface may be any solid surface which exhibits undesirable levels of radioactive particles such as thorium, uranium, plutonium, and other elements from the actinide and lanthanide series of the periodic table as well as other radioactive substance as previously listed. As also previously noted, such surfaces may include, but are not limited to metals, plastics, glass, wood, concrete, and soil. Transportation equipment such as railcars, trucks, ships, forklifts, containers, pumps, covers and pipes often become radioactively contaminated during transport of waste materials and are particularly subject to being treated according to the present invention. Stationary surfaces such as buildings and process equipment are also often contaminated with radioactive particles. Other materials include polymeric materials, polyethylenes, rubbers, nuclear reactor equipment, spent nuclear fuel rods, and any other equipment or containers which are used in handling, using, processing and transporting radioactive materials. It is to be understood that the above recited lists of various specific surfaces are intended to merely illustrate some of the types of surfaces which may be used in connection with the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope thereof.
The decontamination solution is then applied to the contaminated surface. The acidic decontamination solution may be applied using any conventional method such as spraying, immersing, brushing, splashing, providing a continuous flow of fresh solution (as through a pipe or over a surface), and any other method which produces direct contact of the decontamination solution with the contaminated surface. Although, a variety of application methods may be used as is known in the art, spraying has produced satisfactory results. Accordingly, the decontamination solution may be placed in a device which is capable of producing a spray and is designed for highly acidic contents. Such spraying devices include without limitation hand spray bottles, lightweight sprayers, and industrial spraying machines (either manual or automated). The temperature of the decontamination solution may be whatever is functional and is preferably ambient temperature of less than 40xc2x0 C. In other words, the acidic solution does not require heating although that may be done if desired to facilitate radioactive removal.
Application rates and amounts are best determined empirically and are based on the amount or concentration of radioactivity on the contaminated surface, the depth of scale or rust containing the contamination on the surface, the surface area to be treated, whether sequential application and removal is desired, and the like. What is required that that a functional area or surface is treated with the acidic solution and allowed to remain for a time sufficient to remove the radioactive materials that are contacted followed by removal of the contaminant containing solution. The area treated is limited to that which can adequately be treated and the solution removed by the operator. Generally speaking, the solution will remain on the surface for ten minutes or less and will preferably be on the surface for five minutes or less. However, for some operations the solution may remain for periods of twenty minutes or more. It may be preferable to treat the surface with a succession of treatments where the solution is applied and removed followed by sequential treatments of application and removal until the desired result is obtained. It is not the time or amount that is critical as these parameters may be empirically determined. It is the discovery that the acid solution containing the complexed keto-amine and the alcohol combination functions to remove essentially all of the radioactive contamination that is paramount.
One important benefit of this invention is the speed and efficiency of the decontamination process. After treating the surface with the acid solution the solution containing the removed radioactive contaminants may be removed using conventional methods such as vacuuming, using a wiper blade or squeegee, rinsing or any other appropriate means and collected in a separate collection container. As previously mentioned, application times of less than about 5 minutes such as about 2 to 3 minutes have produced good decontamination results. The application and removal process may also be repeated and has the effect of increasing the rate of dissolving the contaminated particles.
After the decontamination solution is removed from the surface further treatment of the surface may be desirable. The resulting surface is often exposed bare metal and as such will oxidize and begin to corrode if left untreated. Treatment with corrosion inhibitors such as phosphoric acid and other known products may improve the long-term corrosion resistance of treated metal surfaces.
In another more detailed aspect of the present invention, the spent solution in the collection container containing the removed radioactive materials is neutralized to a pH of 5.5 or above and preferably about 7.0 by means of aqueous sodium or potassium hydroxides or other alkaline neutralizing agents. In order to increase efficiency the monitoring and addition of alkaline solution is accomplished using automated equipment, although the process could be done manually. An alkaline solution, such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide is added to the collected solution which contains radioactive contaminants to reach a pH of greater than 5.5. A collected solution having a pH in the range of about 6.5 to 9 makes storage and disposal of the radioactive solution easier and safer.
Conventional means may be used to remove the neutralized contaminated solution to a suitable disposal site in accordance with established regulatory procedures.

Radioactive decontamination and translocation method


The present invention is an accumulated light meter that generates data concerning the quantity of photosynthetically active radiation available over a measured period of time. The device can calculate a daily light integral (DLI) that corresponds to the amount of light required by certain plants in order to optimize photosynthesis. The device also possesses the ability to filter out the effect that wavelengths of unproductive light have on the calculated values since not all light is conducive to photosynthesis and different species of plants can utilize different wavelengths of light in dissimilar ways.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a light measurement device. More specifically this invention relates to a light measurement device attuned to the visible spectrum. Even more specifically this device relates to a sunlight integration instrument whose output is accumulated light over a given time period.
2. Problems in the Art
Photosynthesis is an important biochemical process in which algae, plants, and some bacteria convert the energy of sunlight to chemical energy. The chemical energy is used to drive reactions such as the formation of sugars or the fixation of nitrogen into amino acids. Generally speaking, photosynthesis is controlled by four factors, (1) temperature, (2) CO2 concentration, (3) light irradiance, and (4) light wavelength. Unless plants are grown in controlled environments, man has little control over temperature and CO2 concentration. However, in many instances man has the ability to plant crops and cultivate gardens in areas that receive the most direct sunlight, thus has some control over the irradiance and wavelength variables.
Irradiance is a radiometric term for the power of electromagnetic radiation at a surface, per unit area or, more specifically, when power is incident on the surface. The SI units for irradiance is watts per square meter (W·m−2). Irradiance is sometimes called intensity, but this usage can lead to confusion with radiant intensity, which has different units. Table 1 depicts common radiometric units.
TABLE 1Radiometric Units - SIIrradiancewatt per square meterW · m−2Radiancewatt per steradian perW · sr−1 · m−2square meterRadiant emittance/watt per square meterW · m−2Radiant exitanceRadiant energyjouleJRadiant fluxwattWRadiant intensitywatt per steradianW · sr−1Spectral irradiancewatt per meter3 orW · m−3 orwatt per square meterW · m−2 · Hz−1per HertzSpectral radiancewatt per steradianW · sr−1 · m−3 orper meter3 orW · sr−1 · m−2 · Hz−1watt per steradianper square meterper Hertz
All of these radiometric quantities characterize the total amount of radiation present, at all frequencies. It is also common to consider each frequency in the spectrum separately. When this is done for radiation incident on a surface, it is called spectral irradiance, and has SI units W·m−3, or commonly W·m−2·nm−1. If a point source radiates light uniformly in all directions and there is no absorption, then the irradiance drops off in proportion to the distance from the object squared, since the total power is constant and it is spread over an area that increases with the square of the distance from the source.
The accurate measurement of available sunlight is difficult. Judgment based on visual observation is completely inadequate since the human eye, which accommodates a brightness range varying in intensity over a factor of 100,000 or more, ordinarily cannot discern changes of a factor of two or three or four. But a factor of two might be critical for the health of a plant. Furthermore, research has shown that identical plants, placed as little as ten feet apart in visually identical conditions, can experience markedly different growth rates where the only differing environmental variable that could be detected was a minor difference in useful light that resulted in differences in irradiance on the surface of the plants at both locations. It is clear that a sensitive light measurement instrument is required to evaluate light conditions to optimize photosynthetic promoted growth in plants.
The measurement of light intensity, or quantification of light received, by an instrument at any given moment is a well known process involving the use of a light meter or lux meter. Several systems of light meters have been used, the three most common being selenium, CdS, and silicon light meters.
Selenium and silicon light meters use sensors that are photovoltaic. These sensors generate a voltage proportional to light exposure. Selenium sensors generate enough voltage for direct connection to a meter. Silicon sensors need an amplification circuit and require a power source like a batteries to operate. CdS light meters use a sensor based on photoresistance. These also require a battery to operate. Most modern light meters use silicon or CdS sensors. They indicate the exposure either with a needle galvanometer, or on a LCD screen. Typical uses are to determine light intensity for photographic applications such as determining proper exposure. Given a film speed and shutter speed, the meter will show the f-stop which would give a neutral exposure of an ideal gray slate. These instruments have also been adapted to measuring the light intensity for agricultural or gardening applications.
Typically, the measured light covers the entire range of wavelengths for which the various kinds of chlorophyll (and other photosynthetic compounds) in plants are effective in converting light to plant energy. With a bit of arbitrariness, this has been defined as wavelengths over the range of 400 to 700 nanometers. This is roughly the same range that a human eye can perceive—i.e., colors from violet, then blue, green, yellow, orange and finally red. Eye sensitivity peaks in the center of this range (green, about 500-550 nanometers) and falls off to almost zero at the extremes, while the typical light sensor has uniform sensitivity over that wavelength range (or light bandwidth).
The spectrum available for photosynthesis is limited to visible light because infrared light does not contain enough energy for photosynthesis and ultraviolet light has too much energy. Ultraviolet light intercepted by plants can create free radicals, which can break chemical bonds in an organism. The wavelength and quantity of light is also important in other biological processes such as the inhibition of hypocotyl elongation. The hypocotyl is the primary organ of extension of a young plant and develops into the stem.
The light reactions of photosynthesis (the reactions that convert light energy to chemical energy in the form of ATP and NADPH and produce O2 as a by-product) occur in the thylakoid membranes of the grana contained within chloroplasts, primarily in palisade mesophyll tissue of terrestrial plant leaves. Thylakoid membranes contain several protein pigments (phytochromes), including chlorophyll α, chlorophyll β, and carotenoids. Chlorophyll α participates directly in the light reactions of photosynthesis. It absorbs mainly blue-violet and red light, and reflects green light. This correlates well with overall photosynthetic efficiency, indicating that this molecule is the most important to the process of photosynthesis. However, energy absorbed by chlorophyll α is not the only energy that can be used in photosynthesis. Chlorophyll β is very similar in structure to chlorophyll α, but it absorbs mainly blue and orange light, reflecting yellow-green. It then transfers the collected energy to chlorophyll α, which actually utilizes it in the light reactions. Some carotenoids can also transfer collected energy to chlorophyll α. The absorption spectra of chlorophyll α and chlorophyll β are shown on graph below. Peaks of the graph indicate high rates of absorption; troughs are low rates. Chlorophyll absorption efficiency correlates closely with overall photosynthetic efficiency, indicating that chlorophyll is the main photosynthetic pigment. Carotenoids such as xanthophylls, anthocyanins, and carotenes absorb mainly blue-green light, reflecting, thus, yellow-orange. Some carotenoids act like chlorophyll β in passing their energy on to chlorophyll α while others help to diffuse excess light energy, which could denature the chlorophyll.
Photons contain varying amounts of energy based on their wavelength; shorter wavelengths contain more energy, therefore blue wavelengths are very high-energy, one reason why they are absorbed by all three photosynthetic pigments and are highly efficient at powering photosynthesis. When a pigment absorbs a photon of light energy, one of its electrons gains energy. It is very unstable, and soon falls back to its ground state, releasing heat and/or light along the way. In photosynthesis, however, excited electrons are donated to a primary electron acceptor before they revert to their former state.
Uniform sensitivity in a light meter over the visible spectrum can give non-ideal results, since plants generally don't use light at wavelengths in the center of that range, thus revealing why plant leaves appear green—green light is reflected by leaves, while other colors of light are absorbed and used by plants. Under a forest canopy, more green light is present than would be "out in the open" because of the preferential absorption of other colors, and therefore an "ideal" light sensor gives too high a reading—it is reporting all that green light which isn't used by plants. This becomes extremely complicated when one takes into account the fact that not all plants absorb light in the same way or of the same wavelengths. Thus additional wavelengths may need to be filtered out as well to achieve accurate results.
Dual sensor systems are described by U.S. Pat. No. 3,746,430 to Brean et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,580,875 to Bechtel et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,690 to Gahan et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,886,960 to Molyneux et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,477 to Bechtel et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,204,778 to Bechtel, U.S. Pat No. 5,451,822 to Bechtel et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,093 to Shierbeek et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,504,143 to Nixon et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,359,274 to Nixon et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 6,737,629 to Nixon et al., each of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The use of dual sensor photodiodes as described by the patents by Nixon et al. as set forth in the previous paragraph use one photodiode to generate a charge in proportion to the amount of incident light. The device measures incident light across the visible spectrum. The resulting potential reflects the amount of incident light accumulated at the sensor over a period of time thus providing a measure of light over the accumulation period without resorting to the necessity of a mathematical integration process. One key component of the dual sensor technologies is the ability to measure noise with a second, shielded sensor and thereby improving the accuracy, precision and sensitivity of the device.
The Nixon et al. patents use logic to determine the length of time over which the photodiode and accompanying circuitry will collect the charge generated by light striking the photodiode. The circuitry is reset and a charge is collected over a predetermined time period. The amount of charge collected over that time period determines the length of an electrical pulse generated by the circuitry and the length of this pulse is the signal parameter that indicates the quantity of light striking the photodiode over that time period.
A particular method that is used is to couple the photodiode with a capacitor via a switch. The switch between the photodiode closes and the capacitor is charged up to a fixed voltage. Once the predetermined time period has passed, the switch changes and the charge on the capacitor is dissipated at a fixed rate. The length of the discharge determines the length of the pulse which indicates the intensity of the light or glare.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,249,109 by Ogawa discloses and claims a light digitizing circuit for an electronic flash drive. Ogawa uses a light sensitive sensor to develop a current upon being exposed to light. In particular, it is intended to measure the light from a flash and stop the flash once a predetermined quanity of light has reached the aperture. The light sensor in at least one embodiment is a photodiode which creates a current when exposed to light. This current charges a capacitor, and when the capacitor reaches a predetermined voltage, it is discharged. A counter keeps track of how many times the capacitor is charged and discharged, and thereby a measurement of light exposure is achieved. Each time the capacitor is charged represents a quantity of light. More intense light will charge the capacitor faster, and less intense light will charge the capacitor more slowly, but the quantity of light having reached the photodiode is still indicated by the total charge on the capacitor.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,583,605 by Sakamoto claims and discloses a photoelectric current converting circuit. Sakamoto is directed to a control circuit for adjusting an electronic flash on a camera. The circuit generally comprises a capacitor, a voltage supply circuit, a comparator, an outputting circuit, a discharging circuit, and a plurality of current sources and a selecting member to select one of the current sources. The current source associated with this circuit is, in the preferred embodiment, a photodiode. The electric current generated by the photodiode is output to a current converting circuit which uses a capacitor and a comparator to generate a string of logic level voltage pulses. The voltage pulses are counted by a counter circuit to integrate the current generated by the photodiode and the output from the counter circuit is compared with the output from the standard value circuit. When the value of the counter output equals or exceeds the standard from the standard value circuit, the circuit generates a stop signal to the light emitting circuit so that, in this case, the flash for a camera is stopped.

Instrument and method to measure available light energy for photosynthesis


There is provided a method for deciding a duty factor in driving a light-emitting device and a driving method using the duty factor that enable restraint of deterioration of light-emitting elements and improvement in reliability. In a method for deciding a duty factor of a light-emitting device that performs display based on an analog video signal, with respect to a characteristic obtained by multiplying the characteristic of luminance after X hours in relation to the current density and the characteristic of luminance after X hours in relation to the duty factor when the total quantity of electricity flowing through light-emitting elements in one frame period is defined at a specific value, a range of duty factor that enables realization of luminance approximately exceeding a value that is 0.8 times a maximum value is regarded as an optimum range of duty factor.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method for deciding a duty factor and a driving method using the duty factor, in a light-emitting device in which a unit for supplying a current to a light-emitting element and a light-emitting element are provided in each of plural pixels. A light-emitting device includes a panel having a light-emitting element sealed therein, and a module in which IC and the like including a controller are mounted on the panel.
2. Description of the Related Art
In an active-matrix light-emitting device, the gradation is controlled by a video signal written into each pixel. Hereinafter, a method for driving a light-emitting device using an analog video signal will be described.
In the following example, a frame frequency of k is used. As shown in FIG. 12, when the frame frequency is k, k frame periods are provided in one second. A frame period is equivalent to a period during which a video signal is written to all the pixels and display of one screen is performed.
In each frame period, as an analog video signal is written to each pixel, the luminance of the light-emitting element of each pixel is controlled in accordance with image information held by the analog video signal, and the gradation is thus displayed. In writing an analog video signal to the pixels, a so-called point-sequential format for sequentially writing to each pixel, or a so-called line-sequential format for sequentially writing to each pixel of each line may be used. In both formats, a period during which an analog video signal is written to all the pixels is equivalent to a writing period Ta.
After the writing of an analog video signal ends, a holding period Ts starts and the luminance of the light-emitting element in each pixel is held until the frame period ends.
When the above-described driving method is used, the pixels perform display both in the writing period Ta and the holding period Ts. Therefore, depending on image information held by an analog video signal, the pixels may be constantly on, that is, the light-emitting elements of the pixels constantly emit light. A period during which actual display is performed is called display period.
In the case of the driving method shown in FIG. 12, the writing period Ta and the holding period Ts altogether form the display period.
Although in FIG. 12, one frame period is divided into the writing period Ta and the holding period Ts, it may be the writing period Ta alone without providing the holding period Ts. In short, immediately after an analog video signal is written to each pixel, the next frame period starts and writing of an analog video signal to each pixel is started again. Also in this case, the pixels may constantly be on, depending on image information held by an analog video signal. Therefore, in the case of this driving method, the writing period Ta itself is equivalent to the display period.
While display is performed both in the writing period Ta and the holding period Ts in FIG. 12, display may be performed only in the holding period Ts without performing display in the writing period Ta. In this case, all the pixels are off, that is, none of the light-emitting elements of the pixels emits light at all in the writing period Ta, irrespective of image information held by an analog video signal. Then, in the holding period, the luminance of the light-emitting elements is controlled in accordance with an analog video signal. Therefore, in the case of this driving method, the holding period Ts alone is equivalent to the display period.
Meanwhile, the problem in practical application of the light-emitting device is the short lifetime of the light-emitting element due to deterioration of its electroluminescence layer. FIG. 13 shows a change in luminance with the lapse of time with respect to a current flowing through the light-emitting element. As shown in FIG. 13, as the electroluminescence material deteriorates with the lapse of time, the luminance of the light-emitting element is lowered with respect to the current flowing through the light-emitting element.
The deterioration of the electroluminescence material is accelerated by moisture, oxygen, light and heat. Specifically, the rate of deterioration is affected by the structure of a device for driving the light-emitting device, the characteristics of the electroluminescence material, the material of electrodes, the conditions of preparation process, the method for driving the light-emitting device and the like.
Particularly, as a greater quantity of current flows through the light-emitting element, the light-emitting element deteriorates more quickly. When the light-emitting element deteriorates, the luminance of the light-emitting element is lowered even if the voltage applied to the electroluminescence layer is constant. As a result, a displayed image is unclear.

Method for deciding duty factor in driving light-emitting device and driving method using the duty factor

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.


The present invention provides a photosensitive resin composition which is superior in water-developing properties, resilience, strength of resin plate after exposure, elongation at break, and transparency of resin plate. The composition comprises:. (1) a particulate copolymer obtained by polymerizing a monomer mixture comprising: PA1 (2) a photopolymerizable unsaturated monomer; PA1 (3) an amino group-containing compound; and PA1 (4) a photopolymerization initiator.. (a) an aliphatic conjugated diene monomer, PA2 (b) a monomer represented by the following general formula (I): ##STR1## and (c) a monomer having at least two groups capable of addition-polymerizing;

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a photosensitive resin composition. More particularly, the present invention relates to a photosensitive resin composition (particularly, photosensitive resin composition for flexographic printing) which can be developed with water, and at the time of development, the composition has small swell characteristics with water and small decrease in strength, is superior in resilience in spite of small change in dimension, and is superior in printability.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various photosensitive resin compositions have been used in the fields of photoresist, printing ink, plate-making, etc.
As such a photosensitive resin composition, there have been known compositions containing a cyclized rubber and a bisazide compound; compositions containing a thermoplastic elastomer, an acrylic monomer and a photopolymerization initiator; and compositions mainly containing a photosensitive resin (e.g. polyester acrylate, epoxy acrylate, vinyl polycinnamate, chloromethylated polystyrene, aromatic azide group-containing resin, etc.). However, these photosensitive resin compositions are not water-soluble and an organic solvent is exclusively used at the time of developing. However, an influence of the organic solvent on the environment has recently become a serious problem, in addition to safety at the time of operating and about health hazards.
Therefore, a photosensitive resin composition capable of alkaline developing, comprising a novolak resin or poly(vinyl phenol) and a quinone diazide compound, is known to solve the above various problems, but a photosensitive resin composition capable of water developing, which is more safe and simple, is desired.
As the water-developing photosensitive resin composition, for example, there are suggested a composition comprising a water-soluble resin as a main component, such as a composition comprising a water-soluble resin (e.g. polyvinyl alcohol, gelatin, casein, etc.), bichromate salt and diazonium salt or bisazide compound, and a composition comprising a water-soluble resin, a water-soluble acrylic monomer and a photopolymerization initiator, etc.
However, regarding a conventional water-developing photosensitive resin composition, the hydrophilic nature of the resin as the main component in water is remarkable. Therefore, the resin composition swells at the time of developing to cause a decrease in strength and a change in dimension. As a result, the dimensional accuracy of the resist, printing durability of the printing plate (plate wear) and printing quality are deteriorated.
In order to solve the problem of these water-developing photosensitive resin compositions, there is suggested a photosensitive resin composition obtained by formulating a photopolymerizable unsaturated monomer, an amino group-containing compound and a photopolymerization initiator with a copolymer comprising a conjugated diene compound or an acrylic ester compound, an .alpha., .beta.-ethylenic unsaturated carboxylic acid and a polyfunctional vinyl compound, said copolymer being soluble in an aqueous alkaline solution (e.g. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication Nos. Sho 60-179411, Sho 60-219208 and Sho 61-181811).
In addition, as another water-developing photosensitive resin composition, a composition comprising a partially crosslinked copolymer of an aliphatic conjugated diene, an .alpha., .beta.-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid and a polyfunctional vinyl compound, an aliphatic conjugated diene copolymer having a molecular weight of not less than 5,000, a photopolymerizable unsaturated monomer, a basic nitrogen atom-containing compound and a photopolymerization initiator (e.g. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. Hei 1-300246, etc.); a composition comprising a polymer having a tertiary amino group and a polymerizable unsaturated group, an .alpha., .beta.-ethylenicunsaturated monomer having a free acid group, a photopolymerizable unsaturated monomer and a photopolymerization initiator (e.g. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. Sho 61-246742, etc.); and a composition comprising a photopolymerizable unsaturated monomer, an amino group-containing compound (a part of the photopolymerizable unsaturated monomer or amino group-containing compound has a (meth)acryloyl group) and an aromatic ketone and, optionally, an additional polymer (e.g. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. Sho 61-228002, etc.) are known.
However, these photosensitive resin compositions are not satisfactory in balance between characteristics such as water-developing properties, flexibility after photosetting and developing, resilience, hardness of rubber, mechanical strength, etc.

Water-developing photosensitive resin composition


The invention pertains to adjustable bone plates which comprise one or more sets of first members and second members. The first members and second members are releaseably secured to each other by attachment means and locking means, and two or more set of first members and second members are connected by bridging means. The longitudinal and lateral dimensions of the bone plates may be adjustable.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention pertains to adjustable bone plates which comprise one or more sets of first and second members releaseably secured to each other. The members are capable of sliding thereby allowing the surgeon to adjust the longitudinal length of the bone plate and also to move pieces of broken bone closer to each other prior to setting the longitudinal length of the bone plate. The invention also pertains to bone plates that may be adjusted in both a longitudinal and lateral dimension.
2. The Relevant Art
Conventional bone plates have fixed dimensions and multiple holes for accommodating bone screws. Surgeons generally use bone plates to join sections of fractured bone by placing the bone plate atop the fracture, inserting bone screws through the holes in the plate which overlie the healthy part of the bone and securing the bone about the fracture. Bone plates of many sizes are provided for the surgeon, each having a number of holes so that the surgeon can arrange the plate over the fracture and have bone screw holes available above the healthy bone.
Direct Compression Plates ("DCP") are also available to stabilize fractured bone. DCP generally have angulated openings, through which screws are "toed" into the bone with the tightening of the toed screws operating to move the bone, slightly, under the DCP. DCP have been used to move bone pieces on either side of the fracture closer together. However, with a DCP, only slight and not easily controllable movements occur. Generally, the underlying bone is pulled into place by the threads of a screw, providing no control over the twisting or turning of the bone, and the bending of the plate. In addition, the bone is pulled at an angle to the attached plates, which can result in a cocked bone or at an angle to the longitudinal direction of the bone. This angulation, together with the micromotion in the bone, has led to backing out of the screws after the bone plate is secured to the bone.
Thus, there is a need for bone plates which are adjustable that allow the surgeon to move the broken pieces of bone while inhibiting or preventing the bone from twisting or cocking either during the process of applying the bone plate to the fractured bone or afterwards.


The present application provides a memory test circuit and a device wafer including the memory test circuit. The memory test circuit is coupled to a memory array having intersecting first and second signal lines, and includes a fuse element and a transistor. The fuse element has a first terminal coupled to a first group of the first signal lines and a test voltage, and has a second terminal coupled to second and third groups of the first signal lines. The transistor has a source/drain terminal coupled to the second terminal of the fuse element and another source/drain terminal coupled to a reference voltage. The first group of the first signal lines are selectively coupled to the test voltage when the transistor is turned on, and all of the first signal lines are coupled to the test voltage when the transistor is kept off.

In recent decades, demand to storage capability has increased as electronic products continue to improve. In order to increase storage capability of a memory device (e.g., a DRAM device), more memory cells are integrated in the memory device. As the integration level increases, fabrication process of the memory device become much more complicated, and process window become rather narrow. As a consequence, increase of integration level may result in higher possibility of leakage among the memory cells.
In addition to develop a more advanced fabrication process, a testing procedure performed on the fabricated memory device is required for ensuring low leakage or leakage-free of memory product. However, current testing procedure is destructive to the memory device, and fails to provide localized inspection. Therefore, result of the testing procedure could only provide limited information of the memory device.
This Discussion of the Background section is provided for background information only. The statements in this Discussion of the Background are not an admission that the subject matter disclosed in this section constitutes prior art to the present disclosure, and no part of this Discussion of the Background section may be used as an admission that any part of this application, including this Discussion of the Background section, constitutes prior art to the present disclosure.


An integrated circuit package system is provided including forming a leadframe structure having a encapsulant space provided predominantly inside the leadframe structure and attaching a die to the leadframe structure in the encapsulant space inside the leadframe structure. The system further includes electrically connecting the die to the leadframe structure and injecting encapsulant into the encapsulant space to form the integrated circuit package system.

In the electronics industry, a continuing objective is to further and further reduce the size and weight of electronic devices while simultaneously increasing performance and speed. Cellular telephones, personal data devices, notebook computers, camcorders, and digital cameras are but a few of the consumer products that require and benefit from this ongoing miniaturization of sophisticated electronics.
Integrated circuit ("IC") assemblies for such complex electronic systems typically have a large number of interconnected IC chips. The IC chips, commonly called dies, are usually made from a semiconductor material such as silicon or gallium arsenide. Photolithographic techniques are used to form the various semiconductor devices in multiple layers on the dies.
Dies are encapsulated in a molded plastic package that has connectors or leads on the exterior of the package that function as input/output terminals for the die inside the package. The package includes a leadframe, a die mounted on the leadframe, and wires connecting the die to the leadframe.
The die is conventionally mounted to the top surface of the leadframe with, for example, a layer of an adhesive or an adhesive film, and then electrically connected to the leadframe by a number of fine, conductive wires, typically gold ("Au") or aluminum ("Al"). The wires are attached to the die at the bonding pads of the die, which are located around the periphery of the die.
After the wires are attached, the die, the leadframe, and the conductive wires are encapsulated in a mold compound, such as plastic or epoxy. The encapsulation protects the leadframe, the die, and the fine conductive wires from physical, electrical, moisture, and/or chemical damage.
The encapsulation process begins by placing the leadframe, the die, and the fine conductive wires in a mold. Next, a mold compound is injected into the mold. The mold compound flows through the mold, encasing the leadframe, the die, and the conductive wires.
Typically, a mold encapsulates multiple semiconductor devices at the same time. A two part mold mounted on a hydraulic press is generally used.
Initially the two halves of the mold are held apart. One or more lead frames containing semiconductor devices are placed in an open half of the mold. The hydraulic press is then actuated and the mold closed, forming a cavity around each semiconductor die. It is not unusual for a mold to contain hundreds of cavities. Each of these cavities is connected by one or more gates, channels, and runners to one or more softened plastic central reservoirs or pots. A worm screw or ram compresses the plastic so that it flows into the cavities. As soon as the plastic has hardened, the mold is opened and the molded plastic packages removed.
Frequently, moveable pins are built into the mold to align the mold parts, to hold the lead frames in a particular location during molding, or to provide automatic ejection of the encapsulated parts. Also, the mold may contain other moving parts such as variable gates, vents, and dams. Thus, molds for encapsulating electronic parts, particularly semiconductor parts, are often very complicated.
In order to push liquefied plastic from the reservoirs into the many cavities, it is frequently necessary to inject or transfer the plastic at very high pressures. If the mold halves fail to seal tightly against each other or against the lead frames, undesired or unintended crevices may be present therebetween. At such high pressures, the crevices fill with plastic during encapsulation, producing unwanted thin webs of plastic. These thin webs of plastic are referred to as "flash" and can result from such imperfect sealing of the mold. Before the encapsulated electronic devices can be used, this flash must be removed. This increases the cost of manufacture and is undesirable. Also, flash is a significant cause of mold wear, requires additional labor for mold cleaning between molding cycles, and increases mold down-time.
In order to minimize flash, great pains are generally taken to machine the mating surfaces of the mold halves flat and parallel where they are to seal. Usually, they are carefully inspected for planarity during manufacture and after installation in the press. Powerful hydraulic cylinders in the mold force the mold halves tightly against the lead frames and each other. However, the force that can be applied in an effort to seal the mold is limited, since excessive force causes coining of the lead frames and rapid mold wear. Despite these efforts, flash continues to occur, even in the most carefully fabricated molds. The larger the mold, the more severe the problem.
Thus, a need still remains for improved encapsulation methods for electronic devices that reduce size, reduce weight, and eliminate unwanted flash.
Solutions to these problems have been long sought but prior developments have not taught or suggested any solutions and, thus, solutions to these problems have long eluded those skilled in the art.


A method for synchronizing a time architecture of a mobile network that includes a plurality of network components, each having a time subsystem clock that is updated using a network time protocol (NTP) program. The method includes operating the components in a hierarchical fashion and booting up all the network components such that execution of a NTP sub-program for making small incremental changes to the each component time subsystem clock is delayed. Additionally, the method includes iteratively executing a NTP sub-program for making large changes to each component time system clock until each component time sub-system clock establishes an initial synchronization with a parent component time sub-system clock. Furthermore, the method includes iteratively executing the NTP sub-program for making small incremental changes once initial synchronization is established such that each component time sub-system clock maintains synchronization with the parent component time sub-system clock.

Local area networks (LANs) and other computer networks are becoming more common place on mobile platforms, e.g. aircraft, ships and trains. Architecturally, mobile networks are very similar to ground based, or terrestrial, networks. Mobile networks typically include servers, databases and other storage mediums, processors, and client systems, as do typical terrestrial network. Given the mobile nature of mobile networks, they are typically connected to a terrestrial network via a wireless communication system such as a satellite network. Therefore, in addition to the standard components, mobile networks typically include transmit and receive cards that allow the mobile network to communicate with terrestrial networks that include similar transmit and receive card.
Although more and more mobile platforms are equipped with mobile networks, it is difficult to provide a level of functionality within mobile networks similar to the level of functionality of terrestrial networks. A major reason for this lower level of functionality in mobile networks is that their functionality is dependent on communication with terrestrial networks. Since mobile platforms are not stationary, a constant communication link to a terrestrial network is difficult to maintain. For example, an aircraft moving at 500 miles per hour and using satellite links to a terrestrial network will have to occasionally switch between more than one satellite to maintain communication with the ground network. This switching will cause delays in the transfer of data from the ground network to the mobile network. Additionally, there will be inherent delays caused by the long distances over which the data is transmitted.
Further diminishment of functionality is caused when various components of the mobile network attempt to operate having time sub-systems of the components set to the incorrect time and/or out of synchronization with time sub-systems of the other component. Even further functionality is lost when the mobile network time services are out of synchronization with the terrestrial network with which it is communicating. On a mobile platform such as an aircraft, power is typically applied to all mobile network components simultaneously and all components attempt to boot up at the same time. Most components do not have battery backed up time features. Therefore, as the components simultaneously boot up, each will boot up using the time from its respective time subsystem, which will likely vary widely from component to component.
To establish the correct time each component typically utilizes network time protocol (NTP) software that attempts to correct the time of a component so it matches the universal time coordinated (UTC) time. At initialization of a component, a NTP sub-program, NTPD, is executed that requests the time from a 'Parent' component of the requesting component. The 'Parent' component is the next component between the requesting component and a mobile network server. NTPD then adjusts the time of the requesting component to bring it closer to the 'Parent' time. NTPD will adjust the requesting component time periodically until that component time matches the 'Parent' time. The 'Parent' component also runs NTPD, thereby requesting and updating time from its 'Parent' component.
This hierarchical process is reiterated for each component within the mobile network until time is requested from the mobile network server, which has battery backed up time that maintains reasonably accurate time. However, upon establishing a two-way communication link with the terrestrial network, the mobile network server requests a time update from the terrestrial network server, which maintains UTC time via a GPS time receiver.
Although NTPD attempts to update the time of each component to the UTC time using the hierarchical process, NTPD only makes very small adjustments, e.g. microseconds, to the time of the requesting component. Therefore, if the requesting component time and the 'Parent' time have a large differential it will take a very long time for the 'Child' component time to match the 'Parent' time. To correct large time differentials, each component runs a NTP sub-program, ntpdate, which will make larger time adjustments to the requesting component's time subsystem. However, ntpdate is executed only once upon boot up of a component, after which NTPD is periodically executed regardless of whether ntpdate was successful in adjusting the time to UTC time.
Thus, it would be desirable to compensate for these large time differentials and accurately synchronize both the time architecture as well as the time distribution between components of the mobile network, and between the mobile network and the terrestrial network.


It is an object of the present invention to improve the usability of a material, and to provide a display device which can be manufactured by simplifying the manufacturing process and a manufacturing technique thereof. It is also an object of the invention to provide a technique in which a pattern of a wiring or the like constituting these display devices can be formed to have a desired shape with favorable controllability. One feature of a droplet discharge device of the invention comprises: a discharge means for discharging a composition including a pattern forming material; and a shape means for shaping the shape of the composition before the composition is attached to a formation region, in which the shape means is provided between the discharge means and the formation region.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a droplet discharge device for forming a pattern by discharging (applying) a droplet, to a method for forming a pattern, and to a method for manufacturing a display device using the method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
A thin film transistor (hereinafter, referred to as a "TFT") and an electronic circuit using the thin film transistor are manufactured by laminating various types of thin films of a semiconductor, an insulating material, a conductive material, and the like over a substrate and then, appropriately forming a predetermined pattern with a photolithography technique. The photolithography technique means a technique of transferring a pattern of a circuit or the like formed over a surface of a transparent flat plane referred to as a photomask by using a material which does not transmit light, onto a targeted substrate by utilizing light, and the technique has widely been used in the manufacturing process of a semiconductor integrated circuit or the like.
In the manufacturing process employing a conventional photolithography technique, it is necessary to perform a multi-stage step including light exposure, developing, baking, peeling, and the like only for treating a mask pattern which is formed by using a photosensitive organic resin material referred to as a photoresist. Therefore, as the number of times of the photolithography step is increased more, the manufacturing cost is inevitably increased more. In order to improve such problems as described above, it has been tried to manufacture a TFT by reducing the number of the photolithography step (for example, Reference 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. H11-251259).
However, in the technique disclosed in Reference 1, only a part of the photolithography step which is carried out plural times in TFT manufacturing process is replaced by a printing method and no contribution is made to a drastic reduction in the number of steps. Further, a light exposing apparatus to be used for transferring the mask pattern in the photolithography technique transfers a pattern of from several micrometers to 1 micrometer or less by equivalent projection light exposure or reduction projection light exposure. It is theoretically difficult for the light exposing apparatus to expose a large area substrate having a side of more than 1 meter to light all at once from a technical standpoint.

Droplet discharge device, and method for forming pattern, and method for manufacturing display device


A cell suitable for use with an atomic clock and a method for making the same, the cell including: a silicon wafer having a recess formed therein; at least one amorphous silicate member having an ion mobility and temperature expansion coefficient approximately that of silicon sealing the recess; and, an alkali metal containing component and buffer gas contained in the recess. The method includes: providing a silicon wafer; forming a cavity through the silicon wafer; introducing an alkali metal containing component and buffer gas into the cavity; and, anodically bonding at least one amorphous silicate member having an ion mobility and temperature expansion coefficient approximately that of silicon to the wafer to close the cavity.

It is believed to be desirable to provide compact atomic clocks, such as Chip-Scale Atomic Clocks (CSACs). One method for providing such clocks uses an alkali metal atomic vapor (hereinafter "atomic vapor"), such as a Cs or Rb atom containing vapor. Accordingly, it is believed to be desirable to provide a method for fabricating compact atomic vapor containing cells. Such cells are believed to be useful in realizing compact atomic clocks, such as CSACs.

Anodically bonded cell, method for making same and systems incorporating same


A method of forming a non-volatile memory device includes providing a substrate having a surface, depositing a dielectric overlying the surface, forming a first wiring structure overlying the dielectric, depositing silicon material overlying the first wiring structure, the silicon layer having a thickness of less than about 100 Angstroms, depositing silicon germanium material at a temperature raging from about 400 to about 490 Degrees Celsius overlying the first wiring structure using the silicon layer as a seed layer, wherein the silicon germanium material is substantially free of voids and has polycrystalline characteristics, depositing resistive switching material (e.g. amorphous silicon material) overlying the silicon germanium material, depositing a conductive material overlying the resistive material, and forming a second wiring structure overlying the conductive material.

The present invention is generally related to resistive switching devices. More particularly, embodiments according to the present invention provide a method and a structure to form a low temperature crystalline silicon material for a resistive switching device. Embodiments according to the present invention can be applied to non-volatile memory devices but it should be recognized that the present invention can have a much broader range of applicability.
From the above, a new semiconductor device structure and integration is desirable.

Seed layer for a p+ silicon germanium material for a non-volatile memory device and method


This invention relates to photodynamic therapy (PDT) of vulnerable plaque using two pluralities of nanoparticles, one plurality comprising a PDT agent that is sensitive to blue-green light wherein the nanoparticles are capable of penetrating only into the fibrous cap of the vulnerable plaque and one plurality comprising a PDT agent that is sensitive to red light wherein the nanoparticles are capable of penetrating into the core of the vulnerable plaque.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been used primarily for the treatment of cancer. It is believed that, given a suitable delivery vehicle and method, PDT drugs, either alone or in combination with other drugs, should find utility in the treatment of vascular diseases. This invention provides such a delivery vehicle and method.

Drug delivery system and method of treatment of vascular diseases using photodynamic therapy


A method of forming a multi-particulate dosage form using rotary granulation is described in which polyethylene oxide is employed as s binder in a rotary granulation process. A multi-particulate oral dosage form comprises a plurality of pellets, the pellets comprising a core having disposed thereon a core composition layer. The core composition layer comprises venlafaxine and a binder, wherein the binder comprises a polyethylene oxide. In other embodiments, the binder comprises a 1:2:1 bis (butyl methacrylate-co-(2-dimethylaminoethyl)methacrylate-co-methyl methacrylate.

Pharmaceutical dosage forms can be in the form of single-unit dosage forms such as tablets, or multi-particulate dosage forms such as pellets. Pellets can be flowable, substantially spherical particulates or rods, for example. Pellets can have a uniform composition or can be in the form of a coated particle such as an inert core having a coating comprising an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) and optionally excipients. Coating of the cores with the API can be followed by coating of the particles with an extended-release polymer. Optionally, the API-coated particles can be incorporated into an extended release matrix composition. Advantages of dosage forms based on pellets include variable dosage strength without formulation changes, ease of combining incompatible agents, and application of extended-release technology.
There are several manufacturing techniques that can be employed in the formation of pellet dosage forms. Extended-release oral dosage forms of APIs may be prepared using a Wurster process to coat a solution of the API onto inert spheroid particles. This process is characterized by the location of a spray nozzle at the bottom of a fluidized bed of solid particles. The particles are suspended in a fluidizing air stream that is designed to induce a cyclic flow of the particles past the spray nozzle. The nozzle sprays an atomized flow of coating solution, suspension, or other coating vehicle. The Wurster process, while effective, can be time-consuming and can add to manufacturing costs.
A less time-consuming method used to coat APIs is a rotor-granulator process in which centrifugal force, fluidization air velocity, and gravitational force all contribute to the efficiency of the process. In one typical rotor-granulator process, an API powder is deposited on an inert core in the presence of a binder solution. In another typical rotor granulation process, a suspension of the API in a suspending agent is employed. The suspended or powder particles of the API can act to control the size of the atomized droplets. The suspended or powder API particles thus effectively act as a dusting powder to reduce agglomeration that can compete with API layering. In the absence of API particles, e.g., in the presence of an API either wholly soluble or soluble to an appreciable extent in the binder solution, rotor-granulation is usually not performed due to stickiness, slow application rates, and/or formation of a rough surface texture on the particles.
In view of the foregoing problems, the remains a need for improved multi-particulate dosage forms and methods of making the dosage forms.

Venlafaxine formulations and methods of preparing the same


The present invention provides a display panel and a display method thereof, and a display device. The display panel comprises a plurality of sub-pixel arrays, each sub-pixel array is composed of eight sub-pixels arranged in two rows and four columns. In each sub-pixel array, four sub-pixels in a same row include three color sub-pixels and one compensation sub-pixel, the three color sub-pixels include one red sub-pixel, one green sub-pixel and one blue sub-pixel, colors of two sub-pixels in a same column are different from each other. The display method comprises: causing a plurality of color sub-pixels with the same color near a sub-pixel position to display, so that the required color component is displayed at the sub-pixel position under an average effect of the color sub-pixels with the same color; and performing display compensation on a sub-pixel position by using a plurality of compensation sub-pixels near the sub-pixel position.

In a conventional liquid crystal display device or organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device, each point (pixel) displays colors by a plurality of sub-pixels through light mixing, e.g. each pixel is composed of a red sub-pixel, a green sub-pixel and a blue sub-pixel (i.e., in RGB mode).
To improve the visual effect, the requirement for resolution (the number of pixels in a unit size) of a display device is increasingly high, this requires increasingly small size of the sub-pixels, but the size of the sub-pixels cannot be infinitely reduced due to process limitation.
To improve the display effect under the condition that the size of the sub-pixels is definite, a display device of a Pentile mode is proposed. In the display device of the Pentile mode, the number of sub-pixels of part of colors (e.g. red sub-pixels and blue sub-pixels) is halved, meanwhile, in the display device, the sub-pixels of different colors are virtualized as in different "layers", each layer is divided into a plurality of sampling areas, the divided sampling areas of each layer are not superposed, and then the content to be displayed by each sub-pixel is calculated by using an area ratio of the sampling areas. A part of the sub-pixels in the display device of the Pentile mode are "shared", so that a resolution higher than the practical resolution is achieved on the visual effect.
However, the display effect of the existing display device of the Pentile mode is still not ideal. Since the number of the sub-pixels of part of colors is halved, the sub-pixels of various colors are not uniformly distributed, and the problems of serrated grains, latticed spots, unclear display of small contents and the like are easily caused. Meanwhile, due to a calculation mode of "layer and area division", a complex calculation process is needed for calculating the content which needs to be displayed by each sub-pixel, and the calculation quantity is large.

Display panel and display method thereof, and display device

BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.