Abstract: A conveyor apparatus (10) is provided having a conveyor frame (12) and an overlying, shiftable conveyor belt (14). The frame (12) includes elongated side members (48, 50) supporting a series of transversely extending, axially spaced metallic supports (22) each equipped with openings (56) therein. A series of synthetic resin slide bars (16-20) are received within associated support openings (56), and are maintained in place by keepers (24) attached to corresponding supports (22). The slide bars (16-20) are preferably formed of aligned segments (16a, 16b, 18a, 18b, 20a, 20b). The slide bars (16-20) bridge the spaced apart supports (22) and thus become belt-supporting structural members in the frame (12). The support openings (56) are preferably slightly larger than the associated slide bars (16-20), so as to permit passage of cleaning fluid between the adjacent slide bar and support surfaces.

Abstract: A nonradioactive glass in particulate form adapted for radiation therapy in a mammal comprise a biodegradable rare earth-lithium borate glass material of a specified composition which, upon being subjected to an effective amount of neutron irradiation, will produce a beta or gamma emitting radioisotope, the radioisotope being distributed throughout the glass material, the glass upon being introduced into a body fluid for radiation therapy being adapted to react therewith causing the radioisotope to form an insoluble compound on the surface of the glass material which is retained in the glass material and thereby prevented from escaping from the treatment site. Radioactive glasses and methods for carrying out radiation therapy with such radioactive glasses are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dual-axes position sensor 10 having an outer housing 12, an actuator 40, a linear Hall effect sensor assembly 20 for detecting position changes along a first (y) axis, and a linear Hall effect sensor assembly 30 for detecting position changes along a second (x) axis is disclosed. The housing 12 is preferably made out of a non-magnetic material such as plastic. Actuator 40 is rod shaped and coupled to a movable device or shaft (not shown) that is to have its position sensed. The linear Hall effect sensor assembly 20 is unattachably positioned to set on lip 52 of the housing 12, and includes a magnetically conducting pole piece 26, a magnet assembly 24 comprising an upper magnet 21 and a lower magnet 23 that are separated by an air gap 25. Magnet assembly 24 and pole piece 26 are positioned around a Hall sensor device support 14 in a“U” shaped configuration or form. Hall sensor device support 14 is fixedly attached to housing 12 via attachment area 54.

Abstract: In one aspect, a network system includes a user interface which allows a user to interact with the network system. An agent server is coupled to the user interface. The agent server manages the operation of the network system. Furthermore, the agent server in conjunction with the user interface is operable to create or modify an agent in response to interaction by the user. In another aspect, a network system includes an agent server which manages the operation of the network system. An agent is operable to utilize a service within the network system. A service wrapper, associated with the service, cooperates with the agent server to mediate interaction between the service and the agent.

Abstract: A dual positional hall effect sensor 10 having an outer housing 12, an actuator 14, a linear movement sensor 20, and a rotational movement sensor device 22. The housing 12 includes a lower chamber 24 and an upper chamber 26, with a barrier wall 28 separating therebetween. The actuator 14 is made up of a coupling 32 for coupling to a movable device (not shown) that is to have its position sensed, a rod 34 that extends from the lower to the upper chamber, a collar 36 for retaining the actuator 14 within the lower chamber, and a key 38. The linear motion sensor 20 is unattachably positioned to set on collar 36, and includes a magnetically conducting pole piece 42 and a left and right magnets 44. The magnets 44 and pole piece 42 are positioned around the rod 34 in a "U" shaped configuration. The lower chamber 24 also includes a positionally fixed hall effect sensor 46 and a spring 48 positioned between the barrier wall 28 and the collar 36.

Abstract: An extremely reliable and effective position sensor is provided at low cost for determining the relative position of a mechanical linkage with respect to a reference point. The position sensor includes a rotor or bracket which is mechanically coupled to the linkage and contains at least two magnets on opposite walls adjacent a channel opening. The opposing magnets are formed with first and second sloped or ramped sections which produce produce variable magnetic fields as determined by the geometric profile of the magnets. One or more detectors are positioned in the air gap between the opposing magnets. As the linkage is moved, the rotor or bracket moves with respect to the detector causing a change in the strength of the magnetic field detected by the detector whereby the detector determines the position of the movable linkage.

Abstract: A distributed computing environment in which agent processes direct their own movement through a computer network. Place processes provide a computing context within which agent processes are interpreted. An agent process controls its movement from one place process to another within the network by using a ticket. An agent process which moves from one place process to another transports definitions of classes of which objects included in the agent process are members. An agent process which moves from one place process to a second place process avoids unnecessary transportation of objects included in the agent process by substituting equivalent objects which are found in the second place process. An agent process sends clones of the agent process to several place processes simultaneously.

Abstract: An angular sensor has a shaped dual magnet structure carried upon a pole piece having a generally "c" shaped cross-section. The magnet and pole piece define a generally circular linear field which is concentric about the axis of rotation of the complete rotor. A Hall effect device is inserted into the open portion or gap between the two magnets and is exposed to a well defined field. Through the use of particular magnet materials and a magnet geometry extending from the axis of rotation to a point well beyond the Hall sensor, a precise and yet tolerant magnetic circuit is produced.

Abstract: An extremely reliable and effective position sensor is provided at low cost for determining the relative position of a mechanical linkage with respect to a reference point. The position sensor includes a rotor or bracket which is mechanically coupled to the linkage and contains at least two magnets on opposite walls adjacent a channel opening. The opposing magnets are formed with first and second sloped or ramped sections which produce produce variable magnetic fields as determined by the geometric profile of the magnets. One or more detectors are positioned in the air gap between the opposing magnets. As the linkage is moved, the rotor or bracket moves with respect to the detector causing a change in the strength of the magnetic field detected by the detector, whereby the detector determines the position of the movable linkage.

Abstract: An optimized compare-and-branch instruction for execution in a RISC type microprocessor. An instruction sequencer implemented in the microprocessor is responsive to a compare-and-branch instruction for efficient execution. The instruction sequencer detects a compare-and-branch instruction and executes it as a regular compare instruction. On the next cycle the instruction sequencer translates the instruction into a branch instruction and provides the translated instruction for execution by one of the execution units. The branch is executed, either taken or not taken, and normal program flow continues.

Abstract: A holder for an electrical connection component to be mounted upon a towing vehicle. The holder includes a retainer for fixedly receiving the electrical connection component and exposing electrical contacts thereof through a closable aperture of the holder. During use, a closure or door is held open by a plug from the trailer's electrical lighting system, but is allowed to securely close when the plug is not installed. A baffle type friction path is provided within the holder for securing lead wires of the electrical connection component so as to prevent undue tension at the more fragile connection between those lead wires and the electrical connection component. When completely assembled, the holder provides a moisture and particulate barrier between the electrical connection component contained therein and the outside environment.

Abstract: A rotary position sensor having a dual magnet structure interconnected by a pole piece forming a varying dimension air gap. The magnets, the pole piece and the air gap between the magnets define a closed magnetic circuit. A Hall effect sensor is fixedly mounted in the air gap and is exposed to a well defined but varying magnetic field coupled between the magnets. Through the use of specific magnetic materials and sloping, curved surfaces, a precise yet tolerance friendly magnetic circuit is produced so that the sensor produces signals as a function of the angular positions of the magnets.

Abstract: A rotary position sensor connected to the butterfly valve of an internal combustion engine, the sensor having a dual magnet structure interconnected by a pole piece having a generally C-shaped cross section forming a varying dimension air gap. The magnets, the pole piece and the air gap define a closed magnetic circuit. A Hall effect sensor is fixedly mounted in the air gap and is exposed to a well defined but varying magnetic field. Through the use of specific magnetic materials and sloping, curved surfaces, a precise yet tolerance friendly magnetic circuit is produced so that the sensor produces signals as a function of the angular positions of the magnets.

Abstract: An optimized compare-and-branch instruction for execution in a RISC type microprocessor. An instruction sequencer implemented in the microprocessor is responsive to a compare-and-branch instruction for efficient execution. The instruction sequencer detects a compare-and-branch instruction and executes it as a regular compare instruction. On the next cycle the instruction sequencer translates the instruction into a branch instruction and provides the translated instruction for execution by one of the execution units. The branch is executed, either taken or not taken, and normal program flow continues.

Abstract: A position sensor has a shaped dual magnet structure carried upon a pole piece having a generally "c" shaped cross-section. The magnet and pole piece define a generally circular linear field which is concentric about the axis of rotation of the complete rotor. A Hall effect device is inserted into the open portion or gap between the two magnets and is exposed to a well defined field. Through the use of selected geometries and particular magnet materials, a precise, compact and yet tolerant magnetic circuit is produced.

Abstract: A patient bracelet system is provided having at least one bracelet adapted to be worn about a portion of the lower arm of a patient wherein the bracelet has means to secure the bracelet about the arm. The securing means comprises a plurality of bulbous projections extending from one surface of one end of the bracelet and a plurality of grooves adapted for receiving the bulbous projections therein in at least one surface of the bracelet in an end opposite the first end, the grooves additionally being adapted to receive a portion of a medicant delivery system therein. In one embodiment, at least two bracelets are secured about the forearm in spaced relation one to the other by stay means, each of the stay means being adapted to be secured in at least one of the plurality of grooves in each of the bracelets.

Abstract: A distributed computing environment in which agent processes direct their own movement through a computer network. Place processes provide a computing context within which agent processes are interpreted. An agent process controls its movement from one place process to another within the network by using a ticket. An agent process which moves from one place process to another transports definitions of classes of which objects included in the agent process are members. An agent process which moves from one place process to a second place process avoids unnecessary transportation of objects included in the agent process by substituting equivalent objects which are found in the second place process. An agent process sends clones of the agent process to several place processes simultaneously.

Abstract: An improved wood substitute product (56) is provided having sawability and fastener-holding properties which approximate natural wood. The product (56) includes an outermost casing (20) preformed to a desired shape and filled with a cementitious fill material (55) including respective amounts of cement and synthetic resin foam. In fabrication procedures, the casing (20) is first formed as a hollow tubular body by roll forming, rotational molding or similar techniques, whereupon the body is temporarily capped and filled with the material (55). A filling device (28) is preferably employed for this purpose, which includes a pumping assembly (32) as well as an elongated horn (30), which is complemental with the casing (20).

Abstract: A pedal bracket assembly translates pedal motion into a first switching motion without change of position being sensed by a position sensor. Additional pedal motion does not further change the switch position, but is translated into motion sensed by the position sensor. In this way, the switching function and position transducer functions are maintained independent one from the other, while allowing the two functions to be combined into a single sensor assembly.