Abstract: A circuit is for re-synchronizing an event indication signal received from a foreign domain to generate a result indication signal that is re-synchronized to a host clock signal. The event indication signal is received from the foreign domain at a first input terminal; and a host clock signal is received at a second input terminal. Edge-triggered flip flop circuitry of the circuit has a clock input, a data input, and a data output. The clock input is coupled to the second input terminal and the data input is coupled to receive a latch output signal. The edge-triggered flip flop circuitry clocks the latch output signal to the data output of the flip flop circuitry, to generate a result event indication signal, in response to a transition in the host clock signal. Delay circuitry is coupled to the first input terminal to receive the event indication signal. The delay circuitry provides a delayed event indication signal having a phase that is delayed from the event indication signal.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic transducer supported on a substrate includes a coil that terminates at pads supported on the substrate. A layer of diamond-like carbon material encapsulates the head, substrate and coil, but not the pads. A thin layer of diamond-like carbon is deposited over the exposed portions of the transducer, coil and substrate. Three techniques are described for exposing the pads including employing a photoresist mask, depositing an adhesive layer of silicon over the conductive paths but not the pads, and using a photoresist mask to etch the diamond-like carbon layer over the pads and breaking down the silicon adhesive layer with a design voltage.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for limiting the occurrence of knock conditions in an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a throttle sensor that detects transition of an engine throttle from a steady state throttle condition to a wide open throttle condition. Further, spark means is provided for generating a spark for an engine cylinder firing event, with the spark means generating the spark with an associated spark advance. Further, a controller is provided that is responsive to the wide open throttle condition detected by the throttle sensor and that causes the spark advance to incrementally advance to a maximum level over a predetermined time period, thereby minimizing the occurrence of engine knock conditions.

Abstract: A magnetic structure is formed by depositing a layer of diamond-like carbon onto the exposed surface of an a first material and depositing a layer of second material onto the layer of diamond-like carbon. A photoresist is applied to the exposed surface of the second layer and is patterned in the form of the desire structure. The exposed portions of the second layer are removed with a wet etchant that does not attack the diamond-like carbon layer. Thereafter, any remaining photoresist is removed.

Abstract: A tool is described which is useful for tightening a band or ligature having a buckle end and a free end during laparoscopic surgery. The tool comprises outer and inner elongate, slidably mounted cylindrical members. The outer member, which is slotted, has mounted on the distal end thereof a member for grasping the buckle end of a ligature. The inner member has a grasping portion mounted thereon and projecting through a slot in the outer member which is suitable for releasably engaging the free end of the ligature. In practice, the free end of the ligature is brought around to encircle a tissue and passed through a conduit within the buckle portion of the ligature, much as one threads a belt end through a buckle prior to cinching tight and fastening. The buckle portion preferably has a tab projecting therefrom with a hole therein which accommodates the buckle grasping member on the end of the outer member.

Abstract: A diamond-like carbon mask is formed on the surface of the magnetic material for ion-milling the magnetic material into a magnetic pole of a transducer. The mask is formed by depositing a layer of diamond-like carbon over the magnetic material. Successive layers of photoresist, SiO.sub.2 and photoresist are applied over the magnetic material. The second layer of photoresist is patterned in the shape of the pole being formed. The exposed insulating layer is etched with an etchant that does not attack the diamond-like carbon, the exposed portions of the photoresist are exposed and removed, and the exposed portion of the diamond-like carbon is etched with an oxygen etchant. The remaining photoresist is washed away to remove the remaining insulating material. In one form of the invention, a layer of SiO.sub.2 may additionally be formed over the diamond-like carbon to protect the diamond-like carbon from being affected by any undercut of the photoresist by the oxygen etchant. The SiO.sub.

Abstract: A thin film magnetic transducer supported on a substrate includes a coil that terminates at pads supported on the substrate. A layer of diamond-like carbon material encapsulates the head, substrate and coil, but not the pads. A thin layer of diamond-like carbon is deposited over the exposed portions of the transducer, coil and substrate. Three techniques are described for exposing the pads including employing a photoresist mask, depositing an adhesive layer of silicon over the conductive paths but not the pads, and using a photoresist mask to etch the diamond-like carbon layer over the pads and breaking down the silicon adhesive layer with a design voltage.

Abstract: A gastric band for placement around the stomach is described which is useful for the treatment and control of morbid obesity. The gastric band has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface has an inflatable member disposed thereon which substantially completely covers the inner surface of the band. A remote fill port is in fluid communication with the interior of the inflatable member. The gastric band is invasively placed in an encircling position around the stomach by the facile closure of a single fastening means. After the band is fastened around the stomach, a fluid is injected into the inflatable member thereby constricting the stoma of the stomach. Preferably, measuring means situated within the stomach provides a measure of the stoma opening. The inflatable member is adjusted so that the stoma opening is at the desired diameter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of forming a coating on a substrate. The method comprises applying a silane and, optionally, a titanium catalyst, onto the substrate and allowing the silane to hydrolyze and condense with atmospheric moisture to form an insoluble coating.

Abstract: The status of a Park/Neutral (P/N) switch for an automatic transmission in an automotive vehicle is diagnosed by a method which includes the steps of determining whether an engine of the automotive vehicle is cranking, diagnosing the P/N switch for a P/N state of the automatic transmission when the engine is cranking, and diagnosing the P/N switch for a Drive state of the automatic transmission when the engine is not cranking.

Abstract: A moisture-curable silicone hot-melt adhesive composition is disclosed, which composition comprises(i) a solid hydroxyl-functional organopolysiloxane resin comprising R.sub.3 SiO.sub.1/2 siloxane units and SiO.sub.4/2 siloxane units in a molar ratio of 0.5/1 to 1.2/1, wherein R is selected from hydrocarbon or halogenated hydrocarbon radicals;(ii) a diorganopolysiloxane polymer having silicon-bonded hydroxyl terminal groups and having a viscosity at 25.degree. C. of 100 to 500,000 centipoise, the weight ratio of said resin (i) to said polymer being (ii) in the range 40:60 to 75:25;(iii) a ketoximosilane, the amount of said ketoximosilane being sufficient to provide a molar ratio of X groups to total hydroxyl groups on said resin (i) and said diorganopolysiloxane (ii) of 0.9 to 3; and(iv) optionally, sufficient catalyst to accelerate the cure of said composition, said composition being an essentially solvent-free non-slump solid at room temperature, being extrudable at .ltoreq.150.degree. C.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for forming a solid, epoxy-functional silicone resin by hydrolyzing and condensing a mixture of at least one organoalkoxysilane and a beta-(3,4-epoxycyclohexyl)-functional trialkoxysilane in the presence of an organotitanate catalyst. The silicone resins prepared according to the instant method find utility in the formulation of powder coatings, either alone or in combination with organic resins.

Abstract: A method for imparting corrosion resistance to a metal substrate comprising coating said substrate with a moisture-curable silicone composition is disclosed. The composition consists essentially of a tetrafunctional or hexafunctional silicone polymer (I) which is modified with a liquid organohydrogenpolysiloxane (II) such that, when the functional groups of (I) are alkoxy radicals, the organohydrogenpolysiloxane contains at least 4 silicon hydride groups per molecule and when the functional groups of (I) are oxime groups, the organohydrogenpolysiloxane contains at least 5 silicon hydride groups per molecule.

Abstract: A device facilitating remote removal of an article implanted beneath the skin. In one embodiment, the implantable article comprises a band which is operatively placed to encircle an organ such as the stomach. Once in position, the band is tightened and held securely with sutures thereby preventing the stomach-encircling band from opening. If, following implantation, it becomes necessary or desirable to remove the band, a remotely actuated releasing wire, the end of which wire is implanted at an accessible site beneath the subcutaneous tissue permits the removal of the band without major surgery. In one embodiment, the sutures securing the band in an encircling position are conveniently removed by means of a wire within the band which wire, when retracted by remote activation, releases the retaining sutures and frees the band for removal. Actual removal of the released band is accomplished by pulling the band out of the abdomen and through the superficial incision by means of the wire.

Abstract: An efficient method for preparing an oximosilane-functional vinylic copolymer is disclosed wherein the corresponding alkoxysilane-functional vinylic copolymer is reacted with an organoketoxime in a dry environment. The oximosilane-functional vinylic copolymers produced by the method of the present invention find utility in moisture-curable coating systems.

Abstract: A curable coating composition, which provides excellent corrosion protection to metals, is disclosed. The composition comprises (I) a reaction product (or blend) of a resinous copolymeric siloxane solution with a liquid organohydrogenpolysiloxane, (II) a hydroxy-functional diorganopolysiloxane, (III) an organosilane, (IV) a trialkyl orthoformate, (V) an organic titanate and (VI) a condensation catalyst. High solids compositions of the present invention can be applied by conventional siphon cup spray equipment and have an extended bath life relative to prior art formulations of this type.

Abstract: There is disclosed the use of a quaternary ammonium salt of an alkoxysilane as a dispersant for magnetic pigment particles in the preparation of magnetic recording media. The dispersant of the present invention can bind to the pigment particles and may be substituted for conventional phosphate ester dispersants which are incapable of binding to the pigment and tend to migrate to the surface of such media, thereby adversely affecting recording media performance.

Abstract: There is disclosed the use of a quaternary ammonium salt of an alkoxysilane as a dispersant for magnetic pigment particles in the preparation of magnetic recording media. The dispersant of the present invention can bind to the pigment particles and may be substituted for conventional phosphate ester dispersants which are incapable of binding to the pigment and tend to migrate to the surface of such media, thereby adversely affecting recording media performance.

Abstract: Speed error is calculated by finding the difference between set speed and vehicle speed and then filtering the result. During the calculation, cable length must be compensated for in the vehicle electronic speed control system. This compensation enables a more accurate control of the electronic speed control system.

Abstract: The torque imposed on premium thread connections between tubular goods is monitored and plotted as a function of time rather than the number of turns. In this manner, the torque at which "shoulder", either by metal-to-metal sealing contact or otherwise, is achieved during make-up of the premium connection can be detected. Further, torque response of the connection after shoulder may be monitored. In addition, torque conditions during back out or disconnection may be monitored. Data obtained indicate if connections and seals are acceptable or not and often furnish evidence of the reason for certain types of unsatisfactory connections.