Abstract: A graphics processing unit in which the caching algorithm changes at the end of a line (or alternatively when the data from the beginning of the current line comes up for discard). This avoids the problem of continuous misses at the start of a new line, which can occur when the texture cache is not big enough to hold a full line's worth of data.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing drill bits in segments, using a single key which is nowhere concave in its axial profile to position all three segments together for welding; and drill bits so made.

Abstract: A plastic canister for storing and shipping drill bits, especially roller cone drill bit, has a pin-holder built into the lid of the canister for ease of field dressing the bit. The lid and body of the container are slip fit to one another and indexed to each other for positive positioning in their relationship. Safety features include the use of a conductive plastic polymer, a non-rolling base, mating protrusions and recesses for stacking, recessed areas for strapping, and welded loop handles.

Abstract: A novel and improved roller cone drill bit and method of design are disclosed. A roller cone drill bit for drilling through subterranean formations having an upper connection for attachment to a drill string, and a plurality cutting structures rotatably mounted on arms extending downward from the connection. A number of teeth are located in generally concentric rows on each cutting structure. The actual trajectory by which the teeth engage the formation is mathematically determined. A straight-line trajectory is calculated based on the actual trajectory. The teeth are positioned in the cutting structures such each tooth having a designed engagement surface is oriented perpendicular to the calculated straight-line trajectory.

Abstract: A roller cone drill bit in which the orientations of the teeth are varied within a single row, and/or between the heel row of one cone and the heel row of another cone, to prevent tracking.

Abstract: A pressure compensating assembly for use in roller cone drilling bits of the sealed bearing type. The compensating assembly includes a hollow body arranged to fit into a cavity in the bit connected with the lubrication system of the bit and the hollow body includes a normally open lubricant passageway extending therethrough. A seal encircles the body on one side of the lubricant passageway and is arranged to sealingly engage the bit and an elastomeric, cup-shaped diaphragm is located on the body and has a lip arranged to sealingly engage the bit on the other side of the lubricant passageway. The diaphragm having a protuberance on the side of the diaphragm facing the passageway and sized to enter and close the passageway. The body, seal, and diaphragm being assembled into a unitary cartridge for introduction into the bit as a unit.

Abstract: A graphics system using multiple processors which is able to fully support multi-processor operation using only PCI read operations between processors. Each of the graphics processors performs its operations on its respective scanlines, and writes to its own framebuffer, but the need for writes from one processor to the framebuffer of another processor is eliminated.

Abstract: A roller-cone drill bit in which a double lip seal, made of a self-lubricating elastomer, protects the bearings from the mud.

Abstract: A graphics rendering system and method utilizing a unified memory space for a depth-buffer and the back framebuffer. To provide very high resolution with a limited memory, each primitive is rendered once to provide depth values, to determine which pixels of each primitive are displayed, and a second time to store the color values of pixels which are to be displayed. A flag bit is used to ensure that depth data and color data, which coexist in a common memory space, cannot be confused or interchanged.

Abstract: The present application discloses a method of forming and operating a metal-to-metal antifuse with an amorphous carbon dielectric which provides a very high resistance off state and can be programmed at voltages compatible with deep submicron devices. Furthermore, the programmed filament achieves low resistance with low programming current while maintaining a high level of stability.

Abstract: A bit breaker is formed of a U-shaped base and latchable gate which closes the U. When the gate is in a closed position, evenly spaced chocks on both the base and gate protrude into the central cavity of the bit breaker to engage slots formed in the bit. The bit breaker is designed to be used with either roller cone bits or drag bits.

Abstract: A graphics request stream is transferred from a host processor to a graphics card via a host bus so that the stream traverses the host bus no more than once. To that end, the graphics card has a graphics card memory, and the host processor has a host memory configured in a first memory configuration. The graphics card memory may be configured in the first memory configuration, and the graphics request stream is received directly in a message from the host processor (via the host bus). Upon receipt by the graphics card, the graphics request stream is written to the graphics card memory.

Abstract: Angled insertable drag bit teeth having a front portion at an oblique angle to a shank portion: the front portion is nearly parallel to the direction of thrust during cutting, and is bonded, along a substantial part of its length, to a groove in the bit body. The shank portion extends down into a pocket in the bit body. Preferably the front portion is faced with a superhard material such as polycrystalline-diamond-compact.

Abstract: Solid carbide segments are brazed to the rim of a steel body and then teeth are ground into them. This allows more teeth/inch on the perimeter and larger diameter blades than on previous carbide-tipped blades. The segments, which typically form an arc of a circle, provide the improved performance of carbide blades without excessive expense of solid carbide blades.

Abstract: Replacement of a damaged post for a parking meter can be accomplished by cutting the post off near the ground and affixing a replacement post to the stub of the original post with a retaining device which grips the two portions of the post from inside the post. The retaining device is only reachable through the post when the meter head is removed, thus preserving the integrity of the post from vandals.

Abstract: A roller cone jet-type drill bit with nozzles which direct collimated streams of mud at different angles, to sweep different radii of the hole bottom.

Abstract: A system and method for computer graphics generation which uses a local library of graphics textures. When an application, run either locally or over a communications system, requires texture-mapped graphics, texture data is retrieved from the local library instead of transmitted to the system.

Abstract: In the seal gland in a rotating cone drill bit, the O-ring is initially compressed between the journal and a central portion of the gland which has a cross-section parallel to the journal. These two concentric surfaces provide a minimum amount of contact pressure for a given amount of squeeze than other configurations. Chamfers connect the central portion to the sidewalls of the gland, so that after the seal has worn in use, it will ride up onto the chamfers, where additional squeeze to the seal. This allows the seal to operate in a standard regime during the first part of its lifetime and to automatically shift to a more compressed mode as the seal wears.

Abstract: A device for storing pixel information for displaying a graphics image on a display includes a frame buffer and a processor. The information includes an intensity value and a value associated with each of a plurality of additional planes for each pixel. The frame buffer memory has a series of consecutive addresses for storing information to be output to the display. The frame buffer may be subdivided into a plurality of blocks, where each block corresponds to a region of the display having a plurality of contiguous pixels. The processor places the pixel information within the frame buffer memory so that in a given block there are placed at a first collection of consecutive addresses the intensity values for each of the pixels in the block.

Abstract: The present invention allows the load carrying capability of a drill bit journal bearing or bushing to be increased. The present invention increases the length of the journal bushing by using the ball bearings to retain the journal bushing at a desired location between the journal and the cutter cone assembly. Normally, the journal bushing is retained by a flange formed on the interior surface of the cutter cone assembly. In the present invention, this flange is removed, and the ball bearings are used as a retention device for the journal bushing. With the flange removed, the length of the journal bushing may be increased.