Abstract: A method and system for dynamically adjusting the total bandwidth that an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switching system can make available to Available Bit Rate (ABR) virtual circuits comprise the steps of by determining a set of weighted “cutoffs” for the ABR virtual circuits, respectively, determining a first total expected rate (Exp_Rate) for recently active virtual circuits that are bottlenecked elsewhere based on the weighted cutoffs, setting a second total expected rate for active virtual circuits that are bottlenecked elsewhere to the first total expected rate, determining a total bandwidth available in the switching system for active virtual circuits that are bottlenecked in the switching system based on the first total expected rate, and setting to zero the first total expected rate.

Abstract: An edge-emitting laser formed in an opto-electronic chip and having an emission wavelength determined by dielectric interference filter formed on opposing facets between which said laser extends. The two interference filter are each respective Fabry-Perot etalon filters having two interference mirrors sandwiching a resonant dielectric cavity layer so that the filter manifests a flat reflectance spectrum with a deep reflectance notch in its center. The two filters are fabricated with wavelengths of their notches differing by about 2%. The sum of the two filter transmittances represents round-trip cavity loss and has a double-peaked shape with a sharp minimum between the two notch wavelengths. The wavelength of the sum minimum determines the lasing wavelength without the need for a Bragg grating being incorporated within the chip. The invention can be applied to multi-wavelength edge-emitting lasers including multiple laser stripes by applying filters of different wavelengths to the ends of different stripes.

Abstract: An automatic camera selection system selects among different video sources based on image analysis of the video signals from one or more available video sources. In controlling the selection of video sources, the system can combine several sources to make images using elements from those several sources. In addition, the system can instruct other elements of the system to act differently to aid in the collection of appropriate video signals. All actions of the system are controlled by the system software, with no operator intervention required. In a preferred embodiment, the video selection system records an auditorium type of presentation for display, via recording or transmission, to remote audiences. The system selects from a number of video cameras, including automatic tracking cameras that follow a person on the auditorium stage.

Abstract: A beverage chiller which chills the liquid through the desorption of gas from an adsorbent within a vessel, wherein the chiller comprises a plurality of heat transfer elements, formed of thermally-conductive material and in direct thermal contact with the adsorbent and adapted to transfer heat between the vessel walls and the adsorbent therein, and wherein the elements are configured so as to cooperate in use in order to conduct desorbed gas from the adsorbent to the vessel walls and thence along the vessel walls prior to its exit from the vessel. The chiller provides more effective heat transfer and fully utilizes the chilling capacity of the desorbed gas by channeling it to and along the vessel walls.

Abstract: In a food processing plant electronics used to monitor and control various food processing methods are subject to harsh environmental conditions such as thermal shock, outside contaminants and condensation. An electronics enclosure for minimizing such problems places the electronics in an interior enclosure which is separated from and surrounded by an exterior enclosure. Dry nitrogen gas is input to the interior box to create an internal pressure greater than ambient pressure. The gas is vented to the exterior box which is also maintained at greater than ambient pressure. Thermal shock is reduced by spacing the internal and external boxes apart using thermally non-conductive spacers.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for freezing products, such as food products, in which a breathable liquid cryogen is sprayed onto the products as they are conveyed into the insulated enclosure of a mechanical conveyor freezer. Some of the cryogen vaporized through contact with the products is ducted into the top of the enclosure, and means may be provided for spraying cryogen directly into the freezer enclosure.

Abstract: In cooler used for coating a product such as food with a uniform layer of a liquid coating material, the mass of the product is measured either in the cooling chamber or just before it is introduced into the cooling chamber; the mass of a liquid cryogen which will suffice, when introduced into the cooling chamber and into contact with the product, to reduce the temperature of the mass of product to a first predetermined temperature below the melting point temperature of the coating material is calculated; the introduction of the calculated mass of liquid cryogen into the cooling chamber is controlled and the product is thereby cooled to the first predetermined temperature prior to application of a predetermined mass of coating material onto the cooled product to provide a coating thereon.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for delivering solid carbon dioxide flakes to a substrate in which a housing is provided with at least one passageway having operatively connected thereto a solid carbon dioxide generator. The tubes are heated to an extent sufficient to substantially prevent the solid carbon dioxide flakes from adhering to the walls of the tubes so as to maintain continuous operation and to provide a uniform flow of solid carbon dioxide flakes to the substrate.

Abstract: A liquid fuel burner is provided with a central fuel outlet having a generally divergent conical inner surface, formed of two contiguous divergent conical surfaces of different angles of divergence, and a plurality of oxygen outlets shaped and positioned for creating a converging, rotating stream of oxygen which intersects with any liquid fuel issuing from the fuel outlet. Such oxygen/fuel interaction results in two zones of combustion and a recirculation effect which assists in the complete or substantially complete combustion of undesirable exhaust gas components. The oxygen and fuel are preferably supplied such that their velocities are approximately equal at the point at which the two zones of combustion meet.

Abstract: A chiller for chilling a quantity of fluid of the type comprising an adsorbent for receiving and adsorbing under pressure a quantity of gas, the desorption of gas from the adsorption causing a reduction in temperature of the adsorbent and adsorbate which acts to chill the fluid, wherein the chiller comprises one or more thin-walled vessels for placement in direct thermal contact with the fluid to be chilled, each vessel comprising two thin sheets of substantially similar size and shape, joined together around the peripheral edges thereof so as to form a cavity therebetween for containing the adsorbent. Preferably, heat transfer means are provided to ensure efficient transfer of heat between the surface of the body of adsorbent and the adsorbent therewithin.

Abstract: A burner arrangement for ferrous scrap melting and the like includes a fuel outlet and a primary oxidant supply outlet communicating with a mixing chamber. The burner also has a main outlet and secondary oxidant supply outlets. In addition there is a convergent-divergent nozzle communicating with the mixing chamber. Valves control the flow of gaseous fuel to the fuel outlet, and the flow of primary and secondary oxidant to the primary and secondary oxidant supply outlets. In operation, oxidant is supplied to the primary and secondary outlets, hot flame or combustion gases are accelerated through the nozzle with the result that a sonic or supersonic velocity can be created. Such high velocities facilitate the penetration of the combustion gases through a slag layer into molten metal.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for freezing food products including a first freezer section utilizing a liquid or solid cryogen and a second freezer section which utilizes cryogenic vapor from the first freezer section to complete the freezing operation, the first and second freezer sections being in a vertical arrangement to minimize floor space and improve cooling efficiency.

Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus includes a container in which are situated a plurality of eutectic chilling elements and a spraybar for dispensing a mist of liquid cryogen into a region R in which product to be refrigerated is to be stored. Liquid cryogen is used to freeze the eutectic and is then passed to the spray bar.

Abstract: The present invention provides a food freezing apparatus and method in which food is passed through an elongated tube in which it is subjected to both crust and atmospheric freezing before being removed for packing. The crust freezing is facilitated by spraying liquid cryogen onto the outside of the tube at an upstream portion thereof.

Abstract: The integrated multimode optical coupling apparatus comprises an N-to-M optical coupling arrangement that is simple to manufacture, minimizes optical losses and is significantly less expensive than the prior art arrangements of coupling optical signals. The preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention comprises a substrate into which is formed a plurality of optical channels, each of which is joined at one end into a single output optical channel. This integrated optical coupler is formed by diffusing silver ions or other equivalent ions into the glass substrate in these defined areas to form channels of high optical refractive index in the body of the substrate. At one end of each of the optical channels that are formed in the substrate, the plurality of the optical channels are joined together in a volumetric region of the substrate wherein the individual channels merge into one unified common structure.

Abstract: The system of the preferred embodiment of the invention contains a processor as well as a permanently mounted programmable FLASH memory in which the firmware resides. The system makes use of a socket in which a memory device can be installed. The socket accepts a firmware update memory device which has stored thereon the firmware revisions or replacement firmware. Once the firmware update memory device is installed, the processor downloads the instructions contained therein to the permanent FLASH memory device. Once the program is transferred to the permanent memory, the system operation is not dependent on the reliability of the socket. In addition, program changes can be input to the system without requiring that the system be equipped with a data input/output device, such as a modem, floppy disk drive or the like.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for forming a heat treating atmosphere in which a nitrogen rich gas containing small amounts of oxygen is preheated. An oxygen-reactive gas, such as a hydrocarbon gas, is combined with the nitrogen rich gas and the mixture is reacted outside of the furnace at temperatures above which substantial sooting does not occur. The resulting heat treating atmosphere is then forwarded to the furnace for conducting the heat treating process.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for the monitoring perfusion of the tissue of a patient by arterial blood is provided. An optical path length change is calculated for a number of digitized samples of a received light intensity signal generated by a photo detector that receives light directed into a patient's tissue by one or more light emitting diodes or laser diodes. The optical path length changes are summed over a predetermined time such as one half cardiac cycle or other set interval to generate a perfusion index. An average perfusion index value may also be generated. In calculating the perfusion index spectral content compensation may be employed to compensate for the variety of center wavelengths associated with the spectral contents of various emitters.

Abstract: A single multifunction fixture secures an electronic device in a predetermined position and provides guide slots for the worker to place the individual conductors of a multiconductor cable in place such that each conductor aligns with a corresponding contact on the device when both the cable and the device are secured in the fixture. The fixture includes a movable head that can be brought into contact with the conductors once they are positioned over the corresponding electrical contacts to form electrically conductive paths through the head, electrical conductor, device contact and fixture for each of the cable conductors. The electrically conductive paths through the fixture form high current carrying capacity paths which, when sufficient current is passed therethrough, function to weld the cable conductors to their corresponding electrical contact on the device.

Abstract: The gas sample identification apparatus transmits at least one beam of light of predefined frequency band through a gas sample present in a gas sampling chamber. The presence and concentration of various agents in the gas sample are determined by a linear variable filter that selectively passes the light beam transmitted through the gas sample chamber to an array of detectors. The detectors are positioned to receive only a narrow passband component of the light beam. The output signals from the array of detectors is processed by a multivariate statistical processor to accurately identify both the presence and concentration of one or more agents contained in the gas sample.