Abstract: A high voltage current limiting protection circuit for measurement equipment and measurement probes. The circuit is comprised of a plurality of elements one of which is variable resistance means which are coupled between a first terminal and a second terminal of the circuit for generating a low resistance level to allow a fast response by the measurement equipment to measure current flowing between the two terminals. The variable resistance means generates a high resistance level to limit current flow to a minimum level between the two terminals when a predetermined maximum voltage level across the two terminals is exceeded. Voltage trip point means are coupled to the variable resistance means for setting the predetermined maximum voltage level to trigger the variable resistance means to generate the high resistance level to limit current flow between the two terminals to the minimum level.
Abstract: A device for increasing heat transfer and reducing suspended vapor within a fluid. The inventive device includes a main body having at least one pair of conduits positionable into communication with a fluid or refrigerant line. A radial diffuser effects plating or coating of fluid entering the main body onto the interior walls thereof to increase heat transfer. A radial infuser receives collected fluid and directs the fluid into a containment chamber within the main body. A rotational turbulence inducer agitates the fluid as it exits the main body for increasing heat transfer between the fluid and the conduit. Alternative forms of the invention include a turbine mounted within the containment chamber for extracting rotational torque from movement of fluid through the device, and a lower main body having a pair of selectively valved radial infusers permitting reverse flow through the device.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 19, 1996
Date of Patent:
March 10, 1998
Inventors:
Michael Tracy Otis, Mark Stephen Shepherd
Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method which has automatic enabling and disabling capabilities for prefetching and transferring sequentially located data from system memory to a First In First Out (FIFO) queue. When a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) initiator signals for a data read, a minimum unit of data will be transferred from system memory to the FIFO queue. Only after seeing a certain number of consecutive data read requests from the same PCI initiator will the system begin to sequentially prefetch data from system memory and to transfer the prefetched data to the FIFO queue.
Abstract: A system for increasing the efficiency of single and multi-phase induction motors. The system is comprised of a microcontroller which combines a time when the AC line current reaches zero amps with a time when AC line voltage to the AC motor reaches zero volts and with a digital measurement provided by an A/D converter to determine a servo error. The servo error determines whether the A/C motor needs more or less power. The microprocessor provides a control signal to a switching means to supply the minimum power required based on the servo error.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 23, 1996
Date of Patent:
March 3, 1998
Assignee:
Current Technology, Inc.
Inventors:
Richard Stephen Straka, David Maxwell Coombs
Abstract: Signalling apparatus are used for monitoring a clock signal from a system controller to a processor. If the clock signal is low, indicating that the processor is disabled, the signalling apparatus will place the cache memory in a "sleep" mode. Thus, the signalling apparatus allow a computer system, upon which the signalling apparatus is a part of, to lower its power consumption. If the computer system is a portable computer system, the signalling apparatus will lower power consumption thereby extending the lifetime of the portable computer's batteries.
Abstract: A fully associative cache memory has a finite state machine which creates and maintains a linked list structure within the cache. This linked list structure allows the fully associative cache memory to be implemented in a structure other than a complex FIFO arrangement, as is typically required by systems of the prior art.
Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for preserving cadavers. The apparatus is preferably comprised of a container that receives a cadaver, which cadaver has first been placed into a multi-layered plastic bag of the type used in the vacuum-packing industry. The container has the ability to be sealed in a substantially air-tight manner. Located on or coupled to the container is a gas evacuation apparatus, which evacuates substantially all of the gases within the container, the bag, and the cadaver. The cadaver is then sealed using a sealing apparatus located within the cadaver. The cadaver, in the sealed bag, may then be removed.
Abstract: A chute provides a passageway for coins discharged by a slot machine. The passageway extends from a coin discharge opening of the slot machine, over a coin holding tray of the slot machine to the mouth of a cup or a container or any other desired coin collecting unit.
Abstract: A semiconductor device used as a semiconductor memory device is disclosed which is made of an amorphous silicon material that provides either a "1" or "0" memory state when the amorphous silicon material is in a non-conduction or insulating state and a "0" or "1" memory state when the amorphous silicon material is transformed, by use of a breakdown voltage applied to electrodes coupled thereto, into a conducting state. The amorphous silicon material is located adjacent to a doped semiconductor region of a semiconductor substrate separated only by a relatively thin primarily metal ohmic contact. The resulting semiconductor structure for the semiconductor device or semiconductor memory device is primarily a single level metalization type structure. A write-once, read-only semiconductor memory array is also disclosed which uses, as each memory cell of the array, one of the disclosed semiconductor memory devices.
Abstract: An apparatus process is provided for the destruction of a toxic organic chlorine-containing compound, especially, a chlorine- and arsenic-containing compound. The apparatus includes a main reactor into which is introduced the chlorine-containing compound, e.g., a Lewisite as a mustard gas, an oxidizing agent and a pH controlling agent, the main reactor including a hot heat exchanger and a cold heat exchanger, a source of inert blanketing gas to provide an oxidation product of the organic original chlorine-containing compound. Preferably, after completion of the oxidizing reaction, any residual oxidizing agent is catalytically decomposed. Then, the oxidation product of the original organic chlorine-containing compound, is preferably decomposed in a catalyst containing vessel at an alkaline pH, e.g., to a maximum final pH of about 11 in a liquid knockout vessel which includes a lower liquid discharge and an upper gaseous discharge connected to a vented absorber vessel to provide an inorganic compound, e.g.
Abstract: An event driven power management control system. The event driven power management control system is compatible with existing CPU power management control units which only monitor CPU activity. The event driven power management control system is able to modify a STPCLK# signal asserted by the CPU power management control unit if external or internal events in the computer system require the CPU to run at full speed in order to service the break event.
Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method a flat-side model rocket. In the preferred embodiment, the model rocket is four-sided, and may be constructed by a user from wooden pieces that are pre-cut and pre-engraved with a sealed-CO.sub.2 laser. The model rocket of the present invention is compatible with existing model rocket engines, launching apparatuses, and parachute-type recovery apparatuses.
Abstract: The present invention relates to a microcontroller that may be configured to operate without the accompaniment of any external components. The microcontroller can function in a proper manner from the application of only power and signal lines with no external components required. The microcontroller has integrated internal reset and oscillator circuitry into the microcontroller. The microcontroller has also integrated simple external components such as current limiting resistors and pull u and pull down resistor into the microcontroller in order to avoid application specific external components.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 24, 1996
Date of Patent:
December 2, 1997
Assignee:
Microchip Technology Incorporated
Inventors:
Richard L. Hull, Gregory C. Bingham, Scott R. Fink, James Clark Rogers, Ryan Scott Ellison
Abstract: An automatic plunger apparatus and method therefor is disclosed for compressing molten plastic into a cavity for forming an encapsulated semiconductor device. A compressing device drives a plunger member in order to compress and direct molten plastic to flow in a forward direction into the cavity. An overload compensator is coupled to the plunger member for permitting the plunger member to withdraw in a reverse direction when the plunger member is prevented from compressing and directing the molten plastic to flow in the forward direction into the cavity. The overload compensator comprises a first member retained within a second member for transferring the force from the compressing device into motion of the plunger member.
Abstract: A system for the continuous production of asphalt-based roofing shakes which are tapered and embossed to resemble wood shakes in looks and function; and the shake made thereby. The continuous production system hot-mixes and extrudes the ingredients in a tapered layer on a conveyor belt for embossing and cutting. The system permits wood-shake type variety in size and appearance. The preferred shake includes perlite as a filler and chopped glass fibers as a reinforcer and may be internally colored.
Abstract: The present invention relates to a universal contactor system for testing multiple size BGA devices on multiple types of testing equipment. The universal contactor system is comprised of a plurality of pogo pin which provide a connection between the BGA device to be tested and a DUT (Device Under Test) board. A contactor block having a plurality of apertures therethrough is used for holding the plurality of pogo pins. A guide plate having a center opening is coupled to the contactor block. The center opening in the guide plate is used for aligning the BGA device to be tested on the contactor block. The guide plate may be replaced with guide plates having a larger or smaller opening to align BGA devices of a larger or smaller size on the contactor block.