Abstract: A method for supporting multiple distributed interrupt controllers, designated as bus agents, in a symmetric multiprocessing system, which method includes the steps of assigning a unique identification number to each bus agent, receiving bus requests from the bus agents over four data lines in groups of four, and granting bus ownership to a selected one of the requesting bus agents. Similarly, a computer system that supports multiple distributed interrupt controllers, designated as bus agents, in a symmetric multiprocessing system, which computer system includes structure for assigning a unique identification number to each bus agent, four data lines for receiving bus requests from the bus agents in groups of four, and structure for granting bus ownership to a selected one of the requesting bus agents.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing gas concentration in blood which has use as a generalized extracorporeal system and method to treat hypoxemic blood from a patient by mixing the blood with an oxygen supersaturated solution to generate hyperoxemic blood to be infused back to the patient. The extracorporeal system comprises an extracorporeal tubing through which blood from the patient is circulated, a blood pump for withdrawing blood from and delivering blood to the patient, at least one channel for delivering oxygen-supersaturated fluid and a mixing region for introducing supersaturated fluid without bubble formation. By infusing the oxygen-supersaturated fluid into the hypoxemic or normoxemic blood from the patient, hyperoxemic blood is thereby produced. The hyperoxemic blood is then returned to a central vein, right heart or artery of the patient with the blood pump at approximately the same volume delivery rate as blood volume withdrawal rate.

Abstract: A permanent magnet alternator employing a mechanically regulated output. The alternator contains a rotor, or a flywheel which houses a plurality of permanent magnets. A rotating magnetic flux field is created by the rotation of the flywheel. A stator assembly, including a plurality of windings or coils is disposed concentrically with the rotor and adjacent to the rotating flux field. The coils produce an electrical output based on their exposure to the rotating flux field. A control assembly is disposed concentrically within the stator assembly. The stator assembly is rotatably coupled to the control assembly and becomes axially displaced relative to the magnetic flux field as a result of rotation relative to the control assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for testing neuroregenerative and neuroprotective effects of specific substances on a human central nervous system. The method utilizes a standard ophthalmological procedure in which measurable but clinically insignificant damage occurs to the nerve fiber layer in a human eye. The method includes comparing the protection or regeneration of the nerve fiber layer in a patient provided with a test treatment versus a placebo treatment. Because the eyes are the only bilateral or duplicated manifestation of the human central nervous system, each human subject can act as his or her own control subject.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying devices on a network. A management device is configured to multicast a query message to request identification of network devices. Each of the network devices is configured to respond to the management device multicast message by transmitting a reply message containing identification information of the responding device. The management device includes a directory containing the identification information of the network devices. The network protocol can include the TCP/IP protocol, and the packets have a format complying with a bootstrap protocol.

Abstract: A technique is described for programming multiple axes or channels of a system, such as an MRI system. Modular component time masks are defined including information for activity on at least one axis and a time boundary for execution of the activity. The modular components may be stored in a library, and assembled to define desired control sequences. Activity may include pulse sequences for coils in the imaging system. The modular components facilitate definition of complex multi-axis control sequences while respecting inherent physical constraints of the system. Time optimized control sequences may be developed from the modular components by reference to beginning and ending times of a series of components, or to anchor time points associated with the components.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing failover recovery in a network server. A first network server, operating within a communication network, is initialized to operate in a failover recovery mode. The network server includes a host computing system for controlling operation of the server and an Input/Output subsystem for controlling operation of peripheral devices associated with the first server. A communication link effectuates communication between the first server and a second network server. A heartbeat generator, located within the first server, generates a periodic heartbeat signal when the host computing system of the first server is functioning normally. A heartbeat timer, located within the Input/Output subsystem of the first server, detects an absence of the heartbeat signal by counting elapsed time between successive heartbeat signals.

Abstract: A dimmable electrodeless light source includes an electrodeless lamp, an electronic ballast and a dimming module. The light source further includes coupling transformers coupled to the electrodeless lamp for inductively coupling power to the lamp to generate light. An auxiliary winding electromagnetically coupled to the primary winding of at least one of the coupling transformers is driven by switching circuitry in the dimming module. The switching circuitry is pulse width modulated to control the average brightness of the light generated by the electrodeless lamp. An exemplary application for the dimmable electrodeless light source is as a backlight for a video display device, such as an liquid crystal display unit.

Abstract: A method is disclosed wherein the voltage of a semiconducting substrate can be locally pumped to a voltage different than the bulk of the semiconducting substrate generally. The local voltage may be pumped into a localized portion of the bulk substrate, or it may be pumped into a portion of the substrate that is isolated from the bulk substrate. This localized biasing may be used for various purposes, including the adjustment of body effect in a plurality of transistors, adjusting the threshold voltage of a capacitor, and reducing latch-up sensitivity of a transistor circuit.

Abstract: A downhole pumping system includes a downhole pump that is coupled to a downhole motor. The downhole motor includes a motor protector that utilizes one or more retractable and extensible bellows, instead of an elastomeric bag, to accommodate motor oil contraction and expansion.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of delivering an emulsion or suspension containing a supersaturated gas into a gas-depleted environment. The method generally comprises the steps of preparing an emulsion or suspension, exposing the emulsion or suspension to a gas at a pressure greater than 2 bar, and delivering the emulsion or suspension to a gas-depleted environment at ambient pressure.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for determining errors in MRI sequences resulting from eddy currents generated by pulsed gradient fields. During a calibration sequence, with no phase-encoding, gradient pulses and readout sequences are applied along physical axes of a scanner and data sets are acquired for each combination. A reference data set is acquired with no gradient pulses applied. The resulting data sets are processed by one dimensional Fourier transformation, and the transformed data is analyzed to determine spatially invariant and linear gradient errors. The phase errors may be averaged for each physical axis. The technique is particularly useful in determining errors in diffusion weighted echo planar imaging sequences.

Abstract: A memory cell incorporating a chalcogenide element and a method of making same is disclosed. In the method, a doped silicon substrate is provided with two or more polysilicon plugs to form an array of diode memory cells. A layer of silicon nitride is disposed over the plugs. Using a poly-spacer process, small pores are formed in the silicon nitride to expose a portion of the polysilicon plugs. A chalcogenide material is disposed in the pores by depositing a layer of chalcogenide material on the silicon nitride layer and planarizing the chalcogenide layer to the silicon nitride layer using CMP. A layer of TiN is next deposited over the plugs, followed by a metallization layer. The TiN and metallization layers are then masked and etched to define memory cell areas.

Abstract: A etch stop layer for use in a silicon oxide dry fluorine etch process is made of silicon nitride with hydrogen incorporated in it either in the form of N—H bonds, O—H bonds, or entrapped free hydrogen. The etch stop layer is made by either increasing the NH3 flow, decreasing the SiH4 flow, decreasing the nitrogen flow, or all three, in a standard PECVD silicon nitride fabrication process. The etch stop can alternatively be made by pulsing the RF field in either a PECVD process or an LPCVD process.

Abstract: A technique is described for producing fluids from a series of wells. Production fluids from production wells are raised from the wells and deposited in a collection well. The production fluids may include both liquid and gas phase components. The collection well may serve to permit separation of the gas and liquid phase components under the forces of gravity. The fluids deposited in the collection well are separately displaced to a further collection and processing location. The head requirements for the pumping systems of the production wells is reduced by the need only to transmit the production fluids to the collection well. A pumping system in the collection well then produces some or all of the deposited fluids. Where the fluids include significant quantities of gas, the collection well pumping system may only produce the liquid-phase components, reducing the capacity requirements for the collection well pumping system.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a diode having a relatively improved on-off ratio. The diode is formed in a container in an insulative structure layered on a substrate of an integrated circuit. The container is then partially filled with a polysilicon material, by methods such as conformal deposition, leaving a generally vertical seam in the middle of the polysilicon material. An insulative material is deposited in the seam. The polysilicon material is appropriately doped and electrical contacts and conductors are added as required. The diode can be coupled to a chalcogenide resistive element to create a chalcogenide memory cell.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for broadcasting data to multiple target devices during a single bus transaction. Each of a plurality of potential target devices detect the beginning of a primary bus transaction and retrieve transaction command and target device identification information from a multicast bus. The transaction command information and target device identification information are decoded. A determination is made by each device as to whether the decoded target device identification information matches the identity of the device and furthermore whether the decoded transaction command is a read command. If the target device identification information matches the identity of the device and the command is a read, the device writes data present on the primary device into the device.

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.

Abstract: A system for dehydrating lubricating and hydraulic fluids includes a heating circuit and circuitry for creating a vacuum. The heating circuitry introduces a stream of heated fluid into a vacuum chamber in which a partial vacuum is drawn by the vacuum circuit. Aqueous components of the fluid stream are flashed in the vacuum chamber by virtue of the elevated temperature and reduced pressure. Dehydrated fluid is then collected and evacuated from the vacuum chamber. Vapor from the vacuum chamber, including the aqueous components of the fluid stream are collected, condensed and separately evacuated. The heating circuit limits surface temperature of a heating element in a closed-loop manner to avoid degradation of the fluid. The fluid stream is introduced into the vacuum chamber or is recirculated through the heating circuit to maintain a desired level of fluid temperature in a closed-loop manner.

Abstract: A mount assembly for a trolling motor is provided. The mount assembly includes a bracket adapted to support the trolling motor. A pivoting member, such as a link or an arm, has a first end pivotally coupled to the bracket. The pivoting member is also pivotally coupled to an abutment adjacent a boat deck or gunwale at its second end. A support member is rigidly affixed to a surface of the bracket such that the support member sustains the overhung load of the trolling motor while it is in the stowed position on the boat deck or gunwale. The support member is flat and unobtrusive when the motor is in its run position.