The invention provides a thermoelectric element produced by placing a powder of thermoelectric material over an electrode plate first and then an electrode plate over the power to form superposed layers, and thereafter sintering the powder with a pressure applied thereto perpendicular to the superposed layers. The electrode plates and the thermoelectric material are joined into an integral assembly before fabricating a thermoelectric module. The invention provides a thermoelectric module which is produced by arranging p-type thermoelectric elements and n-type thermoelectric elements alternately in a row at a predetermined interval, each of the elements comprising a thermoelectric material provided between and joined to a pair of opposed electrode plates, and interconnecting pairs of spaced adjacent upper electrode plates and pairs of spaced adjacent lower electrode plates alternately by brazing to electrically connect the p-type and n-type thermoelectric elements in series. Another thermoelectric module of the invention is fabricated by preparing a plurality of submodules each comprising p-type thermoelectric elements and n-type thermoelectric elements arranged alternately in an elongated row and electrically connected in series through electrode plates, arranging the submodules side by side suitably, and brazing the electrode plate of the p-type thermoelectric element at an end position of each submodule to the electrode plate of the n-type thermoelectric element at a corresponding end position of another submodule adjacent to the submodule so as to electrically connect the plurality of submodules in series.

Thermoelectric modules comprise a p-type thermoelectric element and an n-type thermoelectric element which are electrically connected in series via an electrode plate. A temperature difference of both sides of the pair of p-type and n-type elements develops a potential difference therebetween. Further if a current is passed through the junctions, heat is absorbed or generated depending on the direction of the current. The former phenomenon is termed the Seebeck effect and used for thermoelectric generation, for example, with the waste heat of refuse incinerators. The latter phenomenon is called the Peltier effect, which has found wide use, for example, in constant-temperature devices for semiconductor manufacturing processes and in thermoelectric cooling of electronic devices.
Such thermoelectric modules are produced conventionally by the process to be described below with reference to FIG. 23.
First, each of p-type and n-type thermoelectric materials is melted in a quartz ampule and then gradually crystallized in one direction to prepare an ingot, which is cut to obtain pieces of suitable size (e.g., several millimeters square). A p-type thermoelectric material 90 and an n-type thermoelectric material 91 are thus prepared as illustrated. To ensure effective joining, an Ni plating layer 92 is formed on each of opposite surfaces of each of the thermoelectric materials 90, 91, and a solder plating layer 94 is further formed over the Ni plating layer. Next, electrodes 98 are each prepared by forming a pattern of Cu directly on a ceramic substrate 96 serving as an electrically insulating material.
The thermoelectric materials 90, 91 are alternately arranged on the Cu electrode 98 on the ceramic substrate 96 in conformity with the pattern, and the other ceramic substrate 96 bearing the pattern of Cu electrode 98 is placed on the thermoelectric materials 90, 91. When the assembly is placed into a heater, the solder layers 94 melt, joining the Ni plating layers 92 of the materials 90, 91 to the Cu electrodes 98 on the ceramic substrates 96, 96.
Although FIG. 23 shows the p-type thermoelectric material 90 and the n-type thermoelectric material 91, each only one in number, thermoelectric modules usually comprise many pieces of each type of these materials although the number of components is dependent on the performance required.
With the conventional production process, the p-type and n-type thermoelectric materials are joined to the electrodes by soldering when the thermoelectric module is assembled, so that much labor is required for properly arranging small pieces of thermoelectric materials in position on the pattern and for the soldering step.
An object of the present invention is to provide a process including simplified steps for producing a thermoelectric module.
Another object of the invention is to provide thermoelectric elements which are useful for simplifying the process for producing a thermoelectric module.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a process for producing a thermoelectric element for use in simplifying the process for producing a thermoelectric module.

Thermoelectric modules and thermoelectric elements


The disclosure describes a system and method for controlling interfacing parameters for a device when connected to a host. In the system and method, the communications interface is configurable to be in operable connection to a host using a microprocessor in the device having a first bus controller and a second bus controller, the second bus controller external to the microprocessor. The method comprises: establishing an initial connection by the device; conducting negotiations by the device to set a first data transmission rate for the device for the initial connection utilizing a communication bus controller contained in the microprocessor; and after detecting completion of enumeration of the device, re-establishing the connection by the device using the second bus controller in the device that processes the communications at a second transmission rate that is higher than the first data transmission rate.

Portable handheld mobile communication devices perform a variety of functions to enable mobile users to stay organized and in contact with others through e-mail, schedulers and address books. Many of these devices have wireless communication capabilities. As in the case with portable devices, they have a self-contained power supply. Power to such a device can be provided through a stand-alone docking station. Additionally, power can be provided by connecting the device to a host system through an interface. Some interfaces may have current draw limitations when a device is connected to it. Such limitations affect the ability of the device to both recharge its battery and provide full operation of its features (e.g. its applications).
There is a need for a system and method which addresses deficiencies in the prior art.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System and method for interfacing an electronic device with a host system


A memory page boosting method, device and system for boosting unselected memory cells in a multi-level cell memory cell is described. The memory device includes a memory array of multi-level cell memory cells configured to store a first portion of logic states and a second portion of logic states. When programming the first portion of logic states, a first boosting process is applied to unselected memory cells and when programming the second portion of logic states, a second boosting process is applied to unselected memory cells.

Memory devices are conventionally provided as internal, semiconductor, integrated circuits in computers or other electronic devices. There are many different types of memory including random-access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), and flash memory.
Flash memory devices have developed into a popular source of non-volatile memory for a wide range of electronic applications. Flash memory devices conventionally use a one-transistor memory cell that allows for high memory densities, high reliability, and low power consumption. Common uses for flash memory include portable audio/video storage devices, personal computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), digital cameras, and cellular telephones.
As the performance and complexity of electronic systems increase, the requirement for additional memory in a system also increases. However, in order to continue to reduce the costs of the system, the parts count must be kept to a minimum. This can be accomplished by increasing the memory density of an integrated circuit.
One way to increase memory density is to use multi-level cell (MLC) non-volatile memory. This method stores two or more data bits in each memory cell. One problem with conventional MLC non-volatile memory is that subsequent programming of additional data can cause a program disturb condition that can program bits that are not desired to be programmed or create errors in already programmed bits. This is caused by placing a large programming voltage on a wordline that is shared by other cells that have either not been programmed or have already been programmed.
For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for reducing errors when programming MLC non-volatile memory cells.

Memory page boosting method, device and system


A tool box contains: a holder, a cover, a first peripheral fence, and a second peripheral fence. The holder includes a first abutting rib extending upwardly from a top end of a peripheral wall thereof. The cover is used for covering the holder, and between the holder and the cover is defined an accommodating space to accommodate tools. The first peripheral fence is arranged around the peripheral wall of the holder. The second peripheral fence is arranged around an outer wall of the cover and includes a contacting face extending inwardly from a bottom end of the second peripheral fence to contact with the first abutting rib of the holder.

A conventional tool box is employed to accommodate a variety of tools (such as wrenches, sockets, and screwdrivers, etc.). With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional tool box 10 contains a holder 11 and a cover 12 which are made of plastic material, wherein the holder 11 has an accommodating space for accommodating various tools and has a connection member 13 disposed on one side thereof to connect with the cover 12, such that the cover 12 is rotatably covered on the accommodating space of the holder 11. The holder 11 also has a shoulder 111 arranged on a peripheral side thereof, and the cover 12 has a rib 121 for corresponding to the shoulder 111 of the holder 11, such that when the cover 12 is covered on the holder 11, the shoulder 111 of the holder 11 retains with the rib 121 of the cover 12. However, the conventional tool box still has disadvantage as follows:
1. When the shoulder 111 of the holder 11 retains with the shoulder 121 of the cover 12, a gap produces between the shoulder 111 and the rib 121, so the cover 12 cannot cover the holder 11 completely, and then dusts, waters or moistures enter into the accommodating space of the holder 11 to damage or corrode the tool box severely.
The holder 11 and the cover 12 of the tool box 10 are made of the plastic material, accordingly when the tool box 10 drops on the ground or crashes an object, the holder 11 and the cover 12 are destroyed by an impact force, thus reducing a service life of the tool box 10.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages.


An FFT conversion instruction based on a single instruction multiple data (“SIMD”) technique is executed to reduce the number of cycles for software to perform conversion processing used in an FFT computation. In an embodiment, the FFT conversion instruction implements two instances of a conversion operation, i.e., 2-way SIMD, over two sets of complex points at once. A control register or variant opcode controls an inverse flag to control the behavior of the conversion process. In an embodiment, the control register contains a control bit to select between forward and inverse FFT context.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and, more particularly, to single instruction multiple data (SIMD) techniques for performing real/complex FFT conversions.
2. Related Art
The Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is a well-known algorithm, commonly used to translate between two complementary representations of sets of discrete data. The FFT is described by Proakis, J. G. & Manolakis, D. G. in Digital Signal Processing, New York, Maxwell Macmillan, 1992, Chapter 9, ISBN 0-02-946378, incorporated herein by reference. The FFT is commonly used in communications systems to convert between time and frequency domains, in both directions. For example, it is widely applied in the implementation of discrete multi-tone (DMT) modulation and de-modulation. An inverse FFT is used at a transmitter to convert the data values to be modulated (represented as complex amplitudes of distinct component frequencies) into a sequence of points in the time domain which will form the basis of an analog signal subsequently transmitted. At the receiver, the reverse process uses a forward FFT to recreate the frequency-domain version of the signal, which is then decoded to derive the communicated data values. The term FFT is used generically herein to refer to both forward and inverse versions of the FFT.
In older designs for transmission systems using DMT (such as digital subscriber (DSL) modems) which are in general more hardware oriented, the FFT function used both in transmitters and receivers is typically performed by fixed-function logic circuits. However, such system designs are harder to adapt for varying application requirements. For example, different versions of DSL use different numbers of frequencies and consequently different numbers of points in the time-domain, to be handled by the inverse and forward FFT functions.
While it is possible to design hardware circuits to cope with this variability, it is more complex and hence more expensive to implement. In order to increase flexibility in modem development and application, it has become more common to use software to perform the various functions in a DMT-based transmitter, receiver, or modem. As the performance levels required of such devices increase, the pressure on the software to perform efficiently the individual processing tasks (such as the FFT) which make up the overall device function likewise increases. This problem is further complicated by an increasing pressure for greater integration and performance, and therefore, more channels to be handled per processor and/or larger-sized FFT computations. As a result, it is necessary to improve the efficiency of FFT processing in such software-based DMT devices.
What are needed, therefore, are improved methods and systems for FFT processing.

System for executing SIMD instruction for real/complex FFT conversion


The present invention relates to: a shape correction device for a frame body; and a method for manufacturing an electrolyte film/electrode structure that is provided with a resin frame for a fuel cell. A shape correction device, which corrects the shape of a frame body that is provided with a rectangular opening, is equipped with a pressing mechanism that applies, to each side of the frame body, a pressing force directed from the inner side to the outer side of the opening. The pressing mechanism may have a first bar and a second bar, which apply the pressing force by being in contact with inner wall surfaces of each side of the frame body.

For example, a fuel cell resin frame equipped membrane electrode assembly as described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2016-081566 is known. The fuel cell resin frame equipped membrane electrode assembly includes a membrane electrode assembly including a solid polymer electrolyte membrane and electrodes on both sides of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and a resin frame body provided around outer periphery of the membrane electrode assembly. A rectangular opening is provided in the frame body, and a peripheral portion of the opening is joined to an outer peripheral portion of the membrane electrode assembly.

Shape correction device for frame body, and method for manufacturing electrolyte film/electrode structure provided with resin frame for fuel cell


An electrostatic discharge protection element and a protection resistor, which are formed on an N− drain region with a field oxide film interposed therebetween for the purpose of preventing electrical breakdown of a field effect transistor, are composed as a stacked bidirectional Zener diode of one or a plurality of N+ polycrystalline silicon regions of a first layer and a P+ polycrystalline silicon region of a second layer, and a stacked resistor of one or a plurality of N+ resistor layers of the first layer and an N+ resistor layer of the second layer, respectively. One end of the plurality of N+ polycrystalline silicon regions of the first layer is connected to an external gate electrode terminal, and the other end is connected to a source electrode. One end of the plurality of N+ resistor layers of the first layer is connected to a gate electrode, and the other end is connected to the external gate electrode terminal. Semiconductor regions of the first layer and the second layer are formed by using semiconductor films, which form a hetero semiconductor region and the gate electrode, respectively.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and a manufacturing method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
As a conventional technology serving as a background of the present invention, there is a semiconductor device described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. H6-342915 "MOS Type Power Semiconductor Device Including Protection Element and Manufacturing Method Thereof" shown in Patent Document 1. The semiconductor device described in Patent Document 1 includes not only a mechanism for discharging static electricity applied to an external gate electrode terminal exposed to the outside but also a resistor having a large sheet resistance, which is for use in protecting a gate electrode from the static electricity, in a gate electrode terminal, thus making it possible to effectively prevent a breakage of a gate insulating film owing to the static electricity.
Specifically, in Patent Document 1, when an object charged with the static electricity, such as a human body, is brought into contact with the external gate electrode terminal of the semiconductor device, the static electricity is discharged from the external gate electrode terminal to a source electrode at a ground potential through a bidirectional Zener diode provided as the mechanism for discharging the static electricity, that is, as such an electrostatic discharge protection element while bypassing the gate electrode. Meanwhile, a part of the static electricity applied to the external gate electrode terminal enters the gate electrode through the resistor for the protection from the static electricity, and is then diffused into the inside of the gate electrode. However, in the conventional technology described in Patent Document 1, a sheet resistance of a semiconductor thin film that forms the resistor is made larger than a sheet resistance of a semiconductor thin film that forms the gate electrode. In such a way, the static electricity that has entered the gate electrode is diffused rapidly into the gate electrode to reduce a density of the static electricity, a high electric field is prevented from being applied to the gate insulating film, and the breakage of the gate insulating film is prevented.

Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof


A system for supporting a cylindrical object such as a storage tank using a plurality of supports. Each support may be a foot, having a curved portion adjacent to the cylindrical object and a base section. The feet may be mounted with their curved portions adjacent to the sides of the tank and the base section may be attached to a flexible base, which may be rolled or folded for easy storage when not in use. Furthermore, the support may be a portion of the base itself, folded toward the cylindrical object or folded as a flap from the center region toward the outer edge. The independent nature of the supports and their adjustability with respect to the base makes them suitable for use with tanks of various sizes. The independent nature of the supports also makes them suitable for use on uneven ground.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to supports for cylindrical objects and more particularly to structures for supporting cylindrical objects with their axes oriented in a roughly horizontal aspect.
2. Related Art
Cylindrical objects are frequently used to store and transport materials. These objects, which include storage tanks, barrels, casks, drums, etc., are particularly suited for storing liquids and pressurized gases. Scuba tanks and propane tanks are examples of storage tanks used to store compressed gas and transport it to where it is needed.
One of the challenges inherent in the use of a cylindrical object lies in the difficulty in securing it during storage or transportation. It is often advantageous to store or transport a cylindrical object on its side, i.e., with its axis in a roughly horizontal direction. However, due to its cylindrical nature the object may tend to roll in this configuration if not properly secured. The movement of the tank may cause it to collide with other objects, causing damage to the tank itself or to the object that it hits. This is especially true when a cylindrical object is transported by motor vehicle because frequent changes in speed and direction may precipitate or intensify rolling. Additionally, the contents of the cylindrical object are often pressurized and sometimes combustible and damage to the tank due to collision may cause an explosion or other potentially dangerous situations. For the above reasons, it is necessary that cylindrical objects be secured during transport and storage.
A number of systems for securing a cylindrical object have been developed in the past, but none adequately addresses the problem. Each of the following patents are hereby incorporated by reference. One example is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,555,083 issued on Nov. 26, 1985 to Carter for an invention entitled "Scuba Tank Positioner," which describes a ring-shaped band attached to a flat plate that is fixedly mounted to a fixed structure. While this positioner will secure a cylindrical object, it has several disadvantages. First, although the positioner is adjustable, the adjustment is described as "slight," meaning that the positioner will only hold containers of a limited range of sizes. Second, the base member must be fixedly mounted, meaning that if the tank is moved from place to place, a base member must be mounted in each place. This permanently mounted base member takes up space even when the tank positioner is not being used in that location. Additionally, there are places where one may not want or be able to permanently mount the base member, and thus the positioner could not be used in these locations. Third, because the base member is in one piece it may not serve to secure the tank on uneven ground. Thus the "Scuba Tank Positioner" is limited in its usefulness.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,382,733 issued on May 10, 1983 to Rodgers for "Freight Cradle with Replaceable Deformable Cushioning Insert" describes another apparatus for securing an object during transport. This cradle includes two or more parallel bearers each having two upright arms defining a U-shaped groove to receive a cushioning pad and longitudinal members connecting the parallel bearers. Although this cradle can carry an object, it also has several drawbacks. Even though the cradle may be disassembled, the parallel bearers and the longitudinal members are large and difficult to store. Additionally, the parallel bearers are not adjustable, limiting the size of objects that may be held. Furthermore, although the cradle does not have to be permanently mounted, its one-piece design may limit its use on uneven surfaces. These drawbacks limit the usefulness of the "Freight Cradle with Replaceable Deformable Cushioning Insert."
U.S. Pat. No. 4,442,991 issued on Apr. 17, 1984 to Levens for "Cradle for Stowing Cylindrical Tank" describes another apparatus for use with a cylindrical object. The cradle comprises a pair of upstanding yokes connected by a central I-beam for holding a cylindrical tank. However, this cradle also has its limitations. First, the cradle has limited adjustment capability, making it useless for cylindrical objects outside a narrow range of size. Second, the cradle is relatively large and may be difficult to store. Finally, the cradle apparatus is in one piece, making it unusable on uneven surfaces.
These prior devices suffer from a number of drawbacks, namely they are not portable, are not adjustable, are difficult to store, or will not function correctly on uneven ground. In view of the foregoing, a new support system is needed in the art that addresses the problems of the related art.


A concrete placement vehicle. The concrete placement vehicle includes a concrete mixing and placement system, at least one vehicle sensor configured to monitor a characteristic of the concrete placement vehicle and at least one concrete system sensor configured to monitor a characteristic of the system for mixing and placing concrete. The vehicle further includes a control system configured to control the operation of the concrete placement vehicle and the concrete mixing and placement system based on inputs received from the at least one vehicle sensor and the at least one concrete system sensor.

The present invention relates generally to the field of concrete placement vehicles. More specifically, the present invention relates to concrete placement vehicle control systems for concrete placement vehicles.
Various vehicles, vehicle types and configurations of vehicles are known for use in placement of concrete. Concrete placement vehicles often include a mixing drum rotatably mounted to a flatbed of an industrial vehicle. The mixing drum includes mixing blades affixed to the interior of the drum in a spiral pattern to either charge (mix) or discharge concrete. A delivery system usually includes a chute or pumping hose placed at an opening in the mixing drum. Rotation of the drum for both mixing and discharging operations is controlled by a mixing drum motor mounted to the flatbed of the vehicle and connected to the mixing drum.
In operation, concrete materials are added to the mixing drum to initiate a concrete mixing process. Concrete materials can include at least cement, sand, aggregate, and water. Following addition of materials, the mixing drum is rotated in a first direction by the mixing drum motor to mix the materials and produce concrete. The rotation of the mixing drum in a direction to mix the materials therein is referred to as a charging rotation.
During delivery, concrete is removed from the drum through a mechanical or forced pressure system for delivery. Using a mechanical system, the mixing drum is rotated in a second direction, referred to as a discharging rotation. The concrete can be delivered from the mixing drum to a concrete delivery chute extending outward from an opening in the drum to the point where the concrete is to be placed. Alternatively, the opening in the mixing drum can be connected to a hose, the outlet of which is placed at the point where concrete is to be delivered.
All aspects of the above-described operations related to a concrete mixing and delivery system may be controlled by a human operator. The human operator places the concrete materials in the mixing drum, controls the mixing drum motor to rotate the mixing drum to mix the concrete mixing materials, and controls the concrete delivery system to deliver the concrete.
In some instances, the human operator is not able to continuously and effectively control and monitor the concrete mixing and delivery system while performing operations associated with the mixing and delivery process. For example, during concrete discharging, the operator may control the chute or hose outlet from a control panel locate on the vehicle to ensure the proper placement of the concrete load. The operator must also control the rotation speed of the mixing drum to control the flow of the concrete. However, the drum rotation controls and the delivery system controls may be in separate locations making it difficult for the operator to easily control both systems.
Further, the operation of the mixing drum motor can be dependent, at least in part, on the engine speed of a concrete placement vehicle. For example, at high mixing drum rotation speeds, the RPM of the engine for the concrete placement vehicle must be sufficiently high to power the mixing drum motor. Accordingly, in order to increase the mixing drum rotation speed, an operator is required to first increase the engine RPM of the concrete placement vehicle and then increase the rotation speed of the concrete mixing drum. Such an operation causes a loss in efficiency.
Yet further, while driving concrete from an origin point to a delivery site, the operator is generally not able to monitor and control the state of the concrete in the mixing drum. The concrete may become too dry or separate during the time the operator is driving to the delivery site. Accordingly, the operator is forced to take remedial action upon arriving at the delivery site to correct any problems that may have occurred during the drive from the origin site to the delivery point causing a loss in efficiency.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a control system for a concrete placement vehicle which overcomes one or more of the above-mentioned problems. Advantageously, such a control system would enhance many aspects of concrete placement. The techniques below extend to those embodiments which fall within the scope of the appended claims, regardless of whether they provide any of the above-mentioned advantageous features.

Concrete placement vehicle control system and method


A shift register unit, a shift register and the scanning method thereof, and a display device are disclosed. Bidirectional scanning can be achieved while the number of the switches used in the shift register could be reduced, and the spaces are saved. Furthermore, the problem of large coupled noise voltage is solved, and the performance of the shift register is improved. The circuit comprises: a second switch connected with a first switch; a fourth switch connected with a third switch; a fifth switch connected with a sixth switch; a first input and a eighth switch connected with a seventh switch; a output end and a ninth switch connected with the eighth switch; an eleventh, a twelfth, and a thirteenth switch connected with a tenth switch; a fourteenth switch connected with the thirteenth switch; a fifteenth switch connected with the fourteenth switch; a capacitor positioned between a first node and a second nodes.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the invention relates to the field of display technique, and especially to a shift register unit, a shift register comprising the shift register unit and the scanning method thereof, and a display device.
2. Description of the Related Art
In digital circuits for a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, thin-film transistor drivers mainly comprise gate line drivers and date line drivers. The gate line drivers are configured to convert the inputted clock signal via shift registers, and apply the converted signal to the gate line of a LCD device. The shift registers are positioned in the gate line drivers of the LCD device, each gate line is connected to one sub-circuit of the shift register, and drive signal is provided to the gate line via the gate line driver.
In prior art, traditional shift register scans in one direction. To scan in both directions, two those shift registers for scanning in one direction should be connected together based on mirror principle. However, the structure of the shift register that can scan in both directions is usually very complicated because so many thin-film transistors, for example, 20 to 30 thin-film transistors, are used in the shift register. To properly arrange those thin-film transistors is time-consuming and cost-wasting. Besides, large coupled noise voltage is generated between the thin-film transistors, such that the performance of the shift register is affected.

Shift register unit, shift register and scanning method thereof, and display device

Hefei BOE Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.


The present invention relates to a novel polymorph of N-{2-Fluoro-5-[3-(thiophene-2-carbonyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-yl]-phenyl}-N-methyl-acetamide, processes for its preparation, its use as a medicament, its use in the manufacture of a medicament, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the novel polymorph.

N-{2-Fluoro-5-[3-(thiophene-2-carbonyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-yl]-phenyl}-N-methyl-acetamide is a potent ligand of γ-Aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptors useful in the treatment or prevention of anxiety, epilepsy, sleep disorders, and insomnia, for inducing sedation-hypnosis, anesthesia, and muscle relaxation, and for modulating the necessary time to induce sleep and its duration, such as described in PCT/EP2006/063243 and U.S. 60/692,866.
Throughout the present application the term "compound (I)" refers to N-{2-Fluoro-5-[3-(thiophene-2-carbonyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-yl]-phenyl}-N-methyl-acetamide.
Compound (I) is structurally related to N-{3-[3-(thiophene-2-carbonyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidin-7-yl]-phenyl}-N-methyl-acetamide, also known as indiplon. The compound and its use as sedative or hypnotic agent is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,399,621. Unlike compound (I) this compound is only mono-substituted in the phenyl ring.
The only crystalline form of compound (I) is reported to date from the above specifications and shows a melting point of 165-167° C. In the present research this form showed a DSC with a sharp melting peak between 166.2° C. and 167.4° C. The slight difference with the previously reported melting point is acceptable and is within the range of experimental error. This form is coded here Polymorph A.
It is important for a drug substance to be in a form in which it can be conveniently handled and processed. This is of importance, not only from the point of view of obtaining a commercially viable manufacturing process, but also from the point of subsequent manufacture of pharmaceutical formulations comprising the active compound. The drug substance, and compositions containing it, should be capable of being effectively stored over appreciable periods of time, without exhibiting a significant change in the active component's physico-chemical characteristics. Moreover, it is also important to be able to provide drug in a form which is as pure as possible. The skilled person will appreciate that, if a drug can be readily obtained in a stable crystalline form, the above problems may be solved. Therefore, in the manufacture of commercially viable and pharmaceutically acceptable drug compositions, it is desirable, wherever possible, to provide drug in a substantially crystalline, and stable form. Thus, there is a need for a stable crystalline form of compound (I) that can be conveniently handled and processed.

Polymorph B of N-{2-Fluoro-5-[3-(thiophene-2-carbonyl)-pyrazolo[1,5-a] pyrimidin-7-yl]-phenyl}-N-methyl-acetamide


In an ink-jet printhead, channels in which liquid ink is nucleated by a heating element defines five sides in cross-section. One of the sides is created by the main surface of a heater chip which includes the heating element, while the other four sides, forming a truncated parallelogram or diamond-shape, are defined in a channel plate abutting the heater chip. The four-sided channel in the channel plate is created by a combined process of plasma etching and wet etching.

In thermal ink-jet printing, droplets of ink are selectably ejected from a plurality of drop ejectors in a printhead. The ejectors are operated in accordance with digital instructions to create a desired image on a print sheet moving past the printhead. The printhead may move back and forth relative to the sheet in a typewriter fashion, or it may be of a size extending across the entire width of a sheet, to place the image on a sheet in a single pass.
The ejectors typically comprise capillary channels, or other ink passageways, which are connected to one or more common ink supply manifolds. Ink is retained within each channel until, in response to an appropriate digital signal, the ink in the channel is rapidly heated by a heating element disposed on a surface within the channel. This rapid vaporization of the ink adjacent the channel creates a bubble which causes a quantity of liquid ink to be ejected through an opening associated with the channel to the print sheet. The process of rapid vaporization creating a bubble is generally known as "nucleation."
One common design of an ink-jet printhead is known as a "sideshooter." In a sideshooter design, the channels forming the ejectors are formed between two silicon chips, generally known as a heater chip and a channel plate. The heater chip includes a main surface having defined therein a number of selectably actuable heating elements, usually one heating element per ejector. The channel plate is bonded to the heater chip, and has defined therein a set of grooves, one groove for each ejector. Together, the heater chip and channel plate form a set of nozzles, with one heating element in the heater chip corresponding to each channel in the channel plate, resulting in a set of tubes in which a heating element is exposed within each tube.
In known commercial designs of such a sideshooter printhead, the channel plate is formed from crystalline silicon, and the channels are formed by orientation-dependent etching (ODE) to form V-shaped grooves in a main surface of the silicon. These V-shaped grooves correspond to natural crystal planes in the original silicon wafer, and are readily made, because the channels are naturally self-limiting in the etching process. When the channel plate with the V-shaped groove is bonded to a heater chip, the resulting channels or nozzles are triangular in cross-section, with the surface of the heater chip forming the third side of the triangle in addition to the straight sides formed by the V-groove of the channel plate. While this architecture provides many advantages in manufacture, the use of triangular-cross-section ejectors limits the cross-sectional area of the ejectors and can lead to practical problems such as unpredictable directionality of ejected droplets. It is therefore desirable to provide channels which are generally closer to a round shape in cross-section.

Thermal ink jet printhead with pentagonal ejector channels


The present invention discloses an improved shallow trench isolation process. A semiconductor substrate having a pad oxide disposed thereon and a pad nitride disposed directly on the pad oxide is provided. A trench is etched, through the pad oxide and the pad nitride, into the semiconductor substrate. A thermal oxide liner is then grown in the trench. A silicon nitride liner is deposited into the trench, wherein the silicon nitride liner covering the pad nitride and the thermal oxide liner has a first stress status. A stress alteration process is performed to alter the silicon nitride liner from the first stress status to a second stress status. A trench fill dielectric having the second stress status is deposited into the trench.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of semiconductor fabrication and, more particularly, to an improved shallow trench isolation (STI) process to eliminate silicon nitride liner induced defects.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In the fabrication of semiconductor devices, isolation structures such as shallow trench isolation (STI) are formed between active areas in which electrical devices such as transistors or memory cells are to be formed. The isolation structures are formed in an early stage of the processing of a semiconductor substrate, typically prior to the formation of the transistors.
To form the STI structure, a pad oxide layer and a pad nitride layer are typically formed over the substrate surface and patterned to expose only the isolation regions, with the prospective active device regions covered. The pad nitride layer acts as a hard mask during subsequent processing steps, and the pad oxide layer functions to relieve stress between the underlying silicon substrate and the pad nitride layer.
A dry etch is then performed to form a trench through the nitride, pad oxide, and substrate. Dielectric material such as high-density plasma chemical vapor deposition (HDPCVD) oxide is then deposited to fill the trench. Thereafter, the excess dielectric material is polished away using a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) process and the pad nitride layer is removed.
Many attempts have been made to improve the insulating quality of the STI regions formed on a semiconductor substrate. A silicon nitride liner has proven to be an effective oxygen diffusion barrier. The silicon nitride liner limits the amount of oxide that can be grown in deep trenches of DRAM arrays as well as in shallow trench structures, and as such, all but eliminates silicon crystal defects from forming within the trench capacitor array.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,447,884 to Fahey, et al. discloses a process of forming shallow trench isolation with a nitride liner layer for devices in integrated circuits to solve a problem of recessing the nitride liner that led to unacceptable voids in the trench filler material by using a liner thickness of less than 5 nm.
Recent studies indicate that void defects are readily formed across the wafer at the interface between the nitride liner and the subsequently deposited trench fill layer. The void defects adversely affect the subsequent process, resulting in decreased production yield. Hitherto, there is no prior art proposing an effective solution to eliminate such problem arose from the use of a silicon nitride liner.

STI process for eliminating silicon nitride liner induced defects


A fishing rod has a hollow interior in which is secured a semi-rigid line. The semi-rigid line is secured to a durable rubber band which in turn is secured to an interior base of the fishing rod, adjacent the handle. The opposite end of the semi-rigid line comprises a braided portion having a plastic anchor. A strike on the fishing line is thus transmitted through the fishing rod directly to the handle thereof.

In this day and age fishing has become an increasingly complicated endeavor with anglers constantly search for improved methods to catch fish. While in days long gone, all that was needed to go fishing was a stick, string, a hook and a worm, today's fishermen rely on increasingly complicated gear, tackle, and bait.
And yet, regardless of the technology utilized one aspect of fishing that has yet to change is waiting for a fish to strike thereby signaling the strike to the fishing pole by way of motion and/or vibration. While there are technologies which are capable of indicating a strike by use of a light or alarm in communication with the pole and string—these technologies often prove cumbersome for the fisherman wishing to keep things simple. Therefore, there is a need for an improved alerting means to a fishing rod that efficiently signals to the fisherman a given fish strike. The fishing rod with an interior line provides such improvement in a manner which is both simple and effective.


An optical information recording/reproducing apparatus generates information light by modulating light emitted by a light source device with a light modulator depending on the information to be recorded and generates reference light for recording by modulating the light emitted by a light source device with a light modulator. The information light and the reference light for recording are projected upon an optical information recording medium such that they converge in different positions, and information is recorded in a hologram layer in the form of an interference pattern between the information light and the reference light for recording.

In general, holographic recording for recording information in a recording medium utilizing holography is performed by overlapping light carrying image information and reference light in a recording medium and writing resultant interference fringes in the recording medium. When the recorded information is reproduced, the recording medium is illuminated with reference light to cause diffraction attributable to the interference fringes which reproduces the image information.
Recently, volume holography and, more particularly, digital volume holography has been developed and is attracting attention in practical fields for high density optical recording. Volume holography is a method for writing interference fringes on a three-dimensional basis by actively using a recording medium even in the direction of the thickness thereof, which is characterized in that diffracting efficiency is improved by an increased thickness and in that an increased storage capacity can be achieved utilizing multiplex recording. Digital volume holography is a computer-oriented method for holographic recording in which image information to be recorded is limited to binary digital patterns in spite of the fact that the same recording media and recording method as the volume holography are used. According to the digital volume holography, for example, analog image information such as a picture is once digitized to develop two-dimensional digital pattern information which is in turn recorded as image information. When reproduced, the digital pattern information is read and decoded to restore and display the original image information. Since this makes it possible to perform differential detection and error correction on encoded binary data, the original information can be reproduced with extremely high fidelity even with a somewhat poor SN ratio (signal-to-noise ratio) during reproduction.
FIG. 75 is a perspective view of a schematic configuration of a prior-art recording/reproducing system for digital volume holography. The recording/reproducing system has: a spatial light modulator 101 for generating information light 102 based on two-dimensional digital pattern information; a lens 103 for collecting the information light 102 from the spatial light modulator 101 to illuminate a hologram recording medium 100 with the same; reference light illumination means (not shown) for illuminating the hologram recording medium 100 with reference light 104 in a direction orthogonal to the information light 102; a CCD (charge-coupled device) array 107 for detecting reproduced two-dimensional digital pattern information; and a lens 106 for collecting reproduction light 105 emerging from the hologram recording medium 100 to illuminate the CCD array 107 with the same. Crystals of LiNbO3 or the like are used for the hologram recording medium 100.
In the recording/reproducing system shown in FIG. 75, recording is performed by digitizing information of an original image or the like to be recorded and by arranging the resultant signals having a value of 1 or 0 on a two-dimensional basis to generate two-dimensional digital pattern information. One piece of two-dimensional digital pattern information is referred to as "page data". Let us assume here that page data #1 through #n are recorded in the same hologram recording medium 100 on a multiplex basis. In this case, the spatial light modulator 101 first chooses to transmit or block light for each pixel based on the page data #1 to generate spatially modulated information light 102 with which the hologram recording medium 100 is illuminated through the lens 103. Simultaneously, the hologram recording medium 100 is illuminated with reference light 104 in a direction θ1 substantially orthogonal to the information light 102 to record interference fringes resulting from overlap between the information light 102 and the reference light 104 inside the hologram recording medium 100. In order to improve diffracting efficiency, the reference light 104 is transformed by a cylindrical lens or the like into flat beams to record the interference fringes in the hologram recording medium 100 even in the direction of the thickness thereof. To record the next page data #2, the reference light 104 is projected at an angle θ2 different from θ1 and is overlapped with the information light 102 to perform multiplex recording of information in the same hologram recording medium 100. Similarly, to record the other page data #3 through #n, the reference light 104 is projected at respective different angles θ3 through θn to record information on a multiplex basis. Such a hologram having information recorded therein on a multiplex basis is referred to as "stack". In the example shown in FIG. 75, the hologram recording medium 100 has a plurality of stacks (stack 1, stack 2, . . . , stack m, . . . ).
Arbitrary page data can be reproduced from a stack by illuminating the stack with reference light 104 at the same incident angle as that for the recording of the page data. As a result, the reference light 104 is selectively diffracted by interference fringes associated with the page data to generate reproduction light 105. The reproduction light 105 impinges upon the CCD array 107 through the lens 106, and the CCD array 107 detects a two-dimensional pattern of the reproduction light. The detected two-dimensional pattern of the reproduction light is decoded conversely to the process performed during recording so that information such as an original image is reproduced.
While the configuration shown in FIG. 75 allows multiplex recording of information in the same hologram recording medium 100, in order to record information with a high density, the positioning of the information light 102 and reference light 104 in the hologram recording medium 100 is important. In the configuration shown in FIG. 75, however, since the hologram recording medium 100 itself carries no information for positioning, there is only a mechanical way to position the information light 102 and reference light 104 on the hologram recording medium 100, which makes it difficult to perform the positioning with high accuracy. This has resulted in problems in that removability (the ease of performing recording and reproduction of a hologram recording medium on a recording/reproducing apparatus after moving it from another recording/reproducing apparatus with the same results as on the previous apparatus) is poor; random access is difficult; and high density recording is difficult. The configuration shown in FIG. 75 has another problem in that it involves a large optical system for recording or reproduction because the optical axes of the information light 102, reference light 104 and reproduction light 105 are located in different spatial positions.
Various methods for multiplex recording have been proposed in an attempt to increase the recording capacity of holographic recording by improving the recording density. One of such methods is angle multiplexing as shown in FIG. 75. However, such angle multiplexing has a problem particularly in that it involves a large and complex optical system for recording or reproduction because the angle of the reference light must be varied.
In addition to the above-described angle multiplex, proposed prior-art methods for multiplex recording for holographic recording include: phase-encoding multiplexing as disclosed, for example, in an article of J. R. Heanue et al., "Recall of linear combinations of stored data pages based on phase-code multiplexing in volume holography", Optics Letters, Vol. 19, No. 14, pp. 1079–1081, 1994 and an article of J. F. Heanue et al., "Encrypted holographic data storage based on orthogonal-phase-encoding multiplexing", Applied Optics, Vol. 34, No. 26, pp. 6012–6015, 1995; and hole burning type wavelength multiplexing as disclosed, for example, in an article by Eiji YEGYU et al., "A study on novel recording and reproduction of 3-D imaging technique by frequency multiplexed PHB holograms", Technical Report of IEICE, EDI93-87 HC93-54, pp. 1–5, 1993.
In any of the methods for multiplex recording, optical systems for recording or reproduction proposed in prior art have a problem in that their size is increased by the fact that the optical axes of information light, reference light and reproduction light are located in spatially different positions and in that a dramatic improvement in the recording density is not achievable because the hologram recording media themselves have no information for positioning and it is therefore difficult to position light for recording or reproduction on the hologram recording media with high accuracy.

Apparatus and method for recording and reproducing optical information


The present invention relates to high-density coal-water mixed fuel and a producing method thereof and aims to reduce an amount of dispersant to be used in the coal-water mixed fuel having the good fluidity with the increased density and obtain the a coal-water mixed fuel from pulverized coals produced by dry milling at low cost. According to this invention, in case of obtaining the high-density coal-water mixed fuel such as a CWM by mixing the pulverized coals ground to provide a predetermined particle size distribution, water and the dispersant, the hydrophilic colloid which causes the protective effect with respect to the pulverized coals is added and mixed preferably before adding the dispersant so that the high-density coal-water mixed fuel which includes the hydrophilic colloid and a reduced amount of a surface active agent used can be provided. An amount of the hydrophilic colloid to be added is less than 1 wt % of the entire CWM and larger than an amount for causing reciprocal aggregation with the pulverized coals, or more preferably it is in the order from ppm to ppt. Further, when the pulverized coals are rubbed together and the angles thereof are shaved off for production from the pulverized coals, the pulverized coals are spheroidized without extremely being minimized from their original particle size, and superfine particles in the coal particles are generated, thereby enabling adjustment to provide a preferable particle size distribution as the CWM.

The present invention relates to coal-water mixed fuel obtained by mixing coals and water and the producing method thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to high-density coal-water mixed fuel which can maintain the good fluidity with a high density and the producing method thereof.
One method for utilizing coals has been recently proposed. That is, the coals are pulverized and mixed with a small amount of water for slurrying with a high density and pasting in order to enable the transportation using a pipeline or the like. The product obtained by such a method is referred to as the high-density coal-water mixture or slurry (this will be abbreviated as CWM hereinafter) or the high-density coal-water paste (this will be also abbreviated as CWP hereinafter).
In case of the CWM, the density of the coal is increased to 65 through 70 wt % by adjusting the coal particle size distribution to provide the fluidity, and the coal is directly burned in an ordinary boiler without dehydration. Meanwhile, in case of the CWP, the coal particle size distribution is adjusted so that the particle size can be equal to or less than 6 mm which is slightly larger than that in the CWM, and water is added to the coals together with the desulfurizing agent to provide the density of 70 through 80 wt % to give the fluidity. The CWP is then pushed out from the pipeline into a fluidized bed combustion boiler by a pump and burned without making any change. In order to carry out these processes, the water density is decreased as low as 30 through 35 wt % and the sufficient fluidity is required in the CWM or CWP.
Although the method for producing the CWM or CWP has been already commercialized in the wet manufacturing method utilizing the wet grinding, the stronger grinding power is required when carrying out the wet grinding, which increases the manufacturing cost. Development of the dry manufacturing method utilizing the dry grinding with the reduced grinding power is thus desired. In the dry manufacturing method, drying the pulverized coals during pulverization provides the strong water repellency and makes the slurrying difficult. Therefore, in the conventional CWM or CWP production, in order to facilitate flow using the pipeline by slurrying the pulverized coals having the strong water repellency, it is required to add 0.1 through 1 wt % of the dispersant having the general surface active agent as a main component which may be substituted any other material depending on properties of the surface active agent when producing the CWM having a high density of, e.g., 65 through 70%. This improves the wettability of the pulverized coals and prevent aggregation of the pulverized coals in water. Of course, it is similarly necessary to add a large amount of the surface active agent in the wet producing method in order to improve the wettability of the pulverized coals and prevent aggregation of the pulverized coals.
However, in the CWM or CWP described above, the cost of the dispersant per unit is relatively high, and hence the cost of the dispersant accounts for about 20 to 40% of the cost of the CWM or CWP, even the amount of the dispersant accounts for 0.1 through 1 wt % of the amount of the CWM or CWP.
Various kinds of dispersant have been proposed for reducing the cost of the dispersant. For example, although the dispersant which has a high efficiency and whose amount can be reduced has been developed, this type of dispersant disadvantageously increases the cost per unit. Further, the inexpensive dispersant has been also developed, but an amount of this dispersant to be added must be increased. Thus, reduction in the cost of the dispersant is difficult, and hence the cost of the CWM or CWP can not be lowered.
In addition, the fluidity of the CWM or CWP depends on how the particles fill. The middle-sized particles enter into a gap between the large particles, and the small particles enter into a gap between the middle-sized particles. Further, the superfine particles enter a gap between the small particles, and water enters a gap between the superfine particles. This small amount of water generates the fluidity, and the superfine particles which exist around the relatively large particles having the size not less than a few xcexcm and have the size of approximately 1 xcexcm serve as the lubricant, thus assuring the fluidity.
However, in the conventional CWM or CWP producing method in the dry manufacturing method, the pulverized coal obtained by the dry pulverization has an unspecified substantially-polyhedral angular shape, and a large gap is then made between the particles. The gap is not filled even though the regularly-generated amount of superfine particles is introduced, thereby making realization of the high density of the CWM difficult. Furthermore, even if realization of the high density of the CWM is possible, the lack of the superfine particles causes the relatively-large coal particles (a few xcexcm or more) to come into contact with each other without the superfine particles, thereby making the enhancement of the fluidity difficult.
In order to realize the high density and enhance the fluidity of the CWM or CWP, there is considered a method such as that a large amount of coal particles having the size of approximately 1 xcexcm which are referred to as superfine particles is prepared and mixed and such particles are provided between the large coal particles.
However, in the above-described CWM or CWP producing method, since a great amount of superfine particles which are relatively difficult to be pulverized is required, and the mass production is hard to be effected, which actually leads to difficulty in reduction in the manufacturing cost. It is to be noted that the CWM and CWP are generally referred to as the high-density coal-water mixed fuel in this specification and the high-density coal-water mixed fuel includes the high-density coal-water paste as well as the high-density coal-water slurry unless it is specified.
It is an object of the present invention to provide the high-density coal-water mixed fuel which can maintain the fluidity even if the density is increased. More particularly, an object of the present invention is to provide the high-density coal-water mixed fuel and the producing method thereof with which the cost for the dispersant can be reduced. It is another object of the present invention to provide the inexpensive high-density coal-water mixed fuel producing method which can mass-produce the CWM or CWP by the dry grinding without mixing a large amount of superfine particles.
Various kinds of study for achieving these aims caused the present inventors to perceive that the high-density coal-water mixed fuel has the coal particles dispersed in the water and contains a large amount of particles having the size of 1 xcexcm or less and the fuel hence corresponds to the colloid dispersed system or ranges from the coarse particle dispersed system to the colloid dispersed system. Therefore, it is enough to prevent the dispersed particles from being connected with each other in order to maintain the colloid stable and, as one of methods for attaining such prevention, the inventors considered to utilize the so-called the protective effect of the colloid. That is, the affinity between the dispersion medium and the dispersoid is utilized and the hydrophilic colloid is adsorbed to the surface of the coal particles which are the hydrophobic colloidal particles to demonstrate the characteristic as if the coal particles are the hydrophilic colloid, thereby increasing the stability. The pulverized coal slurry generated by mixing the pulverized coal, the water and the hydrophilic colloid, however, has the increased viscosity and the deteriorated fluidity. It was discovered that mixing the dispersant whose amount is smaller than that usually added to the slurry can reduce the viscosity to provide the excellent fluidity. This phenomenon is considered to be caused for the following reasons.
(1) Gelation and Solation by the Protective Colloid
The hydrophilic colloid is adsorbed to the surface of the pulverized coal particles which are the hydrophobic colloid particles and the surface of the pulverized coal particles is covered with the hydrophilic colloid to achieve hydrophilicity. This causes the hydrophilic colloid to show the protective action with respect to the pulverized coals as the protective colloid. The pulverized coal particles which have adsorbed the protective colloid are subjected to the secondary bond by the ionic bond or the like through the multiply charged ion such as metallic ion solved out from the pulverized coal particles and the reversible pulverized coal gel is generated. It can be assumed that such process increases the viscosity of the slurry and degrades the fluidity of the same.
The secondary bond achieved between the pulverized coal particles is destroyed by mixing the dispersant into the slurry and the pulverized coal gel is returned to the sol. The pulverized coal particle keeps its hydrophilicity and becomes stable by the protective action of the protective colloid without aggregation. As a result, it can be assumed that the high-density coal-water mixed fuel having the sufficient fluidity can be provided.
In this case, an amount of the dispersant to be added is enough if it can destroy the secondary bond between the pulverized coal particles, and hence the amount of the dispersant to be added can be reduced as compared with the case when only using the dispersant which is used for preventing aggregation of the pulverized coal particle without adding the hydrophilic colloid.
(2) Aggregation of the Fine Particles Caused by the Electrolyte and Dispersion Caused Owing to Antagonism of the Ion
Since the pulverized coals are fine particles and have electric charges, the ion having the reverse sign (counter ion) is attracted therearound, which constitutes the double structure called the electrical double layer. The pulverized coal particles are usually dispersed colloidally by the electrical repulsion of the counter ions. However, if the electrolyte is given by addition of the hydrophilic colloid, the counter ions are pushed against the surface of the particles, thereby reducing the thickness of the fine electrical double layer. It can be considered that decrease in the distance between the particles causes the respective pulverized coal particles to enter the range of attraction between the particles and to aggregate.
Mixing the dispersant into the slurry adds the electrolyte that is different from the above-described electrolyte. Two or more kinds of electrolyte are added to the pulverized coal particle and the aggregating force of the pulverized coal particle is suppressed by the antagonism of the ion. It is considered that this process can provide the high-density coal-water mixed fuel having the sufficient fluidity.
In this case, since an amount of the dispersant to be added is enough if it can provoke the antagonism of the ion with respect to the pulverized coal particles, the amount of the dispersant to be added can be reduced as compared with the case where only the dispersant is used to prevent aggregation of the pulverized coal particles without adding the hydrophilic colloid.
(3) Aggregation of the Fine Particles Caused Due to the High Polymer Material and Dispersion of the Pulverized Coals Caused by the Bimolecular Layer Adsorption of the Dispersant
Since the hydrophilic colloid is a water soluble high polymer substance and has many hydrogen bonding groups, the hydrophilic colloid is adsorbed to the pulverized coal particles by the hydrogen bonding groups irrespective of the electricity or the ion. If a small amount of the high polymer is adsorbed to the pulverized coal particles, it is not evenly adsorbed but sparsely adsorbed to the surface of the particle. A part of the high polymer adsorbed to the particle is, therefore, adsorbed to the unoccupied area on the surface of a different particle, and one high polymer is hence bonded to two or more particles. It can be assumed that the pulverized coal particles are aggregated by such action. This is a phenomenon called xe2x80x9cthe cross linking aggregationxe2x80x9d.
Mixing the dispersant into the slurry causes the ion of the dispersant to be subjected to the bimolecular layer adsorption to the unoccupied area on the surface of the particle. The entire pulverized coal particles thus have the electric charges and are dispersed. As a result, it is assumed that the high-density coal-water mixed fuel having the sufficient fluidity can be obtained.
By mixing the dispersant into the pulverized coal particles which have been subjected to the cross linking aggregation, the high polymer bonded to one pulverized coal particle is also bonded to the unoccupied area on the surface of the same particle. Multiple high polymers are entangled around the respective particles and become the high polymer like a knitting ball to cover the entire surface of the pulverized coal particle. The high polymers for bonding the particles are reduced and the respective particles repulse. It is considered that such a phenomenon can provide the high-density coal-water mixed fuel having the sufficient fluidity.
In this case, an amount of the dispersant to be added is enough if the dispersant itself or the knitting-ball-like high polymer can cover the unoccupied area of the pulverized coal particle, and hence the amount of the dispersant to be added can be reduced as compared with the case where only the dispersant is used to prevent the pulverized coal particle from aggregating without adding the hydrophilic colloid.
Incidentally, it can be considered that not only one of the above-described phenomena but also the respective phenomena can be simultaneously occur while they are associated with each other. Also, it can be assumed that the fluidity can be similarly obtained even though an amount of the dispersant to be added is greatly reduced for any reason other than the above-described reasons.
On the basis of the above-mentioned knowledge, the high-density coal-water mixed fuel obtained by mixing the pulverized coal, the water and the dispersant includes the hydrophilic colloid that causes the protective effect with respect to the pulverized coals according to the present invention. The hydrophilic colloid causing the protective effect to the pulverized coals is added and mixed in the high-density coal-water mixed fuel when manufacturing the high-density coal-water mixed fuel by mixing the water, the dispersant and the pulverized coals obtained by grinding the coal so as to provide a predetermined particle size distribution.
Therefore, an amount of the dispersant to be added is enough if it can destroy the secondary bond of the pulverized coal particles, if it can cause the antagonism of the ion with respect to the pulverized coal particles, or if it can cover the unoccupied area on the surface of the pulverized coal particle by the dispersant itself or the knitting-ball-like high polymer, and hence the amount of the dispersant to be added can be greatly reduced as compared with the case where only the dispersant is used to prevent aggregation of the pulverized coal particles as in the prior art. For example, when producing the CWM whose density is 70%, the fluidity of the CWM was not lost even though an amount of the surface active agent was reduced to approximately ⅓ of the usual amount as apparent from the measured data shown in FIG. 14. In addition, as apparent from the measured data in FIG. 14, it was possible to produce the CWM having the relationship between the density and the viscosity of the coal substantially unchanged even though the amount of the dispersant to be added is reduced to xc2xd of the usual amount by adding the hydrophilic colloid.
The cost of the high-density coal-water mixed fuel can be, therefore, reduced by lowering the cost of the dispersant by decreasing the amount of the dispersant to be added while maintaining the fluidity of the CWM unchanged.
The existing manufacturing equipment for the high-density coal-water mixed fuel can be utilized as it is because the hydrophilic colloid is only added, thus substantially requiring no increase of the equipment.
Here, the amount of the hydrophilic colloid to be added slightly reduced the amount of the surface active agent to be added if the hydrophilic colloid demonstrating the protective effect to the pulverized coals and the surface active agent were simultaneously added, but the effect was not enough as the above-mentioned effect. Further, addition of the surface active agent followed by that of the protective colloid did not lead to reduction in the amount of the surface active agent used. In production of the high-density coal-water mixed fuel, it is preferable to add the hydrophilic colloid in a mixture of the pulverized coals and the water and thereafter add the dispersant. In such a case, the gel type pulverized coal slurry is generated by adding and mixing the hydrophilic colloid in the mixture of the pulverized coals and the water. The gel type pulverized coal slurry becomes the sol by adding and mixing the dispersant in this slurry. The reason why this phenomenon occurs is described above. This process enables production of the high-density coal-water mixed fuel in which the amount of the dispersant is largely reduced. For example, as apparent from the measured data shown in FIG. 14, the amount of the dispersant can be reduced to xc2xd to xc2xc of the conventional amount of the same by adding 1 ppm of the hydrophilic colloid prior to the dispersant in order to obtain the high-density coal-water mixed fuel having the fluidity equivalent to that of the conventional high-density coal-water mixed fuel having the dispersant of, e.g., 0.4 wt % without adding the hydrophilic colloid.
Moreover, the amount of the hydrophilic colloid may be enough and small when the hydrophilic colloid is adsorbed to the coal fine particle which is the hydrophobic colloid particle and demonstrates the protective effect for making the surface of the coal fine particle hydrophilic, or preferably it may be smaller than 1 wt % of the entire high-density coal-water mixed fuel and larger than that which can provoke the reciprocal aggregation with the pulverized coal, or more preferably it may be ranged between the ppm order to the 10xe2x88x923 ppt order of the entire fuel, or most preferably it may be ranged between the ppt order to the ppb order of the same. Since increase in the amount of the hydrophilic colloid to be added causes bonding between the pulverized coals to be stronger by the high gelatination, the amount of the dispersant to be added must be increased in order to destroy this bonding, thereby deteriorating the reduction effect of the dispersant. On the contrary, if the amount of the hydrophilic colloid to be added is too small, such an amount causes the sensitizing effect resulting in the unstable hydrophobic colloid. Specifically, as apparent from the measured data shown in FIG. 13, when the amount of the colloid to be added to the water exceeds 10 ppm in order to obtain the CWM having the density of 70%, the fluidity is degraded. If the amount of the hydrophilic colloid to be added is smaller than 10xe2x88x924 ppt, the fluidity is also deteriorated.
In addition, the method for producing the high-density coal-water mixed fuel according to the present invention, the coal is powdered by using a mill to obtain the pulverized coal having the size substantially smaller than a predetermined value, angles of the pulverized coals are removed to provide a spherical shape and to generate the superfine particles by abrading these coals together by using a spheroidizing apparatus for pushing and rubbing the pulverized coals, thereby the high-density coal-water mixed fuel is produced.
The pulverized coals obtained by grinding the coal by a mill correspond to the fine particles most of which have a particle size lower than a predetermined value, or more particularly, a particle size equal to or less than 100 xcexcm, and this particle is an undefined angular polyhedron which is relatively large for the high-density coal-water mixed fuel, as shown in FIGS. 5(A) and 6. Further, in regard of the particle size distribution (mass basis), the particle size equal to or less than 100 xcexcm accounts for approximately 93%; the particle size equal to or less than 10 xcexcm, approximately 15%; and the particle size equal to or less than 1 xcexcm, less than 1%, as shown by circles in FIG. 12. The fine particle component having the particle size equal to or less than 10 xcexcm is lacking for obtaining the CWM.
However, the pulverized coals are pushed and rubbed in the spheroidizing apparatus, and these coals are ground when they are rubbed together. As shown in FIGS. 5(B) and 7, the pulverized coal loses its angles and is spheroidized to reduce the surface area thereof. Also, the removed angle becomes a superfine particle having the size equal to or less than 1 xcexcm. Therefore, as to the particle size distribution (mass basis), the particle size equal to or less than 100 xcexcm accounts for approximately 100%; the particle size equal to or less than 10 xcexcm, approximately 45%; and the particle size equal to or less than 1 xcexcm, approximately 17%, as shown by black circles in FIG. 12. These satisfy the values required as the CWM. It is possible to obtain the CWM in which a gap between the respective spheroidized pulverized coal particles is filled with the superfine particles. Further, spheroidization of the pulverized coal according to the present invention can be applied to manufacture of the COM (coal-oil mixture).
In other words, when the pulverized coal loses its angles and is spheroidized to reduce the surface area, an amount of the superfine particles required for filling a gap between the respective pulverized coals is decreased. A part that is apt to be scraped off is removed and the body particle is spheroidized, but the original particle size can not be extremely reduced, thus generating the superfine particle. On the other hand, the angle scraped off becomes a superfine particle and fills a gap between the respective spheroidized pulverized coals. A sufficient amount of the superfine particles, therefore, fills the gap between the pulverized coals. This enables adjustment to realize the wide particle size distribution required for the high-density coal-water mixed fuel to obtain the fluidity, i.e., the particle size distribution which enables easy generation of relatively-large spheroidized particles to superfine spheroidized particles by removing angles to spheroidize the pulverized coal and is suitable for the high-density coal-water mixed fuel. Water is removed from the gap between the pulverized coal particles to obtain the CWM or CWP having a high density. Since the superfine particles attached to the surface of the pulverized coal in the covering manner to cause the lubricating effect, the CWM or CWP having the high fluidity can be obtained.
It is apparent from the measured data shown in FIG. 15 that the fluidity of the spheroidized CWM (shown by black triangles) is higher than that of the non-spheroidized CWM (shown by white triangles). Further, production of the CWM or CWP can be facilitated to reduce the manufacturing cost because a large amount of the superfine particles does not have to be mixed. Also, according to the present invention, since pulverizing power is further minimized, the existing manufacturing equipment can be utilized without making any change, and an increase of the equipment is substantially unnecessary.
Moreover, according to the high-density coal-water mixed fuel producing method, first and second members having a small gap between the opposed surfaces thereof are provided in a spheroidizing apparatus; the first and second members are capable of relative motion with the gap between their opposed surfaces being substantially fixed; and the pulverized coals held between the opposed surfaces are pushed and rubbed to be abraded together and the pulverized coal is spheroidized by removing its angles to produce superfine particles. In this case, the wet pulverized coals are pushed and rubbed to be abraded together by the opposed surfaces of the first and second members performing the relative motion so that angles of the pulverized coal are removed to facilitate easy spheroidization. In addition, the removed angles become superfine particles and are separated from the pulverized coal. The spheroidizing apparatus can be inexpensively obtained to reduce the producing cost for the CWM or CWP.

Method and apparatus for spheroidizing particles

Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry


Disclosed are a method for transmitting and receiving data in a wireless access system supporting relay nodes, and an apparatus for same. In particular, the present invention comprises: a broadcast phase for receiving an acknowledgement (ACK) signal from a first terminal and a negative acknowledgement (NACK) signal from a second terminal, after a base station transmits first data to the first terminal by using a first precoding vector (w1, B), and second data to the second terminal by using a second precoding vector (w2, B); a listening phase for receiving an ACK signal from the first terminal and a NACK signal from the second terminal, after the base station transmits second data to the first and second terminals by using a third precoding vector (wL); and a cooperative phase for the base station to transmit the second data to the second terminal, in cooperation with the first terminal, by using a fourth precoding vector (wC) which has been chosen for maximizing the transmission efficiency of the second terminal, wherein the first precoding vector, the second precoding vector, and the third precoding vector are chosen so that the total length of the rounds of all phases is minimized.

FIG. 1 illustrates a relay node (RN) and UEs located in the area of one eNB in a wireless communication system. A relay node refers to a node that receives a signal transmitted from a source node and wirelessly relays the signal to a destination node. The relay node can be considered for improvement of data rates of UEs, group mobility, temporary network disposition, throughput improvement in a cell edge area and/or provision of coverage in a new area. A UE can directly communicate with the eNB or perform communication with the eNB over two hops through the relay node.
The relay node transmits data received from the eNB to a UE located in the area of the relay node and transmits data received from the UE to the eNB. In the following description, a radio link between an eNB and a relay node is referred to as a backhaul link, a link from the eNB to the relay node is referred to as a backhaul downlink and a link from the relay node to the eNB is referred to as a backhaul uplink for convenience. In addition, a radio link between a relay node and a UE is referred to as an access link, a link from the relay node to the UE is referred to as an access downlink and a link from the UE to the relay node is referred to as an access uplink.

Method for transmitting and receiving data in wireless access system and apparatus for same

RESEARCH & BUSINESS FOUNDATION SUNGKYUNKWAN UNIVERSITY


An adjustable wireway assembly for use in an electrical enclosure includes a panel structured to form a portion of the electrical enclosure, the panel having a first aperture defined therein. The assembly further includes a plate member selectively coupled to the panel about a portion of the first aperture in at least one of a first position and a second position in a manner that blocks at least a portion of the first aperture and thereby defines a second aperture formed from a portion of the first aperture. When coupled in the first position, the second aperture is of a first area and when coupled in the second position, the second aperture is of a second area different than the first area.

1. Field
The disclosed concept relates generally to enclosures and, more particularly, to adjustable wireway assemblies for electrical enclosures. The disclosed concept also relates to electrical enclosures employing adjustable wireway assemblies as well as a method for employing an adjustable wireway assembly.
2. Background Information
Electrical equipment such as, for example, relays, circuit breakers, electric meters and transformers, are typically housed within an enclosure such as, for example, a housing, such as a box or cabinet. Such enclosure generally serves a dual purpose, to protect the electrical equipment housed therein from environmental conditions and to protect the surrounding environment (and persons thereby) from potential hazards related to the electrical equipment disposed therein. Such hazards may commonly include the risk of electrical shock and risks posed by the production of gas and debris during an arc fault event.
Current design for low voltage wiring arc resistant switchgear requires a correctly sized conduit fitting to be used as a wireway for running low voltage wires between compartments or to/from the cabinet, in order to reduce/eliminate the transmission of gas and debris produced during an arc fault event from exiting an enclosure and/or moving between compartments within an enclosure. In addition to such specifically sized conduit fittings, caulking with RTV (room temperature vulcanizing) silicone is used to seal up any additional open space around wires to provide a seal necessary for achieving an arc resistant type "2B" rating for arc resistant switchgear (IEEE C37.20.7 Specification). While desired design performance may be generally achieved through such arrangement, the practice is generally inflexible to adding any additional wires for internal or external customer use.
Accordingly, there is room for improvement in electrical enclosures, and in wireway assemblies therefor.

Adjustable wireway assembly, method of employing, and enclosure employing the same


An image supporting medium coated with microcapsule toner particles is exposed according to an image pattern, and then a latent image is formed thereon. The image supporting medium on which the latent image is formed and the image recording paper are superposed and pressurized, and the microcapsule toner particles are ruptured and the contents included therein are released. During this process, hardened microcapsule toner particles and wall material of the ruptured microcapsule toner particles from which the contents flowed remain on the image supporting medium by a keying effect, and only the contents, i.e. the toner, are transferred onto the image recording paper. Moreover, the critical surface tension of the wall material of the microcapsule toner particles is smaller than the surface tension of the contents of the microcapsule toner particles. Further, the surface tension of the contents of the microcapsule toner particles is smaller than the critical surface tension of the image recording paper confronting with the image supporting medium. Thus, only the contents of the microcapsules, i.e. the toner, are transferred to the image recording paper. Therefore, a clear and accurate image is formed thereon.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus which uses photosensitive microcapsule toner particles.
2. Description of Related Art
It is well known to provide an image forming apparatus which uses a photosensitive medium coated with microcapsules comprising a dyeprecursor and a photo hardening material, etc. For example, such an image forming apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,399,209 in which the photosensitive medium is exposed based on image information, the microcapsules coated thereon are hardened, and then a latent image is formed on the photosensitive medium. Afterwards, an image forming paper coated with developer, which reacts with the dyeprecursor and makes color, is overlapped with the photosensitive medium and pressure is applied. The latent image is developed by applying such pressure, and an image is fixed on the image forming paper.
Further, U.S. Pat. No. 4,943,509 discloses another image forming apparatus using the above photosensitive medium. In the apparatus, a photosensitive medium on which a latent image is formed and an image forming paper which is an ordinary paper are overlapped putting a developer layer between them, and are pressurized, so that an image is formed on the ordinary paper. U.S. Pat. No. 5,060,011 shows a similar apparatus.
Furthermore, another image forming apparatus which uses a photosensitive medium which supports the microcapsules utilizes a coloring agent instead of the dyeprecursor discussed above, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,783,683 (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 62-232652). A recording material including a coloring agent is disclosed in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,912,011.
However, each photosensitive medium used in the above image forming apparatuses includes a plastic film layer such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) film as a supporting layer with photosensitive microcapsules provided thereon. This kind of photosensitive medium is used as a member for aiding image formation and is disposed after use. Therefore, in conventional image forming apparatuses, the plastic film used as the supporting layer, which is not essential to form the image, is consumed in each use. Therefore, the cost for disposable photosensitive medium supplies is high. Thus, the whole cost for forming the image is increased.
Ideally, a reusable photosensitive supporting medium from which the photosensitive microcapsules could easily separate would be desirable in order to reduce costs. However, a clear and accurate image must still be formed. If the microcapsules easily separate from the supporting medium, a blurred image will occur since all of the microcapsule material, including the ruptured walls and hardened microcapsules along with the toner, will transfer to the image recording medium. Thus, it has not been possible to provide a reusable photosensitive supporting medium which creates a clear and accurate image.


The invention relates to a wind turbine system (1) with several wind turbine modules (2) mounted to a support structure (3). A control system is configured to determine a lift command (21) for a particular wind turbine module (2′) of the 5 plurality of wind turbines modules (2). The control system is applying the lift command (21) to a corresponding rotor blade pitch adjustment system of the particular wind turbine module (2′) so as to create a lift force (F_up) in the opposite direction of gravity on the particular wind turbine module mounted on the support structure. Providing an upwards lift force on one, or more, particular 10 wind turbine module(s) may reduce, or eliminate, static and/or dynamical loads from the wind turbine module on the support structure.

The most common type of wind turbine is the three-bladed upwind horizontal-axis wind turbine (abbreviated HAWT). In this type of wind turbine, or wind turbine generator, the rotor with the corresponding blades is positioned at the front of a nacelle, the nacelle itself being mounted on top of a vertical wind turbine tower.
Alternatively, a wind turbine system with a plurality of wind turbine modules can be mounted to a support structure, for example with only a single tower supporting several wind turbine modules, the wind turbine modules can be mounted in several different layers in the vertical direction. Wind turbine system of this kind are also known in the field as multi-rotor array-type wind turbines. These wind turbine systems have several advantages, in particular in connection with transport, upscaling, and flexibility compared to conventional HAWTs. However, such wind turbine systems also have some disadvantages, in particular the mechanical loads will be more difficult to handle, for example because the wind turbine modules may interact with each other, and the support structure will be required to support more complex, dynamic loads as compared to wind turbine towers for conventional HAWTs. The concept of multi-rotor array-type wind turbines has been known for some time, but the associated problems have unfortunately been a barrier for implementation on any significant commercial scale in the wind turbine industry.
US patent application 2012/02373346 (to Gamesa Innovation & Technology S.L.) discloses a method for using pitch and torque control means for counteracting rotor asymmetric loads, such as wind shear, upflow, yaw misalignment etc. Based on wind speed/direction measurements and static and dynamic parameters of the wind turbine, a pitch command is added to a collective pitch of the rotor blades, and a counteracting effect is provided. However, this teaching is related to conventional single-rotor wind turbines and not to multi-rotor array-type wind turbines.
Hence, an improved wind turbine system would be advantageous, and in particular a wind turbine system enabling an improved handling of the dynamic loads exerted by the wind turbine modules on the support structure.

Wind turbine system with multiple rotors