Abstract: Chunks that commonly occur in each content type are aggregated in a first container. To be more specific, a storage device used for content backup is configured with: (1) a memory device that provides a memory region for one or a plurality of first containers used to store first chunks that commonly occur in each content type among chunks extracted from the contents of writing targets, and for one or a plurality of second containers used to store other chunks than the first chunks; and (2) a backup unit that decides whether each of the chunks extracted from the contents of the writing targets is a first duplication chunk duplicating a chunk stored in the first container, and further decides, for only a chunk that is decided not to be the first duplication chunk, whether each of the chunks is a second duplication chunk duplicating a chunk stored in the second container, and then stores only a chunk that is decided not to be the second duplication chunk in the second container.

Abstract: A vehicle pedal stroke limiting tool is configured for testing applications within a host vehicle which includes a conventional brake, clutch and/or throttle pedal assembly disposed between the operator's seating position and a vehicle cabin bulkhead, wherein the pedal assembly is manually displaced by operator foot action between a released position and an extended position. The pedal stroke limiting tool includes a base member which is temporarily mounted on the foot pad of the pedal assembly for travel therewith. A stop arm is affixed to the base member and is selectively adjustable to extend toward the cabin bulkhead for stopping travel of the pedal assembly before it reaches its extended position. Force and displacement sensors are mounted to the stroke limiting for obtaining test data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing an overpressure caused by an explosion of a vapor cloud are provided. In one or more embodiments, the system can include one or more sensors operable to detect the explosion of the vapor cloud. The system can also include one or more igniters operable to ignite the vapor cloud at locations throughout, after the explosion of the vapor cloud is detected, to provide a discrete combustion zone at each location. Each combustion zone can form a discrete pressure wave, thereby reducing the overpressure caused by the explosion of the vapor cloud.

Abstract: A waveguide pathway and a phased-array device utilizing the waveguide pathway are provided. The waveguide pathway comprises a two-dimensional array of homogeneous unit cells. Each unit cell includes a branch point leading to two waveguide branches. Each waveguide branch passes through a positive phase shift element and a negative phase shift element, in series, and with each waveguide branch passing through the two phase shift elements in opposite order relative to the other waveguide branch. Each unit cell additionally includes a convergence point where the two waveguide branches converge. The wavepath grid and the phased-array device are capable of producing output channels with linear, asymmetrical phase distribution but with symmetrical power distribution without employing amplifiers. The phased-array device can be tuned with single-channel or dual-channel control.

Abstract: A support structure for an offshore device is provided, including a vertical guide sleeve and three elongated guide sleeves positioned around the vertical guide sleeve, and various braces connecting the elongated sleeves and the vertical guide sleeve. The support structure also includes a transition joint including a cylindrical portion for connection to an offshore device, such as a support tower of a wind turbine assembly, and a conical portion connected to the vertical guide sleeve. To provide resistance to thrust, bending, and torsional fatigue, at least one set of braces is formed in an oval, racetrack, obround, or stadium configuration, and one or more horizontal stiffeners are positioned in the transition joint to maximize the strength of the support structure.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a semiconductor bonding structure and process and a semiconductor chip. The semiconductor bonding structure includes a first pillar, a first interface, an intermediate area, a second interface and a second pillar in sequence. The first pillar, the second pillar and the intermediate area include a first metal. The first interface and the second interface include the first metal and an oxide of a second metal. The content percentage of the first metal in the first interface and the second interface is less than that of the first metal in the intermediate area.

Abstract: Protein-polymer composite materials are provided according to embodiments of the present invention that include an admixture of a polymer resin, a surfactant and a non-aqueous organic solvent. An aqueous solution containing bioactive proteins is mixed with the admixture. The emulsion is mixed with a crosslinker to produce a curable composition. The curable composition is cured, thereby producing the protein-polymer composite material that is useful for facilitating removal of bioorganic stains.

Abstract: A method of user-selecting a custom wiping rate using a windshield wiper control system is provided. The method includes activating a wiper motor connected to a windshield wiper by moving control stalk to a first switching position providing the windshield wiper with a first wiping rate. The control stalk is moved repeatedly to a second switching position, wherein successive movements of the control stalk to the second switching position define one or more tap intervals. The one or more tap intervals are determined using an analyzing and control system. Speed of the wiper motor is changed to set a second wiping rate different from the first wiping rate using the analyzing and control system based on the one or more tap intervals.

Abstract: A glove compartment box energy having a tear seam on an inner wall is provided. The glove compartment box is mounted in an instrument panel of a vehicle. The tear seam is configured to allow a rearward moving structure from within the instrument panel such as a portion of the vehicle HVAC system to rupture the tear seam and enter an interior volume of the glove compartment box. The glove compartment box further has a frangible portion disposed on the inner wall. The frangible portion extends towards an interior of the instrument panel to concentrate stress on the tear seam. The tear seam and frangible portion prevent the rearward moving structure from displacing the glove compartment box rearward into a passenger compartment.

Abstract: A pipe handling apparatus has a boom pivotally movable between a first position and a second position, a riser assembly pivotally connected to the boom, an arm pivotally connected at one end to the first portion of the riser assembly and extending outwardly therefrom, a gripper affixed to an opposite end of the arm suitable for gripping a diameter of the pipe, a link pivotally connected to the riser assembly and pivotable so as to move relative to the movement of the boom between the first and second positions, and a brace having a one end pivotally connected to the boom and an opposite end pivotally connected to the arm between the ends of the arm. The riser assembly has a first portion extending outwardly at an obtuse angle with respect to the second portion.

Abstract: An atomic layer deposition apparatus for forming a thin film on a substrate, including a first container that defines a first inner space, a second container provided inside the first container to define a second inner space, the second container being canister-shaped and including a first opening at one end thereof, a source gas that forms the thin film on the substrate flowing to the second inner space through the first opening, and a pressing member including a gas supply port for supplying the source gas to the second inner space through the first opening, the pressing member being configured to press the second container in a longitudinal direction of the second container so that the second inner space be separated from the first inner space.

Abstract: A method for estimating a particulate content in a slurry of the present invention is a method for estimating a content of particulates having a predetermined particle size or less in a slurry with solid particles dispersed in hydrocarbons including a wax, the method including, based on a correlation between a visible light transmittance and a content of solid particles having the predetermined particle size or less at a temperature at which hydrocarbons including a wax are liquefied when the solid particles having the predetermined particle size or less are dispersed in the hydrocarbons, estimating a content of particulates having the predetermined particle size or less in the slurry from a visible light transmittance of a supernatant part when the slurry is left to stand at the temperature.

Abstract: A burner shield (100) for use in a horizontal flammability test chamber (102) is a planar member (120) that contains a stop (126) and a bend (128). A first area (120A) is defined as the area of the planar member (120) between the proximate end (124) and the stop (126), limited to the area of planar member 120 inside chamber 102 by stop 126. The first area (120A) of planar member (120) is inserted through an aperture on chamber (102) so that a substantial portion of first area (120A) covers burner (104) within chamber (102) so that the top surface of first area (120A) accumulates any byproduct (130) and/or prevents it from entering burner (104). The bend (128) is angled downward relative to the horizontal axis of the first area (120A) such that a distal end (122) is substantially aligned with the stop (126) and the distal end (122) abuts or rests against the outside portion of test chamber (102) to stabilize and support burner shield (100) during testing.

Abstract: A method for converting carbon dioxide in flue gas into natural gas using dump energy. The method includes: 1) transforming and rectifying a voltage of dump energy generated from a renewable energy plant, introducing the voltage-transformed and rectified dump energy into an electrolyte solution to electrolyze water therein to yield H2 and O2; 2) purifying industrial flue gas to separate CO2 therein and purifying CO2; 3) transporting H2 generated and CO2 to a synthesis equipment, allowing a methanation reaction between H2 and CO2 to happen to yield a high-temperature mixed gas with main ingredients of CH4 and water vapor; 4) employing the high-temperature mixed gas to conduct indirect heat exchange with process water to yield superheated water vapor; 5) delivering the superheated water vapor to a turbine to generate electric energy, and returning the electric energy to step 1); and 6) condensing and drying the mixed gas.

Abstract: In one or more embodiments, an apparatus and method for processing an analog signal into a digital signal includes an input current buffer circuit, a signal charge integration node, a dual function comparator, a step charge subtractor, a state latch, a coarse N-bit counter, an optional residue signal buffer and a residue signal M-bit time-to-digital (TDC) converter. The circuitry is free running, meaning that it is never reset. Instead, what is tracked for each frame is how much additional charge has been accumulated since the end of the previous integration period. Between each frame, the state of the counter and the amount of charge residing in the integration node are recorded. This information from the beginning and end of a given frame is differenced and to this is added the amount of charge indicated by the number of times the counter overflowed during the integration period.

Abstract: A multilayer substrate includes a first outer conductive patterned layer, a first insulating layer exposing a portion of the first outer conductive patterned layer to define a first set of pads, a second outer conductive patterned layer, and a second insulating layer exposing a portion of the second outer conductive patterned layer to define a second set of pads. The multilayer substrate further includes inner layers each with an inner conductive patterned layer, multiple inner conductive posts formed adjacent to the inner conductive patterned layer, and an inner dielectric layer, where the inner conductive patterned layer and the inner conductive posts are embedded in the inner dielectric layer, and a top surface of each of the inner conductive posts is exposed from the inner dielectric layer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of evaluating stability of software code for a control system includes receiving a set of initial trajectories by a semidefinite programming solver module, and determining one or more candidate Lyapunov functions based on the set of initial trajectories. The method further includes performing a plurality of simulations using a model of the control system to create a set of discovered trajectories, and evaluating the set of discovered trajectories to determine one or more counterexample trajectories that violate one or more Lyapunov conditions. If one or more counterexample trajectories are discovered, then the method includes inputting the set of discovered trajectories including the one or more counterexample trajectories into the semidefinite programming solver module, and determining, by the semidefinite programming solver module, one or more additional candidate Lyapunov functions from the set of initial trajectories and the set of discovered trajectories.

Abstract: A cold drawing process for forming titanium blanks into titanium pieces in which the titanium blank is pre-treated with a wet lubricant prior to drawing. The wet lubricant lubricates the interfaces of the titanium blank and the punch to substantially reduce galling and hardening of the surface of the titanium blank from the drawing process, thereby eliminating the need to anneal the formed titanium pieces prior to additional drawing, stamping, punching or other forming processes.

Abstract: A replaceable ink container of an ink supply device includes an opening plug for plugging an insertion opening into which a male connector is to be inserted. The opening plug includes an outer valve and an inner valve. The outer valve has an outer valve body pressed by the male connector and opened in a case where the male connector is inserted into the insertion opening. The outer valve body is closed by making contact with the male connector in a case where the male connector is pulled out from the insertion opening. The inner valve has an inner valve body indirectly pressed by the male connector and opened in the case where the male connector is inserted into the insertion opening. The inner valve body is closed by receiving at least a pressure of ink in the case where the male connector is pulled out from the insertion opening.