A computer-based method for generating standardized emission reduction credits includes the steps of receiving site-specific data with respect to a geographic location regarding at least one variable impacting reduction of nitrous oxide in the atmosphere, retrieving data general to a geographic region encompassing the location regarding at least one variable impacting the nitrous oxide, processing the site-specific and the general data through a model running on a computer, to determine an approximate change in impact on the nitrous oxide at the location over a specified time period, conducting an uncertainty analysis on the approximate change at the location over the specified time period, via the computer, from the uncertainty analysis, identifying a quantity of emission reduction credits meeting an established standard of certainty as the standardized emission reduction credits; and reporting from the computer the identified quantity of the standardized emission reduction credits.

The development of a vibrant economy requires a safe and healthy food supply, sustainable land use, clean water, and pure air, among other things. Producers, such as farmers and ranchers offset their production costs with income derived from products such as grain, hay and meat. State and Federal regulations provide essentially no penalties for non-point sources of pollution, with the exception of indirect disincentives such as SodBuster or SwampBuster farm bill provisions. Environmental incentives for participants in conservation programs, e.g., EQIP, CRP, CSP, may not be sufficient to outweigh market driven production incentives. Therefore, the costs for sub-optimal land use are transferred to the public in the form of remediation costs, while the value of benefits realized by society through sustainable environmentally-responsible landuse management and optimal land use does not reach the producer.
A major barrier to the development of agro-environmental service markets is the dearth of biophysical linkages between management practices, measurable impacts on soil, air, and water quality and environmental regulations. The invention described herein is able to connect basic science research on biogeochemical systems, with ecological models, economic models and relevant legal analysis to translate that research into market-driven management strategies that not only maximize production but also produce environmental commodities that embody attributes of value to society.
An example of environmental attributes of the present invention is Carbon Emission Reduction Credits. An accelerating rate of change in the amounts of specific trace gases in the earth's atmosphere has the potential to modify the earth's energy balance, which may result in a variety of consequences. These trace gases are often referred to as greenhouse gases and include carbon dioxide. Although there is disagreement concerning the potential threats or benefits of this change, there is widespread agreement in the global community that it is prudent to enact policies to attempt to slow down the rate of change. At the same time, research is underway to predict the consequences of increasing greenhouse gas concentrations and to develop the technology to economically limit those increases. All current protocols have established emission reduction targets that define a specific base year, e.g., 1990, and specify reductions for specific sources as a fractional percentage of emission rates from those of the base year.
The increasing concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is a global issue. For example, carbon dioxide emitted from into the atmosphere from any source such as a power plant has a lifetime of approximately 100 years and therefore is distributed globally. As a result, at least for the issue of atmospheric greenhouse gases, the geographic location where the greenhouse gases are removed from the atmosphere is less important than the fact that they are removed. For other types of EBCs, the specific location of the emission reduction may be important. For example, the reduction of the transport of sediment in a watershed that has many man-made water impoundments, such as dams, may be of more value than the reduction of sediment transport into an unregulated and uncontrolled watershed.
One of the key provisions of many national strategies to limit the rate of growth in the amounts of atmospheric greenhouse gases is the concept of emissions trading. Emissions trading is a process whereby specific target emission rates of certain greenhouse gases are set for specific industries. A member of the industry who achieves measured emissions below the target rates may trade the difference on the open market to another who exceeds, or forecasts that it will exceed, its own emission targets. An entity responsible for measured emissions above its target rates may be subject to fines or other sanctions. The objective is to reduce the overall emission of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, even if the emissions of one particular source are not decreased, or indeed are increased. In the last decade, the effectiveness of this market-based emissions reduction approach as applied to criteria air pollutants in the US has been demonstrated. Fledgling attempts to develop similar systems for water pollution trades and for other remediation issues are in progress, however they have been hindered by several key factors addressed by the methods and apparatus described herein.
The unit of measure of tradable carbon emissions that has been generally accepted is commonly known as the Carbon Emission Reduction Credit, or CERC, which is equivalent to one metric ton of carbon dioxide gas (or other greenhouse gas equivalent) that is not emitted into the earth's atmosphere (emission reduction) or one metric ton of carbon dioxide that is removed from the atmosphere (emission offset) due to a human-caused change. That is, a CERC can be generated for human activities that have occurred since a base year, e.g., 1990, that have resulted in a reduction in the specified business-as-usual emissions of greenhouse gases.
For example, CERCs can be generated through energy efficiency gains of fossil fuel technology, substitution of biofuels for fossil fuels, or removal of greenhouse gases from industrial gas streams. CERCs also can be generated by sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide into land or water, e.g., by reforesting land or through implementation of agricultural practices that increase the storage of organic matter in the water or soil. Additionally CERCs can be generated by capturing methane emitted from sewage lagoons and burning it into carbon dioxide since one ton of methane is equivalent to approximately 22 tons of carbon dioxide with respect to its global warming potential. Additional CERCs would be generated if the methane was used as a substitute for fossil fuels. Other EBCs can be generated through the modification of business as usual management practices. For example, a producer can switch from pesticide intensive management to "organic farming" practices and therefore potentially earn water quality based EBCs.
With regard to other greenhouse gases for which use of EBCs would be applicable, nitrous oxide (N2O) is a greenhouse gas for which excess generation also has very serious environmental consequences. While the total contribution to radiative warming (total greenhouse gas effect) of nitrous oxide is less that that of carbon dioxide, its persists longer in the atmosphere. Indeed, it has been estimated that on the basis of the net incrememntal greenhouse gas impact per additional molecule emitted into the atmosphere, nitrous oxide has almost 300 times the impact on global warming as carbon dioxide. Thus, even though nitrous oxide has a lower concentration in the atmosphere, it is the third largest greenhouse gas contributor. Furthermore, nitrous oxide has a long lifetime in the atmosphere. Presently, nitrous oxide concentration in the atmosphere is about 300 parts per billion and is increasing at about ½% to 1% per year.
Although a small amount of nitrous oxide is emitted from coal fired power plants and in the manufacturing of cement, the largest nitrous oxide sources occur in ecosystems. From a process standpoint, nitrous oxide is produced as a consequence of nitrogen cycling in soils. In nature, fixed nitrogen that can be utilized by microbes and plants in the production of proteins, is at a premium. After water, fixed nitrogen availability is usually the next major limiting resource. Therefore most microbial processes in soil have evolved to conserve this valuable commodity. As a consequence, the emission of N2O usually only occurs during transitional times when there is a "system upset", analogous to the flare for an industrial process.
Though nitrous oxide can be produced during the process of nitrification, the major source of nitrous oxide is thought to occur during denitrification. More particularly, nitrification is the oxidation of ammonia with oxygen to form nitrites (primarily by bacteria of the genus Nitrosomonas and Nitrosococcus), followed by the oxidation of nitrites to nitrates (primarily by bacteria of the genus Nitrobacter). During these microbial processes, some loss of nitrates occurs though leaching, and ammonia, nitrogen and nitrous oxide can be lost to the atmosphere. However, in practice, the nitrous oxide losses from fixation are small compared to the losses from denitrification. Moreover, losses from denitrification vary substantially depending on differing conditions, in ways not fully appreciated nor compensated for in risk assessment relating to calculation and trading of EBCs.
It may even be said that existing verification processes are flawed, with leakage a particular problem when accounting for nitrous oxide emissions. For example, in areas of varying geography, for example, uneven agricultural land, "hotspots" of nitrous oxide leakage can periodically occur, and such occurrences may not be accounted for, such as when for short periods of time, low lying areas may be subject to pooling water created by runoff, and such wet spots can create anaerobic conditions conducive to denitrification. Land management practices may not be implemented to prevent such leakage and indeed may exacerbate such leakage, let alone account for such leakage on agricultural land.
The International Plant Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assesses the scientific data such as field studies and modeling studies that measure and predict greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The IPCC then makes recommendations that are used in evaluating the GHG impacts of specific management scenarios and GHG emission reduction projects. With regard to nitrous oxide, the IPCC evaluation concludes that incremental nitrous oxide emissions (the secular trend) indicate a link between enhanced fluxes of nitrous oxide and the increased use of nitrogenous fertilizers. Further they have stated that increases in atmospheric concentrations of nitrous oxide are directly correlated with increased application of fertilizers. Therefore, it is likely that in the future carbon storage in soils will be discounted, based on leakage of nitrous oxide. In addition, this line of reasoning will lead to the erroneous conclusion that reductions of nitrous oxide emissions will closely follow reductions in fertilizer application rates.
Although a statistical correlation exists between increased fertilizer use and increases in the secular trend of nitrous oxide, field research indicates that nitrous oxide emissions are not uniform and continuous. Instead, emissions of nitrous oxide from soils tend to be concentrated in small spots over short time periods. In fact, most nitrous oxide emissions come from anaerobic areas where denitrification occurs agricultural fields. Therefore the currently-recommended mitigation strategy to reduce nitrogen fertilizer application rates as a way to lower nitrous oxide emissions is seriously flawed. On most of the land or on a specific agricultural field, only small plots, if any will actually respond to reduce nitrous oxide emissions. Therefore is greenhouse gas emission reduction credits or emission avoidance credits are awarded based on reduced fertilizer nitrogen usage alone, these credits will not result in actual reductions of nitrous oxide emissions and will therefore not be effective in mitigating global climate forcing.
It is worth noting that in agricultural practices, where water is the first limiting factor, nitrogen is the next limiting factor. This is why the application of nitrogen-based fertilizers, primarily anhydrous ammonia manure, is so prevalent worldwide. While some fraction of such fertilizers are emitted into the atmosphere (some estimate a range of ½% to 1% of the fertilizer), field research measurements that nitrous oxide emissions are in fact quite variable and emissions of nitrous oxide tend to occur in relatively small spaces over short time periods, and then emission stops. Thus, despite the extensive use of anhydrous ammonia manure and other urea based fertilizers, the largest portion of nitrous oxide emissions are not likely to be simply related to some fraction of the industrial fertilizer applications. However current biogeochemical models that describe the microbial production processes that control nitrous oxide are becoming well-understood. However the difficulty of extrapolating from the micro-scale and microbial-scale processes to predict nitrous oxide emissions over an entire field or land parcel limits the accuracy of current nitrous oxide predictive capability. This therefore limits the potential accuracy of the prediction of the effectiveness of specific landuse management actions to reduce nitrous oxide emissions. The lack of models to accurately link landuse management and nitrous oxide emissions also undermines the verification processes necessary for certainty in calculating EBCs involving nitrous oxide. In addition, since the global annual nitrous oxide sink or destruction rate due to reactions in the atmosphere can be readily calculated, and since the global distribution of nitrous oxide has been well-characterized, it is relatively easy to calculate the global source strength of nitrous oxide needed to generate globally-measured atmospheric concentrations. Also, since many scientists believe that the sources of atmospheric nitrous oxide are largely identified, Often scientists simply identify the general source, such as "agriculture" scale that source by total area weighted by an average nitrogen fertilization rate factor and divide by
In the face of the issues briefly described above relating to greenhouse gases generally, a market is emerging for trading CERCs, EBCs and other green tags. One type of CERC trading involves an industrial consortium, where each industrial entity determines a rough estimate of the number of CERCs generated by its activity or needed from others due to its activity. If an individual entity has generated CERCs by changing its business-as-usual activity, e.g., by reducing the amounts of greenhouse gases emitted, it can trade the CERCs and EBCs to others in the consortium.
There also have been entities involved specifically in CERC trading based on increasing the storage of carbon in soil. For example, in 1999 a consortium of Canadian power companies hired an insurance company to contractually obligate a group of Iowa farmers to twenty years of no-till farming. Based on general data, a broker for the power companies assumed that this land management practice would result in sufficient sequestration of carbon into the soil to generate CERCs. The power companies also purchased an insurance policy for protection against the possibility that no CERCs, or insufficient CERCs, would be generated by this arrangement. This trade was designed by the consortium of power companies to minimize the price that the farmers were paid. The difficulty and uncertainty of predicting these CERCs, obtaining indemnification or insurance, and banding together a sufficiently large number of farmers to generate a pool of potential CERCs large enough to overcome substantial baseline transactional costs and uncertainty whether the CERCs generated would meet current, pending or future regulatory requirements operated to drive up the costs incurred by the potential CERC purchasers, drive down the price paid to the producers and generally make it difficult to establish and engage in a market for CERCs by not efficiently maximizing incentives to producers and by not efficiently minimizing risks to purchasers.
Existing natural resource-based methods to trade CERCs generally share a number of shortcomings. Typically, the contracts specify certain land management practices, but do not require a certain number of CERCs to be generated. The estimated CERC values are highly variable and minimized due to uncertainties caused by using general regional data to try to estimate CERCs and by high transactional costs. Without a reasonably accurate method of quantifying CERCs generated, it is difficult for all to place a fair value on the trade. Also, trades generally have been designed and instigated by a potential CERC purchaser, or an entity representing one, and not by the CERC producer, such as a farmer or landowner. Further, each trade must be individually designed by the CERC purchaser to be consistent with current and anticipated legislative requirements and to maximize the likelihood that CERCs will be generated. Competition is also limited by the requirement of projects large enough to achieve economies of scale. For this reason, there has begun to emerge aggregators who attempt to produce CERCs by traveling from producer to producer with the object of having each producer sign a contract in which they agree to transfer ownership of CERCs to the aggregator, implement a specified management practice for a specified time period over a specified number of acres in exchange for a specified price. The aggregator who then makes general estimates of potential carbon sequestration, develops a project-specific verification protocol, and packages the CERCs into a "project". The project is then marketed to purchasers through a broker who must convince clients that the project criteria and indemnification are sufficient to meet the standards of the specific country in which they are applied. In many Kyoto countries, a project approval board is designated and must pass judgment on each individual project. As a consequence, the price paid to CERC producers is driven down thereby decreasing incentives to engage in practices that result in carbon sequestration and therefore the market for trading CERCs is limited.
In the absence of a globally accepted process to generate, quantify and standardize CERCs, especially CERCs generated or projected to be generated by carbon sequestration in land or plants, the market for such CERCs remains relatively primitive, inefficient and uncertain. The existing attempts to identify and trade CERCs suffer from difficulties in quantifying accrued and projected CERCs, high administrative costs in quantifying and indemnifying accrued and projected CERCs, and the lack of a market for individuals and individual entities to effectively engage in CERC trades. These problems particularly restrict the ability of an individual landowner, or groups of landowners, to efficiently generate, quantify, standardize, market and trade CERCs.

Techniques for minimizing nitrous oxide emissions and increasing certainty in generating, quantifying and verifying standardized environmental attributes relating to nitrous oxide

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology


A method for reprofiling or otherwise smoothing and enhancing the anterior or stromal cornea by scraping. The method is useful as a primary technique for reprofiling the stromal portion of the cornea following a lamellar keratectomy or as a secondary technique for use in combination with other corneal refractive procedure to dislocate debris and smooth and enhance a worked area of the cornea.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for adjusting the shape of components of the eye and more particularly to making fixed changes in the corneal curvature to correct refractive error.
Deviations from the normal shape of the corneal surface produce errors of refraction in the visual process. The eye in a state of rest, without accommodation, focuses the image of distant objects exactly on the retina. Such an eye enjoys distinct vision for distant objects without effort. Any variation from this standard constitutes ametropia, a condition in which the eye at rest is unable to focus the image of a distant object on the retina. Hyperopia is an error of refraction in which, with the eye at rest, parallel rays from distant objects are brought to focus behind the retina. Divergent rays from near objects are focused still further back. In one aspect of hyperopia, the corneal surface is flattened which decreases the angle of refraction of rays as they pass through the refractive surfaces of the cornea, causing a convergence or focus of the rays at a point behind the retina. The retina is comprised partially of nerve fibers which are an expansion of the optic nerve. Waves of light falling on the retina are converted into nerve impulses and carried by the optic nerve to the brain to produce the sensation of light. To focus parallel rays on the retina, the hyperopic eye must either accommodate, i.e., increase the convexity of its lens, or a convex lens of sufficient strength to focus rays on the retina must be placed before the eye. Myopia (Gr. to squint) is that refractive condition in which, with accommodation completely relaxed, parallel rays are brought to focus in front of the retina. One condition which commonly causes myopia is when the corneal curvature is steepened, thus the refraction of rays is greater as the rays pass through the refractive surfaces of the cornea, and the over-refracted rays converge or focus in front of the retina in the vitreous of the eye. When the rays reach the retina they become divergent, forming a circle of diffusion and consequently a blurred image. A concave lens is used to correct the focus of the eye for myopia.
The normal treatment of these classic forms of refractive error of the eye is with the use of eyeglasses or contact lenses, both of which have well-known disadvantages to the user. It has been estimated that 60 million pairs of eyeglasses and 3 million pairs of contact lens are sold annually.
Recent research has been directed to operative techniques to change the refractive condition of the eye. Radial keratotomy (RK) is by far the most commonly used keratorefractive procedure to correct myopia. RK involves making equally spaced radial incisions in the peripheral cornea around a 3.0 to 5.0 mm diameter central, uncut clear zone. These incisions weaken the paracentral and peripheral cornea, which under the influence of intraocular pressure, causes outward bowing of the peripheral cornea, a compensatory flattening of the central cornea. This central corneal flattening then leads to a reduction in myopia. Many factors have been identified that affect the outcome of the RK procedure which the predictability is significantly less than achieved with eyeglasses and contact lens. See Mechanical Methods in Refractive Corneal Surgery, Flowers, Jr. and McDonnell, Current Opinions in Ophthalmology, 1994, 5; IV:81-89. Refinements in RK, and alternatives thereto, continue to evolve. Such techniques are generally referred to as "keratorefractive techniques". Two such techniques are more particularly called keratophakia and keratomileusis. Keratomileusis involves the regrinding of a corneal lamella into a meniscus or hyperopic lens to correct myopia or hyperopia. A corneal optical cryolathe has been especially developed for this procedure and is also used in the keratophakia procedure, when a homograft ground into a convex lens is placed interlamellarly to correct aphakic hypermetropia. The homograft tissue (corneal lamella) is frozen with carbon dioxide. The homograft is cut by the lathe as a contact lens would be, i.e., to the optical power required to effect the desired optical correction of the cornea. In keratomileusis, the anterior corneal lamella is shaped by the lathe. Further evaluation and explanation of these procedures can be found in the American Academy Ophthalmology, Ophthalmic Procedures Assessment Committee report approved Feb. 15, 1992, entitled: Keratophakia and Keratomileusis: Safety and Effectiveness. Another form of correction called "myopic keratomileusis in situ" is widely reported. See J Catatact Refrat. Surg., Vol. 17, July 1991, pages 424-435, Arena-Archila, et al. Myopic keratomileusis in situ: A preliminary report. Instead of modifying the stromal side of the resected disc (corneal lamella), the correction is made in the stromal bed. It is thus seen that present procedures in keratorefractive techniques are best limited to situations where other more standard corrective practices are found ineffective. It is readily seen that the limiting factors in such surgical techniques is the gross complexity involved not only with multiple incisions in corneal tissue for affecting the procedures but also complex suturing patterns, resulting in gross restructuring of the eye. The eye is thus faced with a difficult job of adjusting to this trauma.
Over the past few years developments have been made in the use of lasers as a means to reshape the cornea in an attempt to get rid of refractive errors. In these processes, pulsed lasers remove tissue from the cornea by shaving off or vaporizing portions of the corneal surface to cause it to flatten. The most common type is an Eximer laser. The fundamental effect of such a laser on tissue is a photochemical one, the breaking of molecular bonds with so much energy that the tissue fragments fly from the surface at supersonic speeds, leaving behind a discreet space. The process has been designated as ablative photodecomposition or photoablation. Complete explanation of "laser therapeutic keratectomy" can be found in Refractive Keratotoy, George O. Waring III, Mosby year Book, (1992) Chapter 19. The laser techniques are adaptable to be used in other corneal surgical techniques, including keratomileusis in-situ.
One of the problems with keratomileusis procedures is obtaining a smooth curvature upon the exposed stromal bed. See In Situ Myopic Keratomilesus Results in 30 Eyes at 15 Months, Bas & Nano, Refractive & Corneal Surgery, Vol. 7, pages 223-231, May/June 1991. Using laser techniques leave corrugated or rippled ablated surfaces, like a washboard. In addition the ablated surface becomes `work hardened` and contains a pseudo membrane of burned tissue that must be cleaned and cleared up.
As in all refractive correcting techniques, the risk benefit ratio is always considered individually and fully explained to prospective patients. See Corrective Measures for Myopia, Wilson and Keeney, Survey of Ohthalmology, Vol. 34, No. 4, Jan/Feb 1990, pages 294-304.

Method and apparatus for reprofiling or smoothing the anterior or stromal cornea by scraping


A fuel injection device includes a nozzle needle, an actuator for actuating the nozzle needle, a force sensor for detecting a force applied by the actuator, and a control unit which is connected to the force sensor. The force sensor supplies signals to the control unit and the control unit is designed for determining a position of the nozzle needle and for precisely determining an injected fuel quantity, based on the supplied signal.

Various embodiments of fuel injection devices are known from the related art. In addition to magnetic injectors, piezoelectric multi-layer actuators are also used. In this connection, one advantage of piezoelectric actuators is that they are able to carry out deflections very quickly and precisely while simultaneously exercising great forces. One disadvantage of such piezoelectric actuators is, however, that the property degradation of the ceramic components of the piezoelectric actuator as a function of the number of electrical cycles makes a direct correlation of the applied voltage with the expansion of the piezoelectric actuator impossible. This prevents an exact determination of an actual needle position of a nozzle needle of the fuel injection device (needle lift characteristics) at any point in time of the injection process. Furthermore, the actual nozzle needle position in the nozzle seat is influenced by wear, carbon build-up, etc., which is impossible to detect in conventional fuel injection devices. For that reason, a measurement and coding is performed on each piezoelectric actuator before its installation. With the aid of this information, the particular stroke capability of an individual piezoelectric actuator is ascertained. This makes it possible to calculate a theoretical metering of the injected fuel quantity for each piezoelectric actuator. However, the fact that each individual piezoelectric actuator must be measured results in considerable manufacturing expense. Furthermore, the individual control units for the fuel injection device must also be adapted individually to the piezoelectric actuator. Moreover, the theoretically ascertained value may deviate significantly from later actual needle lift characteristics in the installed condition of the piezoelectric actuator. This results in inaccuracies in the injected fuel quantity. It would therefore be desirable to have a possibility for an exact needle position at each point in time of the injection process and to calculate from it a particular injected fuel quantity.

Fuel injection device having a needle position determination


A sensor which allows dielectric measurements to be made on a high temperature product such as a molten plastic flowing in a conduit. It comprises a ceramic cylinder with an interdigitated electrode capacitor patterned into the inside wall. Uses of the sensor include continuous determination of copolymer composition and polymer viscosity (molecular weight) in a completely non-obstructive manner.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a sensor which allows dielectric measurements to be made in a completely non-obstructive manner on a fluid such as molten plastic flowing in a conduit. In particular, it relates to a ceramic cylinder with an interdigitated electrode capacitor patterned into the inside wall. The sensor may be used for continuous determination of copolymer composition and polymer viscosity (molecular weight) of material flowing in a conduit.
2. Background
The dielectric properties of any polymer are frequency and temperature dependent functions of the dipolar and ionic atomic and molecular polarization. As a material is subjected to an alternating electric field, polar groups and free ions move and orient along the field lines, causing a buildup of charge at electrode surfaces. From measurements of the electrical current associated with this excess charge, the capacitance and dissipation of the system are computed. Using the exact geometry of the sensing volume, the dielectric constant and dielectric loss factor may be calculated. Dielectric properties can be used to measure polymer properties of interest such as thermal transitions, epoxy curing rates, water and additive concentrations, and voids in the polymer.
Such measurements can be made in a batch manner in the laboratory using flat capacitors, but to be useful as in-line sensors for application in the melt processing of thermoplastics, the capacitor should be made in a shape that can be installed in a conduit carrying molten polymer, and should be capable of reliable operation at the temperatures and pressures encountered with high-softening thermoplastics. The present invention provides such a sensor, preferably cylindrical, and shows it can be used in processing various molten polymers.
Dielectric spectroscopy is well known in the field of analytical chemistry. Interdigitated fringing field capacitors are also known, but the known devices are not suitable for use in a process pipeline
Fr. 2,342,838 makes capacitance measurements on molten polymer, but the sensor is of a different design from the present sensor, with coaxial electrodes employing a core mandrel and the outer wall of a tube.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,448,909 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,448,943 apply capacitance cell measurements at the outlet of an extruder to control process variables in a thermoplastic compounding process. In contrast with the present tubular design, the sensor is a single parallel plate dielectric cell attached to the output end of an extruder. This arrangement generates substantial back pressure in the extruder, has poor product flow in the dead zone between the plates, and incurs measurement error due to deflection of the plates.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,846,073 uses a side-stream capacitance sensor with coaxial electrodes employing a core mandrel and the outer wall of a tube. The sensor is used to measure the vinyl acetate content of an ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer.
An interdigitated comb electrode is commonly used for obtaining dielectric measurements on surfaces of materials and fluids. Probes of this type have been used for many years as moisture detection devices. U.S. Pat. No. 3,696,369 discloses an interdigitated electrode for moisture sensing. In the past few years these interdigitated probe structures were adapted to measure dielectric properties of materials. See, for example, Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering Journal, 19, No. 4, July/August, 1983.
U.S. Ser. No. 07/274,461, filed Nov. 21, 1988, discloses a planar dielectric sensor having interdigitated electrodes for off-line analytical work.
No reference is known to the inventors which teaches the use of an interdigitated electrode conduit structure for use as a flow-through measurement sensor for fluid streams.
The present work involves (1) the invention of a new cylindrical, interdigitated dielectric sensor for non-obstructive, real-time process measurements, (2) a technique for relating the real component of the complex permittivity (dielectric constant or capacitance) to copolymer composition, and (3) relating the imaginary component (dielectric loss factor or dissipation) to the melt viscosity or molecular weight of polymers, providing instantaneous measurements of the melt viscosity or molecular weight in polymer melt processing.
With the present technique, a process stream flows across the electrode surface, an alternating voltage is applied between the two "combs" of the "interdigitated electrode" pattern, and the resulting alternating current is measured. In this fashion the field penetrates the surface of the material to a depth 2-5 times the distance separating the fingers in the interdigitated electrode array.
An alternating electric field, applied to a polymer, orients permanent and induced dipoles and separates positive and negative ions in the polymer. The dipole or ion movement is a function of the applied conditions (temperature, pressure), thermal properties (melting point, phase transitions, heat of fusion), rheological properties (flow rate, viscosity), physical properties (density, molecular weight, degree of polymerization), optical properties (index of refraction), and chemical properties (composition, reaction rate constant, activation energy).
Following are some of the problems of the prior art which this invention solves.
a) The need to avoid the introduction of obstructions into the pipeline, which is accomplished by using an interdigitated fringing field capacitor on the inside wall of a conduit, preferably a cylinder.
b) The need to minimize the abrasion of the electrodes by the process fluids, which is accomplished by orienting the electrodes in the flow direction and by recessing the electrodes so they are substantially flush with the inside wall of the cylinder. In addition, the inside surface of the sensor may be coated with a 0.1 micrometer deposited layer of alumina which protects the electrodes and allows for easier cleaning.
c) The need to provide field penetration a substantial distance into the product stream, so the measurement extends beyond the layer of product that is close to the pipe wall and therefore moves very slowly. This is accomplished by using an unusually large spacing between electrodes. The tendency for large spacing to reduce capacitance is counteracted by using a large electrode area.
d) The need to remove the heat-sensitive amplifier equipment from the vicinity of the sensor so high temperature melts can be measured. This is accomplished by using a current-to-voltage converter and a lock-in amplifier.

Noninvasive dielectric sensor and technique for measuring polymer properties


The electron beam is irradiated from the center part to the outer direction in the irradiation duct. Then required electron range is decreased and the required beam energy is decreased. The electron beam introduction window is formed as a thin curved surface and made of Al alloy or SiC ceramics, then the energy absorption is decreased, a large beam current is available and X-ray shield become very small sized and very simple. By dividing the acceleration voltage into a positive and negative voltage, the absolute value of the applied voltage is decreased, then the reliability for the insulator is increased and the acceleration voltage can be obtained without mechanical movement.

This invention pertains to a apparatus, which remove a sulfur dioxide and a nitrogen oxide, which are generated by combustion of coal or oil. This invention also relates to a boiler system with such a apparatus.
There has been used a boiler system in which a dust in a flue gas is removed by an electrostatic precipitator, the flue gas is cooled through a cooler tower, in a irradiation duct an electron beam is irradiated normal direction to the gas flow, and an ammonium is supplied. Then a mixture of an ammonium sulfate and an ammonium nitride is produced. As a results the flue gas is cleaned. These systems are disclosed in a Japanese patent application: H8-16433.
In the prior arts the electron beam with a 800 keV of beam energy is irradiated normal direction to the flue gas flow. As a scattering cross section between the electron beam with 800 keV of beam energy and the flue gas is small, the flue gas that flow irradiation window side is not absorb sufficiently the electron energy and then pass through the irradiation duct. The scattering cross section between the electron and the flue gas is large, only at the anti-window side, as the electron beam have lost its initial energy through the passage into the flue gas. Therefore, only in the flue gas, which pass through the anti-window side, sulfur dioxide and nitride oxide is removed sufficiently.
For the conventional apparatus, the electron beam with high energy irradiate metal parts and high intensity X-ray is generated. Therefore a close X-ray shield is necessary and most of the electron energy is not used for the reaction. It is also problem that a high voltage power source and an insulator are very expensive and unreliable. It is also other problem that when the beam current is increased, the irradiation entrance window become very hot.
It is a purpose of the invention to provide a charged particle beam treatment apparatus, in which adverse effect of the small collision cross-section between flue gas and the electron beam, a high temperature window, and too high acceleration voltage are improved. The apparatus is also suitable for obtaining a low cost apparatus with improved de-sulfate and de-nitride. It is also the purpose of this invention to offer a boiler system which emit flue gas with a little sulfur dioxide and nitride oxide.
The electron beam treatment apparatus of the first embodiment of this invention comprises: an irradiation duct, introduction entrances for the electron beam and an ammonium, wherein an electric field that deflect the electron beam is introduced into the irradiation duct.
The electron beam treatment apparatus of the second embodiment of this invention comprises: an electron source, an irradiation duct, a window for the electron beam inlet, and an ammonium introduction entrance, wherein said window is made of SiC ceramics or an aluminum alloy film with a non-corrosion coating.
The electron beam treatment apparatus of the third embodiment of this invention comprises: an electron source, an irradiation duct, an introduction entrance for the electron beam inlet, and an ammonium introduction entrance, wherein said electron beam source have a cathode, a convergent electrode, and form a crossover at the electron beam introduction entrance.

Electron beam treatment apparatus of flue gas and boiler system with the same apparatus


An electronic clock with a chime system has exclusively electronic processing for production of a variety of tone signal sequences consisting of known melodies or portions thereof and time-identifying sequences of strokes. The characteristic values of these tone signal sequences are loaded into a ROM memory and can be recalled, as required, by electronic control and release circuits at each quarter, half, three quarter or full hour. The amplitude of the audio output signals is automatically controlled in accordance with the time of day.

The present invention relates to an electronic clock with a chime system and more particularly to such a clock in which predetermined time signal sequences are electronically reproduced at certain times of the day.
Clocks with chime systems in which the indication of the time is accomplished electronically are known in the art. However, in such clocks, the sequence of acoustic strokes to be generated at specific time periods is accomplished primarily by mechanical means.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a novel electronic clock with a chime system in which the acoustic signals are also generated exclusively by electronic means and in which the capability to produce different tone signal sequences far exceeds that of known chime systems.


A tilting platform for roll testing automotive vehicles rotates the automotive vehicle so that data can be collected to determine various roll characteristics of the vehicle. The tilting platform includes a support platform that is pivotally attached to a floor hoist. A pivot pin is positioned away from the midpoint of the support platform so that a distal end of the support platform rotates downward and a proximal end rotates upward when the floor hoist is raised.

The present invention relates generally to roll testing automotive vehicles, and more particularly, to a tilting platform.
Designers of automotive vehicles find it necessary to conduct numerous tests on proposed vehicle designs before a new vehicle can be sold to consumers. Many of these tests are mandated by government regulations, but many additional tests are also conducted voluntarily by vehicle designers. The types of tests that designers conduct on proposed vehicle designs are directed to a number of potential concerns. Thus, some tests are directed to the performance and customer acceptance of the new vehicle, while other tests focus on safe operation of the vehicle.
One test that is commonly conducted on automotive vehicles is referred to generally as roll testing. Roll stability is a critical factor when designing new vehicles because roll stability affects safety, handling performance, and driver comfort and satisfaction. Roll stability of a completely assembled vehicle, however, is difficult to calculate theoretically because each individual part in a vehicle works together to affect overall roll stability. Therefore, laboratory tests are usually performed on a sample vehicle to determine the roll characteristics of the new vehicle design. Typically, this laboratory test is performed by supporting the weight of the vehicle at the vehicle tires and slowly rotating the entire vehicle around a longitudinal axis that extends from the rear to the front of the vehicle. Thus, as the vehicle is rotated, one side of the vehicle is raised above the other side of the vehicle. The vehicle rotation also causes the weight of the vehicle to shift away from the raised tires towards the lower tires as the angle of rotation increases. Because the roll characteristics of a vehicle change when the vehicle is loaded with different cargos, designers typically perform a number of roll tests on each new vehicle to represent several different cargo possibilities.
A number of important roll characteristics can be calculated from the data that is gathered from roll testing a vehicle. One characteristic is the rollover point of the vehicle. The rollover point occurs when the weight of the tires fully shifts away from the raised tires onto the lower tires, thus representing the point at which the vehicle may fall over onto its side. Therefore, the rollover point is an important safety characteristic in vehicle design. A number of other characteristics can also be determined from the roll test, including vehicle center of gravity, roll stiffness, lateral stiffness, torsional stiffness, and load shift between axles. A brief description of each of these characteristics will be helpful. The center of gravity of the vehicle represents a longitudinal axis through the vehicle around which the vehicle theoretically would freely rotate. This characteristic influences the angle of rotation of the rollover point and is useful in a number of other engineering calculations. Roll stiffness, or body roll, is a measurement of the angle of rotation of the vehicle body relative to the angle of rotation of the tires. Typically, the springs in the vehicle suspension contribute most to body roll. Lateral stiffness is a measurement of horizontal body movements parallel to the axles. This movement is usually caused by the suspension and is generally unwanted. Torsional stiffness is a specific measurement of the rotation of the vehicle frame during vehicle rotation. Typically, this characteristic is measured by attaching inclinometers along the length of the frame and comparing the differences in angular rotation between each of the inclinometers. Load shift between axles usually occurs between axles that share a linked suspension. Because the suspension components of a linked suspension are connected to more than one axle, a certain amount of weight may be transferred from one axle to another axle during vehicle rotation.
One problem often encountered in conducting roll tests involves gaining access to the facilities necessary to perform the tests. Traditionally, only independent laboratories have had facilities capable of performing the desired roll tests. In the case of heavy-duty vehicles, such as trucks and tractor-trailer rigs, only a small number of independent laboratories have had adequate facilities for conducting these tests. This situation has made scheduling the tests difficult because independent laboratories require a significant amount of planning notice to schedule each of their customers. Problems can also arise once the tests have started when unexpected complications occur that require more time than the laboratory has allotted. An additional problem involved with using independent laboratories to conduct roll tests is the high cost associated with the tests. Typically, the independent laboratories are operated as for-profit businesses. Thus, the vehicle designer must pay expensive fees for each of the tests that are conducted. In addition to the laboratory fees, however, the vehicle designer must also absorb extra costs associated with transportation to the laboratory, including the test vehicle, additional test equipment that may not be available at the laboratory, and the vehicle designer""s own technicians and engineers.
Another problem with using independent laboratories is the potential risk of disclosing confidential information related to the newly designed vehicles. Typically, the need for confidentiality during roll testing is particularly important because these test are usually conducted on new vehicle designs that the designer wishes to conceal from competitors and the marketplace. Thus, unintended disclosures before the product launch of the new vehicle may adversely affect the market for the designer""s new vehicle. Accordingly, independent laboratories are often viewed by vehicle designers as an area of potential risk for unwanted disclosures related to new vehicle. One potential area of risk for disclosures occurs when the vehicle is transported to the independent laboratory. Still another risk area occurs at the laboratory itself. As explained previously, independent laboratories usually serve many different customers at the same facilities. Thus, it is difficult for the laboratories to assure the same level of security that vehicle designers are accustomed to at their own facilities. Moreover, the testing facilities for large, heavy-duty vehicles are usually located outdoors with only minimal security provided.
The current equipment that independent laboratories use for roll testing generally is not adaptable for use by vehicle designers at their own design facilities. One problem with the current equipment is that it is usually permanently installed, and therefore, the space allotted for the equipment can only be used for performing roll tests. The total space required for roll testing equipment is often about twice the size of the vehicle being tested. Thus, in the case of large, heavy-duty trucks, the space required for roll testing equipment can be costly, especially if an indoor testing facility is desired.
Another problem with current test equipment is the high cost to build the equipment. One significant cost of these systems is the high performance hydraulic cylinders that are needed to lift and roll the test vehicle. In addition, a separate hydraulic power source to actuate the cylinders is usually needed. Typically, the hydraulic cylinder and the power source are specially purchased for the test equipment. The cylinders and power source are also usually permanently mounted in the equipment, making it infeasible to use this equipment for additional tasks.
Accordingly, a tilt platform is provided for roll testing an automotive vehicle. The tilt platform can be used with a standard floor hoist that is usually used for maintenance of automotive vehicles, thus providing a less expensive alternative to current test equipment. Support platforms can also be detached from the floor hoists, thus allowing the workspace and the floor hoists to be used for additional tasks.
The tilt platform includes a support platform that is pivotally attached to a floor hoist with a pivot pin. The pivot pin is positioned away from the midpoint of the support platform, thus forming a distal end and a proximal end of the support platform. Rollers are provided on the distal end of the support platform to enable the distal end to roll along a floor as the floor hoist is raised or lowered. The support platform also includes top support pads for supporting the weight of the vehicle tires.

Tilting platform for roll testing automotive vehicles

International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC


A connecting rod for a two-cycle internal combustion engine that is composed of a hypereutectic aluminum-silicon alloy containing more than 12% silicon. The alloy contains precipitated particles of silicon having an average particle size less than 50 microns. In contrast to a hypoeutectic aluminum silicon alloy containing less than 12% silicon, the hypereutectic aluminum-silicon alloy has an endurance limit, so that at stresses below about 15,000 psi there will be no failure of the alloy at multiple cycles, making the alloy suitable for use as a connecting rod in a two-cycle engine, which is only subjected to compressive stress in service.

Hypoeutectic aluminum-silicon alloys contain less than about 12% silicon and have a microstructure consisting of aluminum dendrites in a eutectic. Alloys of this type have a relatively high tensile strength and good ductility. However, hypoeutectic aluminum-silicon alloys lack wear resistance, and as a consequence have not been used in applications where wear resistance is a prime necessity.
Hypereutectic aluminum-silicon alloys, those containing in excess of about 12% silicon, contain precipitated primary silicon particles embedded in a eutectic matrix consisting of continuous phases of aluminum and silicon. Because of the presence of the precipitated silicon particles, alloys of this type have good wear resistance, but the tensile strength, as well as the ductility is less than the hypoeutectic aluminum-silicon alloys.
It has been recognized that the lighter weight and heat transfer properties make aluminum alloys the logical choice as a material for internal combustion engines. Because of this and due to their relatively high tensile strength and ductility, hypoeutectic aluminum-silicon alloys have been used in the past to cast engine components, such as engine blocks and cylinder heads. While it would also be desirable to construct connecting rods of the engine of a hypoeutectic aluminum-silicon alloy because of its relatively high tensile strength, it has been found that these alloys exhibit poor high cycle fatigue strength and do not have an endurance limit, meaning that the alloy will ultimately fail at high cycles. The poor high cycle fatigue strength of hypoeutectic aluminum-silicon alloys is believed to be due to the primary aluminum dendrites that are fixed in the microstructure upon solidification of the alloy and do not change upon subsequent heat below the solidus temperature. Therefore, due to its poor high cycle fatigue strength, hypoeutectic aluminum-silicon alloys have not been considered to be a candidate for connecting rods in an internal combustion engine.
Because hypoeutectic aluminum-silicon alloys have not been considered a good material for connecting rods, it has been erroneously concluded in the past that hypereutectic aluminum-silicon alloys would also be a poor choice for connecting rods, because these alloys have a lower ultimate tensile strength and ductility than the hypoeutectic alloys and it was further believed that hypereutectic aluminum-silicon alloys would follow a similar pattern and have poor high cycle fatigue strength.

Hypereutectic aluminum-silicon alloy connecting rod for a two-cycle internal combustion engine


Conversion of alcohol to organic compounds which comprises contacting the alcohol with a heterogeneous catalyst composition comprising crystalline EQU Cu.sub.2-X Cr.sub.y Al.sub.6-y B.sub.4 O.sub.17 M.sub.m M'.sub.n. where M is a divalent metal, M' is a monovalent metal, m is a number in a range from 0 to 0.8, n is a number in a range from 0 to 1.6, X is a number in a range from 0 to 10 0.8 and is equal to the sum of m and n/2, and y is a number in a range from 0.01 to 3, having a characteristic X-ray diffraction pattern.

The present invention relates to the chemical conversion of alcohol to useful organic compounds which comprises contacting the alcohol with a heterogeneous catalyst composition containing at least copper, chromium, aluminum, boron and oxygen. More particularly, the present invention relates to a process of converting an alcohol to an aldehyde, or a ketone, by contacting the alcohol with a heterogeneous catalyst composition comprising crystalline EQU Cu.sub.2-X Cr.sub.y Al.sub.6-y B.sub.4 O.sub.17 M.sub.m M'.sub.n
where M is a divalent metal, M' is a monovalent metal, m is a number in a range from 0 to 0.8, n is a number in a range from 0 to 1.6, X is a number in a range from 0 to 0.8 and is equal to the sum of m and n/2, and y is a number in a range from 0.01 to 3, having a characteristic X-ray diffraction pattern.
Alcohols, which are among the earliest known organic compounds, are derivatives of hydrocarbons in which a hydrogen is replaced by one or more OH group. Numerous processes and catalysts have been used to convert alcohols to aldehydes, and/or ketones. However, there is always a need for new catalysts for these reactions.
The use of an active metallo element or a supported metallo element composition containing aluminum and boron as a conversion catalyst is known in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 3,883,442 to McArthur is illustrative of prior art disclosing the superiority of a supported active metal catalyst to resist shrinkage at high temperatures (up to 1600.degree. C.) by stabilization of a preformed alumina catalyst support. McArthur states stabilization was achieved by impregnating an alumina support with a solution of a boron compound which is thermally decomposable to B.sub.2 O.sub.3, followed by drying and calcining of the impregnated support at temperatures below about 1500.degree. C., but sufficiently high to decompose the boron compound. McArthur also discloses that the most commonly used technique of preparing a supported metallo element catalyst involved, following calcination, impregnating in conventional manner the alumina support material containing some retained B.sub.2 O.sub.3 with a solution of the desired metal salt, preferably those that are thermally decomposable to give the corresponding metal oxides and/or sulfides, and calcining the salt-impregnated support to convert the impregnated salt to the active catalytic form. McArthur neither discloses nor suggests a crystalline phase oxide composition of copper, aluminum, and boron, in which any part of the aluminum is replaced by chromium.
Zletz in U.S. Pat. No. 4,729,979, which is hereby incorporated by reference, discusses the characteristics of a good catalyst and/or catalyst support and a new crystalline copper aluminum borate characterized by a specific X-ray diffraction pattern, surface area and pore volume which is at least partially reducible with hydrogen at a temperature no more than 350.degree. C. to a composition containing zero valent copper. Satek in U.S. Pat. No. 4,590,324, which is hereby incorporated by reference, discusses using the new crystalline copper aluminum borate as a catalyst to dehydrogenate alkylaromatics to alkenylaromatics. Zletz et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,645,753, which is hereby incorporated by reference, discusses doping the new crystalline copper aluminum borate to contain an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal element for use as a catalyst to dehydrogenate alkylaromatics to alkenylaromatics. The Zletz, Satek, and Zletz et al. patents alone or in combination neither disclose nor suggest a mixed oxide composition of aluminum, boron, and a metallo element without copper.
The general object of the present invention is to provide a new process for the chemical conversion of alcohol to useful organic compounds. Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and appended claims.

Alcohol conversion using copper chromium aluminum borate catalysis


A water purification device is provided in the form of a hydrogel matrix containing immobilized nanoparticles that are directly synthesized in-situ in the hydrogel matrix. The hydrogel matrix is temperature sensitive, such that swelling draws in pollutants that are captured by the nanoparticles, while deswelling releases purified water. A related method of decontaminating the water supply contaminated with a target pollutant is also disclosed.

Devices utilizing nanoparticles for the remediation or purification of a water supply are well known in the art. Examples of such devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,887,880 to Zhau et al. and United States Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0110723 to Varma et al.
Nanosized materials have been widely studied and investigated in various areas including that of toxic chlorinated organics degradation and water pollution remediation. Nanoscale metallic particles with high surface area and high binding energy with core electrons may enhance the interaction of the surface sides between the reactants and products. However, nanoparticles naturally tend to aggregate and that aggregation may lead to loss of de-chlorination reactivity. As a result, stabilizers, ligaments and membrane supports have been developed and utilized in an effort to immobilize the nanoparticles.
This approach has resulted in one problem which is the sacrifice of nanoparticle reactivity. The water purification device and a method of decontaminating a water supply described in this document overcome this problem and enhance the performance of the nanoparticles. Specifically, the water purification device utilizes the direct synthesis of immobilized nanoparticles in a hydrogel network or matrix. The resulting nanoparticles are smaller in size than those incorporated into a hydrogel matrix by other methods. Accordingly, the nanoparticles exhibit higher surface areas offering increases in reactivity. Further, the nanoparticles are more homogenously dispersed throughout the hydrogel matrix and the resulting lack of aggregation increases access to the surface area of the nanoparticles and further enhances reactivity. Still further the controlled swelling and deswelling of the hydrogel matrix allows control of water fraction and target pollutant partitioning in the hydrogel matrix that further optimizes resulting remediation activity of the device and associated method.

Water purification device and a method of decontaminating a water supply

THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY RESEARCH FOUNDATION


A method, a system, and a non-transitory storage medium provides to receive multicast protocol packets, wherein each of the multicast protocol packets includes one of a slice of program data of a Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) (MPEG-DASH) segment and a header of the slice that indicates sequence information of the slice relative to other slices, or forward error correction data; order, in response to the receipt of the multicast protocol packets, each slice received based on the sequence information; determine whether any slice is missing that is a part of the MPEG-DASH segment; determine, in response to a determination that there are missing slices, whether the missing slices can be recovered; and use, in response to a determination that the missing slices can be recovered, the forward error correction data to recover the missing slices.

The Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) (MPEG-DASH) standard provides a set of HTTP adaptive bitrate streaming features, such as codec agnostic support, frame-synchronized adaptive bitrate switching, and support for multiple manifest formats for video-on-demand (VoD) and live streaming.
In the delivery of data, such as program data of a multicast transmission, forward error correction (FEC) may be used. At the user device-side, the forward error correction data can be used to correct errors resulting in fewer retransmissions. While various forward error correction algorithms are available for use, developers are continually striving to maximize their efficiency.

Forward error correction recovery and reconstruction


A refrigerated merchandiser including a case defining a product display area and including a frame having a mullion. The mullion defining an opening to the product display area. A door is coupled and movable relative to the frame over the opening to provide access to the product display area. A refrigeration system is in communication with the product display area to condition the product display area. A first heater is coupled to and routed along the frame and a second heater is coupled to and routed along the frame. The second heater is separate from the first heater. A controller is operatively coupled to the first heater and the second heater and programmed to dependently control the first heater and the second heater relative to each other to remove or inhibit formation of condensation.

The present invention relates to refrigerated merchandisers, and more specifically to anti-sweat control for refrigerated merchandisers.
Existing refrigerated merchandisers generally include a case defining a product display area that supports and/or displays products visible and accessible through an opening in the front of the case. Some refrigerated merchandisers include doors that enclose the product display area of the case. The doors typically include one or more glass panels that allow a consumer to view the products stored inside the case.
Often, condensed moisture accumulates on one or more surfaces of the door, which obscures viewing of the product in the merchandiser. For example, moisture in a relatively warm ambient environment surrounding the merchandiser may condense on the outside surface of the glass door, or on the inside surface when the door is opened. Without heating, the condensation on the outside and inside of the glass door does not clear quickly and obscures the product in the merchandiser. Long periods of obscured product caused by condensation may detrimentally impact sales of the product.
Some doors include resistive or conductive films that are applied to the glass panel to reduce or eliminate condensation and fogging. The resistive film is connected to a power source and applies heat to the glass door via current flow through the coating. Typically, heat applied to the glass door is controlled by a controller based on a duty cycle that varies between an "on" state (i.e. heat applied to the glass door) and an "off" state to regulate the time that heat is applied to the glass door. However, when the glass door is opened during the predetermined time that the duty cycle is in the "off" state, condensation may readily form on the interior and/or exterior of the glass door.
Existing merchandisers also often include a frame heater that is connected to the frame around the doors to heat the frame. Typically, merchandisers include a single, continuous frame heater that extends across the case frame and along the mullions so that heat can be applied to all parts of the frame. While most of the condensation arises at lower areas of the frame (where the air temperature differential between the product display area and surrounding ambient air is highest), an existing frame heater applies the same amount of heat to the entire frame.


A multiplying circuit is able to perform a multiplication of n bits.times.n bits at a high speed by increasing the speed of the forming process of the partial products so that the delay time may be inhibited from increasing for a large n, and which can inhibit the chip size from becoming large. A 6-bit multiplier (Y1 to Y6) is divided into bit sets each having plural bits. The thus divided sets are inputted respectively into booth decoders 1A to 1C to generate three-bit interim outputs m1 to m3. On the other hand, partial product generating circuits 2A, 2B and 2C receive a multiplicand X of plural bits to form partial products p1, p2 and p3 respectively by multiplying the multiplicand X with the interim outputs m1, m2 and m3. These partial products p1 to p3 are transformed in a first full adder allay 3 into interim sums r1 and r2. The thus formed interim sums r1 and r2 are added in a second full adder allay 4 with a value. "s" which is prepared by arranging the lowest bits of the interim outputs m1, m2 and m3 by every other bits with "0" therebetween. The thus formed interim sums are defined as r3 and r4. An adder 5 adds up these interim sums r3 and r4 to provide a multiplication output.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multiplying circuit, and more particularly, to a binary multiplier formed of an integrated circuit.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a conventional binary multiplier, or n bits.times.n bits multiplying circuit formed using an integrated circuit, a multiplication operation is carried out such that, all bits of a multiplicand are multiplied one by one by each single bit of the multiplier to make logical products so as to form n-sets of n-bit partial products, and the thus obtained partial products are summed up using full adders. Such a multiplying circuit is called "array type multiplier".
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one example of a conventional multiplying circuit. The conventional multiplying circuit shown in FIG. 1, is an array type multiplier of 4 bits.times.4 bits, including sixteen AND gates A1 to A16, and four full adder series FA1 to FA4; FA5 to FA8; FA9 to FA12; and FA13 to FA16. First of all, multiplication of each bit of multiplicand X1 to X4 and each bit of multiplier Y1 to Y4 is executed in a corresponding AND gate of A1 to A16, to make a respective logical product The outputs of the AND gates A1 to A4 for forming a first set of logical products are input into respective first full adders FA1 to FA4. Despite that the first full adders FA1 to FA4 do not make any actual adding operation, they are provided so that the regularity of the layout for interconnecting will not be lost. These outputs of the first full adders FA1 to FA4 are added in second full adders FA5 to FA8 to the respective outputs of the AND gates A5 to A8 for forming second set of logical products. Then, the outputs of the second full adders FA5 to FA8 are added in third full adders FA9 to FA12 to the respective outputs of the AND gates A9 to A12 for forming a third set of logical products. Finally, the outputs of the third full adders FA9 to FA12 are added in fourth full adders FA13 to FA16 to the respective outputs of the AND gates A13 to A16 for forming a fourth set of logical products, whereby multiplication result P1 to P8 can be obtained. Here, the lowest three bits P1 to P3 in the multiplication result are outputted directly from the first to third full adder series, respectively.
The maximum delay path of the multiplying circuit is composed of one step for all the AND gates and seven steps for full adders. When a larger multiplying device of n bits.times.n bits is constructed applying the above multiplying circuit structure, the maximum delay path includes one step for all AND gate and (2n-1) steps for full adders, or is approximately proportional to n.
Since the above-stated conventional array type multiplying circuit is composed of simple macro-cells arranged regularly, it is easy to design but has a drawback that the operation speed is low. The delay time for this multiplying circuit is proportional to n or the bit number of the multiplicand and multiplier. so that the circumstance becomes more unfavorable particularly when the circuit is required to be large-sized. On the other hand, since the total number of AND gates and full adders in the multiplying device of n bits.times.n bits is in proportion with square of n, this disadvantageously increases the chip in size.


A method is provided for manufacturing molded simulated stone and wood architectural articles for buildings and homes. The method incorporates a unique mold assembly including a resilient silicone rubber mold supported within a rigid mold cradle/foundation, and a vented lid having a High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) interior surface. The silicone rubber mold is initially treated with a liquid polyester gel coating that is cured and then coated with an acrylic/vinyl ester back coating. Once the back coating is cured, a predetermined volume of a modified high-density, natural mineral fiber-reinforced, 2-component hybrid polyurethane liquid expanding composition is dispensed therein and the mold is covered with the vented lid. The system is pressurized and heated to produce a molecularly-fused, lightweight rigid article having the desired architectural shape.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to non-structural, decorative architectural products, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for inexpensively manufacturing highly-durable simulated stone and wood architectural products for buildings, homes and the like.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Historically, natural stone or wood architectural shapes and forms have been cut or carved from natural material to achieve the desired design; that is, to achieve the desired shape, surface contour and surface texture. However, this proved to be a time consuming, high maintenance, and labor-intensive process. Furthermore, the high costs associated with the manufacturing, shipping, handling and installation of the products rendered such products cost prohibitive for many potential purchasers.
As the demand for such products has increased over the years, the architectural stone manufacturing industry has resorted to a casting method wherein a mixture of portland cement, sand and water are poured into a mold form or cavity and allowed to cure for at least several hours. With regard to wood architectural shapes and forms, generally, a natural piece of wood is selected, kiln dried, finished and installed. Like most natural products, wood requires ongoing maintenance and care. Additionally, the limited availability of select cuts of wood is an ongoing concern in the natural wood industry, restricting production and driving up manufacturing costs.
With regard to the cast stone industry, some improvements have been achieved in recent years. Most notably, methods have been developed for spray deposition of a lighter fiber-reinforced version of the cement-based composition. However, the need remains for a simpler, more efficient and more cost effective method of producing stone and wood architectural shapes and forms. Furthermore, it would be desirable to provide such a method whereby the resultant products have a lighter weight, greater environmental durability and dimensional stability, and less residual stress than comparable articles produced using prior art methods.
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for manufacturing simulated cast stone and simulated natural wood architectural products.
In one aspect of the present invention, a mold assembly for manufacturing an article having a simulated stone or wood appearance is provided. The mold assembly generally comprises a mold box having a solid polymer support cradle disposed within the mold box. The support cradle includes a contoured cavity formed in its upper surface, a silicone rubber mold having a lower surface form-fitted to the contoured cavity of the solid support cradle, and a vented mold lid.
In another aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a mold assembly to produce an article having a simulated stone or wood appearance is provided. Initially, a master form having a shape, surface contour and surface texture replicating the shape, surface contour and surface texture of the final product is mounted on a support base. A master mold cradle is provided having an integral cavity having a shape and surface contour substantially identical to the shape and surface contour of the master form, but having dimensions greater than the corresponding dimensions of the master form. The mold cradle is seated over the master form, creating a gap. The gap is subsequently filled with a resilient mold material, such as a silicone mold rubber, the mold material is cured, and the master form and master form base are separated from the master mold cradle.
In a further aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for manufacturing an article having a simulated stone or wood appearance. Initially, a resilient mold having a mold cavity formed in its upper surface is provided supported within a corresponding polymer mold cradle cavity. The mold cavity is initially coated with one or more layers of a mineral fiber reinforced polyester gel face coat and allowed to gel cure for about 30 minutes. Subsequently, a mineral fiber-reinforced acrylic/vinyl ester back coating is applied to the face coating and allowed to gel cure for about 30 minutes. Within a few minutes thereafter, a predetermined volume of mineral fiber-reinforced high-density closed-cell polyurethane polymer is dispensed into the mold cavity, the mold cavity is covered with a vented mold lid, and placed in a press for about 10 minutes. Subsequently, the mold is removed from the press and the composition is allowed to cure for an additional period of about 10 minutes before being removed from the mold. Preferably, a peanut oil and polymer blend is applied to the mold cavity prior to forming the back coat and face coat to facilitate removal of the final product from the mold.
In yet a further aspect of the present invention, an architectural article having a simulated stone or wood appearance is provided. The article is comprised of a mineral fiber-reinforced high-density closed cell polyurethane polymer core, a mineral fiber-reinforced polyester gel face coating, and a mineral fiber-reinforced acrylic/vinyl ester back coating interposed between, and molecularly fused to, the core and face coating.

Method for manufacturing simulated architectural forms


A battery chamber has a battery storage portion for storing an elongated battery, a battery contact spring member which is disposed at one end of the battery storage portion to contact the electrode of the battery, and first and second press-down members which are disposed at least at one side of the battery storage portion to extend toward the battery side and to press down and hold the outer surface of the battery, and are separated by a predetermined interval, so that the first press-down member is located at the battery contact spring member side. The second press-down member is formed with a slanted portion at an edge on the first press-down member side. A reverse voltage prevention mechanism for a battery according to this invention has a battery contact piece member which is arranged in a battery chamber and is formed with bent portions on the two edges of a plus-end battery contact piece, and an insulating member which is formed with opening portions for receiving the bent portions of the battery contact piece member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a battery chamber or battery holder for electronic equipment such as a camera and its accessories, and a reverse voltage prevention mechanism therefor.
2. Related Background Art
In general, in various kinds of equipment such as a camera which uses a battery as a power supply, in order to store and hold a battery, a battery chamber is directly arranged in an equipment main body, or a space portion is formed in the equipment main body, and a battery holder is inserted/removed into/from this space portion.
FIG. 6 shows a battery holder which is inserted/removed into/from the space portion formed in the equipment main body when it is used. In this battery holder, side walls 2 and 3 are formed on a holder main body 1 to be separated by a predetermined interval, and a battery storage portion 5 for storing two elongated batteries 4 is formed between these side walls 2 and 3.
A battery contact spring member 6 which contacts the electrodes of the batteries 4 is disposed at the side wall 3 side in the battery storage portion 5.
First and second press-down members 7 and 8 are disposed at the two sides of the battery storage portion 5 to be separated by a predetermined distance. The first and second press-down members 7 and 8 respectively extend toward the battery 4 side, and press and hold the outer surfaces of the batteries 4.
In this battery holder, as shown in FIG. 6, each battery is stored in the battery storage portion 5 in such a manner that the battery contact spring member 6 is pressed down by one end face of the battery 4 in a state wherein the battery contact spring member 6 side of the battery 4 is inclined downward, and thereafter, the battery 4 is set in a horizontal state parallel to the bottom surface of the battery storage portion 5.
However, in this conventional battery holder, when the battery 4 is set in the horizontal state, the battery 4 contacts the second press-down member 8 extending toward the battery 4 side, and the second press-down member 8 is plastically deformed inwardly. Then, it becomes difficult to store the battery 4.
A conventional battery storage device for a camera and accessories normally uses a leaf spring as its battery contact piece, and a bent portion is formed to assure a given spring force amount and stroke.
A user inserts a battery into the battery storage device while confirming the plus and minus directions of the battery according to the display contents indicated in a battery chamber. In this case, the way of insertion via an opening portion varies depending on user's favors.
In the above-mentioned prior art, upon insertion of a battery into the battery chamber, if insertion of the battery to the battery contact piece, which is elastically deformable, is performed later, the battery contact piece is pushed by the battery, and may be permanently deformed.
Some conventional battery storage portions for a camera and accessories have a reverse voltage (i.e., application of a voltage with the inverse polarity) prevention mechanism for preventing a circuit from being destroyed even when a battery is inserted with inverse polarity. For example, the following mechanism is known. As shown in FIG. 12, projections 230 are formed at the two edges of a battery contact piece at the plus end so as to allow easy assembling, and a U-shaped insulating member having openings is mounted on the contact piece, so that the projections of the battery piece are fitted in the openings. When a battery is inserted with correct polarity, the height of plus-end projection of the battery is larger than the thickness of the insulating member, and the outer diameter of this projection is smaller than the inner width of the U-shaped portion of the insulating member. With this mechanism, when a battery is inserted with correct polarity, the plus-end projection of the battery is electrically connected to the battery contact piece; when the battery is inserted with inverse polarity, the minus end of the battery is blocked by the insulating member and cannot be electrically connected to the battery contact piece.
In the above-mentioned prior art, when a battery is inserted from the above, a force acts in a direction to widen the insulating member, and the insulating member is widened beyond the width of the projections of the battery contact piece. As a result, the insulating member may disengage from the battery contact piece.


An automotive vehicle includes an engine, an alternator or integrated starter generator, and at least one controller. The at least one controller reduces voltage output of the alternator or integrated starter generator prior to initiating an auto stop of the engine.

A micro-hybrid vehicle may automatically stop its internal combustion engine for a period of time during intervals of a drive cycle when vehicle speed approaches or is equal to 0. These engine auto stops may improve fuel economy by reducing engine idle time (and thus fuel consumption) for the drive cycle.

System and method for controlling alternator or integrated starter generator output voltage


Provided are a method and an apparatus for setting timing of a response information transmission channel for uplink transmission of a terminal configured with cells operating in different duplex modes. Provided are also a method and an apparatus for setting timing for receiving a response signal in a terminal that performs communications through one or more cells operating in different duplex modes. The method may include setting both the PCell and the SCell to be self-carrier scheduled, receiving control information for PUSCH transmission from the PCell or the SCell, transmitting the PUSCH at the PCell or the SCell on the basis of the control information, and receiving a PHICH for the PUSCH transmitted on the basis of the PHICH timing of the PCell or SCell in accordance with the PUSCH transmission from the PCell or the SCell.

Due to the development of communications systems, various types of wireless terminals have been introduced to consumers such as companies and individuals. Current mobile communications systems belonging to the 3GPP family, such as long-term evolution (LTE) and LTE-Advanced, are high-speed, high capacity communications systems that have grown out of voice-centric services. These systems may transmit and receive various types of data, such as video data or wireless data. Thus, it is necessary to develop technologies allowing high capacity data to be transmitted at rates similar to those of wired communications networks. As deployments such as a plurality of cells or a plurality of small cells are introduced, a technology and a method able to apply carrier aggregation (CA) in a variety of deployment scenarios are required. In the meantime, a terminal may communicate with a base station using a variety of cells. In this case, the plurality of cells configured for the terminal may be divided into a primary cell (PCell) and one or more secondary cells (SCells) depending on the functions thereof. For example, the PCell provides a security input, is not changed without a handover process, and may transmit a control channel for an uplink (UL). One or more SCells may be configured as a set of serving cells together with the PCell, depending on user equipment (UE) capability.
In a joint operation in which the duplex modes of the PCell and the SCell are different, the overall efficiency of the entire network is influenced by how to set up timing of UL hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK).

Method for setting timing of response information transmission channel in TDD-FDD joint operation and apparatus therefor


Disclosed is a method for preparing tertiary amine compounds from primary amines and nitrites in the presence of hydrogen gas and a metal catalyst, or metal-containing catalyst composition, at a temperature from about 50xc2x0 C. to about 200xc2x0 C. and at a pressure from about 100 psig to 1500 psig. The primary amines and the nitriles used in the process may be diamines and/or dinitriles, or may be combinations of primary amines and/or nitrites. Also disclosed are novel tertiary amine compounds made by the described method.

The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of tertiary amines from primary amines and nitrile moieties under reductive conditions, and products made by such method.
New techniques for efficiently preparing common or novel chemicals are continuously sought after by the chemical industry. In particular, any improvements in the synthesis of tertiary amines would be highly valuable, as there are many applications. These applications include use as bioactives, buffers, precursors for surfactants, corrosion inhibitors, and polyurethane catalysts. The ability to incorporate additional functionality, such as nitriles, alcohols, ethers, amides, additional tertiary amine centers, aryl groups, and fluorinated alkyl groups would also be desirable. The additional functionality would allow for the incorporation of a highly functionalized substrate into a polymer backbone, affording the polymer unique properties.
It is known in the art that under reductive conditions nitriles react with amines to form alkylated amine products. For example, excess dimethylamine, when reacted with adiponitrile under catalytic reductive conditions, undergoes a single reductive amination onto each nitrile to give N,N,Nxe2x80x2,Nxe2x80x2-tetramethylhexamethylenediamine (U.S. Pat. No. 5,463,130, U.S. Pat. No. 5,557,011 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,074). In addition to tertiary amine formation from the reaction of a secondary amine with a nitrile, U.S. Pat. No. 3,673,251 discloses the formation of secondary amines by the reaction of primary amines with a nitrile. For example, 1,1xe2x80x2-di-(N-methylaminomethyl)biphenyl-3,3xe2x80x2 can be obtained from the reaction of methylamine and 1,1xe2x80x2-dicyanobiphenyl-3,3xe2x80x2. However, there has been no disclosure of a method for preparing a tertiary amine directly from a primary amine and a nitrile.
There is also need for a method that will efficiently provide bis(cyanoalkyl)aminoalkanes, as these compounds are useful precursors for natural products, for substrates that exhibit antitumor activity, and for polymer dye-site additives. To date, these targets have been synthesized by multi-step processes that require the use of an expensive halo-alkylnitrile as an intermediate. For example, Russian researchers (Vasil""eva, E. I.; Freidlina, R. Kh. Izvestiya Akademii Nauk S S R, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No.2, pp. 237-240, February, 1966) disclose the synthesis of bis(5-cyanobutyl)aminomethane, where methylamine reacts with two equivalents of chlorovaleronitrile.
Since there has been no disclosure of the preparation of tertiary amines directly from primary amines and nitrites, tertiary amines that would be useful in similar applications are unavailable because there are no commercially viable routes to these compounds. A novel route to known tertiary amines and novel tertiary amines prepared from primary amines and nitrites is needed to increase the availability of these types of compounds.
Disclosed herein is a method for preparing at least one tertiary amine product having the formula
wherein R and Rxe2x80x2 independently are C1-C12 substituents selected from the group consisting of straight or branched aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, and heterocyclic moieties; and
wherein A is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, cyano, amide, straight or branched aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic, heterocyclic, alkoxy, aryloxy, hydroxy, alkylamino, dialkylamino, arylamino, diarylamino, haloaryl, fluorinated alkyl, and silyl moieties;
wherein Axe2x80x2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, amino, amide, straight or branched aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic, heterocyclic, alkoxy, aryloxy, hydroxy, alkylamino, dialkylamino, arylamino, diarylamino, haloaryl, fluorinated alkyl, and silyl;
said method comprising contacting a primary amine having the general formula
H2Nxe2x80x94Rxe2x80x2xe2x80x94Axe2x80x2xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(III)
wherein Rxe2x80x2 is a C1-C12 substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, and heterocyclic moieties;
wherein Axe2x80x2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, amino, amide, straight or branched aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic, heterocyclic, alkoxy, aryloxy, hydroxy, alkylamino, dialkylamino, arylamino, diarylamino, haloaryl, fluorinated alkyl, and silyl moieties;
with at least one nitrile having the general formula
Axe2x80x94Rxe2x80x94CNxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(II)
wherein R is a C1-C12 substituent selected from the group consisting of straight or branched aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, and heterocyclic moieties;
wherein A is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, cyano, amide, straight or branched aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic, heterocyclic, alkoxy, aryloxy, hydroxy, alkylamino, dialkylamino, arylamino, diarylamino, haloaryl, fluorinated alkyl, and silyl moieties;
in the presence of hydrogen gas and a catalyst at a temperature from about 50xc2x0 C. to about 200xc2x0 C. and at a pressure from about 100 psig to 1500 psig.
Also disclosed are tertiary amine compounds prepared by the method described above.
A further disclosure of the present invention are novel tertiary amine compounds having the formulae:
The present invention discloses a method for preparing tertiary amines from a primary amine and a nitrile moiety under reductive conditions. The method is carried out by contacting at least one nitrile compound with at least one primary amine compound. It is preferred that the nitrile is used in molar excess of the primary amine. The method can be described generally by equation A.
wherein R and Rxe2x80x2 independently are C1-C12 straight or branched aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, or heterocyclic; and
wherein A is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, cyano, amide, straight or branched aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic, heterocyclic, alkoxy, aryloxy, hydroxy, alkylamino, dialkylamino, arylamino, diarylamino, haloaryl, fluorinated alkyl, and silyl;
wherein Axe2x80x2 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, amino, amide, straight or branched aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic, heterocyclic, alkoxy, aryloxy, hydroxy, alkylamino, dialkylamino, arylamino, diarylamino, haloaryl, fluorinated alkyl, and silyl.
A few of the many types of compounds that can be prepared by this process include simple trialkyl amines, where one can vary the identity of the alkyl chains around the nitrogen center, making, in the simplest of cases, diethylmethylamine from acetonitrile and methylamine. A diamine, such as 1,3-diaminopropane, can also be reacted in the same manner with acetronitrile to obtain N,N,Nxe2x80x2,Nxe2x80x2-tetraethyl-1,3-propanediamine. Diols with an internal tertiary amine can be formed by reacting cyano-alkanols with primary amines, under the conditions described herein. Another class of compounds afforded efficiently by this invention is bis(cyanoalkyl)aminoalkanes, which are formed by the reaction of dinitriles with primary amines. By varying the functionality on the primary amine and subsequent hydrogenation of the resulting nitrites, one can produce unique monomers that have a tertiary amine and two primary amines. These unique monomers can then be incorporated into polymers to give the polymers unique physical properties.
Some of the suitable starting nitrites that can be used in the method of the present invention are depicted in structure (II) below. These compounds can be mono- or bi- or multi-functional. That is, they may contain one or more nitrile groups, and may have one or more other functional groups. The R group is a C1 to C12 straight or branched aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, or heterocyclic moiety. The A group is hydrogen, cyano, amide, straight or branched aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic, heterocyclic, alkoxy, aryloxy, hydroxy, alkylamino, dialkylamino, arylamino, diarylamino, haloaryl, fluorinated alkyl, or silyl moiety.
Axe2x80x94Rxe2x80x94CNxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(II)
Suitable starting amines for the present invention can be monoprimary amines or diprimary amines of the structure (III) below, where Rxe2x80x2 is a C1-C12 straight or branched aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, or heterocyclic moiety; and where Axe2x80x2 is hydrogen, amino, amide, straight or branched aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic, heterocyclic, alkoxy, aryloxy, hydroxy, alkylamino, dialkylamino, arylamino, diarylamino, haloaryl, fluorinated alkyl, or a silyl moiety.
Axe2x80x2xe2x80x94Rxe2x80x2xe2x80x94NH2xe2x80x83xe2x80x83(III)
The present invention can be carded out using a 1:1 molar ratio of nitrile to amine. Preferred is an excess of the nitrile to the amine, from about 2:1 to about 5:1. Most preferred is a nitrile to amine ratio of about 2:1 to about 4:1.
Primary amines that may be used in the present invention can be diamines (having two amine groups, for example, 1,2-diaminocyclohexane). Similarly, the nitrile of the present invention may be a dinitrile (having two nitrile groups, for example, adiponitrile). Also, the combinations of starting amines and starting nitrites may be varied. For example, either a monoamine or a diamine may be used in the method of the present invention with either a mononitrile or a dinitrile. Additionally, one or more primary amines may be used with a combination of nitrites; or one or more nitrites with a combination of amines. The use of a combination of nitriles is exemplified in Table 1 below, but is not intended to limit the scope of the invention described herein.
Suitable catalysts for the present invention comprise the metal elements selected from the group consisting of palladium, rhodium, platinum, and iridium. Preferred catalysts are catalysts comprising palladium. Examples of catalysts comprising palladium include, but are not limited to, palladium black or palladium on a support, wherein the palladium content on the support is between about 0.1 and 10 wt. % loading. The catalyst also can be comprised of mixed metal compositions. For example the catalyst may comprise palladium with between about 0.1 and 10% of at least one additional metal. The preferred elements for the mixed metal compositions to be used with palladium are selected from the group consisting of rhodium, platinum, iridium and ruthenium.
Other catalyst systems, such as copper oxide-zirconium oxide, which are known to promote single reductive amination reactions can be used also.
A support material can be used with the catayst of the present invention. Suitable supports include, but are not limited to, activated carbon, silicon carbide and oxidic supports, (for example, alumina, silica, titania, zirconia, magnesia, copper oxide).
The catalyst can be used in any desired form, including but not limited to extrudate, large granules, pellet, sphere, slurry or dry powder.
The method of the present invention is carried out under hydrogen pressure of between about 100 and about 1500 psig. Hydrogen pressures between about 500 and 1000 psig are most preferred. The temperature should be maintained between about 50xc2x0 C. and about 200xc2x0 C., with about 80xc2x0 C. to about 130xc2x0 C. being preferred.
Solvents are not necessary to carry out the method. However solvents such as water, methanol, ethanol, tertiary-butyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, and N-methylpyrrolidinone and other solvents known to dissolve the starting amine and nitrile compounds are suitable. Also, the present invention may be carried out batchwise or in a continuous reactor. The final alkylated amine product can be purified in a conventional manner.

Process for the preparation of tertiaŕy amines from primary amines and nitriles