Abstract: A discharge gas containing PFC gas including CF4 and NF3 generated from a manufacturing process (10) is adsorbed at an adsorbing device (18) and then desorbed using nitrogen as a purge gas. A desorbed gas with CF4 and NF3 concentrated can be obtained in this manner. The desorbed gas is then supplied to a chromatographic separator (20) for chromatographic separation with nitrogen as a carrier gas. In this manner, CF4 and NF3 within the PFC gas can be separated. In particular, because the gas is once concentrated at the adsorbing device (18), chromatographic separation of the gas constituents can be efficiently performed. By independently concentrating CF4 and NF3 obtained by the chromatographic separation, high purity gas constituents of the PFC gas can be obtained, and reused at the manufacturing process (10).

Abstract: A transmission gate immune to noise that selectively delivers/draws charge to/from a noisy input node in order to ensure that an output node is not adversely affected by the noise on the input node is provided. Further, an NMOS pass gate immune to noise that delivers charge to a noisy input node in order to ensure that an output node is not adversely affected by the noise on the input node is provided. Further, a PMOS pass gate immune to noise that draws charge from a noisy input node in order to ensure that an output node is not adversely affected by the noise on the input node is provided.

Abstract: An offshore liquefied natural gas regasification system is disclosed, which includes a mobile floating platform having a regasification unit disposed on it. The regasification unit is adapted to operatively couple to an outlet of a liquefied natural gas carrier. The regasification unit is adapted to operatively couple at its outlet to a tap on an offshore gas pipeline. The mobile floating platform is adapted to moor to at least one liquefied natural gas carrier.

Abstract: A variable delay circuit comprises: a delay compensation unit, which has a plurality of referential delay units that include different numbers of first variable delay elements, the delay amount of which varies based on a control signal, the delay compensation unit generates each of a plurality of the control signals, which are provided to the first variable delay elements, according to a number of the first variable delay elements; and a delay unit which generates the desired delay amount by controlling a plurality of second variable delay elements, which have a same characteristic with the first variable delay elements, by the plurality of control signals.

Abstract: A picture data encoding apparatus includes a target bit amount determining part for calculating a target bit amount for each block according to a bit rate and a number of blocks to be converted; and a bit amount adjusting part for reducing a bit amount for each block to the target bit amount by means of reducing the bit amount for each code by converting run level information for each code into lower run level information.

Abstract: A method for reducing the noise associated with a clock signal for a latch based circuit has been developed. The method includes storing a charge at a pre-determined time of the clock cycle and releasing the stored charge also at a pre-determined time of the clock cycle. The charge is released onto the power grid of the system served by the clock signal in synchronization with the operation of the latch.

Abstract: An image detection method for detecting a target image from an image of an object having a band-like pattern extending along a predetermined direction, the target image containing at least part of the band-like pattern, the method includes: storing at least part of the image of the object as image data; detecting a first partial image from the stored image data based on a first template containing a first band-like template pattern that extends along the predetermined direction, the first partial image being an image of a first partial region containing substantially the same pattern as the first band-like template pattern; and detecting a second partial image, as the target image, in a region extending from the first partial region along the predetermined direction based on the target image containing the at least part of the band-like pattern, the second partial image being an image of a second partial region containing substantially the same pattern as that of the target image.

Abstract: A zoom lens is described that includes: a first lens group having positive refracting power and fixed with respect to an image plane; a second lens group having negative refracting power and varying power, wherein the power is varied by moving along an optical axis; a third lens group having positive refracting power and fixed with respect to the image plane; and a fourth lens group having: positive refracting power and moving along an optical axis so as to keep the image plane varied by movement of the second lens group and an object at a predetermined position from a reference surface. The first, second, third, and fourth lens groups are disposed from the object side to the image plane side in this order. The second lens group is composed of two negative lenses and one positive lens. The third lens group is composed of two positive lenses and one negative lens. The fourth lens group is composed of a positive lens. The second to fourth lens groups include at least one aspherical surface, respectively.

Abstract: A 90 degree bump placement layout for an integrated circuit power grid is provided. This layout improves integrated circuit performance and reliability and gives an integrated circuit designer added flexibility and uniformity in designing the integrated circuit. Further, a patterned bump array for a top metal layer of an integrated circuit having a plurality of 90 degree bump placement structures is provided.

Abstract: A subsea passive flash gas compression system that includes a first separator that removes high pressure flash gas from a hydrocarbon product, a second separator that removes low pressure flash gas from the hydrocarbon product after the high pressure flash gas has been removed, and an ejector. The ejector includes a high pressure input that is coupled to a high pressure flash gas output of the first separator. The ejector also includes a low pressure input that is coupled to a low pressure flash gas output of the second separator. An output of the ejector is coupled to an outlet pipeline that extends from proximate the sea bottom to the sea surface.

Abstract: A joint structure for joining a composite beam and a column is disclosed. The composite beam includes an I-beam and a pair of wooden members. The joint structure includes a mortise pin provided on the composite beam and protruding beyond an outer surface of one of the wooden members. The mortise pin is provided with a through-hole at a predetermined position. A bottom hole is provided at a bottom surface of the column in a manner that the bottom hole is adapted to receive the mortise pin. A horizontal hole is provided at a side face of the column at a position corresponding to the through-hole of the mortise pin. The composite beam is connected with the column by first inserting the mortise pin into the bottom hole of the column and then inserting a locking pin into the through-hole of the mortise pin and the horizontal hole of the column such that joint of the composite beam and the column is firmly secured. A method of joining a composite beam and a column is also disclosed.

Abstract: A roller cone drill bit includes a bit body adapted to be rotated about a longitudinal axis. At least one leg which terminates in a shirttail portion depends from the bit body. The shirttail portion defines a first end face having a first circumferential groove thereon. The first circumferential groove has a radius equal to the radius of a tip of the shirttail portion. A journal is cantilevered from the leg, and a roller cone is rotatably mounted on the journal. The roller cone has a second end face adjacent to the first end face. A second circumferential groove is formed on the second end face.

Abstract: A discharge gas containing PFC gas including CF4 and NF3 generated from a manufacturing process (10) is concentrated at a concentrator (18) and then chromatographically separated at a chromatographic separator (20) with nitrogen as a carrier gas. In this manner, CF4 and NF3 within the PFC gas can be separated. In particular, because the gas is once concentrated at the concentrator (18), chromatographic separation can be efficiently achieved. By independently concentrating CF4 and NF3 obtained by the chromatographic separation, high purity gas constituents of the PFC gas can be obtained, and reused at the manufacturing process (10).

Abstract: A threaded connector includes a pin member having a large thread step and a small thread step. The pin member has a first sealing surface between the steps. Threads on the steps of the pin member each have load flanks and stab flanks. The connector includes a box member having a large thread step and a small thread step corresponding to the thread steps on the pin member. The box member has a second sealing surface corresponding to the first sealing surface. Threads on the steps of the box member have load flanks and stab flanks corresponding to the threads on the pin member. The threads on the large thread step have a first clearance between corresponding stab flanks on the pin and box members when the pin and box members are assembled and the corresponding load flanks are engaged. The threads on the small step have a second clearance between corresponding stab flanks when the pin and box members are assembled. The first clearance in one embodiment is smaller than the second clearance.

Abstract: A roller cone drill bit for drilling earth formations is disclosed. The bit includes a bit body and a plurality of roller cones attached to the bit body and able to rotate with respect to the bit body. The drill bit includes plurality of cutting elements disposed on each of the roller cones such that at least one of the cutting elements includes a step shaped crest on its outer surface. In one embodiment, the step shaped crest includes a difference in extent between a more extensive and less extensive crest segment selected to correspond to a penetration depth in a particular earth formation at which fracture failure is expected. Other embodiments include one or more flank surfaces having more and less extensive surfaces thereon corresponding to the more and less extensive crest segments.

Abstract: A magnetic disk for a magnetic recording/reproduction device includes a magnetic head, wherein a magnetization bit-pattern corresponding to a preformat information signal is recorded beforehand on the magnetic disk, wherein the magnetization bit-pattern is recorded by contacting a surface of the magnetic disk with a surface of a master information carrier having a pattern corresponding to the preformat information signal, and a portion of the magnetization bit-pattern corresponding to at least one signal selected from a clock signal and a synchronous signal has a recording width that is larger than a recording track width of the magnetic head in a radial direction of the magnetic disk.

Abstract: A method for optimizing drilling performance of a roller cone drill bit is disclosed. The method includes simulating drilling with the bit in a selected earth formation to determine at least one drilling performance parameter. The orientation of at least one non-axisymmetric cutting element on the bit is adjusted and the simulating the drilling and determining the at least one performance parameter are repeated. The adjusting and simulating the drilling are repeated until the at least one performance parameter is determined to be at an optimum value. In one embodiment, the performance parameter includes rate of penetration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stretching and/or shortening a clock cycle uses a multiplexor stage, in which a multiplexor switches between a normal clock signal and a delayed clock signal. Further, a method and apparatus for generating a plurality of stretched and/or shortened clock cycles uses a multiplexor stage in which a multiplexor successively switches between a normal clock signal and a plurality of delayed clock signals. Further, a method and apparatus for removing a clock cycle uses a multiplexor stage, in which a multiplexor switches between either a normal clock signal or a delayed clock signal and a grounded signal.

Abstract: A semiconductor device capable of improving a yield rate in a semiconductor testing process. The semiconductor device includes a measuring object circuit, a pattern generation circuit for generating a test pattern used for testing the operation of the measuring object circuit, a data output terminal for outputting a test result generated by the measuring object circuit when the test pattern is given to the measuring object circuit, a register for storing the test result when the test is performed, an oscillator for generating and giving a clock with a frequency used for the test to the measuring object circuit, a controller for controlling a test interval signal indicating a test interval for the test to be active for a predetermined cycle by synchronizing with the oscillator after receiving the activation signal, a delay circuit for delaying the clock for a predetermined time, and a ripple counter for dividing the clock delayed by the delayed circuit.