Abstract: An absorption refrigerator which is capable of effectively using energy without a necessity of enlarging the size thereof, the absorption refrigerator having a structure that a cylindrical wall is provided for an inner wall portion raised because of a stepped portion of the bottom surface of a double-tube unit so that a refrigerant retainer for accumulating water allowed to downwards flow along the outer surface of a cold-water tube is formed. A refrigerant-circulating passage is connected to the bottom surface of the refrigerant retainer. Another end of the refrigerant-circulating passage is connected to a refrigerant supply passage. When a pump is operated, water in the refrigerant retainer is supplied to a water-receiving pan so as to again be sprayed to the outer surface of the cold-water tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a soft finish on a fabric such as a suede tone, raised loops, broken loops or fleeced and for providing a faded effect such as a washed or faded denim. A fillet having a plurality of wires extending therefrom is wound on a cylinder of a finishing machine. The outer ends of the wires extending from the fillet are angled at approximately 80.degree. from vertical. The wires are covered with an abrasive coating which is applied by an arc spray system. The coating extends around the perimeter of the wire from at least just below the bend of the wires and extending to the outer tip of the wires. The fabric is driven over a nip roll that is adjusted to bring the fabric in closer contact with the wires on the cylinder which is rotating. An alternative embodiment of accomplishing the same type of soft finish such as suede or washed or faded denim finish is accomplished with multi rolls (or kiss rolls) finish machinery using the coated wire fillet on each roll.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reconfiguring a file or logical volume stored on a magnetic disk storage system for optimal performance. The magnetic disk storage system contains a cache volume constituted as free storage. When appropriate, a file can be copied from its normal storage location to the cache volume with a different format to optimize the file for subsequent operations. After such operations are complete, the file can be transferred from the cache volume back to the normal storage location in the original format.

Abstract: A kit for facilitating the mixing of ingredients in a medical office. The kit includes at least one free-standing, disposable bowl and one dual-purpose disposable spatula. Each free-standing, disposable bowl has a closed bottom for supporting the bowl in an upstanding position. An integrally molded, radially, outwardly extending planar lip around the periphery of the top imparts rigidity to the bowl. The free-standing disposable bowl can then be used for mixing ingredients without the requirement for any additional support structure. The dual-purpose spatula has one shape that conforms to the bowl for optimizing the mixing of one set of ingredients and another shape at the other end thereof for optimizing the mixing of other ingredients.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for performing a desired operation in a wellbore. The system contains a downhole tool which includes a mobility platform that is electrically operated to move the downhole tool in the wellbore and an end work device to perform the desired work. The downhole tool also includes an imaging device to provide pictures of the downhole environment. The data from the downhole tool is communicated to a surface computer, which controls the operation of the tool and displays pictures of the tool environment. Novel tactile sensors for use as imaging devices are also provided. In an alternative embodiment the downhole tool is composed of a base unit and a detachable work unit. The work unit includes the mobility platform, imaging device and the end work device. The tool is conveyed into the wellbore by a conveying member.

Abstract: A system and method for providing on-line, real-time, transparent data migration from an existing storage device to a replacement storage device. The existing and replacement storage devices are connected as a composite storage device that is coupled to a host, network or other data processing system. The replacement storage device includes a table which identifies data elements that have migrated to the replacement storage device. When a host system makes a data transfer request for one or more data elements, the replacement storage device determines whether the data elements have been migrated. If the data elements have migrated, the replacement storage device responds to the data transfer request independently of any interaction with the existing storage device. If the data elements have not migrated, the replacement storage device migrates the requested data elements and then responds to the data request and updates the data element map or table.

Abstract: A serpentine cross-section piezoelectric linear actuator includes a unitary, densified, rigid, monolithic piezoelectric or electrostrictive ceramic body, the body including a top, four sides generally normal to and interconnected with the top, a base generally normal to and interconnected with the sides, and two or more ceramic layers including a top ceramic layer providing the top, a bottom ceramic layer providing the bottom, and, optionally, one or more intermediate ceramic layers, the layers being disposed parallel to and superimposed over one another. Each ceramic layer except the top ceramic layer is joined at a first side to one of the ceramic layers adjacent thereto by a first ceramic bridge and each ceramic layer except the bottom ceramic layer is joined at a second side opposite the first side to another of the ceramic layers adjacent thereto by a second ceramic bridge.

Abstract: A data network with data storage facilities for providing redundant data storage and for enabling concurrent access to the data for multiple purposes. A first data processing system with a first data facility stores a data base and processes transactions or other priority applications. A second data storage facility, that may be physically separated from the first data storage facility, mirrors the data in the first data storage facility. In a concurrent access operating mode, the second data storage facility makes the data available to an application concurrently with, but independently of, the operation of the other application. On completion of the concurrent operation, the second data storage facility can reconnect with and synchronizes with the first data storage facility thereby to reestablish the mirroring operation.

Abstract: The device is used for compensating a hyper transparency area due to air inside or outside an organ while using a gantry mounting radiography apparatus with digital subtraction (DSA). The device comprises compensating filters and a supporting assembly for connecting the filters in front of the X-ray source. Each filter extends in a filter plane while the organ defines a median plane in which the rotation axis of the arms of the apparatus is substantially lying. The supporting assembly is designed to keep the filter in front of the X-ray source and in registry with the X-ray source and the hyper transparency area while keeping the filter plane parallel to the reference plane during rotation of the arms. Unlike existing X-ray compensating devices which are stationary, the present invention automatically sets itself for radiography of different views in function of the rotation of the arms of the apparatus.

Abstract: A data network with a remote data facility for providing redundant data storage and for enabling concurrent access to the data for multiple purposes. A local data processing system with a data facility stores a data base and processes transactions or other priority applications. A second system, physically separated from the first system includes the remote data facility that normally mirrors the data in the first system. In an independent access operating mode, the second system is enabled to operate on the data within its data facility concurrently with, but independently of, the operation of the first system. On completion of the independent operation, the second system reconnects with and synchronizes with the first system thereby to reestablish the mirroring operation of the second system.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly for linking electrical devices, such as switches, to three live phases and neutral of a.c. mains supply, has three main conductors and two neutral strips embedded in a solid body of polymeric material in a mold housing. The neutral strips are on opposite sides of the body and are interconnected by a spacer tube having its ends clamped against the strips by a threaded rod passed through the tube and engaging nuts. The conductors and strips are made from cut and folded conductive sheets presenting projecting terminals. At each side of the body there are groups of three live and one neutral terminal, the live terminals being individually offset and the neutral terminals being at different ends of the live terminals on opposite sides so that an arrangement results in which the groups on one side are respectively aligned with groups on the other side.

Abstract: Load balancing of activities on physical disk storage devices is accomplished by monitoring reading and writing operations to blocks of contiguous storage locations on the physical disk storage devices. A list of exchangeable pairs of blocks is developed based on size and function. Statistics accumulated over an interval are then used to obtain access activity values for each block and each physical disk drive. A statistical analysis selects one block pair. After testing to determine any adverse effect of making that change, the exchange is made to more evenly distribute the loading on individual physical disk storage devices.

Abstract: An electrically operated, strong, security system comprising a lock with remote control installed in a wall adjacent to a door frame. The lock comprises rods which extend into the door when the door is closed and in a locked state. In an unlocked state an actuator retracts the rods from the door, back into the door frame. The security lock system provides a manual control for the lock inside a house or building along with indicator lights showing the lock status. An emergency DC battery provides power for the security lock if there is a primary power outage. A remote control locks all doors in the house simultaneous that have such a security lock, and the remote control unlocks only the door or doors selected to be unlocked.

Abstract: There is provided a multi-drop distribution apparatus capable of installed in small space and of allowing transmission of large currents, the distribution apparatus having the same characteristics of a coaxial cylinder. A housing (1) has on its inner wall a groove (6a) interposed between a cable connecting portion (3) and a main line connection terminal (5b). The cable connecting portion (3) and the terminal (5b) are interconnected by a conductive rod (6) disposed in the groove (6a) without being in contact with the inner wall of the groove (6a). A dielectric block (7) is penetrated by the conductive rod (6a) so as to be slidable in the groove (6a).

Abstract: A dual flow nozzle shield of a plasma-arc torch positioned in front of a torch end cap and secured in such position by a shield retaining cap. The shield is made from lava or wonderstone ceramics or copper materials. The shield has three support feet for resting on a counterbore section of one end of the cylindrical torch end cap and for providing space between the shield and the shield retaining cap for gas bypass around the outside of the shield. An alternate embodiment of the nozzle shield comprises a plurality of notches around the perimeter of the shield for the bypass gas to pass through. A primary gas enters the shield with a portion of the primary gas going through an orifice in the center of the shield. Both embodiments have a backflow or bypass portion of the primary gas that does not go through the orifice, but instead goes back up and through the space between the posts in one embodiment or the notches in the second embodiment and comes down over the outer side of the shield.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for emulating a magnetic tape storage device with a conventional, unmodified magnetic disk storage device. I/O output requests for the emulated magnetic tape storage device are intercepted to determine whether they involve a virtual tape resource that comprises a magnetic disk storage device. Tape requests to such a resource are converted into one or more conventional magnetic disk storage requests to effect an analogous operation.

Abstract: A reversible, self-contained cooking appliance. A heating plate is suspended between first and second insulating end stands. The heating plate has first and second cooking surfaces on opposite sides thereof and includes an integral heater. The end stands support the heating plate for cooking in a first orientation. One of the end stands is adapted to store the cooking appliance in a vertical position for storage. During use the end stands position a reflector between the heating plate and a support surface so that the reflector minimizes any heat transfer to the supporting surface. In a preferred form a drain is disposed along one end of the heating plate to allow grease and other cooking materials to drain into the reflector.

Abstract: Whenever necessary, an operation for diluting an absorbing solution after the stop of the operation is unlimitedly enabled without increasing the size of an absorption refrigerating machine. For the dilution operation after the operation of the absorption refrigerating machine, a pipe line of a dilute solution circulating pipe KD is opened by a dilution valve VD. Thereby, a solution pump P1 and an absorber A can be directly connected through a circulating pipe K6. The operation of the solution pump allows circulating a low-concentration solution and facilitates the dilution of a high-concentration solution to a low concentration. Since this case has nothing to do with a pressure difference in a path, the dilution operation can be performed whenever necessary. Moreover, since it is unnecessary to deal with a pressure loss, it is not necessary to increase the height of the apparatus.