Abstract: Described is a detector for receiving the eluent from a liquid- or supercritical-fluid chromatograph in which a signal indicative of the presence of an analyte in the eluent is generated by the scattering of light by desolvated particles of the analyte. The detector includes a nebulizer for generating an aerosol from the eluent in a chamber that has a wall in thermal communication with a heat sink. Changes in the temperature of the wall during an analysis of the eluent are reduced by the transfer of heat to the first heat sink.

Abstract: An Internet Small Computer Systems Interface (iSCSI) distance acceleration device accelerates data transfers between an iSCSI initiator and an iSCSI target over a network, such as the Internet or a wide area network (WAN). The acceleration device resides in a communication path between the iSCSI initiator and the iSCSI target. The acceleration device receives an iSCSI protocol data unit (PDU) targeted to the iSCSI target by the iSCSI initiator. The acceleration device forwards the iSCSI PDU over the network to the iSCSI target and transmits a response to the iSCSI PDU that anticipates a response to be generated by the iSCSI target upon receiving the iSCSI PDU.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention feature methods and apparatus for the efficient utilization of detectors and other components. The apparatus comprises a pump for receiving and propelling one or more samples in a fluid path. The apparatus further comprises a valve element in fluid communication with the pump for receiving the samples from the pump and directing the sample along one fluid path selected from a group. The group comprises a delay path comprising a delay volume, and a chromatography assembly having at least one chromatography column. The apparatus further comprises a detector or grouping of detectors in fluid communication with the delay path and the chromatography assembly for detecting compounds of interest to allow a single detector or single grouping of detectors to receive samples from the two fluid paths.

Abstract: A position-sensing system magnetically senses the position of a piston rod moving with respect to a cylinder. A magnetically hard layer on the piston rod provides a recording medium. Information is perpendicularly magnetized in regions of the magnetically hard layer. These regions provide an encoding scheme for determining the position of the piston rod. Magnetic-field sensors are positioned over redundant tracks of magnetically recorded regions. Each magnetic-field sensor positioned over a given track senses the same magnetized regions while the piston rod moves with respect to the cylinder. Other magnetic-field sensors can sense ambient fields for use in performing common-mode rejection. A write head can dynamically repair damaged or erased regions detected by the magnetic-field sensors. Energized by a battery-backup power source, the magnetic-field sensors and associated circuitry can continue to track movement of the piston rod when the machinery is off.

Abstract: Described is a switched capacitor circuit for performing an analog circuit function. Unlike conventional switched capacitor circuits employing operational amplifiers, the switched capacitor circuit uses a comparator and does not require direct feedback between the input and output of the comparator. The switched capacitor circuit includes a first and a second switched capacitance network, a comparator and a current source. The first switched capacitance network has an input terminal to receive a circuit input voltage during a first phase. The comparator has an input terminal in communication with the first switched capacitance network and an output terminal in communication with the second switched capacitance network through a switched terminal. The current source communicates with the switched capacitance networks and supplies a current to charge the networks during a second phase. The circuit can be used, for example, to provide high gain amplification in integrated circuits.