Abstract: An apparatus and method to optimize a query access plan in a computer database system. In preferred embodiments, the query optimizer determines the query can be optimized and generates for the query an optimized access plan that eliminates records defined by a Where clause and one or more ordering criteria prior to ordering the records (sorting or grouping) and then returning a first n rows.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to optimize a query access plan in a computer database system. In preferred embodiments, the query optimizer determines the query can be optimized and generates for the query an optimized access plan that eliminates records defined by a Where clause and one or more ordering criteria prior to ordering the records (sorting or grouping) and then returning a first n rows.

Abstract: A single layer, lightweight protective garment prepared from a fabric made of woven polytetrafluoroethylene staple fiber yam, the fabric having an outer surface composed fluoropolymer staple fibers.

Abstract: A steam dispersion apparatus includes a steam chamber communicating in an open-loop arrangement with a first steam source for supplying steam to the steam chamber. The steam chamber includes a steam dispersion location at which steam exits therefrom at generally atmospheric pressure. A heat exchanger communicates in a closed-loop arrangement with a second steam source for supplying steam to the heat exchanger at a pressure generally higher than atmospheric pressure. The heat exchanger is located at a location that is not directly exposed to the air to be humidified, the heat exchanger being in fluid communication with the steam chamber so as to contact condensate from the steam chamber. The heat exchanger converts condensate formed by the steam chamber back to steam when the condensate contacts the heat exchanger.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing and/or vending a bulk product. The apparatus comprises one or more bins for holding a bulk product, a dispensing mechanism operatively coupled to each of the bins, a controller operatively coupled to the dispensing mechanisms, and an interface for receiving a request for one of the bulk products. The controller is operatively coupled to the interface and configured to generate one or more control signals in response to a request for controlling the dispensing mechanism to dispense one of the bulk products.

Abstract: A steam dispersion system is disclosed. The steam dispersion system includes a header, a divider dividing the header into at least two interior chambers that are generally not in fluid communication with each other, and at least two steam dispersion tubes, each steam dispersion tube communicating with only one interior chamber. Each interior chamber includes a separate steam flow valve for independently controlling the amount of steam flow to each chamber based on the difference between a measured humidity value and a predetermined desired humidity value.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to optimize a query access plan in a computer database system. In preferred embodiments, the query optimizer determines the query can be optimized and generates for the query an optimized access plan that eliminates records defined by a Where clause and one or more ordering criteria prior to ordering the records (sorting or grouping) and then returning a first n rows.

Abstract: A device (100) has a port (108), a first SPS receiver (104), and a processor (106) coupled to the first SPS receiver and the port. The processor is programmed to detect (102) a second SPS receiver (107) at the port, deactivate (206) the first SPS receiver, and determine (208) a location of the device according to signals received by the second SPS receiver from GPS satellites.

Abstract: A satellite positioning system (SPS) receiver (104) operates according to a method (200) having the steps of measuring (201) a distance between the SPS receiver and a transmission source (301) according to a radio frequency (RF) signal transmitted by the transmission source, calculating (212) an approximate location on Earth from the distance and a location of the transmission source, and determining (214) a location fix of the SPS receiver on Earth using the approximate location. Other method and apparatus embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for manufacturing olefins such as ethylene and propylene from lower alkanes, that is, methane, ethane and/or propane, by oxidative dehydrogenation at elevated pressure. The olefins are selectively recovered from unconverted lower alkane feed and reaction byproducts by using a complexation separation, such as an absorption separation that uses aqueous silver nitrate as the complexation agent. Catalysts are used that give high selectivity for oxidative dehydrogenation of lower alkanes to olefins at elevated pressure, such as a nonstoichiometric rare earth oxycarbonate catalyst.

Abstract: A staple yarn comprising a blend of 35 to 90 weight percent fluoropolymer fiber and 65 to 10 weight percent of one or more types of blend fiber.

Abstract: A staple yarn comprising a blend of 35 to 90 weight percent fluoropolymer fiber and 65 to 10 weight percent of one or more types of blend fiber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a modifiable backbone having a pair of removable swing arms and a backbone. In one embodiment, the backbone has a bottom, two sides extending outward from the bottom to form a channel, a first top covering a first section of the channel and a second top covering a second section of the channel. The first covered channel section and second covered channel section are sized and spaced apart so that each covered channel can receive both removable swing arms. In another embodiment, the backbone comprises a substantially rectangular block having a cutout disposed between a first section and a second section of the block. In addition, the first and second sections have one or more longitudinal openings to receive the removable swing arms.

Abstract: A staple yarn comprising a blend of 35 to 90 weight percent fluoropolymer fiber and 65 to 10 weight percent of one or more types of blend fiber.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process which comprises reacting one or more reactants in the presence of a metal-organopolyphosphorus ligand complex catalyst and optionally free organopolyphosphorus ligand to produce a reaction product fluid comprising one or more products, wherein said process is conducted at a carbon monoxide partial pressure such that reaction rate increases as carbon monoxide partial pressure decreases and reaction rate decreases as carbon monoxide partial pressure increases and which is sufficient to prevent and/or lessen deactivation of the metal-organopolyphosphorus ligand complex catalyst.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process which comprises reacting one or more reactants in the presence of a metal-organopolyphosphite ligand complex catalyst and optionally free organopolyphosphite ligand to produce a reaction product fluid comprising one or more products, wherein said process is conducted at a carbon monoxide partial pressure such that reaction rate increases as carbon monoxide partial pressure decreases and reaction rate decreases as carbon monoxide partial pressure increases and which is sufficient to prevent and/or lessen deactivation of the metal-organopolyphosphite ligand complex catalyst.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process which comprises reacting one or more reactants in the presence of a metal-organopolyphosphite ligand complex catalyst and optionally free organopolyphosphite ligand to produce a reaction product fluid comprising one or more products, wherein said process is conducted at (a) a carbon monoxide partial pressure such that reaction rate increases as carbon monoxide partial pressure decreases and reaction rate decreases as carbon monoxide partial pressure increases and which is sufficient to prevent and/or lessen deactivation of the metal-organopolyphosphite ligand complex catalyst and (b) a temperature such that the temperature difference between reaction product fluid temperature and inlet coolant temperature is sufficient to prevent and/or lessen cycling of carbon monoxide partial pressure, hydrogen partial pressure, total reaction pressure, reaction rate and/or temperature during said process.

Abstract: A device to measure round objects, especially threaded objects is shown where three cam surfaces located on the interior of an annular ring are contacted by rollers which are advanced or retracted as a cam surface is traversed. The traverse of the cam surface allows change in diameter formed by the rollers and by locking the cam position, a fixed gauge is formed. The rollers directly contact the part to be measured. As applied to thread measurement, the three point gauge uses annular rollers to measure properties of thread fit and use when the rollers have the threads slightly offset from each other to make a pitch test set. The device allows a single gauge to handle at least 12 normal go and no-go gauging functions with just change of rollers for various fit and pitch classes. The gauge also is settable at special sizes near a standard size due to a range of adjustment.