This invention relates to systems, apparatus and methods of operating a wet combustion engine and apparatus therefore, capable of biologically burning fuels within a wet combustion chamber within a bioproactor system, including but not limited to, organic carbon containing materials especially biological, hazardous or toxic waste contaminants, in an environmentally sensitive manner. An integrated computer control system that, proactively and pre-emptively, uses feedback from bio-sensors, to monitor, record and control applicable components of the bio-system, to optimize, replenish, and sustain exponential growth of selected life-forms, including but not limited to microbes such as bacteria. In the intake cycle, a suitably prepared fuel mixture is metered into the wet combustion diffusion separation membrane chamber located within the life-support chamber of the bioproactor. In the combustion cycle, diffusion and combustion rates are monitored and timed. In the exhaust cycle, products of combustion, including water and incomplete combustion by-products both organic and inorganic, are removed. The above cycles may be repeated sequentially. The subsequent accumulation of all of the exhaust cycle's products of combustion may be collected, stored, classified, separated, recycled or discharged. Some of the potential energy released during the combustion cycle's reaction directly results in the conversion of wastes, the generation of gases and, in the case of organic carbon fuels, the generation of water. Other uses of the kinetic and potential energy released by this engine include, but are not limited to the, mechanical movements of actuators, and heat transfer to heat exchangers.

The invention may be applied to a broad range of applications. For clarity and illustration, an example of biological metabolism of organic carbon waste using oxygen is described in detail below. Although this example is the more common, other less common applications, such as thermophilic bacteria using hydrogen sulfide to chemically and symbiotically "fix" or process organics, are also to be included. This invention uses the assimilation and reproductive mechanism of living organisms, in combination with any of their dependent environmental requirements, as an engine that produces the beneficial conversion of undesirables to desirables. The living organism may be prokaryotes, eukaryotes or a combination thereof. Together, the growth, metabolic and environmental requirements determine the spectrum of conditions required to sustain life. For example, it was only recently discovered that a diversity of life (dependent on microbes—i.e. specific bacteria) abounds in very high temperature, high pressure, nutrient-rich, volcanic vents, thousands of feet undersea. This invention introduces the concept of a bioproactor which, by definition, is an advanced bioreactor. The standard uses of a bioreactor will provide the basis from which this bioproactor evolves.
There is often a rapid uncontrolled decline in the viability of an exponential growth phase bacterial reaction when bioreactor cultures are delivered to a waste stream. Too often the bacteria fail to survive; consequently, there is a rapid diminish in function and number. Factors, likes toxic shock, water quality or hostile conditions in the field, all contribute to undesirable failure. Likewise, a waste stream delivered to a bioreactor is also difficult to control. Typically waste is inconsistent, incompatible and toxic to the system. In addition, by-products of the reaction accumulate and the exponential growth phase stops.
This invention introduces a novel approach to the above problems. A new system, containing a wet combustion engine solves these problems. Based on advanced support technologies, the wet combustion engine, deploying pre-emptive, proactive control, is described as a bioproactor. Details and definitions follow that describe how waste is converted to fuel; then burned in a wet combustion chamber. The three cycles of intake, combustion, and exhaust are repeated as necessary. Surplus recycled exhaust is separated into undesirable and desirable streams. Regenerative recycled desirables are stored or returned to the process as needed. The bioproactor concurrently generates, delivers, sustains, and replenishes microbial exponential growth while removing undesirable by-products without compromising their environment.
This invention was made possible by recent advances in a number of areas. First, advanced aeration technology, in particular vacuum bubble™ aeration, maintains high oxygen delivery potential to the bioproactor. Second, advanced bio-generation has the ability to deliver highly-concentrated, exponential growth phase bacteria as required. Third, a synergy is created in combining the bioproactor's pre-emptive life-support capabilities with computer control using PID algorithms. Fourth, biosensor feedback administers interactive management of high bacterial growth rates and their accompanying demands. The diversity and advancements in membrane technology have contributed to the practical implementation of the wet combustion engine concept and thereby allowed the bioproactor concept to become a reality.
For convenience and clarity, water and bacteria are herein referred to as the liquid and microbe of choice, respectively. It is within the scope of this invention that other liquids, capable of supporting living organisms, as well as other life-forms be included. For example, higher-order multi-celled organisms such a zoo-plankton, capable of oxidation/reduction, as well as other electron donors and acceptors (e.g. in place of oxygen such as sulfur or nitrogen) are also to be included as wet combustion engine components.
The following definitions will aid in the understanding of the advanced capabilities of the bioproactor with the pro-active, pre-emptive ability in support of the wet combustion engine system.
1.biological burning2.PID3.bioreactor4.proactive5.recycle process, (RP)6.regenerative recycle process (RRP)7.proportional regenerative recycle process, at times referred toas (PRRP)8.bioproactor9.minomax10.exponential growth phase bacteria, at times referred to as (EGB)11.life-support12.bio-generation13.advanced aeration14.microbial food equivalent, at times referred to as (MFE)15.PLC and integrated computer systems16.gas, liquid and solid/liquids, at times referred to as (G,L,S/L)17.discard, removal or elimination
1 biological burning Refers to the process, within a liquid such as water, of the oxidation-reduction of molecules by microbes. It is an object of this invention to also include the chemical/biological oxidation/reduction occurring before and after combustion in the combustion chamber of the wet combustion engine as well as in the intake and holding tanks, respectively. The burning utilizes enzymes produced by the microbes that subsequently act as organic catalysts.
2. P-I-D stands for Proportional, Integral, Derivative (relating to a bioproactor).
Process control input variables can be continuously measured and directly fed into computer algorithms. Precise output adjustment calculated by the P-I-D algorithms improves the rise time (the "P" benefit with less time required to complete an effort), improves overshoot control (The "P-I" benefit reduces over-correction efforts with an additional reduction in time), and eliminates reaction steady-state errors (the "P-I-D" benefit analogous to successfully applying an intense effort at the last possible moment to have a best effort in the least amount of time). This input feedback-output control method is common and perfected throughout industry. Monitoring changes and pro-acting before the full impact is delivered vastly improves reaction potential and efficiency. This very mechanism when applied to anticipated needs gives the bioproactor a pre-emptive capability. For example, a rapid increase in carbon dioxide gas production is detected and analyzed, predicting a highly active microbe reaction is underway; this triggers a pre-emptive adjustment for pH before the reaction limit is reached. It is this anticipatory proactive control that makes a bioproactor an integral part of the wet combustion engine system. See the internet publication obtained on Jul. 23, 2002 from Carnegie Mellon and The University of Michigan titled: PID Tutorial.
3. bioreactor (referring to use of a vessel containing viable microbes) as: reaction vessel into which viable microbes are introduced and allowed to react.
4. proactive (referring to pre-emptive actions, e.g. acting in advance) as: dynamic ability to recognize, anticipate, rapidly adjust, and thereby sustain critical living conditions.
5 recycle process (referring to gas, liquid and solid/liquid process streams) separating undesirable from desirable matter and storing and reusing same
6 regenerative recycle process (RRP) (dealing with life-support factors) restoring and purifying matter to equal or greater quality.
7 proportional regenerative recycle process (PRRP) (life-support conditions) Fractional portion of the system is removed and simultaneously replaced by regenerative recycled or new matter.
8. bioproactor or bio-proactor (referring to a highly evolved bioreactor) as: a highly evolved bioreactor capable of proactive, pre-emptive life-support. By definition, a bioproactor actively makes beneficial adjustments in advance of critical life-threatening conditions. A bioproactor senses biologically pertinent changes in real-time, adjusts in anticipation of the consequences of those changes, or compensates in advance. The bioproactor can incorporate pre-emptive actions, such as proportional regeneration (concurrent recycling), real-time quantiative and qualitative analysis of biomass production, and pre-emptive adjustments from historical analysis of bio-sensing biological activity.
9 minomax (describes range limits where "o" is short for "optimum"), the optimum as a subset of minimum and maximum range limits wherein the optimum is a preferred but not a required range within the minimum and maximums.
10. exponential growth phase bacteria (or EGB) (one of four growth phases) bacteria multiplying at their maximum rate when adequate substrate and nutrient are supplied; temperature is the remaining limiting factor. (See: Waste Water Engineering, 4th edition, Metcalf & Eddy, McGraw-Hill, ® 2003, Pg 566-567)
11. life-support system (referring to living, multiplying organisms, e.g. microbes such as bacteria) system required to maintain an adequate supply of energy, carbon sources, organic or inorganic elements and nutrients, to support the surviving exponential growth phase bacteria [in the bioproactor]. (See: Waste Water Engineering, 4th edition, Metcalf & Eddy, McGraw-Hill, ® 2003, Pg 564).
12. bio-generation (an advanced bio-reactor producing exponential growth phase organisms) ability to produce large quantities of exponential growth phase bacteria in high concentrations on a regular basis. (e.g. 10 trillion/liter each 24 hrs).
13. advanced aeration (delivery of gases into solvents such as liquid water) ability to maintain dissolved gas levels into a bioproactor at a rate sufficient enough to support exponential growth microbes, (i.e., by a vacuum bubble™ aeration). See Sewage Aeration Systems brochure.
14. microbial food equivalent, (at times referred to as MFE) fuel resulting from a waste refining process, treated, prepared and adjusted to produce a grade of fuel also considered a microbial food equivalent that is capable of being biologically burned.
15. PLC/integrated computer/computer (PLC is short for programmable logic controller) PLC is functionally equivalent to a computer. The term integrated is used herein to include feedback from input and output controls connected to a PLC, computer or a combined network of both.
16. Gas, liquid and solid/liquids process stream has all three phases, each requiring a different recycling means. Traditional means and technology may be used for all: desirables are kept for reuse or for storage while undesirables are eliminated. Solid/liquid refers to practical means of treating solids in slurry form.
17. Discarded or eliminated. Commercially salvageable matter is sold. Disposal, removal or elimination of undesirables is understood to be in an environmentally safe manner. A further object of this invention is to safely complete molecular conversion of waste to a preferred form, most typically molecules containing carbon, to carbon dioxide.


A method for transferring a layer onto a support includes transferring the layer, assembled on an initial substrate, onto a liquid layer that has been previously deposited on the support. The layer is subsequently released from the initial substrate by chemical etching, and the liquid layer is evacuated to allow molecular adhesion of the layer to the support.

Microelectronic and optoelectronic components are now made from combinations of monocrystalline materials manufactured using epitaxy techniques. Modern epitaxy techniques make it possible to prepare and combine materials of very high purity having properties close to their ideal theoretical performances.
However, a certain number of technological difficulties remain, hindering the full development of these techniques. Indeed, in the case of optoelectronic applications, semi-conductor alloys cover a very wide range of composition and thus of associated wavelengths and applications. However, the monocrystalline nature of the substrates and the use of epitaxy techniques lead to intrinsic restrictive limitations, since it will be possible á priori to only combine materials having identical or very similar lattice parameters. Indeed, as a function of the substrates available, only narrow ranges of composition may be exploited.
Attempts have been made to grow, by heteroepitaxy, alloys having a lattice mismatch on standard substrate. Said alloys are then strained. Beyond a thickness known as critical (of several nm), the strain energy causes the plastic relaxation of the epitaxied layer. This results in the appearance of extensive structural defects (low mismatch) or island growth (high mismatch). This mode of relaxation leads to a roughening of the surface and to a deterioration in the optical and electronical properties of the materials.
The document of Y. H. Lo et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 59, 2311, 1991 proposes the formation of a lattice parameter mismatched layer. It involves a strained layer of thickness less than the critical plastic relaxation thickness, which is elastically relaxed to avoid generating defects. A resumption of lattice parameter matched epitaxy may then be carried out on this relaxed layer, over large thicknesses, without generating defects. This concept makes it possible to obtain layers of compositions different to the compositions used on standard substrate.
This approach consists in epitaxying a strained layer on a substrate, then relaxing said layer to allow a resumption of epitaxy without generating structural defects. The relaxation can take place before or during the resumption of epitaxy.
This relaxation may be obtained by different methods, such as the use of a viscous material or sub-etching.
This approach has been applied by Yin H. Yin et al., J. Appl. Phys. 91, 9716, 2002, with the use of a glass (BPSG), as well as by M. Kostrzewa et al., J. Cryst. Growth. 275, 157, 2005, with the use of a wax. In this technique, the structure is transferred onto a viscous material. The strained layer, once released from the substrate on which it has been epitaxied, relaxes thanks to the viscosity of the support substrate, generally by heating the viscous material in order to increase its viscosity.
However, in these techniques, the viscosity of the layer is not high enough to obtain good relaxation. In fact, this takes place through formation of surface undulations, which can have major drawbacks. As a function of the amplitude and the wavelength of the undulations, it can lead to a surface roughening of the epitaxial layer on account of the non-uniform deformation field that it generates on the surface of the material. Techniques employing transfer on viscous material are thus limited.
The sub-etching technique applied by Damlencourt et al., Appl. Phys. Lett., 75, 3638, 1999, consists in forming an almost free strained layer held by arms. The layer is released from its support by sub-etching of a stop layer. The layer is then free to relax before it comes to bond on the initial substrate. However, being held by arms limits the relaxation and the selectivity of the strained layer with respect to the stop layer and limits the dimension of the relaxed membranes.
It is thus necessary to develop a novel technique enabling the relaxation of layers, particularly of large dimensions, without the above mentioned limitations.

Method of transferring a layer onto a liquid material


A reversing contactor apparatus in a single case is disclosed, comprising electro-mechanical locking means.. These means which comprise a mobile mechanical locking piece, further having surfaces for actuating locking switches, are placed substantially in the plane of a median dividing wall, on each side of which each of the two contactors of the apparatus are disposed; these conductors connect these switches in series to each contactor coil and, respectively, to a connection terminal.

The invention relates to a reversing contactor electric apparatus comprising two electromagnet systems and two power switch systems housed in a common case, which further receives a mechanical locking device preventing simultaneous movement of the mobile armature pieces of these two systems, switches with reciprocal locking being further disposed in the circuits supplying these electromagnets for preventing energization of that one of these two electromagnets which is not concerned.
In such apparatus which are very often used either for feeding multi-phase motors with two directions of operation, or for that of star-delta starters, it is frequently desirable to associate, with the mechanical locking device preventing simultaneous movement of the armatures, an electric locking device preventing simultaneous energization of the coils of the two electromagnets.
Usually, such locking is provided by means of auxiliary switches whose contacts are placed in series with the coils, these switches being either associated externally of the common case or else associated respectively with each of the two adjacent contactors when, for lack of combined apparatus, two separate contactor apparatus must be associated together between which is disposed a mechanical locking device.
However, the fact of using for each contactor, for the purpose of electric locking, one of the switches contained in an auxiliary contact case deprives the user of two switches which could be useful for accomplishing other programs of automatic control and/or signalling, whereas an external wiring operation must be systematically carried out.
The mechanical locking devices frequently comprise two mobile parts, the respective conjugation of the movements of which with those of the armatures give every satisfaction when the relatively narrow manufacturing tolerances are respected, the probabilities of malfunction are however never excluded considering in particular the progressive modifications of their dimensions during large-scale manufacture, which must further accommodate inevitable wear attributable to their operation.
The recent developments in the field concerned result from the needs felt by numerous users of multi-phase motors of having apparatus which are simple to mount and connect, even if it entails a complete replacement when only one of the two contactors is damaged.

Reversing contactor apparatus with locking


An electrically-variable transmission is provided with input member and output member, first and second motor/generators, a first planetary gear set and multiple additional planetary gear sets as well as at least four torque-transmitting mechanisms that are selectively engagable alone or in different combinations to establish a reverse electrically-variable operating mode, at least three forward electrically-variable operating modes, including two low range forward electrically-variable modes and a high range forward electrically-variable mode.

Electrically-variable transmissions typically have an input member connected to an engine and one or two motor/generators connected to different members of planetary gear sets to allow one or more electrically-variable modes of operation, fixed speed ratio modes, and an electric-only (battery powered) mode. An "electrically-variable mode" is an operating mode in which the speed ratio between the transmission input member and the transmission output member is determined by the speed of one of the motor/generators. Electrically-variable transmissions may improve vehicle fuel economy in a variety of ways. For instance, the engine may be turned off at idle, during periods of deceleration and braking, and during periods of low speed or light load operation to eliminate efficiency losses due to engine drag. Captured braking energy (via regenerative braking) or energy stored by one of the motors acting as a generator during periods when the engine is operating is utilized during these engine off periods to keep the engine off longer, supplement engine torque or power and/or operate at a lower engine speed, or supplement accessory power supplies. Transient demand for engine torque or power is supplemented by the motor/generators during operation in engine-on, electrically-variable modes, allowing for downsizing the engine without reducing apparent vehicle performance. Additionally, the motor/generators are very efficient in accessory power generation and electric power from the battery serves as an available torque reserve allowing operation at a relatively low transmission numerical speed ratio.
Electrically variable transmission modes may be classified as input-split, output-split, or compound-split modes. Input-split modes have one of the motor/generators geared such that its speed varies in direct proportion to the transmission output, and the other motor/generator geared such that its speed is a linear combination of the input member and the output member speeds. Output-split modes have one of the motor/generators geared such that its speed varies in direct proportion to the transmission input member, and the other motor/generator geared such that its speed is a linear combination of the input member and the output member speeds. A compound-split mode has both motor/generators geared such that their speeds are linear combinations of the input member and the output member speeds but neither is in direct proportion to either the speed of the input member or the speed of the output member.

Electrically-variable transmission having two forward low range electrically-variable modes and a reverse electrically-variable mode


An AC generator has negative pole-side rectifier devices press-fitted to a holder fin so as to dispose a bottom face of the rectifier device on a surface of the holder fin. The holder fin is disposed in such a manner that the bottom face of the rectifier device faces a rear frame of the AC generator. A clearance is formed between the rear frame and the bottom face through which the cooling wind for the rectifier device flows. The rear frame is provided with a slant face on its outer wall face for inducing the cooling wind introduced through an opening of the protection cover of the AC generator to the rectifier devices. Thus, the cooling wind induced by the slant face can hit on the bottom face of the rectifier devices directly, so as to cool the rectifier device well.

Currently, a large power output is demanded for AC generator for vehicle, making a key issue in improving a cooling ability for a rectifier located therein, which generates a large amount of heat by a large current flowing therethrough. It is considered to raise an ability of fans for cooling the rectifier, however, this increases a noise of the fans. Thus, to secure a vehicular compartment against noise, it is not always appropriate to raise the cooling ability of the fans.
JP-2001-037142-A and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,184,602 and No. 5,949,166 (JP Patent No. 3438577) disclose AC generators having an opening for inducing outer air to flow through an air passage between a rear frame and a protection cover as a cooling wind and to hit on a holder fin, which locates a rectifier thereon, so as to cool the rectifier.
However, according to the above public knowledge, the air passage is formed at rear side of the holder fin, so that the rectifier is not directly disposed to the cooling wind and not sufficiently cooled. Further, a clearance forming the air passage between the rear frame and the holder fin is narrow, so that muddy water, which may cause an erosion, stays therein.


A dry erase board that will accept writing, figures, and designs, while being erasable, and to which magnets will adhere. The board exhibits properties of a metallic board so that the surface of the board can receive magnets. The board can also be printed by silk-screening or sublimation printed with inks to produce graphics which are permanently on the surface of the board and are not erased.

The present invention relates to a dry erase board that exhibits properties of a metallic board, in that the surface receiving the coating or paint is able to receive magnets. Dry erase boards are also known as whiteboards because of their typical light or white surface which contrasts with the colored pens uses to write or draw on them or marker boards because they can be marked on and subsequently erased. For the purposes of this application, the term "dry erase board(s)" is intended to include whiteboards, marker boards, and similar type boards and surfaces.
A further feature of such a dry erase board is that this coating creates a surface that accepts permanent printing that can be erased. The board can be made by coating or paint a substrate or by molding a bulk material. Thus, the dry ease board has the following characteristics: writable, erasable, printable, sublimatable, and the ability to receive and hold magnets.
Dry erase boards are a well-known method for writing information temporarily. Dry erase boards are commonly used in offices, schools, and other locations where a chalkboard might otherwise be found. Writings on a dry erase board are erasable by wiping lightly with felt, dry cloth or paper. Suitable dry erase surfaces generally include a melamine, acrylic, vinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthelate, polystyrene, cellulose acetate, polyurethane, porcelain, high pressure laminate or enamel resin layer affixed to a backing. Such dry erase boards are characterized in that they have hard, white surfaces that are very smooth in appearance, and are essentially nonporous. Alternatively, a dry erase board may comprise a sheet of polymeric film or UV curable resin.
As noted, a variety of compositions are known for use in writing on impervious writing surfaces such as dry erase boards. These coloring compositions suitable for use on dry erase boards must erase easily without requiring a comprehensive cleaning. Additionally, the dry erase board compositions must be erasable without leaving visible remains commonly termed "ghosting." Special pens that contain non-permanent ink that can be easily erased are used to write on a dry erase board. This ink dries on the substrate but does not bond to the surface of the substrate so it can be easily removed.
U.S. Pat. No. D377,948 to Pruhs, discloses a simple dry erase board. Typically, dry erase boards have not been able to display graphics. However, U.S. Pat. No. 6,067,266 to Donelan discloses an erase board comprised of a substrate layer disposed underneath a clear film layer. Dry erase markers can be used to write on the clear film layer, while graphics or designs are displayed through the clear film by placing them directly on the substrate or on a middle sheet between the clear layer and substrate. Graphics and other designs may be printed either by hand or by computer on the substrate or a middle sheet between the clear layer and the substrate. The middle sheet can be replaced on substituted with another middle sheet having an alternative design printed on it. Further, Starline Pacific, Inc., Phoenix, Ariz., sells a line of Unisub Imprintables, including dry erase boards, which can have graphics applied by sublimation printing.
Another dry erase board comprised of a laminate core is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,527,568 to Boone, et al. Boone's invention is comprised of a corkboard or other tack penetrable material mounted to the backing of a substrate with a dry-erase laminate mounted to the corkboard. The laminate is in the center of the board and dry erase markers can be used to write on the board. The surrounding corkboard can be used to tack on notes, pictures, etc.
Dry erase boards have been made which will attract and hold magnets, but these have been made of porcelain coated over steel. While it produces a surface which can be marked on and erased, and which will accept magnets, it cannot be cut with out chipping the enamel coating and they tend to be relatively heavy. Further, additional coatings cannot be added because of the porcelain finish.
Magnetic materials have been previously used in connection with erasers for dry erase boards, but only as U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,038 to Thorp discloses, as a magnetic mount dry eraser. The eraser contains magnetic material that secures the eraser to a metallic surface that is mounted on a surface of the dry erase board. However, the eraser is not magnetically attracted to the dry erase board.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,342, to Roche, et al., discloses a composite board material that will accept both tack mounted notes and magnet mounted notes. Roche, et al. teach a display board comprised of a permeable panel and a ferromagnetic apertured material on the surface of the panel, which can receive magnetic means for securing items displayed on the panel. U.S. Pat. No. 4,584,223, to Krapf, also teaches a magnetic display panel, which consists of a magnetic display panel made of a light, rigid cardboard or foamed cork core with laminations of non-perforated steel foil arranged thereon.
Magnetic paint is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,609,788 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,843,329 to Deetz. The Deetz patents teach a magnetic paint formulated from a premix of ferromagnetic particles blended with a surfactant. The premix is then blended with a paint and can be applied to surfaces such as wood, wall board, sheet rock, foam, plywood, plastic, fiberboard, and the like. Further, U.S. Pat. No. 5,599,866 to Staadecker relates to a surface coating composition comprised of a latex-base paint with particles of a Group VIII metal. When applied to a surface, the composition allowed it to retain a magnetized object.
Substrates having surfaces that will accept sublimatable inks, usually in the form of a decoration or design, and that are used in conjunction with radiation curable top coats are known, such as, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,242,055; 6,284,327; and 6,340,504 to P. Neumann et al. These coatings can be applied to substrates such as cement board, wood, plastic, high pressure laminates, ceramic or metal. Laminates with sublimated designs or graphics can be used like tiles on walls or for labels, identification badges, displays, table tops, cabinet doors, and the like.


Aggregate washing systems are described including mechanisms for slurrying, washing and/or dewatering aggregate material.

There is an increased interest in the bulk material handling industry and related industries for efficient use of resources (e.g., energy, water) during material processing. Existing washing equipment (e.g., sand screws) often uses undesirably high amounts of water.
Thus there is a need in the art for aggregate washing systems, methods, and apparatus having improved washing effectiveness and/or efficiency (e.g., water usage efficiency, energy efficiency, and/or processing time efficiency). As a non-limiting exemplary application, such aggregate washing systems may be used for washing and/or dewatering feeds of aggregate material.

Aggregate washing systems, methods and apparatus


A method for performing leakage analysis includes receiving information specifying an integrated circuit. A neighborhood of shapes associated with the integrated circuit is then determined. Leakage information associated with the integrated circuit is generated based on the neighborhood of shapes. The neighborhood of shapes may be determined by determining a first set of spacings to a boundary of a first cell from an internal shape. A second set of spacings may be determined from the boundary of the first cell to a shape of a second cell. A lithography process may be characterized using the first and second set of spacings.

The present invention relates to the field of electronic design automation. More specifically, the present invention relates to electronic design automation including lithography aware leakage and timing analysis.
Leakage has become a primary concern in the consumption of power in semiconductor chips. Timing also is a concern because it drives the capability of the circuitry to make the calculations rapidly enough to meet customer's requirements.
Historically power and timing were deterministically calculated often considering worst case analysis. Over time it has become obvious that deterministic calculation results in insufficient yield, especially as each individual circuit component is considered from a worst case perspective. Instead, statistical analysis may be used, realizing that a range of operation distribution exists for which most of the distribution well meets customer requirements. This statistical analysis has come to be used on both timing analysis and more recently on leakage analysis.
Leakage is a function of the overall transistor gate width in a given circuit. Low threshold voltage FETs have significantly higher leakage and correspondingly higher performance. For multi-threshold voltage processes there are typically two levels. A low threshold (VT) device for high performance and a normal threshold device for lower power and lower performance. By selectively utilizing low threshold devices only where needed, the performance requirement is met while keeping the power consumption relatively low. One method to approximate leakage current which will be utilized by the chip is by totaling the cumulative FET gate width for each threshold device.
There are systematic variations and random variations which affect timing and power. An example of a systematic variation would be lithography defocus since this is a controllable parameter that affects the entire chip. A random variation would be due to a change in the number of dopant molecules since these can vary on a transistor by transistor basis. These variations impact the overall design and can be used statistically to tune the design to meet timing and leakage requirements.
Accordingly, what is desired are improved methods and apparatus for solving the problems discussed above. Additionally, what is desired are improved methods and apparatus for reducing some of the drawbacks discussed above.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A library apparatus includes a cartridge type sensor and a robot. The cartridge type sensor includes a cartridge having the same shape as that of each recording medium stored in a cell, an optical reader for reading a medium identification code, and a medium detector for detecting the presence or absence of a recording medium in a target cell. The optical reader and the medium detector are disposed in the cartridge of the cartridge type sensor. The robot picks up the cartridge type sensor from a cell which stores the cartridge type sensor and positions the cartridge type sensor at a predetermined location in the library apparatus while holding the cartridge type sensor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to library apparatuses, and in particular, relates to a library apparatus including a cartridge type sensor, the sensor, and a method for positioning the sensor at a predetermined location in the library apparatus. The cartridge type sensor includes a cartridge having the same shape as that of each recording medium to be stored in a cell, an optical reader, and a medium detector, the optical reader and the medium detector being arranged in the cartridge. In the library apparatus, the cartridge type sensor is stored in any of cells for storage of recording media. The sensor is removed from the cell and is then positioned in order to read a medium identification code and/or detect the presence or absence of a recording medium in a target cell while being held.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the recent increase in capacity of a hard disk, the loss of data has more serious effects beyond an individual or a company.
In case data is lost, therefore, backup of systems is of the most importance to computer operation. In many cases, a library apparatus for magnetic tapes or optical disks, serving as recording media, is used for backup of data.
In the library apparatus, magnetic tapes or optical disks, each of which is housed in a cartridge, are stored in respective cells of a cabinet. A robot provided for the library apparatus removes a target recording medium from a cell, carries the medium, and inserts it into a drive for recording/playback.
In addition, the robot ejects the recording medium from the drive, carries the medium, and returns it into the original cell.
Generally, a library apparatus for magnetic tapes stores several to hundreds of magnetic tapes and includes one or more drives and one or two robots.
A conventional library apparatus will now be described in more detail.
FIGS. 8A to 8C are diagrams explaining a conventional library apparatus. FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the library apparatus as viewed from the front side. FIG. 8B is a perspective view of the library apparatus as viewed from the rear side. The library apparatus has a front door 110 and a rear door 120 and also includes cells, a robot, and a drive. The front door 110 includes an insertion-ejection mechanism 130, through which a recording medium is inserted or ejected. FIG. 8C is a cross-sectional view at the line A-A′ of FIG. 8B. In the library apparatus, a U-shaped cabinet 141 including a plurality of cells 140 is arranged, i.e., segments of the cabinet 141 are arranged on left, right, and back walls, respectively. In each segment, shelves are arranged vertically. A drive 150 is disposed under the lowermost shelf of the back segment of the cabinet 141. The insertion-ejection mechanism 130 is arranged on the rear of the front door 110. A robot 160 is located in substantially the middle of the apparatus.
FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams explaining the structure of the robot 160. FIG. 9A shows the whole appearance of the robot and a Y mechanism 161. FIG. 9B shows lower part of the robot 160 and illustrates an X mechanism 162, a Z mechanism 163, and a rotating mechanism 164. FIG. 9B also illustrates a hand 170 for removal and storage of a recording medium from/into a cell 140 and for insertion and ejection thereof into/from the drive 150. The X to Z mechanisms and the rotating mechanism are configured to position the hand 170 at a target cell 140, the drive 150, or the insertion-ejection mechanism 130. The Y mechanism 161 is vertically movable. The X mechanism 162 and the Z mechanism 163 are horizontally movable. The rotating mechanism 164 is horizontally rotatable.
FIG. 10 is a diagram explaining the hand 170. The hand 170 includes a picker 173, a CCD camera (or a laser barcode reader) 171, a medium detector 172, and a holding mechanism (not shown). The picker 173 picks up a recording medium 200 from a cell 140. The CCD camera reads a medium identification barcode applied on the recording medium 200. The medium detector 172 detects whether the recording medium 200 is stored in the cell 140. The holding mechanism holds the recording medium 200 picked up by the picker 173.
FIG. 11 is a diagram explaining barcode reading.
For instance, when the library apparatus is turned on after maintenance, in order to check whether a recording medium has accidentally been ejected from or inserted into the apparatus during maintenance, the medium detector 172 detects whether each cell 140 stores a recording medium 200 in the library apparatus upon power on and the CCD camera 171 reads a barcode 201 applied on each recording medium 200, thus controlling the storage of media in the library apparatus. In a typical library apparatus capable of storing several hundreds of recording media, the medium detector 172 and the CCD camera 171 are mounted on the hand 170 in order to reduce the time required for checking upon power on.
FIG. 12 is a diagram explaining detection of a mark (hereinafter, referred to as a flag) for position correction. The robot 160 uses a flag in order to ensure the accuracy of positioning to a target cell 140 or the drive 150. FIG. 12 illustrates the robot 160 which reads a flag applied on a recording medium cartridge stored in a cell. Flags are also applied on predetermined positions in, e.g., frames of the respective cells 140, the drive 150, and the insertion-ejection mechanism 130. The CCD camera 171 is used to read the flags. In the use of the CCD camera 171, barcode reading and flag reading are performed by the single camera.
Related arts include another type of library apparatus and a method for the same. This conventional library apparatus includes a cartridge-shaped unit for internal monitoring of the library apparatus. The cartridge-shaped unit includes a cartridge having the same shape as that of each recording medium and further includes therein a camera, a transmitter, and a battery. A receiver and a monitor are arranged outside the library apparatus. According to this conventional method, the camera captures an image of the internal state of the library apparatus to output video signals, the transmitter transmits the video signals, the receiver receives the signals, and the monitor displays the received signals.
The purpose of this method is to confirm the internal state of the library apparatus without opening a door under abnormal conditions, e.g., when a recording medium cartridge falls in the library apparatus.
As described above, in the foregoing conventional apparatus, the CCD camera 171 and the medium detector 172 are mounted on the top or bottom of the hand 170, alternatively, the left or right side thereof. In addition, the CCD camera 171 has to be accurately installed on the hand 170 in order to ensure the positioning accuracy of the robot 160. The above-described arrangement causes a large dead space in the library apparatus.
FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams explaining examples of a dead space. Referring to FIG. 13A, in a case where the CCD camera 171 and the medium detector 172 are mounted on the top of the hand 170, the CCD camera 171 has to be opposed to a barcode 201 applied on a recording medium 200 stored in a lowermost cell 140 to read the barcode 201. Unfortunately, a large dead space is created as shown in the figure. Disadvantageously, the dead space leads to a reduction in the number of stored recording media.
FIG. 13B illustrates detection of the presence or absence of a recording medium 200. Though smaller than that in reading the barcode 201, a dead space is created in this case. When two robots are mounted for redundant arrangement of robots, two CCD cameras 171 and two medium detectors 172 are needed. This results in an increase in cost.
The other conventional method has an advantage that abnormal conditions can be observed without opening the door because the camera arranged in the cartridge-shaped unit captures an image of the internal state of the apparatus.
However, the conventional method does not intend to reduce a dead space. In addition, the method does not intend to reduce the cost of a library apparatus with two robots.
According to the present invention, it is an object to provide a library apparatus capable of reducing the above-described dead space and including one CCD camera and one medium detector when two robots are arranged.

Library apparatus with cartridge type sensor


An electrical connector socket includes an electrical connector and a pick-up cap assembled on the electrical connector according to the present invention is used for connecting chip module on a circuit board. The electrical connector includes a main body having an insulated body and a plurality of terminals electrically connected with the chip module and mounted inside the insulated body, and a metal clip assembled with the main body for pressing the chip module on the terminal. The pick-up cap is disposed on the main body and basically is above the metal clip. There is no need to design a new pick-up cap. Therefore, the design and development cost are reduced and such pick-up cap is more universal.

The present invention relates to an electrical connector assembly, especially to an electrical connector assembly with a pick-up cap.
The electrical connector assembly for connecting chip module on a circuit board is generally formed by a metal base, a metal clip, a lever and an insulated body mounted with a plurality of conductive terminals. The metal base is a rectangular frame with the insulated body therein. Through conductive terminals inside the insulated body (or solder ball under conductive terminals), the metal base is welded on the circuit board. Due to high temperature of welding, the electrical connector is placed onto the circuit board by vacuum adsorption, in the meantime, ensure each of the conductive terminals (or solder balls) align with corresponding holes or solder pads on the circuit board, so as to weld the electrical connector onto the circuit board. Generally, there is no flat surface with sufficient area on the electrical connector for placing the nozzle of the vacuum adsorption device, in such a manner, a pick-up cap with sufficient flat surface arranged on a metal cap is additional added on the electrical connector. However, the pick-up cap is arranged on the metal cap. Once the design of the metal cap is changed, the pick-up cap may not align with the metal cap any more, in such circumstance, a new adsorption cover is required, and this will increase the manufacturing cost.
Thus there is a need to design a new type electrical connector for overcoming above shortages.


Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer program products, for expanding search queries. One method includes receiving a search query, selecting a synonym of a term in the search query based on a context of occurrence of the term in the received search query, the synonym having been derived from statistical machine translation of the term, and expanding the received search query with the synonym and using the expanded search query to search a collection of documents. Alternatively, another method includes receiving a request to search a corpus of documents, the request specifying a search query, using statistical machine translation to translate the specified search query into an expanded search query, the specified search query and the expanded search query being in the same natural language, and in response to the request, using the expanded search query to search a collection of documents.

This specification relates to search query expansion.
Query expansion refers to modifying a search query received from a user before performing a search. Ideally, the modified search query will yield improved search results compared to the original query. Typical approaches to query expansion include stemming of words, correction of spelling errors, and augmentation of the search query, e.g., using synonyms of words that occur in the original query.
A number of approaches to query expansion using synonyms exist. For example, the synonyms of a word can be identified from an expert-specified thesaurus or a lexical ontology. In some systems synonyms are identified from other search queries that are syntactically similar to the original query. Synonym selection is particularly challenging when a word may have multiple potential synonyms, each with widely varying meanings. For example, in the query "How to ship a box", the word 'ship' can have synonyms e.g., 'boat' and 'send'. Expanding a query with a synonym that is inconsistent with the user's intended meaning can lead to the identification of irrelevant search results. For example, search results related to fishing trawlers are probably not relevant to shipping a box.


The present invention relates to a plant, which is resistant to a pathogen of viral, bacterial, fungal or oomycete origin, wherein the plant has a reduced level, reduced activity or complete absence of DMR6 protein as compared to a plant that is not resistant to the said pathogen, in particular organisms of the Fungi or the phylum Oomycota. The invention further relates to a method for obtaining a plant, which is resistant to a pathogen of viral, bacterial, fungal or oomycete origin, comprising reducing the endogenous level or activity of DMR6 protein in the plant. In addition, the invention relates to the use of a DMR6 promotor for providing disease resistant plants.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to disease resistant plants, in particular plants resistant to organisms of the kingdom Fungi and the phylum Oomycota, the oomycetes. The invention further relates to plant genes conferring disease resistance and methods of obtaining such disease resistant plants for providing protection to Oomycota pathogens.
Description of Related Art
Resistance of plants to fungal and oomycete pathogens has been extensively studied, for both pathogen specific and broad resistance. In many cases resistance is specified by dominant genes for resistance. Many of these race-specific or gene-for-gene resistance genes have been identified that mediate pathogen recognition by directly or indirectly interacting with avirulence gene products or other molecules from the pathogen. This recognition leads to the activation of a wide range of plant defense responses that arrest pathogen growth.
In plant breeding there is a constant struggle to identify new sources of mostly monogenic dominant resistance genes. In cultivars with newly introduced single resistance genes, protection from disease is often rapidly broken, because pathogens evolve and adapt at a high frequency and regain the ability to successfully infect the host plant. Therefore, the availability of new sources of disease resistance is highly needed.
Alternative resistance mechanisms act for example through the modulation of the defense response in plants, such as the resistance mediated by the recessive mlo gene in barley to the powdery mildew pathogen Blumeria graminis f.sp. hordei. Plants carrying mutated alleles of the wildtype MLO gene exhibit almost complete resistance coinciding with the abortion of attempted fungal penetration of the cell wall of single attacked epidermal cells. The wild type MLO gene thus acts as a negative regulator of the pathogen response. This is described in WO9804586.
Other examples are the recessive powdery mildew resistance genes, found in a screen for loss of susceptibility to Erysiphe cichoracearum. Three genes have been cloned so far, named PMR6, which encodes a pectate lyase-like protein, PMR4 which encodes a callose synthase, and PMR5 which encodes a protein of unknown function. Both mlo and pmr genes appear to specifically confer resistance to powdery mildew and not to oomycetes such as downy mildews.
Broad pathogen resistance, or systemic forms of resistance such as SAR, has been obtained by two main ways. The first is by mutation of negative regulators of plant defense and cell death, such as in the cpr, lsd and acd mutants of Arabidopsis. The second is by transgenic overexpression of inducers or regulators of plant defence, such as in NPR1 overexpressing plants.
The disadvantage of these known resistance mechanisms is that, besides pathogen resistance, these plants often show detectable additional and undesirable phenotypes, such as stunted growth or the spontaneous formation of cell death.


The present invention relates to a method and device for encoding or decoding an object audio signal or rendering the object audio signal in a three-dimensional space. The method for processing an audio signal, according to one aspect of the present invention, comprises the steps of: generating a first object signal group and a second object signal group obtained by classifying a plurality of object signals according to a determined method; generating a first down-mix signal for the first object signal group; generating a second down-mix signal for the second object signal group; generating first object extraction information in correspondence with the first down-mix signal with respect to object signals included in the first object signal group; and generating second object extraction information in correspondence with the second down-mix signal with respect to object signals included in the second object signal group.

3D audio integrally denotes a series of signal processing, transmission, encoding, and reproducing technologies for literally providing sounds with presence in a 3D space by providing another axis (dimension) in the direction of height to a sound scene (2D) on a horizontal plane provided by existing surround audio technology. In particular, in order to provide 3D audio, a larger number of speakers than that of conventional technology are used or, alternatively, rendering technology is widely required which forms sound images at virtual locations where speakers are not present even if a small number of speakers are used.
It is expected that 3D audio will become an audio solution corresponding to an ultra-high definition television (UHDTV) that will be released in the future, and that it will be variously applied to cinema sounds, sounds for a personal 3D television (3DTV), a tablet, a smartphone, and a cloud game, etc. as well as sounds in vehicles that are evolving into a high-quality infotainment space.

Method and device for processing audio signal