Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for detecting and monitoring program hot spots during execution that may be implemented in hardware. A hot spot detector tracks branch instructions which are retired. Frequently executed branch instruction addresses within a particular interval are designated as hot spot candidates. A hot spot detection counter is used to track non-hot spot branches and hot spot candidate branches. When hot spot candidate branches are frequently encountered compared to non-hot spot candidate branches, the hot spot detector may notify the operating system and hot spot candidate branch addresses may be supplied to a runtime optimizing compiler and a monitor table or a hot spot monitor. The hot spot monitor may disable the hot spot detector when a program is operating in known hot spots and may enable the hot spot detector if the program has strayed from known hot spots.

Abstract: A hydraulic system for actuating opposed arms of a grappler for a gantry crane dampens swaying motion of the arms. Within a conduit which carries pressurized fluid to and/or from actuators to pivot the arms, a dampener includes a restrictor having an orifice to restrict the flow in at least one direction. Each of the dampeners can include a respective check valve to permit free flow through one direction of the conduit and to direct reverse flow through the orifice. In a specific embodiment, a load is received between opposed arms of the grappler to seat upon shoes which extend inwardly from the arms. To urge the shoes to remain in secure lifting contact under the load, flow is restricted when the swaying load moves the arm outwardly, permit free motion of the arm when the swaying motion pulls the arm inwardly.

Abstract: Provided herein is a protective device for use with a variety of objects. The protective device has two sections, each section attached to the other along a first edge. The protective device has a locking mechanism whereby each section is secured to the other in a closed position. The device may also have stoppers on the inner side of each section, the stoppers aligned such that the object is secured when the device is in the closed position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a containment apparatus for cables, wires, and other cylindrical objects. The containment apparatus includes a channel member adapted to be attached to a clip member, the clip member is adapted to receive the channel member and is adapted to be mounted to a surface such as an exterior wall or a pole. The channel member is made of a rigid to semi-rigid material which can flex and can resile or can be urged back into its original position whereby the channel member is fixedly attached to the clip member. Multiple channel members can be adapted to be connected, one to another.

Abstract: In accordance with the principles of the present invention, there is provided a device suitable for pulling nails and other materials from surfaces, most particularly angled surfaces. The device includes a blade end, a shank and a grip end, wherein the blade end further comprises a curved lever, and the grip end is transversely situated opposite the blade end, with the shank interposed between the grip end and the blade end.

Abstract: The present invention provides a locking device intended as a fastening element for prostheses, of the kind in which the prosthesis is attached to a cylindrical member. The locking device includes a housing with a through opening for receiving the cylindrical member and a locking mechanism arranged therein for locking to the cylindrical member in one axial direction thereof. In the housing along the through opening of the housing opposite the locking mechanism there is further arranged a spring-loaded gripping washer with a through opening which is somewhat larger than the diameter of the cylindrical member and which by an axle having a lever arm is brought to an inclined position and grips the cylindrical member and pulls the cylindrical member further into the housing.

Abstract: A circuit and method are shown for battery reversal protection. The circuit includes a first transistor that buffers a bulk terminal of a protected transistor from an input terminal for receiving a power supply voltage. A second transistor is coupled to both the input terminal of the circuit and an output terminal of the circuit and detects when the power supply voltage falls below an output voltage at the output terminal and, responsive thereto, switches off the first transistor to isolate the bulk terminal of the protected transistor from the input terminal. Another aspect of the invention provides current reversal protection using a third transistor that also detects when the power supply voltage falls below an output voltage at the output terminal and, responsive thereto, conducts current from the output terminal to the gate terminal of the protected transistor.

Abstract: A high-carbon-yield resole by reacting formaldehyde and excess phenol to an endpoint and then cross-linking with HMTA. Similar high-carbon-yield resoles result with addition of DBE-2, furfuryl alchol and furfural.

Abstract: A plunge base router for use in an upright and an inverted position is disclosed. The router includes a depth adjustment mechanism, a depth stop mechanism, a post lock mechanism, and a return spring defeat mechanism. The depth adjustment mechanism includes a course adjustment mechanism and a fine adjustment mechanism to set the cutting distance of a bit. The course and fine adjustment mechanisms are usable in both the upright and inverted positions and the fine adjustment mechanism is operable without being reset throughout the full range of motion of the plunge router. The depth stop includes a mechanism for locking the end of a rod on the housing to the base in order to set the relative position in between the housing and the base. The depth stop also includes a plurality of steps for engaging the rod and permitting incremental passes of cutting at different depths with the router.

Abstract: The quick-release chuck for a rotary power tool is provided for holding a tool bit. The chuck includes a barrel having an axial bore to receive the tool bit and an axially movable sleeve operable to position a locking member to selectively lock or release the tool bit. A proximal end of the chuck near the housing of the power tool includes a low-profile collar which holds a spring in compression against the sleeve, biasing the sleeve in a distal, locked position. The components of the chuck may advantageously be assembled in a stacked manner. The low-profile collar permits the chuck to occupy a minimal length and to be positioned with a minimal separation from the housing of the power tool for enhanced safety.

Abstract: The invention relates to formulations and methods of manufacturing spray-dried phenol-formaldehyde resin that contain highly reactive phenolic compounds that include resorcinol, alkyl resorcinols, meta-amino phenol or/and phloroglucinol. The powder resin contains 0.02 to 0.09 moles of the free (unreacted) highly reactive phenolic compound per 100 parts of the solids of the dried phenol-formaldehyde resin. The powder resin composition has fast curing property and desirable shelf life for manufacturing wood composite products.

Abstract: A neural control logic scheme based on prediction and pattern recognition techniques is used to control electrochemical processes such as aluminum electrolytic cells. The predictive capacity of feedforward neural networks is used to predict the future values of decision variables to be used by the cell's control logic, enabling the control logic to apply anticipated actions to cells in different conditions, thus avoiding anode effects and improving cell stability. The pattern-recognition capacity of LVQ-type neural networks is used to provide a closed-loop control structure to the feeding of the cell as a function of cell resistance, alumina concentration and cell condition. The closed-loop control structure enables the cell to operate at a near-optimal regime regardless of the condition of the cell.

Abstract: For each base station of the network, each physical channel processed by the dynamic channel allocation (DCA) method is associated with a respective priority index computed from radio parameters periodically measured with respect to communications taking place on such physical channel. For allocating a new communication channel, the free and accessible channels having the highest priority are preferentially selected. The priority indices may further be used to dynamically transfer communications to free channels of higher priority, which optimises the distribution of the bandwidth between cells as well as the quality of the communications.

Abstract: To test the reliability of a testing apparatus which checks multiple objects of the same type for one set feature, generates a feature signal for each object and checks the feature signal with respect to fulfillment of one first set condition, a test object is inserted in the testing apparatus after multiple objects and the feature signal of the test object is checked with respect to the fulfillment of a second condition, the second condition being a feature signal of the test object which corresponds to a previously inputted reference value. The reference value can be inputted by storing the feature signal of a test object as reference value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a foot prosthesis comprising a front foot portion (1), a rear foot portion (2) and an intermediate foot portion (3) formed by a number of rods (8) of resilient material, which rods extend in the longitudinal direction of the foot prosthesis. According to the invention the rods (8) are rotatably connected with at least one of the front and rear foot portions (1,2).

Abstract: The device (20) for diverting individual items from a stream of items which are conveyed on a transport apparatus has an extendable and retractable diversion element (22), which is operated via a gear unit (26, 28, 30, 32, 34) by a drive apparatus moving or swinging to and fro and is precisely time-controllable, in order to impart a cross impulse to items to be diverted so that they slide from the transport apparatus (11) across the direction of transport. The diversion element (22) carries out a complete extension and retraction movement during a single to-or-fro movement or swing of the drive apparatus. The drive apparatus moving to and fro can be a pneumatic cylinder (42), and the gear unit which transmits the piston movement to the diversion element (22) can be a coulisse link mechanism (26, 28, 30, 32, 34) or a toggle lever.

Abstract: An introducer catheter and needle guard assembly combination used with a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) is disclosed. The needle guard assembly includes a sliding needle hub for positively locking a needle in the needle guard assembly. The introducer catheter includes a tube portion and connector that can be divided into two halves. The needle guard assembly is secured to the introducer catheter and the extended needle and introducer catheter are inserted into the body of a patient. The needle and needle guard assembly can then be removed from the introducer catheter. A PICC line or other similar line can then be inserted through the catheter tube and into the patient. The tube portion and connector of the catheter are then divided into two halves so that the entire introducer catheter can be removed from the PICC line, or other similar line, that is inserted into the body of a patient.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention detects an equivalent series resistance (ESR) of an external capacitor and adjusts a transfer function of a feedback loop of the voltage regulator to compensate for the ESR. The ESR is detected by measuring a phase shift in a ripple voltage signal of an output voltage of the voltage regulator. Based upon the measured phase shift, an adjustable capacitance is introduced to the feedback loop to compensate for the ESR by introducing a zero to the transfer function to stabilize the voltage regulator circuit. Another aspect of the present invention is to adjust the transfer function of the feedback loop to improve transient response. By measuring both the phase shift and the amplitude of the ripple voltage signal, a gain and the position of a pole in the transfer function of the feedback loop may be adjusted to improve the transient response.

Abstract: A portable communication unit that operates based upon predetermined discrete blocks of airtime. The unit may be operated as a conventional portable communication unit when airtime is available, and operation of the unit for conventional communication is disabled when all the airtime has been used. By entering a specific code, which may be supplied by a dealer, the user may activate an additional block of airtime. Two classes of airtime may be provided; home time airtime which is used when the unit is within the area of a local or primary communication service provider, and roam time airtime which is used when the unit is outside of the area of a local or primary communication service provider. The unit may be programmed, preferably only by the dealer, with toll restrictor codes that limit the available range of numbers with which the unit may initiate a communication session.

Abstract: A knee prosthesis comprising two pivotally interconnected members (10, 11) carrying a locking device (17) and a first end a second axle (20, 21). The first axle (20) forms a bearing axle for the locking device and the second axle (21) cooperates with the locking device for activation thereof. The second axle (21) is located at a distance behind the first axle (20) and is arranged to act upon the locking device in such a way that when the line of action (26) from a load on the knee prosthesis passes through the second axle (21) or between the first (20) and the second axle, said second axle will act upon the locking device to activate it, while when said line of action (26) passes through the first axle or in front of it the second axle (21) will be unloaded and the locking device (17) inactivated.