Abstract: The effect of network jitter upon the quality of service operation of networked gateway devices is minimized with the use of minimum delay filtering prior to the control/synchronization processing by the “off-ramp” networked gateway device.

Abstract: The invention provides a power conversion device operable in a discontinuous conduction mode under the control of a switch. During operation in the discontinuous conduction mode, an oscillating voltage exists across the switch means prior to a turn-on of the switch means. The power conversion the device comprises a switching controller arranged to ensure that turn-on of the switch occurs at a minimum of the oscillating voltage. The power conversion device also comprises a timer arranged to provide a controlled time period following a first turn-on of the switching means, during which a second turn-on of the switching means can not occur. Such an arrangement is advantageous in that a low power level of operation of the device and a short conduction time of the switch means does not lead to an undesirable increase in switching frequency. Consequently, a reduction in a parasitic capacitance of the switch will be rewarded by an increase in efficiency.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for pressure sensing includes a Bourdon tube connected to a source of fluid pressure for sensing pressure changes therein, the Bourdon tube containing a pressure sensitive medium, a socket having a bore therethrough and positioned to fluidly connect the Bourdon tube with the source of pressure, a diaphragm positioned in the bore between the Bourdon tube and the source of pressure so as to isolate the pressure sensitive medium from the fluid whose pressure is sensed, and a dampener positioned between the diaphragm and the Bourdon tube, the dampener having a porous metallic body effective for substantially dampening transmission of a pressure pulse from the source of pressure to the pressure sensitive medium.

Abstract: In its first aspect the invention provides an electromechanical acoustic transducer (5) which is resistively terminated at the rear with a closely-coupled sound absorber (7) made from an aerogel with good acoustic absorption at low frequencies. The invention also provides an aerogel suitable for this use and which is a conglomerate of small particles packed so that there are spaces left therebetween to allow the passage of sound. Moreover, the invention provides an aerogel suitable for this use and comprised of multiple layers (17a etc.) of materials of graded properties, or comprised of material of continuously varying properties throughout the thickness of the absorbing structure, in the principal direction of sound from the source.

Abstract: A hay rake includes a crosswise member having a right section and a left section. A first rake arm has a front end and a back end, the first rake arm being pivotably mounted at its back end to the right section of the crosswise member so as to be moveable between an open position and a closed position. A second rake arm has a front end and a back end, the second rake arm being pivotably mounted at its back end to the left section of the crosswise member so as to be moveable between an open position and a closed position. A plurality of rotatable rake wheels are mounted on each of the first and second rake arms. The hay rake also includes first and a second actuators. The first actuator has a first section connected to the right section of the crosswise member and a second section connected to the first rake arm. The second actuator has a first section connected to the left section of the crosswise member and a second section connected to the second rake arm.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for detecting a molecular recognition by electrochemiluminescence. Said method comprises the steps consisting in a) depositing an electronically conductive film on a support and attaching on said film a sensor molecule in order to obtain a test support; b) subjecting the sample to be tested to a protocol of marking the target molecule with an electrochemiluminescent marker; c) bringing the marked target into contact with the test support; d) rinsing the test support; and e) subjecting the test support rinsed in step d) to a reading of the electrochemiluminescence signal triggered by a direct, or indirect, electronic transfer between the target and the support via the electronically conductive film.

Abstract: An arbitration mechanism provides quality of service guarantees for time-sensitive signals sharing a local area computer network with non-time-sensitive traffic. Device adapters are placed at all access points to an Ethernet network. The device adapters limit admission rates and control the timing of all packets entering the network. By doing so, collisions are eliminated for time-sensitive traffic, thereby guaranteeing timely delivery. A common time reference is established for the device adapters. The time reference includes a frame with a plurality of phases. Each of the phases is assigned to a device adapter. Each device adapter is allowed to transmit packets of data onto the network only during the phase assigned thereto. The length of the phases may be modified in accordance with the number of packets to be transmitted by a particular device adapter. A master device adapter may be appointed to synchronize each of the device adapters.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for facilitating rated long distance-telephone calls. The method includes receiving a destination telephone number for a rated long distance telephone call. The method further includes determining a first rate for the telephone call based on the destination number and connecting to a call management system. The method further includes receiving a DTMF tone from the call management system, the DTMF tone corresponding to a second rate for the telephone call. If the first rate is identical to the second rate, a telephone call connection to the destination number is initiated. The telephone call is rated at the first rate.

Abstract: A data network in which at least one switch is provided with the facility for estimating current network demands using a polygonal approximation to scaled cumulant generating function. The approximaton is iteratively refined in accordance with sampled data passing through the switch. The switch estimates the demand associated with a new data processing request as it is received by the switch and decides whether to accept the request based on available resources.

Abstract: A cam bracket is disclosed for lubricating the vicinity of a thrust plate sufficiently even during starting of the engine. In the cam bracket adapted to support a camshaft for rotation in cooperation with a cylinder head and provided with a support portion having a slot for supporting a thrust plate of the camshaft for rotation, an oil sump is formed in a hollow fashion on the upper surface of the support portion around the edge of the slot at least on one side in a rotation direction of the thrust plate.

Abstract: A high-speed medical/dental handpiece includes a handle, which carries air, water, and light to a disposable cartridge which is received on the sleeve. The cartridge includes a head portion and a sleeve portion. The cartridge head defines a chamber having an upper and lower portions each of which receives a bobbin shaped sleeve bearing, and a central portion which receives a turbine. The bearings each form annular channels with their respective chambers. The cartridge includes water and air passages which direct water to the turbine so that the turbine is driven by an air/water mixture. Water is also directed to the upper bearing and grooves in the lower bearing chamber allow water to enter the annular channel around the lower bearing. Axial passages in the bearings enable water to pass from the annular chamber to the bit to contact the bit shaft. The air and water in the chamber are exhausted through the bit opening in the bottom of the head as well as through a plurality of exhaust ports in the head.

Abstract: The parallel virtual directory system can extend the native file system to provide a superior method for organizing a computer system's physical storage devices or locations. These can include hard disks and removable media or remote storage locations such as on the Internet. Interceptor modules can monitor all file or memory changes such as creations, writes and deletes to the native file system and can pass this information to the parallel virtual directory system. The parallel virtual directory system may be accessed through the native file system methods allowing users to view their file system as it existed at any point in time, including removable media that is no longer present in the system. Further, via the parallel virtual directory system and the Interceptor modules, users can access any file in any of the monitored file systems.

Abstract: A system and method for pressurizing bags of physiological fluids include a control valve for providing deflation of a bladder that compresses the bags. The toggle portion of the control valve is movable between a first and second position respectively for inflation and deflation of the bladder. When the toggle portion is in the first position, the control valve connects a source of pressurized air to the bladder, and when the toggle portion is in the second position, the control valve allows the bladder to exhaust directly to the atmosphere through an outlet port in the valve. The size of the outlet port is so large that it creates only very little resistance to the discharged air.

Abstract: A method of treatment using a compound of Formula I: 1

Abstract: A method for communicating a re-keying message from a postage meter to a registration authority includes the steps of determining at the postage meter that a current key needs to be replaced with a new key; generating in the postage meter the new key; creating in the postage meter the re-keying message, the re-keying message including at least a device identifier and the new key; using the postage meter for printing the re-keying message in a machine-readable form on a recording medium; and mailing the recording medium to the registration authority.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for releasing pressure and draining a high pressure water system includes a valve comprising a valve body having an inner cavity for water to flow therethrough, an inlet opening and an outlet opening in fluid connection with the inner cavity, a valve seat assembly comprising a first biasing member exerting a force against a valve plunger cooperating with a seal to thereby substantially close the valve at or above a predetermined system pressure, and an override comprising a manual activator having a second biasing member and a cooperating member positioned to transmit to said valve seat assembly a force applied by an operator, to thereby manually open the valve when pressure exceeds the predetermined system pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for the automatic testing the adhesion characteristics of thin film and coating to silicon wafers, and the processing of the data obtained thereby to present to the user a rapid and accurate forecast of the thin film's behavior in a selected processing environment. The apparatus of the invention heats and cools samples while automatically monitoring for debonding. Information collected from the optical and thermal devices are processed by computer for analysis and recorded for cataloging. Information is collected and processed over time while samples are subjected to selected temperature environments to provide a data base of adhesion characteristics of thin films and coatings.

Abstract: A dispenser for sanitizing/deodorant surfactant liquids, particularly for toilet bowls, including a container, which is provided at an end thereof with a tray element having at least one cavity in continuous communication with the container; the cavity is provided with at least one outlet for the controlled dispensing of a surfactant liquid.