Abstract: An application program is tightly coupled to a relational database without changing the software of the database management system. A first user defined function (udf) allocates a work area in the address space of the database management system. Then, a second udf embodying the computational steps of the application program undertakes the computational steps within the dbms work area and saves the results in the work area. Importantly, the second udf does not return an answer to the application program during the processing of records, thereby eliminating copying costs and context switch costs. When processing is complete, the results are transmitted to the application program and the work area is released.

Abstract: A log-structured array (LSA) includes a relatively large, non-volatile cache memory as well as a memory segment write buffer. The LSA cache memory contains both updated logical tracks received from the host system and also clean logical tracks read from direct access storage devices of the array. When the fraction of updated tracks in the cache memory exceeds a threshold value, updated tracks are moved from the LSA cache memory to the memory segment. With each modified track to be moved, adjacent modified tracks also are moved. The updated tracks are moved regardless of their location in the updated LRU list. Clean tracks in the LSA cache memory are moved into the memory segment as well, when additional clean tracks are needed in the cache memory. The clean tracks are selected from the bottom of the LSA cache clean track LRU list. Checking for adjacency also can occur at garbage collection time, performed in a background mode.

Abstract: An electrically operated source provides a stream of thermally-controlled inflating medium to inflate an inflatable thermal care apparatus for treating a hospital patient while employing active noise cancellation to reduce noise created by the source, thereby provides a reduced noise treatment device for treating hypothermic patients.

Abstract: A relational data base management system that stores and retrieves large data objects (LOBs) from data base storage includes a data manager that maintains LOB data space allocation according to the buddy system with two types of allocation pages, called regular buddy space (RBS) pages and super buddy space (SBS) pages. The RBS pages control buddy spaces comprising equal-size areas of the LOB data space in which LOB buddy segments are stored. The SBS pages control the RBS pages. The RBS pages include a pointer array that contains the forward-most location of where searching for a free storage space should begin and a counter array that indicates the number of free buddy segments in a buddy space for a particular buddy segment size. The SBS pages include analogous pointer and counter arrays that refer to the RBS pages and indicate the location and extent of free storage space, and also include a divided-space array and an SBS page directory.

Abstract: An MR sensor with an improved MR coefficient and improved thermal stability is provided by employing one or more chromium based spacer layers which are interfacially adjacent a Permalloy (NiFe) stripe. The chromium based spacer layers may be NiFeCr or NiCr. The best compositions have been found to be (Ni.sub.89 Fe.sub.21).sub.60 Cr.sub.40 and Ni.sub.60 Cr.sub.40. For NiCr the MR coefficient of the MR stripe is most enhanced when the NiCr layer is deposited on a layer of tantalum (Ta). Further, when the thicknesses of the NiFeCr and the NiCr layers are 25 .ANG. and 50 .ANG. respectively the MR coefficients are optimized. Both spacer layers have a high resistance compatible with low shunting of the sense current.

Abstract: In an data storage system, a volume transform filter is employed in conjunction with a RAID array manager to maintain logical volumes entirely on corresponding physical data storage volumes while maintaining parity information on a dedicated parity storage volume. This is achieved by modifying data access commands received from a host such that forwarding the modified commands to the RAID array manager in effect "tricks" the RAID array manager into maintaining the logical volumes without striping. This system provides data allocation with standalone data and parity storage volumes, which are easily exportable for convenient use in data storage libraries.

Abstract: A tape feeder for advancing a carrier tape with pockets containing parts in a surface mount placement system enhances the precision and reliability with which the tape is advanced and reduces the risk of loss of parts in uncovered pockets due to vibration by provision of a sprocket wheel to advance the tape, a reciprocating shutter to retain parts in uncovered pockets, and a retaining member disposed above an edge of the tape for contacting a portion of a top surface of the tape to retain the top surface portion in a plane when the tape is engaged by the sprocket wheel. The operation of the retaining member is assisted by a guide member including front and rear guides that contact the top surface of the tape and a support block that is pressed by a support spring against the bottom surface of a portion of tape between the front and rear guides. The operation of the tape feeder is adjusted to accommodate different pitches.

Abstract: A roller assembly is disclosed for an agricultural conveyor apparatus including an endless conveyor supported on one or more roller assemblies mounted on a support frame. The roller assembly includes a conveyor support roller having a central bore formed therein and bearing supports formed on the roller for receiving a clamping force imparted by a pair of opposing bearings that support the roller. An axle is mountable to a frame portion of an agricultural conveyor apparatus and extends through the central bore of the roller. A clamping bearing assembly is provided for rotably securing the conveyor support roller to the axle. The bearing assembly includes a pair of bearings having radial inner portions secured for axial adjustment on the axle and radial outer portions configured to apply a clamping force on the bearing support portions of the roller.

Abstract: A machine for sorting recyclable matter includes a trommel for conducting and screening an input flow of recyclable matter and a magnetic mechanism coupled to the trommel for extracting magnetic material from the input flow while the trommel rotates. The input flow is dropped vertically from the trommel into a positive-pressure air separator which separates the flow into a first material stream including lightweight articles and a second material stream including relatively heavy articles. The heavy articles of the second material stream drop downwardly in the air separator. Padded baffles are provided in the air separator for reducing the downward velocity of the second material stream, which substantially lowers breakage of glass articles.

Abstract: A sprinkler unit comprises a housing having an inlet for connecting to a source of water, a rotating head mounted in an upper end of the housing and including an outlet nozzle for distributing a stream of water outward from the housing, a drive assembly including a turbine and a reduction gear drive train connecting the turbine to the head for rotating the head, the drive train having a gap for intermittently interrupting the drive for causing the head to intermittently pause during rotation thereof.

Abstract: Navigation through application program operation, application window configuration, and application program symbol input is provided in a navigator function which executes in response to key strokes designating key representations of application programs and commands.

Abstract: The present invention is a sensor cartridge into which sensors are installed. The sensor cartridge allows the sensors to be easily and reliably installed into a blood analyzer. The sensor assembly has an electrical connector mounted on the rear side of the assembly. A plurality of inner walls within the housing locate a pump tube assembly and right angle fluid coupling within the housing. An opening in the housing receives a first boss which extends from the blood analyzer. A capture/release arm has an opening through which the first boss protrudes. The arm is resiliently held in place such that an inner edge of the opening is captured within a ring-like groove in the boss that extends from the blood analyzer when the cartridge is installed in the blood analyzer. A portion of the arm extends beyond the housing to allow an operator to press the arm and thus release the edge of the arm from the groove in the boss.

Abstract: An adjustable height fill valve assembly for controlling water level in a storage tanks, comprises a lower riser assembly comprising concentrically disposed inlet riser and an outer riser housing, each having an upper end and a lower end, the inlet riser and the riser housing connected together at the lower ends, the inlet riser being adapted for mounting in a hole in a flush tank, an upper riser assembly comprising concentrically disposed inner supply tube and an outer tubular valve housing, each having an upper end and a lower end, a main valve seat at the upper end of the inner supply tube, the upper riser assembly telescopically mounted on the lower riser assembly, a latch between the riser housing and the tubular valve housing for latching the upper and the lower riser assemblies in selected extended and retracted positions, the latch disengageable upon rotation of the upper riser assembly in either direction from a central position, a valve housing cap having a bayonet lock connection for quick connect

Abstract: A servo system accurately detects and processes signals from servo patterns encoded on magnetic storage disks using weighted accumulation, for use in precisely positioning read/write heads with respect to tracks of data contained on the disks. After servo patterns are sensed by reading them from a disk, the resultant servo signals are processed by weighted accumulation circuitry to provide a position signal, which may be decoded to ascertain the positioning error of the read/write head and to apply any corrections that might be needed. In one embodiment, an amplitude position signal is generated by multiplying the servo signal by complementary quadrature weighting signals, then squaring each quadrature output signal, summing them, and taking the square root of the summed signal.

Abstract: A computer implemented information catalog database system is disclosed for cataloging information stored in one or more data storage resources under the control of one or more data processing nodes. The catalog system includes a cataloging service facility for performing one or more information cataloging functions to organize and present a graphical view of the information stored in the data storage resource. The information cataloging functions are categorized into a plurality of defined function categories. An object generation facility generates one or more meta-data objects corresponding to units of information stored in the data storage resource. The meta-data objects contain attributes defining characteristics of the information units to which they correspond and the meta-data objects are assigned to one or more of the function categories to define the information cataloging functions which may be performed on the meta-data objects.

Abstract: Predictive failure analysis of a storage subsystem is efficiently conducted and data quickly recovered from a failed Read operation. This may be implemented in a storage system including a host coupled to a supervising processor that couples to a parity-equipped RAID storage subsystem having multiple HDAs each including an HDA controller and at least one storage medium. In one embodiment, when an HDA experiences an error during a Read attempt, the HDA transmits a recovery alert signal to the supervising processor; then, the processor and HDA begin remote and local recovery processes in parallel. The first process to complete provides the data to the host, and the second process is aborted. In another embodiment, an HDA's PFA operations are restricted to idle times of the HDA. A different embodiment limits HDA performance of PFA to times when the processor is conducting data reconstruction.

Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) application program implemented in an object oriented programming language permits a user to instantiate new program objects by dragging an instantiation object from one GUI window to a new GUI window and dropping the instantiation object in the new window. When the instantiation object is dropped into the new window, an object specified by the new window type is automatically instantiated. If needed, the user is automatically prompted to provide parameters needed for the object instantiation according to the window in which the object is dropped.

Abstract: A magnetoresistive sensor design and fabrication process that provides improved microtrack profile linearity for servo elements while simultaneously providing stable and linear data sensing elements suitable for high density tape head applications. The stability and uniformity of both data and servo sensor elements is enhanced through the use of a grating profile under both the soft film biased magnetoresistive sensor layer and the hard bias stabilizing magnets. Processing steps are eliminated by replicating the grating pattern for the servo sensor elements through a thick layer of alumina or silicon dioxide. The outer read shield is removed from the servo elements using a stripping process that eliminates structural damage arising from alumina pinholes. Both element types are free of significant Barkhausen noise and instability because of the grating-stabilized domains in both the active magnetoresistive regions and the passive hard-biasing regions of each sensor.

Abstract: A pop-up sprinkler unit for mounting beneath the surface of a soil formation includes an outer cylindrical housing for subsurface mounting, with an inner housing carrying a nozzle and drive turbine reciprocally mounted in the outer housing for extending up through a portion of the soil and pressure responsive seals disposed between the inner and outer housings for sealing at predetermined pressures.

Abstract: A chucking tool for non-positive precision chucking of a part such as a workpiece or the shank of a tool, for example. The tool consists of a base body, an expansion sleeve that is detachably mounted on a part of the base body which is elastically deformable in the radial direction, and a device for introducing a hydraulic medium into a pressure space provided between the expansion sleeve and the wall of the base body. According to this invention, the expansion sleeve is made of a comparatively thick-walled thermoplastic material, at least in its radially deformable part. According to another feature of this invention, there is at least one groove-shaped hydraulic medium channel in the area of the surface pairing of the expansion sleeve and the base body and it can be acted upon by the supply of hydraulic medium, for example, with a manually operated piston-cylinder unit provided in the base body.