Abstract: A method and system for analyzing performance of a turbine. The turbine optimizer allows a user to evaluate the current performance of their turbine with its current configuration and the future performance of their turbine with a modified configuration. The turbine optimizer determines the current performance characteristic of the turbine based on the current configuration information. Upon receiving from a user a request to display the future performance characteristics, the turbine optimizer calculates the performance characteristics for that turbine if various modifications are made to its configuration. The turbine optimizer may provide a graph that illustrates the current performance characteristics and future performance characteristics with those modifications. The turbine optimizer may also calculate various financial estimates based on the current operating characteristics or future operating characteristics of the turbine.

Abstract: A method for forming a layer on a semiconductor substrate is provided. A semiconductor substrate having a central axis may be positioned a first distance from a first target and a second distance from a second target. The second target may have at least first and second portions on opposing sides of the central axis of the semiconductor substrate. The first and second targets may be exposed to a processing gas. First and second biases may be respectively applied to the first and second targets such that ions in the processing gas bombard the first and second targets and deposition particles are ejected from the first and second targets onto the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing fast clip-testing operations in a general purpose processor are provided. This is accomplished by executing a single instruction for comparing a first value x to a second value y and, as a result of the comparison, determining whether x is less than y and whether x-is less than negative y. The values x and y are stored in respective source registers of the processor specified by the instruction. Finally, as a result of the determination, one or more binary values representing the results of the determination are inserted into a destination register of the processor also specified by the instruction. Accordingly, the invention advantageously provides a general purpose processor with the ability to execute a clip-testing function with a single instruction compared with prior art general purpose processors that require multiple instructions to perform the same function.

Abstract: A graphics system and method for increasing efficiency of decompressing blocks of compressed geometry data and reducing redundant transformation and lighting calculations is disclosed. Multiple decompression pipelines are used to increases the decompression speed. A control unit receives blocks of compressed geometry data information and selectively routes them to a plurality of decompression pipelines. Each decompression pipeline is configured to decompress the blocks into a set of vertices. The reduction in redundant calculations is accomplished by delaying the formation of geometric primitives until after transformation and lighting has been performed on the vertices. Transformation and/or lighting are performed independently on a vertex-by-vertex basis without reference to which geometric primitives the vertices belong to. After transformation and or lighting, geometric primitives may be formed utilizing previously generated connectivity information.

Abstract: A crude oil feedstock or crude oil fractions containing pitch feedstock is pyrolyzed in a pyrolysis furnace.

Abstract: A graphics system and method for reducing redundant transformation calculations and lighting calculations performed on vertices that are shared by more than one geometric primitive is disclosed. The reduction in redundant calculations is accomplished by delaying the formation of geometric primitives until after transformation and lighting has been performed on the vertices. Transformation and or lighting are performed independently on a vertex-by-vertex basis without reference to which geometric primitives the vertices belong to. After transformation and or lighting, geometric primitives may be formed utilizing previously generated connectivity information. The connectivity information may include mesh buffer references, vertex tags, or other types of information.

Abstract: A method and instruction set for geometry compression and decompression is disclosed. The method and instruction set includes one or more of the following attributes and instructions: a gosub-type instruction, a goto-type instruction, direct and indirect attribute-setting instructions, and matrix manipulation instructions. The instructions may be embedded within individual vertex descriptions, or they may be specified independent of any individual vertex in order to set global state information that applies to all vertices that follow the instruction. Individual vertex instructions may temporarily override the global settings. A graphics system configured to execute the instruction set is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for distributing gas to multiple feeds into a chamber 125 to process a substrate 115. In one embodiment, the system 155 includes a process gas injector 190 for introducing process gas into the chamber 125 and a shield assembly 200 having a number of shield bodies 210, 215, adjacent to the process gas injector to reduce deposition of process byproducts thereon. Each shield body 210, 215, has a screen 230 and a metering tube 240 with an array of holes 245 therein to deliver shield gas through the screen. Shield gas is supplied to the metering tubes 240 through a number of flowpaths 255, each having a flow limiter 265 with an orifice 270 sized so that equal flows of shield gas are provided from each of the shield bodies 210, 215. Preferably, the orifices 270 are also sized so that the flow of shield gas through each metering tube 240 is constant, even if the shield gas is supplied from a supply that varies in pressure or flow.

Abstract: A method and system for analyzing performance of a turbine. The turbine optimizer allows a user to evaluate the current performance of their turbine with its current configuration and the future performance of their turbine with a modified configuration. The turbine optimizer determines the current performance characteristic of the turbine based on the current configuration information. Upon receiving from a user a request to display the future performance characteristics, the turbine optimizer calculates the performance characteristics for that turbine if various modifications are made to its configuration. The turbine optimizer may provide a graph that illustrates the current performance characteristics and future performance characteristics with those modifications. The turbine optimizer may also calculate various financial estimates based on the current operating characteristics or future operating characteristics of the turbine.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for distributing gas to multiple feeds into a chamber 125 to process a substrate 115. In one embodiment, the system 155 includes a process gas injector 190 for introducing process gas into the chamber 125 and a shield assembly 200 having a number of shield bodies 210, 215, adjacent to the process gas injector to reduce deposition of process byproducts thereon. Each shield body 210, 215, has a screen 230 and a metering tube 240 with an array of holes 245 therein to deliver shield gas through the screen. Shield gas is supplied to the metering tubes 240 through a number of flowpaths 255, each having a flow limiter 265 with an orifice 270 sized so that equal flows of shield gas are provided from each of the shield bodies 210, 215. Preferably, the orifices 270 are also sized so that the flow of shield gas through each metering tube 240 is constant, even if the shield gas is supplied from a supply that varies in pressure or flow.

Abstract: A portion of the feed line to a distilling column/flasher (or the like apparatus) is used as a flow-through cyclone to separate vapor and liquid components of the feed. Vortex flow is induced in the flasher feed line with a swirl vane assembly having drainage slots in the bottommost portion thereof for preventing entrapment of liquids therein. A shave-off device at the discharge end of the flasher feed line minimizes re-entrainment. The shave-off device includes a short cylinder, slightly smaller in diameter than the feed line and arranged coaxially therewith to form an annulus, which leads to a circular liquid collection chamber and collection chute draining into the flasher unit. Covers are removable for cleaning. The purpose of the shave-off device is to remove the liquids from the wall of the transfer (flasher feed) line in such a way that re-entrainment of liquids is minimized. The non-intrusive nature of the shave-off device minimizes vapor phase pressure drop.