Abstract: An automated system for preparing weld land areas of panels to be welded to each other is disclosed. Generally, the system of the present invention includes a system for cleaning contaminants from such weld land areas. In one embodiment, the system for cleaning contaminants includes a system for blasting carbon dioxide granules or pellets against the weld land areas. In instances where the panels comprise aluminum, the system may further include a system for removing at least a first layer of aluminum oxide from the weld land areas. In one embodiment, the system for removing includes a system for moving a plurality of sheets of sand paper over the weld land areas. For purposes of moving the panels relative to the system for cleaning contaminants and/or the system for removing at least the first layer of aluminum oxide, the automated system of the present invention may further include a shuttle system for supporting and moving at least the first panel therethrough.

Abstract: A high voltage insulator for use with optical fibers includes an insulative support rod with at least one optical fiber wrapped about the support rod. The optical fiber and support rod are covered by an outer elastomeric skirted insulative sleeve which squeezes the optical fibers against the support rod. A dielectric sealant, such as a silicone gel, is dispersed along the optical fiber to fill any voids which occur adjacent the optical fiber, thereby providing a void-free bond between the interior surfaces of the insulator. The elastomeric outer sleeve provides a resilient barrier against the ingress of moisture. In a preferred embodiment, an inner layer of elastomeric material is provided between the support rod and the optical fiber to provide additional cushioning of the fiber and to reduce the size of voids which may occur adjacent the fiber.

Abstract: A vehicle heating system includes a heater plenum assembly externally attached to an engine exhaust pipe, to use exhaust heat to heat outside air flowing through the plenum into passenger cabin. The plenum includes a plurlality of aluminum plenum air tubes fastened to an air inlet manifold and air outlet manifold, with the assembly fastened against a portion of the exhaust pipe. A blower circulates unheated outside air through the plenum and, thereafter, the heated air into the cabin. Insulation around the plenum and adjacent exhaust pipe conserves heat.

Abstract: A self compensating phase detector. Using two identical phase detectors introducing one of the phase detectors and a controlled variable phase shifter in a negative feedback loop shifts one dock signal enough such that the shifted signal compensates for existing static phase error. This self-compensation improves the accuracy of the phase difference measurement by significantly reducing the effect of static phase error. Moreover, this reduction remains true in spite of variations in process, temperature and voltage. Thus, inherent immunity of the invention to environmental conditions results in fewer failing parts during fabrication. Additionally, because the design is self-adjusting to environmental changes, design ease is significantly improved.

Abstract: An interconnection device for interconnecting a number of first terminals to a number of second terminals. The interconnection device includes a conductive housing and a number of contacts that are insulated from the conductive housing. This configuration may provide shielding to the number of contacts from outside sources of electro-magnetic interference. Further, a number of conductive ribs may be provided between adjacent contacts, thereby shielding the contacts from cross-talk interference between adjacent contacts. Finally, the impedance of each contact in the interconnection device may be controlled to provide a stable bandpass, and may be programmable to match, or correct for, the input impedance of a corresponding device.

Abstract: Transdermal compositions, devices, and methods for the administration of a drug at reduced skin irritation levels are disclosed. More particularly, this invention relates to novel methods, compositions, and devices for the reduction or elimination of irritation or sensitization caused by an irritating or sensitizing drug when it is delivered transdermally. According to a preferred embodiment, transdermal administration of a drug salt of a non-zwitterionic drug is disclosed wherein the drug salt comprises a combination of surface activity and a low octanol-water partition coefficient. Such drug salts have been found to reduce irritation or sensitization to the drug being delivered while achieving therapeutically effective transdermal fluxes.

Abstract: A method and system for distributing a service request among a plurality of servers is disclosed. A portion metric is assigned to each one of the plurality of servers, the portion metric designating a portion of total server requests to be allocated to the one of the plurality of servers. A server request may then be received. A total number of server requests processed by the plurality of servers is incremented and a number of server requests distributed to each one of the plurality of servers is maintained. The server request is then distributed to one of the plurality of servers using the portion metric assigned to each one of the plurality of servers, the number of server requests distributed to each one of the plurality of servers, and the total number of server requests.

Abstract: A mechanical joint for pivotally connecting two members, particularly members of an orthopedic or orthotic device, to limit the degree of pivotal movement between the members and precisely and easily adjust the position of limited pivotal movement between the two members.

Abstract: Briefly, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, an integrated circuit includes an operational amplifier coupled in a circuit configuration. The circuit configuration includes two transistors coupled to the operational amplifier so that the corresponding voltages at the terminals or ports of the transistors are substantially identical. Briefly, in accordance with one more embodiment of the invention, an integrated circuit includes an operational amplifier coupled in a circuit configuration. The circuit configuration includes two circuit components coupled to the operational amplifier so that the corresponding voltages at the terminals or ports of the circuit components are substantially identical. The circuit components include any circuit components capable of implementing a transconductance.

Abstract: Data in a write cache is coalesced together prior to each destage operation. This results in higher performance by destaging a large quantity of data from the cache with each destage operation. A root item of data is located, and then a working set of data is collected by identifying additional data in the cache that will be destaged to locations in the storage device adjacent to the root item of data. The root item of data may be identified by starting at the location of the least recently accessed data in the cache, and then selecting a root item of data at a lower storage device address than the least recently accessed data, or may be chosen from a larger than average group of data items that were stored together into the cache. To speed execution, data items are added to a working set by, where possible, scanning an queue of data items kept in access order to locate data items at adjacent storage locations.

Abstract: Flip-chip electronic packages are provided with a compliant surface layer, normally positioned between an underfill layer and a substrate such as a chip carrier or a printed circuit board or card, which reduces stress and strain resulting from differences in coefficients of thermal expansion between the chip and substrate. The compliant layer, which should have a storage modulus of less than ½ the modulus of the substrate, preferably between about 50,000 psi and about 20,000 psi, may comprise rubbery materials such as silicone, virco-plastic polymers such as polytetrafluoroethylene or interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs). Photosensitive IPNs used for solder marks are preferred.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is directed to a circuit including first and second filter nodes for being connected to a filter and first and second bypass nodes corresponding to the first and second filter nodes, respectively. A charge transfer circuit having at least one charge transfer node is to be alternatively coupled to one of the filter nodes and a corresponding one of the bypass nodes for transferring charge to control a differential voltage of the filter nodes. First and second amplifiers are to buffer the voltages on the first and second filter nodes at first and second outputs which are coupled to the first and second bypass nodes, respectively. The output voltage of each amplifier can be adjusted according to a difference between a control voltage and a common mode voltage of the first and second nodes.

Abstract: An insert for use within integrated circuit (IC) chip carriers to provide universality across device types and applications at a low design and fabrication cost. The present invention functions as a generic carrier floor and/or adaptor insert which enables reception of both quad-flat-pack (QFP) and thin-quad-flat-pack (TQFP) ICs within frames of a variety of existing carriers, or alternatively, may allow both QFP and TQFP ICs to utilize a single IC carrier frame, a feature which currently prevailing embodiments would require two unique IC carriers.

Abstract: A plurality of copper lasers, as radiant power sources, emits a beam of power carrying radiation. A plurality of fiber injection assemblies receives power from the plurality of copper lasers and injects such power into a plurality of fibers for individually transmitting the received power to a plurality of power-receiving devices. The power-transmitting fibers of the system are so arranged that power is delivered therethrough to each of the power-receiving devices such that, even if a few of the radiant power sources and/or fibers fail, the power supply to any of the power receiving devices will not completely drop to zero but will drop by the same proportionate amount.

Abstract: A descriptor controlled transmit and receive scatter/gather Direct Memory Access Controller efficiently moves data frames comprised of scattered blocks of data from within memory to a destination interface via a multibyte-wide buffer. The transfer of frames into a transmit buffer and out of a receive buffer is optimized regardless of the total length of the component data blocks and regardless of whether the data blocks include an odd or even number of bytes, whether the data blocks begin at an odd or even address, or whether the data blocks are misaligned with regard to memory width boundaries. A DMAC in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention stores information provided by a descriptor before frame processing takes place. This information in conjunction with steering logic and accumulator registers is used to control the steering and storing of the frame data as it passes through the DMAC to the transmit buffer or from the receive buffer.

Abstract: A compounded and plasticized vinyl chloride polymer layer, optionally supported with a fabric, contains an outer adherent, stain resistant layer having durability and flexibility. The adherent, stain resistant layer is derived from a water-based polyester-amino resin composition. The stain resistant layer comprises the reaction product of said polyester, an acid catalyst, and an amino resin. The vinyl chloride layer may be printed or embossed or both printed and embossed, optionally printed again, before the outer layer is applied. A laminate formed from the polyvinyl chloride polymer layer and the stain resistant layer can also be embossed.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus for evaluating a partially completed weld is described and which is utilized in combination with an automated movable welder which moves across a supporting surface, and wherein the inspection apparatus includes a coupling member mounted on the welder; a frame member mounted on the coupling member; an ultrasonic sensor mounted on the frame member and disposed in ultrasonic sound transmitting relation relative to the partially completed weld; and a drive assembly for adjusting the position of the ultrasonic sensor relative to the partially completed weld.

Abstract: An apparatus for etching a first side of a semiconductor wafer down to a desired level. The apparatus includes an etching chamber. The apparatus also includes a wafer chuck configured to engage the wafer by a second side of the wafer, and position the wafer in the etching chamber. The apparatus also includes a light source unit positioned such that light signals generated by the light source unit are directed into the wafer. Moreover, the apparatus includes a light receiving unit positioned such that the light signals generated by the light source unit emanate out of the wafer and are received with the light receiving unit. The light receiving unit includes a first optical material and a second optical material having an interface therebetween. The first optical material has a linear index of refraction, whereas the second optical material has a nonlinear index of refraction which is dependent on an intensity level of the light signals received with the light receiving unit.

Abstract: The invention is a process for separating acid gases from synthesis gas and treating the resulting solids. A mixture comprising synthesis gas and acid gas is contacted with a fluid that reacts with said acid gas to form a particulate solid dispersed in a fluid. The slurry comprising fluid and particulate solid is filtered to separate the particulate solid from the fluid by means of a regenerable filter. The particulate solids are removed from the regenerable filter by back-washing with a back-washing fluid to form a pumpable slurry comprising a mixture of particulate solids and back-washing fluid. The slurry is gasified to form synthesis gas and vitrified solids.

Abstract: A dosage form containing cetirizine as an immediate release component and pseudoephedrine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as a controlled release component. A portion of the pseudoephedrine can also be incorporated as an immediate release component. The dosage form is free of alcohols having a molecular weight lower than 100 and reactive derivatives thereof.