Abstract: Each of one or more unknown compounds are separated from a sample over a separation time period. Separated compounds are ionized, producing one or more compound precursor ions for each of the unknown compounds and a plurality of background precursor ions. A precursor ion mass spectrum is measured for the combined compound and background precursor ions at each time step of a plurality of time steps spread across the separation time period, producing a plurality of precursor ion mass spectra. One or more background precursor ions are selected from the plurality of precursor ion mass spectra that have a resolving power in a range below a threshold expected resolving power. A separation time is detected for an unknown compound when a decrease in an intensity measurement of the selected background precursor ions over a time period exceeds a threshold decrease in intensity with respect to time.

Abstract: There is provided a diffuser for a turbine, comprising: a support configured to mount to a turbine housing; a diffuser body configured to receive fluid from an outlet of the turbine, the diffuser body defining a longitudinal axis and having a perimeter with a length measured in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis; and a bridge configured to connect the support to the diffuser body, wherein the connection between the bridge and the diffuser body is confined to a continuous portion of the perimeter of the diffuser body that is not more than around 50% of the total length of the perimeter of the diffuser body.

Abstract: There is provided a diffuser for a turbine, comprising: a support configured to mount to a turbine housing; a diffuser body configured to receive fluid from an outlet of the turbine, the diffuser body defining a longitudinal axis and having a perimeter with a length measured in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis; and a bridge configured to connect the support to the diffuser body, wherein the connection between the bridge and the diffuser body is confined to a continuous portion of the perimeter of the diffuser body that is not more than around 50% of the total length of the perimeter of the diffuser body.

Abstract: A row decoder (10) for a video display system (12) wherein row output lines (28) of a row predecoder (20) are physically arranged such that adjacent iterations of the output lines (28) will generally not be switching simultaneously where addressing of the output lines (28) is sequential according to numbering and application. A ground trace (32) is provided between iterations of the output lines (28) which will be switching simultaneously. The output lines (28) provide input to a decoding circuit (34) within the row decoder (10). A plurality iterations of predecoder subcircuits (21) each having a compliment of the output lines (28) is to provided such that all of the rows of a pixel array (14) can be addressed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses apparatus and methods of inducing bubble nucleation to overcome problems commonly associated with preservation by foam formation. Specifically, the invention relates to methods of using bubble nucleation in foam formation to preserve sensitive biological materials. Preferred methods of inducing bubble nucleation include, mixing, chamber rotation, crystals, and ultrasound.

Abstract: A fastener which includes an inner collar having an axial bore and a retractable projection projecting into the axial bore when the fastener is in a locked position and retractable out of the axial bore when the fastener is in a retracted position. The inner collar further has a tapered indentation in the outside surface. The fastener further includes an outer collar having an axial bore, the outer collar placed uniaxially and slidably over the inner collar and having a movable protuberance extending into the axial bore of the outer collar. The movable protuberance is shorter axially than the tapered indentation in the inner collar and is positioned in the tapered indentation. The fastener is in a locked position when the outer collar is in its resting position relative to the inner collar in which the movable protuberance is resting in the deepest portion of the tapered indentation. The fastener is in a retracted position when the outer collar is moved axially out of the resting position.

Abstract: A row decoder (10) for a video display system (12) wherein row output lines (28) of a row predecoder (20) are physically arranged such that adjacent iterations of the output lines (28) will generally not be switching simultaneously where addressing of the output lines (28) is sequential according to numbering and application. A ground trace (32) is provided between iterations of the output lines (28) which will be switching simultaneously. The output lines (28) provide input to a decoding circuit (34) within the row decoder (10). A plurality iterations of predecoder subcircuits (21) each having a compliment of the output lines (28) is to provided such that all of the rows of a pixel array (14) can be addressed.

Abstract: A row decoder (10) for a video display system (12) wherein row output lines (28) of a row predecoder (20) are physically arranged such that adjacent iterations of the output lines (28) will generally not be switching simultaneously where addressing of the output lines (28) is sequential according to numbering and application. A ground trace (32) is provided between iterations of the output lines (28) which will be switching simultaneously. The output lines (28) provide input to a decoding circuit (34) within the row decoder (10). A plurality iterations of predecoder subcircuits (21) each having a compliment of the output lines (28) is to provided such that all of the rows of a pixel array (14) can be addressed.

Abstract: A propulsion system for use with a missile or like aerial projectile is disclosed which is suitable for use to operate the divert thrusters and the attitude control thrusters of such a missile while using non-toxic propellants which are entirely non-reactive during storage, transportation, and handling. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, highly refined liquid hydrocarbon fuel and oxygen gas are used as the propellants, with a relatively small amount of the liquid hydrocarbon fuel and a relatively large amount of the oxygen gas being combusted in an oxygen heater to produce a hot oxygen gas containing only small amounts of the products of combustion. The liquid hydrocarbon fuel and the hot oxygen gas are burned in divert thrusters, and, optionally, in attitude control thrusters to produce thrust.

Abstract: An output buffer that controls the slew rate of its output signal is disclosed. The buffer includes a pull-up and a pull-down bipolar transistor coupled at a common output node in series between VDD and VSS. The buffer also includes a first set of parallel MOS devices coupled between the common output node and the base of the pull-down bipolar transistor. A second set of parallel MOS devices are coupled between the base of the pull-up output stage bipolar transistor and VDD. The gates of each set of MOS devices are coupled to a digital select signal. The amount of current driving the base of each of the pull-up and pull-down transistors (when they are enabled) is determined by the number of MOS devices enabled by the digital select signal. Thus, the buffer of the present invention is able to adjust the slew rate of its output signal to accommodate different loads coupled to the common output node.

Abstract: A current mode access BiCMOS memory cell is disclosed. The memory cell includes a CMOS storage cell for storing first and second CMOS voltage potentials, VDD and VSS, corresponding to first and second logic levels. The storage cell includes two CMOS inverters coupled between VDD and VSS. The storage cell is coupled to a conversion circuit. The conversion circuit is coupled between third and fourth ECL working potentials. It functions to convert the first and second CMOS voltage potentials into the third and fourth working potentials. The third and fourth voltage potentials are coupled to the bases of two bipolar signal converters. The emitters of the bipolar signal converters are coupled to a selectable current source and the collectors of the bipolar signal converters are coupled to complementary bit lines. The selectable current source is responsive to a read word signal.

Abstract: A large burst mode memory accessing system includes N discrete sub-memories and three main I/O ports. Data is stored in the sub-memories so that the sub-memories are accessed depending on their proximity to the main I/O ports. Three parallel pipelines provide a data path to/from the main I/O ports and the sub-memories. The first pipeline functions to couple address/control signals to the memories such that adjacent sub-memories are accessed in half cycle intervals. The second pipeline functions to propagate accessed data from the sub-memories to the main I/O ports such that data is outputted from the main output port every successive clock cycle. The third pipeline propagates write data to the memories such that data presented at the input of the third pipeline on successive clock cycles is written into successive sub-memories. Redundancy circuits preserve data integrity without memory access interruption.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bidet attachment for mounting on a standard toilet. A nozzle is mounted on the underside of the toilet seat. Water is supplied to the nozzle through a conduit from a water supply pipe. The conduit is connected to the pipe with a T-tap having two halves. The two halves are bolted together and a hole is drilled through the pipe using a special tool. The conduit is secured to the T-tap with a crimping collar that slides over a tapered extension on the T-tap. Water flow rate is controlled by a cam valve. The cam valve can be opened and closed with a control handle to place a selected amount of squeeze on the conduit to allow a selected amount of water to flow through the conduit.

Abstract: A friction spinning unit of a multi-position friction spinning machine includes a pressure tapping in the suction line to a suction port in the fibre feed duct. A suction transducer responsive to the suction in the tapping controls the fibre feed clutch of that particular friction spinning unit for disengaging the friction spinning unit when suction value sensed by the transducer deviates from a predetermined range of acceptable suction values, to shut-down the friction spinning unit well before the yarn quality has been impaired to a sufficient extent to cause a yarn break.

Abstract: An addressable cable television control-system controls television program and data signal transmission from a central station to a plurality of user stations. The data signals include both control and text signals in video line format which are inserted on the vertical interval of the television signals, thereby freeing all channels for transmission of both television and data signals. Moreover, full-channel teletext data in video line format may be transmitted on dedicated text channels with the modification of only head end processors. An intelligent converter at each remote user location uses the data signals to control access to the system on the basis of channel, tier of service, special event and program subject matter. The converter uses a graphics display generator to generate display signals for the presentation of the text data on the television receiver and for the generation of predetermined messages for the viewer concerning access, emergencies and other functions.

Abstract: A circuit technique for stabilizing the timing of signals at an output node of a gate, despite substantial variations in temperature. In a gate having a switching portion and an emitter follower, the temperature-dependence of the gate delay within the switching portion may be offset by suitable control of the temperature characteristics of the load current source supplying the emitter follower output node. The load current source comprises a current source resistor, a current source transistor having its collector coupled to the output node, and a reference voltage source. The voltage source, rather than having a zero temperature coefficient as in known temperature-compensated configurations, is configured to have a temperature coefficient chosen to provide a temperature dependence in the delay through the emitter follower that offsets the temperature dependence of the delay through the switching portion so that the total gate delay is substantially temperature-independent.

Abstract: A circuit technique for eliminating history-dependent skew and distortion of signals as they propagate through multiple gate stages in critical timing paths. It has been discovered that spurious effects can be attributed to signal coupling between stages, and that such coupling may be reduced by providing separate threshold voltage supplies for the critical gates. Each of the first and second gate stages comprises first and second transistors having their respective emitters coupled to a common circuit point, a current source coupled to the common circuit point to provide current flow through the transistors, with the relative current flow through said transistors being determined by the relative voltage levels at the respective bases. The output signal is taken from the collector of one of the transistors. First and second threshold voltage sources are coupled to the respective bases of the second transistors of the first and second gate stages.

Abstract: A data communications system provides for the transmission of television signals from a central station to a plurality of remote user stations and the transmission of security data from the user stations back to the central station. The downstream television signals and upstream security data are processed through a plurality of remote hub stations, each servicing several of the remote user terminal stations. The remote hub stations convert downstream television control data and programming signals for reception by the users serviced by that station. The remote hub station also receive security monitoring data transmitted from each user station and generate additional security data for the central station. In one embodiment, the remote hub processing station includes a plurality of converters, each transmitting downstream on a separate dedicated communication link to a remote user station.

Abstract: An addressable cable television control system controls television program and data signal transmission from a central station to a plurality of user stations. The data signals include both control and text signals in video line format which are inserted on the vertical interval of the television signals, thereby freeing all channels for transmission of both television and data signals. Moreover, full-channel teletext data in video line format may be transmitted on dedicated text channels with the modification of only head end processors. An intelligent converter at each remote user location uses the data signals to control access to the system on the basis of channel, tier of service, special event and program subject matter. The converter uses a graphics display generator to generate display signals for the presentation of the text data on the television receiver and for the generation of predetermined messages for the viewer concerning access, emergencies and other functions.

Abstract: A two-way cable communications system includes a master station having a transmitter for transmitting television program and interrogation signals to a plurality of remote units or transceivers through a cable network and a receiver for receiving reply signals from individual ones of the remote units. Each remote unit includes a receiver for receiving the program and interrogation information from the master station, a transmitter for transmitting reply signals back to the master station and television converter and receiver means for reproducing the television programs. A remote control means coupled to the remote unit through a mmulticonductor cable includes a channel selector and encoder means for encoding the channel selector information and a switch means to enable the channel selector to be utilized to provide viewer response information.