A composition of matter resistant to foaming comprising a hydrocarbon oil and an acrylate copolymer dispersed in the said hydrocarbon oil, which acrylated copolymer contains at last one polymerised fluorinated (meth)acrylate monomer wherein not more than three neighbouring carbon atoms in the said fluorinated (meth)acrylate monomer carry one or more fluorine substituents.

Suppression of foam generated in using hydrocarbon oils is of major importance, additives in small effective amounts in such oils being widely used for this purpose. Customary additives are the acrylate polymers as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,166,508 to Fields. As is noted there, other additives in such oils used to improve oil-related performance can aggravate the tendency to foam, and a continuing need exists to inhibit such undesirable foaming over a wide range of use conditions, particularly in new hydrocarbon oil formulations. Foam-reducing agents comprising fluorine-containing acrylate copolymers with longer-chain fluorinated alkyl acrylates as comonomers as have been known, i. a. from EP 1 029 030 B1. As there is a concern regarding the bio-accumulation of longer-chain fluorinated compounds, such as those comprising perfluoro octyl moieties, there is a need to provide anti-foaming agents that do not exhibit similar bio-accumulation.

Foaming-resistant hydrocarbon oil compositions


Process for transferring at least a portion of a running web from a first section of a web making machine includes rotating an endless conveyor belt by driving at least one driven pulley, creating a negative pressure at an inner surface of endless conveyor belt as endless conveyor belt is guided over suction box, and guiding the at least a portion of running web onto endless conveyor belt. Process also includes transferring the at least a portion of the running web from endless conveyor to rope section located outside of a web width, pivoting endless conveyor belt around the pivot axis to move downstream end into an area of rope section one of at and before transferring, and pivoting endless conveyor belt around pivot axis to move downstream end into an area of the at least a portion of running web and inside web width.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an apparatus for transporting a web of a flexible material between a first and a second position. In particular, and in a preferred embodiment, the invention provides an apparatus, known as a xe2x80x9cvacuum conveyorxe2x80x9d, for transporting a web, preferably a lead strip (or xe2x80x9ctailxe2x80x9d) of a paper web, e.g. from the dryer of a paper-making machine to the first nip of a calender of the machine or to a winding machine or between any other sections of a paper-making or paper-finishing (e.g. coating) machine.
2. Discussion of Background Information
vacuum conveyor is known from DE 26 36 887 which is similar to U.S. Pat. No. 4,022,366. Conveyors of this kind have proven successful in operation. In some applications, however, the lead strip must be deviated (in a known manner) out of the area of the web width into the area of a rope system which is outside the web width, for threading the lead strip through the following machine- section. For this purpose, the conveyor is arranged in an oblique position so that its downstream end is positioned in the area of the rope system outside the web width. A problem is that immediately after the transfer of the beginning of the lead strip into the rope system, the following main part of the lead strip shall travel again in its area inside the web width. Therefore, only the beginning of the lead strip must positively cling to the conveyor""s belt. Immediately thereafter the lead strip should have only a loose contact to the conveyor. For that purpose one tries to rapidly decrease the degree of vacuum applied to the conveyor. But that does not always work in a reliable manner, in particle with the high operating speed of modem paper machines.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,692,215 discloses a vacuum conveyor cooperating with a rope system which again is positioned outside the web width. The vacuum conveyor is adjustable around a vertical axis which is arranged at the upstream pulley of the conveyor, so that the tail can be directed into the rope nip.
However, this document does not disclose any details how to control the adjustment or movement of the conveyor around the vertical axis. Such a control should be very precise because the transfer of the beginning of the tail into the rope nip must go on with the normal machine speed (up to about 2000 m/min), i.e., within a period of about 1 second or less. Moreover, U.S. Pat. No. 4,692,215 does not disclose any details how to support the vacuum conveyor with respect to the axis.
Therefore, the invention is based an the problem of further developing the known vacuum conveyor in such a way that the transfer of a lead strip into a following machine section is improved, in particular at high operating speeds.
According to a first aspect of the invention, the belt conveyor can be pivotedxe2x80x94immediately after it has transferred the beginning of a leading strip into a rope systemxe2x80x94from an oblique position into a straight, forward position, whereby it moves the lead strip into the area of the web width, so that, the conveyor now reliably transfers the main part of the lead stripxe2x80x94within the area of the web widthxe2x80x94into the following machine section. In summary, the transfer of the lead strip from the preceding to the following machine section will be significantly improved, even at high operating speeds.
According to a second aspect of the invention, a vacuum conveyor is supported by a connecting structure which connects the conveyor with a rotatable support. The rotatable support includes a rotatable bearing housing which is fixed to the connecting structure, with at least one bearing being arranged within the bearing housing and being supported by a stationary central stub or by a stationary central section of the vacuum line. This design is very compact and very easy to integrate into any type of paper machine. This is due to the fact that the rotatable support includes a base plate, e.g., only one, for connecting the rotatable support to a machine frame. It is therefore a universal pivot which is applicable not only with the vacuum conveyor designed according to the first aspect, but also with various other vacuum conveyors. The pivot axis may be arranged, e.g., vertical but outside the web width in order to remove the conveyor out of the machine. In a different embodiment, the pivot axis may be arranged parallel to the pulley""s axes in order to vary the working direction of the conveyor.
According to a third aspect of the invention, the vacuum conveyor is again connected to a rotatable support. The connecting structure is now formed as a vacuum channel. Therefore, it has two functions, namely to support the vacuum conveyor as well as to connect it to the vacuum source. This novel design is space-saving and the manufacturing costs are low.
The present invention is directed to an apparatus transferring at least a portion of a running web from a first section of a web making machine to a second section of the web making machine arranged downstream from the first section, relative to a web run direction, the second section including a portion adapted to receive a full width of the running web and a rope section located outside of the full width receiving portion. The apparatus includes a belt conveyor which includes at least two pulleys, in which at least one is a driven pulley, an air-pervious endless conveyor belt tensioned over the at least two pulleys to form a conveying run and a return run, and a device for creating a negative pressure at an inner surface of the conveying run. The at least one driven pulley being adapted to drive the endless conveyor belt over the at least two pulleys while the negative pressure propagates through the conveying run. The belt conveyor also includes an upstream and a downstream end and the belt conveyor is pivotable around a pivot axis located in a region of the upstream end. The apparatus is pivotable to move the portion of the running web between the rope section and the portion is adapted to receive a full width of the running web. The apparatus also includes a control system for moving the downstream end into an area of the web width when a beginning of the at least a portion of the web has entered the rope section.
According to a feature of the instant invention, a rotatable support, which is rotatable around the pivot axis and a connecting structure, may be adapted to support the apparatus. The connecting structure can couple the conveyor apparatus to the support. The rotatable support may be connected to a stationary structure by a motor for pivoting the apparatus. Further, the rotatable support can include a rotatable bearing housing which is fixed to the connecting structure, and at least one bearing may be arranged within the bearing housing and is supported by a stationary central stub.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the at least a portion of the running web includes a threading tail, and the running web includes a paper web.
According to still another feature of the invention, the pivot axis can be at least approximately vertical to a plane of a belt run direction.
The invention is also directed to an apparatus for transferring at least a portion of a running web including a belt conveyor that includes at least two pulleys, in which at least one is a driven pulley, an air-pervious endless conveyor belt tensioned over the at least two pulleys to form a loop, and a device for creating a negative pressure within the loop. The negative pressure is sufficient to draw the at least a portion of the running web onto the endless conveyor belt. The at least one driven pulley is adapted to drive the endless conveyor belt over the at least two pulleys, such that the negative pressure propagates through the conveyor belt. The apparatus also includes a connecting structure and a rotatable support which rotates around a pivot axis are provided, and the connecting structure couples the belt conveyor to rotatable support. The rotatable support includes a rotatable bearing housing fixed to the connecting structure, a stationary central stub, and at least one bearing, and the at least one bearing is arranged within the bearing housing, which is supported by one of the stationary central stub and a stationary central section of a vacuum channel.
According to a feature of the invention, at least one bearing can include a pair of tapered antifriction bearings, the bearing housing can be coupled to the stationary central stub by the pair of tapered antifriction bearings, and the rotatable bearing housing can be fixed in both axial directions relative to the stub. Further, at least one sealing device can arranged between the housing and the stationary central stub. An interior of the bearing housing may be completely closed to an outside atmosphere.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the at least a portion of the running web comprises a threading tail, and the running web comprises a paper web.
According to a further feature of the instant invention, the pivot axis can be about parallel to an axis of the first and second pulleys.
In accordance with still another feature of the invention, the rotatable support can be connected to a stationary structure by a motor for pivoting the endless conveyor.
The present invention is also directed to an apparatus for transferring at least a portion of a running web including a belt conveyor that includes at least two pulleys, in which at least one is a driven pulley, a suction box coupled to a vacuum source, and an air-pervious endless conveyor belt tensioned over the at least two pulleys. The suction box is located within a loop of conveyor belt and is positioned to create a vacuum sufficient to draw the at least a portion of the running web onto the endless conveyor belt. The at least one driven pulley is adapted to drive the endless conveyor belt over the at least two pulleys and over the suction box. The apparatus also includes a rotatable support that is rotatable around a pivot axis, and a connecting structure is adapted to couple the belt conveyor with the rotatable support. The connecting structure includes a vacuum channel that couples the suction box to the vacuum source.
In accordance with a feature of the present invention, the apparatus can further include a stationary structure, a stationary vacuum chamber, and the rotatable support can include a rotatable bar having at least one end. The at least one end of the rotatable bar can be supported in a bearing coupled to the stationary structure, and positioned to extend through the vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber can be fixedly coupled to the connecting structure and to the rotatable bar, such that the vacuum chamber is rotatable. The rotatable bar may be positioned to extend through the stationary vacuum chamber which is open to an interior of the rotatable vacuum chamber, and the stationary vacuum chamber can be coupled to the vacuum source. Further, the pivot axis can be at least approximately vertical to a plane of a belt run direction.
The present invention is also directed to a process for transferring at least a portion of a running web from a first section of a web making machine to a second section of the web making machine arranged downstream from the first section, relative to a web run direction, the second section including a portion adapted to receive a full width of the running web and a rope section located outside of the fall width receiving portion with a belt conveyor. The belt conveyor includes at least two pulleys, in which at least one is a driven pulley, a device for creating a negative pressure, an air-pervious endless conveyor belt tensioned over the at least two pulleys, and the device for creating the negative pressure creating the negative pressure within a loop of the belt conveyor. The belt conveyor includes an upstream and a downstream end and the belt conveyor is pivotable around a pivot axis located in a region of the upstream end. The process includes rotating the endless conveyor belt by driving the at least one driven pulley, creating a negative pressure at an inner surface of the endless conveyor belt as the endless conveyor belt is traveling over the pulleys, and guiding the at least a portion of the running web onto the endless conveyor belt. In this way, the at least a portion of the running web is suctioned onto the endless conveyor belt. The process also includes transferring the at least a portion of the running web from the endless conveyor to the rope section located outside of a web width, pivoting the endless conveyor belt around the pivot axis to move the downstream end into an area of the rope section one of at and before the transferring, and pivoting the apparatus including the endless conveyor belt around the pivot axis to move the downstream end into an area of the at least a portion of the running web and inside the web width.
According to a feature of the instant invention, the pivoting to move the downstream end into an area inside the web width may begin at a selectable time after the beginning of the transferring.
In accordance with another feature of the present invention, the pivoting to move the downstream end into an area inside the web width may begin when a beginning of the at least a portion of the tail arrives at a selectable point located in a downstream section. The downstream section can be a calender. Further, a detecting device can detect the beginning of the at least a portion of the tail arriving at the selectable point.
According to yet another feature of the invention, the process can further include pivoting the endless conveyor belt around the pivot axis to position the downstream end adjacent the portion adapted to receive the full width of the running web.
Other exemplary embodiments and advantages of the present invention may be ascertained by reviewing the present disclosure and the accompanying drawing.


A multi-component floor mat that, in one embodiment, is comprised of a first base or frame portion, intended to be positioned on the floor, that is dimensioned to accommodate a second flexible textile mat or rug portion that is releasably held in place on or in said base or frame portion by a plurality of magnets associated with one or both portions, thereby allowing for the easy removal or replacement of the textile portion of the mat and the economical laundering of same.

Dust-control mats, typically used in or near entrances in retail and industrial buildings, offices, and residences, can be classified into two types, according to their essential construction: a unitary mat and a separable mat. Mats of both types are commonly used in industrial laundry businesses that rent the mats to customers for a period of time and then recover, wash, regenerate and re-rent the mat, to the same or to a different customer.
In the case of unitary mats, the base or floor portion and the textile mat portion are constructed as a unitary, inseparable structure. When such mats are used In the industrial laundry business, both portions of the mat—including the base portion (typically made of a relatively thick layer of rubber or similar material)—must be recovered, transported to and from the customer location, washed and regenerated, even though it is likely that only the textile portion requires laundering. Having to include the relatively heavy base or floor portion of the mat in these various operations causes significant and needless inefficiencies due to the additional weight and bulk contributed by the base or floor portion, including the considerable energy costs associated with transporting and washing such mats.
In order to reduce these inefficiencies, and to provide additional flexibility and variety in the choice of the textile portion of the mat, separable mats have been developed. These mats typically are comprised of a base portion and a separate, removable textile portion that is adapted for fitting in or on the base portion. The heavier, bulkier base portion can then remain in place, while the lighter, less bulky textile portion can be removed or exchanged for laundering or, for example, for the purpose of changing the appearance of the mat as an interior design element in a customer's building. Because only the relatively lightweight, compact textile portion need be serviced, industrial launderers can achieve significant economies during the collecting, laundering, and re-distributing processes that such laundries routinely undertake during the lifetime of the textile portion of the mat, and substantial cost savings can be realized if the relatively heavy and bulky base portion can be left in place.
The concept on which such separable mats are based is that the base portion, being made of rubber or the like, can remain in place on a semi-permanent basis once it is placed in the desired location. Thereafter, the textile portion of the mat can be replaced or exchanged as housekeeping or interior design needs arise. Accordingly, in addition to a reduction in the inefficiencies referred to above, an interchangeable system of mats can be produced to meet a variety of user needs and specifications, making it possible to offer a wide variety of mats at relatively modest cost, and allowing for easy replacement or substitution of the textile portion of the mat.
The separable mat, however, requires some mechanism to provide secure and reliable attachment between the base portion and the textile portion. If such mechanism is ineffective, the textile portion of the separable mat can exhibit turned-up edges, ripples, and/or mis-alignment with the base portion, all of which can result in conditions that are both unsightly (due to mat misalignment, curling, or the like) and unsafe (due to the tripping hazard presented by such turned-up edges, ripples, or other surface irregularities). Additionally, such mats provide impaired ability to remove soil, moisture, or debris from shoes, thereby adversely affecting the essential functionality of the mat.
In order to assure adequate and dependable attachment between the base portion and the textile portion of such mats, and thereby eliminate unsightliness as well as a principal cause of tripping, several methods for detachably securing the base portion to the textile portion have been developed. These methods include, among others, (1) use of a face fastener; (2) use of combination of rough surfaces; (3) use of a mechanical fastening device; (4) use of a chemical adhesion agent; and (5) use of a magnetic material.
One physical and partial adhesion mechanism based upon a hook-and-loop fastener has generally been used as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 7450/1984. Described in detail, a female loop portion of the fastener is installed on the back surface of the textile portion of the mat, while a male hook portion of the fastener is installed on the upper surface of the base. Typically, when used with mats that are generally square or rectangular in shape, such fasteners are installed in the corners and along the sides of the mat. However, such placement is unable to avoid wrinkling, which can develop when non-adhered portions of the sides are contacted by the foot traffic. Such wrinkling, and the resulting tripping hazard it presents, can have a dramatic, adverse effect on the safety and appearance of the mat. When the face fastener is used along the entire side of the mat, or substantially so, the mat may become undulated after repetitive washing due to a difference in the shrinkage between the mat fabric and the fastener portion. Regardless of the positioning of the fastener, such fasteners tend to add undesirable thickness and bulk to the mat, thereby causing lumps, depressions, or other surface irregularities in the mat and, where the mat is used near a door with minimal floor clearance, interference with the smooth operation of the door. It has also been observed that such fasteners tend to lose their binding effectiveness, i.e., their adhesion strength, with repeated launderings. In addition, from the standpoint of manufacturing steps, the face fastener must be stitched after the fabric is prepared, thereby increasing the manufacturing cost.
In the case of an attachment mechanism using rough surfaces or a mechanical fastening device, a shape must be formed on the back surface of the fabric that inevitably results in an increase in cost and weight. Moreover, such mechanisms are associated with other shortcomings: an effective adhesive force is difficult to obtain in the vertical direction, the roughened portions themselves become worn out through repetitive laundering of the fabric, and the fabric on the surface tends to deteriorate (wear out), causing the life of the mat to be shortened.
In the case of an attachment mechanism using a releasable adhesive material, the adhesive force decreases upon the infiltration of rain, sand and the like, making it difficult to maintain reliable and effective attachment between the mat portions under all weather conditions.
In contrast with the above-mentioned adhesion methods, the adhesion using magnetic materials maintains an adhesive force favorably and stably against changes in an external environment and varies little even after repeated laundering.
Several attachment mechanisms using magnetic materials already have been proposed for the purpose of releaseably securing together the portions of a separable mat. Such mechanisms are described in, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 28413/79, Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Publication No. 16976/1984, Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Publication No. 95079/1985 and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 118774/1985, and European Patent Specification EP 0653179 B1.
As used herein, the term "magnetically active" shall be used to refer to a material that is or that forms a magnet, i.e., it generates a magnetic field. The term "magnetically passive" shall be used to refer to a material that is attracted to a magnet but that cannot, of itself, generate a magnetic field. The term "magnetically interactive" shall refer to a material that is either magnetically active or magnetically passive. The term "magnetically complementary" shall be used to describe magnetically interactive materials that, when brought into close physical proximity, generate or establish an attractive force between the materials. Pairs of magnetically complementary materials include a magnet and a ferrous material (e.g., iron) or, alternatively, a first magnet and a second magnet having a pole orientation that causes it to be attracted to the first magnet.
When using magnetic forces to releasably attach separable mat components, it is important that the textile or removable portion be securely fastened to the base or floor portion. To achieve this result, it is generally understood that the adhesion surface preferably should be smooth and the gap between the opposing magnetically interactive materials in the respective mat portions preferably should be as small as possible, so as to maximize the strength of the attractive forces generated by the magnet(s). In the case of a mat on which pile yarns are implanted, however, it is difficult to completely avoid the unevenness caused by the stitching of pile yarns on the primary backing layer associated with the back surface of the fabric. When an ordinary magnetic material is used, therefore, it is in many cases difficult to establish a sufficiently strong and uniform attachment.
The above-mentioned problem can be solved to some extent by using magnetically active materials that generate a strong magnetic force. In rental mats, however, it is difficult to employ a magnetic material having a particularly strong magnetic force from the standpoint of cost and weight. In addition, when the mat is adhered using a magnetically active material having a particularly strong magnetic force, it becomes difficult to maintain uniformity of adhesion. Moreover, once the mat becomes wrinkled, the strong magnetic forces then tend to oppose any subsequent smoothing action intended to remove the wrinkles.
Because of such circumstances, magnetic force has not yet been practically utilized for fixing the mat to the base though many proposals have been made regarding the use of magnetic force.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


An anthracene compound for an organic electroluminescent device, having formula (I) or (II)

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an anthracene compound for an organic electroluminescent device, and more particularly to an anthracene compound serving as a light-emitting layer or hole transport layer of an organic electroluminescent device.
2. Description of the Related Art
An organic electroluminescent device (also referred to as organic light-emitting diode; OLED) is an LED with an organic layer acting as the active layer, increasingly applied in flat panel displays due to advantages, such as low voltage operation, high brightness, light weight, slim profile, wide viewing angle, and highly effective contrast ratio.
Generally, an OLED is composed of a light-emitting layer and a pair of electrodes sandwiching the light-emitting layer. Light emission is caused by the following phenomenon. When an electric field is applied to these two electrodes, the cathode injects electrons into the light-emitting layer and the anode injects holes into the light-emitting layer. When the electrons recombine with the holes in the light-emitting layer, their energy level shifts to a valence bond band which causes them to release energy as fluorescent light.
Anthracene has been used as material for a hole transport layer and a light-emitting layer. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,465,115 discloses an organic anthracene material as the hole transport layer, having the following formula:

wherein Ar is individually substituted or unsubstituted aryl having 5 to 20 carbon atoms.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,759,444, an anthracene compound emitting light is disclosed, having the following formula:

wherein each of A1 to A4 is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group having 6 to 16 carbon atoms. In the anthracene compound, the diarylamino group is introduced at positions 9 and 10 of the anthracene ring. It is found that the diarylamino group causes the anthracene light-emitting material to have a hole transport property. In addition, the stability at the interface between the light-emitting layer and the hole transport layer is increased, thus increasing the life of the device.

Anthracene compound for organic electroluminescent device

Abstract: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R6 are each individually an unsubstituted or substituted aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, an unsubstituted or substituted heteroaryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, or an unsubstituted or substituted alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, wherein the substituent is C1-10 alkyl, C1-10 alkoxy, or halogen.


Avoiding the use of porous ceramic bearing structures, the proposal is for a 3-layer electrolyte fuel cell element, one electrode (1) of which is at the same time the bearer plate for the active cell element (12, 2, 3), is integrated via component (4) into the frame structure for a cell battery made up of individual elements, and in which the mechanical closing force between the frame structure and the active cell element is released with the aid of a spring-loaded region (11), in order not to expose the thin electrolyte layer (2) to thermally induced mechanical stresses. The active cell element, a combination of two porous and metallic electrodes (1, 3) with a gastight oxide electrolyte layer (2), are preferably produced by the vacuum plasma spray process.

1. Field of The Invention
The invention relates to a fuel-cell element which comprises a combination of two porous and metallic electrodes with a gastight and oxidic electrolyte layer, and a process for its manufacture.
2. Description of The Related Art
Fuel cells are interesting devices for converting chemical energy directly into electrical energy. Theoretically, substantially higher conversion rates are achievable than via the Carnot cycle process. A very simple hydrogen/oxygen cell was put forward as long as 150 years ago by R. Grove. Since that time the problem has been to react fuel (for example CH.sub.4) electrochemically with oxygen (air) in such a way that the energy of oxidation of carbon monoxide to CO.sub.2 and of the hydrogen component to H.sub.2 O is directly converted into electrical energy. In this connection, the following reactions occur at the cell electrodes: ##STR1##
This requires a gastight separation of the coreactants by means of a barrier, the electrolyte layer, which is permeable only to oxygen ions but is electrically insulating. Electrical connection has in turn to be made with both sides of said barrier in such a way that the supply and removal of the electron currents is ensured in as loss-free a manner as possible. At the same time, good accessibility of the electrolyte surfaces for the gaseous coreactants (CO and H.sub.2 on the anode side, O.sub.2 on the cathode side) and removal of the reaction products (H.sub.2 O vapor and CO.sub.2) are required.
For most fuels, carbon monoxide and hydrogen have first to be produced via preliminary thermal reactions (reforming), for example for CH.sub.4 via the reactions: ##STR2## For the invention described below, it is irrelevant whether the starting gases for the electrochemical reaction are produced simultaneously inside the fuel cell or outside and upstream of it, or whether pure hydrogen is directly converted into electrical energy.
At this point it should also be stated that the process can also be reversed with the fuel cell element according to the invention. This relates, in particular, to the electrochemical decomposition of H.sub.2 O vapor into H.sub.2 and O.sub.2, or of other gaseous oxides, for the purpose of fuel synthesis accompanied by power consumption.
Many types of fuel cell have already been proposed. In various versions, an attempt has been made to overcome the discrepancy between the theoretical conversion rates and the values achieved in practice. Real electrochemical reaction rates are limited by mass transport, by electron conduction, by the physical properties of the cell element materials used and by geometrical effects. A key role is played by the two porous electrodes, whose structural and material long-term stability has a very critical effect on the performance of the cell element.
Among the many proposed cells, high-temperature fuel cells with solid electrolyte are of particular interest. The application temperatures of this cell type are between 700.degree. and 1100.degree. C. They can therefore be fed directly with air and natural gas or other gaseous hydrocarbons. A cell temperature which is adequate for an internal reforming process for CO is desirable. In addition to electricity, usable heat can also be generated simultaneously by a chemical combustion, a very important factor for the total energy balance. An adjustable proportion of the fuel is burnt, and the entire cell is thereby simultaneously kept at a temperature level which is favorable for the electrochemical conversion.
The solid electrolyte preferably used for this type of cell is cubic stabilized ZrO.sub.2, a material which conducts oxygen ions at fairly high temperatures with very good electrical resistance for electron conduction.
Since an individual element only generates a low electrical voltage, many individual elements are assembled to form batteries. The individual cells have to be electrically connected in series with one another, using a material which conducts electrons very well and has as low a contact resistance as possible. Inside the cell battery, air and fuel must be able to flow through the individual elements in a manner which is optimum for the system, with strict gastight separation of the two coreactants. Such "cell stacks" furthermore need external supply and removal lines for current and gases. Particular problems exist for high-temperature cell stacks since the essential component, namely the solid electrolyte, is a ceramic material. Despite very careful matching of materials and production methods, it has hitherto not been possible to withstand in the longer term the mechanical loadings always arising during operation because of thermal gradients and different coefficients of expansion. Individual electrolyte elements break under the mechanical stresses produced, the gastightness is gradually lost and the efficiency drops. Rising temperatures resulting from the chemical fuel reaction destroy the cell stack.
Although small batteries were initially operated successfully, all the stacks produced in the 70s have been abandoned. Because of new ceramics technology, better production possibilities are now emerging without, however, being able to overcome the conflicting properties relating to cell physics and cell mechanics: U.S. Pat. No. 3,460,991 describes, for example, a solid-electrolyte cell battery in tubular form. A similar construction is described by Westinghouse, 1979, in a publication entitled "Thin Solid Fuel Cell/Battery Power Generation System", a porous ceramic tube being used as the actual support structure. Using various coating methods, the porous cathode, the dense electrolyte layer, the porous anode and additional electrically conducting and electrically insulating layers are built up one after another. In Japan, too, a tubular battery having an output power of 1 kW was successfully built and tested. As described in a publication of the Electrochemical Laboratory, Ibaraki 305, Japan, an attempt was made to build up at least all the cell elements with the aid of the thermal spraying technique instead of various coating methods. The Japanese solution also differs from the American one in that porous Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 tubes are used instead of ZrO.sub.2 ceramic. Simultaneously, the Japanese attempted to produce a plurality of cells in series on one ceramic tube, whereas each ceramic tube is only one cell element in the Westinghouse model. Both designs have the disadvantage that deficiencies have to be borne in the cell performance because of inadequate gastightness.
In order to increase the compactness of the electrolyte and simultaneously raise the packing density compared with batteries built up from tubes, solutions using planar technology have been proposed. In a publication issued by Argonne National Laboratory, 1983, entitled "Advanced Fuel Cell Development," a monolithic design is described with honeycomb openings for the gas transport planes. In this case, pressed and sintered electrolyte structures are joined to the metallic electrode plates with the aid of high-temperature fusion, a design which implies all the mechanical difficulties. Attempts to make advances in this connection are to be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,721,556. A very compact cell battery is produced by using self-supporting thin electrolyte plates which have been manufactured by plasma spraying under controlled deposition conditions. However, the required gastightness can only be ensured by means of high-temperature sintering, in which process a flattening of the plates and a surface smoothing are simultaneously achieved. The porous electrodes are then applied by the flame spraying process and a plurality of such cell elements is supplemented with the aid of structured metal plates (interconnector) to form batteries. Contrasted with the advantage of an optimum packing density is the disadvantage of extreme mechanical stress loading if gastightness is to be guaranteed in this sandwich construction. The cell construction impedes the gas flows. Furthermore, individual element testing before producing the battery is not possible. And if an individual element is malfunctioning during operation, repair is not possible.
The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a high-temperature solid-electrolyte fuel cell of the type described at the outset which does not have the disadvantages mentioned, is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, can be tested individually before connection in series and can be linked to form cell stacks without mechanical stresses endangering the long-term operation.

Fuel cell battery and solid electrolyte fuel cells therefore


Systems and methods are disclosed that facilitate storage and retrieval of data to/from memory with permanent faults. Permanent “stuck at” faults, associated with individual bits, interfere with Write operations. A memory bit with the SA-0 fault does not store the value “1” while a memory bit with the SA-1 fault does not store the value “0”. Hence, when later retrieved by a Read operation, stored data located on one or more bits having a permanent fault may be different from the data that was originally written. Techniques are disclosed that facilitate correct retrieval of data in the presence of “stuck at” faults by keeping track of the positions of the bits that are stuck at a value different from the ones that are written and then, at Read time, inverting the values read from those positions.

Error correction code (ECC) such as SEC-DED (single error correction, double error detection) has been successfully used to protect main memory. However, traditional hamming code based ECC is designed for a general fault model and its overhead is unnecessarily large for the stuck-at fault model. This is especially true when the probability of having multiple bit errors is high, as is the case with resistive memories (e.g., phase-change memory (PCM), spin-transfer torque random-access memory (STT-RAM), memristor, etc.). In an example scenario, many cells in a memory block might reach their write endurance limit simultaneously. To cope with many faults, a correspondingly stronger ECC would need to be employed, which would incur excessively large space and computation overheads. In fact, for NAND flash memory, also suffering write endurance limitation, ECC is required to correct 40 or more bits per 512-byte block. Subsequently, recently proposed error masking techniques for resistive memories combine microarchitectural and coding ideas to cut down overheads.
The exploration of ECC can be traced many years back. Among many ECC schemes, SEC-DED is widely used to protect dynamic RAM (DRAM) in main memory. Since DRAM errors are typically transient and occur infrequently, SEC-DED is adequate in most situations. On the other hand, resistive memories have different failure mechanisms and are subject to multiple bit faults that occur gradually over the lifetime of a chip. Consequently, it is necessary to deploy a multi-bit error correction scheme. Hamming code based BCH (Bose, Ray-Chaudhuri, and Hocquenghem) code is one such scheme. Yet, codes based on BCH are complex and expensive to implement. As a matter of fact, the complexity increases linearly with the number of faults to be tolerated.
There are three recent proposals that target specifically masking errors in resistive memories with higher auxiliary storage efficiency than traditional ECC techniques. First, ECP (Error Correcting Pointer) provides a limited number of programmable "correction entries." A correction entry holds a pointer (address) to a faulty cell within the protected block and a "patch" cell that replaces the faulty one. When a faulty cell is detected, a new correction entry is allocated to cover the cell. A memory block is decommissioned when the number of faulty cells exceeds that of the correction entries. In essence, ECP provides cell-level spares to each block.
SAFER (Stuck-at-Fault Error Recovery) dynamically partitions a protected data block into a number of groups so that each group contains at most one faulty cell. When the value of the faulty cell is different from the intended value to be written, all cells in the group are written and read inverted. If the data block is to be partitioned into n groups, then SAFER allows log2 n "repartitions." Repartitioning is done whenever a new fault is detected. Therefore, SAFER guarantees the recovery from log2 n+1 faults. Any additional fault is tolerated only if it occurs in a fault-free group. Otherwise, the block has to be retired. SAFER was shown to provide stronger error correction than ECC or ECP at the same overhead level.
Free-p (Fine-grained Remapping with ECC and Embedded-Pointers) combines error correction and redundancy, and as such, has two protection layers. First, it uses an ECC to mask faults within a data block. Second, when a block becomes defective, Free-p embeds a pointer within the defective block so that a redundant, non-faulty block can be quickly identified without having to access a separate remapping table. Free-p employs ECC to correct up to four hard errors in a data block of cache line size and relies on the operating system (OS) to perform block remapping.
PAYG (Pay-As-You-Go) is a resilient architecture proposed to decrease the storage overhead of auxiliary bits information required by error correction schemes (e.g. ECP and SAFER) targeting the recovery from stuck-at faults. Essentially, PAYG moves from a uniform allocation of auxiliary bits across the protected memory blocks to a dynamic on demand allocation. PAYG exploits the variability in lifetime that the memory blocks exhibit and assigns additional auxiliary bits to weaker blocks.
Although conventional techniques based on SAFER are superior to ECC and ECP, they remain limited in terms of the combination of overhead required and average number of faults tolerated before failure.

Recursively determined invertible set approach to correct multiple stuck-at faults in rewritable memory

UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH—OF THE COMMONWEALTH SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION


An ethylene polymer containing 0.01 to 1.20 mol % of a constitutional unit derived from α-olefin having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, wherein with respect to cross fractionation chromatography (CFC), either (1) the weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the components eluted at 73 to 76° C. does not exceed 4,000, or (2) the ethylene polymer satisfies the following relationship (Eq-1), provides a molded product having excellent moldability and therefore excellent mechanical strength and appearance:Sx/Stotal≦0.1  (Eq-1)wherein Sx is the sum of the total peak areas related to the components eluted at 70 to 85° C., and Stotal is the sum of the total peak areas related to the components eluted at 0 to 145° C.

High-density polyethylene which is in use in wide applications such as films, pipes, bottles and the like, has been conventionally prepared by using a Ziegler-Natta catalyst or a chromium catalyst. However, because of the nature of such catalysts, there has been limitation on the control over the molecular weight distribution or composition distribution of the polymer.
In recent years, several methods have been disclosed for preparation of an ethylene polymer having excellent moldability and mechanical strength, including an ethylene homopolymer or an ethylene.α-olefin copolymer of relatively small molecular weights and an ethylene homopolymer or an ethylene.α-olefin copolymer of relatively large molecular weights, according to a continuous polymerization technique, using a single-site catalyst which facilitates the control of the composition distribution, or a catalyst having such the single-site catalyst supported on a carrier.
In the publication of JP-A No. 11-106432, disclosed is a composition prepared by melt-blending a low molecular weight polyethylene with a high molecular weight ethylene.α-olefin copolymer, which are obtained by polymerization in the presence of a supported, geometric constraint type single-site catalyst (CGC/Borate-based catalyst). However, since the molecular weight distribution of the composition is not broad, fluidity of the composition may become poor. In addition, although the claims of the above-mentioned patent application do not disclose a preferred range of the carbon number of α-olefin that is to be copolymerized with ethylene, in the case of the carbon number being less than 6, it is expected that sufficient mechanical strength would not be exhibited. Further, because the molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of the single-stage polymerization product is broad, it is also expected that the product's mechanical properties such as impact strength and the like would be insufficient, as compared with the single-stage product of narrower molecular weight distribution. Moreover, the anticipation that a broad composition distribution of the single-stage polymerization product would result in deterioration of the above-mentioned strength is obvious from the cross fractionation chromatography (CFC) data described in "Functional Materials," published by CMC, Inc., March 2001, p. 50, and the cross fractionation chromatography (CFC) data described in FIG. 2 in the publication of JP-A No. 11-106432.
In the publication of WO 01/25328, disclosed is an ethylene polymer which is obtained by solution polymerization in the presence of a catalyst system comprising CpTiNP(tBu)3Cl2 and borate or alumoxane. This ethylene polymer has a weak crystalline structure due to the presence of a branch group in the low molecular weight component, and thus the polymer is expected to have poor mechanical strength. Also, since the molecular weight of the low molecular weight component is relatively large, it is expected that the polymer has low fluidity. Moreover, although the claims of the above-mentioned patent application do not disclose the preferred range of the carbon number of α-olefin that is to be copolymerized with ethylene, it is believed that when the carbon number is less than 6, sufficient mechanical strength would not be exhibited.
In the publication of EP 1201711 A1, disclosed is an ethylene polymer which is obtained by slurry polymerization in the presence of a catalyst system comprising ethylene.bis(4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-1-indenyl)zirconium dichloride with methylalumoxane supported on silica. Among such ethylene polymers, a single-stage polymerization product has a wide molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn), and thus it is expected that the impact strength and the like would be insufficient as compared with a single-stage product of narrower molecular weight distribution. Further, it is inferred that a broad molecular weight distribution means heterogeneity of the active species, and consequently there is a concern that the composition distribution broadens, thereby resulting in deterioration of fatigue strength. Moreover, in some Examples of the above-mentioned patent application, a single-stage polymerization product of small molecular weight and a single-stage polymerization product of large molecular weight are melt-kneaded. In this kneading method, crystalline structures that are continuous over more than 10 μm are often produced, and thus it is expected that sufficient strength would not be exhibited.
In the publication of JP-A No. 2002-53615, disclosed is an ethylene polymer which is obtained by slurry polymerization using a catalyst system comprising methylalumoxane and a zirconium compound having a specific salicylaldimine ligand supported on silica. Although the claims of the patent application do not disclose the preferred range of the carbon number of α-olefin that is to be copolymerized with ethylene, in regard to the ethylene polymer obtained from 1-butene (number of carbon atoms=4) which is used as the α-olefin in Examples of the patent application, the carbon number is small, and it is envisaged that sufficient mechanical strength would not exhibited.
In general, an ethylene polymer shows a multimodal molecular weight distribution. When the intermodal molecular weight differences are large, mixing with melt-kneading is difficult, and thus multistage polymerization is typically employed. Multistage polymerization is in general often carried out in a continuous manner. In the case of such multistage polymerization, a distribution is usually created in the ratio between the residence time in a polymerization vessel which is under a polymerizing environment that would produce a low molecular weight product, and the residence time in a polymerization vessel which is under a polymerizing environment that would produce a high molecular weight product. In particular, in the case of a polymerization method in which the polymer is produced in a particulate form, such as the gas-phase method or slurry method, there may exist differences in the molecular weight among different particles. Such difference in molecular weight has been recognized even in the cases of using the Ziegler catalysts as described in the publication of Japanese Patent No. 821037 or the like. However, the catalyst is multi-sited, whereas the molecular weight distribution is broad. Accordingly, polymer particles are well mixed with each other even upon conventional pelletization by melt-kneading. On the other hand, in the case of using a singe-site catalyst, since the molecular weight distribution is narrow, the polymer particles are often not mixed sufficiently with each other during conventional pelletization by melt-kneading. Thus, in some cases, the history of polymer as having been in a particulate form was reflected in the mixture, and this caused disorder in the fluidity to adversely affect the appearance or sufficient exhibition of mechanical strength. Also, such ethylene polymer showed a tendency that the coefficient of smoothness which is determined from the surface roughness of extruded strands increased.
The ethylene (co)polymer prepared using a Ziegler catalyst as described in Japanese Patent No. 821037 or the like has methyl branch groups in the molecular chain as a result of side production of a methyl branch group during the polymerization reaction. It was found that this methyl branch group was embedded in the crystal, thus weakening the crystal (see, for example, Polymer Vol. 31, p. 1999 (1990)), and this caused deterioration in mechanical strength of the ethylene (co)polymer. Further, in regard to the copolymer of ethylene and α-olefin, when the copolymer contained almost no α-olefin, a tough and brittle component was produced; on the other hand, when an excessive proportion of α-olefin was used in copolymerization, a soft component with weak crystalline structure was produced, and thus it may cause tackiness. Moreover, since the molecular weight distribution was broad, there were problems such as the phenomenon of a low molecular weight product adhering to the surfaces of molded products as a powdery substance, and so on.
The ethylene polymer that is obtained by polymerization using a metallocene catalyst as described in the publication of JP-A No. 9-183816 or the like has methyl branch groups in the molecular chain, as a result of side production of a methyl branch group during the polymerization reaction. This methyl branch group is embedded in the crystals, thereby weakening the crystalline structure. This has been a cause for the lowering of mechanical strength. Also, an ethylene polymer with extremely large molecular weight has not been disclosed heretofore.
An ethylene polymer that is obtained by polymerization in the presence of a chromium-based catalyst exhibits low molecular extension because of the presence of a long-chained branch group, and thus has poor mechanical strength. Further, as a result of side production of a methyl branch group during the polymerization reaction, there exist methyl branch groups in the molecular chain. These methyl branch groups are embedded in the crystals and weaken the crystalline structure. This has been a cause for the lowering of mechanical strength. Further, in regard to the copolymer of ethylene and an α-olefin, when the copolymer contained almost no α-olefin, a tough and brittle product was produced; on the other hand, when α-olefin was copolymerized in an excessive proportion, tackiness was caused or a soft component with weak crystalline structure was produced.
The ethylene polymer that is obtained by polymerization in the presence of a constrained geometry catalyst (CGC) as described in the publication of WO 93/08221 or the like has methyl branch groups in the molecular chain, as a result of side production of a methyl branch group during the polymerization reaction. These methyl branch groups are embedded in the crystals and weaken the crystalline structure. This has been a cause for the lowering of mechanical strength. Further, the molecular extension was low because of the presence of long-chained branch groups, and thus the mechanical strength was insufficient.
An ethylene polymer that is obtained by high pressure radical polymerization has methyl branch groups or long-chained branch groups in the molecular chain, as a result of the side production of methyl branch groups or long-chained branch groups during polymerization. These methyl branch groups are embedded in the crystals, thereby weakening the crystalline strength. This has been a cause for the lowering of mechanical strength. Further, the presence of long-chained branch groups resulted in low molecular extension as well as a broad molecular weight distribution, and thus the mechanical strength was poor.
In regard to the ethylene polymer that is obtained by cold polymerization using a catalyst containing Ta- or Nb-complexes as described in the publication of JP-A No. 6-233723, since the ratio (Mw/Mn) of the weight average molecular weight (Mw) and the number average molecular weight (Mn) as measured by GPC was small, the moldability might be insufficient.

Ethylene polymer and application thereof to moldings


A call monitoring method for detecting an error in a Bearer-Independent Call Control (BICC) environment using an Internet Protocol (IP) as a bearer is provided, in which an MSC receives connection information about a called exchange from another MSC, requests IP resource allocation for configuring a termination to a Media GateWay (MGW) controlled by the MSC based on the received connection information about the called exchange, determines, upon receipt of a resource allocation failure message from the MGW, whether a cause of a resource allocation failure is an IP allocation error, and transmits the resource allocation failure message to a resource manager, if the cause of the resource allocation failure is an IP allocation error.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for detecting an Internet Protocol (IP) allocation error and handling the detected IP allocation error without intervention of a manager in an IP-based Bearer-Independent Call Control (BICC) environment.
2. Description of the Related Art
In error detection in Bearer-Independent Call Control (BICC) of a mobile communication system, when an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) bearer is used, an ATM layer can detect an error even though bearer resource allocation is failed.
In the case of an Internet Protocol (IP) bearer, however, even when a bearer is successfully established between exchanges by normal resource allocation, a call error may be generated on a user plane during data transmission and reception between Media GateWays (MGWs). The call error cannot be detected without intervention of a manager. The resulting concentration of calls on a specific MGW leads to inefficient resource management and increased server load.
Accordingly, there is a need for a method for detecting an error to thereby manage resources and load.
The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the present invention.

Method and apparatus for detecting error in an IP-based bearer independent call control environment


A telephone system and method is provided for delaying authorization validation queries until a dialed phone is answered. This way, authorization validation queries are avoided in cases where a requested phone line is busy or not answered. In a collect call scheme the system may even delay queries until a party agrees to accept the collect call billing charges. This way, query charges are avoided not only for busy signals and no-answers, but also in the event that the requested party declines to accept the charges. Because authorization validation queries typically take less than one half of a second, parties are not significantly affected by the delay.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to telephone systems and, more particularly, to telephone authorization validation systems.
2. Related Art
In telephone communication systems, telephone calls are generally charged to the account of the originating telephone. In many situations, however, other billing methods are desired. For instance, a call originator may wish to place a collect call, where the receiving party, rather than the call originator, is billed for the call. A collect call may be desired where the call is for the primary benefit of the receiver or where the account associated with the receiving phone belongs to the originating caller himself Alternatively, an originating caller may wish to have a call charged to a third party telephone account or to a credit card account, such as a Local Exchange Card (LEC) offered by a local telephone company. Alternative billing schemes benefit users by providing more convenient methods of billing and benefit phone companies by increasing the number of revenue sources.
Because it is difficult to verify the identity of a user and because an account, although previously valid, may no longer be valid, there is a serious potential for abuse of alternative billing schemes. Because such fraudulent use of phone services results in lost revenue for phone companies, fraud is compensated for with higher rates to paying customers. Et is important, therefore, to phone companies and paying customers, to insure against fraudulent use of alternative billing schemes.
In order to reduce fraudulent use of alternative billing schemes, some method must exist for validating the authority of a user to employ one of these alternative billing schemes. In a collect call situation, for instance, a method must exist for verifying whether the receiving party or the account associated with the receiving telephone is properly authorized to accept a collect call. Such a verification might include insuring that the account associated with the receiving phone is current, that its bill paying history is adequate and that the account holder has not previously declared that collect calls will not be accepted. In the case of third party billing or credit card billing, a method must exist for verifying the existence of the credit account or of the third party to be billed and, possibly, for requesting authorization from the credit card company or the third party.
Currently, many phone companies employ Line Information Data Bases or LIDBs for validating authorizations. LIDBs are private data bases providing such services as Originating Line Number Screening, Calling Card Validation, Billing Number Screening, Calling Card Fraud and Public Telephone Checks. LIDBs typically contain all of the valid telephone and card numbers in their regions and the necessary information to perform billing validation. Upon receipt of authorization from a LIDB, the telephone company will place the call to the receiving party. Note that if the call is a collect call, the telephone company will have to receive authorization from the receiving party, in addition to the LIDB authorization. LIDBs are typically organized regionally as stand-alone systems. Efforts are under way, however, to integrate regional LIDBs into a larger entity.
In addition to LIDBs, Bad Number System (BNS) data bases are also employed for authorization validation. Essentially, a BNS is a telephone company internal data base for maintaining histories of user names, credit card numbers and phone numbers, especially those which have a history of failure to pay or a history of failure to receive LIDB approval. A BNS may also contain cross references between receivers who routinely decline to accept charges from particular originators. A BNS is typically employed as a pre-screen or filter which serves to terminate a requested call, based on bad prior history, prior to initiating a LIDB query.
In operation, upon receiving a request for an alternative billing scheme, a telephone company will attempt to validate authorization. The authorization process will usually begin with a local or internal BNS query. If BNS authorization is granted, the telephone system queries an external LIDB. If the LIDB grants authorization to make the requested alternative billing call, the phone system dials the requested number and waits for a response. If the response is a busy tone, the call is terminated. If the line is not busy but, after some predetermined number of rings, there is no answer, the phone system declares a time-out and terminates the call. If, however, an off-hook condition is detected, that is, if someone picks up the dialed telephone, then the call originator and the requested party are connected. In a collect call situation, of course, the parties are not connected until the requested party accepts the charges.
While LIDBs reduce losses associated with alternative billing schemes, they come with a heavy price. For every validation query, regardless of whether authorization is granted, the phone company is charged a query fee. For some telephone companies these query fees can run into the tens of millions of dollars per month. These costs are generally passed on to consumers in the form of higher rates for service.
One area of particular concern to telephone companies, with respect to LIDB costs, is collect-call only telephones. Collect-call-only telephones are telephones which are designed to make collect calls and no others. These phones are employed in order to avoid damage from any attempted theft of coins. These phones are most often employed in correctional facilities and high crime areas.
Briefly, collect call-only telephones include a keypad and a telephone handset but no coin-receiving slots. These telephones are typically coupled to the phone network through an automated operator system which is designed to preclude direct voice contact between call originators and phone company employees. This is, in part, to avoid harassing comments and threats to live operators.
In operation, when an off-hook condition is detected on a collect-call-only telephone, the automated operator generates a message to the effect of, "please enter the requested number." After dialing the desired number, the automated operator prompts the originator to "please state your name." After providing name and requested telephone number, the originator waits while the automated operator seeks authorization to place the call. Again, authorization typically includes a local BNS data base search followed by a LIDB search. Upon receiving authorization, the automated operator dials the requested party. If the automated operator detects a busy signal the call is terminated. If the requested phone rings a predetermined number of times without answering, the automated operator declares a time-out and, again, the call is terminated. If, however, the automated operator detects an off-hook condition, it assumes that an individual has answered the phone and initiates a collect call message. The collect call message informs the receiver that a collect call has been requested and provides the name of the originator which was recorded at the initiation of the call. If the requested party indicates a willingness to accept the charges for the call, the originator and the requested party are connected for conversation.
The reason that phone companies are particularly concerned with correctional facility collect-call-only telephones is the high rate of prematurely terminated calls. Recall that, after LIDB validation authorization, there are still three cases in which a collect call may be prematurely terminated. These three conditions are a busy tone, a no answer time-out and a refusal to accept charges. Only if all of these hurdles are passed can a collect call be completed.
It is estimated that nearly sixty percent of all correctional facility collect calls are prematurely terminated after receiving LIDB authorization validation. Because each LIDB query is billable to the requesting phone company, and because a large number of collect calls from correctional facilities are prematurely terminated, a large number of LIDB charges are incurred without a subsequent billable event, i.e., completed telephone call. As a result, while telephone companies in general are subjected to substantial LIDB inquiry charges per billable even or completed call, telephone companies which serve correctional facilities are subjected to even greater LIDB charges per billable event. Although collect calls from correctional facilities are often subject to an initial fee of between two and three dollars at the outset of a call, these fees are generally destined for the correctional facility itself as a type of user-fee. These fees do not, therefore, offset the costs of unnecessary LIDB queries. As a result, charges for unnecessary LIDB queries are generally be passed on to the paying customers of the telephone companies in the form of higher rates.
A method and system is desired, therefore, which will substantially reduce or eliminate unnecessary LIDB queries related to alternative billing schemes and collect call schemes in particular.

Validation query based on a supervisory signal


There is provided a method for producing conjugated linoleic acid, comprising subjecting a fat or oil containing linoleic acid to alkali isomerization reaction in an alkali-propylene glycol solution.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method for producing conjugated linoleic acid. More particularly, this invention relates to a method for efficiently transforming the linoleic acid contained in a fat or oil into conjugated linoleic acid by carrying out the alkali isomerization of the linoleic acid in a specific solvent.
2. Background Art
As a method for producing conjugated fatty acids, the so-called "alkali isomerization" method is known, in which an organic solvent, typically ethylene glycol, is employed (J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc., 36, 631 (1959); The 34th Annual Meeting on Oil Chemists' Society, p. 171 (1995); and "Standard Methods for the Analysis of Fats, Oils and Related Materials", 2.4.16-17). It is reported in the J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc., 36, 631 (1959) that, when methyl linolenate was heated in a potassium hydroxide-ethylene glycol solution at 200.degree. C. for 7 hours, about 80% conversion (conjugation) was attained. However, the reported method also involves cyclization and other side reactions.
According to the 34th Annual Meeting on Oil Chemist's Society, p. 171 (1995), tests were carried out in accordance with the method described in the "Standard Methods for the Analysis of Fats, Oils and Related Materials", 2.4.16-17, and the following are reported: when methyl linolate was allowed to react in a potassium hydroxide-ethylene glycol solution at 180.degree. C. for 2 hours, the rate of the conjugated diene formed reached approximately 80% or more, and the amount of potassium hydroxide used in this reaction was six times the number of moles of 1,4-butadiene structure; and, when a safflower oil was subjected to isomerization reaction at 30.degree. C. for 1.5 hours by using, as solvents, dimethyl sulfoxide and dimethylformamide, and, as an alkali, sodium methoxide (in an amount of two times the number of moles of 1,4-butadiene structure), the rate of the conjugated diene formed reached approximately 73%.
Among the three types of solvents reported in the above reference, ethylene glycol is most preferred from the viewpoint of alkali solubility (in the case of the other two solvents, the type of alkalis which can be used is limited, and, the solvents must be used in a large amount).
As discussed above, in the conventional alkali isomerization methods for producing conjugated fatty acids, ethylene glycol, dimethyl sulfoxide or dimethylformamide is used as a solvent. However, these three compounds all have some toxicity. The conventional methods thus have the drawback that the resulting conjugated products cannot be used for foods.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method for producing conjugated linoleic acid, which can more efficiently transform linoleic acid into conjugated linoleic acid and which makes it possible to use the conjugated product in the field of foods.

Method for producing conjugated linoleic acid


A circuit arrangement for protection against an undue overheating of a charging control, discharging control and/or a secondary battery is disclosed, the circuit arrangement comprising the secondary battery, the charging and/or discharging control for charging and/or discharging the secondary battery, a connector for connecting the charging and discharging control to an external power supply, at least one current limiting electronic component arranged in electrical connection to the charging and/or discharging control and optionally, a switchable load.

The GB 2 349 284 A describes a circuit arrangement for preventing overcharge of lithium cells. Overcharging of a lithium ion cell is prevented by a heat-dissipating bypass component connected in parallel with the cell, the current bypass being negligible until the cell voltage rises above a threshold. The bypass is in good thermal contact with a thermally responsive resistor connected in series with the cell so that, when substantial current flows through the bypass, the temperature of the resistor is raised, so preventing significant further current flow through the cell.
However, it is a disadvantage that the current leading to a self-heating of the resistor has a fixed value. In normal state conditions, the amplitude of the current varies dependent on the respective condition of the device. Thus, it is not possible to adjust the proposed overcharge protection to different conditions of the circuit arrangement.
The US 2007/0025044 A1 describes a composite electrical circuit protection device, in which thermal coupling between a planar PPTC resistor element and a planar MOV element is controlled by insertion of a thermal mass material (13) for regulating heat transfer from the MOV element to the PPTC element, such that a PPTC resistor hot zone forms consistently away from the planar major foil electrode confronting the MOV thereby regulating heat transfer from the MOV to the PPTC resistor. In order to protect the load, the varistor (MOV) element shortcuts the electrical load in case of a major failure leading (normally, i.e. without providing the PPTC element) to very high temperatures in the varistor leading to a destruction of the varistor. By providing the proposed planar PPTC element mounted directly to the planar MOV element in good thermal coupling, the PPTC element can limit the current to the load and the MOV element immediately when the MOV element is heating up by the shortcut current. However, the electrical circuit protection device has a complicated structure due to the fact that it has several functions to be realized for protecting the load, namely (1) shortcutting the load in case of an overvoltage and/or overcurrent, (2) heating up the varistor (MOV) element in case of a shortcut, (3) transferring the heat to the PPTC resistor and (4) limiting the current from a power source to both, the load as well as the MOV element.

Circuit arrangement for protection against an undue overheating


The present invention is directed to a lid unit having a latching mechanism for firmly fixing the lid unit to a container body for containing semiconductor wafers and the like, which latching mechanism can be easily disassembled for cleaning and drying of its components, and to a wafer presser for retaining the semiconductor wafers in position when the container is shaken. The latching mechanism includes a locking member which, when projected, secures the lid unit to the container body; an actuator for moving the locking member between projected and retracted positions; a tip-side cam for pressing a tip portion of the locking member in one direction relative to the lid unit when the locking member is projected by the actuator; a base-end lower cam for pressing a base-end of the locking member in a second direction, opposite the one direction; and a base-end upper cam and a cam projection follower for pressing the base-end in the second direction. The wafer presser is supported by a supporting projection bar formed with its ends thinner than its center portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lid unit for a thin plate supporting container for housing a thin plate such as a semiconductor wafer, a storage disk, or a liquid crystal glass substrate. The container may be used in storing, transporting, manufacturing and the like.
2. Related Background Art
Containers for housing thin plates such as semiconductor wafers for storage and transport are generally known.
The thin plate supporting container is constructed mainly of a container body and a lid unit for closing the upper opening of the container body. In the container body, a member for supporting thin plates such as semiconductor wafers is provided. Such a thin plate supporting container must be capable of maintaining a clean interior in order to prevent contamination of the surfaces of the thin plates housed inside. Consequently, the container is sealed. To be specific, a lid unit is fixed on the container body to airtightly seal the opening of the container body. Various structures are known for fixing the lid unit on the container body.
The thin plate supporting container transported to a semiconductor manufacturing factory or the like is placed on a manufacturing line and the lid unit is automatically removed by a dedicated apparatus.
An example of a lid unit adapted to such a dedicated apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-512288 as including, as shown in FIG. 2, a body 2, a cam member 3, a latch arm 4, and a fulcrum 5.
The cam member 3 is rotatably attached to the body 2 and includes a cam portion 6. In the cam portion 6, is a coupling opening 7 having the shape of an arched elongated hole.
At the base end of the latch arm 4, an S-shaped cam follower 8 is provided. The S-shaped cam follower 8 is received and held in the coupling opening 7.
A fulcrum 5 is provided in the form of a projection that supports the latch arm 4.
When the cam member 3 rotates, the S-shaped cam follower 8 in the coupling opening 7 is lifted upward while being moved to the right in the diagram. Consequently, the latch arm 4 swings around the fulcrum 5 while being extended from the body 2 and the tip of the latch arm 4 is pressed downward.
At this time, the tip of the latch arm 4 is inserted into a hole in the container body. By being pressed downward, the tip of the latch arm 4 presses the lid unit against the container body so as to fix the lid unit to the container body.
However, since the base end of the latch arm 4 is lifted upward while being captured by the cam member 3 and extended, in pivoting the latch arm 4 about the fulcrum 5 as a center, in the sense of a lever action, the base end of the latch arm 4 is the power point, and the tip is the point of force application. Accordingly, to press the lid unit 1 strongly against the container body in order to increase air tightness within the container body, it is necessary to strongly press the tip of the latch arm 4 against the rim of the receiving hole or recess in the container body. For this purpose, the strength of the cam member 3 and the latch arm 4 must be increased to allow for an increase in the distance between the tip of the latch arm 4 and the fulcrum 5.
On the other hand, by moving the fulcrum 5 toward the tip of the latch arm 4, the tip of the latch arm 4 can be more strongly pressed against the rim of the hole in the container body side without increasing the strength of the cam member 3 and the latch arm 4. However, when the fulcrum 5 is moved toward the tip side, the distance through which the base end of the latch arm 4 is lifted upward becomes longer. If the distance to lift is thus increased, a problem occurs in that the lid unit 1 must be made thicker.
On the inner face of the lid unit, a wafer presser is usually provided. The wafer presser supports semiconductor wafers housed in the container body by pressing the semiconductor wafers from above. As the diameter of a semiconductor wafer increases, the support for the semiconductor wafer must also be increased. Accordingly, reactive force from the semiconductor wafer which is received by the wafer presser increases. Also, as the number of housed semiconductor wafers increases, reactive force from the semiconductor wafers increases. As a result, the lid unit and the wafer retainer are outwardly deflected whereby the pressing force in the center portion of the wafer presser is weakened and, if vibration is received from the outside, the semiconductor wafers rotate (cant).

Lid unit thin plate supporting container


A system and method for electrically and thermally coupling adjacent IC packages to one another in a stacked configuration is provided. A flex circuit is inserted in part between ICs to be stacked and provides a connective field that provides plural contact areas that connect to respective leads of the ICs. Thus, the flex does not require discrete leads which must be individually aligned with the individual leads of the constituent ICs employed in the stack. The principle may be employed to aggregate two or more contact areas for respective connection to leads of constituent ICs but is most profitably employed with a continuous connective field that provides contact areas for many leads of the ICs.

A variety of systems and techniques are known for stacking packaged integrated circuits. Some techniques are devised for stacking chip-scale packaged devices (CSPs) while other systems and methods are better directed to leaded packages which exhibit a set of leads extending from at least one lateral side of a typically rectangular package.
Memory devices are packaged in both chip-scale (CSP) and leaded packages. However, techniques for stacking CSP devices are typically not optimum for stacking leaded devices. Although CSP devices are gaining market share, in many areas integrated circuits continue to be packaged in high volumes in leaded packages. For example, the well-known flash memory integrated circuit is typically packaged in leaded packages with fine-pitched leads emergent from one or both sides of a package. A common package for flash memory is a fine pitch thin small outline package commonly known as the TSOP. Flash circuitry in TSOP packaging typically differs from common TSOP-packaged DRAMs in that flash TSOPs typically exhibit fine pitch leads emergent from the shorter pair of the lateral sides of the package while DRAM TSOPs typically exhibit leads emergent from the longer pair of sides of the package.
The assignee of the present invention, Staktek Group L.P., has developed a wide variety of techniques, systems and designs for stacks and stacking with both leaded and CSP devices. In leaded package stacking, Staktek Group L.P. has developed rail bus systems that interconnect the leads of stacked leaded IC devices by use of rails. The present assignee also owns, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,572,387 issued Jun. 3, 2003 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/449,242 published as Pub. No. 2003/0203663 A1 which disclose and claim various techniques and apparatus related to stacking leaded packages.
Many other techniques have been developed that use various means for interconnecting the leads of the stacked devices. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,696,525 to Coller et al. teaches a socket connector for coupling adjacent devices in a stacked configuration to one another. The socket has external conductors that interconnect leads from like, adjacent devices to one another. Sockets, however, are limited in several respects. They are not versatile in their ability to implement complex interconnections. In addition, such sockets, which have relatively thick, plastic bodies, act as heat insulators between adjoining upper and lower (major) package surfaces, which can inhibit the module's overall ability to dissipate heat.
Although the art has many techniques for stacking leaded devices, a new system and method for stacking leaded package devices is a welcome development. Accordingly, the present application discloses improved systems and methods for electrically and thermally coupling adjacent integrated circuit devices in stacked modules.

Leaded package integrated circuit stacking


A method for predicting a yield of calcium in a calcium treatment process based on deep neural network as provided relates to a calcium treatment process of molten steel refining in the field of iron and steel metallurgy, and includes steps of: obtaining production and operation data information of each of charges and thereby constructing a dataset; training and testing a deep neural network based on constructed dataset to establish a prediction model; and based on the prediction model, predicting and calculating current yield of calcium by taking actual production and operation data information of each charge as input. The method can predict the yield of calcium in the calcium treatment process, is favorable for accurately controlling a calcium content of steel, can stably control the calcium treatment process, improve the calcium treatment effect, improve the product quality, and ensure the production stability.

In a smelting process of molten steel, in order to effectively reduce an oxygen content in molten steel to a low level, aluminum as a strong deoxidizer is widely used in a steelmaking process. However, an addition of aluminum would produce a large number of alumina inclusions, which would easily lead to nozzle clogging, affect a smooth running of continuous casting process and lead to the degradation of product performance. Therefore, calcium is added into the molten steel to modify the alumina inclusions in the molten steel into liquid calcium aluminate, thereby reduce the nozzle clogging, ensure smooth running of continuous casting and improve the product quality. Moreover, the presence of calcium in steel can also control the morphology and quantity of MnS inclusions in steel. However, there is a reasonable range of calcium requirement in steel. If an addition amount of calcium is low, which cannot achieve the effect of calcium treatment; whereas if the addition amount of calcium is too high, it is easy to produce high melting point CaS inclusions, which also easily lead to nozzle clogging.
In recent years, benefiting from the rapid development of computer and big data technology, neural networks have been widely used in various industries. The neural networks are self-learning and self-adaptive. When the environment changes, that is, when a new training sample is given to the neural network, the neural network can automatically adjust weights of interconnections, so as to give a reasonable expected output under certain input conditions. Moreover, the neural network has good fault tolerance, and local errors do not make the neural network produce more serious errors. The neural network has the ability to solve practical problems by constantly adjusting weights among respective neuron nodes.
Compared with alloys of aluminum, silicon and manganese, calcium has lower melting point and boiling point, a lower solubility in steel and a higher vapor pressure. Therefore, a calcium alloy is difficult to be added into the molten steel, and the calcium treatment process is difficult to control a calcium content in the molten steel within a certain range. For most iron and steel enterprises, the calcium treatment process is fed with calcium based on experience, and thus a yield of the calcium treatment process cannot be predicted, so that the control of calcium content is unstable. Therefore, how to predict a yield of calcium in the calcium treatment process based on deep neural network calculation is of great research value and significance for accurately controlling the calcium content in steel, stabilizing the calcium treatment operation, reducing production and operation costs of enterprises, and improving the product quality and alloy utilization efficiency.

Method for predicting yield of calcium in a calcium treatment process based on deep neural network

UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY BEIJING


A sludge treatment plant includes an extended floor with a work surface for receiving a mass of spread-out sludge and a movable carriage positioned transversely above the work surface. The movable carriage includes a displacement tool designed to carry the sludge towards a terminal part of the work surface. A withdrawal tool transfers the sludge towards an outlet channel. The outlet channel includes a screw conveyor associated with a rotational drive system and equipped with a heating element. A controller adjusts the temperature in this screw conveyor to a predetermined value between 90° C. and 100° C., while adjusting the rotational drive of the screw conveyor in order to obtain a residence time of the sludge within this screw conveyor to a predetermined value of greater than 4 hours.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a sludge treatment plant, more particularly, for the hygienization thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many industrial or urban operations generate waste that have to undergo a variety of treatments for various purposes. Wastes from industrial or urban effluent treatment plants or water treatment plants can be cited as examples. These wastes comprise masses composed of biological and physico-chemical sludge.
This type of wastes has to undergo more or less complex treatments, for economical and/or ecological purposes. In addition, some laws set clear and obligatory standards for the treatment of such wastes.
This results in waste treatment being now both widespread and diversified.
The "sludge" part of wastes is a sensitive sector in the field of wastes treatment. Thus, the treatment of sludge for the reuse thereof conventionally comprises thickening, dewatering and drying if necessary, in some installations.
Sludge drying appears as an important step since it more particularly makes it possible to significantly reduce the volume of sludge. A small volume is important as regards storage, transportation and/or disposal.
It should be understood that "dried sludge" means sludge the moisture content of which does not exceed about 30%. As a matter of fact, it is important to obtain a compact sludge product the integral structure of which is not damaged and keeps a granular appearance. Some left moisture is appropriate. In fact, too dry a sludge product may contain a large amount of dusty materials. Any form of dust is generally unsuitable for transport, storage or reclaiming.
So-called thermal drying facilities which implement air drying in a closed circuit comprising a moisture exhaust are more particularly known. Solar drying facilities are also known which have an advantage in terms of investment and operation costs that are much more attractive than those of thermal drying.
To optimize the implementation or to save energy, the state of the art provides for various drying facilities and/or processes.
Document WO 2004/020922 A1 discloses a device for drying and turning sludge. To avoid forced ventilation positioned on the greenhouse roof, the device comprises frame-mounted driven fans that are directly positioned on means ensuring the turning of sludge. The fans ensure the renewal of air in the greenhouse.
Document EP 0413940 A discloses an installation comprising a pressing device for dewatering sludge and thus improving the drying.
But the sludge treated by the facilities of the prior art is not directly compatible with a use in critical technical fields as regards health.
Other fields, such as agriculture, require a strict spreading plan to be able to reclaim the sludge generated by drying facilities. As a matter of fact, the sludge generated by drying facilities and used in agriculture is treated as "waste". A risk management procedure aiming at the capacity of a system to self-purify not being exceeded should therefore be provided for. The implementation of this management procedure is sometimes complex.
The amount of uni- or multicellular organisms present in the sludge must be checked ahead to avoid spreading plans. This includes checking the amounts of pathogenic agents, bacteria, yeasts, fungi, including molds, multicellular organisms and eggs thereof.
This is the reason why some sludge undergoes a so-called hygienization treatment to extend their scope of application after a simple drying. This hygienization takes place after drying in separate facilities. The aim is to provide so-called approved sludge as a fertilizer material in the end. Such approved sludge is ready for use in sensitive technical fields or in agriculture, without strict spreading plans having to be provided for.
The agricultural sector is experiencing the problem of pathogenic agents. The most common and difficult to eliminate agents are:                tThe bacteria of the Enterobacteriaceae family such as Escherichia coli or of the Salmonella type;        the bacteria of the Clostridiaceae family such as Clostridium perfringens;         the bacteria of the Enterococcaceae family such as Enterococcus faecalis;         the bacteria of the Staphylococcaceae family such as Staphylococcus aureus;         The bacteria of the Listeriaceae family such as Listeria monocytogenes;         the eggs of Nematoida (or Nematoda); or        the virus of the Enterovirus type.
To eliminate these pathogenic agents from dried sludge, the state of the art provides methods which are generally difficult to implement and/or involve high investment and processing costs.
Document EP 1 621 523 discloses a method using high temperature static and thermal heating. The document also mentions hygienization of sludge at 50° C. for 1 month.
Document FR 2 904 824 describes a microwave hygienization treatment.
It should be noted that the energy balance increases with the complexity of the process implemented. It is therefore important to find a balance between as simple as possible an implementation and a satisfactory energy balance, while taking into account the imposed health regulations.
In addition, the techniques of the prior art do not enable a satisfactory elimination of the bacteria of the Clostridiaceae family.

Process and plant for sludge hygienization treatment


A structure of a data frame for transmitting data via a relay, and a transmission apparatus and a relay using the data frame are provided. The relay includes: a receiver to receive, from a transmission apparatus, first radio resource allocation information with respect to a first radio resource and second radio resource allocation information with respect to a second radio resource, and to receive first data from the transmission apparatus using the first radio resource allocation information; and a transmitter to transmit the received first data to a receiving apparatus using the second radio resource allocation information.

1. Field of the Invention
Aspects of the present invention relate to a radio communication system transmitting data from a transmission apparatus to a receiving apparatus, more particularly, to a structure of a data frame for transmitting data via a relay, and a transmission apparatus and a relay using the data frame.
2. Description of the Related Art
With advances in radio communication networks, various services such as a video call and data transmission, in addition to a simple voice call, are provided to use in our everyday lives.
Communication quality in digital communication is determined according to strength of a transmitted signal including data, or a SINR (signal to interference and noise ratio). However, the strength of the transmitted signal including data varies due to characteristics of a radio channel over time. Accordingly, in a conventional mobile communication environment, due to a fading phenomenon, that is a radio channel varies over time, communication quality cannot be guaranteed for a radio channel using a specific service.
To solve the above problem, a technique establishing a predetermined signal to interference and noise ratio (SINR) and controlling the strength of the transmitted signal based on the SINR is provided. However, if a state of the radio channel varies very rapidly, communication quality cannot be guaranteed using such a technique.
To overcome the fading phenomenon, various diversity schemes are provided. Specifically, a spatial diversity technique, which transmits/receives data using a plurality of antennas spatially separated relatively far apart from each other, has been used as an effective and simple technique to overcome such fading phenomenon.
The spatial diversity technique can be used for a terminal having sufficient space for installation of the plurality of antennas such as an access point and a base station, however cannot be used for a terminal without sufficient space for installation of the plurality of antennas.
To solve such a problem, a data transmission scheme using a relay is provided. The relay receives data from a base station, and forwards the received data to a terminal, and the terminal may receive the data via a path whose channel condition is superior, among paths from the base station to the terminal or among paths from the relay to the terminal.
However, there is difficulty to transmit real data since a specific signaling process for determining an optimal path among the paths from the base station to the terminal or among paths from the relay to the terminal, and a data frame structure for determining the optimal path, are not provided.

Relay system and data frame structure for the relay system