There is provided a press capable of solving a new problem of breakage of springs and surely applying the pressure for a long period of time in the lateral sealing process in a high-speed filling and packaging apparatus for manufacturing package containers each having a rectangular shape in cross section and filled with a fluid content such as juice. In the press comprising seal bars and a pair of engaging members which are respectively provided at both ends of the seal bars for producing a sealing pressure when they engage with each other for permitting said seal bars to nip a packaging material web which is filled with a fluid content and formed in a tubular shape, the press employs fluid such as air as a means for advancing a piston rod to which the movable engaging member is secured and a pressure sensor is provided for detecting the change of pressure of fluid in an air supply passage.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a press for use in a lateral sealing process in a high-speed filling and packaging apparatus for manufacturing package containers each having a rectangular shape in cross section and filled with a fluid such as juice, particularly to a press provided with a hydraulic cylinder.
2. Prior Art
There is known a conventional filling and packaging apparatus comprising a rewinder for supporting a web serving as a packaging material (hereinafter referred to simply as packaging material web) in a rolled state, a winding apparatus for winding the web in order from the rewinder, a tube-forming apparatus for forming the wound web in a tubular shape after sterilizing it, a fluid supply pipe for filling fluid in the packaging material web which was formed in the tubular shape, and a container-forming apparatus for laterally sealing the web and cutting sealed parts of the web to continuously form pillow-like containers each having a rectangular shape in cross section while downwardly supplying the tube filled with the fluid by the length corresponding to one container, and a container shaping apparatus for bending each end part of the pillow-like containers which are separated into individual ones to shape each pillow-like container in a parallelepiped container to be finally obtained (as disclosed in JP-B 1-23366 and JP-A 58-193206)).
The aforementioned container-forming apparatus nips a tube filled with a fluid content by a length corresponding to one container and seals it laterally, and cuts the intermediate portion of the sealed part of the tube as disclosed in JP-B 1-23366, wherein it comprises two pairs of seal bars respectively disposed to oppose each other and a press for producing a sealing pressure between a pair of seal bars when they are positioned in a closing position where they approach each other.
The above-mentioned conventional press comprises a stationary engaging member which is disposed at both right and left sides of one of the paired seal bars and has an upward engaging recess and a movable engaging member which is disposed at both sides of the other of the paired seal bars and has a downward engaging protrusion engaging with the engaging recess of the stationary engaging member. The movable engaging member is secured to a piston rod of a hydraulic cylinder, and the piston rod is retreated in a state where the movable engaging member moves pivotally to engage with the stationary engaging member so that a sufficient sealing pressure of about 700 Kgf is produced between the seal bars.
The production of sealing pressure in the press owing to the retreat of the piston rod which is secured to the movable engaging member is performed by the oil under pressure of the hydraulic cylinder provided in the press, while the release of the sealing pressure and the advance of the piston rod is performed by the resilient force (about 30 Kgf) of a plurality of springs which are disposed coaxially in the cylinder and have different diameters at the same time when the hydraulic pressure is released, (e.g., see FIG. 12 of JP-B 1-23366). An idea to employ a biasing force other than the resilient force of the spring as a means for advancing the piston rod to which the movable engaging member is secured has not been hitherto considered in view of a space and cost of the lateral sealing apparatus having such a complex construction, and a need for such sealing apparatus has not been demanded so far. The springs provided in the hydraulic cylinder show durability as designed, and is sufficient to be replaced with another once a couple of months.
The inventors of the application have developed a superhigh-speed filling and packaging apparatus capable of manufacturing containers at a rate far in excess of 6000 pieces per hour which has been made so far, namely, more than 8000 pieces of containers per hour (as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 8-244707). If the lateral sealing is performed at high speed using a conventional press in such a high-speed filling and packaging apparatus, it is newly found that since the hydraulic cylinder having springs therein is movable pivotally at higher speed than the conventional filling and packaging apparatus, there occur various problems such as breakage of springs for a short period of time and breakage of the engaging members at the portion where they engage with each other, which have not been considered in the press of the conventional filling and packaging apparatus.
When either of the springs provided inside the hydraulic cylinder, which is positioned at the back of the movable engaging member provided at both right and left sides of the seal bars, are broken, a piston rod which is retreated by hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic cylinder and to which the movable engaging member to which the sealing pressure is applied is not advanced although the sealing pressure is lost since the biasing force or the resiliency of the springs does not operate even if hydraulic pressure is not applied. In this case, since the sealing pressure is not applied to the movable and stationary sealing members which engage with each other, the movable and stationary sealing members disengage from each other owing to the upward pivotal motion of the piston rod. However, when the piston rod is moved downward pivotally for engaging the movable and stationary sealing members, the tip ends of the movable and stationary sealing members do not engage with each other once in several times depending on the situation, leading to a problem that the sealing pressure is not applied to the movable and stationary sealing members.
As a result, the press does not normally operate so that a package container in which incomplete lateral sealing is performed is manufactured, which causes a problem that a filler such as juice is leaked from the package container. If such leakage of the filler such as juice from the package container is visually recognized, it can be checked in a manufacturing process, but if such leakage is not visually recognized, it is very troublesome.
The reason is that in distribution channels of the germ-free filling and package container, such leakage of juice from the sealed parts causes a serious problem of propagation of the fungicide, etc. and contamination by a microorganism.
Since the springs are provided in the hydraulic cylinder, the damaging state of the springs cannot be seen from the outside. Even if either spring is damaged or broken during the manufacturing of the package container, the manufacture of the package container continues while either spring is damaged or broken, and hence there occurs a case that the damage or breakage of either spring is found out when the apparatus is checked upon completion of a day's manufacture so that all package containers manufactured at the same date must be scrapped. To avoid such a situation in advance, it is necessary to regularly replace either spring with another within a short period of time of about at least once a week anticipating safety, which incurs a troublesome labor to regularly replace either spring and also the increase of running cost involved in the replacement of either spring.

Press in a filling and packaging apparatus


A high critical temperature and high critical current density superconductor containing a matrix phase of a metal oxide expressed by the formula RE.sup.1 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.p wherein RE.sup.1 stands for La, Nd, Sm, Eu or Gd and p is a number of 6.8-7.2, a first dispersed phase of a metal oxide expressed by the formula RE.sup.2.sub.1+d Ba.sub.2-d Cu.sub.3 O.sub.q wherein RE.sup.2 stands for La, Nd, Sm, Eu or Gd, d is a number of 0<d<0.5 and q is a number of 6.0-7.2 and a second dispersed phase of a metal oxide expressed by the formula RE.sup.3.sub.4-2x Ba.sub.2+2x Cu.sub.2-x O.sub.10-y wherein RE stands for La or Nd, x is a number of 0<x .English Pound.0.25 and y is a number of 0<y<0.5. The first and second phases are dispersed in the matrix. The above superconductor may be prepared by cooling a partial melt having a temperature of 1,000.degree.-1,300.degree. C. and containing a major molar amount of RE.sup.1 Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.p and a minor molar amount of RE.sup.3.sub.4-2x Ba.sub.2+2x Cu.sub.2-x O.sub.10-y at a cooling rate of 10.degree. C./hour or less.

This invention relates to a superconductor having a high critical temperature and a high critical electrical current and to a method of producing same.
Recent development of a melt processing technique has enabled the production of excellent superconductors. One such melt processing technique is a melt-powder-melt-growth (MPMG) process by which a superconductor containing a Y.sub.2 BaCuO.sub.5 (Y211) phase dispersed in a YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.y (Y123) phase and having a high critical electrical current can be obtained ("Melt Processed High Temperature Superconductor", M. Murakami, World Scientific, 1993). Such a superconductor can create a large electromagnetic force upon interaction with a magnetic field and can be utilizable for bearings, flywheels, transporting devices, etc.
Another known melt processing technique is a process in which a large crystal, such as of Y123, having controlled crystal orientation is grown using a seed crystal such as of La123, Nd123 or Sm123. A large crystal with controlled crystal orientation is desirable for applications to magnetic shields and permanent magnets.
Known RE123 (RE: rare earth element) superconductors have a serious problem that part of the Ba site is substituted by RE ion which has a large ionic radius so that the critical temperature is lowered (H. Ywe et al, Physica C, vol. 153-155, p. 930-931 (1988)).
U.S. Pat. No. 5,525,584 discloses a process for the production of a metal oxide superconductor having the formula (R.sup.1.sub.1-x,Ba.sub.x)Ba.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.d (where R.sup.1 is an element selected from La, Nd, Sm, Eu and Gd and d is a number between 6.2 and 7.2), wherein a melt having a temperature of 1,000-1,300.degree. C. and containing R.sup.1, Ba, Cu and O in such amounts that the content of R.sup.1 is 0.3-0.6 mole, the content of Ba is 0.6-0.8 mole and the content of O is 2.1-2.7 moles each per mole of Cu is cooled at a cooling rate of 5.degree. C./hour or less under a partial pressure of oxygen of between 0.00001 and 0.05 atm.
While this method can give a metal oxide superconductor having a critical temperature of 90K or more, there is a problem because it is necessary to strictly control the oxygen partial pressure and because the crystal growth velocity is so slow that the production cost is highly increased.

Oxide superconductor and method of producing same

International Superconductivity Technology Center


Provided are a method for paging, a network device, and a terminal device. The method for paging comprises: a network device determining a target synchronization signal block (SSB) in a plurality of SSBs of a current bandwidth carrier; and the network device sending a paging message of the terminal device to the terminal device at a frequency domain location where the target SSB is located. In embodiments of the present invention, a target SSB is determined in a plurality of SSBs of a current bandwidth carrier, such that a network device only needs to send a paging message of a terminal device to the terminal device at a frequency domain location where the target SSB is located, effectively reducing load on the network side in the sending of paging messages.

With the pursuit of people on speed, delay, high-speed mobility, energy efficiency and the diversity and complexity of services in the future, the international standard organization for 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) starts to research and develop the 5-Generation Mobile Networks (5G). The main application scenarios of 5G include: Enhance Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communication (URLLC), and massive Machine Type of Communication (mMTC).
In the early deployment of a 5G New Radio (NR), User Equipment (UE) of the 5G NR is similar to the UE of Long Term Evolution (LTE), which may register with a core network for attachment firstly, then there is context information of the UE in the core network, one of which is tracking area information (TA list). When there is a paging for the UE, the core network issues a paging message at all base stations where the TA list is located, and triggers these base stations to issue the paging for the UE in all cells under the base station. Therefore, a paging range of one UE is to at least issue the paging message in all cells within a range of one TA list.
In the 5G NR, since the cells adopt the form of multiple beams, the paging message needs to be issued under each beam of each cell in order to page the UE. However, for a high-frequency cell, there are more beams, for example, 64 beams, so the paging in one cell needs to be transmitted for 64 times, which increases the signalling load of the network. Therefore, how to reduce the load of transmitting the paging message on a network side by the UE is an urgent problem to be solved.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method for paging, network device, and terminal device

GUANGDONG OPPO MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP., LTD.


A mountable tray. The mountable tray may include a main plate having a top surface, a bottom surface, a top edge, a bottom edge spaced apart from and parallel with the top edge, a first side edge, and a second side edge spaced apart from and parallel with the first side edge; an upper edge plate extending downward from at least a portion of the top edge of the main plate bottom surface, wherein the upper edge plate may include a cutout portion formed therein; a support member formed on the bottom surface of the main plate and proximate to the upper edge plate, wherein the support member may be substantially parallel with and spaced a distance apart from the upper edge plate; and a securing mechanism disposed at an upper portion of the top surface of the main plate.

Certain processes exist that require both manual record-keeping mechanisms and mobility. One example is a warehouse environment in which workers are filling orders. For example, when a warehouse attendant is filling an order, he/she goes around the warehouse with, for example, a U-frame type cart and with a "pick list" (on paper) either loosely in hand or on a standard clipboard. As the warehouse attendant moves around and fills the order, he/she marks things off the pick list. To do so, he/she has to place the paper pick list on something to write on it and/or try to write on it while holding it. Accordingly, handling the paper pick list is cumbersome and often results in slowing down the order fill process, miss fills, papers falling on the floor, and so on. Therefore, what is needed is new approaches to processes that require both manual record-keeping mechanisms and mobility.

Mountable and self-supporting tray and method of using same


The invention relates to a method of configuring an electronic control unit (140) of a motor vehicle trailer using specific data for the chassis systems and/or chassis components which are installed on the motor vehicle trailer. It is provided that a chassis system (131) and/or at least one chassis component are/is equipped with at least one machine-readable data carrier (160) in which data which can be used for configuring the control unit (140) is stored, wherein, in order to configure the control unit (140), this data carrier (160) is read out and the data stored therein is transferred to the control unit (140). The invention also relates to a chassis system, a chassis component and a motor vehicle trailer.

From DE 10 2007 053 766 B3 there is known a control arrangement for a motor vehicle trailer having a service brake, a parking brake, and an air suspension system. The control arrangement includes inter alia an electronic control unit (EBS (electronic braking system) control unit) which controls the service brake.
If, on a motor vehicle trailer, there is installed or exchanged a chassis system or a chassis component, a control unit present on the motor vehicle trailer has to be configured using specific data for the chassis system and/or for the chassis components in addition to configuring means adjusting and/or adapting the control unit. Nowadays, the required data is usually entered manually into the control unit by the vehicle manufacturer or the workshop. Furthermore, it is known that the vendors of chassis systems and/or chassis components provide pre-configured control units, wherein it is necessary to purposefully correlate the control unit and the chassis system or chassis component which requires much effort and is prone to errors.
One object underlying the invention is to show a possibility of facilitating the configuration of an electronic control unit of a motor vehicle trailer.

Method for configuring an electronic control unit of a motor vehicle trailer


One CKD track on a direct-access storage device is divided into a plurality of fixed-length FBA blocks, only a home address HA of the CKD track and a record R0 having a CKD format are recorded in the leading FBA block, and each field (a COUNT field, KEY field and DATA field) of records R1, R2, . . . having the CKD format is recorded in the other FBA blocks. This arrangement is such that even if a format-write processing instruction for format-write from the record R1 is received from a host device, a disk control unit will not read the FBA block of HA/R0 out to a cache memory and will read out only FBA blocks from record R1 onward. As a consequence, write processing from record R1 onward can be performed in memory with ease and format-write processing can be executed at high speed.

This invention relates to a method of controlling a disk device by a disk control unit. More particularly, the invention relates to a method of controlling a disk device by a disk control unit provided between a host device and a disk device for performing an emulation (format conversion) between a CKD format and an FBA format in memory and accessing the disk device in fixed-length units.
A magnetic disk subsystem has a direct-access storage device (DASD) serving as an I/O device, and a disk control unit provided between a host device and the direct-access storage device for controlling the writing of data to the direct-access storage device and the reading of data from the direct-access storage device.
Since the direct-access storage device performs a mechanical operation, it is difficult to achieve a high speed in which access time is on the order of milliseconds. The access time attained is significantly less than that of a semiconductor memory. Accordingly, a disk control unit internally equipped with a cache memory for the purpose of raising access speed has been made available. This device, which utilizes the fact that access from the host tends to concentrate on specific data in the direct-access storage device, copies data referred to frequently to the cache memory and, when re-access to the copied data is required, transfers the data directly from the cache memory rather than access the data in the direct-access storage device. Since the data is rearranged based upon an LRU (least recently used) algorithm, data having a high frequency of access at the time is retained. Thus, data having a high frequency of access does not require a mechanical operation, thereby making it possible to greatly shorten I/O response time.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a system which includes a disk control unit (DCU) equipped with a cache memory. Numeral 10 denotes a host device (CPU) provided with a plurality of channels 20a, 20b, 20c . . . a disk control unit (DCU) 30 and direct-access storage devices (DASD) 40a.about.40f.
The disk control unit 30 includes channel adapters (CA) 31a.about.31c and 31a'.about.31c ' for interfacing the host device 10, device adapters (DA) 32a.about.32c and 32a'.about.32c ' for interfacing the direct-access storage devices, a cache memory 33, cache function engines (CFE) 34a, 34a' for managing the cache memory and executing processing such as a hit/miss decision, resource managers (RM) 35a, 35a' for performing control related to overall resource management and processing operations, service adapters (SA) 36a, 36a' for executing IML (initial microprogram loading), status monitoring processing and malfunction recovery processing with regard to each of the units, and non-volatile memories (PS) 37a, 37a', such as magnetic disk devices, for storing microprograms for control of each unit.
The foregoing units are interconnected by buses 38a, 38a', each of which has a C-BUS, a D-BUS and an S-BUS, not shown. The C-BUS is a control bus through which each unit communicates messages and accesses control information, the D-BUS is a data transfer bus through which each unit performs an exchange of data, and the S-bus is a service bus through which the service adapters 36a, 36a' serve as masters for managing the status of each unit. A control panel, not shown, is connected to the service adapters 36a. 36a'.
The disk control unit of FIG. 2 has a redundant structure arranged in symmetrical left and right halves about a center dashed line (G0 represents a first controller side or Group 0 and G1 represents a second controller side or Group 1). The cache memory 33 constitutes a common or shared module. The CPU 10 is connected to the channel adapters CA of the first controller side G0 and second controller side G1 via prescribed channels, and the direct-access storage devices (DASD) 40a.about.40f are capable of being accessed from the first controller side G0 and second controller side G1. Accordingly, even if channel adapters or device adapters on one side fail, the CPU 10 can still access the direct-access storage devices from the channel adapters or devices adapters on the other side.
The channel adapters 31a.about.31c', device adapters 32a.about.32c ', cache function engines 34a.about.34a', resource managers 35a.about.35a' and service adapters 36a, 36a' are each constituted by a microprocessor and generally have the construction shown in FIG. 3. Specifically, each device includes a microprocessor (MPU) 51, a control store (CS) 52 comprising a RAM, a control store (CS) 53 comprising a ROM, a driver/receiver (DV/RV) 54 connected to the internal buses 38a, 38a', bus interface logic (BIL) 55, a driver/receiver (DV/RV) 56 connected to an external interface, a buffer or control table store (TS) 57 and a separate LSI (gate array) 58. The control table store 57 of the resource managers 35a, 35a' store various control tables, such as an exclusive management table EAT (not shown), a path group table PGT and a physical construction table PCT, by way of example.
Data is stored on each track of a direct-access storage device in accordance with a CKD format. FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing the CKD data format. The track has several areas demarcated by gaps and is provided at its head with an index mark. A home address area provided after the index mark HA is an area which describes the address of the track on which it is present. A plurality of records R0, R1, R2, . . . composed of a count area C, key area K and data area D are written after the home address area. A track address CCHH (where CC represents a cylinder address and HH represents a head address), a record number R and lengths of the succeeding key and data areas, etc., are written in the counter area C. Accordingly, the individual records can be designated by designating the track address and record number. It is not always necessary to write a retrieval key in the key area K. User data is written in the data area D. It should be noted that the record R0 at the head of the track is composed of a count area C and data area D and does not have a key area.
In accordance with the disk control unit (DCU) 30, data is read and written in the manner described below. FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrams for describing the flow of a record when data is read. FIG. 5 illustrates the flow in a case where a read hit is not achieved (a case in which a read record is not present in the cache memory), and FIG. 6 shows the flow when there is a read hit. A buffer BF incorporated within the cache function engine CFE stores an address (CCHHR) of a record present in the cache memory CM and a flag FLAG indicating whether the record has been saved in a direct-access storage device DASD (where "1" logic in the flag indicates that the record has not been saved and "0" indicates that the record has been saved).
When a seek command SK is issued by a channel device CH, the channel adapter CA queues the seek command in a command queue and subsequently sends an operation-finished signal back to the channel device CH to make it appear that the seek operation has ended. The channel device CH issues a set-sector command SS in response to reception of the seek operation-finished signal. When this command is received, the channel adapter CA queues the command and then sends an operation-finished signal back to the channel device CH to make it appear that the set-sector operation has ended. The channel device CH issues a search ID command SID in response to reception of the set-sector operation-finished signal. When this command is received, the channel adapter CA inquires of the cache function engine CFE whether the record of the requested address (CCHHR) is present in the cache memory CM.
If the requested record is not present in the cache memory CM, then the channel adapter CA informs the resource manager RM of this fact and issues a retry signal in order to cut off the channel device CH from the disk control unit DCU. In response to reception of the retry signal, the channel device CH is temporarily cut off from the disk control unit DCU and is capable of executing services for another disk control unit during this time. Further, in a case where a command request signal is received subsequently after the channel device CH is cut off in response to reception of the retry signal, the command issued immediately prior thereto (the search ID command in this example) is re-sent.
The resource manager RM refers to the exclusive control table to verify that the direct-access storage device sought is not in the process of being accessed, determines the prescribed device adapter DA, notifies the channel adapter CA of the identification data of this device adapter and notifies this device adapter DA of the identification data of the channel adapter.
The channel adapter CA delivers the CKD track position (CCHH) contained in the seek command to the notified device adapter DA and designates staging. When staging is designated, the device adapter DA reads one designated CKD track (CCHH) of data and notifies the resource manager RM of designation of recombination with the channel device CH. Further, the device adapter DA writes the read data in the cache memory CM (see FIG. 5). After the writing operation, the device adapter DA notifies the cache function engine CFE of end of staging.
Then, in response to designation from the resource manager RM, the channel adapter CA sends a command request signal to the channel device CH. Upon receiving the command request, the channel device CH reissues the search ID command SID issued last. If the channel adapter CA receives the search ID command SID, it retrieves the designated record in the cache memory CM and sends a search ID operation-finished signal to the channel device CH in response to end of retrieval. If the channel device CH receives the search ID operation-finished signal, it issues a read command RD. If the channel adapter CA receives the read command RD, it reads the searched record out of the cache memory CM and transfers this record to the channel device CH (see arrow B in FIG. 5).
If, on the other hand, the record requested by the search ID is present in the cache memory CM (read hit), the channel adapter CA sends a command request signal to the channel device CH. Upon receiving the command request, the channel device CH issues the read command RD. Upon receiving the read command RD, the channel adapter CA reads the requested record out of the cache memory CM and transfers it to the channel device CH. (see arrow C in FIG. 6).
FIGS. 7 and 8 are diagrams for describing the flow of a record when data is written. FIG. 7 illustrates the flow in write-thru, and FIG. 8 shows the flow when there is a write hit.
When the seek command SK is issued by a channel device CH, the channel adapter CA queues the seek command in a command queue and subsequently sends an operation-finished signal back to the channel device CH to make it appear that the seek operation has ended. The channel device CH issues the set-sector command SS in response to reception of the seek operation-finished signal. When this command is received, the channel adapter CA queues the command and then sends an operation-finished signal back to the channel device CH to make it appear that the set-sector operation has ended. The channel device CH issues the search ID command SID in response to reception of the set-sector operation-finished signal. When this command is received, the channel adapter CA inquires of the cache function engine CFE whether the record of the requested address (CCHHR) is present in the cache memory CM.
If the requested record is not present in the cache memory CM, then the channel adapter CA informs the resource manager RM of this fact and issues a retry signal in order to cut off the channel device CH from the disk control unit DCU. In response to reception of the retry signal, the channel device CH is temporarily cut off from the disk control unit DCU.
The resource manager RM refers to the exclusive control table to verify that the direct-access storage device DASD sought is not in the process of being accessed, determines the prescribed device adapter DA, notifies the channel adapter CA of the identification data of this device adapter and notifies this device adapter DA of the identification data of the channel adapter CA.
The channel adapter CA delivers the position parameter (CCHH) contained in the seek command to the notified device adapter DA, causes the direct-access storage device DASD to execute a seek operation, delivers the position parameter (sector value) contained in the set-sector command in response to completion of the seek operation and causes the direct-access storage device DASD to execute the set-sector operation in similar fashion. If the set-sector operation is completed, the channel adapter CA sends a channel-command request signal to the channel device. Upon receiving the command request, the channel device CH reissues the search ID command SID issued last. If the channel adapter CA receives the search ID command SID, it delivers the parameter (record number R) of the search ID to the device adapter DA, causes the direct-access storage device DASD to execute the search ID operation and, if the search operation is completed, sends the operation-finished signal to the channel device CH.
If the channel device CH receives the search operation-finished signal, it issues a read command RD. If the channel adapter CA receives the read command RD, it writes the data (the record) in the cache memory CM and also writes the data in the command address CCHHR of the direct-access storage device DASD via the device adapter DA (see arrows D and E in FIG. 7). Furthermore, the address (CCHHR) (flag "0") of the written record is stored in the memory of the cache function engine CFE.
The foregoing processing is referred to as "write-thru". In write-thru, the record is written in the direct-access storage device DASD in concurrence with the writing of the record in the cache memory. The result is a low access speed. Accordingly, a disk control device also is available in which access speed is raised by providing a non-volatile memory NVS within he disk control unit DCU and terminating the writing operation upon writing the record in the non-volatile memory in concurrence with the writing of the record in the cache memory.
If, on the other hand, the record at the address (CCHHR) requested by the search ID is present in the cache memory CM (write hit), the channel adapter CA sends a command request signal to the channel device CH. Upon receiving the command request, the channel device CH issues the write command WD. Upon receiving the write command WD, the channel adapter CA rewrites the record of CCHHR that has been stored in the cache memory CM (see arrow F in FIG. 8). At this time the flag corresponding to CCHHR stored in the memory of the cache function engine CFE is changed to "1". Thereafter, independently of the operation of the host, the disk control unit writes the record of CCHHR for which the flag is "1" from the cache memory CM to the direct-access storage device DASD (this is referred to as "write-back"; see arrow G in FIG. 8) and makes the flag "0" in response to write-back.
In a case where the operating system (OS) is handling data using the CKD format, only a disk device (CKD disk device) premised on the CKD format can be connected to the disk control unit DCU.
In recent years, advances in technology have made it possible to greatly increase the capacity of an FBA (fixed-block architecture) disk device possessing an interface such as an SCSI, and it is becoming possible to realize a capacity comparable with that of the conventional CKD disk device. In comparison with the CKD disk device, for which the utilization environment is limited, an FBA disk device is superior is terms of price, power consumption and area needed for installation.
As shown in FIG. 9, the FBA format is such that the lengths of all logic blocks (FBA blocks) are equal, with one CKD track being partitioned into a prescribed number of FBA blocks. The FBA blocks have identification numbers 1, 2, 3 . . . specific to them, and a 64-byte ID portion (an ID portion for COF) for a CKD.multidot.FBA format conversion (COF conversion: CKD ON FBA) is provided at the head of each FBA block. Further, an ID portion (block ID portion for FBA) storing the FBA block address (the identification umber of the FBA block) is provided ahead of each FBA block.
Such an FBA disk device is small in size and low in price and maintains a performance that allows it to be used fully as an external storage device for a large-scale computer system.
According to a CKD control method, it is required that the CKD format transferred from the host device be converted to the FBA format within the disk control unit in order that the FBA disk device can be applied to a system in which the host device handles data (see FIG. 10). Further, in a case where FBA block data is read from an FBA disk via an SCSI interface, it is required that the FBA block data be transferred to the host device after it is converted to the CKD format.
An effective method of performing the CKD.multidot.FBA format conversion (COF conversion) is not available in the prior art. In particular, in a case where use is made of the CKD disk device, the disk control unit reads a record upon performing a positioning operation conforming to the seek command, set-sector command and search ID command from the host device. However, in a case where the FBA disk device is used, it is not possible in the prior art to perform control similar to that in the case of the CKD disk by a seek command, set-sector command and search ID. Accordingly, the inventors have proposed, in the specification of Japanese Patent Application No. 5-286339 (filed on Nov. 16, 1993), a method of controlling a disk control unit so adapted that even if the disk device is an FBA disk device, control can be carried out in the same manner as performed in the case of a CKD disk device.
In accordance with this proposed control method, control can be carried out in the same manner as performed in the case of a CKD disk device even if the device is an FBA disk device. However, there is room for improvement since the proposed method is inadequate in terms of the improvements in efficiency and speed of the read and write operations of the FBA disk device.
Further, in the proposed method described above, consideration is not given to case where write processing from the host device is interrupted while in progress or to a case where a defect develops in a track of the FBA disk.

Method of controlling a disk device by disk control unit


A U-shape and/or nozzle-U-loop fermentor has a U-part consisting of an essentially vertical downstream part (2), an essentially vertical upstream part (4), a U-shape bend part (3) which connects the lower ends of the downstream and upstream parts, an inline pump (12) placed in the U-part for circulation of fermentation liquid in the fermentor, a top part (5) which is placed above the upper end of the downstream part, gas supply members (7, 8, 9, 10) which are provided in the U-part with appending static-mechanical mixing members (13, 14, 15, 16, 17) for the comminution of the gases introduced into the fermentation liquid, and supply numbers for water and nutrient salts (18) and (19), respectively, and in connection with the supply members (7, 8, 9, 10, 18, 19) or in by-pass arrangements in connection therewith one (or more) ion sensor(s) or analyser(s) (20, 21, 22, 23) for sensing the concentration of at least one of the ion species phosphate, ammonium, nitrate and hydrogen ion, oxygen sensor(s) for sensing the oxygen concentration, and at least one thermo phial for sensing the temperature, said sensor(s), analyser(s) and phial(s) delivering signals to a data processing system (PC), wherein the signals received are processed and the dosage of feed gases, water, minerals and pH adjustment means via the supply members (7, 8, 9, 10, 18, 19) are calculated and optimised from pre-programmed amounts relative to the results measured.

In its broadest aspect the present invention relates to U-shape and/or nozzle-U-loop fermentors and methods of the operation of the same.
More specifically the invention relates to U-shape and/or nozzle-U-loop fermentors and methods for the operation of the same, which are particularly appropriate for production processes with methanotrophic bacteria and similar processes, whereby different gases and other nutrients are to be supplied to the fermentation liquid in order to obtain an optimally proceeding fermentation process with the highest possible yield of fermentation product in the shortest possible period of time.
Stirred Or Back-mix Fermentors
In conventional bioreactors (fermentors) the mixing of gases with the fermentation liquid is effected by means of stirrer blades placed centrally in the fermentor. The stirrer blades generate turbulence in the liquid, which means that gas, usually injected at the bottom of the reactor, will be dissipated in the liquid in the form of small fine gas bubbles. This type of reactor provides a relatively homogenous mixing, i.e. that about the same concentrations of gases and substrates will be found whether measuring at the top or at the bottom of the reactor. This type of reactor is, however, not particularly appropriate for up-scaling, since it is difficult to obtain the same homogeneous mixing and the same mass transportation in large reactors as can be obtained in small laboratory and pilot reactors. Besides, the vigorous mixing implies a significant heating of the fermentation liquid.
Airlift and Loop Fermentors
In order to avoid the mechanical stirring, different types of airlift reactors have been developed. The majority of these reactors are so-called loop reactors having two sections: an upstream part and a downstream part, which are interconnected at both ends. Gases are supplied at the bottom of the reactor in the upstream part in an arrangement, which yields small gas bubbles (e.g. through a vitrified ceramic plate or an array of small nozzles). The bubbles mix with the liquid whereby the total density is reduced and the gas-liquid mixture ascends displaced by new liquid emerging from the downstream part. The gas-liquid mixture moves up through the upstream part of the reactor and releases its gas bubbles at the top, whereupon the liquid descends down through the downstream part. In order to obtain a long residence time for the gas bubbles in the liquid, airlift reactors are conventionally tall slender reactors. This implies that the gas must be supplied at a high pressure for overcoming the hydrostatic pressure at the bottom of the reactor. If the gas is air, this implies the use of compressors. Furthermore, airlift reactors have a relatively poor exploitation of the injected gas. Typically only 20-40% of the gas is utilized. Besides, it is difficult to obtain good and quick release of the gas bubbles from the fermentation liquid at the top of the reactor and separation of the gas phase thus produced (which may be rather foaming) from the liquid phase before the fermentation liquid moves down in the downstream part of the reactor.
U-shape Reactor
The U-shape reactor is constructed with a view to provide:
Non-compressed or nearly non-compressed gas injection
Long residence time and thus high degree of exploitation of the injected gas
Low energy consumption for liquid circulation
Simple design
Good separation of gases and liquid at the top.
In principle the U-shape reactor is also a loop reactor. However, contradictory to conventional loop reactors the liquid circulation is effected by means of one or more in-line pumps. This (or these) pump(s) may be of the propeller pump type, wherein the propeller blades are designed for pumping a mixture of liquid and gas. The gases can be introduced at different locations in the U-shape loop, but typically they will be supplied at the upper end of the downstream part of the loop. By introducing the gases at the upper end of the downstream part of the loop a nearly non-compressed injection is obtained, since the gases only have to overcome a hydrostatic pressure of some few meters. The gases can be introduced by means of particular gas dispensers providing for a distribution across the downstream part of the loop. Fine dispersion of the gases in the liquid is effected by means of static mixing elements placed immediate below the gas injectors (the mixing elements may be of e.g. Sulzer manufacture). The liquid flow in the downstream part of the loop must be sufficiently high so that all the injected gas is carried along down through the static mixers. Here a comminution of the gas is effected so that a large number of small gas bubbles is obtained, which are dispersed uniformly in the liquid. The bubbles are carried along with the liquid flow down through the downstream part of the loop to its lower end and further on through a U-bend to the upstream part of the loop so that the gas bubbles are redispersed (e.g. by means of static mixing elements) several times in the liquid.
The U-bend causes a centrifugal effect and thus some separation of gas bubbles and liquid.
Therefore, the in-line pump is preferably placed adjacent the U-bend, partially because it then assists in producing a redispersing of the gas in the liquid and partially because it is practical to have it placed at the bottom of the fermentor.
In order to obtain a good bubble distribution in the upstream part of the loop more static mixers may be provided therein.
The top of the fermentor is designed so that the upstream part of the loop via a bend is passed horizontally onto the side of a widening of the upper end of the downstream part of the loop. This particular construction feature assists in yielding a good separation of liquid and gas bubbles, as centrifugal forces act in the bend and in the very widening of the upper end of the downstream part of the loop a vigorous circulation of the liquid with corresponding accompanying centrifugal forces arise, which also bring about separation of liquid and gas bubbles. Thereby, one of the great problems associated with airlift reactorsxe2x80x94viz. separation of the gas and liquid phasesxe2x80x94is solved in an utmost elegant fashion.
Furthermore, the U-shape reactor provides for a long contact time between the gas and liquid phases, as the injected gas is present both in the downstream and in the upstream parts of the loop. This means that an essentially higher utilization of the gas is obtained compared with conventional airlift reactors.
Gas bubbles in liquids have a tendency to fuse together to larger volumes (coalesce). This tendency contributes to making conventional airlift reactors ineffective inasmuch as the bubbles become larger and larger upward through the upstream part, partly due to coalescence and partly due to a reduced hydrostatic pressure. In the U-shape reactor here described, this tendency in the upstream part is counteracted by providing static mixers appropriately spaced apart at distances, which depend on the medium applied. In the downstream part, the increasing hydrostatic pressure counteracts the tendency to increased bubble sizes. To the extent that this effect cannot balance the fusion (coalescence) of the gas bubbles there is provided for a redispersing by means of static mixers.
The amount of gas, which advantageously can be dispersed in the liquid, depends on the hydrostatic pressure. In the case of tall reactors it will therefore be advantageous to have several locations for the introduction of gases in the downstream part. The only requirement to the gas inlets is that at least one static mixing element is placed immediately after each inlet for dispersing the gas in the liquid.
In order to give an impression of the dimensions, which such a U-shape reactor may have it may be mentioned that its total height can be about 40 metres and its width can be about 6.6 metres, the said width is to be understood as the perpendicular distance between the portions of the vertical walls of the downstream and upstream parts being spaced furthest from each other. The internal diameter, d, of the downstream part and the upstream part, respectively, can be about 1.65 metre, and the radius of the bend part at the ends of the downstream part 2 and the upstream part 4 can be 1.5xc3x97d.
U-shape and/or nozzle-loop fermentors of the above type are disclosed in DK patent No. 163066 (EP-B-0 418 187). These fermentors are i.a. well suited for use in production processes with methanotrophic bacteria.
Production processes with methanotrophic bacteria are anaerobic and based on natural gas as carbon and energy sources. Atmospheric air, pure oxygen or atmospheric air enriched with pure oxygen is used as oxygenation source in the fermentation process and ammonium is used as nitrogen source. In addition to theses substrates the cultivation of methanotrophic bacteria requires water, phosphate, and several minerals such as magnesium, calcium, potassium, iron, copper, zinc, manganese, nickel, cobalt and molybdenum. Sodium hydroxide and sulphuric acid are used for pH adjustments. All chemicals are food grade. Phosphate is supplied in the form of phosphoric acid, minerals as sulphates, chlorides or nitrates. The pH value is controlled to 6.5xc2x10.3 and the temperature is maintained at 45xc2x0 C.xc2x12xc2x0 C.
Methanotrophic bacteria are produced by continuous fermentation. A nozzle-loop fermentor with static mixers is used. The nozzle-loop fermentor brings about high utilization of the gases carried along through the loop with the approximately plug-flowing fermentation liquid, The gases are supplied at the beginning of the loop and stay well admixed with the liquid until their separation off at the headspace at the end of the loop.
Injection in the fermentor can be effected at one or more locations, e.g. at four placesxe2x80x94at top, at the middle of the down loop, at the bottom of the down loop, and after the passage of the U-bend part at the bottom a small distance above that. In all circumstances the gases are supplied in advance of the mechanical mixer(s), which is (are) placed immediately after each injection in the flow direction of the fermentor, cf. the figure of the drawing.
Additionally, more mechanical mixers may be placed elsewhere in the fermentor.
The drawback of the prior art U-shape and/or nozzle-U-loop fermentors in connection with the above mentioned production processes with methanotrophic bacteria and corresponding processes, wherein different gases are to be continuously supplied, which partly may be expensive and partly may constitute a potential danger of explosion if they accumulate in major amounts in the reactor, is that up to now it has been difficult or even impossible to supply these gases as well as the additional nutrients (ammonium, phosphate and minerals) necessary for the fermentation process, and pH controlling means in such amounts and relative ratios that it has been possible to obtain an optimum utilization of the gases before the separation off in the headspace of the reactor with simultaneous achievement of an optimally proceeding fermentation process providing the largest possible yield of fermentation product in the shortest possible time. This is due to the fact that hitherto it has been necessary to run the addition of the above mentioned process substances to the reactor on the basis of a predetermined dosage-time schedule which has been worked out on the basis of previously performed test runs during which samples of the fermentation liquid have been taken, which samples subsequently have been analysed for relevant constituent substances in the laboratory. The fermentation processes are, however, biological processes which proceed far from uniformly from time to time, but are subjected to even very large variations for which reason the time-schedule fixed doses will not correspond to the actual need for attainment of the results aimed at with respect to the optimum utilization of the gases before the separation thereof in the headspace of the reactor and attainment of the largest possible yield of fermentation product in the shortest possible time.
The present invention provides a U-shape and/or nozzle-U-loop fermentor and a method of performing a fermentation process, wherein the above drawbacks are avoided and, thus, it becomes possible to supply necessary gases and the additional nutrients required for the fermentation process, pH adjustment means and water in such amounts and ratios that at all times it corresponds to the actual need for achieving an optimum utilization of the gases before separation thereof in the head-space of the reactor simultaneous with obtaining an optimally proceeding fermentation process with the largest possible yield of fermentation product in the shortest possible period of time.
This object is achieved with the U-shape and/or nozzle-U-loop fermentor according to the invention, which has a U-part consisting of an essentially vertical downstream part 2, an essentially vertical upstream part 4, a U-shape bend part 3 which connects the lower ends of said downstream and upstream parts, an in-line pump 12 placed in the U-part for the circulation of fermentation liquid in the fermentor, a top part 5 placed above the upper end of the downstream part and having the form of a cylinder with a diameter which is substantially larger than the diameter of the downstream part and being connected thereto via a truncated cone-shaped connection member, whereas the upper end of the upstream part 4 via a bend is passed substantially horizontally and tangentially into the lower part of the top part 5, a vent pipe 6 for exhausting the gas(es) separated in the head-space of the top part, an outlet 11, preferably placed in the U-bend part 3, for draining off fermentation liquid, and gas supply means 7,8,9,10, which according to wishes and needs optionally are placed in the downstream part, the U-bend part, and the upstream part, preferably in the lower end thereof, with accompanying static-mechanical mixing members 13,14,15,16,17 for the comminution of the gases introduced into the fermentation liquid, and inlet means for water and nutrient salts 18 and 19, respectively, said fermentor being characterized in that ion sensor(s) or analyser(s) 20,21,22,23 for sensing the concentration of at least one of the ion species phosphate, ammonium, nitrate and hydrogen ion, oxygen sensor(s) for sensing the oxygen concentration and at least one thermo phial for sensing the temperature are provided in-line in the circulating fermentation liquid in connection with the supply means 7,8,9,10,18,19 or in by-pass arrangements attached thereto, said sensor(s), analyser(s) and phial(s) delivering signals to a data processing system (PC) wherein the received signals are processed and the doses of supplied gases, water, minerals and pH controlling means supplied via the supply means 7,8,9,10,18,19 are calculated and optimised from pre-programmed amounts in relation to the results measured.
From the outlet 11 the fermentation liquid with its content of biomass and dissolved gases, etc. are pumped to a gas separator from which separated residual gases are recirculated to the fermentor, whereas the fermentation liquid is passed to a separator (centrifuge) for up-concentration of the content of solids in the fermentation liquid and from there further on to a sterilization unit and an ultra filtration unit eventually to end up in a spray drying unit, wherein the product solids of the fermentation are recovered, whereas the amounts of liquid separated in these units with their contents of nutrients essentially are recirculated to the fermentor loop.
The invention also relates to a method of performing a fermentation process, by which method water, fermenting micro-organisms, at least two different gases, necessary nutrient salts and pH controlling means as well as possible recovered fermentation liquid (supernatant) are introduced into a U-shape and/or nozzle-U-loop fermentor and fermentation liquid is withdrawn, the fermentation liquid being circulated in the fermentor by means of an in-line pump placed in the U-part of the fermentor, said method being characterized in that the concentration of at least one of the ion species phosphate, ammonium, nitrate and hydrogen ion are sensed by an ion sensor or analyser which is placed in-line in the circulating fermentation liquid in connection with supply means for gases, nutrient salts, pH controlling means and water, in that the oxygen concentration of the fermentation liquid is correspondingly sensed by an oxygen sensor being placed in connection with the respective supply means, and in that the temperature of the fermentation liquid is sensed by at least one thermo phial, the said sensors, analysers and phials delivering signals to a data processing system (PC), wherein the signals received are processed, and the doses of supplied gases, water, minerals and pH controlling means added via the supply means are calculated and optimised from pre-programmed amounts in relation to the results measured.
Preferably, both phosphate, ammonium and nitrate are measured in-line with an ion analyser at the injection of the gases or gas-liquid mixture, and oxygen is also measured in-line with an oxygen sensor. Furthermore, also pH values and temperature are measured in-line.
It is a common feature for all measures and gas injections and other substances of addition that they are controlled and adjusted on the basis of the results measured in the fermentation liquid, which are transferred to a data processing system (PC), wherein the data are processed and the doses of addition via the nozzle arrangements are calculated and optimised from pre-programmed amounts relative to the results measured.
The nozzle arrangement can be a single flow or a multiple flow arrangement. By multiple flows it will be liquid from the fermentor, which is mixed with gas, either oxygen, natural gas or any other gas, before injection under pressure in the fermentor, so that a fine dispersion is obtained.
In case of a multiple flow arrangement ammonium, phosphate and nitrate can be measured via a by-pass in the return flow, e.g. with an ion analyser, and the oxygen content can be measured on-line via other measuring instruments, while other ingredients are monitored via laboratory analyses.
The pressure in the nozzles can be varied so that the dispersion (bubble size) can be measured in the liquid or via a high-speed camera placed in connection with the injection and designed so that switching between the different nozzle arrangements can be effected according to a programmed cycle.
The fermentors are either without pressure or have a constant gauge pressure above that of the atmosphere. The pressure is here controlled via the consumption of the gases injected into the head-space of the fermentor so that a variable counter pressure can be established relative to the residual gases measured in the head-space, and the consumption of the gases is supervised and controlled so that the head-space at no point of time is filled with a mixture of gases which constitutes an explosion risk.
Thus, in operation the fermentor can be without any over pressure in the headspace or with an over pressure of up to 2-3 bars or more.
Similar measurements are performed on the supernatant, which is returned from the centrifugal separation, and on the liquid, which is passed back from ultra filtration, so that back conveyance of these liquids with the contents they may have of different organic and inorganic substances are also incorporated in the optimisation of the fermentor.
No other fermentor, it being a U-nozzle loop or a stirred fermentor, has an optimisation process as that disclosed herein, via on-line measurements, including ion analysers, and optimisation of gas injections and other substance additions via nozzle arrangements, wherein the pressure can be varied relative to the optimum consumption of the gases and security conditions.

U-shape and/or nozzle u-loop fermentor and method of carrying out a fermentation process


A system and method for capturing, logging and retrieval of face-to-face interactions characterizing walk-in environments. The system comprising a device for capturing and storing one or more face to face interactions captured in the presence of the parties to the interaction, and a database for storing data and metadata information associated with the face-to-face interactions captured.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to capturing, storing, and retrieving synchronized voice, screen and video interactions, in general and to advanced methods for recording interactions for Customer Experience Management (CEM) and for quality management (QM) purposes, in particular.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
A major portion of the interaction between a modern business and its customers are conducted via the Call Center or Contact Center. These somewhat overlapping terms relate to a business unit which manages and maintains interactions with the business' customers and prospects, whether via means of phone in the case of the Call Center and/or through computer-based media such as e-mail, web chat, collaborative browsing, shared whiteboards, Voice over IP (VOIP), etc. These electronic media have transformed the Call Center into a Contact Center handling not only traditional phone calls, but also complete multimedia contacts. Recording digital voice, data and sometimes video is common practice in Call Centers and Contact Centers as well as in trading floors and in bank branches. Such recordings are typically used for compliance purposes, when such recording of the interactions is required by law or other means of regulation, risk management, limiting the businesses' legal exposure due to false allegations regarding the content of the interaction or for quality assurance using the re-creation of the interaction to evaluate an agent's performance. Current systems are focused on recording phone calls such as Voice, VoIP and computer based interactions with customers such as e-mails, chat sessions, collaborative browsing and the like, but are failing to address the recording of the most common interactions, those done in walk-in environments where the customer has a frontal, face-to-face, interaction with a representative. This solution refers to any kind of frontal, face to face point of sale or service from service centers through branch banks, fast food counters and the like. Present systems do not provide the ability to use a recording device in a walk-in environment. The basis for a recording of an interaction includes an identified beginning and end. Phone call, email handling and web collaboration sessions all have a defined beginning and end that can be identified easily. Furthermore, most technological logging platforms enable the capturing of interactions and thus are able to provide additional information about the interaction. In frontal center there are no means of reporting of beginning and end of interactions, nor the ability to gain additional information about the interaction that would enable one to associate this "additional information" to it and to act on it. In referring to "additional information" we refer to information such as indication concerning the customer's identity, how long the customer has been waiting in line to be served, what service the customer intended to discuss when reaching the agent, and the like. Such information is readily available and commonly used in recording phone calls and can be obtained by CTI (Computer Telephony Integration) information or CDR/SMDR (Call Detail Reporting/Station Message Details Recording) connectivity. The walk-in environment is inherently characterized by people seeking service that come and leave according to a queue and there is no enabling platform for the communication. Additional aspect of the problem is the fact that the interaction in a walk-in environment has a visual aspect, which currently does not typically exist in remote communications discussed above. The visual, face-to-face interaction between agents and customers or others is important in this environment and therefore should be recorded too. The present solution deals with the described problems by solving the obstacles presented, providing a method for face-to-face recording, storing and retrieval, organization will be able to provide solutions to enforce quality management, exercise business analytic techniques and as direct consequence enhance quality of services in its remote branches. The accurate assessment of the quality of the agent's performance is quite important. The person skilled in the art will therefore appreciate that there is therefore a need for a simple new and novel method for capturing and analyzing Walk-in, face-to-face interaction for quality management purposes.

Advanced quality management and recording solutions for walk-in environments


Provided are processes and products of manufacture that provide a green solution to the hydrolysis of C8/C10 methyl ester to fatty acids. Provided are reactive distillation processes for producing an aliphatic acid and an alcohol as hydrolysis products. Provided are processes and products of manufacture encompassing the hydrolysis of fatty acid alkyl esters to an aliphatic acid and an alcohol by a reactive distillation process. Provided are processes and products of manufacture useful for equilibrium-limited reactions and for the separation of azeotropic mixtures. Provided are reactive distillation products of manufacture and processes for alkyl alkanoate hydrolysis comprising a reaction column comprising a rectifying rectifying zone for further distillation, a reaction zone, and a stripping zone wherein products are separated from reaction mixtures, where a water stream and fatty acid alkyl ester stream can be fed into the reaction section.

Currently octanoic and decanoic fatty acids are very desirable in the oleo chemical and personal care markets but are typically found in great quantity in their methyl ester form as methyl octanoate and methyl decanoate. They are typically sourced from coconut and palm kernel refined oils, where the oil is transesterified through the use of an alkaline catalyst, e.g. sodium methoxide and an alcohol, e.g., methanol, to make a mixed fatty acid methyl ester stream, comprised of C6-C18 chain lengths. The mixed stream is then taken through a series of fractional distillation units where the C6/C8/C10, C12/14, and C16/18 chain lengths methyl esters are purified and isolated. The C12/14 fatty acid methyl esters are then processed into fatty alcohols that are useful for detergents and personal care applications.
To convert the methyl octanoate and methyl decanoate back to their octanoic and decanoic fatty acid forms, the C8/C10 Methyl Ester stream is saponified through the use of a strong base, typically sodium hydroxide, and subsequently acidulated through the use of a strong acid reagent, sulfuric acid. The saponification/acidulation step of the C8/C10 methyl ester product produces a pure fatty acid stream at the expense of being relatively costly in terms of the reagents needed to complete the reaction (along with any equipment corrosion concerns associated with those acidic/alkaline reagents) and expensive waste disposal costs.
Since methyl octanoate and methyl decanoate are in the ester form, methyl octanoate and methyl decanoate are sold at a low price or saponified and acidulated to methanol and octanoic and decanoic fatty acids, which are more valuable but the cost and complexity of this method is high. It is therefore desirable to industry to have an low cost, simple and efficient process to convert the methyl octanoate and methyl decanoate from their ester form to their acid form and to purify them to a state substantially free of methanol without the use of saponification and acidulation.
Although reactive distillation has been known as one of unit operations since the 1920s, most of the reaction and distillation processes have been operated independently.

Reactive distillation process/equipment for fatty acid ester hydrolysis to produce carboxylic acid and alcohol


The present invention relates to a charge transfer device having high transfer efficiency without leaving over signal charges, a charge transfer device substantially shortened in the gate length so as to enhance the transfer speed, and a method of manufacturing and a method of driving such device. In the charge transfer device of the invention, the n.sup.- diffusion layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate. In the surface region of the n.sup.- diffusion layer, a plurality of n diffusion layers are formed at equal intervals. The interval of the adjacent n diffusion layers is about 5 to 10 .mu.m. On the n.sup.- diffusion layer, an insulation film is formed. On the insulation film, transfer electrodes having two different shapes are formed. The transfer electrodes of these two types are alternately arranged. These transfer electrodes differ in length. The length of the longer transfer electrodes is about twice the length of the shorter transfer electrodes. Furthermore, the right end of the n diffusion layer nearly coincides with the right end of the longer transfer electrodes formed on the gate oxide film in the spatial position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a charge transfer device, a process for manufacturing the device, and a method of driving the device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A solid-state image sensor represented by a charge-coupled device (hereinafter "CCD") is excellent in low-noise characteristics and other properties, and is hence put in practical use intensively.
Referring first to the drawings, the structure and driving method of the charge transfer device used in the conventional solid-state image sensor is described below.
In FIGS. 15 to 18, the structure and driving method of the so-called four-phase driven charge transfer device is shown as a conventional example of a charge transfer device.
FIG. 15 describes the structure of the device. Numeral 1 denotes a p-type semiconductor substrate, 2 is an n.sup.- diffusion layer to be used as the channel portion of a so-called buried type channel CCD, 3 to 6 are transfer electrodes, 7 is an insulation layer of SiO.sub.2 or the like, and 8 to 11 are voltage application terminals to each transfer electrode.
FIG. 16 shows driving voltage waveforms, in which .phi.1 to .phi.4 are voltage waveforms to be applied to voltage application terminals 8 to 11, respectively. In the driving waveforms, the state of the voltage higher than zero volts is called H (high) state, and the state of the voltage lower than zero volts is called L (low) state.
FIG. 17 depicts the potential distribution of the channel portion 2 at time t1 to t5.
Regions A2 to F2 correspond to regions A1 to F1 shown in FIG. 15, and numerals 16, 17 are transfer charges.
As shown in FIG. 16, at t=t1, a high voltage (hereinafter indicated as "H") is applied to the voltage application terminals 8, 9. At the voltage application terminals 10, 11, a low voltage ("L") is applied. A voltage of H level is applied to the transfer electrodes 3, 4, and L level to the transfer electrodes 5, 6.
As shown in FIG. 17, the potential of the transfer channel corresponding to the electrode of H level becomes high (hereinafter called "potential well"). In this potential well, the electrons of the signal charges 16, 17 are stored.
Next, at t=t2, the voltage application terminal 10, that is, the transfer electrode 5 changes from L to H. As a result, the signal charges 16, 17 are stored in the potential well of the channel coupled to the transfer electrodes 3, 4.
At t=t3, the voltage application terminal 8, that is, the transfer electrode 3 is changed from H to L. Consequently, the potential well formed beneath the transfer electrode 3 is eliminated. The charges staying there move to the potential well beneath the transfer electrodes 4, 5.
By this sequence of operations, the charges 16, 17 are moved by the distance of one transfer electrode.
Thereafter, repeating the same operation, the charges are sequentially transferred. Thus, in the charge transfer device, the signal charges must be transferred to the next potential well exactly within a specified time.
FIG. 18 shows the transient state of moving from t=t4 to t=t5 in FIG. 17, in which numeral 21 denotes the potential distribution at t=t4, 24 is the signal charges at this time, 22 is the potential distribution at the transient time, 25 is the charges at this time, 23 is the potential distribution at t=t5, and 20 expresses the movement of charges.
As the voltage applied to the transfer electrode 4 changes from H to L, the channel portion coupled to the transfer electrode 4 changes from the state of potential 21 to the state of potential 23. At this time, the charges 24, which comprise a majority of the charges coupled to the transfer electrode 4, are moved to the potential well beneath the next transfer electrode 5 by the repulsive force between charges. However, slight charges 25 are left over. It is the force from the diffusion and fringe electric force that moves these charges 25 into the potential well beneath the next transfer electrode 5. By the end of the move of the charges 25, the transfer is terminated.
In the constitution of the conventional charge transfer device as stated above, the following defects were involved.
That is, in the conventional charge transfer device, since the length of the adjacent transfer electrodes is equal, charges are often left over, and the transfer efficiency is poor.
There is only one diffusion layer beneath the transfer electrodes, and when transferring the charges stored in the diffusion layer, they are left over.
Besides, because of only one diffusion layer beneath the transfer electrodes, the channel potential difference is needed as much as the drive pulse voltage, and the control performance is poor.
Since only one diffusion layer is disposed beneath the transfer electrodes, the effective gate length cannot be shortened in order to heighten the transfer speed.
In the conventional charge transfer device, since the length of the adjacent transfer electrodes is equal, the transfer speed of the charge transfer device cannot be quickened.
Thus, in the conventional charge transfer device, although all charges must be transferred within a limited time, some charges are sometimes left over, and 100% transfer efficiency is not achieved. The remaining charges appear as a blurring of the image in the image sensor, and the picture quality is degraded.
In the light of the above demerits, it is hence a primary object of the invention to present a charge transfer device of high transfer efficiency with less left-over charges, a process for manufacturing the device, and a method of driving the device.
It is another object of the invention to present a charge transfer device of which channel potential difference is about half the drive pulse voltage, a method for manufacturing the device, and a method of driving the device.
It is another object of the invention to present a charge transfer device shortened in the effective gate length so as to increase the transfer speed, a method for manufacturing the device, and a method of driving the device.
It is a further object of the invention to present a charge transfer device capable of enhancing the picture quality by transferring almost all charges within a limited time, while preventing blurring of image on an image sensor, a method for manufacturing the device, and a method of driving the device.

Charge transfer device, process for its manufacture, and method of driving the device


An interleaved voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) is disclosed. The VCO includes a ring circuit comprising a series connection of main logic inverter gates, a plurality of delay elements connected in parallel with a selected sequence of the main logic inverter gates, at least one temperature compensation circuit comprising a logic inverter gate in series connection with one or more field effect transistors, the field effect transistor responsive to a compensating voltage input that is proportional to temperature, and an electronic circuit in signal communication with the at least one temperature compensation circuit and configured to provide a voltage signal responsive to temperature. Each delay element includes a feedforward section, comprising controls for regulating signal transmission through feedforward elements responsive to one or more control voltages, and a proportional section, comprising controls for regulating signal transmission through at least one logic inverter gate.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to circuits for generating microprocessor clocks, and particularly to circuits for generating clocks using a voltage-controlled oscillator.
2. Description of Background
High-frequency voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) are extremely important for applications such as processor clock generation and/or distribution, wired and/or wireless communication, system synchronization, and frequency synthesis. Research on VCOs for the past decade has been concentrated in the areas of high frequency, lower jitter, lower operating voltage and power, and increasing the frequency tuning range. Many of these design goals are achieved only at the expense of some or all of the other performance objectives.
Variability of oscillator frequency with respect to temperature, as well as process variation and voltage changes, can have a significant effect on performance, cost, and yield. Complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) ring oscillators are commonly used for microprocessor clock generation and high speed input/output (I/O). These oscillators typically have a frequency sensitivity to temperature of about 0.1% to 0.2%/degree C. Operation in applications that require extremely wide temperature ranges, such as mil-spec (military specification) of −55 Celsius (C) to +125 C may not be feasible. Accordingly, the state of the art may be advanced by a voltage controlled oscillator that overcomes these drawbacks.

Interleaved voltage controlled oscillator

International Business Machines Corporation


A cleaning implement for cleaning a soiled surface having soiling particles lodge therein includes a body having a cleaning surface defining first and second cleaning section. The first and second cleaning sections are provided respectively with first and second dislodging bristles for dislodging the soiled particles from the soiled surface. The first and second cleaning bristles are configured and positioned so that the dislodging action is performed more efficiently when the first and second cleaning section are move relative to the soiled surface respectively in a first and a second direction as opposed to other directions. The implement is connectable to a vacuum source for suctioning the soiling particles having been dislodged by the first and second cleaning surfaces.

Vacuum cleaners are used extensively to collect alien substances such as dust, dirt and other soiling particles from soiled surfaces by means of a negative pressure created by a vacuum pump located within a main body. A flexible hose is typically pneumatically coupled to the vacuum pump. Various cleaning implements including various types of nozzles may be attached directly to the flexible hose or to a suction pipe itself attached to the distal end of the flexible hose. Nozzles of various configurations are typically provided for use in particular situations.
Most of these prior art vacuum cleaner nozzles have proven to be somewhat satisfactory when cleaning rugs having relatively short pile. However, such prior part vacuum cleaner nozzles have proven to be somewhat unsatisfactory for cleaning deep pile carpets, shag rugs and other surfaces having relatively long or loose strands.
Indeed, most prior art vacuum cleaner nozzles are not well adapted to remove the dirt and dust particles that are present between and below the fibers of the pile. When conventional vacuum cleaner nozzles are used over surfaces having relatively long strands, the latter are merely levelled by the nozzles during the cleaning operation. Such levelling tends to cover the dirt or other particles at the base of the strands thereby preventing the particles from being picked up by the vacuum.
Typically, it is only at the end of a cleaner stroke that the strands are picked up by the nozzle since stroke reversal mechanically pulls the strands to an upright position. This results in an unsightly situation since areas of the rug are flattened with tufts of upright strands at either end of those areas.
In order to circumvent these problems, rug manufacturers have suggested that the rugs be raked prior to cleaning in order to separate the strands so that the cleaner may pick up dirt between those strands. After vacuuming, the rug must be raked again to fluff the strands and to eliminate the matted strand areas. These operations are tedious and time consuming. Furthermore, they require the use of several implements. Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved vacuum cleaner nozzle.


The toughness of Al-Li, Al-Mg and Mg-Li alloys is increased by a melting and refining process designed to reduce the concentration of alkali metal impurities below specified levels. The hydrogen and chlorine gas constituents are also significantly reduced.

High strength aluminum alloys and composites are required in certain applications, notably the aircraft industry where combinations of high strength, high stiffness and low density are particularly important. High strength is generally achieved in aluminum alloys by combinations of copper, zinc and magnesium. High stiffness is generally achieved by metal matrix composites such as those formed by the addition of silicon carbide particles or whiskers to an aluminum matrix. Recently Al-Li alloys containing 2.0 to 2.8% Li have been developed. These alloys possess a lower density and a higher elastic modulus than conventional non-lithium containing alloys.
The preparation and properties of aluminum based alloys containing lithium are widely disclosed, notably in J. Stone & Company, British patent No. 787,665 (Dec. 11, 1957); Ger. Offen. 2,305,248 (National Research Institute for Metals, Tokyo, Jan. 24, 1974); Raclot, U.S. Pat. No. 3,343,948 (Sep. 26, 1967); and Peel et al., British Patent No. 2,115,836 (Sep. 14, 1983).
Unfortunately, high strength aluminum-lithium alloys are usually characterized by low toughness, as evidenced by impact tests on notched specimens (e.g., Charpy tests, See: Metals Handbook, 9th Ed. Vol. 1, pages 689-691) and by fracture toughness tests on fatigue precracked specimens where critical stress intensity factors are determined.
There have been two basic techniques used to improve the toughness of Al-Li alloys.
1. Techniques commonly used for other aluminum alloys, such as alloying (Cu, Zn, Mg), stretching 1 to 5% before aging to refine precipitation, control of recrystallization and grain growth with Zr (0.1%) and the control of initial grain size by the use of powder metallurgy.
2. The production of dispersiods in amounts greater than needed for recrystallization control using 0.5 to 2% of Mn,Zr,Fe,Ti and Co to homogenize slip distribution.
In the last 10 years these methods have had some success but the toughness of Al-Li alloys still falls short of that of conventional aluminum alloys.
Conventional techniques, for improving the toughness of Al-Li alloys, have not included the use of a vacuum melting and refining treatment. Aluminum alloys are typically melted in air; although, vacuum melting is used by some manufacturers of high quality aluminum investment castings, such as Howmet Turbine Components Corporation who make castings of A357 and A201, to avoid dross formation. (Bouse, G. K. and Behrendt, M. R. "Advanced Casting Technology Conference", edited by Easwaren, published by ASM, 1987).
Howmet has also made experimental Al-Li-Cu-Mg investment castings by vacuum melting (Proceedings of the Al-Li Alloys Conference, held in Los Angeles March, 1987, pp. 453-465, published by ASM International) to reduce reactions between lithium and air and to reduce hydrogen pick up which occurs when lithium reacts with moisture in the air. Commercial Al-Li alloys are usually melted under an argon atmosphere which accomplishes these objectives less efficiently than vacuum but is an improvement over air melting.
Al-Li alloys although having many desirable properties for structural applications such as lower density, increased stiffness and slower fatigue crack growth rate compared to conventional aluminum alloys are generally found to have the drawback of lower toughness at equivalent strength levels.
Conventional high strength Al-Li alloys have resistance to stress-corrosion cracking in the short transverse (S-T) direction less than about 200 MPa (29 Ksi) in the peak aged to overaged condition, e.g., alloy 7075 has a threshold stress for stress corrosion cracking in the S-T direction in the range of about 300 MPa (42 Ksi) in the T73 condition to about 55 MPa (8 Ksi) in the T6 condition.
The magnesium-lithium family of alloys when manufactured by conventional techniques are known to suffer from stress corrosion cracking, overaging, instability and creep at low temperatures. Razim, et al., Advanced Materials & Processes, Vol.137, Issue 5, pp. 43-47 (May, 1990). Some of the problems in Mg-Li alloys have been associated with alkali metal impurities and it has been observed that Na levels above 20 ppm reduced room temperature ductility. Payne et al., JIM, Vol. 86, pp.351-352 (1957-58). Some Mg-Li alloy specifications set the Na limit to less than 20 ppm for Wrought products and 10 ppm for castings.

Process for making aluminum-lithium alloys of high toughness


An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a detection unit, an estimation unit, and a prediction unit. The detection unit detects a target object from an input image. The estimation unit estimates a posture of the detected target object. The prediction unit predicts an action of the target object on a basis of the estimated posture.

Accident avoidance technologies at emergencies, such as an automatic emergency brake and a collision avoidance system, are becoming common. Further, systems that raise caution of drivers and the like for avoiding accidents have also been developed. For example, in Patent Literature 1, a judgment is made on whether a bicycle traveling in front of own vehicle is apt to fall over on the basis of weather information and road information read out from a database. In a case where the bicycle in front is apt to fall over, a warning to that effect is made to a driver (paragraphs [0043] to [0049] etc. in specification of Patent Literature 1).
In addition, in Patent Literature 2, a judgment is made on whether a pedestrian is present in an area where own vehicle travels by analyzing an image ahead of the vehicle, that has been photographed by an infrared camera. Also by detecting movements of pedestrians outside the traveling area, a danger level of a pedestrian entering the traveling area is judged. A warning sound with a narrow directivity is output to a pedestrian in an area or a pedestrian of a high danger level (paragraphs [0051], [0052], [0068], etc. in specification of Patent Literature 2).

Information processing apparatus and information processing method


A substrate on which a protected conductive layer is formed. The conductive layer is formed by laminating together different kinds of conductive metal layers. A lowermost conductive metal layer of the conductive metal layers is formed on an insulating surface of a substrate body. A restraining structure contacts at least two conductive metal layers of the conductive metal layers. The restraining structure restrains elution of the conductive metal to prevent parts of the conductive metal from being eroded.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a substrate having a conductive layer thereon and a method of manufacturing such a substrate. The conductive layer is formed by laminating different kinds of conductive metal layers, and has a predetermined shape. The present invention can be effectively adopted to, for example, a metal substrate for a hybrid integrated circuit (IC).
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional metal substrate for a hybrid IC in which an electric circuit pattern is formed on an insulating layer has been known. The metal substrate is formed by the following process. First the insulating layer of resin and then a conductive metal layer formed of a plurality of sublayers are formed on a metal plate. The metal layer is then etched to form the pattern.
Such a substrate uses a laminated body formed by laminating different kinds of conductive metal sublayers as the metal layer, one of the sublayers is of a material to improve an electric conductivity, and a thermal conductivity, and another is of a material to improve a wire bonding characteristics. An example of such a laminated body is disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,521,476.
The laminated body is formed, for example, as shown in FIG. 8(a). Namely, a zinc (Zn) layer is formed on rolled aluminum foil by a substitution plating method. A copper (Cu) layer is then formed on the zinc layer by an electroplating method. Thus, the laminated body has an Al-Zn-Cu structure. The copper layer is bonded to an insulating layer. According to this structure, electric conductivity and thermal conductivity of the laminated body are improved because of the copper layer, and wire bonding characteristic to the laminated body is also improved because of the aluminum foil.
However, when a hybrid IC substrate having the above-mentioned laminated body has been operated in a damp atmosphere for a long time, some of the metal existing at the contact portion between the laminated metal layers becomes eluted. "Eluted" means that a part of the metal is actually lost so that the structure becomes as shown in FIG. 8(b), with the Zn being shorter than the other metals. It is believed that this is caused by a water film being formed on a surface of the laminated body, and the specific metal being ionized due to the potential difference between the laminated metal layers. For example, in the laminated body shown in FIG. 8(a), zinc is ionized, and the ionized zinc becomes as shown in FIG. 8(b). Therefore, the upper layer of aluminum foil more easily comes off the copper layer, because the zinc layer, which bonds the aluminum foil to the copper layer, is decreased in size.
Generally speaking, a larger difference between ionization tendencies of the conductive metal layers contacting each other will cause more metal to be eluted. Moreover, the eluted metal is the metal has a larger ionization tendency. In the laminated body shown in FIG. 8(a), the difference between ionization tendencies of copper and zinc is larger than between zinc and aluminum, and a stable alumina (Al.sub.2 O.sub.3) layer has been formed on the surface of the aluminum foil. Therefore, aluminum which has the largest ionization tendency among these metals is not eluted, and instead zinc is eluted.
The elution length L (shown in FIG. 8(b)) increases over time. Especially when the insulating layer is a resin layer, such as an epoxy layer, the elution length L becomes long, because is that chlorine ions (Cl-) exist as free ions in the resin layer and they change the water film into an electrolytic water solution film.

Substrate having a multiple metal protected conductive layer and method of manufacturing the same


A pedestal seat gear bag system that is installed between a pedestal seat and a pedestal seat post, the bag system comprises of a spacer that is attached to the seat. The invention is further comprised of a circular mounting bracket that is attached to the spacer and to the pedestal seat post. And lastly, the invention is further comprised of a bag system that is attached to the circular mounting bracket so that the bag system drapes over the circumference of the circular mounting bracket, the bag system defines a plurality of pockets.

The present invention is directed to a gear bag that is used on marine vessels to maximize deck space, maximize accessibility to equipment and to reduce the possibility of on-board accidents.
The inventor is an avid boater that has studied the hazards caused by the placement of storage bags in the limited amount of space that is available in small to medium sized recreational and commercial fishing vessels.
The inventor has also studied the available spaces in a small to medium sized fishing vessels. What he realized during his studies was that there was one space that allowed for a gear bag to be placed that would not minimize the amount space available on a boat and that would not cause a hazard by its placement. The space was directly under the seat of the boat pedestal seats on fishing vessels.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a seat gear bag system and bracket that can be placed on boat seat pedestals that will maximize the space on a fishing vessel and that will not be a hazard.

Pedestal seat gear bag and bracket system


A window or a door has a frame structure and a U-shaped bar simultaneously serving as reinforcement section and a turn-tilt mechanism.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention concerns a reinforced window frame consisting of plastic sections and a tilt-turn mechanism. The tilt-turn mechanism is equipped with a sliding bar and with gears, corner diverting mechanisms and a locking tenon.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Such windows, doors and the like are already known in the art. In a known manner, a reinforcement section is inserted into a plastic hollow section and equipped with an ironwork mechanism screwed into the plastic hollow section.
Such an arrangement has the disadvantage that the assembly and installation thereof are very costly and very time consuming.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a window frame that is stable and easy to assemble and install.


A positive electrode active material for lithium secondary batteries, includes: a lithium composite metal compound containing secondary particles formed by aggregation of primary particles; and a lithium-containing tungsten oxide, in which the lithium-containing tungsten oxide is present at least in interparticle spaces of the primary particles, and in a pore distribution of the positive electrode active material for lithium secondary batteries measured by a mercury intrusion method, a surface area of pores having a pore diameter in a range of 10 nm or more to 200 nm or less is 0.4 m2/g or more and 3.0 m2/g or less.

A lithium-containing transition metal oxide has been used as a positive electrode active material for lithium secondary batteries. Lithium secondary batteries are already in practical use not only for small power sources in mobile phone applications, notebook personal computer applications, and the like but also for medium-sized and large-sized power sources in automotive applications, power storage applications, and the like.
In order to improve the performance of a lithium secondary battery such as battery capacity, a lithium composite metal compound containing lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese is used as a positive electrode active material for lithium secondary batteries. Furthermore, in order to achieve low resistance and long life of the battery, it is beneficial to include tungsten in the positive electrode active material for lithium secondary batteries. For example, PTLs 1 to 4 describe methods of mixing a lithium salt and a tungsten compound.

Positive electrode active material for lithium secondary batteries, positive electrode for lithium secondary batteries, and lithium secondary battery


Provided are surface modified contact lenses formed from one or more fumaric- or itaconic-containing prepolymers having reactive functionality that is complimentary to surface modifying polymers.

Medical devices such as ophthalmic lenses made from silicone materials have been investigated for a number of years. Such materials can generally be sub-divided into two major classes, namely hydrogels and non-hydrogels. Non-hydrogels do not absorb appreciable amounts of water, whereas hydrogels can absorb and retain water in an equilibrium state. Hydrogels generally have water content between about 15 to about 80 weight percent. Regardless of their water content, both non-hydrogel and hydrogel silicone medical devices tend to have relatively hydrophobic, non-wettable surfaces that have a high affinity for lipids. This problem is of particular concern with contact lenses.
Fumarate- and fumaramide-containing monomers and compositions comprising the monomers have been developed to make highly oxygen permeable hydrogels which may be used to make biomedical devices including contact lenses. Examples of these fumarate- and fumaramide-containing monomers and compositions can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,374,662, 5,420,324, and 5,496,871, the contents of each being incorporated by reference herein. Because of the polar character of amide functionality, this class of monomer shows good compatibility with both hydrophobic monomers such as tris (trimethylsiloxy) silane (TRIS) and hydrophilic monomers such as N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMA). These prior art prepolymers provide silicone hydrogels with excellent oxygen permeability and mechanical properties. However, like other silicone hydrogels, they are not wettable enough to be useful as continuous wear lenses unless the surface is treated.
Surface structure and composition determine many of the physical properties and ultimate uses of solid materials. Characteristics such as wettability and lipid deposit resistance are largely influenced by surface characteristics. The alteration of surface characteristics is of special significance in biotechnical applications where biocompatibility is of particular concern. Therefore, those skilled in the art have long recognized the need for rendering the surface of contact lenses and other medical devices hydrophilic or more hydrophilic. Increasing the hydrophilicity of the contact-lens surface improves the wettability of the contact lenses with tear fluid in the eye. This in turn improves the wear comfort of the contact lenses. In the case of continuous-wear lenses, the surface is especially important. The surface of a continuous-wear lens must be designed not only for comfort, but to avoid adverse reactions such as corneal edema, inflammation, or lymphocyte infiltration. Improved surface active monomers have accordingly been sought for preparing contact lenses having improved surface properties.

Prepolymerizable surface active monomers with both fluorine-containing groups and hydrophilic groups