Abstract: A plurality of end devices are coupled via a shared port to an asynchronous network in which traffic is carried in cells. A cell multiplexer is disposed between the devices and the port and is adapted to multiplex cells from the devices to the port in the order in which they are received by the multiplexer. The multiplexer broadcasts cells received from the network to all of the devices. Each said device is allocated a respective VCI so that it can identify its own cells from the broadcast cells.

Abstract: A shipping kit assembly is disclosed for use in transporting circuit packs installed in electronic bays. The assembly kit includes a pair of spaced, upper and lower channel members which, together with a vertical band strap received in and retained thereby, are adapted to secure and support a plurality of circuit packs which are installed in shelf units or sub-racks for shipping or transporting therein. The bottom channel member incorporates a supporting bracket at each end therefor for securing and locating an attached circuit pack in a predetermined location in the shelf unit or sub-rack. One or more horizontal band straps may be used to secure the packs against movement in the shelf unit.

Abstract: A kit for assembling a tool and the resulting tool which includes a shaft member, a blade member and a locking clip member securing the shaft member to the blade member. The shaft has an orifice extending into its periphery toward a lower end thereof. The blade member has an aperture for receiving the lower end of the shaft member. The blade member has a first orifice extending therethrough and a second orifice which registers with the orifice in the shaft member when the shaft member is inserted fully into the blade member. The locking clip member is non-resiliently deformable and has a first end which may be bent to lodge the clip in the first orifice of the blade member. The locking clip member has a second end, opposite the first end, for insertion through the orifice of the shaft member and the second orifice of the blade member to lock the blade member to the shaft member. A method for assembling the kit is also provided.

Abstract: An alarm signal processing circuit is provided for an integrated circuit having alarm signal generating circuitry for generating alarm signals having active and inactive states, and for connecting to a microprocessor. An alarm signal is stored in an alarm register which stores an inactive alarm signal until receipt of an active alarm signal, whereupon it stores the active alarm signal until receipt of an alarm register reset signal from the microprocessor. The alarm signal is also detected by an alarm detector which generates an event signal which is active when the alarm signal changes its status. An event register stores an inactive event signal until receipt of an active event signal, whereupon it stores the active event signal until receipt of an event register reset signal from the microprocessor. The event register outputs an event interrupt signal which is active when the stored event signal is active.

Abstract: A drapery actuator to open and close draperies and the like, comprising a housing and a drive pulley supported by the housing to engage a drapery cord. A motor is supported by the housing for reversibility rotating the drive pulley to move the drapery cord between a first extreme position and a second extreme position. A first electrical switch is operatively connected to the motor and a second electrical switch is also operatively connected to the motor. Switch actuator cooperate with the drive pulley such that the first electrical switch is actuated when said drive pulley moves the drapery cord to the first extreme position and the second electrical switch is actuated when the drive pulley is reversibly rotated by the motor to move the drapery cord to the second extreme position whereby when the drapery cord is in the first extreme position and the second extreme position the motor is deactivated and the drapery cord ceases moving.

Abstract: A cermanic heating device, such as a glow plug for use in a diesel engine, has a metallic body with a central bore, a creamic heater portion having a tapered body and a conductive core, and a conductor for electrically connecting the core. The central bore wedgingly receives the ceramic heater portion within the central bore securing electrical contact with the metallic body and positions a distal tip of the ceramic heater portion longitudinally from the metallic body.

Abstract: A computer graphics system is disclosed. The system is for modelling parametric objects having elliptical segments, which are defined as segments bounded by linear radial and elliptical tangential elements. The system includes a retrieval and display function for an object having elliptical segments which have boundary surfaces that intersect at vertices and which have a common origin. The system includes a calculation of the location of the vertices relative to the common origin and evaluates and discards invalid vertices. The system also calculates the boundary surfaces of individual elliptical segments, defined by valid vertices. Output is provided in the form of dimensionally accurate and geometrically undistorted digital models. In one embodiment the system is useful in designing elliptical elements for doors, windows and the like in an architectural drafting program.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for performing data compression on raw uncompressed data. The method develops a semi-adaptive modeler that sub-divides the length of an input data file into blocks of fixed size. The blocks are then sub-divided into sub-blocks in which the frequencies of the symbols are mapped to occupy the whole frequency space. The modeler is then used to develop a reduced complexity implementation of arithmetic coding, whereby, the time consuming divide operation used in computing the symbols' true probabilities is replaced by a simple shift operation. The reduced complexity arithmetic coder is referred to as approximate arithmetic coder. The modeler and the approximate arithmetic coder are then used in a multi-step data compression system that employs a ZL coder. The multi-step method results in high efficiency data compression systems that are ideal for real time operations and are better suited for network communications or data storage systems.

Abstract: A bearing unit is provided with casters on either side reducing frictional losses during travel in a channel. The bearing unit is capable of being hingedly connected to other similar bearing units, end to end, to form a bearing chain. Such a chain is capable of assuming a multitude of shapes and, therefore, can adapt to the shape of a non-linear channel. This device is particularly useful as a means of reducing frictional energy losses when one solid surface is required to slide over another solid surface in a curvilinear path.

Abstract: Obstetric forceps have a pair of elongated members, each having a blade at one end, a handle at an opposite end and a shank connecting the blade and handle. The members pivotally engage each other at a pivot point intermediate their ends and freely moveable when so engaged. The blades and shanks of each of the members are resiliently constructed to exert a traction force within a preset margin of safety and to slip when the preset margin of safety is exceeded.

Abstract: A tie rod assembly for use with forms for forming a wall of pourable, curable material. Each assembly has a rod having opposite threaded ends and two spacers. Each of the spacers has a first conical section having a recessed opening at an apex region of a concave conical guide surface and a hexagonal recess surrounding the apex region, and a second conical section having a threaded bore communicating with the apex opening. The threaded bore has a coil thread nut integrated with the conical second section. The concave conical guide presents a target for directing a remotely inserted bolt towards the apex region for engagement with the coil thread nut.

Abstract: A hydraulic platform lift for trucks, having hydraulic and electrical circuitry to provide automated, or automated with manual override, platform levelling capability in the event the truck is tilted. Three embodiments are claimed where levelling may be accomplished in three separate ways; a first embodiment where levelling is accomplished by stopping one side of the platform and allowing the other side to "catch up", a second embodiment where levelling is accomplished by reversing the direction of movement of one side relative to the other to allow rapid levelling, and a third embodiment where the rate of movement of one side is slowed relative to the other, to allow the other side to "catch up" and thereby level the platform.

Abstract: A fireplace log ignition source which if desired may be used alone as an artificial fireplace log. A plurality of flammable elongate ignition elements are provided, each being resiliently flexible and having at least one distal end which may be bent so as to extend substantially outwardly from the log and substantially perpendicular thereto, so as to form a plurality of points of possible ignition of the log along its longitudinal length. In a preferred embodiment the ignition elements each comprise a wire, surrounded by a thread coated with a flammable material. A portion of the ignition element contacts the periphery of the artificial fireplace log. The wire therein is resiliently biased so as to maintain the ignition element in gripping engagement with the periphery of the fireplace log. The wire also maintains the ignition element in a desired fixed position after ignition thereof and when burning.

Abstract: A microwavable container has an active microwave energy heating element to distribute energy. The active microwave energy heating element includes a plurality of loops interspersed with islands. Similar structures may be used in the tray to distribute energy through the tray. Alternatively, resonant loops interconnected by transmission lines may be dispersed over the tray to distribute energy.

Abstract: A critical power enhancement system is provided for a pressurized fuel channel type nuclear reactor comprising a plurality of fuel bundles contained in a fuel channel and containing a plurality of fuel elements horizontally oriented within the fuel channel. The system comprises at least one appendage strategically located on each of certain fuel elements along its length and projecting outwardly from the surface of the fuel element. The appendages generate turbulence in the coolant flowing at locations along the length of the fuel bundle, where the critical heat flux is most likely to occur. The presence of the appendages suppress the occurrence of the critical heat flux in the fuel bundle thereby increasing the safety limit on the maximum power that can be produced by the reactor.

Abstract: A geographically distributed apparatus and process for detritiating heavy water is provided. The apparatus and process provide a remote site enrichment plant for producing an enriched stream of DT/D.sub.2 gas and a hydriding unit for forming a hydride of the DT/D.sub.2 gas for transportation. Pure tritium gas is produced at a local tritium extraction plant by reforming DT/D.sub.2 in a de-hydriding unit and passing the gas mixture through a chain of cryogenic distillation columns. The invention provides a safe and cost-effective method of detritiating heavy water.

Abstract: A probe used for inspecting tubes or pipes comprises an elongated flexible shaft, a plurality of axially spaced guides on the shaft, the guides being engageable with the inner surface of a tube for maintaining the shaft substantially concentrically disposed within the tube, and a housing for a sensing element, the housing being secured to the shaft for rotation therewith and disposed between a pair of the guides, the housing having a tube contact area for engagement with the inner surface of the tube. The sum of the radial displacement of the contact area from the axis of the shaft of each of the housing and guides is greater than the inner diameter of the tube so as to cause the shaft to urge the housing and the pair of guides in radially opposed directions.