A method and an apparatus decodes the address of a selected destination user in a time-distributed manner thereby allowing a faster bus cycle and providing earlier error detection. The method and system of the present invention provides for the distribution of the address decoding over two bus cycles, rather than one, so that a faster bus cycle is allowed. In addition, the present invention provides address decode circuitry within the bus arbitrator/controller so that address decoding and error detection can be performed in parallel with bus arbitration.

I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the transfer of data within a system and more particularly to synchronous data transfer between users in a system having a shared data bus wherein address decoding is done in parallel with data transfer so that the transfer speed is enhanced.
II. Prior Art
In today's complex data communications equipment, many functions are linked together by various types of address and data bus structures. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, communications equipment 10 acts as an interface between a communications network 12 and a host 14. Communications equipment 10 comprises a number of modules, or users, each of which performs a different function. In this example, communications equipment 10 consists of a network interface module 16 and a host interface module 18 for interfacing with the communications network 12 and the host 14, respectively, a microprocessor 20 for providing control, two random access memories, RAM 1 22 and RAM 2 24, for storage, a clock generator 25 for generating system clock signals for the users, and a bus arbitrator/controller 26 for controlling the transfer of data within the communications equipment 10.
The users are interconnected within equipment 10 for data transfer by a data bus 28. The data bus 28 is normally a parallel bus structure of a predetermined number of bits in width. For instance, the data bus could be 18 bits wide, 16 bits being reserved for data and two bits being reserved for parity.
Control lines 30 extend between the users for conveying various messages therebetween. For example, each user vies, or bids, for use of the data bus 28 in order to send/receive information to/from a second user. For simplicity, in this document, the bidding user will be designated the "source" user and the second user will be designated the "destination" user although the data may be moving in either direction. Bus arbitrator/controller 26 determines which source user has the highest priority and sends a select signal (via control lines 30) to that source user allowing it exclusive access to the data bus for the next data transfer. In addition, bus arbitrator/controller 26 sends a R/W signal to the destination user indicating whether the transfer is to be a read or a write operation.
Destination user address lines 32 connected from the various source users to the bus arbitrator/controller are used to convey, from each source user, the address of the destination user with which it wishes to exchange information. The address of the corresponding destination user is conveyed by the bus arbitrator/controller to the selected destination user via selected destination user address bus 34.
One or more system clock signals are conveyed to the users from the clock generator (CLOCK GEN 25) via clock lines 33.
FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of circuitry which could be used in a bus arbitrator/controller 26 in a system having four users. Bus arbitrator/controller 26 consists of a multiplexer (MUX 36), a second multiplexer (MUX 38), and an arbitrator 40. MUX 36 receives destination user addresses via destination user address lines 32a, 32b, 32c, and 32d from each of the users in the system. Control lines 42 from arbitrator 40 indicate to MUX 36 which address should be selected. The selected address is output via selected destination user address bus 34.
MUX 38 receives the read/write (R/W) select lines 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d from the users. These lines indicate whether the proposed operation by the source user will be a read or write operation with the destination user. Control lines 42 from arbitrator 40 indicate to MUX 38 which source user's R/W line is to be selected and the corresponding signal is output via control line 30e.
Arbitrator 40 receives bids for use of the data bus from the respective source users via source user bid lines 30f, 30g, 30h, and 30i. The arbitrator 40 determines which of the bidding users has the highest priority and selects the corresponding user via user select lines 30j, 30k, 30l, and 30m.
As discussed above, the data transfer amongst the users is synchronous, i.e., there is a continuous clock, or system clock, provided to each user and data is transferred in accordance with predetermined clock cycles. In many cases, the data transfer is accomplished by utilizing the system clock so that, during alternating clock cycles, the data bus is arbitrated or data is transferred between the users. In other words, during a first clock cycle, source users wishing to send or receive data over the data bus bid for exclusive use of the data bus and the bus arbitrator/controller determines which of the users bidding for use of the data bus has the highest priority. This is sometimes called the "arbitration cycle". During the next clock cycle, or the "data transfer cycle", the selected source user is notified via its user select line, the address of the destination user is sent over selected destination user address bus 34, and the data is transferred between the source and destination users. The following cycle is an arbitration cycle for the following data transfer cycle and so forth.
In some systems, time is saved by combining the data transfer of one cycle with the bus arbitration of the following cycle. In this manner, the total necessary time for arbitration/data transfer is reduced as the bus arbitration for the next data transfer cycle is being done in parallel with the present data transfer. An example of such a system is illustrated in the timing diagrams of FIG. 3.
In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, SYSTEM B CLOCK is providing the timing to the system, i.e., the rising edge of the SYSTEM B CLOCK represents the start of a new cycle. In the example, two users, Source User #1 and Source User #2, are each bidding for exclusive use of the data bus, Source User #1 having priority over Source User #2. As shown, both Source User #1 and Source User #2 Bid lines (corresponding to lines 30f and 30g of FIG. 2) go high during the first system clock cycle 50. Because Source User #1 has priority over Source User #2, the bus arbitrator/controller selects Source User #1 as indicated by the Source User #1 Select line (corresponding to line 30j, of FIG. 2). Destination user address 1 is multiplexed to the selected destination user address bus 34 by MUX 36 (FIG. 2).
During the following clock cycle 52, Source User #1 data is transferred, either sent or received by Source User #1, depending upon its R/W line. During that same clock cycle, Source User #2 is selected by bus arbitrator/controller as indicated by the Source User #2 Select line (corresponding to line 30k of FIG. 2). Data transfer for Source User #2 occurs during the next clock cycle 54 when the data is transmitted to/from the selected destination user at address destination user address 2.
As shown in the figure, Source User #1 again bids for access to the data bus during clock cycle 54 and is able to transmit/receive data during the following cycle 56. In this manner no clock cycles, except the initial clock cycle, are wasted by bus arbitration, i.e., data is being transferred during all clock cycles where there is data to be transferred.
There is a problem, however, which significantly slows the data transfer via the internal data bus of such systems. In many cases, after the selected destination user receives its address off the selected destination user address bus (34), address decoding must still be performed by the selected destination user prior to the data transfer. For instance, where the destination user comprises a group of registers, the address needs to be decoded into register selects. Also, some internal registers contain parity and others do not, i.e., a source user (register) having parity will send to a destination user (register) 16 bits of data plus two parity bits, while a source register having no parity will send just the 16 data bits. For those registers that do contain parity, parity is generated by the source register and checked by the destination register against existing parity. For those that do not contain parity, the parity checking mechanism has to be disabled. The destination user comprises the specific decode logic it requires to disable its parity checking mechanism.
Another example is where the destination user contains one or more RAMs and RAM selects must be generated from the address. For example, where a destination user contains a local store, a data buffer, a low instruction RAM, and a high instruction RAM, the following selects may be generated by decoding the selected destination user address: a local store select; a data buffer select; a low instruction RAM select; and a high instruction select. These RAM selects are generated by decode logic in the destination user.
In addition, the address must be verified that it is a valid address. For instance, an error code will be generated if the address indicates a write to a read-only address, a read to a write-only address or a write to protected storage.
The problem is that these and other address decodes consume time during the data transfer cycle which could otherwise be used for transferring data between users. Consequently, a longer data transfer cycle is required so that the various decodes may be performed and the data may be transferred.

Distributed address decoding for bus structures

International Business Machines Corporation


A method and an arrangement for rolling hot wide strips from continuously cast thin slabs in successive steps of operation of a rolling line which includes a continuous finishing train. One or more casting lines and individual thin slabs are severed from the cast strand. The thin slabs are homogenized and adjusted to rolling temperature in an equalizing furnace and the thin slabs are transferred from the equalizing furnace to the rolling line. Roller-type turning furnaces provided in each of the casting lines and in the rolling line are use by turning the roller-type turning furnaces toward each other into positions which are inclined relative to the casting and rolling lines in the manner of switches for alternatingly conveying thin slabs from one of the casting lines through the roller-type turning furnaces into the rolling line.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and an arrangement for rolling hot wide strips from continuously cast thin slabs in successive steps of operation of a rolling line which includes a continuous finishing train. The method includes producing continuously cast strands in one or more casting machines or casting lines and severing individual thin slabs from the cast strand and homogenizing and adjusting to rolling temperature the thin slabs in an equalizing furnace provided in each casting line and transferring the slabs from the equalizing furnace to the rolling line.
2. Description of the Related Art
The following types of arrangements are known for two-strand and three-strand plants:
The thin slabs, arriving from different continuous casting machines, initially travel through an equalizing furnace, and are subsequently subjected to a breaking-down treatment and are then wound into coils. The coils are transported by means of various conveying means in the covered slate to the center line of the CSP rolling mill train (CSP compact strip production) and, after uncoiling, for example, in a coil box, are conveyed to the rolling mill train.
In order to have available more buffer possibilities, German Offenlegungsschrift 38 21 188.2 discloses an intermediately arranged rotary hearth furnace, which is capable of keeping the wound coils hot. The known method and the corresponding arrangement provide that the initial material is adjusted to hot-rolling temperature after solidification and is wound into coils, is intermediately stored in a rotary hearth furnace and is called up as desired, and is uncoiled and rolled into finished strips. It is particularly advantageous if the intermediate storage occurs immediately before the entry into the finishing train. Afterheating can be carried out during the intermediate storage.
In accordance with another type of arrangement, one or two transversely movable furnace conveyors are arranged at the ends of the equalizing furnaces, which extend parallel to each other and are arranged following each continuous casting machine. The furnace conveyors move the thin slabs into the region of the rolling mill train or the rolling line.
Finally, another known type of arrangement provides that two or three continuous casting machines or casting lines are arranged offset and at an angle relative to each other. The equalizing furnaces are also arranged in an angularly offset configuration in the casting lines. A roller conveyor is provided at the ends of the equalizing furnaces. The roller conveyor receives the thin slabs from the furnaces and swings the thin slabs in the manner of a turntable into the rolling line and feeds them to the rolling mill in this manner.
The known types of arrangements start, in part, from the same objects which are, inter alia, the requirements to reduce as much as possible the temperature losses of the continuously cast initial material on the way into the rolling mill and, for this purpose, in addition to providing suitable heat-insulating features, to maintain short conveying distances and conveying periods. In addition, it is another object to harmonize the casting capacities of several casting machines and the rolling capacity of a subsequent rolling mill in such a way that the entire plant is utilized with as few losses as possible in order to achieve an economically favorable operation. Also, the space required by the plants and, thus, the investment costs should be minimized.
In order to convey continuously cast thin slabs of different casting lines without problems and quickly into a rolling line, it is always necessary to provide special additional conveying units in the arrangement. Required for this purpose are, for example, transverse conveying units and/or displacement units or also coiling units which are not only structurally very complicated, but also require substantial space because the thin slabs are up to 60 m long. As a consequence, the investment costs and operation costs are very high.

Method and arrangement for rolling hot wide strips from continuously cast thin slabs


A monolithic structure comprises two sets of bidirectional diodes having distinct characteristics constituted from a substrate (1) of a first (N.sup.-) conductivity type. First regions (10, 11, 12) of the second conductivity type constitute the first set of diodes between a first metallization (30) coating one of the first regions and second metallizations (31, 32) coating the other first regions. In a well (15) of the second conductivity type, second regions (20, 21, 22) of the first conductivity type constitute the second set of diodes between a third metallization (40) coating one of the second regions and fourth metallizations (41, 42) coating the other second regions.

The present invention relates to protection diodes. Protection diodes are here diodes that clip the voltage across their terminals as soon as the latter reaches a predetermined value, called breakdown voltage, of any polarity. Such diodes are commonly used at the input of electronic devices liable to receive spurious pulses, such as circuits connected to telephone lines. In practice, the breakdown voltage of these diodes must be accurately determined (usually from 5 to 10%) in order not to impair the circuit they are intended to protect.
The invention more particularly relates to the case when it is desired to protect first lines from overvoltages of a first level and second lines from overvoltages of a second level. This is schematically illustrated in FIG. 1 in which a first set of conductors L11, L12 . . . and a second set of conductors L21, L22 . . . are represented. It is desired to protect the first set of conductors with respect to a common terminal C by first bidirectional breakdown diodes D11, D12 . . . and the second set of conductors by second bidirectional breakdown diodes D21, D22 . . . Diodes D11, D12 . . . of the first set break down when the voltage across their terminals exceeds in absolute value a voltage V1 and diodes D21, D22 . . . of the second set break down when the voltage across their terminals exceeds in absolute value a voltage V2. In the following it is assumed that V2 is higher than V1.
In the prior art, to provide a protection of the type required in FIG. 1, discrete protection diodes or monolithic circuits, each incorporating a set of protection diodes having a predetermined breakdown voltage, have been used. In both cases, long and sometimes complex assembling is to be achieved.
Thus, an object of the invention is to provide one monolithic integrated structure grouping two sets of protection diodes, each of these sets having distinct breakdown characteristics.
A further object of the invention is to provide such a structure which is simple to manufacture for predetermined couples of breakdown voltages.

Monolithic structure comprising two sets of bidirectional protection diodes


A fast-dissolving pharmaceutical composition comprising micronized (R)-2-(4-bromo-2-fluorobenzyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-4-spiro-3′-pyrrolidine-1,2′,3,5′-tetrone (hereinafter, referred to as AS-3201). The present pharmaceutical composition has improved dissolution characteristics as well as a good bioavailability.

AS-3201 is the compound of the following formula. Said compound is described in Example 22 of Japanese Patent No. 2516147 (U.S. Pat. No. 5,258,382), Reference Example 12 of JP-A-6-192222 (Chem. Abstr., 122, 9860 (1995)), and Experiment of JP-A-8-176105 (Chem. Abstr., 125, 221569 (1996)), and its potent aldose reductase inhibitory activities are disclosed therein.

Example 28 of Japanese Patent No. 2516147 (USP 5258382) describes a method for preparing specific tablets of AS-3201. That is, it is described therein that AS-3201 (1 g), corn starch (25 g), lactose (58 g), crystalline cellulose (11 g), hydroxypropylcellulose (3 g), light anhydrous silicic acid (1 g) and magnesium stearate (1 g) are blended, granulated and made into 1,000 tablets each weighing 100 mg by a conventional method.
During the studies on methods for preparing AS-3201-containing pharmaceutical compositions having an excellent bioavailability, the present inventors have found that the water-solubility of said substance is extremely low in the range of low pH to the extent of several μg/ml, and therefore, the plasma concentration of AS-3201 varies widely among the individuals to be administered.
Under such circumstances, the present inventors have further intensively studied, and have found that by using micronized AS-3201 in a composition, the dissolution characteristics of said substance from the composition are remarkably improved, and as a result, an AS-3201-containing fast-dissolving pharmaceutical composition having a good bioavailability can be obtained, and finally have accomplished the present invention.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A silhouette edge is rendered in a display format that corresponds to a geometry of a three-dimensional model. An angle between the silhouette edge and an adjacent silhouette edge in the image is determined, and the display format for the silhouette edge is selected based on the angle. Texture mapping is used to generate the silhouette edge in the display format.

This invention relates to rendering a silhouette edge of a three-dimensional ("3D") model.
Silhouette edges are outlines of a 3D model and its interior features. Silhouette edges are detected based on the intersection of front and back facing polygons that make up the 3D model. Computer programs are used to detect, and render, silhouette edges to form a two-dimensional ("2D") image from the 3D model. How those edges are rendered affects the look of the 2D image.


A method, apparatus, and system are provided for early data return indication mechanism. According to one embodiment, data cache is accessed for data in response to a request for the data, the request received from an instruction source, and the request waits for the data to be retrieved from memory if the data is not located in the data cache, and an early data ready indication is received at a resource scheduler, the early data ready indication being received prior to receiving a data ready indication referring to the data being ready to be retrieved from the memory.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to computer processors and more particularly, to reducing data load latency in processors by using early data return indication.
2. Description of Related Art
As computers systems continue to advance and become more complex, effective and efficient data transfer between various components of the computer systems has become more and more critical in computer system design and implementation. In particular, considerable effort and research has been focused on reducing and/or hiding memory latency in computer and network systems in order to improve processor and overall system performance. For example, many processors speculatively execute streams of instructions including speculatively retrieving load data from memory. In addition, some processors implement data speculation, in which the processor assumes that the correct data operands are available in the innermost cache. The processor verifies the assumption in parallel to instruction execution before committing the result to architecture state. Despite the efforts to reduce memory latency, high latency remains a major concern and one of the barriers to realizing faster and more efficient processors.
FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a conventional prior art data speculation routine. After fetching at the fetch stage 102 and decoding at the decode stage 104, data speculation transaction begins at the execution phase 106, in which a request is made for data for an instruction or load micro-operation (load or load uops). The execution phase 106 may include accessing the first level cache (FLC) for the referenced data. A replay controller/checker (checker) 108 may be used to verify the contents of the FLC by doing FLC lookup 110. If the checker 108 determines the execution stage 106 received invalid data from the FLC, the execution results are discarded, and the execution is retried with data from the second level cache (SLC). The checker 108 may then verify the contents of the SLC by doing SLC lookup 112. If the checker determines the execution stage received invalid data from the SLC, the execution results are discarded and the execution is retried with data from the main system memory with memory lookup 114. When the checker 108 determines the request has received valid data, the request moves to the writeback phase 116 and then to the retire stage 118.
FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating a conventional prior art external transaction behavior of a request. The external behavior of the request includes, for example, a data load that misses the SLC. The transaction begins by making an external bus request at the request phase 122. The transaction then enters the snoop phase 124 during which cache coherency is maintained throughout the system. Some time later, the memory controller of the system has the requested data available, which it indicates to the processor at the response phase 126. The actual data is transmitted to the processor during the data phase 128. The processor then loads the data into internal caches (e.g., FLC and SLC).
For load operations that miss both the FLC and the SLC, the data is filled into the FLC, and the checker 108 determines that the request has received valid data. However, until the data is filled into the FLC, the request (e.g., load micro-operation) is replayed continuously resulting in significant power dissipation and waste of execution bandwidth. Furthermore, following requests may depend upon the results of this load for correct operation. The checker 108 determines these requests are dependent upon the uncompleted load request and directs the request to be replayed. For example, typical latency may be about 500 core clocks, which means replaying of the request may be made every 20 core clocks, resulting in nearly 25 replays before the data is ready to be filled into the FLC. Stated differently, a typical load request may consume about 20 bus clocks between initiation of the execution stage 106 and the writeback phase 116.
FIG. 1C is a block diagram illustrating a conventional prior art external transaction behavior of a request. To reduce the power dissipation and execution bandwidth waste, rescheduled request queue (RRQ) was introduced, illustrated as RRQ status 120. The RRQ status 120, which may be performed in parallel with the request phase 122, includes removing from the replay loop (e.g., after 3 loops) those loads that missed the SLC and inserting them into the RRQ. Since true dependent uops of the missing load may be difficult to identify, all requests (e.g., loads) that are newer than the missing load may be inserted into the RRQ.
At response phase 126, an RRQ wakeup protocol receives a data ready (DRDY) indication from the bus interface unit when the data is ready, triggering the RRQ draining. Although the use of RRQ may reduce replay re-executions, latency delay, i.e., the time between the when the request for data is made and until the request is satisfied, is still high, as the data placed in the FLC (i.e., the data received from the memory) stays there for a long time until the request from the RRQ is finally returned to the execution unit. Furthermore, additional core clocks may be required to vaporize the core unit, drain RRQ, and re-execute the loads, further contributing to lower processor performance.


The present invention relates to a method for cleaning polycrystalline silicon fragments to a metal content of <100 ppbw, wherein a polysilicon fraction is added to an aqueous cleaning solution containing HF and H2O2, this aqueous cleaning solution is removed and the polycrystalline fraction thereby obtained is washed with highly pure water and subsequently dried.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for cleaning a polysilicon fraction.
2. Background Art
Highly pure polycrystalline silicon, referred to below as polysilicon, is produced on a large scale by thermal decomposition of a gas containing silicon or a gas mixture containing silicon in so-called Siemens reactors. The polysilicon is thereby created in the form of rods. These rods are subsequently comminuted with metal breaking tools such as jaw or ball crushers, hammers or chisels. This leads to superficial contamination of the polysilicon fragments. This contamination, and in particular any metal contamination, must be removed before the polysilicon fragments are processed further since they are unacceptable in the starting material for the production of electronic components and solar cells, for which the polysilicon fraction is generally used.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,309,467 B1 describes at length the prior art for cleaning polysilicon fragments and discloses a three-stage cleaning method for polysilicon, which subsequently has a very low iron and/or chromium content. With this method, the cleaning is carried out successively in a plurality of chemical treatment steps. Multistage cleaning methods require systems having a plurality of vessels, which are correspondingly elaborate. The method described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,309,467 B1 for cleaning a finely divided polysilicon fraction is disadvantageously also associated with a high consumption of acid and a high silicon loss. Furthermore, elaborate cooling is needed for cleaning a finely divided polysilicon fraction.

Method for cleaning a polysilicon fraction


A convertible wheeled backpacking accessory attaches to a backpack to carry the backpack over both rugged terrain and rolling terrain efficiently. The convertible wheeled backpacking accessory includes a cradle that has a cradle frame covered in part by a cradle material wherein the cradle can support the backpack. Frame pegs are attached to the cradle frame which pierce the cradle material and can accommodate wheels when the backpack is being carried over the rugged terrain. A frame axel is attached to the cradle frame and extending outside the cradle material. The frame axel can accommodate the wheels when the backpack is being carried over rolling terrain.

The embodiments herein relate generally to devices that can be used to transport goods from one location to another.
Prior to embodiments of the disclosed invention, cross country, back country, long-distance backpackers had been forced to carry their packs on their backs for the duration of the trek often resulting in fatigue, chafing, and impact injuries to knees, hips sometimes resulting in back pain.
Prior art wheeled backpacks or luggage were not designed to handle rocky, muddy, rooted and rough terrain. They were not readily convertible to a non-wheeled backpack. They were not designed to work with a large sized backpack, and they were not designed to function in a hands-free capacity. For instance the prior art includes: U.S. Pat. No. 7,036,641 issued to Chi; U.S. Pat. No. 6,877,752 issued to Edwards; U.S. Patent Application Publication 2006/0237918 filed by Satorius.
Chi teaches a backpack transportation system comprising a frame mechanically coupled to a handle and a wheel assembly, it utilizes holes in the frame and dowels on the backpack to hold the device in place and does not teach wheels that can handle rough terrain.
Edwards teaches an enhanced wheel assembly for luggage which appears to include a rack that can be placed through a hole in the luggage rather than being attached with a web belt. The wheels could conceivably handle rough terrain, but there is no theory as how a hiking pole could be used.
Satorius teaches a luggage transportation system comprising a frame mechanically coupled to a wheel that appears to handle rough terrain and a web belt that can hold luggage in place. There is no theory on use of a hiking pole.

Convertible wheeled backpacking accessory


A top serviceable pop-up sprinkler includes a main cylindrical outer housing having a female threaded inlet at a lower end thereof A spring biased tubular riser is mounted inside the outer housing for vertical reciprocation through an opening in an upper end of the outer housing. A nozzle is fixed in a nozzle head rotatably mounted at an upper end of the riser for ejecting a stream of water. The nozzle is rotated over an adjustable arc by a conventional turbine, gear drive and arc adjustable reversing mechanism. A valve actuator component assembly, including a pilot valve, solenoid and pressure regulator is mounted in a generally rectangular component housing that is connected to the side of the cylindrical outer housing. A lid of the component housing aligns with, and effectively forms a part of, a circular ground support flange that extends horizontally from the upper end of the outer housing. The riser opening is eccentrically located in the circular ground support flange. A diaphragm valve module is mounted in the lower end of the outer housing for controlling the flow of water through the inlet in response to the opening and closing of the solenoid actuated pilot valve. The diaphragm valve module is configured so that it is removable as a unit from the outer housing through the opening in the upper end of the outer housing upon extraction of the riser. Thus, when the diaphragm valve fails, as is often the case, the diaphragm valve module can be easily repaired or replaced after removing the riser, without having to dig up the sprinkler. The diaphragm valve module is releasably held in position in the lower end of the outer housing by a snap ring having a pair of peripheral annular portions that can be radially retracted by squeezing opposing tabs on a central resilient connecting portion.

The present invention relates to sprinklers used to irrigate lawns, playing fields, golf courses and the like, and more particularly, to an irrigation sprinkler that can be serviced from the top of the sprinkler without having to excavate the same.
Sprinklers have long been used to water turf and other vegetation. Many designs have been developed with the goal of uniformly distributing a desired precipitation rate over a given area. One of the most common type of sprinklers is the pop-up type that is normally mounted in a sub-surface location so that the top of the sprinkler is substantially at ground level. When water pressure is applied, a riser with a nozzle at its upper end extends and delivers a spray of water over the adjacent area. When the water pressure is terminated, a spring retracts the riser so that the upper end of the nozzle is flush with the head of the sprinkler. This removes the sprinkler as an obstacle to play occurring on the turf and allows the turf to be mowed.
So-called rotor type pop-up sprinklers having internal water turbines for rotating their nozzles have been developed and widely commercialized. Furthermore, pop-up sprinklers with diaphragm type valves incorporated into the same are widely utilized. A common type of pop-up sprinkler has an internal diaphragm valve which is opened and closed by a solenoid or a hydraulically operated pilot valve. The diaphragm valve controls the entry of water into the outer case or housing of the sprinkler from a pressurized supply pipe or line to which it is connected. In many cases during the life of a so-called xe2x80x9cvalve-in-headxe2x80x9d sprinkler the diaphragm valve will fail, often due to debris damaging the diaphragm valve seat or clogging the small passages in the diaphragm valve. The thin flexible diaphragm may also wear out. It is then necessary to shut off the water supply and dig up the sprinkler so that the defective diaphragm valve components can be repaired, or the sprinkler replaced in its entirety. This is a relatively expensive, tedious and time consuming process. Excavation of the defective sprinkler can also cause considerable damage to the surrounding landscaping.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,871,156 of Lawson assigned to Anthony Manufacturing Corporation discloses an impact type pop-up sprinkler having a valve seat that is removable from the top of the sprinkler case, without disconnecting the case from the water supply. However, impact type sprinklers are noisy, inaccurate in terms of arc coverage, and prone to breakage. In addition, it is necessary to individually disassemble and reassemble the various components of the diaphragm valve in order to gain access to the valve seat which must be unscrewed from the outer case. This part-by-part disassembly and re-assembly can be a difficult task for landscape maintenance personnel who are often simply gardeners.
It would therefore be desirable to provide a pop-up sprinkler with a turbine driven rotor and a diaphragm valve assembly that could be more readily serviced from the top of the sprinkler without having to dig up or otherwise disconnect the sprinkler from its supply line.
It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to provide a rotor type pop-up sprinkler with a built-in diaphragm valve that can be readily accessed from the surface for repair or replacement.
According to the present invention a top serviceable pop-up sprinkler includes an outer housing having an inlet at a lower end thereof. A riser is mounted inside the outer housing for vertical reciprocation through an opening in an upper end of the outer housing. A nozzle is mounted in an upper end of the riser for ejecting a stream of water. At least one valve actuator component is connected to the outer housing. A diaphragm valve module is mounted in the lower end of the outer housing for controlling the flow of water through the inlet in response to actuation of the valve actuator component. The diaphragm valve module is configured so that it is removable as a unit from the outer housing through the opening in the upper end of the outer housing upon removal of the riser from the outer housing. Thus, when the diaphragm valve fails, as is often the case, the diaphragm valve module can be easily repaired or replaced after removing the riser, without having to dig up the sprier.

Pop-up sprinkler with top serviceable diaphragm valve module


This invention relates in part to processes for producing one or more substituted or unsubstituted epsilon caprolactones and/or hydrates and/or esters thereof which comprise subjecting one or more substituted or unsubstituted penten-1-ols to carbonylation in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst, e.g., a metal-organophosphorus ligand complex catalyst, to produce said one or more substituted or unsubstituted epsilon caprolactones and/or hydrates and/or esters thereof. The substituted and unsubstituted epsilon caprolactones and/or hydrates and/or esters thereof produced by the processes of this invention can undergo further reaction(s) to afford desired derivatives thereof, e.g., epsilon caprolactam. This invention also relates in part to reaction mixtures containing one or more substituted or unsubstituted epsilon caprolactones and/or hydrates and/or esters thereof as principal product(s) of reaction.

Epsilon caprolactone and/or certain hydrates and/or certain esters thereof are valuable intermediates which are useful, for example, in the production of epsilon caprolactam and polyesters. The processes currently used to produce epsilon caprolactone and/or hydrates and/or esters thereof have various disadvantages. For example, the starting materials used to produce epsilon caprolactone and/or hydrates and/or esters thereof are relatively expensive. Accordingly, it would be desirable to produce epsilon caprolactone and/or hydrates and/or esters thereof from relatively inexpensive starting materials and by a process which does not have the disadvantages of prior art processes.

Processes for producing epsilon caprolactones and/or hydrates and/or esters thereof

Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology Corporation


A semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) has an overall gain that is substantially polarization independent, i.e., less than 1 dB difference between transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM) gain. The SOA includes gain and polarization rotation functions integrated onto a single substrate. According to one exemplary embodiment, a passive polarization rotation section is disposed between two active gain sections.

The present invention relates generally to semiconductor optical amplifiers and, more particularly, to semiconductor optical amplifiers having low polarization gain dependency and methods of making such devices.
Technologies associated with the communication of information have evolved rapidly over the last several decades. Optical information communication technologies have evolved as the technology of choice for backbone information communication systems due to, among other things, their ability to provide large bandwidth, fast transmission speeds and high channel quality. Semiconductor lasers and optical amplifiers are used in many aspects of optical communication systems, for example to generate optical carriers in optical transceivers and to generate optically amplified signals in optical transmission systems. Among other things, optical amplifiers are used to compensate for the attenuation of optical data signals transmitted over long distances.
There are several different types of optical amplifiers being used in today's optical communication systems. In erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) and Raman amplifiers, the optical fiber itself acts as a gain medium that transfers energy from pump lasers to the optical data signal traveling therethrough. In semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs), an electrical current is used to pump the active region of a semiconductor device. The optical signal is input to the SOA from the optical fiber where it experiences gain due to stimulated emission as it passes through the active region of the SOA.
Like other devices employed in optical networks, SOAs suffer from polarization sensitivity. That is, the gain experienced by a light beam that is input to a conventional SOA will vary depending upon the polarization state of the input optical energy. In this context, the polarization state of a light beam is typically described by the orthogonal polarization components referred to as transverse electric (TE) and transverse magnetic (TM). Unfortunately even if light having a known (e.g., linear) polarization state is injected into a typical optical fiber (i.e., a single mode fiber) after propagation through the optical fiber the light will become elliptically polarized. This means that the light input to SOAs placed along the optical fiber will have TE and TM polarization components of unknown magnitude and phase, resulting in the gain applied by SOAs also varying indeterminately as a function of the polarization state of the input light.
There are various techniques that have been employed to compensate for the polarization dependent gain that is introduced by SOAs. One such technique, shown in FIG. 1, is to arrange two SOAs in series. In amplifier 10, the gain for TE mode light is greater than the gain for TM mode light. Amplifier 12 has the same structure as amplifier 10 but is rotated by 90 degrees so that the gain for TM mode light is greater than the gain for TE mode light, i.e., in reverse proportion to the polarization gain ratio for amplifier 10. In this way, the optical energy output from the combination of amplifiers 10 and 12 is substantially polarization independent. This technique can also be practiced by arranging the SOAs in parallel as described, for example, in the textbook Optical Amplifiers and their Applications, edited by S. Shimada and H. Ishio, published by John Wiley & Sons, Chapter 4, pp. 70–72, the disclosure of which is incorporated here by reference. A similar technique is described in the article entitled "Polarization Insensitive Optical Amplifier Consisting of Two Semiconductor Laser Amplifiers and a Polarization Insensitive Isolator in Series", by Koga et al., IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, Vol. 1, No. 12, December 1989, pp. 431–33, the disclosure of which is incorporated here by reference. Therein, two SOAs are separated by a polarization insensitive isolator in series. Another technique for compensating for polarization dependent gain is to use some other corrective device downstream of the SOA as shown in FIG. 2. For example, a variable polarization dependent loss control device 22 can be disposed downstream of the SOA 20 to compensate for unequal magnitudes of TE and TM gain. This technique is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,310,720, the disclosure of which is incorporated here by reference. All of these techniques suffer from, among other things, the drawback of requiring a number of additional components to create a single polarization insensitive SOA, and the lack of integration of the components, thereby increasing the cost of the solutions. For example, the technique described in the Koga article employs a polarization insensitive optical isolator that is not amenable to monolithic integration with the two SOAs.
Attempts have also been made to provide an integrated solution to this problem, i.e., to design polarization insensitive SOAs. One such attempt is described in the article entitled "Analysis of Polarization Independent Optical Amplifiers and Filters Based on Polarization Rotation in Periodically Asymmetric Waveguides", by Mats Gustavsson, IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics, Vol. 29, No. 4, April 1993, pp 1168–1178, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Therein, a periodically asymmetric active waveguide is used to fabricate a polarization insensitive laser amplifier. However, as seen in FIG. 2 of this article, this device is only able to provide polarization insensitivity at one particular operating gain level. At other operating levels, the device is actually quite polarization sensitive. Another attempt at an integrated solution is found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,982,531 to Emery et al., the disclosure of which is incorporated here by reference. Therein, the active material in the SOA is subjected to a tensile strain sufficient to render the amplifier insensitive to the polarization of the light to be amplified. However, balancing the TE/TM gain using such techniques requires extremely accurate control over device geometry, layer thickness, layer composition and background absorption loss. In practice, this level of control is very difficult to achieve in a repeatable manufacturing process, i.e., there may be a significant variance in the polarization sensitivity of SOAs manufactured using such techniques from one manufacturing run to another.
Accordingly, Applicants would like to provide techniques and devices that provide monolithically integrated, polarization insensitive SOAs in a manner which facilitates manufacturing repeatability and which provides polarization insensitivity at different operating gain levels.

Semiconductor optical amplifier with low polarization gain dependency


Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and system for providing additional functionality, including web functionality, to one or more online documents. Specifically, embodiments described herein include receiving a selection of a range of data to be used in a web extension and binding the selection of the range of data to the web extension. Once the data is bound, the binding is stored in a remote computing device. In response to the detection of the interaction with the bound range of data, the bound range of data is sent to the remote computing device where the bound range of data is updated based on the interaction. The updated data is then sent to the web extension to enable the web extension to be updated with the newly received data.

Spreadsheets and other documents are used for various purposes, such as analyzing, managing, and sharing information. Spreadsheets and other documents may be configured to present various visualization tools to help the track and highlight important data and data trends. At times, finding proper functionality to present the data in a particular manner may be difficult. As such, many users and businesses attempt to add custom functionality to a spreadsheet application or other document application but programming these additions can be difficult.
It is with respect to these and other general considerations that embodiments have been made. Also, although relatively specific problems have been discussed, it should be understood that the embodiments should not be limited to solving the specific problems identified in the background.

System and method for providing calculation web services for online documents


The combination of a temperature sensor and an inclination sensor or the combination of a temperature sensor and a tension monitor properly positioned in conjunction with an energized electrical conductor produces outputs that are dependent on the conductor's average temperature in real time. A transmitter is used to communicate this information in real time to a central location such that up to optimal or maximum power transmission is feasible through the conductor while maintaining a safe clearance to the ground. This allows for close monitoring of thermal expansion resulting from increased load as well as varying environmental conditions.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates to an apparatus and method of monitoring the average temperature in energized electrical conductors such as power lines so as to assure safe clearance from the ground. More particularly, the invention relates to an apparatus and method for measuring the temperature and sag of energized electrical conductors such as power lines in real time as they change with varying electrical load on the line as well as varying environmental conditions causing thermal expansion where the temperature monitor assists in the determination of the maximum power transmission feasible through such conductor while maintaining safe clearance from the ground.
2. Background Information
With deregulation of utilities including electrical utilities, it is now more important than ever that utilities be efficient in the delivery of services since competition now exists. In addition, deregulation has opened up new markets for individual utilities and as a result all utilities are seeking to expand while defending their home region. As a result, there is an ever-increasing need for electric utilities to transfer more power through their existing power lines, that is to maximize transmission through existing resources.
One hurdle to increased power transmission is clearance between the power line and the ground or structure. Government regulatory codes can mandate safety considerations for overhead or suspended power lines that require utilities to provide adequate clearances between the ground and/or structures under the power line. This clearance may need to be maintained at all times including in all weather conditions and under all actual load conditions.
Thus, clearance can be is one of the considerations to electrical utilities because power lines sag under increasing power loads and as a result limitations are placed on the ampacity or maximum load a line is allowed to carry. The reason for this is that power lines sag as load is placed on the power line and that sag increases as the load increases. This sag-load correlation is the result of heat causing the temperature of the conductor to rise and further causing thermal expansion of the conductor corresponding to load levels. Heat is generated in the conductor by the resistance losses resulting as electrical current flows through it. This heat causes thermal expansion of the conductor. As load increases more heat is generated resulting in ever increasing thermal expansion of the power line causing the power line to sag closer to the ground. Because government regulations mandate the minimum clearance, utilities must assure that this minimum clearance is never violated.
In addition, numerous other factors also affect the suspended power line and the sag therein including ambient temperature (warmer temperatures increase sag), and wind speed and direction (wind usually cools the line and thus decreases sag). All of these factors, and primarily the thermal expansion, are considerations to electrical utilities as indicated above because steps must be taken to assure that adequate clearances as required by law are maintained. As a result, ampacity, or the maximum load is generally limited to less than maximum levels as a safety factor to assure that minimum clearance is maintained at all times and under all weather and load conditions. It is often typical that safety is a significant factor and thus maximum load is significantly affected.
Adequate clearance regulations are necessary because power lines, after being installed in relation to the ground or structures, may later sag so as to become too close to the ground or structures resulting in significant safety concerns. One such concern is that when power lines sag too close to the ground, electrical shock or contact with the lines becomes more feasible and thus safety is at issue. Another such concern is that electric flashover scenarios are possible as lines become too close to electrically grounding objects such as the ground or structures, and such electric flashover can result in extensive damage.
During installation and before a load is placed on the lines, the power lines can be installed such that sufficient clearance is achieved. This can readily be done by mere visual sight alignment or by simple measurement techniques measuring the distance from the lowest part of the line to the ground or nearest structure. It is even possible to very roughly account for factors such as ambient temperature, wind speed, wind direction and other environmental factors using conservative assumptions and historical knowledge. It is noteworthy though that such conservative assumptions result in significantly less than maximum line loading.
However, once an electrical load is placed on the power lines, various load factors cause the power lines to sag. One of these factors is thermal expansion of the power line under load as mentioned above, and specifically under a continuously varying load. The clearance between a suspended electrical conductor and the ground decreases as the conductor sags due to this thermal expansion under load. Thermal expansion can be correlated to load in the conductor such that increased load results in increased thermal expansion. Due to the desire to transmit as much power as possible through electrical conductors, it is important to monitor this thermal expansion and the resulting sag.
Full utilization of transmission lines requires analysis of sag and clearance with respect to these sag factors and the thermal expansion factor. In theory, this allows for the calculation of maximum load that still provides for minimum clearance as required by safety regulations. Current technology is such that several approximate methods provide for such approximation or calculation.
One method for determining power line sag involves measuring the temperature of the conductor at a particular spot on the power line. Mathematical modeling is then used to calculate the sag. This method is an approximation because the conductor temperature varies based upon location radially within the conductor, location on the line, wind, exposure to elements, etc. and thus the approximation may be inaccurate.
Safety factors are instituted to assure minimum clearances at all times thereby not optimizing the thermal expansion and sag allowed. Some of the problems of this method are due to its approximating qualities rather than accurate calculations. Other disadvantages and/or problems result from the inability to measure the temperature at all points, instead of sample points. As a result of these and other disadvantages and problems, additional safety factors may need to be added to assure minimum clearances, but as a result optimization suffers.
Alternatively, the environmental factors have been measured on the spot and then used to calculate the actual conductor temperature in conjunction with the above mentioned conductor temperature reading. This approach is time consuming, labor intensive, indirect and often subject to large errors.
Monitoring sag in a power line by only monitoring temperature can have disadvantages. These disadvantages may include conservative current ratings resulting from an assumed combination of worst case cooling conditions. Worst case cooling condition can include a combination of highest expected ambient temperature and lowest wind speed, both of which are may not occur under actual conditions. Monitoring of sag using temperature can also include adding a time function to the calculation that is to intermittently calculate rather than worst case scenario. The actual measurement of conductor sag or alternatively the ground clearance can also be measured manually. These measurements may be done with actual measuring, using acoustics, microwaves, and laser beams, although none of these methods may be practical. The equipment can be bulky, heavy and expensive. The equipment is typically installed on the ground under the conductor and thus must be left unattended where it is subject to vandalism, and it reduces the clearance at the center portion of the line where it is installed.
Other methods of measuring power line sag include measuring the power line tension at a suspension point. Because the line tension is affected by its inclination angle, by knowing the tension, the inclination angle can be determined and thus the sag. There are limitations and/or disadvantages associated with this tension measuring method. First, load cells used to measure the tension must be capable of measuring very small changes in a large static tension that is continuous on the line; and as a result, the accuracy of the sag determination is based upon the accuracy of the load cell and its capability of measuring small tension changes. Second, often load cells must be installed in-line which requires de-energizing and cutting of the line; and as a result, significant labor expense and line downtime is incurred. Finally, many of the current tension reading load cells must be installed on the grounded end of insulators holding the line at dead-end structures; and as a result, calculations cannot be performed on all spans.

Power line temperature and sag monitor system


A liquid dispensing container and housing assembly for housing and concealing a container in an inverted position to dispense substantially all of a liquid, such as, hand soap, shampoo, hair conditioner, hand sanitizer, from the inverted container in a controlled manner. The dispensing container includes a first housing portion securely holding the inverted container, a second housing portion, a container socket for receiving and holding necks of inverted containers, and a pump assembly in fluid communication with the container socket, via a delivery conduit, and including a delivery spout. The container socket includes a socket seal for tightly engaging and sealing the exterior surface of necks of inverted containers. In one embodiment, the delivery conduit includes a 90-degree conduit, or a meandering conduit to provide a first housing portion having a smaller size to accommodate smaller sized containers.

Many liquid dispensing containers are designed to hold and dispense a variety of liquids including, for example, hand sanitizers, hand soaps, shampoos, hair conditioners, or body wash. In some applications, liquid is dispensed from such containers, via a pump that is activated by users to provide controlled dispensing of liquid, or alternatively, users invert the containers by hand to dispense liquid from the container by gravity if no pump is provided. The liquid dispensing containers are often mounted on vertical surfaces such as on a wall in public restrooms, or are disposed on kitchen or bathroom countertops, and may be refillable. Traditional liquid dispensing containers are usually transparent, or opaque, and generally do not blend or complement with the surrounding decor of kitchens, or bathrooms where most liquid containers are stored and used.
An exemplary form of a liquid dispensing container comprises a soap-dispensing container. Soap dispensing containers often comprise a molded, plastic bottle sized to hold a predetermined amount of hand soap. Such plastic bottles often include a hand-actuated pump that is fitted with a hollow, elongated tube that extends within the plastic bottle and into the liquid soap. The pump typically includes a threaded collar that threads onto a threaded neck provided on the plastic bottle. The pump is depressed to extract an amount of hand soap from the bottle, up through the hollow, elongate tube, and out from a spout onto users' hands. The pump tube typically does not reach the bottom of the bottle, and thus a relatively small amount of liquid at the bottom of the container, beneath the pump tube, is unable to be dispensed by the pump. In consequence, many people will discard the bottle when only said small amount of liquid remains in the bottle, as it is impossible or inconvenient to dispense this remaining liquid. This causes a waste of unused product, and therefore economic loss and premature contribution to environmental impact of plastic bottles to the landfills or other disposal systems
Many individuals prefer using hand-operated soap dispensers in comparison to using solid bars of soap since the latter often leaves soap residue on soap dishes, or on countertops between uses. Another type of liquid dispensing container includes a plastic bottle or container for holding shampoo. Shampoo bottles generally include a bottle having a threaded neck, and a threaded cap including an aperture and flip-open lid that covers the aperture. The threaded cap is removably attached to the threaded neck of the bottle. In use, users rotate the flip-open lid, and invert the shampoo bottle by hand to dispense shampoo from the shampoo bottle by gravity allowing shampoo to pass through the aperture and onto the user's hand for washing hair.
Traditional containers and bottles employed for storing and holding hand soap, body wash, or shampoo provide various drawbacks. For instance, in practice it is difficult to dispense soap and/or shampoo from bottles when nearing the end supply of the liquid contents. Due to the thick and viscous nature of the liquid content, users often find themselves vigorously shaking or jerking the bottle in an effort to expel the last remaining quantity of liquid from the bottle. However, after applying the concerted effort, there remains a small quantity of liquid content within the shampoo bottle, even after repeated attempts are made by users to fully dispense the liquid from the bottle. Some individuals often resort to placing and resting bottles in an inverted position on a rack or counter to allow the liquid to gradually drizzle down by gravity. This practice however, poses a challenge when attempting to dispense the liquid from the bottle as the liquid often gushes out of the bottle upon opening the flip-open lid as a result of liquid having migrated down towards the cap often creating a mess, or outpouring a larger quantity of liquid needed for use. In addition, the loosely positioned, inverted bottles are unappealing, provide clutter, and often shift out of position and fall out of place defeating the original purpose.
Accordingly, there is an established need for a liquid dispensing assembly for effectively housing and concealing a container that is securely retained within the assembly in an inverted position to facilitate complete dispensing of liquid from the inverted container in a controlled manner, is easy to operate, and accommodates use with containers of various sizes and shapes holding varieties of different liquids.

Liquid dispensing container and housing assembly


The invention relates to novel camptothecin derivatives and their applications, tumor cell growth inhibitors, ternary complexes, and a method for improving the solubility of the camptothecin derivatives. The camptothecin derivatives are prepared by modifying the substance shown as Formula I with glycosylated triazole at position R3. In the structure shown as Formula I, R1 represents H, C1-10 alkyl, C1-10 alkyl-D or C1-10 haloalkyl; R2 represents H, CH2N(CH3)2 or CH2N(CD3)2; and R4 represents

Camptothecin (CPT) is a quinoline-containing alkaloid first extracted from barks and fruits of Camptotheca acuminata (Nyssaceae) in China by American chemists Wall et al. in 1966. Early studies found that CPT had antitumor activity, but the poor solubility of CPT in water greatly reduced its clinical application value. Later, scientists increased its water solubility by hydrolyzing the ester ring in its molecule through salt-forming method, while its antitumor activity decreased. In addition, CPT itself has strong side effects, such as hemorrhagic cystitis, severe bone marrow suppression, etc. Because of these defects, scientists had to stop clinical studies of CPT in the 1970s. The discovery by Hsiang et al. in 1985 that CPT is a proprietary inhibitor of topoisomerase I (ToPoI) reinvigorated the study of CPT. On the basis of study of its pharmacological mechanism and study on structure-activity relationship, a series of camptothecin derivatives have been developed by researchers. Irinotecan hydrochloride (CPT-11) is a water-soluble camptothecin derivative commonly used in clinical treatment of colorectal cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer, etc. But it has low antitumor activity and high side effects. Development of various camptothecin derivatives and improvement on their medicinal properties are a challenge in development of antitumor drugs.
Topotecan, belotecan, 10-hydroxycamptothecin and other camptothecin derivatives have been developed and applied in human body, but compatibility between these derivatives and human body has always been a major challenge in pharmaceutical industry. For example, as metabolite of irinotecan, SN-38 has in vitro antitumor activity 100-1000 times of that of irinotecan, however it has poor solubility and is almost insoluble in common drug solvents and water, so that it has poor druggability (Santi et al., J Med Chem. 2014, 57(6): 2303-2314) and has great limitation in clinical application.

Camptothecin derivatives and preparation methods and applications thereof

Abstract: or H, wherein X represents N, O or S; and L represents polypeptide, C1-20 linear alkyl or derivatives thereof, C1-20 linear or branched acyl derivatives, C2-100 ethylene glycol or derivatives thereof. The camptothecin derivatives have high solubility, the anticancer drugs prepared from them have the advantages of wide anticancer spectrum and high safety, and have in vivo anticancer activity higher than irinotecan hydrochloride.

TARGET BIOPHARMACEUTICAL TECHNOLOGY SHENZHEN COMPANY LIMITED


A treatment process for a composite comprising a matrix of a precipitation hardenable aluminum alloy and a particulate or short fiber ceramic reinforcement. The process includes hot and/or cold working the composite, subjecting the composite to a controlled heating step in which the composite is raised from ambient temperature to a temperature of from 250 to 450.degree. C. at a rate of temperature increase less than 1000.degree. C. per hour, and subjecting the resulting heat treated composite to a solution treating step.

In the manufacture of articles from precipitation hardenable high strength aluminium alloys, the final thermo-mechanical treatment involves solution treatment of the alloy followed by quenching and then natural or artificial ageing. This process results in hardening of the alloy.
Prior to the final thermo-mechanical treatment, the alloy can be hot or cold worked in a number of different ways, for example rolling, extruding or forging. This stage in the preparation of a material is referred to as the intermediate thermo-mechanical treatment.
It is known to prepare composites comprising a particulate or short fibre ceramic reinforcement in a matrix comprising a precipitation hardenable aluminium alloy. The conventional treatments for such composites have followed the same procedure as for the unreinforced alloys, i.e. solution treating the material and then artificially or naturally ageing it to precipitate the strengthening phase. We have now found that introduction of an additional step between the intermediate and final thermo-mechanical treatments leads to a surprising improvement in the properties of such composites.

Method of treatment of metal matrix composites

The Secretary of State for Defence in Her Britannic Majesty's Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland


A sensor outputs a signal related to a concentration of methanol in an aqueous solution adjacent the sensor. A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is included with an anode side and a cathode side. An anode current collector supports the anode side of the MEA and has a flow channel therethrough for flowing a stream of the aqueous solution and forms a physical barrier to control access of the methanol to the anode side of the MEA. A cathode current collector supports the cathode side of the MEA and is configured for air access to the cathode side of the MEA. A current sensor is connected to measure the current in a short circuit across the sensor electrodes to provide an output signal functionally related to the concentration of methanol in the aqueous solution.

A methanol sensor is an important component in a direct methanol fuel cell power system. The sensor is used to monitor the concentration of methanol solution fed to the fuel cell anode electrode. Based on the response of the sensor, active control of the methanol concentration to the desired level can be achieved.
Barton et al., xe2x80x9cA Methanol Sensor for Portable Direct Methanol Fuel Cell,xe2x80x9d145 J. Electrochem. Soc., pp. 3783-3788 (1998), report the design of such methanol sensor, based on studies (X. Ren et al., 1 Proton Conducting Membrane Fuel Cells, Ed. Gottesfeld et al., pg. 284 (The Electrochemical Society, Pennington, N.J. (1995)) of methanol transportation across a polymer electrolyte membrane such as that used in a direct methanol fuel cell. The two sensor electrodes were prepared similarly as fuel cell electrodes by applying catalyst, usually Pt containing catalyst powder, and recast ionomer mixture to the polymer electrolyte membrane to form membrane electrode assembly (MEA). The MEA is exposed to the methanol solution on one side, and the methanol flux across the membrane is electro-oxidized at the other side of the MEA by applying an external voltage across the two electrodes. With a sufficiently high electrode activity, achieved by both high catalyst layer activity and a high voltage across the two electrodes, a limiting current, which is approximately proportional to the methanol concentration for a low methanol concentration range, can be measured as the response of the sensor. H2 evolution reaction occurs concomitantly on the counter electrode that is exposed to the methanol solution.
For this type of sensor, the interference of oxygen from air has to be dealt with by either limiting the air access to the methanol electro-oxidation electrode or applying a high voltage (about 1 volt.) across the sensor electrodes to limit the oxygen electro-reduction reaction. Because the sensor is operated with an external power source to drive the electrode reactions, the sensor is characterized as operating in a driven mode, with the need of consuming external electric power.
The present invention provides a self-driven sensor, i.e., no applied voltage is required, to measure the concentration of methanol in an adjacent aqueous solution. The methanol sensor is generally a direct methanol fuel cell with a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) containing a methanol electro-oxidation anode and an air (O2) electro-reduction cathode. Methanol access from the aqueous solution to the anode side of the MEA is limited to diffusion through a physical barrier, which can be an aperture opening with defined geometry, a porous medium, or the like. The anode and the cathode are shorted together through an electrical connection so all the methanol that reaches the anode side is completely consumed at the anode with concomitant oxygen reduction at the cathode. All the reactions are self-driven and no external voltage source is required. The current passing through the shorting connection is limited by diffusion of methanol through the barrier so that the current is directly related to the methanol concentration in the aqueous solution.
Various advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
The present invention includes a sensor for outputting a signal related to a concentration of methanol in an aqueous solution adjacent the sensor. A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is included with an anode side and a cathode side. An anode current collector supports the anode side of the MEA and has a flow channel therethrough for flowing a stream of the aqueous solution and forms a physical barrier to control access of the methanol to the anode side of the MEA. A cathode current collector supports the cathode side of the MEA and is configured for air access to the cathode side of the MEA. A current sensor is connected to measure the current in a short circuit across the sensor electrodes to provide an output signal functionally related to the concentration of methanol in the aqueous solution.

Methanol sensor operated in a passive mode

The Regents of the University of California


A flame retardant and glow resistant zinc free cellulose product containing silica, modified with polyaluminium ions. In the preparation of product the cellulose solution (viscose) and sodium silicate are blended and regenerated to obtain a polymeric silica in the cellulose structure which is further modified with polyaluminium ions to attach aluminium sites on silica molecules to make the product glow resistant and impart wash fastness as well.

The world demand for inherently flame resistant synthetic fibres has increased sharply over the last few years. This trend is a result of increasing safety awareness of the population specially in highly developed and industrialized countries. Consequently, a number of special process technologies have been developed to produce combustion resistant textile products by finishing or dope additive techniques. In general the flame retardant chemicals are selected from the family of compounds of phosphorous, antimony, sulphur, halogens etc. However, many of these are not eco-friendly due to their hazardous nature.
Sandoz-Switzerland had developed a series of Pyrophosphate compounds for flame resistant additives. Out of these Sandoflam 5060 (2,2-oxybis (5,5-dimethyl-1,3,2-dioxaphosphorinane-2,2-disulphide) was found very suitable to produce flame retardant viscose fibre with a dose of 20% on cellulose. However the cost of this chemical is very high and thus the process becomes highly cost intensive. More over the product containing this compound on burning produces toxic gases.
On the other hand, the products containing silicon dioxide are considered out standing in their fire resistant characteristics. Such products are manufactured by number of methods. In some method, silica (SiO2) fibres are prepared by dry spinning method from a water glass solution as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,786,017 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,332,601. These methods produce the fibres of Silicon-dioxide but do not contain the natural or synthetic polymers like cellulose.
In GB Patent 1064271, wherein sodium silicate is mixed with viscose (cellulose xanthate solution) and regenerated in to cellulose embedded with silicic acid. The fibres manufactured according to this method contained large amount of silica and modified with aluminium compounds like sodium aluminate. These fibres are further given a heat treatment in a muffle to convert it in to porous sintered fibres of SiO2. The cellulosic fibres containing silica, as produced by above method show serious disadvantages when given an alkaline treatment. In alkaline washing treatment the silica content dissolves out and the flame retarding effect gets nullified after some washings.
The method of prior arts for producing silica containing flame retardant fibre is zinc based process and the product contains zinc ions. In a typical commercial product the zinc content was found in the level of 50 ppm. Zinc is a known hazardous and toxic element and in many eco-label products it is restricted. The threshold limit of zinc in M.S.T. (Marke Scadstoffgeprufter Textilien) standard and HELCOM (The Helsinki Convention) for eco-labelling textiles is 5 and 2 ppm respectively. Many Environmental protection agencies like U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR) etc. have reported the ill effect of zinc compounds. Thus the end products made from the fibres/filaments containing zinc are not considered as eco-friendly and therefore unacceptable in some textile usage.
More over these products also show after glow behavior i.e. they glow spontaneously without flame.
Another major drawback of sodium aluminate treatment in the manufacturing of said product in above methods is the problem of precipitate and dust as some of the aluminates get precipitated in the form of alumina tri hydrate (Al2O3. 3H2O) during the application stage which is insoluble in water or alkali. The content of these precipitates increases during the circulation of the solution and a major portion is carried over by the fibre mats. These precipitates adhere on the pressing rollers, thus making the movement of fibre mats difficult. The precipitates carried over by the fibre mats get dried in the dryers and spread as inorganic dust in nearby zone making the working atmosphere inconvenient and unfriendly. The dust problem is also observed in down stream processing of these products.
Therefore the product according to prior art methods suffers from the major drawbacks of having unacceptable levels of zinc, showing after glow behaviour, and generate inorganic dust                Product contains zinc contents.        Product shows after glow behavior.        Product generates inorganic dust.

Flame retardant and glow resistant zinc free cellulose product

Birla Research Institute for Applied Sciences


A signal processing apparatus includes a filter that performs filtering of a correction filter characteristic including a reverse characteristic of an output characteristic of a microphone on a signal acquired by the microphone.

The present disclosure relates to a signal processing apparatus, a signal processing method, and a program, and more particularly, to a signal processing apparatus and the like processing a signal acquired by a microphone.
Recently, through miniaturization of products and design which lays emphasis on design properties, the sizes of microphones themselves have been reduced, and sound waves reaching the vibration plate diffract at the narrow opening portion causing confusion in frequency characteristics and phase characteristics, and thus various problems occur. When one microphone is provided, deterioration of the sound collection function occurs.
When a plurality of microphones are provided, a sound signal process using volume differences and/or phase differences applied after sound collection may be also affected. For example, there are deterioration of channel separation of a channel number conversion process such as down mix and up mix, a decrease of precision of a beamforming technique represented by sound source localization and directional sound recording, and the like. As described above, the frequency characteristics and phase characteristics of the microphone are confused to cause various problems, but an effective solution has not been proposed.
In Japanese Examined Patent Application Publication No. 07-054998, a technique of correction by an IIR filter using a graphic equalizer as an example is proposed.

Signal processing apparatus, signal processing method, and program


A turbomachine for an aircraft including a mechanism forming a case fitted in a rear extension of an inner ferrule of an intermediate casing, and positioned around a central casing. The mechanism includes a structural upstream ferrule assembled on the inner ferrule and defining a front portion of a surface internally delimiting a secondary vein, and a main case extending on the upstream ferrule towards the rear. The turbomachine further includes a structural mechanism rigidifying the central casing, surrounded by the case, and extending towards the rear between the upstream ferrule and the central casing on which these mechanisms are assembled.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a dual-flow turbomachine for aircraft, preferably of the turbojet type.
2. Description of the Related Art
In these turbomachines, a known problem lies in the deflection of the central casing enclosing the gas generator, where the consequence of this deflection in the transverse axis is to accelerate the wear and tear of the compressor's rotating blades, and therefore to increase the clearances at the ends of the blades. The consequence of this effect is a substantial reduction of the overall efficiency of the turbomachine.

Dual-flow turbomachine for aircraft, including structural means of rigidifying the central casing


A direct-write lithography tool having improved alignment characteristics. The present invention discloses use of an optical alignment apparatus in a multi-beam lithography system. The optical alignment apparatus provides for alignment through a reduction lens utilized by the multi-beam lithography system for writing to semiconductor wafers and the like through use of optics for correction of distortion and curvature caused by viewing with a radiant energy beam of a different wavelength than the beams used for writing. Further, the alignment optics provide for multiple paths in a single optics system through use of liquid crystal retarders and beam splitters to direct the radiant energy beam through a selected optical path. In the present invention, a first optical path may provide for high magnification and a second for low magnification. Further, other optical paths may provide for bright or dark field illumination and viewing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of alignment devices for scanned laser systems and has particular application in scanned laser lithography systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
A number of direct-write lithography systems for production of semiconductor wafers and the like are known in the art. In each of these systems, it is necessary to I1 position the wafer on a mechanical stage and accurately position the wafer under the write beam. Typically, registration marks are first written onto the substrate and subsequently such registration marks are utilized to determine the relative position of the wafer with respect to the alignment system. It may be worth noting that the registration marks may be applied on a global basis, on a die-by-die basis or on a field-by-field basis. In the case of registration marks being applied on a global basis, the wafer is accurately aligned and positioned with respect to the registration mark. In a global registration system, extreme stability of the system as well as flat, non-distorted wafers are required. In both die-by-die and field-by-field registration, the registration marks need to be applied in a manner and position compatible with the fabrication process.
In any event, what is important is the ability to accurately position a wafer with respect to a write beam in a direct-write lithography system. Therefore, as one objective of the present invention, an improved system for positioning of wafers in such a system is disclosed.
As a second objective of the present invention, improved alignment optics for presentation of relatively distortion-free images of a wafer is disclosed.
As a third objective of the present invention, an improved method for applying registration marks and an improved structure for said registration marks is disclosed. PG,5

Scanning laser lithography system alignment apparatus


A flock separating apparatus, has an electrolytic cell (2) fitted with iron electrode and a separating tank (3), wherein the flock is carried upwards by a hydrogen gas produced in electrolysis. The separating tank (3) has a substantially vertical pipe having a length which is at least 10 times, preferably at least 15-20 times more than its diameter.

This application is a 371 application of a U.S. PCT/FI194/00518 International Application published as WO96/15989 May 30, 1996.
The present invention relates to a flock separating apparatus for use in sewage or sludge treatment, comprising an electrolytic cell and a separating tank, into which the flock developed in the electrolytic cell is delivered and in which the flock rises up through the action of a gas produced in electrolysis.
The treatment or purification of sewage and industrial process waters is conventionally (e.g. International Reference WO 89/06161) carried out by using flock separating tanks with air blown therein, so that the rising air bubbles carry the lighter solids to the surface as flock which can be removed. For example, the Patent publications U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,673,494 and 4,294,697 disclose such a combination of an electrolytic cell and a separating tank such that the electrolytically produced flock can be brought up to the surface in the separating tank by means of a gas released in electrolysis. Such a combination does not allow the use of optimal cell and tank structures and dimensions, resulting in a poor separation efficiency. The prior known flock separating tanks are relatively shallow and have been aimed at a relatively large surface area.


Computer systems are managed by providing systems programmers with visual displays and user interfaces that identify certain issues and allow the system programmer to readily apply fixes, patches, and other updates without tediously sifting through a mountain of information and manually addressing those issues. The systems herein, provide a more streamlined approach for the system programmer by reducing the possibility of overlooking a particular issue that may adversely affect the system.

The present disclosure relates generally to computers and, more particularly, to systems and methods for managing computer systems.
Various software components control the operations of computer systems. For example, operating systems (OS) manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for various computer programs or modules that are installed on a particular computer system. To the extent that computer systems are connected to a network, it is now possible to provide software (e.g., OS, programs, modules, etc.) and other services over the network, with ongoing efforts to improve over-the-network delivery of software and services.


A memory architecture for a non-volatile analog or multiple-bits-per-cell memory includes multiple separate memory arrays and multiple read/write pipelines. The multiple read/write pipelines share a read circuit and/or a write circuit to reduce the circuit area of each pipeline and the circuit area of the memory as a whole. In one embodiment, a shared write circuit generates a programming voltage that changes with an input signal representing values to be written to the memory. Each pipeline includes a sample-and-hold circuit that samples the programming voltage when the pipeline begins a write operation. The write circuit can additionally generate a verify voltage that a second sample-and-hold circuit in each pipeline samples when starting a write operation. In another embodiment, a shared read circuit generates a read signal that ramps across the range of permitted threshold voltages for the memory cells, and a sense amplifier in each pipeline clocks a sample-and-hold circuit or another temporary storage circuit when the sense amplifier senses a transition in conductivity of a selected memory cell. When clocked, the sample-and-hold circuit or other temporary storage circuit registers a signal that corresponds to the read signal and indicates a data value associated with the voltage of the read signal. In alternative embodiments, the signal registered is the read signal, a converted form of the read signal, or a multi-bit digital signal.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to non-volatile semiconductor memories such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory, and more particularly to memory architectures that provide high data transfer rates.
2. Description of Related Art
Semiconductor non-volatile memories such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memories, which permit electrical programming and erasing of memory cells, are well known. Such memories conventionally include arrays of memory cells where each memory cell includes a floating gate transistor. Write and erase circuits coupled to an array change the threshold voltages of floating gate transistors by electrically charging or discharging the floating gates of the transistors. In particular, to write to a memory cell, the write circuit charges the floating gate of the floating gate transistor in the memory cell until the threshold voltage of the transistor is at a level that representing the value being written. The read circuit senses the threshold voltage of a floating gate transistor in a memory cell to determine the value stored in the cell.
In different applications, the threshold voltage of a floating gate transistor can represent a single bit, multiple bits, or an analog value. For conventional binary (i.e., single-bit-per-cell) non-volatile memories, threshold voltages below a break-point level represent one binary value (0 or 1), and threshold voltages above the break-point level represent the other binary value (1 or 0). Accordingly, erase and write circuits in a binary memory set the threshold voltages of every memory cell at either a high level or a low level, and the read circuit can easily distinguish between the levels. Threshold voltages of memory cells in multiple-bits-per-cell memories or analog memories respectively have several (4, 8, 16, or more) distinct threshold voltage bands or a continuous range of levels. Accordingly, multiple-bits-per-cell memories and analog memories need precise control when writing threshold voltages and high accuracy when identifying threshold voltages. The write and read circuits which achieve the precision and accuracy required for multiple-bits-per-cell and analog memories are typically slower than write and read circuits for binary memory. Accordingly, the read and write speeds of read and write circuits in multiple-bit-per-cell memory and analog memory are normally slower than their binary counterparts.
To improve read and write data rates (i.e., the bandwidth) for an analog memory, a memory system using a pair of buffers and multiple write circuits is known. The memory system sequentially collects data in a first buffer while writing in parallel, the data from a second buffer into a memory array. The buffers exchange roles when writing of the data from the second buffer is complete and the first buffer is full of data. Similarly, an analog memory can use a pair of buffers and a set of parallel read circuits to improve read rates. A disadvantage of such memories is increased costs associated with the increases in circuit complexity and integrated circuit area.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,680,341, entitled "Pipelined Record and Playback for Analog Non-Volatile Memory", to Wong. et al., which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, describes memory systems using multiple read or write pipelines. A pipelined write architecture, for example, includes multiple write pipelines with each write pipeline including a sample-and-hold circuit and write circuitry for writing a value from the sample-and-hold circuit into a memory cell. Write pipelines are started sequentially as the sample-and-hold circuits acquire values to be written. By the time the last write pipeline in the sequence starts a write operation, first pipeline in the sequence has completed a previously started write operation and is ready to start another. Accordingly, a pipelined architecture can increase the write bandwidth in proportion to the number of write pipelines employed, without sacrificing accuracy or resolution. A pipeline read architecture can also be used to increase the read bandwidth. An advantage that the pipelined memory architecture has over the parallel read and write architecture is a reduction in required circuitry. In particular, the parallel architecture requires two sample-and-hold circuits (one in each buffer) per read or write circuit. The pipelined architecture requires only a single sample-and-hold circuit per read or write circuit. Thus, the pipelined architecture can reduce circuit cost by decreasing the required integrated circuit area.
Memory architectures which provide a high bandwidth for analog and multiple-bits-per-cell data flow but require even less circuit area are desired.

High-bandwidth read and write architectures for non-volatile memories


A system for measuring radiant signals includes a detector circuit for detecting a time multiplexed, measured radiant signal and reference signal. A switch is connected to the detector circuit for receiving signals from the detector circuit. A measured signal sampling circuit, a reference signal sampling circuit, a measured alias circuit and a reference alias circuit are connected to the switch, which is operative for switching among the sampling and alias circuits to remove sampling noise and improve switching latency.

In radiometers and other radiant signal measurement systems that switch between a reference signal and measured radiant signal, focal plane arrays are sometimes used to form images from radiation received by a reflector antenna. Millimeter wave (MMW) focal plane array radiometers also have been used in many applications to form images based on thermal sensing of radiated microwave energy. The sensitivity of existing radiometer designs, however, has been limited to about 1 deg K, resulting in poor images.
The principle of operation of the radiometric technique is fully described in the literature. The design of a typical radiometer is based on the technique of comparing the level of electromagnetic noise emitted by an unknown source to a reference or stable noise source. This technique and devices were initially proposed by Dicke [R. H. Dicke, "The Measurement of Thermal Radiation at Microwave Frequencies," The Review of Scientific Instruments, Vol. 17, No. 7, July 1946].
In a Dicke radiometer circuit, the signals from typically an antenna or other source are sampled and compared with signals from a reference source maintained at a known constant temperature. This overcomes some of the problems of amplifier instability, but in general does not alter effects resulting from imperfect components and thermal gradients.
While other types of radiometric devices have been used with some success, the Dicke (or comparison) type of radiometer has been the most widely used for the study of relatively low level, noise-like millimeter wave signals, especially where the noise signals to be examined are often small in comparison to the internally generated noise level within the radiometer receiver. While there are several types of comparison radiometers, one popular type of radiometer for use in the microwave/millimeter wave frequency bands compares an incoming signal to be measured to a standard or calibrated reference noise signal. This type of radiometer compares the amplitude of an unknown noise signal coming from the source to be examined with a known amplitude of a noise signal from a calibration source. This method has been found useful in measuring with considerable accuracy the effective temperature of an unknown source.
In the Dicke or comparison type radiometer, the receiver input is switched between typically the antenna and a local reference signal noise generator. The detected and amplified receiver output is coupled to a phase-sensing detector operated in synchronism with the input switching circuit. The output signal from the radiometer receiver is proportionate to the difference between the temperature of the reference signal source and the temperature of the source viewed by the antenna, inasmuch as the phase-sensing detector acts to subtract the background or internal noise of the receiver.
It should be understood that the Dicke radiometer typically uses a radio frequency (RF) switch coupled between an antenna and a radiometer receiver, allowing the receiver to alternate between the antenna and a known reference load termination. The receiver output is connected to the synchronous detector that produces an output voltage proportional to a difference between the antenna and the reference temperature. Null balance operation for the Dicke radiometer is typically achieved by coupling in noise from a hot noise diode to the antenna port of the RF switch, allowing the system to match the temperature from standard reference loads.
These types of systems typically use time multiplexed circuits with either analog or RF inputting and gain stages. An output is formed as a differential analog level. These circuits could be similar to existing chopper circuits for analog applications, and a Dicke switch for RF applications. These type of circuits can also be used in instrumentation circuits and measurement circuits that evaluate small changes in a signal.
Some switched measurement systems currently in use have been inadequate because the systems do not correctly compensate for gain variations caused by temperature drift from the temperature at which the system was calibrated. Most existing systems use a thermal control system, for example, a Peltier cooler, which adds an extra cost and an extra power usage to the system.
The Dicke switch is an adequate RF measurement system when it operates in the presence of a large DC or noise offset associated with the measurement reading, typically at a smaller scale. The reference reading can be used to null, or subtract-out from the measurement reading. The Dicke switch system typically uses the time multiplexed circuit where the input is switched between the measurement and the reference in a regular pattern. This allows the same circuit hardware to amplify the signals, resulting in identical system gain for both the measurement and the reference. This common gain allows for a linear subtraction of measurement and reference.
One primary application of this type of system is a radiometer, which measures a small amount of noise variation in a large noise offset. The reference reading is calibrated to be offset at the calibration temperature. The radiometer output is supplied to a log power detector circuit and converted to an analog level, which alternates in time between the measurement and the reference. A controller evaluates the analog levels and performs system operations, whether in analog or digital.
In these types of systems for example, the Dicke switch radiometer have several drawbacks in some applications, however. For example, a large amount of time is sometimes required for the analog level to stabilize after switching. There is also no allowance for system gain control, thus adding large measurement inaccuracies unless precise temperature control is maintained.

Switched measuring system and method for measuring radiant signals