Abstract: A propulsion system for a watercraft is provided, which may be an integral part of a watercraft or may be retrofitted to a particular watercraft. The propulsion system is mounted to the hull in a central area, such as forward of a transverse centerline of the hull. The propulsion system includes a propulsion assembly coupled to a retractable arm, which is pivotable between a stowed and operational position. In the stowed position at least a portion of the propulsion assembly may be received within a recessional housing formed in the hull.

Abstract: A comparison circuit may be fabricated along with a primary circuit on a semiconductor substrate. The propagation delay of a comparison signal across a first path of circuit elements is compared to propagation delays of the comparison signal across a second path of delay elements. As a semiconductor fabrication process varies, the relative propagation delays across the first and second paths will vary in a manner correlative to the process variations. By monitoring the relative propagation delays, the fabrication process may be controlled to ensure that the process does not vary to an undesirable extent. Also, various programmable delay elements may be fabricated into the primary circuit, and these programmable delay elements may be activated and/or deactivated in response to the relative propagation delays of the comparison circuit.

Abstract: In a computer system having at least one host processor, a method and apparatus for providing seamless hooking and interception of selected entrypoints includes finding the IDT for each CPU which can include scanning the HAL image for the HAL PCR list. Saving the interrupt handler currently mapped in the CPU's interrupt descriptor table. Patching the original interrupt into the new interrupt handler. Storing the new interrupt exception into the CPU's interrupt descriptor table. Hooking a select entrypoint by first determining if the entrypoint begins with a one byte instruction code. If it does, saving the address of the original entrypoint, saving the original first one byte instruction, and patching the new interrupt intercept routine to jump to the original entrypoint's next instruction.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for providing programs, such as operational protocols, to medical diagnostic institutions and systems. The protocols are created and stored on machine readable media. A description of the protocols is displayed at the diagnostic institution or system. A user may select a desired protocol or program from a user interface, such as a listing of protocols. The protocol listing may include textual and exemplary image descriptions of the protocols. Selected protocols are transferred from the machine readable media to the diagnostic institution or system. The transfer may take place over a network link, and may be subject to fee arrangements, subscription status verifications, and so forth. Protocols may be loaded for execution on system scanners by selection from the same or a similar protocol listing screen.

Abstract: Methods of forming a graded layer is disclosed. The graded layer transitions from one material to another material. The properties of these materials are chosen to optimize the interfaces on each side of the graded layer. Specifically, an improved transistor gate stack barrier layer may be formed by disposing an appropriate graded layer between a gate layer and an interconnect layer. In fact, the graded layer may obviate the use of the interconnect layer, as the top of the graded layer may include a highly conductive material. An improved integrated circuit interconnect structure may also be formed by grading the material composition of an interconnect layer.

Abstract: A motor protector for use in protecting an electric motor in a subterranean environment. The motor protector utilizes a dual, flexible bladder system. One of the expandable bladders provides for the expansion and contraction of motor oil. The other expandable bladder contains a supply of neutralizing solution. The bladder filled with neutralizing solution cooperates with the bladder filled with motor oil to maintain the expandable bladder bathed in neutralizing solution. This prevents migration of corrosive agents into the motor oil.

Abstract: A system for pumping high gas-to-liquid ratio well fluids. The system includes a submersible pumping system having a submersible motor and a submersible pump driven by the motor. The system further includes deployment tubing, such as production tubing or coiled tubing, through which wellbore fluid is produced. A bypass is connected into the system to conduct a portion of the wellbore fluid intaken by the submersible pumping system to a position upstream of the pump intake. Because this recirculated fluid has a lower gas-to-liquid ratio and a lower viscosity, its reintroduction into the new wellbore fluid promotes efficiency of pumping and decreased wear on pumping system components.

Abstract: A system for providing a signal indicating whether a processor is installed and providing improved voltage regulation. A contact is selected and isolated from an array of ground contacts and is further coupled with circuit for generating an INSTALL signal. A capacitor and pull up resistor coupled to a supply voltage, ground and the isolated contact form a signal line at a common node such that a circuit to ground is completed through the processor and the isolated contact when the processor is plugged in and a direct signal indication of the presence or absence of the processor is provided. Voltage sense lines of a Voltage Regulation Module (VRM) are coupled directly to processor contacts isolated from an existing voltage supply contacts coupled to the supply plane of a supply voltage within the circuit board providing improved regulation without adversely affecting power supply current capacity considerations.

Abstract: A technique is provided for supplying electrical power to a submersible pumping system in a well completion. The pumping system includes a submersible electric motor, a pump driven by the motor and a separator for separating liquid and gas phase components of the wellbore fluids. The gas phase components are produced through a first passageway in an isolating packer, with liquid phase components being produced through a separate passageway through the packer. A transition assembly, including a connector adapter is provided in either the liquid or gas flow path, and either on the lower or upper side of the packer. The transition assembly incorporates a connector for securing upper and lower cable portions to one another. The lower cable portion extends from the connector to the electric motor, while the upper cable assembly extends from the connector to the earth's surface.

Abstract: A portable electronic system which obtains power from a dry-electrolyte fuel cell. Water which is produced by the fuel cell is atomized by an ultrasonic transducer, to avoid user inconvenience due to reservoirs or dripping.

Abstract: A system for separating gas from a wellbore fluid as it is produced to the surface. The system includes a progressing cavity pump, a submergible electric motor and a fluid intake. The submergible electric motor is connected to the progressing cavity pump to drive the pump and draw wellbore fluid through the fluid intake. The fluid intake includes a hollow interior defined by a thick-walled section. Additionally, the fluid intake includes a plurality of fluid passageways extending through the thick-walled section. The passageways are oriented to create a reversal in fluid flow, and thus a release of gas, as the fluid is draw into the fluid intake.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining a communications within a computer system after a data transport failure across a first link. Fail-over capability is attained by re-establishing communications across a secondary link using different transport mechanisms. Between two Input/Output Processors (IOPs) within a computer system, such as a server, a series of data transactions therebetween are queued until transaction completion. Upon detection of a failure condition between the TOPs across the first link, the IOPs engage fail-over mechanisms to preserve uncompleted data transactions until communications are re-established across the secondary link.

Abstract: A technique is described for correcting phase errors in a bipolar readout gradient MRI imaging sequence, such as an EPI examination. The technique employs alternating sets of oscillating readout gradient pulses. Each readout pulse train has a polarity which is inverted with respect to an immediately preceding and an immediately succeeding readout sequence. The collected data then incorporates both image data and data which is used to correct for phase errors. Following data acquisition, correction factors may be determined from the k-space frames for correction of successive k-space data. K-space frames may be reformatted to inherently correct for phase errors, followed by combination of hybrid k-space data frames to obtain a corrected image.

Abstract: A multi-phase charge pump continuously pumps to establish a DC voltage outside the range of supply and reference voltages. The multi-phase charge pump in one embodiment includes four stages operating in a ring with a four-phase clock. Each stage includes a three-mode charge pump that generates and provides reset and control signals to other stages. Each stage includes a pass transistor having a gate driven in excess of the DC voltage for efficient transfer of charge. The gate drive signal from a first stage is coupled to a next stage in the ring where it is used to generate the next gate drive signal. Each gate drive signal corresponds to one waveform having a phase skewed in time so that each stage in the ring is operating in a different mode. In a method of use, a first stepped voltage is developed on a first capacitor and selectively coupled to a second capacitor to develop a second stepped voltage of greater absolute value.

Abstract: A fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine having a plurality of combustion chambers. The fuel delivery system includes a source of fuel, a fuel pump driven by a linear electric motor, a plurality of fluid actuators and a plurality of fuel delivery assemblies. The fuel pump driven by a linear electric motor draws fuel from the source of fuel and pumps the fuel to the plurality of fluid actuators. The fluid actuators direct the fuel to fuel delivery assemblies. The fuel delivery assemblies receive the fuel from the fluid actuators and deliver the fuel to combustion chambers. The fuel delivery system includes a control system that controls the operation of the fuel delivery system to provide desired volumes of fuel at desired flow rates to the combustion chambers.

Abstract: A system and method for modification of tissue. The system and method utilize a disposable sample cell that contains a chemical mixture capable of photoinitiation. Upon photoinitiation, a chemical reaction creates electromagnetic radiation that is readily absorbed by a desired portion of tissue. The absorption of energy creates heat which can be controlled to result in predetermined modifications to the tissue.

Abstract: A dual submergible pumping system permits pumping of fluids from separate zones within a narrowly confined wellbore without commingling of fluids. The system includes a single deployment tubing from which a first and second submergible pumping system are suspended. The system further includes a fluid transport system having one fluid flow path defined by the hollow interior of the deployment tubing and a second fluid flow path isolated from the first flow path.

Abstract: An improved die edge contacting socket incorporates particles of a thermally conducting material into an elastomeric compression pad disposed in the sealing cap of the socket. The elastomeric compression pad is preferably composed of an electrically insulating material, such as a silicone-based gel. The thermally conducting material is preferably either diamond, beryllium oxide, silicon nitride, or a like material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing gimballing in the polishing of a semiconductor wafer held in an overhanging position with respect to a polishing pad. One embodiment includes a support apparatus for use with a device for polishing a semiconductor wafer, the device having a rotatable wafer carrier and a polishing pad attached to a rotatable platen, the wafer carrier being movable to place a semiconductor wafer held by the wafer carrier in a contacting and overhanging relationship with the polishing pad. The support apparatus includes a support to prevent gimballing of the wafer carrier when the wafer held by the wafer carrier is in the overhanging and contacting relationship with the polishing pad, the support having a low polishing surface to contact and support the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: There is disclosed a memory cell having a reduced active area. The memory cell may be incorporated into a memory array. A method of fabricating the memory cell and the memory array includes the fabrication of an access device, such as a diode, that protrudes above the semiconductor substrate. The memory element, such as a memory element formed of chalcogenide material, is disposed on the side of the protrusion to reduce the active area of the memory element as compared with conventional memory elements.