Abstract: An apparatus is adapted for enabling a worker to install a top beam "C" clamp on a roof or ceiling beam, or to remove a previously installed clamp, without having to climb up to the level of the beam. The apparatus includes a structure for supporting the clamp and for positioning the clamp in an installation position on the beam or other suitable member. A socket assembly is associated with the clamp supporting structure and is adapted to drive either the clamp bolt or the nut received on the bolt when the clamp is properly supported on the clamp supporting structure. A driving assembly is connected to the socket assembly to enable the operator of the apparatus to rotate or drive the sockets to rotate either the clamp bolt or the nut received on the bolt. The socket assembly is adapted to be positioned through the driving assembly in either a bolt driving position or a nut driving position in which the bolt and nut, respectively, are properly engaged for driving.

Abstract: A method for determining residual oil saturation of a watered-out reservoir using two water soluble tracers having different partition coefficients in oil. The partitioning tracers are selected from the group consisting of tritiated or carbon 14 tagged alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, water and oil insoluble inorganics and organic radioactive isotopes. The tracers are injected into the formation, and their production curves are analyzed over a period of time to determine chromatographic separation of the tracers.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing a background having a desired color and/or pattern on photocopies made of bulky objects comprises a cover for placement between a platen of a photocopy machine and a bulky object, such as a book, to be photocopied. In the preferred embodiment, the cover comprises a clear, transparent, flexible envelope filled with a white liquid. The cover is placed on a platen of a photocopy machine, and a book to be photocopied is placed face-down on the cover. The weight of the book, or pressure applied on the book, forces the white liquid out of the area between the pages of the book to be photocopied and the platen, allowing the photocopy machine to "see" the page or pages to be photocopied against a white background. A photocopy reproduces the page on a white background, instead of the black background which is usually present in a photocopy, made without the cover, of a page of a book.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for automatically controlling the direction of advance of a rotary drill to produce a borehole profile substantially as preplanned with minimal curvature while maintaining optimum drilling performance. The system is capable of storing a planned path for the borehole. Information relating to the profile of the actual drill path is compared to the planned path and an appropriate correction signal is generated and used to cause the borehole to be drilled in accordance with the planned path.

Abstract: A memory controller has an asynchronous portion and a synchronous portion. The synchronous portion is used when the system processor is accessing the memory, while the asynchronous portion is used when control of the memories is held by a DMA controller or a bus master located on a standardized bus.

Abstract: A method for performing background disk sector analysis for drives, including drives dedicated to redundancy and/or fault recovery techniques, in an intelligent, microprocessor based disk array. The method directs the microprocessor to wait a specified time and test for disk activity. In the absence of disk activity, the disk controller is directed to generate a read request for a disk memory location within the array. A return code following the array is checked to determine if the read failed, indicating a disk drive media failure. The disk controller is then notified if a failure occurs. The processor again checks for disk array activity and in the absence of activity issues a read request for successive locations within the array, thereby reading all disk memory locations within the array.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining cacheable address and write-protect memory address regions in a computer system which includes a programmable single-ended limit register and a single comparator to determine each such region. A programmable limit register associated with each respective memory address region defines a boundary limit for each of the respective memory regions. A single address comparator associated with each respective limit register determines whether a memory address developed by the computer system resides between the respective boundaries provided by the value stored in the respective programmable limit register and a predefined address. The use of a single limit register and a single address comparator for each memory address region reduces the gate count and decreases the input buffer loading in the logic circuitry.

Abstract: A tower unit for a personal computer wherein the tower unit is a generally rectangular box having a generally rectangular interior chassis. The interior chassis includes a first set of interiorly extending mounting flanges and tabs which are positioned and aligned on opposing chassis walls to mount one or more drives at an upwardly facing angle in order to allow the user visual and manual access to the drives for ease of operation. A similar combination of interiorly directed tabs and flanges are formed in the opposing side walls of the frame near the bottom of the tower unit chassis in order to mount a plurality of hard disk drives in horizontal positions. The frame includes a front frame panel which combines with the front bezel to provide a gripping area which cooperates with another gripping area formed in the rear bezel to allow the tower unit to be easily moved about.

Abstract: A travelling disc valve assembly, comprising a length of tubing lowered down a cased wellbore; a crossover tool secured to the lower end of the length of tubing; a length of wash pipe secured to the lower end of the crossover tool; a disc valve assembly secured to the wash pipe and positioned to a lower circulation position in the well bore; a disc valve secured in a bore of the assembly; a shearing device in the upper portion of the assembly for shearing off the connection between the wash pipe and the disc valve assembly, when the disc valve assembly is in an upper position, providing a way to prevent fluid from flowing into the formation below the disc valve and to prevent production flow to the surface; and a rupturer/disengager to rupture and/or disengage the disc valve at a predetermined time so that the production within the formation is allowed to flow through the assembly bore to the surface.

Abstract: A disk array controller includes a local microprocessor, a bus master interface, a compatible interface, buffer memory and a disk interface. The controller includes a DMA controller between the microprocessor, the bus master interface, the compatibility interface and the buffer memory. DMA controllers are also provided between the disk interface and the buffer memory. One of these DMA channels includes an XOR engine used to develop parity information used with the disk array. The various DMA controllers are cycled to allow access to the buffer memory and the disk interface.

Abstract: A method of forming a porous matrix and a porous matrix having a uniform surface, depth and a controlled microstructure is provided. The uniform matrix to provide for fixation of prosthetic device by tissue ingrowth is formed through the action of heat and pressure in a hot isostatic pressing process. Such a process provides a porous matrix having a uniform surface and depth due to the isostatic pressure applied and a controlled microstructure of the material due to the relatively low temperatures employed.

Abstract: A joint prosthesis provides articulating prosthesis components that can deflect with respect to one another so that shock absorption is provided, lowering impact stresses. The components interface at articulating surfaces, and a gap is provided at a position away from the articulating surfaces, so that one of the components can flex into the gap area during use.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for placement and deployment of grout bags which, when deployed by filling with grout, act as supports for subsea pipelines or structures. The apparatus includes a pallet to which a collapsed grout bag is attached for placement, an alignment member, and a manifold assembly for distributing grout to multiple bags or compartments. The alignment member is abutted against the subsea pipeline or structure to assure proper placement of the grout bag beneath the pipeline or structure. The pallet base structure permits level deployment of the pallet on sloping seabeds. The pallet base structure includes legs and brace members which are specially designed to suit the seabed conditions at the installation site. The length of the pallet legs depends upon the relative softness of the seabed, with longer legs providing frictional support as they embed themselves into the seabed. Short legs provide support for the pallet on relatively hard seabeds by resting on the seabed with minimal embedding.

Abstract: A battery charge controller and fuel gauge which accurately monitors the voltage, temperature, and charge and discharge current of a rechargeable battery, and calculates the battery's charge capacity and charge level. Each time the battery is fully discharged, any calculated charge level remaining is divided by subtracted from the previously calculated charge capacity. When the battery is fully charged, the charge level is set equal to the charge capacity. During subsequent charge and discharge, the current is converted to a coulomb count and added or subtracted from the charge level to maintain an accurate charge level. Fast charge inefficiency due to temperature is considered by subtracting a temperature proportional factor before the charge level of the battery is updated. The charge level, voltage and temperature are used to determine the optimal fast charge termination point to achieve full charge and prevent temperature abuse and overcharge.

Abstract: An improved cover assembly for the electrical connectors of a notebook computer. The notebook computer of the present invention is adapted to be connected by electrical connectors with an expansion base. The improved cover assembly includes a cover plate hinged to the housing of the notebook computer movable relative to the housing between an uncovered position and a retained position. The cover plate includes a slidable door being sized so as to allow connection of a preselected connector of the notebook computer. The improved cover assembly can be adapted to allow the notebook computer to be connected to the expansion base while the remaining notebook computer electrical connectors are covered to reduce the amount of undesirable foreign matter in the open ended connectors that can reduce connection performance.

Abstract: The invention provides an artificial cultch for mollusca formed of coal or lignite combustion by products (CCBP) such as fly ash and bottom ash with an optional binder, lime or Portland Cement The cultches are hemispherical or round-shaped and may be randomly stacked in a reef with interstitial void spaces for mollusca growth. The invention also provides a method of mass-producing these cultches.

Abstract: A method for communication between multiple processors using registers that are accessed by four register select lines which are translated from the original system address. The address translation is performed off of the main processor board to reduce loading effects on the local bus and reduces the pin count of processor board. A signal representing which of the processors is currently active is used as a pseudo address line for the purpose of the translation. The original addresses of the I/O registers may be either input/output or memory mapped.

Abstract: A lightweight armor lining for use in projecting objects such as vessels and like craft from high speed projectiles includes an extended sheet-like body having a weight of less than eight (8) pounds per square foot and having an inner strike surface being positioned away from the object to be protected in order to receive incoming projectiles. A first layer of woven fabric material is carried at a position adjacent the outer strike surface layer and a second layer of material is carried internally of the woven layer between the outer strike and an inner attachment surface. A third layer of energy absorbent material is positioned adjacent the inner attachment surface and interfaces with the second fabric layer.

Abstract: A monitor system for sensing the failure of a rupture disc and activating an alarm in response to such a failure. The system also senses potential failure of a rupture disc. The system includes a failsafe signal carrying loop which is broken when the rupture disc fails, thereby interrupting the signal. The system also includes a signal sensor which recognizes a signal interruption or substantial modification in the signal and initiates and cooperates with an alarm device to provide notice to an operator or a safety device that the rupture disc has failed.