Abstract: The parallel disk drive array data storage subsystem maps between virtual and physical data storage devices and schedules the writing of data to these devices. The data storage subsytem functions as a conventional large form factor disk drive memory, using an array of redundancy groups, each containing N+M disk drives. A performance improvement is obtained by eliminating redundancy data updates in the redundancy group by writing modified virtual track instances into previously emptied logical tracks and marking the data contained in the previous virtual track instance location as invalid. Logical cylinders containing a mixture of valid and invalid virtual tracks are emptied by writing all the valid virtual tracks into a previously emptied logical cylinder as a background process.

Abstract: An optical inspection system which inspects for the presence of defects in colored labels placed, for example, on the side walls of cylindrical beverage cans. The optical inspection system utilizes a conveyor for conveying the beverage cans in a production line where such beverage cans typically are randomly oriented. The optical inspection system positions an optical head near the beverage cans as they move in the production line without physically interferring or interacting with the movement. The optical head senses a preselected number of different colors which appear in a predetermined field of view of each moving can. The cans being randomly oriented have different portions of the label visible in the predetermined field of view which is fixed in position. The optical head produces analog electrical signals corresponding to the intensity of each sensed color. A computer is utilized to process these analog electrical signals from the optical head.

Abstract: The early start mode data transfer apparatus coordinates the reading and writing of data files into and out of the data buffer of the tape control unit so that a data file can be written into the data buffer while another data file is concurrently being read out of the data buffer. Thus, both the host computer and the associated tape drive units can be active at the same time reading or writing data files into the data buffer of the tape control unit. The early start mode data transfer apparatus closely coordinates the reading and writing activity of the host computers and the associated tape drive units to avoid the overwriting data files in the data buffer as well as emptying the data buffer before the complete data file is written therein.

Abstract: A fastener having an elongated shank formed of a shape memory alloy, a head at the upper end of the shank, and an annular segment at the lower end of said shank having a deformed cross-sectional shape suitable for insertion into an opening extending through adjacent workpieces. The annular segment has a frusto-conical trained shape that is larger than this opening. The annular segment radially flares from the deformed shape to an approximation of the trained shape when heated above a critical transformation temperature, thereby securing the fastener in place with respect to the workpieces. Alternatively, a sleeve made of a different material (e.g. aluminum) extending over a portion or the entire length of the fastener can be added for improved deformational characteristics, by providing the same frusto-conical shape through axial contraction of the shank.

Abstract: A software controlled system having a signal source connected to logic circuits via data busses. User operated circuitry permits any selected data bus to be temporarily isolated from the signal source so that maintenance and/or logic circuit replacement may be performed on the isolated data bus.

Abstract: A lace for shoes that provide uniform pressure on the shoe and wearer through a wide range of foot movement and stress levels while having a relatively long life. The lace is formed from a material having a combination of high tensile strength, tear strength, abrasion resistance, resistance to environmental degradation and other factors while providing resilient elasticity. The movement of the foot is allowed to naturally occur without restriction from the laces.

Abstract: Spinels can be synthesized by uniformly dispersing predetermined quantities of ingredient compounds whose particles have sizes no greater than about 5 nanometers in a liquid medium, arresting the ingredient compounds in a solid matrix by spray drying said liquid medium and then calcining the resulting particles to form a solid solution of oxides of said compounds in a crystalline lattice which is substantially free of undesired complex compounds of the ingredient compounds.

Abstract: An improved machine vise, particularly well suited for use on milling machines and the like, having an improved arrangement for securely holding workpieces of irregular shapes or several different, diversely sized workpieces simultaneously. The vise is provided with a fixed jaw and two movable jaws mounted in a side by side relationship such that each jaw is free to move back and forth into and out of a gripping relationship with the object being clamped. The two movable jaws are yoke driven on a shaft such that a single forward thrust of the yoke exerts a forward and downward pressure to move both jaws forward while at the same time allowing for a translational motion between said adjacent jaws. These jaws can thus simultaneously grip and secure individual workpieces of different dimensions or differently sized portions or cross-sections of the same workpiece. Each jaw may also be provided with individually mounted fingers that pivot into the best gripping relationship with the object being clamped.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for augmenting ventilation and removing carbon dioxide of a spontaneous-breathing patient and a method of use thereof. The system further allows relaxation of the breathing process thus reducing fatigue of the patient. The system involves providing a high continuous flow of a humidified oxygen/air mixture at a predetermined oxygen content and at a constant flow rate through a transtracheal catheter into the lungs of the patient. The system typically provides an oxygen/air mixture of at least 21 percent oxygen, at a humidity between 80 to 100 percent, and a temperature of 35 to 38 C. The mixture is delivered through the transtracheal catheter at a flow rate of 8 to 20 liters per minute at a back pressure of 2 to 25 psi.

Abstract: Many petroleum discoveries which have heretofore been regarded as intractable owing to the immobility of the petroleum can be economically recovered by a process involving local visbreaking of the intractable petroleum in order to produce a medium/heavy cracked gas oil which is injected into a subterranean formation of the intractable petroleum in order to recover the petroleum.

Abstract: An attachment of multiple head arm assemblies to an actuator in a magnetic data disk drive system. A leaf spring applies a uniform load against angle surfaces formed on the head arm assemblies. This creates forces on the head arm assemblies to align reference surfaces formed on the head arm assemblies against reference surfaces formed on the carriage. Loads on the head arm assemblies are due to the geometry of the parts rather than on screw torques.

Abstract: The system of the present invention makes use of a data synthesizer to produce a synthesized analog data signal representative of a special encoded binary waveform to perform a test on both the magneto resistive element as well as the associated read path electronics independent of operator intervention. The special encoded binary waveform is coupled to the magneto resistive element to produce an approximation of the typical read back signal that is read by the magneto resistive element from a test magnetic tape. The analog signal output by the magneto resistive element is applied to the read back electronics, where it is converted in well known fashion to a digital data signal indicative of the synthesizer block of data that is applied to the magneto resistive element. The output of the read path electronics is applied to a special pattern detector, a sync pattern detector and a test pattern detector which function to detect anomalies in the digital data that is output by the read path electronics.

Abstract: A system for continuously supplying supplemental therapeutic oxygen to a patient to enhance atmospheric breathing comprising an oxygen supply source for continuously supplying low pressure low volume oxygen to a patient at relatively low pressures and relatively low flow rates to supplement normal atmospheric breathing; flexible oxygen supply tube devices for supplying oxygen from said oxygen supply source to the patient; and a continuous one-piece constant diameter flexible elongated tracheal tube member having a continuous constant diameter passage extending therethrough and being flexible when inserted into an operative position within the trachea to provide therein an intermediate curved side wall portion extending between a proximate end side wall portion having an unrestricted inlet opening therein located posterior of the neck of a patient and a straight distal side wall portion located in the trachea and extending downwardly therein and having an unrestricted distal end outlet opening located in upwar

Abstract: A solute can be separated from a solute/solvent solution by dissolving a gas into the solution to produce a single phase composite liquid, lowering the temperature of the composite liquid to a certain temperature and then performing a Joule-Thompson free expansion on the composite liquid.

Abstract: The apparatus for monitoring and controlling electrostatic discharge control systems provides an automated sequence of electrostatic discharge control and soldering iron performance measurements that can be used to verify the continued integrity of the electrostatic discharge control systems. This is accomplished by a microprocessor controlled central data acquisition and control unit that controls a plurality of test units. Each work station in the manufacturing environment is equipped with a test unit that performs a number of measurements and tests of various electrostatic discharge control systems and soldering iron performance. The central data acquisition and control unit sequentially and automatically polls each individual test unit to perform or prompt the operator to participate in the designated measurements. The data obtained by each test unit is transferred to the central data acquisition and control unit where the data is analyzed and recorded.

Abstract: A smart data station termination ("DST") uses a method for remote alignment in which the switched access remote test system ("SARTS") sends a test tone of a single, predetermined frequency and power level to the receive-in port of the DST. The DST amplifies this test tone by a fixed gain factor (e.g. 4 dB) and then progressively increases attenuation (e.g. by 0.1 dB increments) of said amplified test tone until the resulting signal supplied to the receive-out port of the DST is reduced to a predetermined power level (i.e. -16 dBm). After alignment, the attenuation factor remains constant during normal operation of the DST. The preferred embodiment also provides a transponder mode of operation in which test signals received from the SARTS through the receive-in port of the DST are routed through an automatic gain control ("AGC") amplifier and transmitted back to the SARTS at a substantially constant level through the transmit-out port of the DST.

Abstract: The disk drive memory of the present invention uses a large plurality of small form factor disk drives to implement an inexpensive, high performance, high reliability disk drive memory that emulates the format and capability of large form factor disk drives. The plurality of disk drives are switchably interconnectable to form redundancy groups of N+M parallel connnected disk drives to store data thereon. The N+M disk drives are used to store the N segments of each data word plus M redundancy segments. In addition, a pool of R backup disk drives is maintained to automatically substitute a replacement disk drive for a disk drive in a redundancy group that fails during operation. The number N of data segments in each data redundancy group can be varied throughout the disk drive memory to thereby match the characteristics of the input data or operational parameters within the disk drive memory.

Abstract: The automated print media stacking apparatus makes use of a passive guide in the bottom of the stacking bin to automatically initiate the folding operation on printed continuous feed fan fold print media (e.g. - paper) and to precisely refold and stack the printed media as it is output by the high speed line printer. The automated print media stack apparatus includes a slotted forms refold tray that is located at the bottom of the stacking bin. The slotted refold tray includes a slot located in the center thereof for automatically receiving the leading edge of the first sheet of print media that is output by the high speed line printer. An associated media puller is used to insure the proper positioning of the leading edge of the first sheet of print media into the slot in the paper refold tray.