A method for retrieving and managing addresses is provided. The steps may include of receiving, at a first buffer of m buffers, a request for an address; obtaining the address from a corresponding first register of the m registers; sending the address, received by said obtaining, to a destination; storing the address, received by the obtaining, in the first buffer; and clearing the contents of a second buffer of the m buffers, in response to any of said receiving, obtaining or storing, without clearing the contents of said first buffer, wherein m is a positive integer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to management of addresses in a computing system. More particularly, the present invention relates to leveraging a processor's natural methodology of virtual to physical address translation to reduce latency in accessing dispersed data.
2. Discussion of Background Information
A Partitioned Global Address Spaced (PGAS) computer architecture with parallel multiprocessors is well known. A typical architecture is shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Each compute node 110 includes a CPU 112, a translation lookaside buffer 113, a level 1 cache 114, a level 2 cache 116, a memory control 118, a crossbar 120, and an input/output ("I/O") device 122. Each compute node 110 accesses a corresponding local memory 124. The various compute nodes 110 connect via a network 126 as is known in the art. Each of the various local memories 124 collectively form a global memory for the system.
Such prior art systems utilize a virtual address to physical address translation mechanism to locate data required to fulfill requested processes from CPU 112. The virtual address only represents the address of corresponding responsive data, but is not the actual physical address of the data (the actual location of the data in memory). A page table stored in local memory 124 maps the individual virtual addresses to individual physical addresses, each such entry in the table being a page table entry or "PGE." When CPU 112 generates a virtual address, the system accesses the page table at the appropriate PGE to identify the corresponding physical address for the requested data. Translation lookaside buffer ("TLB") 113 stores the PGE's for the most recent transactions.
A compute node 110 can access its own local memory 124 by generating a request (a read or write command) for which the resulting physical address falls within the address range assigned to that local memory 124. The same mechanism accesses the global memory in remote local memories 124 by generating a virtual address that falls within the global address space. For a virtual address which corresponds to a physical address in a remote local memory 124, the virtual address is sent through network 126 for read/wire operations as appropriate.
When compute node 110 generates a virtual address, it initially always checks the TLB 113 to determine whether it already has a page entry for that particular virtual address. TLB 113 is typically a content-addressable memory, in which the search key is the virtual address and the search result is a physical address. If the search yields a match, the physical address is provided quickly without having to access the page table in local memory 124. If the virtual address is not in the TLB 113, then it is considered a "miss"; CPU 112 has to access the page table in local memory 124 directly, which takes longer to complete and consumes local memory bandwidth.
The Partitioned Global Address Spaced architecture carries several advantages, including fine grained (single word) communication and a large memory space. However, the large memory creates corresponding latency in data location. One such latency is due to the fact that data are dispersed throughout the global memory system. Given such dispersal, it is less likely that any particular virtual address will be in TLB 113. Yet the processors are nonetheless programmed to check the TLB 113 for each virtual address, effectively creating a large number of "misses" (i.e., no prior translation is found in the TLB 113) that add latency and consume more local memory bandwidth. TLB 113 is considered to be "thrashing," such that its benefits are largely offset.
Once the addresses are translated, the large memory space of the system often generates new latencies due to the time that it takes to obtain the data from remote memories. To reduce the impact of this latency, prior art processors use a hierarchy of data caches to move remote data nearer to the CPU core. Rather than only accessing the data requested by the read or write operation, the system requests and retrieves some multiple of the basic operation size (a cache line) as the data cache. As long as there is good "data locality"—in that data tends to be stored sequentially such that the next request read/write operation would draw upon the next data entry in the cache—then this cache line retrieval method can hide or amortize the above-noted access latency penalties.
However, there are situations in which the underlying data are highly dispersed. For example, some applications store data randomly rather than sequentially, such that it is unlikely that the next data entry in the cache line would correspond to the desired data. The resulting number of misses at the cache level adds a new layer of latency.

System and method for managing addresses in a computing system

General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems, Inc.


An automated valuation model that uses condition and quality variables. In response to user queries, the model ranks and displays comparables for a subject property. The comparables are selected based on their similarity to the subject. Data on quality and condition of properties is incorporated into the model and corresponding comparable assessments. For example, the quality and condition inputs may be used in a hedonic adjustment factor model, comparable selection exclusion rules, economic distance calculations, and adjustments for differences between the subject and comparables at comparable selection stage. The comparables may be displayed in ranked order based on the calculated similarities between the properties, with indications of the quality and condition categories, to provide an overall assessment of the comparables as well as displayable indications of the underlying quality and condition categories and related information. The model may also use other ordinal variables and may perform any type of valuation.

1. Field of the Invention
This application relates to an automated valuation model that accommodates assessment of subject items using one or more ordinal variables.
2. Description of the Related Art
Automated valuation models (AVMs) are now widely used to automatically evaluate properties, such as for assessing the propriety of including comparable properties in an appraisal, determining whether an appraisal value is appropriate, and so forth.
These AVMs accurately evaluate properties based upon objective property characteristics such as the number of bedrooms and the lot size. Property condition and quality are more difficult to assess using an AVM.
What is needed is an AVM that implements accurate identification and adjustment for property condition and quality in an automated fashion.

Automated valuation model using ordinal variables such as condition and quality variables


A plasma processing device comprising a gas injection system is described, wherein the gas injection system comprises a gas injection assembly body, a consumable gas inject plate coupled to the gas injection assembly body, and a pressure sensor coupled to a gas injection plenum formed by the gas injection system body and the consumable gas inject plate. The gas injection system is configured to receive a process gas from at least one mass flow controller and distribute the process gas to the processing region within the plasma processing device, and the pressure sensor is configured to measure a gas injection pressure within the gas injection plenum. A controller, coupled to the pressure sensor, is configured to receive a signal from the pressure sensor and to determine a state of the consumable gas inject plate based upon the signal. A method of determining the state of the consumable gas inject plate comprises: measuring a change in the gas injection pressure associated with either a change in the process gas mass flow rate or the processing pressure; determining a response time for the change in pressure; and comparing the response time during erosion to a response time during no erosion.

In semiconductor manufacturing, plasma is often employed to create and assist surface chemistry within a plasma reactor necessary to remove material from and deposit material to a substrate. In general, plasma is formed within the plasma reactor under vacuum conditions by heating electrons to energies sufficient to sustain ionizing collisions with a supplied process gas. Moreover, the heated electrons can have energy sufficient to sustain dissociative collisions and, therefore, a specific set of gases under predetermined conditions (e.g., chamber pressure, gas flow rate, etc.) are chosen to produce a population of charged species and chemically reactive species suitable to the particular process being performed within the chamber (e.g., etching processes where materials are removed from the substrate or deposition processes where materials are added to the substrate). One pre-requisite to ensuring a uniform process includes a uniform injection of process gas to the plasma chemistry above the substrate. FIG. 1 presents a showerhead-type gas injection system 1 comprising a gas injection assembly body 10, a gas inject plate 12, and optionally one or more baffle plates 14 installed within gas injection plenum 16. In general, the gas injection assembly body 10, the gas inject plate 12, and the one or more baffle plates are fabricated from aluminum. The process gas can be supplied to the gas injection plenum 16 via a mass flow controller 30 and/or pressure regulator 32 In order to minimize the damage sustained by exposure to the processing plasma, a consumable or replaceable component can be inserted within the processing chamber to protect the surfaces of more valuable components that would impose greater costs during frequent replacement. Therefore, the gas injection system 1 depicted in FIG. 1 can further comprise a consumable gas inject plate 20. The consumable gas inject plate 20 can be fabricated from materials such as silicon, quartz, sapphire, alumina, carbon, silicon carbide, etc. In general, it is desirable to select surface materials that during erosion minimize the introduction of unwanted contaminants, impurities, etc. to the processing plasma and possibly to the devices formed on the substrate. As a result of their consumable nature, the erosion of exposed components in the plasma processing system can lead to a gradual degradation of the plasma processing performance and ultimately to complete failure of the system. Therefore, it is important to properly maintain these components. For instance, these consumables or replaceable components are typically considered as part of a process kit that is frequently maintained during system cleaning. In manufacturing environments, consumable components, such as the consumable gas inject plate 20, are replaced during pre-determined maintenance intervals, which are often dictated by a measure of usage such as the number of RF hours. Since the measure of usage is determined conservatively, consumable components can be replaced before the end of their lifetime, hence, leading to increased manufacturing costs, downtime, etc.

Method and apparatus for determining consumable lifetime


A Ceramic Bonding Copper (CBC) substrate used in semiconductor modules includes a ceramic plate having foil-shaped copper plates bonded to the ceramic plate by the direct copper bonding method. A circuit pattern is formed on one of the copper plates. The ceramic plate is fabricated by sintering at high temperature an alumina powder compact containing zirconia and one or more of the following additives: yttria, calcia, magnesia, and ceria. The flexural strength and the thermal conductivity of the alumnina ceramic plate of the invention are remarkably improved, facilitating a reduction in the thickness of the ceramic plate. The reduction in thickness of the CBC substrate further improves the ability of the semiconductor device to radiate heat and therefore increases the current carrying capability of the semiconductor device.

The present invention relates to an insulation substrate, on which semiconductor chips are soldered. The insulation substrate includes a ceramic core plate (insulation core plate) having foil-shaped copper plates bonded directly to it. The insulation substrate is used in "power modules" or power semiconductor devices such as converters, inverters, switching power supplies, constant voltage constant frequency (CVCF) power supplies, variable voltage variable frequency power supplies, other power supply circuits and control circuits for the various power supplies.
Referring to FIG. 1, a prior art power module has a Ceramic Bonding Copper (CBC) substrate 2 soldered to a metal radiator base 1. CBC substrate 2 includes a ceramic plate 2a sandwiched between a thin foil-shaped upper copper plate 2c and a thin foil-shaped lower copper plate 2b. Each of upper copper plate 2c and lower copper plate 2c is directly bonded to ceramic plate 2a by a direct bonding copper method (the method of bonding copper by using a Cu--O eutectic liquid phase yielded by a reaction of copper and a trace amount of oxygen). Ceramic plate 2a is made, for example, of alumina (Al.sub.2 O.sub.3) or aluminum nitride (AlN). A circuit pattern (thick film circuit pattern) is formed on an upper surface of upper copper plate 2c. A semiconductor chip 3 is mounted on CBC substrate 2.
Curved tips of lead terminals 4 are soldered to the circuit pattern formed on upper copper plate 2c. A terminal block 7 fixes the positions of lead terminals 4. Semiconductor chip 3 is electrically connected to lead terminals 4 by bonding wires 5. A gel resin 9 fills an inner space formed by metal radiator base 1 on the bottom and a resin case 6 on the sides. A sealant resin 8 on top of gel resin 9 closes resin case 6.
In the above described prior art embodiment, problems regarding the radiation of generated heat ensue when CBC substrate 2 is used as a thick film circuit board on which semiconductor chip 3 of a power module is mounted.
Since currents in power modules are larger than other semiconductor circuits, a semiconductor chip 3 in a power module generates a considerable amount of heat when a large amount of current flows through it. The generated heat is conducted by metal radiator base 1 via CBC substrate 2 and radiated from metal radiator base 1. Therefore, the thermal conductivity of CBC substrate 2 is an important factor in determining the current capacity of the semiconductor device.
However, because CBC substrate 2 has a laminate structure (ie. thin foil-shaped upper and lower copper plates 2c and 2b on respective sides of ceramic core plate 2a), its thermal conductivity is relatively low. The specific thermal conductivity values of alumina and aluminum nitride, used as the material of ceramic plate 2a, are listed below.
Alumina: 21 W/m.multidot.k PA1 Aluminum nitride: 180 W/m.multidot.k PA1 Silicon (semiconductor chip): 4.0.times.10.sup.6 /.degree.C. PA1 Alumina: 7.5.times.10.sup.6 /.degree.C. PA1 Copper: 18.0.times.10.sup.6 /.degree.C.
Although aluminum nitride exhibits a thermal conductivity that is far superior to that of alumina, aluminum nitride is much more expensive than alumina and is therefore undesirable for that reason.
To improve the heat radiation of the prior art semiconductor devices, metal radiator plate 1 is sometimes fixed to a heat sink with a bolt or bolts. However, force exerted by the bolts and warping caused by heat exert a bending stress on metal radiator plate 1. The resulting bending stress can deflect metal radiator plate 1 and CBC substrate 2 which is soldered to the metal radiator plate 1. Because the flexural strength and deflection tolerance of ceramics are relatively low compared to metal radiator 1, cracks or cleavages develop in the CBC substrate, thereby reducing its insulative properties.
The flexural strength is approximately 300 MPa for aluminum nitride and 400 MPa for alumina, and the deflection tolerance is approximately 0.2 mm for aluminum nitride and 0.3 mm for alumina. Therefore, aluminum nitride, which has greater thermal conductivity, is weaker than alumina mechanically. Various counter measures should be taken to prevent the development of cracks in the CBC substrate, even though the deviations of the deflection in the heat sink have been estimated to be approximately 100 .mu.m.
It is possible to design CBC substrate 2 with a deflection tolerance of a fraction of the deflection caused in the semiconductor device, to prevent the development of cracks in CBC substrate 2, by dividing CBC substrate 2 into a plurality of substrates. However, the spaces between the independent CBC substrates fixed on metal radiator base 1 conflict with the design goals of the device integration and size reduction. Dividing CBC substrate 2 enlarges the semiconductor device and increases the number of parts and components as well adding cumbersome internal wiring work between the individual CBC substrates. Therefore, using a plurality of thin CBC substrate layers instead of a single larger one is not an effective solution.
Referring to FIG. 2, another counter measure for preventing the development of cracks in CBC substrate 2 includes an elastic bending part 4b formed on the side of a tip part 4a in an inner lead section of lead terminal 4. In addition, the peripheral part of upper copper plate 2c, on which a circuit pattern is formed, is raised above the upper surface of ceramic plate 2a. Since the stress caused in the ceramic plate 2a may be relaxed by the inclusion of the elastic bending part 4b and the floated peripheral part of the copper plate 2c, the development of cracks in the CBC substrate is prevented.
However, this counter measure requires a pressing process for each lead terminal 4 to form the elastic bending part 4b in the inner lead section. This counter measure is not easily applied to the batch assembly of the power modules. In the batch process, lead frames for the power modules are made of many lead terminals 4 connected with one another by a tie bar. The lead terminals are fixed to terminal block 7, the tip parts 4a are soldered, and finally, the tie bar is cut. The pressing process is difficult to incorporate into this batch assembly procedure. In addition to the increased complexity of the batch assembly of lead frames, the manufacturing cost of CBC substrate 2 is also increased since etching and cleaning processes are necessary to float the peripheral part of upper copper plate 2c.

Insulation substrate for a semiconductor device


A silent seek servo controller is used in a low profile miniature disk drive to minimize acoustic noise and the problems associated therewith. The silent seek servo controller of this invention reduces acoustic noise generation at the expense of seek performance. Since the silent seek servo controller of this invention minimizes acoustic noise, the controller helps to eliminate vibrations within the computer. The silent seek servo controller is a one mode continuous position servo seek controller that accelerates and decelerates the actuator using a smooth, continuous and completely symmetric acceleration trajectory. Specifically, for a seek time t, the disk drive actuator is accelerated for one-half the seek time, i.e, time t/2, and decelerated for the other half of seek time t. The peak acceleration occurs at time t/4 and the peak deceleration occurs at time 3t/4. The symmetry of each acceleration phase assures that any acoustic noise generated by uneven acceleration is eliminated.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to servo control systems for track seeks in a disk drive and in particular to a servo control seek system for a low profile miniature disk drive that minimizes acoustic noise generation.
2. Description of Related Art
Typically, a disk drive contains one or more circular planar disks that are coated on each side with a magnetic medium. The disk or disks are mounted on a spindle that extends through the center of each disk so that the disks may be rotated at a predetermined speed, usually about 3600 rpm. Usually, one read/write head is associated with each side of the disk that is coated with a magnetic medium. The read/write head flies a small distance above the disk surface as the disk rotates. The read/write head, in response to signals from electronics associated with the disk drive, writes data at a predetermined location in the magnetic medium. Similarly, the read/write head, in response to other signals from the disk drive electronics, reads the stored data at a predetermined location.
The configuration of the data on the magnetic surface is instrumental in the operation of the disk drive. Data are recorded by the read/write head in concentric circular tracks on the disk. Corresponding tracks on different disk surfaces are cylindrically aligned.
Typically, each track is segmented into one or more parts that are referred to as sectors. Thus, the disk drive must move the read/write head radially across the disk surface to locate the track for reading or writing data and then must follow that track circumferentially until the desired sector passes under the read/write head. Hence, the read/write head is positioned at a predetermined radial and circumferential position over the disk surface.
In a disk drive, each read/write head is usually affixed by an arm to an actuator. In a closed-loop disk drive, a servo system is used to move the actuator.
Many different servo systems have been developed for use in hard disk drives. In an embedded servo system, the read/write head reads a servo pattern contained in a servo field at the start of each sector to determine the radial and circumferential position of the read/write head relative to the disk. The information that is read is provided to the disk drive control loop electronics which in turn generate signals to reposition the read/write head as necessary based on that information.
In response to the signals from the disk drive electronics, the actuator is moved so that the read/write head is moved radially to a specified track. This operation is referred to as a track seek, or sometimes just a seek.
Predictive trajectory techniques have been used to minimize track-to-track seek time by optimizing power transfer to the disk drive actuator and maximizing track crossing slew rates. These methods have been effective in attaining minimum seek times, but these methods have also encountered numerous implementation problems.
The primary factor in minimizing seek time is to maximize both the initial acceleration to reach a control velocity and the deceleration from the control velocity to zero velocity at the targeted track. The waveform of the current applied to the actuator for this type of a seek closely resembles a square wave. As is known to those skilled in the art, a "square wave-like" current excitation is rich in harmonic content and thereby stimulates various resonant frequencies in the actuator system, the head disk assembly, and in small portable computers and palm-type computers, the computer structure itself.
Resonances generated during a seek within the closed loop servo system can be damped or completely compensated for by using signal filtration, gain control and other compensation methods known to those skilled in the art. However, other resonances, particularly those generating acoustic energy, cannot be directly controlled by the servo system. As disk drives become smaller, the effective mass of the drive is reduced. Consequently, the resonances are not damped by the disk drive structure itself and much of the resonant energy is passed to the surrounding structure causing acoustic noise. This noise is not only disconcerting to the user but also introduces residual vibrations in the actuator assembly itself, that in turn may inhibit seek performance.
One prior art system recognized the problem of acoustic noise generated by a track seek and sought to dampen the high frequency components, i.e., the frequency components above about 2.5 KHz, excited by the track seek. A block diagram for this velocity feedback servo system 100 is shown in FIG. 1.
Velocity estimator 110 uses a measured position signal to generate a predicted velocity x.sub.2 (k). Velocity trajectory generator 120 generates a velocity trajectory profile that is described more completely below. Feedforward generator 130 uses the measured position signal to generate a position vector x.sub.3 (k). Each of components 110, 120, 130 in velocity feedback seek servo system 100 performs a calculation in real time with a signal processor on-board the disk drive.
Specifically, the control law for velocity feedback seek servo system 100 was: EQU U(k)=K.sub.v (V.sub.target -X.sub.2 (k))+Kf x.sub.3 (k)
The velocity trajectories used in velocity feedback servo system 100 were generated by minimizing the square of the differentiated acceleration of the actuator. This required a complex set of calculations that determined the eigenvalues of a Hamiltonian matrix. The optimal state was reported to be: ##EQU1## For a more detailed description of these control equations, see S. Hasegawa et al., entitled "Fast Access Control of the Head Positioning Using a Digital Signal Processor,".
The trajectories for these equations are plotted in FIG. 2 against a normalized time variable (t/To), where To is the seek time. There are several important aspects to notice about FIG. 2. First, the acceleration and deceleration phases have symmetry about time t/To=0.5. However, neither the acceleration nor the deceleration trajectories are symmetric.
Specifically, the peak acceleration occurs at time t/To=0.21 and the peak deceleration occurs at time t/To=0.79 on the normalized time scale. The initial acceleration to the positive acceleration peak is faster than the deceleration from the positive acceleration peak to the negative peak and then the deceleration from the negative peak back to zero increases again. While servo seek system 100 is reported to abate high frequency noise, the acceleration trajectory is unsymmetric within an acceleration phase which could possibly excite other frequency vibrations.
Moreover, servo seek system 100 was reportedly used with a five inch diameter disk drive with a 25 mm stroke that had an actuator moving mass equivalent of 10.1 grams. This is a relatively massive actuator assembly compared to the actuator assemblies used in low profile disk drives with a form factor of 1.8 inches, for example. Consequently, the effects of the uneven acceleration upon noise generation in the less massive assemblies are unknown.
There are two additional factors about velocity feedback seek servo system 100 that further limit its applicability to miniature disk drives. Velocity is not a physically measurable quantity. Therefore, velocity feedback seek servo system 100 was required to perform multiple calculations to estimate the velocity and the projected velocity along with the feed forward position.
In small low profile miniature disk drives, the disk is not rigidly clamped to the spindle and so the center of the disk may not be aligned with the center of rotation of the disk drive. This is referred to as disk runout. Since system 100 was used in a large disk drive where the disk is rigidly affixed to the spindle, problems such as runout compensation do not arise. Consequently, the signal processor may be devoted to the necessary calculations during the seek operations to generate the required signals.
If the on-board microprocessor is used to generate runout compensation for the closed loop servo system, this reduces the time that the microprocessor is available for seek control. Moreover, the seek control and the runout compensation must both be performed within a sector time. Consequently, a seek system such as that illustrated in FIG. 1, which requires multiple calculations during a sector time period, may overload the on-board micro-processor. While going to an additional microprocessor may alleviate the problem, the miniaturization of the disk drive requires elimination of parts rather than the addition of parts. Thus, a seek system that minimizes acoustic noise and is compatible with low profile miniature disk drives is needed.

Low acoustic noise seeking method and apparatus


A tool for repairing a Venetian blind by reintroducing a curvature into the Venetian blind is disclosed. The tool has a cradling member and a receiving member. The cradling member has a base and a first stop wall. The first stop wall is joined with the base and extends upward from a base surface. The receiving member has a second stop wall. The second stop wall is located adjacent to the base. The second stop wall is opposite of the first stop wall. The cradling member or the receiving member is slidable relative to the other of the cradling member or the receiving member for compressing the Venetian blind between the first stop wall and the second stop wall by varying a distance between the first stop wall and the second stop wall.

Venetian blinds comprise thin slats which are often made from metal. Damage, such as bending the slats out of shape, frequently occurs during the normal course of use. Slats may be damaged by repeated use, or by accidental compression, such as during cleaning. Current repair solutions for Venetian blind slats include attempting to bend the slats back by hand without the assistance of a tool, or by disassembling the blind to replace the damaged slats. Each of these solutions is disadvantageous for various reasons. Hand bending the slats in an attempt to match the original curvature or the undamaged portion often results in uneven and off-center bends, which can cause more damage to the blinds. Replacing the damaged slats can be time consuming and results may not be satisfactory since the new slats may not match the color of the original slats which have faded over time. As a result, replacing the entire set of Venetian blinds is often the most effective solution. However, replacing the entire set of Venetian blinds is not a cost effective solution.
The present inventor has recognized the need for a tool for repairing Venetian blinds.
The present inventor has recognized the need for an easy to use tool for reintroducing a curvature to the Venetian blind.


A non-conductive bus shroud for a dual circuit breaker system that has a plurality of vertical walls extending generally perpendicular from the top side and including at least one bus member support vertical wall. The dual circuit breaker system includes a housing assembly having a back wall, a first circuit breaker having at least one protruding line terminal, a second circuit breaker having at least one protruding line terminal and at least one bus member extending between the at least one first circuit breaker line terminal and the at least one second circuit breaker line terminal. The bus shroud has a planar member with a top side, a bottom side, a front edge, a back edge, at least one first circuit breaker terminal opening, and a second circuit breaker terminal opening. When the shroud is installed over the circuit breakers, the vertical walls protect and support the bus member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a shroud for a dual circuit breaker system and, more specifically, to a non-conductive shroud that is structured to support the bus member extending between the two circuit breakers.
2. Background Information
As shown in FIG. 1, a dual circuit breaker system includes a main, or first, circuit breaker 1 and a secondary main, or second, circuit breaker 2. As described herein, the circuit breakers are two-pole circuit breakers each having a first and second line terminal. Both circuit breakers are disposed in a housing assembly 3. In the prior art, the first circuit breaker was disposed at a lower location than the second circuit breaker. Two lines 4, 5 connected to a power source extended into the housing assembly 3 and were coupled to a bus assembly 6. The bus assembly 6 had a first set of buses extending downwardly to the first circuit breaker and laterally to the second circuit breaker. The bus assembly 6 was structured to couple one line 4, 5 to each of the circuit breakers' line terminals. The bus assembly 6 was partially covered by an insulator secured with tape. This insulator did not provide support to the bus assembly. This lack of support made the installation of the bus assembly 6 difficult as the second circuit breaker 2 had to be disassembled in order to position the bus members. The insulator also did not extend between the bus assembly and the housing assembly either on the back side, or between the bus assembly 6 and the housing assembly cover. Additionally, it was possible to install the insulator with missing components, thereby diminishing the safety of those working on or near the dual circuit breaker system.
There is, therefore, a need for a bus shroud structured to better enclose the busing connecting the two circuit breakers.
There is a further need for a bus shroud structured to support the bus members.
There is a further need for a bus shroud that is incorporated into the assembly of the dual circuit breaker system so that the bus shroud must be installed to complete the system.


A metal coil securing device is disclosed including a coil cover adapted to encompass a metal coil and a plurality of tie down straps affixed to the coil cover, with each tie down secured along a portion of its length to the coil cover such that each tie down has two free ends extending outward from the periphery of the coil cover. In one embodiment, the tie down straps are secured to a circular coil cover to intersect at an approximate center of the coil cover and extend radially outward therefrom. A method of securing a metal coil to a transport trailer is also disclosed generally including associating and securing the coil cover with the metal coil, loading the metal coil with the secured coil cover onto the transport trailer, and using the free ends of the tie down straps to secure the metal coil to the transport trailer.

1. Field of the Invention
An objective of the invention described herein relates to providing a device and method of securing metal coils to a flatbed trailer and desirably from ground level thereby obviating the need for anyone to be on the trailer itself at any time during the securing process.
2. Description of Related Art
In the standard practice of securing metal coils to flatbed transport trailers, truck drivers and other persons often have to climb onto the flatbed to accomplish securing and tarping operations. This raises the possibility of injury as the truck driver and others may fall of the flatbed portion of the transport trailer and sustain injury and, in extreme circumstances, even death. Shippers have recognized the risk and safety concerns and in some cases have installed fall protection devices on the flatbed portion of the transport trailer often at an enormous expense. Some of known fall protection systems include mechanical devices that close in on the flatbed and have railings, fall prevention harnesses for the truck drivers so they can be hooked to a cable attached above the flatbed, and permanent flatbed extensions to allow for more footroom on the flatbed for the truck drive. While these device are improvements and in part address fall prevention issues, they tend to be expensive solutions and cumbersome for the user. More typically, fall prevention issues go completely unaddressed and simple mechanical load tie-down devices are found in the shipping art. Some these conventional mechanical devices are discussed immediately hereinafter.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,212,180 to Murphy discloses a method of packaging heavy metal coils for shipment. The shipping arrangement disclosed by Murphy generally includes a sheet wrapping that fully encompasses a metal coil and simple metal bands are used to secure the sheet wrapping to the metal coil and an underlying support structure. Wooden planks are incorporated into the sheet wrapping for coil protection. The underlying support structure is used to lift the wrapped metal coil in conventional fashion.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,154,026 to Klasing, Jr. discloses an articulated tie-down load control bracket which may be operatively associated with a metal coil in an "eye vertical" orientation. The control bracket includes two bracket pairs each comprising a pair of angles, a combined yoke and hook member common to both angles, and a pair of pivot pins attached to the combined yoke and hook member. The bracket pairs are located on opposite sides of the metal coil and are independently secured to a flatbed platform using chains and conventional brackets on the sides of the flatbed platform.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,541,977 to Waldman discloses a pallet for transporting toroidal shaped articles comprising a base plate, a series of tie-downs that pass through the "eye" of the toroidal shaped article and secure the same to the base plate, and lifting cables that attach to the base plate for lifting the secured toroidal shaped article. U.S. Pat. No. 4,008,669 to Sumrell discloses an apparently similar mounting arrangement for mounting a metal coil to a pallet as that found in Waldman but discloses resiliently biased tie-down anchors for securing the metal coil and pallet to a flatbed platform.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,204,479 to Rosa discloses a removable solid cover and containment arrangement for truck bed-mounted metal coils. The cover is rigid and generally semi-cylindrical in shape and is adapted to fit over the metal coil. The cover is further adapted so that after it has been placed over the metal coil a removable core member can be run through one side of the cover and the center of the metal coil and then firmly secured to another side of the cover so that any slippage of the metal coil will be effectively contained.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,786,223 to Crissy et al. discloses a system for immobilizing vehicles having pneumatic tires during shipment utilizing tire chocks on each side of the tire and a flexible web harness passing over the tire upper circumference having ends affixed to the chocks. A winch mounted upon one chock tensions the harness while a quick-release fitting at the other end of the harness attaches to the other chock.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,888,039 to Cooley discloses cargo securing system including several elongated block portions having a plurality of studs extending downwardly therefrom for coupling with through holes in a flatbed trailer. A plurality of pipe attachment portions are also provided with each having a recess extending within a lower surface thereof. The recess is dimensioned for coupling with the block portion. A pipe harness is provided comprising a pair of elongated straps, a pair of short cross straps, and crisscrossing central straps. The short cross straps have free ends with buckles disposed thereon. An extension strap is adapted for coupling with free ends of the elongated straps of the pipe harness. The extension strap has a clip on a free end thereof for engaging existing securement buckles on the trailer. A coupling strap is provided having clips disposed on opposing free ends thereof. The coupling strap couples with the buckles of the short cross straps and the existing securement buckles of the flatbed trailer.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,214,014 to Stanley discloses a cargo restraint system comprising a tie-down assembly of restraining tie-down arms having interconnected common proximal extremities and a plurality of distal extremities. The tie-down assembly is arranged such that an angle is formed between each arm, the vertex of the angle being congruent with the common proximal extremities.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,270,507 to Jernigan discloses a safety coil sling for securing a metal coil on a flatbed trailer having a round or elliptical primary cable attached at one end to a first anchoring chain and at an opposite end to a second anchoring chain, and a plurality of connecting cables for connecting opposite sides of the primary cable across the top of the coil, thereby securing the coil on the trailer. Another disclosed embodiment includes the primary cable being divided into parallel segments at the points of attachment of the connecting cables and the connecting cables are slidably attached to one of the parallel segments to allow the connecting cables to slide within a fixed area, thus providing a mechanism for relieving tension on the sling during weight shifts within the coil occurring during transport.
While numerous load securing device are known in the shipping art as evidenced by the foregoing patents, there is generally a lack of attention to fall prevention issues and further, ease of use, or lack thereof, of such devices in practice. The focus of the prior art in the shipping field is generally on securing the load with little regard given to the safety of the user and labor required to effect installation of the load securing device on an intended load. This disclosure now turns to devices and methods for efficient, labor-saving, and safe load securing operations involving metal coils.

Metal coil securing apparatus and method


An organometallic polymer material having a -M-O-M- bond (M is a metal atom) and containing a metal alkoxide having only one hydrolyzable group and/or a hydrolysate of the metal alkoxide and preferably further containing an organic acid anhydride and/or an organic acid.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an organometallic polymer material which can be used in various coating materials such as an electric wiring substrate, a surface protecting film, and an anti-reflection film, optical communication devices such as an optical transmission and reception module, an optical switch, and an optical modulator, optical propagation path structures such as optical waveguide, an optical fiber, and a lens array, optical devices such as an optical beam splitter, and optical devices such as a lens, a microlens array, and a light guiding plate, and a process for preparing the same.
2. Explanation of the Related Art
Inorganic materials such as metals and ceramics are excellent in heat resistance, mechanical strength, electrical property, optical property, and chemical stability, and are industrially widely used utilizing their functions. However, inorganic materials are generally fragile and are high in a hardness and, in order to process into a desired shape, molding at a high temperature and mechanical processing become necessary, and their utility is restricted in some cases.
On the other hand, since organic polymers are excellent in moldability, and have flexibility, processibility is better. However, in heat resistance and chemical stability, organic polymers are inferior as compared with inorganic materials in many cases. Then, in recent years, organic polymers prepared from metal alkoxide as a starting material, called organic inorganic hybrid material or organic inorganic nanocomposite, are intensively developed.
In JP-A No. 2000-356722 and JP-A No. 2001-506372, an attempt to apply such an organic inorganic hybrid material to an optical waveguide was tried.
However, in any case, since a hydrolyzing reaction is performed using metal alkoxide as a starting material by adding water as a material as necessary by a process called the sol-gel method, water (H2O) and a silanol group (Si—OH) remain in a large amount in a material. In particular, since a silanol group is difficult to remove by heat or the like, it becomes a great cause for light loss mainly in an infrared region, and has great influence, particularly near 1500 nm which is an optical communication wavelength band.

Organometallic polymer material and process for preparing the same


A device is provided for measuring the gas content in a molten metal, the device including an immersion end having a gas-collecting body, a gas supply line opening on the immersion end, and a gas discharge line for the gases passing through the gas-collecting body. The gas-collecting body contains materials, which in contact with the molten metal do not form liquid reaction products.

The invention relates to a device for measuring the gas content in a molten metal, the device comprising an immersion end having a gas-collecting body, a gas supply line opening to the immersion end, and a gas discharge line for the gases passing through the gas-collecting body, and a method of using the device.
Such devices are known from European Patent EP 307 430 B1. The devices described here are suitable for measuring the gas content, particularly hydrogen, for example in molten steel. Here, the gas-collecting body is made of porous stone. With different melts it can happen that the measurement is impaired, in that the openings of the body become blocked or the surface of the body does not make sufficient contact with the molten metal.
A similar device is also known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,526 B1. This device has a quartz-glass tube, in which the melt is collected. The molten metal can then penetrate into the interior of the immersion probe through a stopper, which is permeable for the melt. This stopper made of aluminum oxide should hold back impurities in the molten metal.
From European Patent DE 38 74 423 T2 (EP 295 798 B1) a probe is known for determining the concentration of a gas in molten metal, the probe comprising a gas-collecting body, wherein the gas-collecting body has a gas supply line and a gas discharge line for the gases passing through the gas-collecting body. The gas-collecting body is made of aluminum oxide. From German published patent application DT 24 23 783 A1, an immersion sensor is known for measuring oxygen in molten metals with a solid electrolyte spinel structure.

Device for measuring the gas content in a molten metal


Aspects of the present disclosure aim at providing a channel encoder configured to implement a temporally spreading coding scheme, wherein each bit of duration ‘T’ from a block of k bits is spread in time domain to ‘k times T’ i.e., k*T duration by means of one or more orthogonal codes. In an aspect, orthogonal codes of the present disclosure can be constituted from a sequence of discrete or digital values such that spreading (using convolution operation) and dispreading or concentrating or reconstruction (using de-convolution operation) of transmitted bit is unique and deterministic. Discrete values could be from Gaussian waveform or truncated Gaussian waveform. Digital values could be 1 (one) and 0 (zero).

Field of Invention
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to transmission of digital information. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a channel encoder configured to transform information sequence into a discrete encoded sequence/codeword.
Description of the Related Art
The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
With increasing popularization of mobile communication, communication services with only voice service can not satisfy the demands for information collection anymore, and mobile data communication service has exhibited huge and promising prospect with its more convenient and more abundant information content e.g. business and entertainment. Therefore, high speed packet access services that support high speed data transmission, especially high speed downlink packet access (HSDPA), and Long Term Evolution (LTE), from a base station to a user terminal, among other technologies, have become one of key targets of future wireless communication systems.
In the operation of a wireless communication system, a transmitter device transmits a signal containing useful data to a receiver device over an air interface. In multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless communication systems, signals are transmitted over multiple parallel paths by way of multiple transmit antennas and/or multiple receive antennas. A MIMO system takes advantage of the spatial diversity and/or multiplexing provided by multiple parallel antennas to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the combined received signal and increase data throughput without increasing bandwidth usage. MIMO has many benefits including improved spectrum efficiency, improved bit rate and robustness at cell edge, reduced inter-cell and intra-cell interference, improvement in system capacity and reduced average transmit power requirements. Error correcting codes are commonly used in wireless systems to protect against bit errors in received signals caused by channel fading, interference and receiver defects. Typically, an encoder adds redundancy information to user data prior to transmission, and a corresponding decoder is applied to the received signal to recover the original data.
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary block diagram 100 showing a typical flow path for transmission/storage of digital information, wherein data transfer can be initiated from an information source 102 to a destination 118 (or user). The information source 102 can be either a person or a machine, for example, a digital computer, or a data terminal, wherein source output, which is to be communicated to the destination 118, can be either a continuous waveform or a sequence of discrete symbols. A source encoder 104 can be incorporated in the transmission flow to transform the source output into a sequence of binary digits (bits) referred to as information sequence, which, in case of a continuous source, can involve analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion. The source encoder 104 can be designed such that the number of bits per unit time required to represent the source output is minimized, and the source output can be unambiguously reconstructed from the information sequence.
A channel encoder 106 can also be incorporated to transform the information sequence into a discrete encoded sequence, commonly referred to as a codeword, wherein, in most instances, the encoded sequence is a binary sequence, although in some applications non-binary codes are also used. The codeword can then be sent from a modulator 108 through a channel/storage medium 110 to a demodulator 112, which can pass the codeword to a channel decoder 114 for onward processing by a source decoder 116, and finally sent to the destination 118.
Existing systems and implementations of channel encoder 106 need to combat with a noisy environment in which the codewords must be transmitted or stored, which is a problem that has been not been efficiently and effectively solved as yet. In a communication system, it is actually impossible to receive a transported signal without any distortion or noise. In particular, when the signal is transported/received over a wireless network, the effects of the distortions (e.g. due to multipath, shadowing, etc.) or noises are more serious as compared with when the signal is transported/received over a wired network.
Many efforts have been made to minimize the effects of the distortions or noises. An error control coding technique has been proposed as a typical method of minimizing the effects of the distortions or noises. Codes used for the error control coding technique are classified into memory-less codes, and memory codes, wherein each memory-less code includes a linear block code, while the memory code includes a convolutional code and a turbo code. A device for generating such codes is called a "channel encoder", and its output can be divided into systematic bits and parity bits based on the error control coding technique. The turbo code is a code typically used for the error control coding technique that separates its outputs into the systematic bits and the parity bits. In addition to the turbo code, there exists a systematic convolutional code of the convolutional code as a code used for the error control coding technique. Herein, the "systematic bits" mean an actual transport signal, while the "parity bits" mean a supplemental signal added to correct a possible error, which occurred during transportation in a decoding process. However, even though a signal is subjected to the error control coding, if a burst error occurs in the systematic bits or the parity bits, it is not easy to correct the burst error. Such a phenomenon frequently occurs while the signal passes through a fading channel, and an "interleaving" technique is typically used to prevent this phenomenon. The interleaving technique disperses a damaged part in several places rather than concentrating it on a single place, thereby complementing the error control coding technique.
There is therefore a need in the art to develop a channel encoder that enables efficient handling of noisy environment and improves system performance.
All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term "about." Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of "a," "an," and "the" includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of "in" includes "in" and "on" unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. "such as") provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

Channel encoding based on temporal spreading of input block


The present invention is directed towards representing the native document settings of an application in a markup language such as XML. Applications that are capable of parsing the markup language are then able to parse the saved document settings and handle the document accordingly. Document settings saved in XML are human-readable, which simplifies maintenance of the document by humans.

Markup Languages have attained wide popularity in recent years. One type of markup language, Extensible Markup Language (XML), is a universal language that provides a way to identify, exchange, and process various kinds of data. For example, XML is used to create documents that can be utilized by a variety of application programs. Elements of an XML file have an associated namespace and schema.
In XML, a namespace is a unique identifier for a collection of names that are used in XML documents as element types and attribute names. The name of a namespace is commonly used to uniquely identify each class of XML document. The unique namespaces differentiate markup elements that come from different sources and happen to have the same name.
XML Schemata provide a way to describe and validate data in an XML environment. A schema states what elements and attributes are used to describe content in an XML document, where each element is allowed, what types of text contents are allowed within it and which elements can appear within which other elements. The use of schemata ensures that the document is structured in a consistent manner. Schemata may be created by a user and generally supported by an associated markup language, such as XML. By using an XML editor, the user can manipulate the XML file and generate XML documents that adhere to the schema the user has created. XML documents may be created to adhere to one or more schemata.
Electronic documents are often edited by using various applications that are different from each other. For example, a document can be written by using a first application, and then saved in a native format of the first application. When a second application that is different from the first application reads the saved document, it must "understand" the native format of the first application in order for the saved document to be used by the second application. When (as in the present) the numbers of different applications increase, the authoring and maintenance of the multiple import schemes quickly becomes burdensome.

Representing document options, properties and backwards compatibility settings using a markup language


The present disclosure relates to methods and compositions useful for initiating and propagating ICOS-mediated signaling. In particular, the present disclosure provides three peptide motifs which promote ICOS binding and whose ablation leads to modulated ICOS signaling and modulated signaling mediated by TBK1, IRF4, IKKβ, or TBKBP1. The binding of these peptide motifs or the addition of such motifs as co-stimulatory agents leads to modulated immune responses, and provides new and unexpected therapies for neurodegenerative, autoimmune, metabolic, cancer inflammatory, or immunodeficiency conditions, diseases, or disorders.

The inducible costimulatory (ICOS) protein serves an important function in the regulation of T-cell dependent immune responses. ICOS is significant in regulating cytokine production from recently activated T-cells. ICOS delivers an important signal for T cell-dependent B cell activation in a secondary immune response. ICOS contributes in part to a Th2 and not Th1 effector function when highly differentiated T helper cells are generated. (See Coyle et al., Immunity, (2000) 13:95-105, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference). ICOS ligation, for instance, fails to provide a costimulatory signal for IL-2 production. ICOS is also overexpressed in Th2 effector cells, and binding of ICOS by an antibody reduced IL-5 and IL-13 secretion, and inhibited cytokine production from Th2, but not Th1 cells (in a dose-dependent manner).
Furthermore, ICOS serves a particularly important function in the development of B cells by T follicular helper cells.
The process of diversifying antigen receptors intrinsically carries the risk of self-antigen recognition, leading to destruction of self-tissues and autoimmune manifestations. One of the safeguard mechanisms is to insulate the Ab-generating machinery to a specialized anatomical compartment, known as the germinal center (GC), embedded within secondary lymphoid organs, such as the spleen, lymph nodes, tonsils and Peyer's patches. Inside GCs, B cells undergo successive rounds of random somatic hypermutation, affinity maturation and isotype class switching. Only B cells expressing the high-affinity, class-switched Abs specific for the immunizing antigen are licensed to exit the GCs and to survive as long-lived plasma cells and/or memory B cells. Guiding B cells through these stochastic events is a subset of CD4+ T helper cells, known as T follicular helper (Tfh) cells.
In secondary lymphoid organs, B and T cells are organized orderly into B cell follicles and T cell zones, based on the gradients of CXCL13 and CCL19/21 chemokines, respectively. Homing of T cells into B-cell follicles requires the concomitant up-regulation of the CXCL13-binding CXCR5 chemokine receptor, and the down-regulation of CCL19/21-responding CCR7 chemokine receptor. This preconditioning process occurs at the priming stage during the interaction between dendritic cells (DC) and naïve T cells. Additionally, during the priming phase, T cells conditioned to enter B-cell follicles acquire a distinct transcriptional profile by up-regulating B-cell lymphoma 6 (Bcl6), the canonical transcription factor of Tfh cells, and repressing the expression of BLIMP1. The CXCR5+Bcl6+CD4+ T cells, hereafter dubbed nascent Tfh cells, which appear as early as 2-3 days after viral infection or protein immunization, migrate to the T-B border. At this site, contiguous interaction between nascent CXCR5+Bcl6+ Tfh cells and cognate B cells allows for further maturation of Tfh cells. Fully mature Tfh cells, hereafter dubbed GC Tfh cells, are crucial to support the production of high-affinity Abs. GC Tfh cells are distinguishable from nascent Tfh cells by the elevated expression of multiple markers, including the PD-1 receptor.
The ICOS-ICOSL receptor-ligand pair is essential. Homozygous ICOS loss is found in patients suffering from common variable immunodeficiency with a concomitant decrease in CXCR5+ memory Tfh cells in blood and GC reactions. Similarly, Icos−/− and Icosl−/− mice have defective GCs, impaired humoral response to antigens, and lack immunological memory. ICOS-ICOSL engagement generates co-stimulatory signals that not only allows the ultimate effector Tfh program, but also drives the motility of Tfh cells deep into the B-cell follicles, and promotes B-cell positive selection and affinity maturation in GCs.
While ICOS is clearly essential for most Tfh cell and GC functions, the molecular basis for why ICOS is so critical for Tfh cell development and function remains relatively unclear. To date, phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) is the only signaling molecule known to interact with the short cytoplasmic tail of ICOS via the YxxM motif. However, PI3K associates with, and signals from, other cell surface receptors, including CD28 and CTLA-4. Furthermore, studies exploring the importance of the association between PI3K and ICOS in T cell biology have revealed that disruption of the ICOS-PI3K interaction, or selective deletion of PI3K components from T cells, do not result in a full phenocopy of Icos−/− knockout animals. These studies implied that ICOS-dependent, but PI3K-independent, signaling pathways mediated by other, unknown ICOS-interacting signaling molecules, are involved in ICOS signaling.
Thus, the present disclosure relates to methods and compositions useful for initiating and propagating ICOS-mediated signaling. In particular, the present disclosure provides three peptide motifs which promote ICOS binding and whose ablation leads to modulated ICOS signaling or signaling mediated by TBK1, IRF4, IKKβ, or TBKBP1. The binding these peptide motifs or the addition of such motifs as co-stimulatory agents leads to modulated immune responses, and provides new and unexpected therapies for neurodegenerative, autoimmune, metabolic, cancer or inflammatory conditions.

Peptides and methods related to ICOS signaling

La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology


A method for discharging a rechargeable battery of a mobile terminal is described, wherein the terminal has a processor system. The method comprises the steps of determining a charge status of the rechargeable battery, comparing the charge status with a threshold value and, if the charge status exceeds the threshold value, discharging the rechargeable battery by increasing the energy consumption of the processor system. A computer program product for executing the process, a mobile terminal and a motor vehicle which comprises the described mobile terminal, are moreover described.

The energy requirement of mobile terminals has increased continuously in recent years. This increase is attributed to an enhanced functionality of the mobile terminals and a greater processing power of the processors integrated therein. Owing to the increased energy requirement, rechargeable batteries are required which have a high charge storage capacity to enable a long operating time of the mobile terminals. Lithium-ion batteries, for example, have hitherto been used for this purpose.
Mobile terminals are often exposed to high ambient temperatures, particularly when used in a motor vehicle. However, high ambient temperatures are damaging to the rechargeable batteries of the mobile terminals. Resultant effects are, for example, instabilities in the output voltage and a reduction in the charge storage capacity. With this, the rechargeable batteries exhibit greater sensitivity to high ambient temperatures when they are fully charged.
To reduce the described impairment of the rechargeable battery at high ambient temperatures, it is proposed that the charge status of the rechargeable battery be limited to a fixed percentage (e.g. 75%) of the charge storage capacity. However, this means that the charge storage capacity cannot be fully utilised generally, i.e. also in the case of a low ambient temperature.
As an alternative to fixing the limit of the charge status of the rechargeable battery, European patent application EP 2 061 129 A1 describes a special discharge circuit. The discharge circuit forms an additional hardware component, which is integrated in the housing of a lithium-ion battery. Under certain criteria, such as when a critical ambient temperature is reached, the lithium-ion battery is automatically discharged up to a predetermined charge status. The discharge and the associated generation of heat take place here in the immediate vicinity of the cells of the rechargeable battery.
Similar principles are described in US patent applications US 2004/0167741 A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,222,346 B1, which provide circuits for regulating or limiting the charge status of a rechargeable battery according to temperature.

Mobile terminal with a rechargeable battery and method for discharging the rechargeable battery


A method of processing media content in Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) Network Based Media Processing (NBMP), includes obtaining multiple tasks for processing the media content, each of the multiple tasks having an envelope descriptor indicating, for a respective one among the multiple tasks, a message identifier (ID), a message priority and a sender ID of a sender, determining whether repeated tasks exist among the obtained multiple tasks, based on the message ID and the sender ID of each of the obtained multiple tasks, based on the repeated tasks being determined to exist, processing the media content, using one among the repeated tasks that has a highest priority among the message priority of each of the repeated tasks, and based on the repeated tasks being determined to not exist, processing the media content, using the obtained multiple tasks.

The Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) Network Based Media Processing (NBMP) project has developed a concept of processing media on cloud. However, current NBMP design does not provide an application program interface (API) abstraction for network management. Current NBMP design only provides APIs for cloud resources such as a hardware platform.
Further, current NBMP design does not include a common way of packaging messages passed through the APIs. Accordingly, processing messages may not go through the APIs effectively. For example, in a deployment of a workflow, several tasks may be run over multiple media processing entities. A workflow manger and the tasks may communicate through task APIs by dispatching/inquiring a group of descriptors. In large deployments, especially in high-scale ones, a number of dispatches/inquiries during a media session might be in the order of thousands or millions. Multiple messages or inquiries might occur that convey the same information. An order of these messages, their source and intended receipts among other information may be important for efficiently and effectively processing the messages.

Method and apparatus for envelope descriptor in moving picture experts group network based media processing


A method for making (meth)acryloxy-functional organosilicon compounds comprising conducting an addition reaction between. (A) an acrylate ester or methacrylate ester of an aliphatically unsaturated alcohol and PA1 (B) a SiH-functional organosilicon compound in the presence of PA1 (C) a hydrosilylation-reaction catalyst and PA1 (D) a compound described by general formula ##STR1## where A is a (N,N-dialkylamino)alkyl and R is a monovalent hydrocarbon group or a hydrogen atom. The presence of component (D) in the present method inhibits the generation of reaction by-products and prevents gelation during the addition reaction and very efficiently produces high-purity (meth)acryloxy-functional organosilicon compounds in high yields.

This invention relates to methods for the preparation of acryloxy-functional or methacryloxy-functional organosilicon compounds. More particularly, this invention relates to a very efficient method for the preparation of high-purity acryloxy-functional or methacryloxy-functional organosilicon compounds in which the generation of reaction by-products is inhibited and gelation of the reaction product does not occur.
Organosilicon compounds functionalized with the acryloxy or methacryloxy group (hereinafter abbreviated as (meth)acryloxy-functional organosilicon compounds) readily react with radically-polymerizable monomers, e.g., methyl methacrylate and styrene, and as a consequence are used as starting materials for copolymers deriving from these monomers and as modifiers for polymers obtained from these monomers.
These (meth)acryloxy-functional organosilicon compounds are prepared by addition-reacting the acrylate ester or methacrylate ester of an aliphatically unsaturated alcohol with a SiH-functional halosilane and subsequently isolating the (meth)acryloxy-functional organosilicon compound from the reaction mixture by distillative purification (Refer, for example, to Japanese Patent Application Laid Open (Kokai) Number Hei 5-301881 (301,881/1993)). However, these addition reactions are frequently accompanied by the generation of reaction by-products such as acrylic acid and methacrylic acid. Moreover, since these reaction by-products as well as the (meth)acryloxy-functional compounds are readily polymerize upon heating, these methods are also often accompanied by polymerization to high molecular weight compounds and gelation during the addition-reaction stage and during the distillation step. As a consequence, the addition reactions in these methods must be run while maintaining the reaction temperature at a level at which thermal polymerization will not occur. This type of temperature control is quite difficult, however, and the reaction products still often undergo polymerization to high molecular weights and gelation.
Japanese Patent Application Laid Open (Kokai) Number Hei 5-186478 (186,478/1993) discloses a method that uses N,N,-dialkylaminomethylenephenol as polymerization inhibitor. This inhibitor has relatively good effects in terms of inhibiting the polymerization of acrylic-functional silane and halosilane, but it is a poison of the platinum catalysts used as addition-reaction catalysts in the synthesis of these silanes by addition reaction as described above. This method thus suffers from the problem of requiring the use of large amounts of platinum catalyst to complete the reaction.
As a result of extensive investigations directed to solving the problems described above, the inventors have discovered that running the subject addition reaction in the presence of a special type of compound inhibits the generation of reaction by-products and prevents gelation during the addition reaction. Specifically, the object of the present invention is to provide a high-yield method for the synthesis of high-purity (meth)acryloxy-functional organosilicon compounds in which during the production of these compounds the generation of reaction by-products is inhibited and gelation of the reaction mixture does not occur.

Method for the preparation of acryloxy-functional or methacryloxy-functional organosilcon compounds


Automatic and semi-automatic firearms of remarkably reduced mass yet capable of long-range accuracy because of unique recoil reduction are characterized by (A) a temporary combination of a barrel, an integral breech and a separable chamber that in operation of the firearm is moved by a compressed spring distally before and while a chambered cartridge is fired, (B) run-out of such temporary operative combination diminishes firearm recoil, (C) recoil of the temporary operative combination recompresses the spring and (D) the separable chamber is loaded with a round while spatially separated from the breech and barrel.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates broadly to improvements in mechanisms and methods for the auto-loading class of firearms, especially recoil-operated, automatic and semi-automatic rifles and machine guns. More particularly, it concerns improved auto-loading firearms comprising cartridge loading/firing mechanisms of critically reduced mass while possessing long-range accuracy as compared to related prior known auto-loading firearms and related methods.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There is a need for auto-loading firearms with reduced mass to allow the gunner to have a smaller load to carry. Most auto-loading battle firearms have either gas operation or recoil operation. These mechanisms require putting into motion a finite amount of mass that then uses associated energy to eject the fired cartridge case, cock the hammer, load the incoming cartridge and lock the bolt in place for the subsequent shot. For example, in the following well-known, gas-operated rifles, their reciprocating masses are: for the SR-25—about 27 oz., for the M16/M4—about 17 oz. and for the Stoner LMG—about 25 oz.
Other prior known gas-operated rifles will have similar or slightly heavier reciprocating masses while recoil-operated firearms will have considerably more mass put in motion. In contrast to the prior known gas-operated and recoil-operated firearms, the present invention provides a new class of firearms comprising cartridge loading/firing mechanisms that eliminate the prior required bolts and the bolt carrier/op rods. Hence, the new firearms of the invention are relatively reduced in mass by the elimination in the weight of these previously required components.
As stated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,343,536, lightweight portable automatic firearms that are capable of accurately firing a projectile over a significant distance would provide a decisive tactical advantage. However, existing firearms that are effective at long ranges, e.g., up to 2,000 meters, are too bulky and heavy to be easily portable. Further, this reference confirms what has been said above that the accuracy of firearms at long range depends on the ability of the firearm to manage its recoil when it is fired and then discloses a scheme to minimize firearm recoil by providing the firearm with a barrel assembly that can move forward during initial firing of the firearm to counteract recoil. This scheme enables firearms to be constructed with reduced weight having long-range accuracy comparable to heavy weight conventional firearms. However, the firearms constructed in accordance with U.S. Pat. No. 6,343,536 require a buffer device that per se adds weight to the firearm. The present invention further improves the art for auto-loading firearm construction using a new "fire on runout" scheme by eliminating the need for a buffer device and enables firearm operation with "cased telescoped rounds".

Auto-loading firearm mechanisms and methods


T*.sub.2 contrast in images reconstructed from fast NMR pulse sequences is improved by increasing the gradient recalled echo time TE. The pulse repetition time TR is minimized to maintain high temporal resolution by asymmetrically acquiring the echo signal with its peak disposed bear the end of the acquisition window.

The field of the invention is nuclear magnetic resonance imaging methods and systems. More particularly, the invention relates to fast NMR pulse sequences with enhanced susceptibility weighting in the reconstructed image.
Any nucleus that possesses a magnetic moment attempts to align itself with the direction of the magnetic field in which it is located. In doing so, however, the nucleus precesses around this direction at a characteristic angular frequency (Larmor frequency) which is dependent on the strength of the magnetic field and on the properties of the specific nuclear species (the magnetogyric constant .gamma. of the nucleus). Nuclei that exhibit this phenomena are referred to herein as "spins".
When a substance such as human tissue is subjected to a uniform magnetic field (polarizing field B.sub.0), the individual magnetic moments of the spins in the tissue attempt to align with this polarizing field, but precess about it in random order at their characteristic Larmor frequency. A net magnetic moment M.sub.z is produced in the direction of the polarizing field, but the randomly oriented magnetic components in the perpendicular, or transverse, plane (x-y plane) cancel one another. If, however, the substance, or tissue, is subjected to a magnetic field (excitation field B.sub.1) which is in the x-y plane and which is near the Larmor frequency, the net aligned moment, M.sub.z, may be rotated, or "tipped", into the x-y plane to produce a net transverse magnetic moment M.sub.t, which is rotating, or spinning, in the x-y plane at the Larmor frequency. The practical value of this phenomenon resides in the signal that is emitted by the excited spins after the excitation signal B.sub.1 is terminated. There is a wide variety of measurement sequences in which this nuclear magnetic resonance ("NMR") phenomena is exploited.
In simple systems the excited spins induce an oscillating sine wave signal in a receiving coil. The frequency of this NMR signal is the Larmor frequency, and its initial amplitude, A.sub.0, is determined by the magnitude of the transverse magnetic moment M.sub.xy. The amplitude, A, of the emission signal decays in an exponential fashion with time, t: EQU A=A.sub.0 e.sup.-t/T*.sbsp.2
The decay constant 1/T*.sub.2 is inversely proportional to the exponential rate at which the aligned precession of the spins dephase after removal of the excitation signal B.sub.1. This dephasing is caused by local magnetic field inhomogeneities produced in part by the differences in susceptibility between the spins. The dephasing caused by the spin system itself is referred to as the "spin-spin relaxation constant" T.sub.2, and as will be described below, this characteristic is used in medical imaging to contrast tissues containing spins that exhibit different spin-spin relaxation times. NMR images that rely on this susceptibility phenomenon to contrast different tissues are referred to as "T*.sub.2 weighted images."
When utilizing NMR to produce images, a technique is employed to obtain NMR signals from specific locations in the subject. Typically, the region which is to be imaged (region of interest) is scanned by a sequence of NMR measurement cycles which vary according to the particular localization method being used. The resulting set of received NMR signals are digitized and processed to reconstruct the image using one of many well known reconstruction techniques. To perform such a scan, it is, of course, necessary to elicit NMR signals from specific locations in the subject. This is accomplished by employing magnetic fields (G.sub.x, G.sub.y, and G.sub.z) which have the same direction as the polarizing field B.sub.0, but which have a gradient along the respective x, y and z axes. By controlling the strength of these gradients during each NMR cycle, the spatial distribution of spin excitation can be controlled and the location of the resulting NMR signals can be identified.
Most NMR scans currently used to produce medical images require many minutes to acquire the necessary data. The reduction of this scan time is an important consideration, since reduced scan time increases patient throughput, improves patient comfort, and improves image quality by reducing motion artifacts. In addition, if body functions such as brain activity are to be monitored with a series of images, it is imperative that each image be acquired in seconds, rather than minutes.
There is a class of fast pulse sequences that have a very short repetition time (TR) and result in complete scans which can be conducted in seconds rather than minutes. Whereas the more conventional pulse sequences have repetition times TR which are much greater than the spin-spin relaxation constant T.sub.2 so that the transverse magnetization has time to relax between the phase coherent excitation pulses in successive sequences, the fast pulse sequences have a repetition time TR which is less than T.sub.2 and which drives the transverse magnetization into a steady-state of equilibrium. Such techniques are referred to as steady-state free precession (SSFP) techniques and they are characterized by a cyclic pattern of transverse magnetization in which the resulting NMR signal refocuses at each RF excitation pulse to produce an echo signal. This echo signal includes a first part S+ that is produced after each RF excitation pulse and a second part S- which forms just prior to the RF excitation pulse.
One well known SSFP pulse sequence is called gradient refocused acquired steady-state (GRASS). It utilizes a readout gradient G.sub.x to shift the peak in the S+ signal that is produced after each RF excitation pulse toward the center of the pulse sequence. In two-dimensional imaging, a slice selection gradient pulse is produced by the gradient G.sub.z and is immediately refocused in the well-known manner. A phase encoding gradient pulse G.sub.y is produced shortly thereafter to position encode the acquired NMR data. By using this SSFP pulse sequence, data for a complete image can be acquired in less than two seconds and a series of such images can be acquired over a period of time which enable such processes as brain functions to be dynamically monitored. Each acquired image captures the state of the monitored function over a relatively short time interval, and a "time resolution" of less than two seconds per image can be achieved.
As indicated above, a very useful image contrast mechanism in NMR medical imaging is T*.sub.2 contrast. As described by Peter A. Bandettini et al in "Time Course EPI of Human Brain Function During Task Activation," Magnetic Resonance in Medicine, 25, 390-397 (1992), the paramagnetic characteristics of blood change as a function of its oxygenation and this is reflected as a change in its T*.sub.2 constant. Thus, a series of NMR images may show the identical physical structures, but the brightness of the perfused tissue will differ as a function of the degree of oxygenation of the blood in the capillary bed. The amount of image contrast depends on the extent to which the T*.sub.2 changes. In turn, the amount of change in T*.sub.2 can be enhanced by using paramagnetic contrast agents such as Gadolinium DPTA, or by increasing the T*.sub.2 sensitivity of the pulse sequence by lengthening the echo time (TE).
While SSFP pulse sequences provide the desired time resolution for dynamic monitoring, they are not T*.sub.2 contrast sensitive because of their very short echo times (TE). Consequently, other pulse sequences, such as echo planar sequences (EPI), have been employed for dynamic studies because they provide good time resolution and good T*.sub.2 contrast. Unfortunately, EPI pulse sequences often require hardware enhancements to standard NMR systems and their use is, therefore, limited.

Monitoring body functions using fast NMR pulse sequences


A cold or hot-forging heading die used in metalworking to form a “head” on the end of a metal rod is configured to provide two heading cavities formed in opposite ends of the carbide insert. The heading die of the invention comprises a hardened steel ring with a cylindrical carbide insert having a through bore with a first cavity machined concentrically with the bore in one end of the carbide insert. The die is then inverted and a second cavity formed in the opposite end of the insert. The second cavity can be identical to the first cavity or provide the shape for an alternate head configuration.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a heading die. More particularly, the present invention relates to a hot-forging heading die used in metalworking to form a "head" on the end of a steel rod, such as in the manufacture of ejector pins.
2. Description of the Related Art
Heading dies have long been used in cold and hot forging metalworking processes to form an enlarged "head" on the end of a metal rod that will define an element of the finished part. For example, a number of components used in the construction of injection molds, such as ejector pins, core pins, return pins, valve pins, and sleeves, as well as many non-molding industry parts such as screws, bolts, rivets, etc., are typically configured to have an elongated body with a head at one end to limit travel, orient the component or provide a finished or partially formed end for further machining processes.
The typical construction of a heading die comprises a hardened steel ring with a cylindrical carbide insert. Pre-forming the internal configuration during the manufacture of the carbide insert and/or normal machining methods are used to create an axial bore completely through the insert, the rod or body of the part passing through this bore during the forging process. The heading cavity is created by machining a suitably sized counterbore (concentric with the axial through bore) that will ultimately form the head during the cold or hot forging process. The prior art heading dies used for this purpose have a cavity on only one side of the die. Accordingly, when the insert became chipped, otherwise damaged or worn beyond acceptable tolerances, the die became unusable, necessitating its complete replacement by a new die.


This invention relates to a method of, and a system for, monitoring electromagnetic interference. The method comprising capturing a plurality of time domain waveforms, and a plurality of scatter plots; receiving the plurality of captured time domain waveforms and scatter plots; applying a fast fourier transform (FFT) to each of the received time domain waveforms as it is received thereby to receive FFT outputs; storing the FFT outputs in a database; generating a statistically representative spectrograph or spectrogram in the frequency domain based on at least the stored FFT outputs and scatter plots or data associated with the scatter plots, combining constituent FFTs of the statistically representative spectrograph or spectrogram in such a manner as to emulate the result that would be produced by an EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) receiver or spectrum analyzer; and combining resultant outputs from a number of iterations of this process to produce a final result (EMI spectrum).

THIS invention relates to a method of and a system for monitoring electromagnetic interference.
Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) signals are emitted by most high voltage (HV) apparatus or equipment. These signals or emissions usually cover a wide bandwidth and are determined by, amongst other things, operating voltage, apparatus design and geometry, insulation class and condition. Additionally, depending on the method of acquisition, the associated spectra of these signals may be polluted by components from extraneous sources. Specifically, generator EMI spectra cover a bandwidth from very low frequencies up to about 1 GHz. The most important component of this band is from approximately 150 kHz to 250 MHz. The signals in this bandwidth typically approach true randomness and the discrepancy between peak (PK) and quasi-peak (QP) values can be as much as about 10 dB.
EMI spectra are captured by way of frequency domain acquisition equipment for example spectrum analysers or EMI test receivers (also known as RF receivers or frequency selective voltmeters). These types of devices are relatively expensive and proper representation of wideband chaotic EMI signals requires the implementation of very long scan times when using these frequency domain acquisition devices. The high cost of these devices and the long scan times required conspire against the practicality of widely deploying on-line real-time monitoring systems based on these acquisition options.
Another, alternate approach, is to capture a number of time domain representations of the electromagnetic emission and then in post processing, compile these time domain captures into a long pulse train that is statistically representative of the original emission. Generally, this statistically representative pulse train is then processed via a short-time discrete Fourier transform (STFT) to produce a spectrogram which is statistically representative of the original EMI emission. In particular, the STFT is a series of fast Fourier transforms (FFT), where the input to each FFT is a subset of the overall pulse train, much shorter in length than the entire pulse train. Successive FFTs process incrementally shifted subsets of the entire pulse train. The output is a set of FFTs, each representing the spectrum of the EMI emission at a different point in time. Such a set of FFTs is called a spectrogram. The FFTs of the spectrogram can be combined with one another to produce an output equivalent to an EMI receiver. The methodology of combination depends on the choice of detector (peak, quasipeak, etc.). Such systems are usually termed Time-Domain EMI (TDEMI) systems.
It is an object of the present invention to monitor EMI signals more conveniently and more cost effectively analysing time domain signals.

Time domain electromagnetic interference monitoring method and system


A cementitious mixture that is comprised of class C fly ash and other industrial waste product such as either bottom ash or economizer ash. The mixture is preferably 15-35% weight class C fly ash based on the total weight of the mixture. The mixture excludes Portland cement, or other similar cement products. The dry mixture is placed in a desired location or form. Water is then added to the mixture when desired in order to harden the mixture in place. The cementitious mixture is particularly useful for securing fence posts, or the like, in the earth as the workability of the mixture is maintained by adding the water to the mixture only after the position has been properly plumbed and placed in the hole. The cementitious mixture thus provides an inexpensive alternative to standard blended cement products, and provides a convenient and effective way of securing fence posts to the earth.

Disposal of industrial waste products such as fly ash, bottom ash, economizer ash, cement kiln dust (CKD), steel slag, and blast furnace slag (i.e., iron slag) is problematic. These waste products include significant amounts of calcium, alumina, and silica and are produced in enormous quantities.
Coal combustion by-products such as fly ash, bottom ash, and economizer ash are plentiful and pose a persistent disposal problem. The chemical content and particle size of fly ashes vary widely in accordance with the source of the coal, the fineness to which it is ground and the furnace within which it is burned.
ASTM C 618-85 Standard Specification for Fly Ash and Raw Calcined Natural Pozzolan for Use as a Mineral Admixture in Portland Cement Concrete, pp. 385-388 (1985) has classified fly ash into two classes, class C and class F. Class C fly ash has hardening properties due to its cementitious mineralogy. Class C fly ash typically contains between 70% and 50% by weight of silica, alumina and ferric oxides. Class C fly ash is usually high in calcium and is produced as a by-product of the combustion of lignite or subbituminous coal. Class F fly ash has non-hardening properties due to its pozzolanic mineralogy. Class F fly ash typically contains more than 70% by weight of silica, alumina, and ferric oxides.
According to ASTM C618, the chemical requirements to classify fly ash are as shown in Table 1.
TABLE 1Chemical Requirements for Fly Ash ClassificationFly Ash ClassPropertiesClass FClass CTotal of Silicon dioxide70.050.0(SiO2), aluminum oxide(Al2O3), and iron oxide(Fe2O3) min %Sulfur trioxide (SO3) max %5.05.0Moisture content, max %3.03.0
Class F fly ash is produced from burning anthracite and bituminous coals. Some Texas lignites also produce class F fly ash. This fly ash has siliceous or siliceous and aluminous material, which itself possesses little or no cementitious value but will, in finely divided form and in the presence of moisture, chemically react with calcium hydroxide at ordinary temperature to form cementitious compounds. Class C fly ash is produced normally from lignite and subbituminous coals and usually contains significant amount of combined calcium (reported as CaO). This class of fly ash, in addition to having pozzolanic properties, also has some cementitious properties (ASTM C 618-99).
Bottom ash results from the burning of any type of coal. Bottom ash is a sandy, granular or clinkery residue consisting of mostly silicon dioxide and aluminum oxide. Bottom ash can be somewhat pozzolanic, but does not itself harden on contact with water. However, bottom ash in combination with class C fly ash can form chemical bonds that quickly unite and harden. Bottom ash typically collects in the bottom of furnaces and boilers where coal is burned and quenched with water before removal. Reactive cementitious compounds present in the bottom ash usually react during the quenching process.
Bottom ash has been characterized as a dark, gray, granular, porous predominantly sand size minus 12.7 mm (½ in.) material that is collected in a water filled hopper at the bottom of the furnace. Typically, when a sufficient amount of bottom ash drops into the hopper, it is removed via water jets and the like and conveyed by a sluiceway either to a decant basin for dewatering, crushing and stockpiling.
Typical properties of bottom ash are as follows:
TABLE 2Bottom Ash Particle Size DistributionBottom AshLocationLocationLocationSieve Size#1#2#338mm (1½ in)1009910019mm (¾ in)100951009.5mm (⅜ in)10087734.75mm (No. 4)9077522.36mm (No. 8)8057321.18mm (No. 16)7242170.60mm (No. 30)6529100.30mm (No. 50)561950.15mm (No. 100351520.075mm (No. 200)941
TABLE 3Typical Physical Properties of Bottom AshPropertyBottom AshSpecific Gravity(6)2.1-2.7Dry Unit Weight(6)720-1600 kg/m3(45-100 lb/ft3)Plasticity(6)NoneAbsorption(4)0.8.-2.0%
Bottom ash is composed primarily of silica, alumina, iron, and calcium with smaller percentages of magnesium, sulfates and other compounds. Table 4 presents a chemical analysis of selected samples of bottom ash from different coal types and regions.
TABLE 4Chemical Composition of Selected BottomAsh Samples (Percent by Weight)(4)Ash Type:Bottom AshCoal Type:BituminousSubbituminousLigniteLocationWest VirginiaOhioTexasSiO253.645.947.145.470.0Al2O328.325.128.319.315.9Fe8O35.814.310.79.72.0CaO0.41.40.415.36.0MgO22.214.171.124.11.9Na2O1.00.70.81.00.6K2O0.30.20.2—0.1
Economizer ash is, as the name suggests, removed from the economizer section of the boiler and typically has high calcium oxide content, high unburned carbon content and comprises course particles that are prone to forming clinkers.
A chemical analysis of one sample of economizer ash is shown in Table 5.
TABLE 5Typical Economizer AshConstituentWt %SiO233Al2O318Fe2O37SO32CaO24Na2O1MgO4
Other compounds such as TiO2, K2O, and P2O5 etc. are present so as to constitute 100 wt %. Physical particle sizes for this economizer ash are shown in Table 6.
TABLE 635% retained on 50 mesh screen36% of sample between 50 mesh and 200 mesh29% of sample was less than 200 mesh in size.Bulk density = 74 lbs. per ft3
Steel slag and blast furnace slag (i.e., iron slag) are other industrial waste by-products that include significant amounts of calcium, alumina, and silica components. In both steel and iron manufacturing processes, the molten metal collects in the bottom of the furnace with liquid iron or steel slag floating on the pool of the desired metal. The slag is collected and presents a disposal problem. It consists primarily of silica and alumina compounds combined with calcium and magnesium oxides.
Similarly, cement kiln dust comprises significant calcium, alumina, and silica components and is an industrial by-product in need of disposal alternatives. Typically, the CKD is collected from both the exit and feed end typically of a rotary cement kiln. The fine particulates are usually collected in high efficiency dust collectors such as fabric filters or electrostatic precipitators.
CKDs are composed of a mixture of sulfates, chlorides, carbonates, and oxides of sodium, potassium, and calcium in combination with quartz, limestone, fly ash, dolomite, feldspars and iron oxides, glasses of silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, iron oxide, and certain cement compounds.
A need in the art therefore exists for commercially viable products and methods in which waste product materials may be advantageously used so as to minimize disposal concerns. An even more specific need in the art exists for commercially viable products and methods that incorporate coal combustion by-products such as fly ash, bottom ash, and/or economizer ash.
A product and method of use thereof by which 100% of the components are formed from such coal combustion by-products is even more desirable.

Cementitious mixtures and methods of use thereof