Abstract: Method for hosting a multitasking guest on a host system, wherein the guest is allocated a periodic execution server and a deferrable execution server associated with a partition of the system, event-driven tasks of the guest are assigned to the deferrable execution server, time-driven tasks of the guest are assigned to the periodic execution server, a hypervisor of the execution servers is assigned to a first priority group of the system, the deferrable execution server is assigned to a second priority group of the system, the periodic execution server is assigned to a third priority group of the system, and a preemptive task scheduler maintains a descending priority order among the priority groups while the execution servers execute the tasks concurrently.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for capturing wave energy in a body of water such as the sea. The apparatus (10) rests on the seabed and comprises a body structure (11) having a portion such as a flexible diaphragm (19) adapted to deflect in response to wave action. Pumps (51), each defining a pumping chamber (55), are adapted to undergo expansion and contraction in response to deflection of the portion of the body structure. Each pumping chamber (55) has an inlet (61) communicating with the seawater and an outlet (62), whereby seawater is drawn into the pumping chamber upon volume expansion thereof from the pumping chamber and is discharged through the outlet upon volume reduction thereof through the outlet. The diaphragm (19) typically comprises a substantially rigid portion (21) and a flexible portion (23), with the pumps (51) operably connected to the rigid portion. There may be a plurality of said rigid portions (21) adapted for articulation one with respect to another to define an articulated structure.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) rests on the seabed at a location below sea level for capturing wave energy. The apparatus (10) comprises a body structure (11) having a diaphragm (25) adapted to deflect in response to wave action. A working chamber (27) is disposed immediately below the diaphragm (25) and contains a compressible fluid such as air. A pump system (43) is accommodated within the working chamber (27). The pump system (43) comprises two reciprocating pumps (45, 47) operating in opposition. The pumps (45, 47) are operably connected to the diaphragm (25) through a lever mechanism (61). Because of the geometry of the lever mechanism (61), the stroke length of each pump (45, 47) is less than the amplitude of displacement of the diaphragm (25) as it moves in response to wave action. Thus, the lever mechanism (61) increases the force acting on each pump (45, 47) by a given ratio and reduces the stroke of each pump by the same ratio.

Abstract: A tyre (10) adapted to be fitted onto a conventional wheel rim (13) for pneumatic tyres, the rim (13) has a tyre support surface (15), bead seats (17), each bead seat (17) comprises an inner seat portion (19) and an outer seat portion (21) terminating in an arcuate portion (22) defining the outer periphery of the rim (13), the tyre (10) comprises a radially inner portion (31) engageable with the rim (13), the radially inner portion comprising a band (41), the band comprises a metal band adapted to the supportingly received on, and releasably fixed with respect to the outer periphery of the rim (13) by welding at circumferentially spaced intervals, the tyre (10) further comprises a cushioning structure (33), the cushioning structure (33) comprises a resiliently deformable body of appropriate material such as rubber, bonded onto the band (41), the band (41) provides a rigid base for supporting the resiliently deformable body (43).

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for capturing wave energy in a body of water such as the sea. The apparatus (10) rests on the seabed and comprises a body structure (11) having a portion such as a flexible diaphragm (19) adapted to deflect in response to wave action. Pumps (51), each defining a pumping chamber (55), are adapted to undergo expansion and contraction in response to deflection of the portion of the body structure. Each pumping chamber (55) has an inlet (61) communicating with the seawater and an outlet (62), whereby seawater is drawn into the pumping chamber upon volume expansion thereof from the pumping chamber and is discharged through the outlet upon volume reduction thereof through the outlet. The diaphragm (19) typically comprises a substantially rigid portion (21) and a flexible portion (23), with the pumps (51) operably connected to the rigid portion. There may be a plurality of said rigid portions (21) adapted for articulation one with respect to another to define an articulated structure.

Abstract: A low-cost airliner defense system utilizing self powered, retrievable, towed decoys against man portable heat-seeking missile (MANPAD) systems provides both high power and a large IR radiating surface area. An efficient and lightweight integrated turbine-alternator extracts sufficient electric power from an air stream directed through a small decoy deployed and towed behind an aircraft during the vulnerable phases of a flight to power a large and intense IR emitter. Unfurled IR radiator “petals” present large area arrays of rear-facing IR emitters. During the high-altitude cruise phase the radiating petals furl down folding around the retrieved decoy body as it is stowed in a streamlined housing for minimizing fuel consumption and maneuverability penalties.

Abstract: A method of marketing products and collecting polling information is disclosed. The method comprises putting an entire product on the Internet and rewarding users for using and/or interacting with the actual product and providing a rating for that product.

Abstract: A hybrid control system executes tasks within a transaction which is executed in a given order. The order in which the tasks are executed is inversely proportional to their deadlines. The deadlines are assigned an initial deadline D, an initial maximum end-to-end delay of the transaction is calculated using the initial deadlines D and the given order of the tasks.The deadline of the task with the largest deadline is reduced by an increment to give a new deadline and if the task following it has an increment to give a new deadline. A new end-to-end delay is calculated using the new deadlines and the given order of the tasks. These steps are repeated until the new end-to-end delay does not exceed the desired maximum end-to-end delay.