Abstract: An injection molding process for fabricating a Coriolis flowmeter. The process includes the steps forming a material flow path core using a core mold, placing the formed material flow path core into a wrapper mold having a cavity whose surfaces define the exterior surface of the plastic Coriolis flowmeter structure to be formed, injecting low temperature metal or soluble material into the cavity of the wrapper mold, removing the plastic Coriolis flowmeter structure from the wrapper mold, and removing the material flow path core from the plastic Coriolis flowmeter by melting the low temperature metal core or by dissolving the soluble material using hot water.

Abstract: Methods and associated structure operable within a SCSI-based storage subsystem are provided to adapt the storage controller for use with non-SCSI storage enclosures. A firmware layer of the present invention intercepts SCSI read/write requests and pass-through command blocks (CDBs) generated by the storage management core of the controller and translates the requests and command structures into corresponding command structures for transmission to a non-SCSI storage enclosure. In like manner, the firmware layer of the present invention receives status information from non-SCSI storage enclosures and translates the status information into corresponding SCSI compatible status information. In one exemplary preferred embodiment, a storage subsystem designed for interaction with SCSI storage enclosures may be adapted in accordance with the present invention to utilize lower-cost, IDE compatible storage enclosures.

Abstract: Electrical and mechanical components and associated processes for enhancing automated test of a system by permitting automated generation and application (injection) of real-world stimuli applied to the system under test and sensing responses from the system under test without the need for manual intervention. Test components of the present invention may intercede in the exchange of signals and power over various signaling paths within a system under test. Under programmable control by methods of the invention, the electrical components of the present invention may simulate any desired real-world stimulus on any signal path associated with the system under test. Electromechanical manipulation test components and sensor components allow automation of testing of physical aspects of the system under test. Centralized test sequencing and logic enables simpler test components to permit improved scalability and flexibility of the automated test system and processes.

Abstract: Methods and associated structure for booting host adapter devices in a system where the host adapter devices are devoid of independent, nonvolatile memory devices for storage of programmed instructions operable within the intelligent host adapter device. The operational programmed instructions for the intelligent host adapter device are stored in the nonvolatile memory of the system motherboard along with the standard BIOS code of the system. The intelligent host adapter device operational programmed instructions are then downloaded by the BIOS code into the host adapter's volatile local program memory to initialize operation of the intelligent host adapter device. Further, device driver code operable in the operating system on the motherboard will upload the previously downloaded programmed instructions from the intelligent host adapter so that the programmed instructions may be reloaded to the host adapter in response to reset conditions, power management events, and other conditions.

Abstract: A Dustless Stacker hood for suppressing dust generated during the stockpiling of materials such as coal. The Dustless Stacker hood receives coal from overhead chute; the received coal falls through Dustless Stacker hood to the top of a stockpile, and the Dustless Stacker hood confines dust inside Dustless Stacker hood. The dust-laden air swirls within the Dustless Stacker hood through a recirculation pipe and back to the overhead chute to enhance an agglomeration process which causes the dust particles stick together and fall to the top of stockpile.

Abstract: Flow meter electronics are described for providing a flow rate of a material flowing through a flow meter sensor of a Coriolis flow meter. The flow meter electronics comprise a processing system and a single output port. The processing system receives pick-off signals from the flow meter sensor and processes the pick-off signals to determine the flow rate. The processing system receives an instruction for a frequency output signal or a digital communication protocol signal. If the instruction is for a frequency output signal, then the processing system processes the flow rate to generate a frequency output signal and transmits the frequency output signal over the single output port. If the instruction is for a digital communication protocol signal, then the processing system processes the flow rate to generate a digital communication protocol signal and transmits the digital communication protocol signal over the single output port.

Abstract: A shared resource manager circuit for use in conjunction with multiple processors to manage allocation and deallocation of a shared resource. The shared resource manager allocates and deallocates software resources for utilization by the processors in response to allocation and deallocation requests by the processors. The shared resource manager may include a bus arbitrator as required in a particular application for interfacing with a system bus coupled to the processors to provide mutual exclusion in access to the shared resource manager among the multiple processors. The shared resource manager may manage a memory block (FIFO queue) with multiple resource control blocks. A system may advantageously apply a plurality of shared resource managers coupled to a plurality of processors via a common interface bus. Each shared resource manager device may then be associated with management of one particular shared resource.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for logging information regarding write operations directed to the disk being upgraded while the single disk is inoperable during the upgrade process. When the upgrade of the disk is complete, the logged information is used to update the information stored on the upgraded disk. The logged information is sufficient to update the disk contents without requiring a time consuming total reconstruction of the entire content of the disk. In one exemplary preferred embodiment, the logged information identifies a logical block numbers of the disk that are impacted by write operations processed while the disk firmware was being upgraded. Only the data corresponding to the logged logical block numbers needs be reconstructed from the redundant data on other disks of the array. This method of data reconstruction is a less time consuming process than a total reconstruction of all data on the upgraded disk.

Abstract: An atmospheric data measurement system comprises an atmospheric sensor, personal digital assistant, link, power system, and enclosure. The atmospheric sensor measures an atmospheric parameter and generates data indicating the atmospheric parameter. The link transfers the data from the atmospheric sensor to the personal digital assistant. The personal digital assistant receives, stores, and transfers the data. The power system provides power to the atmospheric sensor and the personal digital assistant. The enclosure houses the atmospheric sensor, the personal digital assistant, the link, and the power system.

Abstract: A fully automated Coriolis-based well system which can deliver accurate volumetric flow rate measurements in three phase flow. Measurements are performed according to a process including using N equations and N unknowns technique.

Abstract: An electronic bus architecture for supporting posting of read requests by multiple master devices to multiple slave devices. Sideband signals added to the underlying master bus architecture permit slave devices to receive posted read requests from one or more master devices. The sideband signals are used by the slave devices and associated arbitration logic to enable the slave devices with varying latencies to return requested data to the originating masters when the data becomes available. The sideband slave bus architecture may be applied to enhance performance of AMBA based bus architectures as well as other well-known bus architectures supporting one or more master devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a linear actuator that maximizes the flux density in the air gap where work is to be done by increasing the lines of flux that are captured while keeping the cost of production and mass relatively low. This is achieved by an improved linear actuator, which is characterized by a keeper comprised of a cross-shaped piece of ferromagnetic material bent such that the four ends of the cross are located perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the magnet.

Abstract: Contoured intakes and fan housing assemblies for floor care machines are disclosed. In one embodiment, a contoured intake includes a contoured duct having a passage therethrough. The passage has a cross-sectional area progression that smoothly varies between a first cross-sectional area and a second cross-sectional area. Turbulence within the intake passage may be reduced or inhibited, and noise generated by the airstream within the intake passage may be reduced. In another embodiment, the contoured duct may include a bellmouth substantially surrounding the first open end that may inhibit the separation of the airstream within the intake passage. In a further embodiment, an airflow propulsion device for a floor care machine may include a motor having a drive shaft, a fan operatively coupled to the drive shaft, and a fan housing disposed about the fan and having a transition passage proximate the radially-outward ends of the vanes of the fan.

Abstract: A method of delivering propane to a customer is disclosed. A transport vehicle transports the propane to the customer. The transport vehicle delivers the propane from the transport vehicle to the customer. A Coriolis flowmeter measures a mass flow rate of the propane as transport vehicle delivers the propane to the customer. The Coriolis flowmeter determines a gross volume of the propane based on the mass flow rate of the propane. The Coriolis flowmeter also determines an adjusted volume of the propane based on the mass flow rate and a constant value. The constant value corresponds to a density of propane at a reference temperature.

Abstract: Flow meter electronics are described for providing a flow rate of a material flowing through a flow meter sensor of a Coriolis flow meter. The flow meter electronics comprise a processing system and a single output port. The processing system receives pick-off signals from the flow meter sensor and processes the pick-off signals to determine the flow rate. The processing system receives an instruction for a frequency output signal or a digital communication protocol signal. If the instruction is for a frequency output signal, then the processing system processes the flow rate to generate a frequency output signal and transmits the frequency output signal over the single output port. If the instruction is for a digital communication protocol signal, then the processing system processes the flow rate to generate a digital communication protocol signal and transmits the digital communication protocol signal over the single output port.

Abstract: A meter calibration system and apparatus capable of calibrating meters devoid of process connections. The apparatus are a calibration system and process connection adapters, where in the system is operable for calibrating both linear and nonlinear meters at multiple flow rates, and is suitable for use with both gravimetric and master meter standard references.

Abstract: A Coriolis flowmeter for the measurement of a process material requiring an ultra high level of purity. This is achieved by forming the entire Coriolis flowmeter of a PFA plastic material that does not transfer ions from the Coriolis flowmeter to the process material flowing through the flowmeter.

Abstract: A Coriolis flowmeter sensor capable of handling large mass flow rates and having a reduced flag dimension. In order to have a reduced flag dimension, each of the flow tubes forms a semicircle between an inlet and an outlet. Brace bars, connected to the flow tubes proximate the inlet and outlet, separate the frequencies of vibration in the flow tubes. Pick-offs are positioned on the flow tubes at a position that allows the pickoffs to maximize detection of low amplitude, high frequency vibrations of the flow tubes required to have a reduced flag dimension.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for providing nanometer precision motion are provided. According to the invention, a parallel kinematic micromanipulator is formed using at least three kinematic links. The kinematic links may include a high resolution, non-contact encoder to provide position information. Movement of the micromanipulator is effected using piezoelectric linear actuators provided in connection with each of the kinematic links. The combination of a parallel kinematic structure and piezoelectric linear actuators provides a micromanipulator capable of positioning components or instruments with high accuracy or repeatability. In accordance with the present invention, kinematics of three and six degrees of freedom may be provided.

Abstract: A Coriolis flowmeter having a single flow tube surrounded by connecting rings and a balance bar whose ends are connected by the connecting rings to the flow tube. The balance bar has a thermal coefficient of expansion greater than that of the connecting rings and the flow tube. The outer circumferential surface of each connecting ring is tapered toward the axial center of the flow tube. The inner circumferential surface of the balance bar has a taper matching that of the connecting ring. The connecting ring can only be partially inserted into the space between the flow tube and the balance bar when the assembly is at room temperature. Braze material is then applied to the visible ends of the surface common to the balance bar and the connecting rings as well as to the ends of the surface common to the connecting rings and the flow tube. The structure is heated to brazing temperature to braze these common surfaces.